The Bible teaches us that living a good and pure life isn't just about avoiding bad things: it's also about doing good things like showing love, being patient, being kind, and staying strong and calm, even when things are hard. This idea comes from a part of the Bible, Galatians 5:22-23, that lists these good things. Jesus also talked about this when He said that the people who keep their hearts pure will be able to see God. This means that what we think, say, and do should be good and pure.

In the Bible, Jesus also talks about his followers being the “salt of the earth” and the “light of the world.” This means that Christians should live good and pure lives themselves and also help make the world a better place. Being the “salt of the earth” means keeping the good things about God’s world alive and making life better for others. Being the “light of the world” means helping others see the good in the world and showing them the way to God. By doing this, Christians can help make things better, even when there's a lot of bad stuff happening.

But, the Bible also tells us that it's not always easy to live a good and pure life, especially when there are a lot of bad things happening around us. It can be hard to do the right thing when other people are doing the wrong thing. But the good news is that the Bible says God will always be there to help us. There's a part in the Bible, 1 Corinthians 10:13, that says God won't let us face anything we can't handle. And in another part, Philippians 4:13, it says we can do anything with the help of Jesus. So, even though it can be tough to live a good and pure life, we're not alone. God is always there to help us.

Just a thought,

PSS

In our walk of faith, it's crucial to understand that God is always good, even when life feels unbearably hard. We must remember Romans 8:28, which assures us that "All things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose." Being angry at God only blinds us to the greater picture He is painting with our lives. Our finite understanding cannot comprehend the infinite wisdom of God, who sees the end from the beginning. Just as Isaiah 55:8-9 reminds us, “ ‘For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,’ declares the Lord. ‘For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.’ ”

God's sovereignty is not an excuse for our suffering but a comfort in it. When we are tempted to be angry with God, we must instead lean into His promises and trust in His character. Charles Spurgeon once said, "God is too good to be unkind, and He is too wise to be mistaken. And when we cannot trace His hand, we must trust His heart." This profound truth calls us to deepen our trust in God's perfect plan, even when it is beyond our understanding. Psalm 34:18 gives us hope, declaring, "The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves such as have a contrite spirit." This nearness of God is our refuge and strength.

Furthermore, harboring anger against God leads us away from the healing and peace He offers. Ephesians 4:26-27 warns, "Be angry, and do not sin: do not let the sun go down on your wrath, nor give place to the devil." Anger opens the door to bitterness and estrangement from God, whereas surrendering our pain to Him invites His healing presence. As we navigate the trials of life, let's remember to follow the example of Job, who despite his immense suffering declared, "Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him" (Job 13:15).

Our faith is refined through trials, and in trusting God, we find the strength to endure and the grace to emerge stronger.

Just a thought,

PSS

We must all contend for the faith, defend the faith (Jude 3-4). If we don’t, we will lose the freedom to worship our God the way He desires to be worshipped.

Love your neighbor:

We hear some people saying things like, Loving our neighbor is taking a shot, wearing a mask, listening to authorities — that somehow during a pandemic we show the love of God toward others by not contending for our rights which God gave us. But somehow, according to them, loving people means to violate the scriptures, and loving God and His word first is not good or loving.

Love God:

It is not more important to love our neighbors at the expense of loving God with all our hearts, souls, and minds. God is first, always first. And in loving Him, serving Him, we all must contend for the faith. Saying nothing, doing nothing, is the same as saying, I really don’t believe in the word of God. We need to get back to rightly dividing the word of truth. It is not ungodly or wrong to stand up for our freedoms and rights: it is wrong not to. These weak, passive, so-called preachers are soft and wrong. Don’t listen to them!

Flee false teaching:

Loving our neighbors as ourselves has nothing to do with giving up our rights and freedom so we can be a witness to them. Some of these guys have even preached that some won’t come to the Church because we didn’t submit to evil and listen to the authorities who have been proven wrong on how they handled the so-called pandemic. I contend that people don’t come because they don’t know what the Church stands for. Weakness in the pulpits of America is the reason people don’t come to church. These false teachers should never be listened to. They are wrong.

Contend for the faith. Stand up for righteousness.

Just a thought,

PSS

In Daniel 3:8-30, the narrative of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the fiery furnace offers a profound lesson on unwavering faith and allegiance to God. Despite the decree from King Nebuchadnezzar demanding all to worship a golden statue, these three men chose to remain steadfast in their devotion to God, refusing to bow to any idol. Their defiance was not born out of rebellion but out of a deep-seated commitment to God’s commandments, demonstrating that true faith often requires standing firm against societal pressures and expectations.

The climax of this story reveals the miraculous power of God in response to such unwavering faith. When Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were thrown into the furnace, they were not consumed by the flames. Instead, a divine presence, described as "a fourth man" who appeared like "a son of the gods," protected them. This miraculous intervention underscores that being on God’s side means trusting Him even in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds. Their deliverance not only validated their faith but also served as a powerful testimony to King Nebuchadnezzar and his kingdom about the sovereignty and power of the true God.

Ultimately, the story of Daniel 3:8-30 challenges believers to evaluate where their ultimate loyalties lie. Being on God’s side requires a willingness to prioritize His commands over human decrees, even when it leads to personal risk or persecution. The reward for such faithfulness, as demonstrated by Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, is the assurance of God’s presence and protection. Their story is a timeless reminder that God honors those who honor Him, and He uses their faithfulness as a testament to His glory and power, influencing even the hearts of unbelievers.

Just a thought,

 PSS

Jesus said in John 8:32 NLT — And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. This is an incredible promise, especially if you need healing —whether the difficulty is an injury, illness, a financial hardship, troubled relationship, or anything else.

Belief vs truth:

Harper’s Bible Dictionary includes the statement when defining truth, “God is truth.” So many believe things that are not true. Truth is something that has to be known, not just believed. I can believe a lot of things that are not true. When I was a kid, it was believed that if you ate something, you had to wait around 15 to 30 minutes before getting back into the water because if you got in sooner, you could cramp up and drown. But now we know that is not true. It was believed, but not true.

His word is truth:

So, knowing the truth is knowing God to some degree! We need to pray and read the word daily so we can know the truth. Things that are true can be proved. So, we know the truth that God is a healer. He heals, so we claim that promise. The way the truth sets us free from the bondage of sin is by our getting to know God better. How do we do that? By learning His word. That’s how we will know the truth.

So, let’s get into God’s word more — so we can really know the Truth.

Just a thought,

PSS