Strength!

Are you living to please God or self?

That may seem like a strange question but it isn’t. Truth is on an average day most are looking to what pleases us and don’t even think about what God wants. Look at this verse:

1 Thessalonians 4:1 As for other matters, brothers and sisters, we instructed you how to live in order to please God, as in fact you are living. Now we ask you and urge you in the Lord Jesus to do this more and more.

The bible gives clear instructions on how followers of Jesus are to live and that is to please God in every area of our lives.

Romans 12:2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

You can not be pleasing to God and not know what His word says. It is impossible! So to please God you must know His word, spend time in prayer seeking His will, and the being obedient!

John 15:8 By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.

Think about this today...who are you trying to please?

Tom

Rest and hope.

Show us God!

Are you growing in the things of Christ?

A true follower of Jesus should be growing in all areas of the faith. One may have times of stagnation but in the long road of the believer he should me growing. Look at these scriptures and evaluate yourself:

2 Thessalonians 1:3 We ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters, and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love all of you have for one another is increasing.

1 Thessalonians 4:9-10 Now concerning brotherly love you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another, 10 for that indeed is what you are doing to all the brothers throughout Macedonia. But we urge you, brothers, to do this more and more,

Colossians 1:10 so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;

2 Corinthians 10:15 We do not boast beyond limit in the labors of others. But our hope is that as your faith increases, our area of influence among you may be greatly enlarged,

1 Thessalonians 3:12 and may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, as we do for you,

Ephesians 4:15 Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ,

1 Thessalonians 4:1 Finally, then, brothers, we ask and urge you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God, just as you are doing, that you do so more and more.

1 Peter 2:2 Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation—

2 Peter 3:18 But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.
I think these verses make it pretty clear that our Lord expects growth in our lives as followers of Him!

So as you look over the past year can you see growth??? Pray and ask God to help you grow in all areas of your faith!

Tom

Love God with all you got in 2017!

It will happen this year!

Sometime this year we will have a situation come up that will put fear in us. Probably several times this year. It may be a sickness, it may be a job situation, it may be a number of things but I have the answer for you right here:

Psalm 56:3 Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You.

God is in control, and when you truly believe that and know He will take care of everything as He sees fit, you have nothing to fear! 

So in this new year of 2017, put all your trust in Jesus and hold nothing back for He will see you through!

Tom