The Beginning of Faith

Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of man (Ecclesiastes 12:13).

If Your law had not been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction.  I will never forget Your precepts, for by them You have preserved my life (Psalm 119:92-93).

Do not rejoice over me, o my enemy.  Though I fall, I will rise; though I dwell in darkness, the Lord is a light for me (Micah 7:8).

Remember Lazarus had been dead for so long he was stinking, but Jesus raise him from the dead.  One of the lessons we can learn from Lazarus is that no matter how long we have our problems, none [not you nor any of your problems] are too old for a resurrection.

Set me free from my prison that I may praise Your name.  Then the righteous will gather about me because of Your goodness to me (Psalm 142:7).

How do you get the genuine fresh air of God’s forgiveness?  By genuinely admitting to God that you have made a mistake, knowing that God loves you more than He hates your mistake, and knowing He will forgive those mistakes.  We are not perfect, Father, but we are Yours.

For You created my inmost being; You knit me together in my mother’s womb.  I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:13-14).

Behold!  What manner of love the Father has bestowed on us that we should be called “Children of God” (1 John 3:1).

For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship; and by Him we cry “Abba, Father.”  The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.  Now if we are children, then we are heirs – heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in His sufferings in order that we may share in His glory (Romans 8:15-17).

Because we are sons, God sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out “Abba, Father.”  So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son God has made you also an heir (Galatians 4:6-7).

God will do what is best for us.  But God doesn’t want to make us happy as much as He wants to make us holy.

Since a man’s steps are directed by the Lord, why then does anyone try to understand his own way?  (Proverbs 20:24)

Let no one despise your youth/age [or experience] but be an example to [other] believers; in word and deed, in love, in spirit, in faith, and in purity (1 Timothy 4:12).

God reveals Himself to those who search for Him.  God often communicates His desires for us by wise counsel of parents and mentors.

God helps us to avoid future mistakes by sending people to correct us.  When you are corrected, use the opportunity to learn and to improve your attitude.

Let each one examine his own works, and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone and not in another (Galatians 6:4).

At some point in life, each one of us must decide what his/her highest joy is.  The thing that delights us is what directs us.

We don’t serve men, we serve God.  Have no expectations of men, they only disappoint.  Focus on a relationship with Jesus and there will be an overflow for others.