WHAT GOD RESPECTS

The most elaborate and ornate churches, temples, and shrines are only
impressive to the human senses. God is not impressed with them at all.
After all, He made the awesome universe. What gets God's attention as
the most beautiful temple is the individual that is humble in spirit. One
who grieves the sin in this world and gives total respect to the things of
God.

Read Isaiah 66:2

"'Has not my hand made all these things, and so they came into being?'
declares the Lord. 'This is the one I esteem: he who is humble and
contrite in spirit, and trembles at My word.'" (NIV)

"For all those things hath mine hand made, and all those things have
been, saith the LORD: but to this man will I look, even to him that is
poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word." (KJV)

GREATNESS OF GOD

God has revealed to us in His Word that He is omnipotent, and we
stand in awe and recognize the fact that He is all powerful. There
is no force in existence more powerful than He is. God also revealed
to us in His Word that He is eternal. He has always been, He is, and
He always will be. If anyone is searching for happiness, security, and
peace, all these things can be found in trusting and following God.

Read Isaiah 43:13

"Yes, and from ancient days I am He. No one can deliver out of my
hand. When I act, who can reverse it?" (NIV)

"Yea, before the day was I am he; and there is none that can deliver
out of my hand: I will work, and who shall let it?" (KJV)

GOD'S PROTECTION

Lawlessness and evil has been unleashed in this world. Look
around you, it is everywhere. There is no escape from it, except
to call on the Lord. He has promised that He will watch over us
and protect us from all this evil. We can fully trust Him to take
care of us. There is no human or other entity that can be trusted,
that will be faithful, or that is even capable of keeping us from
harm. Only our God, Him only.

Read 2 Thessalonians 3:3

"But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen and protect
you from the evil one." (NIV)

"But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you
from evil." (KJV)

REAL CHRISTIANITY

To actively choose to follow the way of Christ is to ignore what the
"self" desires. It is to walk out in active steps each day the kind of
life Christ lived. That is so unlike many "Christians" today who glut
their minds with knowledge about the Lord and exchange their ideas
at the meeting place with others who do the same.

Read Luke 9:23

"Then He said to them, 'If anyone would come after me, he must deny
himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.'" (NIV)

"And he said to them all, 'If any man will come after me, let him deny
himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.'" (KJV)

LET GOD TELL IT

It is human nature to want others to know about our special gifts and
abilities. The thing is, human nature is infected with pride. Calling
attention or merely mentioning our abilities does nothing for the
Kingdom of God or to draw others to Him. Just living for the moment
and opportunity to use our gifts, practicing them without fanfare, is
when the Lord will acknowledge us and others will know we have
gifts and abilities and that they are God given.

Read 2 Corinthians 10:18

"For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but
the one whom the Lord commends." (NIV)

"For not he that commendeth himself is approved, but whom the Lord
commendeth." (KJV)

KEEP ALERT

Living in the end times is very chaotic, distracting, and difficult.
It takes conscious, deliberate effort to stay focused on the things
that are really important and of eternal consequence. We are to
make every effort to keep our attention on God's unfolding plan so
that our prayers will be in harmony with His will, not our own wants
and needs.

Read 1 Peter 4:7

"The end of all things is near. Therefore, be clear minded and
self-controlled so that you can pray." (NIV)

"But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and
watch unto prayer." (KJV)

THINK ABOUT YOUR ANGER

It is so easy to act on our anger and emotions. We are emotional
beings and it is in our nature to express them. Sometimes our
emotions, anger in particular, are best kept under control. It is far
better to give ourselves time to think about why we are feeling this
way and listen to our heart. Our own hearts will counsel us to do the
right and honorable thing if we are serving Christ. Many sins and
heartaches have been avoided by heeding this wisdom.

Read Psalm 4:4

"In your anger do not sin; when you are on your beds, search your
hearts and be silent." (NIV)

"Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart upon
your bed, and be still. Selah." (KJV)