“For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. Also, from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves. Therefore watch, and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears” (Acts 20: 29-31)
“For unto us a child is born, unto us a child is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6
David writes in Psalm 139: 13-14, “for it was You who created my inward parts; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I will praise You because I have been fearfully and wonderfully made.”
It seems as if time is passing us by too quickly. Just last week we were celebrating Thanksgiving, and now we are in the Advent
“Oh, that men would give thanks to the Lord for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men! For He satisfies the longing soul, and fills the hungry soul with goodness.” Psalm 107: 8-9
“Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord.” Romans 12:11
“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is thy faithfulness.” Lamentations 3: 22-23
Matthew 25: 40 says, “Whatsoever you do to the least of my brothers. The king will reply, Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”
“Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.” Mark 16:15
“No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other.” Luke 16:13
“How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity.” Psalm 133:1
Psalm 139:13-15 should help us understand our self-importance, for it reads: “For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth.”
Apostle Paul writes, “Let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up, Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone, especially to those in the family of faith” (Galatians 6:9)
“If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.” Galatians 5:22-23
I recently read a story about a man who was a waiter at a restaurant who one night complained about the limited tips he received for the day. On his way home that cold night, he passed a homeless lady who appeared to be cold as she lay on the street next to a building. The gentleman thought it inhumane to pass the woman by who appeared to be cold. He stopped and stooped down to ask the lady if he could help her in any way. Her only response was, “Please give me your socks.” The man quickly took off his socks and placed them on her feet. As others passed on the street, they commended the man for such a wonderful act of love. The waiter felt horrible that he had been complaining about his poor tips for the day, while a poor woman only asked for his dirty and stinky socks.
The apostle Paul instructs the church to teach: “Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching.” Romans 12: 6-7
“Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.” (Ephesians 4:2-3)
Ecclesiastes 11:4-6. It says, “If a person waits for perfect weather, he will never plant his seeds. And if he is afraid that every cloud will bring rain, he will never harvest his crops. You do not know where the wind will blow. And you don’t know how a baby grows in its mother’s body. In the same way, God made all things. But you can’t understand what He is doing. Begin planting early in the morning, and don’t stop working until evening. This is because you do not know which things you do will succeed. It is even possible that everything you do will succeed.”
The highway of holiness will be a place of joy: “They will enter Zion with singing, everlasting joy will crown their heads. Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away” (Isaiah 35:10).
“Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of the righteous person is powerful and effective.”
James 5:16
