Have Faith In God

Have Faith in God

Mark 11:22 (BSB)

“Have faith in God,” Jesus said to them.

When the storm clouds of life appear, these words from Jesus are so timely. Sometimes the trials of life can startle us so much that we take our eyes off Jesus and become overwhelmed by our circumstances.

But thank God, Jesus reminds us to have faith in God! And as we see the day of the Lord's return drawing near, let's encourage one another to stand firm in our faith.

Jesus went on to say in Mark 11:23–24 that if we believe and do not doubt, we can ask God in prayer with faith.

Faith speaks with confidence—not because we know how every situation will turn out, but because we know the One in whom we have placed our trust.

So, fellow follower of Jesus, let's trust Him as we navigate the roads of life. Let's bring our troubles to Him in prayer, keep our eyes on Him, and have fresh faith to face whatever comes our way.

Remember these encouraging words from 1 Corinthians 15:57–58:

“But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ! Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast and immovable. Always excel in the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.”

Let's keep trusting Jesus, remain steadfast in our faith, and continue serving Him. Our victory comes through our Lord Jesus Christ!

The Teaching Of Jesus

The Teaching Of Jesus

2 John 1:9 (NIV)

“Anyone who runs ahead and does not continue in the teaching of Christ does not have God; whoever continues in the teaching has both the Father and the Son.”

What a wonderful reminder from the Bible to draw closer to Jesus and His teachings!

As I was reflecting last night on something I was reading in the Bible, I thought about how, through the centuries, faithful people have worked to translate God's Word and pass it on to future generations. Some have even given their lives for sharing the truth about Jesus and His teachings.

I thanked God for all those who have been instrumental in giving us His Word. The Bible we have today, with the New Testament revealing Jesus and His teachings, is a priceless treasure.

Psalm 119:162 (KJV) says:

“I rejoice at thy word, as one that findeth great spoil.”

God's revelation in the New Testament makes it clear that our goal is to follow Jesus and continue in His teachings.

Jesus said in John 8:31–32 (KJV):

“Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

Today, let's open our Bibles and listen to what Jesus is speaking to our hearts. Let's treasure His Word, continue in His teachings, and faithfully follow Him each day.

Sold Out for Jesus

Sold Out for Jesus

2 Timothy 2:4 (BSB)

“A soldier refrains from entangling himself in civilian affairs, in order to please the one who enlisted him.”

I have always thought that when a person picks up a New Testament and begins reading about Jesus and His teachings, acting on what they read will lead them into a radical way of living. A life of faith in Jesus Christ, lived out in obedience to Him, can cause friction with others. This may include unsaved family members who do not understand, co-workers, fellow students, and even people at church.

As I reflect on this verse in 2 Timothy, I think of what Jesus tells us in Matthew 16:24:

“Then Jesus told His disciples, ‘If anyone wants to come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me.’”

Following Jesus means putting Him first, even when doing so is difficult or unpopular. Our desire should be to please the One who has called us to follow Him.

We can look to the Apostle Paul as an example of a life devoted to Jesus. He wrote to the believers in Corinth:

1 Corinthians 11:1: “You are to imitate me, just as I imitate Christ.”

Our calling is clear. Jesus tells us in Mark 8:38:

“If anyone is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will also be ashamed of him when He comes in His Father’s glory with the holy angels.”

Fellow followers of Jesus, let's encourage one another to stay the course today. Let’s cling to Jesus and His teachings, put His words into practice, and seek to please Him above all else. Whatever challenges we face, let’s remain faithful to the One we have committed our lives to follow.

Do Not Be Anxious

Do Not Be Anxious

I have a friendly reminder for those of us who have faith in Jesus the Messiah: Do not be anxious.

Let’s remind ourselves of what we are told in the Bible in Philippians 4:6-7:

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

I understand this can be easier said than done. When the trial hits, we can be stunned, even disoriented. Our minds can swirl in confusion.

And then the Comforter comes and helps us look to Jesus, dial back the anxiety, and seek the help of God. We wait for His answer and His direction for the way we should take.

God is waiting to hear our prayer requests right now. So bring your concerns to Him. Trust Him. Look to Jesus, and allow the peace of God to guard your heart and your mind in Christ Jesus.

And through it all, let's follow Jesus.