We, humans, are often looking for "greener pastures" for our lives here on earth. Many choose Christianity because they believe their lives are a mess (which they may be) and they want a clean start. Others' lives, until now, have been hard, maybe even ruinous, so they opt for Christianity because they believe it'll be easier and/or they won't suffer the consequences of poor decisions. Wherever we are on the path of life, Jesus Christ will meet us; and, if we, by faith choose to become His companions and followers, He will take us on. But, Jesus Himself told us, His disciples, that faith in Him was no "walk in the park." He said we would have "tribulation;" that the world would hate us; that even our family members would turn us over to be killed. However, He did promise us that He would be "with us," to help and guide us through it all. He promised that in the end, if we persevered in the faith, we would receive far more than we ever lost. He wore the crown of thorns so we would receive a crown of glory. He was bruised and broken, so we could enjoy wholeness. He took chastisement so we could have peace. I could go on and on, but the bottom line is, we will suffer while we live here on earth but life on earth is a puff of smoke compared to the life we will enjoy with our Heavenly Father for all eternity. Think about it.

The soul in biblical terms is the unique life and personality of each person that draws breath. Even identical twins have each their own soul. Each soul is treasured by God, for it is He who gave him, or her, life and planned a good future for this one He formed in the mother's womb. Though both parents' genes and chromosomes are present in the child at conception, yet the child is uniquely himself. Even though he/she may have siblings, each sibling is still uniquely individual. The individuality of each human life is the soul. The value of each soul is strongly emphacized, throughout Scripture, by God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. The soul is capable of loving God and is included in the wondrous resurrection from the dead when Jesus Christ comes in His glory.


"Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ" (1 Thessalonians 5:23). Think about it.

Because God is great, you, child of God, can do great things; "For greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world" (1 John 4:4). We often think that because we may not have great genius or great wealth or great opportunities, we are assigned to the mundane, the back step, the lowest rung on the ladder of success. What a lie! That's "world-speak." "World-speak" says that success in life is measured by the wealth of money and things, high position in society, popularity and/or the number of conquests. That's totally upside-down and backwards from how God defines greatness. God says that he who would be great in His kingdom must be "the servant of all" (Mark 10:43-44). He says that loving Him whole-heartedly and loving others at least as much as you love yourself is the sign of true success. Because God's Spirit resides in the believer, we are enabled to do the "greater things" Christ said we, His disciples, would do. Those greater things are using integrity in our dealings with others, being at peace with all men, loving and blessing our enemies, even, laying down our lives for them, etc. What are you going to believe, world-speak or God-talk? Think about it.

There is a “justification” that sinful man employs to prove he/she is right in being angry, unforgiving, destructive or vindictive against others. We can make “self” the judge and executioner, taking responsibility and authority that is not ours and, in our own energy, trying to manipulate two wrongs to make a right. In this way, we compound and propagate injustice, exponentially. We actually eradicate justice by taking it “into our own hands,” i.e. by each individual setting his/her own standard of justice. But, God, set up a universal system of justice, a standard of righteousness for all, to bless all with justice.

Faith means we trust God’s person, His position, His power and authority and His promises. He has said that we, who believe in Jesus Christ as the atonement for our sins, are declared, “Not guilty.” We are given God’s favor that we may “go and sin no more,” the opportunity for a “new life” and the Helper to teach us the right way of freedom. So, we have a choice, we can hold onto our own “justification” or receive God’s justification through Jesus Christ the Lord. Think about it.

God is the Lord God Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, the Righteous Judge, the Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace, Wise Counselor, the Alpha and Omega, etc., etc. He loves the world and sacrificed Himself for mankind’s redemption and reconciliation to Him. However, He gives His friendship, not to all, but to those who “do what I command you.” He chooses His friends and appoints them to “go and bear fruit” in keeping with His purposes. Only His friends can ask “whatever” of His Father, “in His name,” that the Father may “give to them.” And, the command Jesus gives his friends is that we love one another, out of love for Him and respect for the Father, out of the union of friendship we have with God. Think about it.

Over the centuries, man has applied his every energy, genius, wealth, and connivance to comfort him self, to free himself, to better his circumstance. But, at best, he has only delayed his suffering and deprivation temporarily. Man knows within the deepest recesses of heart and mind that there is a key that unlocks the door to true success and satisfaction, peace and prosperity. “But the god of this age has blinded the mind’s eye,” and love for the world has dulled man’s senses. In the end, man discovers that he has labored in vain for that which tends toward corruption and destruction. With every self-effort to gratify and protect him self, man’s heart has become more brittle; his soul more lost. The key was openly offered at the beginning of time and has been continually available throughout all generations. Time and time again, this key has been re-introduced for man’s consideration. For the key is made of eternal substance. The key is the one thing that is not tarnished by time or corrupted by misuse. The key is love, divine love. It lies in the open palm of God, in the light of His countenance, in the temple of His heart. The one who seeks for divine love will find it. He who gives this love will be all the richer for giving. He who befriends divine love will never be lonely. He who comprehends divine love becomes wise. He who labors with divine love is successful. He who lives with divine love has eternal life. He who hungers and thirsts for divine love will find satisfaction in the Bread of Life and the Living Water. For this love that does not fail is found only in the bosom of the Divine One, the outstretched arms of the Savior, Jesus Christ, and the companionship of the Holy Spirit. In becoming rich with divine love, man will always enjoy success. Think about it.

The Merriam-Webster Dictionary definition of arrogant is “offensively exaggerating one’s own importance.” I added, “The idolizing and assertion of self.” What made the heavenly choirmaster and light bearer rebel? Arrogance. What brought sin into the garden and the lives of mankind? Arrogance. What is behind every lawless act, every evil deed, and every corruption of good, peace, joy and love? Arrogance. It is the power of Sin and the energy of every person’s sinful nature. What shelters rebellion, hatred, unforgiveness and bitterness in the human breast? Arrogance.

When one eats a portion of food, that food, through the digestive process, breaks down and is assimilated into the cellular structure of the body. The body is changed; for good or bad, it is changed. In the same way, when Adam and Eve arrogantly ate of the forbidden fruit, they were changed at the very core, the cellular level. With arrogance come the elements of rebellion and over-infatuation with self. Every cell vibrates with the weakness of guilt and shame; and, succumbs to the lusts of the flesh (sinful nature). Gone is innocence (freedom from guilt); gone is purity and harmony and delight. Gone is the joy of “being.” Now mankind must live under the tyranny of “doing.” And, salvation by works is a hard taskmaster who rewards all your hard labors with death. Arrogance becomes rich at the expense of other’s labors, builds structures to the glory of his success, only to lose his soul in the end. Under the rule of arrogance, one suffers frustration, discontent, discouragement, despair, poverty, and every plague of the human spirit. Think about it.

Love is not jealous. It is not distrustful of one who seems to have an advantage (The Merriam-Webster Dictionary). Jealousy’s root lies in broken trust. When a person trusts in another of greater authority and/or importance, his heart is open to that person. (Usually the first persons we trust are our parents.) When the trustee of our expectations is perceived to have failed to keep what has been entrusted to him or her, our trust is said to be “broken.” It is in this soil that the seeds of unforgiveness, bitterness, anger, and, yes, jealousy can begin to grow. If a child is taught to uproot these carnal seedlings with love and forgiveness, he will not harvest the evil of jealousy. He will keep his heart open and rejoicing when others have blessings and are lifted up. He will compassionately grieve when others suffer loss. He will be at peace with those in authority. He will be wise with godly wisdom and will him self be trustworthy. Think about it.

Faith is not just belief; it is belief and honor of God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. The “worst” sinner, who turns, believes and honors Christ, from the heart, will be saved. The most religious personage, who harbors in his heart, doubt and refuses to accept Jesus Christ for Who He is, will be condemned. God does not go by what man says about man, he looks upon the hidden recesses of the heart, where thoughts and intentions are conceived and treasured.

I have seen an advertisement that shows a person under attack by ferocious invaders. At the end of the commercial, one of the assailants gruffly inquires, “what is in your wallet,” intimating that, if you have a certain kind of credit card, you’re safe. (We know that is not necessarily so). But, it can be an illustration with spiritual implications. What is in your heart? If faith in the Lord Jesus Christ is there, you shall be saved. Think about it.

Anxiety is the crippler of a growing faith. It is a fiery dart of our enemy, Satan, aimed at our souls. It cannot be quenched by “positive thinking” or denial. It is quenched by “the shield of faith” when we “seek first His kingdom and His righteousness.”

God has built into nature processes that “clothe the grass of the fields” and feed “the birds of the air.” He has not neglected the care of any of His creation. He has not neglected, nor will He neglect, the care of the crowning glory of His creation, mankind. Although the enemy wishes to use anxiety for evil, to turn us away from God, God turns it to our good, if we will seek Him, petition Him and rely on Him. “And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4). Think about it.

There is “good work” for every child of God, every servant of Christ. But, a “good work” can displease and dishonor the Lord if, within our hearts we harbor anger, resentment, impatience, with complaining and grumbling; working but wishing we were somewhere else, doing something else; judging our co-laborers and maligning them to others; being rude and demanding, wanting things done “my way” and stirring up strife with those who disagree. In this case, it would be better if we did nothing. The “good work” that is worthy of the Lord and pleasing to Him flows from steadfast faith, is steered by the hope of the gospel and fueled by the love of God. The true “good work” is earmarked by the fruit of the Spirit in the heart and life of the His laborers, i.e., “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.” This “good work,” then, results in the knowledge of God increasing in the church, and in the earth. Think about it.

The Holy Spirit's work within us is to develop the character of Christ in us. Just as He is constantly at work to produce Christ's characteristics of love and compassion, He labors to develop His characteristic of forgiveness in us. Why do you do devotions each day or memorize Scripture or go to church on Sunday? Is it not that you might honor God and be changed in attitude and conduct to resemble Him? Do you want to love as Christ loves? Then practicing forgiveness, the receiving and giving of it, is paramount in your life-style. Do you want the joy that gives you strength for the hard journey of life? Do you want the peace of heart and mind that is like a fortress in the middle of life's battles? Do you want life that neither the world, the flesh nor the devil can take from you? The way of forgiveness, the way of Christ, that is the way. Forgiveness is as important to your health as a good diet and exercise. Forgiveness is as important to your prosperity as wise decisions about investments. Forgiveness is as essential to a good marriage as good communication and love. Forgiveness is as necessary for a bright future as choosing Christ as Your Savior. Think about it.

The knowledge of good and evil is not the same as righteousness. One may know all about good and evil and still not be righteous in thought, word or deed. The truly righteous one lives by faith in the One True God; knowledge can lead to wickedness. Only the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. Saint James said, “But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy. And the seed whose fruit is righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.”
What is so attractive about God’s righteous ones? They have a quality of peace about them; the perfume of life rises from them; the mercy of God flavors all they say and do. With gentle strength their hands do good and their steadfast faith brings hope to the afflicted. Their reasonability and honesty is a harbor for the world-wearied soul. Behind all they do is the pure motive of love for God and for their neighbor. All they do and say brings life and points to the Tree of Life, the Giver of Life. Think about it.

An angry people live with strife and destruction; forgiveness is mightier than the sword. The elements of the pillar of virtue, forbearance, are forgiveness, patience, wisdom and peace. Not only does anger produce strife, it also acts foolishly. Freedom is best upheld by the patient, the wise and the forgiving. Vengeance and retaliation increase bondage and give place to destruction. Forgiveness disarms evil, strengthens peace and crowns freedom. Jesus said, “Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called the sons of God.” A son has more power than a slave; the angry man is his own tyrant. Saint James said that the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. (Righteousness and virtue are synonymous.) Anger, rather, is a thief, stealing freedom and usurping the authority of freedom's Governor. Anger is more likely to engage sin and wickedness than bring about justice, liberty or virtue. Think about it.

“Great is Thy Faithfulness,” is the inscription over the doorway of every heart that has been blinded, broken or bound by Sin and Death, and, rescued by God. Every pilgrim saint, that has sunk in the Slough of Despond, because of his or her faithlessness, has bolstered hope with the cry, “Though I am faithless, You, O Lord, remain faithful!”

I am sure that every one of us can remember, painfully, a time when our trust was broken by another. Perhaps some of us still bear the wound. God sent His Son as proof of His faithfulness to His love and promises for us. “Faithful are the wounds of a friend . . ,” says the Proverb. Jesus was wounded for our transgressions and chastised so that we might be free, healed and at peace. What a faithful Friend!

When we became Christians, we entrusted our lives to the Vine and the Vinedresser. And, He has been faithfully attending to us; both preserving and cultivating that which we have entrusted to Him. The Holy Spirit gives us faith and works faithfulness into the fabric of our “new life.” The world treasures loyalty but the flesh cannot keep it. Mankind is desperate for faithfulness, but many have been blinded by the “god of this world,” broken by the afflictions of wickedness and bound by sin. Jesus, the Christ, came as God’s Servant to “bring good news to the afflicted, bind the brokenhearted and proclaim liberty to the captive.” And, He sends His servants to serve faithfulness from their earthen vessels to those in need. If we are fruitful in faithfulness, we are proof of His faithfulness. But even if we are faithless, He remains faithful. How great a foundation! Think about it.

For the world, peace is ever illusive, for it is only found in the royal coffers of the Prince of Peace. “And, the world does not know Him” (John 1:10). The godless and rebellious know no peace, only strife, as they feverishly try to manufacture their own, instead of turning to, and receiving it from, the Source. The humble, contrite heart finds peace abundantly available from the Divine Treasury.
Peace is like the dove, as depicted so often in man’s artful renderings. Peace has its nest under the eaves of the dwelling place of the Holy Spirit, i.e., the heart of the consecrated saint. He feeds on the grain offerings of obedience and reverential worship. When anger or rebellion invades the heart of the saint, Peace abandons his resting place and flees the clamorous scene. Yet, when the saint repents and confesses his sin, Peace once again takes up his abode. God’s peace is bountifully and continuously given to those who love His Word and obey His Law (Ps. 119:165; Is. 66:2).
Jesus left His disciples His peace as a blessing and a heritage, to fortify them for their pilgrimage, and their labor, in this world. There are many dangers and fearful obstacles in this world but the saint of God is made the “overcomer” by the peace that guards his/her heart and mind in Christ Jesus (Phil.4:7). Peace is not illusive to those who love the Lord and enjoy communion with Him. Think about it.

The shepherds were doing what they have done for generations, tending their sheep. “Suddenly” the routine of their lives was disrupted by a revelation from God and they left what they were doing to seek Him Who would be their Savior. God has spoken to mankind through His Son, Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world. Will you see Him this Christmas? Will you leave the traditional attitudes and activities, to seek Him this year? You might be pleasantly surprised. Think about it.

During this season of celibrating the coming of the Savior of the world, is your heart still expectant of Emmanual? Do you still enjoy the joy of your salvation? Do you still believe He loves all men and women everywhere and desires their reconciliation to Him? If your answer is yes to all these questions, then the Spirit of Christmas is alive and well. Think about it.

When pride and selfishness are condoned, agitation and fear sound a discordant CLANG that sets our hearts on edge and stirs resentment towards, and detachment from, God and others. This is a dangerous and destructive attitude. So, our heavenly Father, in His love and mercy, disciplines us that we may know what brings life and well-being and what does not.
When we do what is “right,” our whole being (body, mind and spirit) come into harmony and peace settles in. Our relationships move toward healthier commitment and intimacy. Quietness and confidence return and we feel more secure through having pleased God. Think about it.

This whole passage in Ephesians is about being “clothed” with Christ, for through Him God has provided truth, integrity (righteousness), faithfulness, peace, salvation and the Holy Spirit. And we, Christians, are to be alert and ready to face our enemies, having been prepared and reinforced by the Lord of Hosts, to be able to resist every onslaught. His first command, “Cease striving (your warlike activities against Me) and know that (acknowledge, listen to and obey) I am God.” Think about it.