Author: Adelive

Isaiah 43:2,4 NLT
When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you. [4] Others were given in exchange for you. I traded their lives for yours because you are precious to me. You are honored, and I love you.

The Lord delights in His people. So, He would “trade” others for our place and for our good.

He does these things from His good heart to the people that He loved and to the people that follow Him.

A good example is found in Exodus 12:35-36. The Israelites enjoyed unparalleled favor before the Egyptians so much that they gave the Israelites anything and everything they asked for.

‭The antidote to selfishness is true and sincere love.

Philippians 2:1-4 NIV‬
[1] Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, [2] then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. [3] Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, [4] not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

https://bible.com/bible/111/php.2.1-4.NIV

A wicked nature is devoid of love.

A key point about faith is understanding that you cannot live successfully by your power but by the grace of God.

God, realizing that you trust Him for help, supplies you with all you need as long as you have faith (trust) in Him from start to finish. 

Christian’s relationship with God is all about exercising faith in Him. 

Romans 1:17 NIV
[17] For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.”

https://bible.com/bible/111/rom.1.17.NIV

If Christians do not apply faith appropriately, they cannot live a successful life.

‭1 Peter 5:8-9 ERV‬
[8] Control yourselves and be careful! The devil is your enemy, and he goes around like a roaring lion looking for someone to attack and eat. [9] Refuse to follow the devil. Stand strong in your faith. You know that your brothers and sisters all over the world are having the same sufferings that you have.

https://bible.com/bible/406/1pe.5.8-9.ERV

The devil’s goal is to attack, and attack the Christians.

The enemy is against God and he is against the Christians.

Christians must be on guard continually.

Victory is only assured as long as we stay close to Jesus who has won the battle for us.

Holiness is the nature of God, and we must quest for it until we become like Him.

Becoming like God is a necessary desire for any believer who thirst for a life that distinctly pleases God.

We cannot be God, but we can be a copy of Him.

We cannot be Holy as God is, but when we desire to be holy, He builds His nature in us that makes us look like Him.

1 Peter 4:14 NIV
If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.

The things that believers experience these days are far more than insulting.

And I believe that as the end of time approaches, the sufferings of the believers will greatly increase that, if God does not help, only a few will be able to endure to the end.

God will (surely) help!

‭Romans 3:20 ERV‬
[20] because no one can be made right with God by following the law. The law only shows us our sin.

https://bible.com/bible/406/rom.3.20.ERV

Most times we think we can impress God and others with our good things. Actually, we believe we can convince others of our good behaviors by doing good things.

God, however, is not necessarily impressed by any of our good actions.

Doing the right stuff does not endears us to God’s right standing.

It is only through Jesus we have access to God.

Obeying all the laws does not makes us sinless; it only makes us realize how awfully sinful we are.

Psalm 20:4 NIV
May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed.

Amen!

Let your will be done, Lord, and let your name be glorified.

Do not allow the enemies to prevail over your own.
And make all their evil plans fail in Jesus name, amen!