“Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind. Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing.” I Peter 3:8-9. This passage is not suggesting approving of false doctrine or failing to stand for the Truth of God’s Word to maintain unity among Believers but have, as William MacDonald in the “Believer’s Bible Commentary” states, “in fundamentals, unity; in non-essentials, liberty; in everything, love.” Further, we are to always have love for and have sympathy with (“suffer with”) all persons while always maintaining a tender heart sensitive to the needs and feelings of others with a spirit of humility.
As Christians, we are not to revile anyone but rather be persons who bless others. This is not to bless someones sinful life or wrongful acts but “to speak well of” a person to the extent possible while desiring their well-being. The old Read More »
“And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him”. I John 5:14-15.
“Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution … Live as people who are free not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God … Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust.” I Peter 2: 13-18.
I often become distressed these days when I watch the news. Few people in Government or in the media seem concerned for the good of America but rather only want to promote their own agendas. Combined with the moral decay of our country I sometimes find myself becoming discouraged and even angry. The Holy Spirit has convicted me that this is an entirely wrong reaction for a Christian. The Word of God gives us the proper way for a Christian to conduct themselves. “I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one 
I recently finished reading “The Practice of the Presence of God” by Brother Lawrence. It was a tremendous blessing. Bother Lawrence was a very devout Christian who lived in the 17th Century and spent most of his life in a monastery to totally devote himself to God. This book is considered a Christian classic.
“Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.” Phil 2: 12-13.
In the “A Charlie Brown Christmas” television special Charlie Brown cannot get into the spirit of Christmas and eventually exclaims – “Can’t anyone tell me what Christmas is about?” His little brother, Linus, says that he can tell him what Christmas is about.
“…because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit which is given unto us.” Romans 5:5.
“For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief. ” Proverbs 24:16. Although this verse is primarily speaking about a just man falling into trouble rather than sin, it still has an application to Christians which commit “acts” of sin but confess them and then get back up onto the straight and narrow path. We know that if we confess our sins God with forgive and cleanse us. I John 1:9.
“Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.” Matthew 5:3. “Poor in spirit” translated here literally means “to crouch or cower as one helpless.” In Galatians 4:9 it is translated “beggarly.” It is a humble spirit that all believers should have where they understand that only through God’s grace can they be saved and their lives have any meaning. This verse calls on Christians to recognize that there is no room for pride in their lives or any faith in themselves to be good or otherwise worthy without God.
“Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks. I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars: And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name’s sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted. Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his 
“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.” Psalm 23:4.
We see in Matthew 20:1-16 the Parable of the Laborers. A landowner went out to hire workers for his vineyard. He first went out early in the morning, and then again at several different times during the day, including one hour before quitting time, and hired more laborers. At the end of the day he paid the last hired the same as the first hired even though the first hired worked longer and during the heat of the day. Matthew 20:13-16 describes the landowner’s 
Revelation Chapters 2 and 3 contain God’s messages to the seven churches. In those two chapters there is also a description given at the end of the message to each church of the benefits of being one who “overcomes”. These include:
God calls us to be industrious in all we do in life. Romans 12:11 commands Christians to be “Not Slothful in business…”. Colossians 3:23 states “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters…”. Proverbs 14:23 states “All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty.” In addition, Proverbs 22:29 tells us that “Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will stand before kings; He will not stand before obscure men”.
“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” II Timothy 3:16-17.
“It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.” Lamentations 3:22.
“But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.” I Timothy 6:6-8.
“Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord.” Hebrews 12:14. “Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God?” I Corinthians 6:9. “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.” Matthew 5:48.
“If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.” John 14:23. “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.” John 14:26.
“For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit….” I Corinthians 12:8.
“And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues.” I Corinthians 12:28.
“By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible.” Hebrews 11:3.
“For to one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues.” I Corinthians 12:8-10.
“But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit…” I Corinthians 12:7-9.