Epraize

And Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, 'Behold the half of my goods I give to the poor, And if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I restore it fourfold. LUKE 19:8 

Zacchaeus had a bad reputation; as a tax collector he got rich by bilking people. And the fact that Jesus spent the night at his house shocked the religious community. We’re not privy to what Jesus told Zacchaeus that night, but it caused him to respond, ‘Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.’ Jesus answered, ‘Today salvation has come to this house.’ (Luke 19:9 NIV) Why You Need Courage

There’s an important lesson here about becoming whole. The basis of true emotional healing rests on your willingness to forgive and, when possible, make amends to those you’ve hurt. If you owe someone a debt, you must try to pay it. If you’ve wounded them, you must apologise and try to restore the relationship.

Jesus said: ‘So, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are going with him to court, lest your accuser hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you be put in prison.’ (Matthew 5:23–25 ESV) The Lord Knows Where You Are

So, who do you need to make things right with today? Pray for grace—then go take care of it. When you do God will bless you, and you’ll feel better about yourself too!

More Reading: Isaiah 30–33, John 7:14–24, Psalm 104:24–35

In this first verse, God says He will allow all the nations of the world to come against Jerusalem. This verse tells us that Jerusalem will be taken, the houses will be "rifled," and the women ravished. Half of the city will actually go into captivity, but the one third remnant will not be killed during this takeover. Remember, two thirds of the Jewish people will be killed, one third will not.

It's right at this point that Jesus will come forth to fight for His people and put an end to all the bloodshed. His feet will land on the Mount of Olives. Here is the verse!

 "Behold, the day of the Lord is coming, and your spoil will be divided in your midst. For I will gather all the nations to battle against Jerusalem; the city shall be taken, the houses rifled, and the women ravished. Half of the city shall go into captivity, but the remnant of the people shall not be cut off from the city.
Then the Lord will go forth and fight against these nations, as He fights in the day of battle. And in that day His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, which faces Jerusalem on the east. And the Mount of Olives shall be split in two, from east to west, making a very large valley; half of the mountain shall move toward the north and half of it toward the south. Then you shall flee through My mountain valley ... Thus the Lord my God will come, and all the saints with you ... and the Lord shall be King over all the earth ... the people dwell in it; and no longer shall there be utter destruction, but Jerusalem shall be safely inhabited.

And this shall be the plague with which the Lord will strike all the people who fought against Jerusalem: Their flesh shall dissolve while they stand on their feet, their eyes shall dissolve in their sockets, and their tongues shall dissolve in their mouths." (Zechariah 14:1-12)

 "Then I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried out with a loud voice, saying to all the birds in the midst of heaven, "Come and gather together for the supper of the great God, that you may eat the flesh of kings, the flesh of captains, the flesh of mighty men, the flesh of horses and those who sit on them, and the flesh of all people, free and slave, both small and great."
And I saw the beast, the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against Him who sat on the horse and against His army. Then the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet, who worked signs in his presence, by which he deceived those who received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image. These two were cast into the lake of fire burning with brimstone, and the rest were killed with the sword which proceeded from the mouth of Him who sat on the horse. And all the birds were filled with their flesh." (Revelations 19:17-21)

3. Now what happens to Satan, the Dragon who orchestrated all the events of the Great Tribulation? Here is what Jesus does with him.

"Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, having the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. He laid hold of the dragon, that serpent of old, who is the Devil and Satan, and bound him up for one thousand years; and he cast him onto the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal on him, so that he should deceive the nations no more till the one thousand years were finished. But after these things he must be released for a season." (Revelations 20:1-3)

As you will see a little further down, God will let Satan loose for a "season" at the end of the 1000 Millennium to set up one more battle before we finally get the new heaven and new earth.

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:6 NIV)

Why did God say to Joshua, ‘Be strong and of good courage’? For four reasons:
(1) For Joshua‘s own sake. God had a lot invested in Joshua; the future of an entire nation rested on his shoulders. And since God has a lot invested in you too, you must believe that it’s His will for you to succeed. If you grew up in a family or church where you felt unworthy of God’s favour and unentitled to His blessing, you must reprogramme your mind with the Scriptures. ‘…then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.’ (Joshua 1:8 NKJV)

(2) For the Lord‘s sake. God told Joshua, ‘…do not be afraid…for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.’ (Joshua 1:9 NKJV) God’s reputation was on the line. The nations in Canaan had heard how He delivered the Israelites from slavery, drowned the Egyptian army in the Red Sea and fed His people with food from Heaven every day. Had Joshua failed to conquer the Promised Land it would have brought reproach to God’s name and made His people a laughing stock. The Lord had a bigger stake in Israel’s success than anyone else. His plan to bring forth the Messiah depended on their success. His desire was to turn a bunch of slaves into the greatest nation on earth-one that served the true and living God. And Joshua had a big part to play in it. Where did Joshua’s strength come from? This promise: ‘…the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.’ (Joshua 1:9 NIV)
You Need Faith
 (3) For the sake of others. People are watching you. They want to know if you’ll face the situation with courage or buckle before it in fear. Your ability to demonstrate faith in the midst of difficulties will give them courage. The battle is not just about you, it’s about those God has planned to bless through you. You may not have money or fame, but you have influence. The attitudes you display and the decisions you make will influence your children and your grandchildren. You say, ‘But I am afraid.’ We all experience fear. But the Psalmist declared, ‘Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You.’ (Psalm 56:3 NKJV)

(4) For your enemies’ sake. David wrote: ‘You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies…’ (Psalm 23:5 NKJV) God will not only fight for you, He will vindicate you in the eyes of your critics. It’s good to have critics and competitors. Sometimes a foe can press you into victory where a friend cannot. Who would ever have heard of David, without Goliath? Who would have known about Moses, if there had been no Pharaoh oppressing God’s people? And what would have been known about Esther, without Haman’s evil plot against the Jews? What’s your dream? Is there an enemy standing between you and its fulfilment? Maybe God is waiting for you to confront them so they become an instrument in His hand to press you into your destiny.

In 1955 Rosa Parks was arrested in Alabama for refusing to give her seat on the bus to a white man. Boycotts and bloodshed followed until the US Supreme Court ruled segregation unconstitutional. Later Rosa wrote: ‘Knowing what must be done does away with fear. When I sat down on the bus that day I’d no idea history was being made, I was only thinking about getting home. But I had to make up my mind.

After many years of being a victim…not giving up my seat, and whatever I had to face afterwards, wasn’t important…I felt the Lord would give me the strength to endure whatever I had to face. It was time for someone to stand up-or in my case, sit down.’ Courage is displayed at unexpected moments; what you do in such moments can change you, and those around you. The story’s told of a spy who was sentenced to death by a general in the Persian Army. The general had a strange custom of giving condemned criminals a choice between the firing squad and ‘the big door’.
You Can Conquer Worry
When the general asked, ‘What will it be?’ the spy chose the firing squad. Turning to his aide the general said, ‘They always prefer the known to the unknown, yet, we gave them a choice.’ The aide asked, ‘What lies beyond the big door?’ The general replied, ‘Freedom.’ Then he added, ‘Few are brave enough to take that door.’ The dividing line between mediocrity and success is courage. That’s why David told his son Solomon upon ascending the throne: ‘Be strong and of good courage, and do it.’

More reading: Leviticus 21:1-23:25, Matthew 10:32-42, Psalm 104:24-35, Proverbs 3:11-12

Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord (1 Corinthians 15:58).
A career is something you choose; a calling is something you receive. A career is something you do for yourself; a calling is something you do for God. A career promises status, money and power; a calling generally promises difficulty, suffering and the opportunity to be used by God. A career may end with retirement and lots of toys; a calling doesn’t end until you die.  Share Your Life

A career can be disrupted by any number of events, but God enables you to fulfil your calling even in the most difficult circumstances. For some people in Scripture obeying the call of God meant living in slavery, being captured and sent into exile, or being put to death. Their career trajectories didn’t look promising, yet they fulfilled their calling in extraordinary ways.

Chuck Colson had one of the highest profile careers in America. He had access to power and influence in the Nixon White House, yet he landed in prison. His career was over, but his calling was just beginning. He was called to reach others just like himself. He reflects: ‘The real legacy of my life was my biggest failure—that I was an ex-convict. My great humiliation—being sent to prison—was the beginning of God’s greatest use of my life; He chose the one experience in which I couldn’t glory [and used it] for His glory.’

In the providence of God, the end of your career can be the beginning of your calling. So whatever God has called you to do, the Bible says, ‘Give yourselves fully to the work … because you know that your labour in the Lord is not in vain.’  The Secret of Lasting Happiness

You didn’t arrive on this planet with your calling pre-clarified and your gifts pre-developed. Discerning God’s calling usually involves attempts and failures. He called Samuel four times before he recognised the divine voice. Before Peter walked on the water he said, ‘Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.’ (Matthew 14:28–29) And Jesus said, ‘Come.’

Here’s a lesson you can learn from this: You are not in charge of water-walking, Jesus is! It’s not about having power at your disposal to be used any time you choose, for whatever you please. Before you decide to get out of the boat you’d better be sure it’s what you’ve been called to—and that Jesus is the One calling you.

God’s looking for more than impulsiveness. Sometimes we make reckless decisions about relationships, finances or work, then rationalise them using the veneer of spiritual language. In many self-help books risk-taking is seen as commendable, but as a Christian the risks you take should be in direct response to God. If you’re a thrill-seeking personality, you may be particularly susceptible in this area. Accepting Yourself

 Boredom can make you vulnerable and tempt you to solve your problems by making rash decisions that are out of step with God’s will. There’s a fine line between ‘not being afraid’ and ‘being stupid’—one that’s easily blurred. Knowing when to step out of the boat and take a risk doesn’t just call for courage, it calls for wisdom to ask the right questions, discernment to recognise the Master’s voice and patience to wait until He says, ‘Come!’

Sometimes we view the call of God on our lives through rose-coloured glasses. But hearing His call isn’t the same thing as falling into your dream career. When God called Jeremiah to preach to a people who refused to listen, he cried so much he became known as ‘the weeping prophet’. Our first response to a God-sized assignment is generally—fear.

Henry Blackaby writes: ‘Some people say, “God will never ask me to do something I can’t do.” I’ve come to the place in my life that if the assignment I sense God giving me is something I know I can handle, I know it’s probably not from God. The kind of assignments God gives in the Bible are always God-sized. They’re beyond what people can do, because He wants to demonstrate His nature, His strength … and His kindness … to a watching world.’  Listen To God

Saying yes to God’s call often means putting in hours of effort when you’d rather not. And it doesn’t always reward you with the kind of recognition you’d hoped for. People may disapprove of what you’re doing and try to block you. For sure, it’ll involve trial and error and some false starts. And natural talent alone isn’t enough to honour your calling; you’ll need ideas, strength, and creativity beyond your own resources to do what God requires of you.

Paul says, ‘We are labourers together with God’ (1 Corinthians 3:9), because in order to succeed it has to be God and you doing it together. He doesn’t just call you to work for Him; He calls you to work with Him!

More Reading:  Mark 6:30–44 Deuteronomy 11–13, Matthew 8:18–27

A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy person keeps a secret (Proverbs 11:13)

When you gossip you’re like a loose cannon. Stop and try to imagine that. When a cannon is anchored and aimed in the right direction it can win the battle. But when it’s not, it can destroy everything in its path. And that’s what gossip does: ‘A talebearer reveals secrets, but he who is of a faithful spirit conceals a matter.’  Moving On to Maturity

The word ‘talebearer’ comes from the Hebrew word rakal, which means ‘to go about’; it’s likely derived from an old word meaning ‘merchant’. So a talebearer is someone who goes around peddling gossip! The story is told of a mother who was preparing dinner one evening when her little boy came running into the kitchen. ‘What has Mama’s little darling been doing all day?’ she asked. ‘I’ve been playing mailman,’ he replied. ‘Mailman?’ the mother wondered aloud. ‘How could you do that when you’ve no letters?’ He said, ‘Oh, I had a whole bunch of letters.’ Alarmed, she said, ‘What letters?’ Her son replied, ‘I found them all tied up with ribbon in an old trunk in the attic, and I put one in every mailbox on the street.’ Stop Being So Critical

 Even when you don’t intend harm, your words can start a chain reaction that devastates people’s lives and drives wedges. That’s why the Bible says, ‘A perverse man sows strife, and a whisperer separates the best of friends.’ (Proverbs 16:28) Unless you’re sure that what you’re sharing in confidence will remain in confidence and result in good, don’t share it at all. And if you feel like you must talk to somebody, talk to the One who can do something about it—God!

More Reading: 2 Samuel 3:22–7:17, Matthew 26:26–35, Psalm 118:1–9

For I have chosen him, so that he will direct his children and his household after him to keep the way of the LORD by doing what is right and just, so that the LORD will bring about for Abraham what he has promised him (Genesis 18:19).

Speaking about Abraham, God said, ‘He will direct his children… to keep the way of the Lord.’ Can God say that about you? When you get serious about raising godly children, God puts the focus where it belongs—on you! If you want to see important truths sail right over your children’s heads, try teaching them something you’re not personally committed to. What Is a Parent To Do

Do you think your children are just being difficult? No, they’re watching you like a hawk! If your actions demonstrate that what you’re teaching them isn’t important to you, it’ll never be important to them either. And can you blame them? If you’re devoted to chasing material things, they will be too. But if you devote yourself to serving the Lord, they’ll be drawn to Him as well. Bringing Down Your Goliath

Do you want to enjoy a long, happy life? Pass God’s teaching on to your children, and to their children after them (See Deuteronomy 6:2). Notice, your love for the Lord comes first: ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart.’ (Deuteronomy 6:5) Surprised? You shouldn’t be. When your lifestyle demonstrates your love for Christ, He’ll attract your children like nothing else on earth.

Do your children see you reading the Bible? Do you discuss its truths with them in an engaging way? When behaviours and values come into question, do you lead them to the Scripture for answers? Why is this so important? Because the Bible says, ‘Another generation arose after them who did not know the Lord.’ (Judges 2:10) In order to raise godly children you must teach them God’s principles, and practise them yourself.
More Reading: Job 18-20, John 19:17-30

 For a just man fall seven times, and rise up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief (Proverbs 24:16).
Until you overcome the fear of failure, you'll be immobilised at the prospect of taking a risk. The important thing to remember when you fail is not to quit. History shows that failure can actually become a bridge to success. In school, Napoleon was forty-second in a class of forty-three, yet he went on to build an army that conquered much of the world.

George Washington lost two-thirds of his military battles, yet against overwhelming odds he won the Revolutionary War and changed American history. Albert Einstein was such a slow learner that it was suggested he switch studies from physics to some other topic, yet he's considered the father of the atomic age. When you recall these names you don't remember their failures but their contributions to the world.

Only when you consider your failure to be final, are you finally a failure. Failure is not an event, only an opinion, and as long as it's not your opinion you can come back and succeed. 'A righteous man may fall seven times and rise again.' In his first inaugural address Franklin Roosevelt told the nation, 'The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.' Failure is not fatal; you can begin again. But the fear of failure could prove fatal to your goals by keeping you from trying again. After cataloguing every possible scenario that could come against us, such as tribulation, distress, persecution, famine, nakedness, peril, sword, Paul writes: 'Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.' (Romans 8:37) So the word for you today is-don't be afraid of failure. The Cure for Spiritual Boredom

Star baseball players only hit the ball about three out of every ten times. How do they live with such a high failure rate? By focusing on the law of averages. They know that if they just keep swinging the bat, they'll get on base. In 1952 Roger Bannister ran in the Olympics and finished in fourth place, failing to win any kind of medal. But he refused to quit. Up until this time many experts considered it humanly impossible to run the mile in under four minutes.

Yet that was Bannister's goal. And on 6 May 1954, he became the first man to do it. Now runners do it regularly. What's the point? If you refuse to quit when you fail, you'll ultimately succeed. You just have to be willing to get back up and keep moving forward. In 1832 Abraham Lincoln was defeated for the State Legislature. In 1833 he failed in business. In 1835 his sweetheart died. In 1836 he had a nervous breakdown. In 1838 he was defeated for Illinois House Speaker. In 1843 he was defeated for nomination to Congress. In 1854 he was defeated for the US Senate. In 1856 he was defeated for nomination for Vice President. In 1858 he was defeated again in a US Senate race.

But today he is considered one of America's greatest presidents. A wise man concluded: 'It's a mistake to suppose that people succeed only through success; they often succeed through failures.' And you're not defeated until the past takes your focus off the future. So don't be afraid of failure. Bringing Down Your Goliath

The Psalmist wrote: 'Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I keep Your Word.' (Psalm 119:67) By doing it the wrong way, he eventually learned to do it the right way. The truth is, when you fail in one area, it can drive you to explore other areas. Most of life's successes are based on the principle of trial and error. Often failure is not falling short of your goal, it's simply not making the effort. Failure can actually help you discover your area of success. For example, when you hate your job you will likely fail in it. Yet it's in losing that hated position that you may be pressed to pursue what you really like to do, and are called to do.

Another benefit of failure is that it makes you less judgmental of others. When you've experienced failure you become more sympathetic. Instead of pointing an accusing finger, you see the need to extend a helping hand. Instead of saying foolish things like, 'I can't believe you did that,' you remember the pit God dug you out of and say with gratitude and humility, 'Been there, done that, got the t-shirt.' You know how it hurts to fail, and you feel their pain because of what you've been through. This makes you a better friend, a better mentor and a better example of grace. Jesus told Peter: '...Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren.' (Luke 22:31-32) WHY DO IT?

Solomon writes: 'Without oxen a stable stays clean, but you need a strong ox for a large harvest.' (Proverbs 14:4) If you insist on always having a nice neat stall, you'll have an empty stall. If you want a big harvest, you'll need a big ox with a big appetite who creates big messes.

 For example, if you decide to have children you'll have lots of joy, and lots of messes to clean up. Within minutes, children can take a house that looks like it belongs in Better Homes and Gardens and make it look like a Trials run for the battle of Armageddon. So you've an option: live by yourself and enjoy a less complicated life, or accept the problems that come with having a family. Even in the dictionary, the words striving and struggle come before the word success. Dr. John Maxwell says, 'At some point you have to make a transition from believer of the dream, to buyer of the dream.

No dream comes true without somebody paying for it.' And part of the price you will have to pay is in learning from the mistakes you make. You can attend every success seminar, read every success manual and follow every success mentor, but the price must always be paid in messes and mistakes. There isn't a single person in the world who has achieved anything without paying a price for it. Some pay with their lives or their freedom. Others pay by giving up options or finances or relationships. But one way or another, everybody pays.

Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything (James 1:4).
Have you been asking God, 'Why do I have to wait so long?' If so, here are four important things you need to know:

(1) Waiting trains you. Time spent waiting can be time spent learning. And if you're learning, you're not losing. God will train you for battle because He's a good general. 'Praise be to the Lord my Rock, who trains my hands for war, my fingers for battle.' (Psalm 144:1)

(2) Waiting corrects you. The Psalmist wrote: 'Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I keep Your Word.' (Psalm 119:67) Pain can be profitable. Adversity can lead to spiritual advancement if you're willing to glean from it. Pain forces you to look to God for answers, to lean on Him instead of others, to learn where you went astray, to hunger for His presence and His healing touch, to listen for His instructions and be sensitive to the changes He wants to bring about in your life. Yes, you can turn your pain into progress.

 (3) Waiting reveals those around you. Motives are not easily discerned. Trust God but test people. That's Scriptural. '...the Lord your God led you...forty years, to humble you and to test you in order to know what was in your heart...' (Deuteronomy 8:2) People can keep their intentions and motives covered for a long time, but waiting generally forces the truth to the surface.
Seeing God's Hand in It

(4) Waiting gives God time to solve the problem. He's a miracle-working God, so don't get ahead of Him and rob Him of the opportunity to demonstrate His power in your life.

More Reading: John 16:12-18, Psalms 2, Proverbs 28:25-28

And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone (Matthew 14:23).

Jesus dismissed a crowd of listeners and fans in order to spend time with His Father in prayer. As a result, when He returned to the crowd He was empowered to work miracles.

 Think about it; before an airliner takes off, the attendant tells you that if the plane gets into trouble you should secure your own oxygen mask before attempting to help others with theirs. After all, unless you’re getting enough oxygen, how can you help them? So, are your own needs being met? If not, it’s time to start taking care of yourself before you burn out. You can’t travel quietly through life hoping people will recognise when your plate is full. Speak up, or they’ll just keep pouring on more problems and responsibilities. Bringing Down Your Goliath

Personal empowerment begins by taking control of your life. Overloaded people fail at marriage, ministry and management. They fail at parenting, partnership and personal endeavours. Like an airplane, if you carry too much baggage you won’t get off the ground. When you’re motivated by the need to please others or impress them, you’ll take on too much and fail to reach the heights God planned for you. Or you’ll crash because you ignored your limitations. Share Your Life

 Every situation that arises doesn’t warrant your attention! Was Jesus misunderstood when He dismissed the crowd? Probably. And you’ll have to make that same decision too. People who don’t recognise your needs and respect your goals will drain you, divert you, and keep you grounded. So what’s the answer? Give what you can, and learn when to say ‘enough!’

More Reading: Genesis 47-49, John 16:25-33

 A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver. (Proverbs 25:11).

Critics point out what’s wrong, and leave you feeling bad about yourself.
Coaches show you what you did wrong, teach you how to do it right and leave you feeling better about yourself.
Cheerleaders lift your spirits, offer their help, and assure you that you can succeed if you keep trying.

So which of the three are you? If you tend to be one of those hard-driving, goal-oriented people, coaching someone may be a challenge for you. Perhaps you’re from the school of thought that believes a pay cheque should be encouragement enough—especially if an employee is being generously compensated. Stop Being So Critical

If so—beware! You’re stuck in the Stone Age and in dire need of a mindset change! If you want people to be productive, learn how to build them up. You say, ‘But it’s not my natural inclination to want to coach poor performers. I just want them out.’ Hold on there; you’re dealing with a human being, a person loved and valued by God! And with a little encouragement, some hand-holding and lots of communication, you may end up with a level of productivity and loyalty the cocky superstar isn’t capable of. Yes, if you’ve ‘a bad apple’ in the bunch you need to get rid of them before they infect the whole barrel.
Keep Your Eyes On Jesus

 But before you resort to firing someone, try firing them up! Some of the people you work with just need to be presented with a clear vision, shown how they can be part of it and enlightened about the incentives and rewards that come from being part of the team that’s fulfilling a vision.

More Reading: 1 Kings 17:17-24, Mark 5:21-43, John 11:1-45

But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves James 1:22.

Why does the Bible say, ‘Be doers of the word, and not hearers only’? Because hearing without doing becomes boring—every time. You can get to the place where you’ve heard so much preaching and teaching that you say to yourself, ‘Oh no, not another sermon!’ The problem isn’t the Word; it’s that you’ve become oversaturated and spiritually numb. Be Led by God, Not Others

You’re bored because you aren’t putting it into practice and reaping the rewards of what you’ve heard. Jesus said, ‘If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.’ (John 13:17) Once you start doing what you’ve been told to do, you won’t have time to be bored.

The phrase ‘hearers only’ is from the Greek noun akroates. Today we’d use it to describe students who sit in on a class just to hear the teaching, instead of taking any assessment or being graded. These folks weren’t interested in learning, passing exams, earning a degree and going out to make a difference in the world. They were there because they found it intellectually stimulating and they loved the excitement of being with the crowd. Keep Your Eyes On Jesus

Often they followed their favourite teacher from one town to another; they loved new speakers, and when the class ended they’d get together to eat, drink, laugh and discuss what they’d heard. Mostly, they just wanted to look knowledgeable in each other’s eyes. Don’t let that happen to you. ‘Remember… knowing what is right to do and… not doing it is sin.’ (James 4:17) Open your heart to the truths you’ve heard preached and begin to put them to work in your life. When you do, rest assured you’ll never again suffer from spiritual boredom.

Read More: Genesis 42-43, John 16:12-18.

 Elijah was afraid and ran for his life. When he came to Beersheba in Judah, he left his servant there, (1 Kings 19:3)

Now Ahab told Jezebel everything Elijah had done and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword. So Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah to say, “May the gods deal with me, be it ever so severely, if by this time tomorrow I do not make your life like that of one of them.” Elijah was afraid and ran for his life. When he came to Beersheba in Judah, he left his servant there,  (1 Kings 19:1-3 ). Often the voice of fear comes after you’ve had a mountain-top experience. Elijah had just called down fire from heaven on Mount Carmel.

 Then Jezebel spoke. She didn’t use chariots and soldiers; she didn’t need to. Her words intimidated him, depressed him and drove him into hiding. Look out! If you listen to the voice of fear you’ll be afraid of the next telephone call, the next medical prognosis or the next stock market report. Who are you listening to? Who are you going to believe, God or men? Listen To God

Neither the wind nor the fire nor the earthquake could bring Elijah out of his cave, only the still, small voice of God could (1 Kings 19:11-13). Our fears are often the result of two things: imagination and misunderstanding. Fear causes us to think the worst instead of believing God for the best (2 Corinthians 10:5).  ‘...fear brings with it the thought of punishment...’ (1 John 4:18).

When something goes wrong we wonder, ‘Is God punishing me for something I’ve done?’ No, fear and faith are present with us every day; the one you choose will rule your life. So when you come up against a fear-producing situation, do these three things: pray for God’s wisdom and protection; He promises both; admit your inner struggle –  you’re not unique, we all battle fear; stand on His Word, for He says, ‘...”I will never leave you nor forsake you”’ (Hebrews 13:5). The Only Password Is Prayer

 you’re battling fear today, listen to these words from the God Who loves you, protects you and promises to be with you.  When there seems to be no way out, He says, ‘Fear not; stand still (firm, confident, undismayed) and see the [deliverance] of the Lord which He will work for you today.’ Notice the words, ‘He will work for you today’. Start looking for evidence of His hand at work in your situation; that’s how your faith grows.

When the problem looks too big, He says, ‘Be strong, courageous, and firm; fear not nor be in terror before them, for it is the Lord your God Who goes with you; He will not fail you or forsake you’ (Deuteronomy 31:6). Stop and remind yourself whose company you’re in. The One ‘Who goes with you’ has never lost a battle, and He will win this one. When you feel like you can’t cope any more, He says, ‘...do not look around you… and be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen and harden you to difficulties...’ (Isaiah 41:10). The Engrafted Word

Notice the words ‘harden you to difficulties’. God usually doesn’t lift us out of the problem, He takes us through it and toughens us up.  When you lose your peace of mind, He says, ‘Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance… continue to make your wants known to God. And God’s peace… which transcends all understanding shall garrison and mount guard over your hearts and minds...’ (Philippians 4:6-7). Don’t listen to the voice of fear. God is with you today!

 "Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid" John 14:27

You can control what goes on in your mind by filling it with God’s Word. Not the Word you read casually, but the Word you process mentally, apply to each situation that arises, and stand on in times of crisis because you know it’s your right to have the peace Jesus promised. Jesus corrected His disciples because they lost their peace of mind during a storm. He didn’t lose His. He was asleep in the back of the boat. So where are you today? Resting with Jesus in the back of the boat, or panicking with the others up front? Worry overwhelms you when you forget two things: The Word And The Spirit

1) What the Lord has told you. Jesus said, ‘Let us go over to the other side’ (Mark 4:35 ). And once He spoke those words there wasn’t a wave big enough to sink them. Anytime you’re doing what God’s told you to do, you may go through storms but you won’t sink.

2) Who’s with you in the boat. The disciples thought they knew Jesus pretty well, but before the night was over they were asking, ‘Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!’ (v. 41). Having a Peaceful State of Mind

Has it ever occurred to you that the storm you’re in right now has been permitted by God to show you that you don’t have a problem He can’t solve; that you’re not alone, and that through this experience you’ll come to know Him better? In the Amplified Bible the words of Jesus are translated like this: ‘Do not let your hearts be…distressed, agitated’ (John 14:1). The only power worry has over you – is the power you give it.

Psalms 112:1 "Praise the lord! Blessed is the man who fears the Lord, who delights greatly in His commandments."

Lasting happiness isn’t found in money or career success. Does that mean these things are wrong? No. When you put God first he will actually give you these things!  But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you (Matthew 6:33). But you must never let anything God gives you rob Him of first place in your life. Having a Peaceful State of Mind

The psalmist said: ‘happy is the man who delights in doing his commands. His children shall be honored everywhere, for good men’s sons have a special heritage. He himself shall be wealthy, and his good deeds will never be forgotten.  When darkness overtakes him, light will come bursting in. He is kind and merciful— and all goes well for the generous man who conducts his business fairly.

Such a man will not be overthrown by evil circumstances. God’s constant care of him will make a deep impression on all who see it. He does not fear bad news, nor live in dread of what may happen. For he is settled in his mind that Jehovah will take care of him.  That is why he is not afraid but can calmly face his foes.  He gives generously to those in need. His deeds will never be forgotten. He shall have influence and honor (Psalms 112: 19). LOVE OF MONEY

Somebody said that the best things in life aren’t things. Happiness isn’t determined by what you own; it lies in relationships, and the first relationship you need is with God because every blessing in life flows from Him. In a world of urgency and confusion, God will give you values and priorities to live by. Happy is the man who delights in doing His commands.’

More Reading: Ruth 1-4 Mark 9: 38-50

John 15:5 I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.

Jesus said, I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in me….bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing, ‘As branches we bear fruit but the life-giving substance required to do it; flows to us from the vine. Any time we try to produce our own fruit, it’s going to be wax fruit. Faith is

When someone says, I don’t love my wife or my husband, that’s not the issue. The issue is can Christ love your wife or husband through you? The answer is yes, because love is a fruit that’s produce in by the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22). So, the question is are you willing to allow Christ’s love to flow through you? more than we ask

Abiding in Christ is just another name for intimacy with Christ. He wants to express His life through you, which comes through your attachment to Him. If your prayer life is just a matter of shooting up an occasional SOS as emergencies arise, you’re missing this intimacy. If you just have your devotions in the morning so you can ‘get them out of the way and get on with your day,’ you don’t understand abiding. learning and growing

After years of smoking, one lady decided to kick the habit. She tried every stop-smoking product on the market but nothing worked. Finally she decided that instead of focusing on all the things she was doing to quit, she would just focus on being in God’s presence and coming to really know Him. Within 30 days she had quit smoking; because of the power of the vine. So the word for you today is abide.’

More Reading: 2 Samuel 12:1  John 4:39-54.

"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men. Colossians 3:23"

 In life, there are a secret that life men and place them in the favor list of God. One of it is to ascertain the motives behind our actions. There is a reason behind every action one does. We cannot always tell what it may be, just as we cannot always know what prompts some of our own actions. What looks like a kind act may have an unkind motive behind it. In Jesus short sermon to the Pharisee who had invited Him to dinner, the lord warns against doing good things to get some reward.

What the lord cautioned against does not sound strange to us. We find ourselves tied up in that kind of thing. We often do things because we think can get something out of it for ourselves. In a little while we fined ourselves going around in circles, measuring out very carefully what we will do for someone and what the chances are for getting an equal return. The sad thing is that the circles get smaller and smaller until we find ourselves serving ourselves. And that is not pretty sight.

We need to be conscious of this so as not to get our ego fighting with our rewards before god. If you crusade the things you do or publicized them to others hearing, Jesus said you have received your own reward. So a true Christians act the word even in benevolence.

Why do Christians work at the daily job? Why do they show love for others? Why do they do this willingly and enthusiastically? For only one reason. Christians know they are serving the lord Jesus. They don’t expect a reward. Reward does not matter. What matters is the confidence that they are doing this for Christ. All of life is laid at the feet of the lord.

More Reading: 14:12-14

Genesis 2:8 Then the Lord God planted a garden in Eden, in the East, and there He put the man he had formed.
Before God put Adam into the garden, He ‘formed’ him.Theres a process of preparation God takes us through in order to make us what we need to be, but preparation takes time.