Will you always be angry? Will your wrath continue forever? This is how you talk but you do all the evil you can. (Jer 3:5)

Have the evils of our world been counted in the place of good? There are many ways to contribute and distribute our bad habits or wrongdoing. However, have we considered or realized that it’s not working quite how we expected? The small details and choices we make affects us tremendously. Have we considered the ways and goodness of Christ Jesus? If so, I challenge you to turn your bitter into sweet. 

A son honors his father, and a slave his master. “If I am a father, where is the honor due me? If I am a master, where is the respect due me?” says the Lord Almighty. (Mal 4:6)

What do we respect and honor each day? Have we placed or replaced our obedience in ourselves or other matters of this world? Whatever we submit to, we obey and it becomes the “Father” of our lives. 

I am the breach of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. 

Contamination is not for the nourishment of our souls. Feed off of and drink the cup of Christ today. 

In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.            (Jam 2:17)

Is it necessary to continue our faith in all things? Some have placed it aside, hung it up in the closet, sealed it and some have placed it in storage. Have we completely abandoned our faith in Christ? Do we use him on a case by case basis? When is the time to exercise our faith? It is never too late because the truth is, now. The challenge is, would you want someone to place you in a temporary or permanent storage? 

Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you. (Prov 4:25)

Sometimes it is much more fitting for us to try and control several situations all at once. It may even feel as if we have full control and expect positive results. However, what would happen if we sat in the seat as the driver and passenger all at once? The outcome and compromise it creates would be very interesting to say the least. Also, consider trying to walk left and right at the exact same time. If it sounds complicated and confusing, then indeed it is. We can be very focused on one too many things at the same time but it may cause some unforeseen circumstances to occur. I challange you to take a moment to remove yourself from the driver seat and allow Christ to take over completely. 

He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads beside quiet waters. (Ps 23:2)

What pastures are we resting in today? Do they provide comfort? Are your pastures green,withered, dried or dissipating? The same goes for rough seas. Are you riding in the rough waters of this world? Do you feel like your ship will capsize or sink? Have you considered the comfort and security that Christ provides? We will explore this concept in my next series on green pastures and still waters. 

You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you, Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow and the Lord will be with you.(2 Chr 20:17)

The fight of this world does not belong to us. Have we taken full control of every trial that we face each day? Do we continue to try and create our own victory over a situation? What does it profit us in the long run to toil with the cares of this world and lose? Sometimes our greatest defeat can be our greatest victory. However, are we willing to allow the hand of Christ to stand in our position so we take a seat in battle? I challenge you today to allow the power of the everlasting Savior to stand in the gap on your behalf. Change your seating position so that fear, doubt,disbelief and uncertainty is transformed into victory in our lives. Let go and let him. 

For we live by faith and not by sight.        (2 Cor 5:7) 

If we live by faith, then what do we call faith? Is it something tangible or concrete? Can we say that faith is a dream or idea waiting to manifest in our lives? For many of us identifty faith with things to come that may be rewarding. It can very well be our hope in something that affects us mentally and emotionally. Have you often wondered what it would be like without faith? The faith that Christ sets before us has been instilled in those who believe wholeheartedly. For what profit is there when faith is absent in our lives. Can the number  “0” produce anything of value? In the same regards can something dead revive anything dead? The same applies to our faith in Christ. He goes before us knowing that we have an expected end because we are justified by the very faith that we excercise. For without it there is nothing concrete. I challenge you today to push your faith to the next level and go beyond your innermost strength. 

There is a way that appears to be right but in the end it leads to death. (Prov 16:25)

Depending on “your” right way of doing things there are consequences. The consequences can be good or bad but there will definitely be some kind of outcome. Now, we as humans have a certain way of strategically conditioning our hearts and minds to execute things. It involves an effort that is thought out carefully and for some it’s just by instinct alone. The mind and heart are connected in a way that produces actions of power. Together they have great impact on us and the lives of others. Do we really pay attention to what lies ahead of us? Do we acknowledge the importance of it all for the sake of living a life of purpose? Do we consider the circumstances that may become fatal as it relates to our spiritual and natural body? Have we truly considered submitting our thoughts, emotions, challenges, circumstances and decisions to Christ. Living according to our natural way is vain and living “in” Christ is gain. Let us choose life over death, for no one desires anything that is not profitable.