A Moment of Hope

By Sean D. Smith

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the
Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were
made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was
made. 4 In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 And the
light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.
John 1:1-5, NKJV

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Apr 1, 2014
• ISBN: 9781493175581

Sean D. Smith

Author and leader who is also a servant; a motivator who is also a steward; a teacher: conscientious and innovative; a counselor: compassionate yet assertive. A man of integrity and honor; Elder Sean D. Smith is not only a minister but a visionary. While Webster’s dictionary defines excellence as the quality of being excellent; state of possessing good qualities in an eminent degree, exalted merit; and superiority in virtue; this definition could easily have been simplified by stating: the works of the Lord through Sean D. Smith Born May 4th of 1993, Sean is the only child of Latanya Williams. At an early age Sean developed a heart for God and his people. December 14th of 2008 Sean accepted his call into the ministry under the leader of Elder Daniel X. Smith. At the age of 15 years old Sean preached his first sermon entitled "Nothing Old Attached". While the road has not been easy Sean would say it has definitely been worth it and ten years later Sean has developed into a powerful young man of God flowing in all five ministry gifts. Elder Smith's life continues to be an example of the works of the Lord: how ability and anointing come together to create an illustration of a chosen vessel. Eyes have not seen, nor ears heard, the great things God has in store for Elder Sean D. Smith and his family.

Book preview

January

In The Beginning

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. ² He was in the beginning with God. ³ All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. ⁴ In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. ⁵ And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.

John 1:1-5, NKJV

Many things can change at the beginning of the year… a new year seemingly brings forth new hope. While things might start anew, remember that in the beginning God was with you in word and deed—In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. (John 1:1-2, NKJV). God was with you at the beginning of the previous year and stayed with you throughout all the rough patches [³ All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made (John 1:3, NKJV)] and shiny moments—⁵ And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it (John 1:5, NKJV). As you celebrate a new year and new beginnings remember to start with God and immerse yourself in His word.

Respect God’s House

Walk prudently when you go to the house of God; and draw near to hear rather than to give the sacrifice of fools, for they do not know that they do evil.

Ecclesiastes 5:1, NKJV

How you approach God’s house says a lot about you. If you enter with the reverence and respect afforded to the king of kings, then your heart will be dialed into what God is transmitting. If you enter His house with thanksgiving and praise seeking to serve Him, then you are able to receive the harvest He is providing—Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name (Psalms 100:4, NKJV). However, if you enter His house without reverence, full of disrespect and contempt, then you are out of order. The House of God manifested in His people and executed through His church is more than a show and should be treated accordingly. You disrespect His body when you defile His body through deed and word… thoughts become actions and actions lead to corruption… soon the body is attacked from within like a virus. God’s body, His people, His church is being defiled by the pollution of sin [⁴ For certain men have crept in unnoticed, who long ago were marked out for this condemnation, ungodly men, who turn the grace of our God into lewdness and deny the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ (Jude 1:4, NKJV)]; however, just as your natural body recognizes a foreign body and fights off the virus, so too will God in order to protect His people, His house. Today, respect God’s house by entering with reverence and praise and watch how He attends to your needs while clearing out those that seek to disrupt and destroy His house—Walk prudently when you go to the house of God; and draw near to hear rather than to give the sacrifice of fools, for they do not know that they do evil (Ecclesiastes 5:1, NKJV).

It’s Go Time!

⁹ Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. ¹⁰ Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. ¹¹ Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. ¹² Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. ¹³ Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. ¹⁴ Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.

Romans 12:9-14, NIV

It’s go time! You can no longer afford to put off today what you promised God yesterday—⁴ When you make a vow to God, do not delay in fulfilling it (Ecclesiastes 5:4, NIV). A new year begets new resolutions… vows to do this and that. Before establishing new commitments, consider what happened to your previous commitments before jumping into something/anything else. Resolve yourself to serve the Lord first, foremost and most importantly—to the utmost—¹¹ Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord (Romans 12:11, NIV). It’s time for you to put your spiritual game face on and press for the glory of the Lord. Now more than ever you are susceptible to change, so why not change the pattern of procrastination and resolve to go when and where God tells you. Sure there will be problems… sure there will be issues… sure there will even be pain, but the joy of the Lord is your strength [Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength (Nehemiah 8:10, NKJV)] . . . so count it all joy [² My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, ³ knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience (James 1:2-3, NKJV)] as the world challenges you and be encouraged as God sees you through it all—¹² Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer (Romans 12:12, NIV). Today it’s go time… so go with God!

Are You Convinced?

³⁸ For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, ³⁹ neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 8:38-39, NIV

Are you convinced that God loves you? If so what is stopping you from coming home to Him? Too often homes focus so much time and energy on the lost, that they sometimes forget to focus on those that seem to have it all together. Today’s church is no different. Many times church members focus their efforts on saving lost souls, that they forget to spread God’s word to those within their church community. Truth be told no one ever has it all together, saved or unsaved; however, sometimes it takes a misplaced word to cause distance and a timely word to rekindle fondness. Unfortunately, human nature is not always timely; however, God’s love is everlasting. So what stops you from coming to the King on a habitual basis? Are you convinced that an untimely comment here or there is enough to tear the very fabric of your relationship with God… or is there something else that deters you? If you the saved saint are not convinced, then how will the unsaved ever be convinced—If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner (1 Peter 4:18, NIV). Know that the world and all of its followers will hate you for the light that resides in you and that you will never be able to find justification from it or its inhabitants—¹⁸ "If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. ¹⁹ If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you (John 15:18-19, NKJV). Today come home to God because there is nothing in this world that can ever or will ever break His bond, His loyalty or His love with you. Are you convinced—³⁸ For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, ³⁹ neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 8:38-39, NIV)?

Stay On Target

¹¹ We have much to say about this, but it is hard to explain because you are slow to learn. ¹² In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! ¹³ Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. ¹⁴ But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.

Hebrews 5:11-14, NIV

Are you frustrated with your spiritual walk? Do you believe that where you are isn’t where you are supposed to be—¹² In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food (Hebrews 5:12, NIV)? Perhaps it is time to take a good look at how you are walking? Perhaps it is time to stop worrying about someone else’s walk and concentrate on your own? Truth is that you need to stop worrying about where you think you ought to be and work according to and for the glory of the Lord—⁶ For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south. ⁷ But God is the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another (Psalms 75:6-7, KJV). Elevation and promotion are not meant for personal gratification, rather for the uplifting of God’s kingdom. If you are in search of titles and positions, then perhaps you need to relook your purpose for serving the Lord—Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed (Proverbs 16:3, NIV). God cannot use the proud [The Lord detests all the proud of heart. Be sure of this: They will not go unpunished (Proverbs 16:5, NIV)], but delights in the humble. You will only mature in Christ when His ways become your ways [¹⁴ But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil (Hebrews 5:14, NIV)] and His way is of the Spirit, not the flesh—It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life (John 6:63, NKJV). Today stay on target, humble yourself before the Lord and He will elevate you according to His will—¹⁰ Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up (James 4:10, NKJV).

Bring Him Back

May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face shine upon us, (Selah)

² that your ways may be known on earth, your salvation among all nations. ³ May the peoples praise you, O God; may all the peoples praise you. ⁴ May the nations be glad and sing for joy, for you rule the peoples justly and guide the nations of the earth. (Selah) ⁵ May the peoples praise you, O God; may all the peoples praise you. ⁶ Then the land will yield its harvest, and God, our God, will bless us. ⁷ God will bless us, and all the ends of the earth will fear him.

Psalms 67, NIV

What would happen if you ruled the world? Would things be a little different, more of the same or worse. Unfortunately, all you have to do is turn on the television and see that the world’s leaders think that they are in charge. However, as a Christian, you understand that God is the creator of all things and has the final say in EVERYTHING—¹³ I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last (Revelations 22:13, NKJV). The first step in correcting a problem is admitting you have a problem… in the world’s case its addiction is sin… its first step accepting Jesus as its savior. It is not a coincidence that the world’s sufferings continue to bubble up the more that it distances itself from Him. So if you ruled the world, would you bring Him back—May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face shine upon us, (Selah)

² that your ways may be known on earth, your salvation among all nations (Psalms 67:1-2, NIV). Since you don’t rule the world, but rather God does, will you campaign to bring Him back? Nothing radical, but a simple thank you for His works or a public praise report [⁴ May the nations be glad and sing for joy, for you rule the peoples justly and guide the nations of the earth. (Selah) ⁵ May the peoples praise you, O God; may all the peoples praise you (Psalms 67:4-5, NIV)] may be enough to bring Him back to a world so distraught and so longing for hope, that it is desperately seeking a spiritual pick me up—⁶ Then the land will yield its harvest, and God, our God, will bless us (Psalms 67:6, NIV). Today bring him back into your life and spread His blessings with everyone you encounter… then watch how His grace spreads throughout the world—⁷ God will bless us, and all the ends of the earth will fear him (Psalms 67:7, NIV). *Remember that Jesus began with 12 disciples and together they sparked a spiritual revolution that is still celebrated from generation to generation… don’t limit God’s kingdom by doubting His ability to use you—¹⁰ Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin . . . (Zechariah 4:10, NLT). BRING HIM BACK!

Beneath Him

²² And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, ²³ which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.

Ephesians 1:22-23, NIV

If life’s problems keep knocking at your door and continue to beat you down simply ignore them and then call upon your Jesus. This might seem like a simple answer to a complex problem; however, it is proven over time. The secret—it’s all beneath Him—²² And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, ²³ which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way (Ephesians 1:22-23, NIV). Jesus is above any and all situations that you face and if you come to Him he will shine upon even the darkest places. Today understand that EVERYTHING is beneath Jesus… including all of your worries.

Be Fruitful

¹⁷ Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. ¹⁸ A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. ¹⁹ Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. ²⁰ Therefore by their fruits you will know them.

Matthew 7:17-20, NKJV

One of God’s first commands to Man was to be fruitful—[²⁸ Then God blessed them, and God said to them, Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth. (Genesis 1:28, NKJV)] . . . perhaps He should have been more specific on what kinds of fruit His creation should grow. Trees are identified by how they grow, where they grow and also by what they grow—²⁰ Therefore by their fruits you will know them (Matthew 7:20, NKJV). So are you known for your good fruits or bad fruits—¹⁷ Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit (Matthew 7:17, NKJV)? God makes it clear that there will be a season where those that do not produce a harvest according to His will, will be cut off from Him ["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. ⁶ If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned (John 15:5-6, NKJV)], but those that continue to produce according to His will, will continue to grow and enjoy His blessings. Today obey your Father and be known by the fruits of His Spirit—²² But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness, self-control (Galatians 5:22-23, NKJV).

He’s Able

⁸ And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.

2 Corinthians 9:8, NKJV

As you make preparations for your tax return don’t forget about the One that provided you with the opportunity to get something back… or in some cases the One that will help you pay Uncle Sam… the One that is always providing you a return; especially, when you least expect it. It is important to continuously give praise to the Lord [Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever (Psalms 107:1, NKJV)] through the God times and the bad. Simply put your faith in Him and know that He is able to bless you abundantly through the good and the bad—⁸ And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work (2 Corinthians 9:8, NKJV). Today acknowledge He’s able and rejoice in His blessings.

The End Does Not Justify The Means

If a man pays back evil for good, evil will never leave his house.

Proverbs 17:13, NIV

The world’s allure will tell you that the end justifies the means, but rest assured, evil begets evil. As a Christian do not become prey to the world’s ways… resist the temptation of justifying your actions by glorifying their endstate and overlooking the methods you used to get them. Turn from sin [⁷ Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you (James 4:7, NKJV)] and the evil that stems from it before it spreads throughout and eventually entrenches into your natural and spiritual households—If a man pays back evil for good, evil will never leave his house (Proverbs 17:13, NIV). Trust in the Lord [Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; ⁶ In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.

(Proverbs 3:5-6, NKJV) and all of His ways and He will provide heavenly wisdom that will order your steps—⁷ Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and depart from evil (Proverbs 3:7, NKJV). Today acknowledge that the Lord your God will handle your situation so you don’t have to—¹⁹ Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, Vengeance is Mine, I will repay, says the Lord." (Romans 12:19, NKJV). The end does not justify the means—Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good (Romans 12:21, NKJV).

Right Now Kind Of Harvest

³⁴ Jesus said to them, "My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work. ³⁵ Do you not say, ‘There are still four months and then comes the harvest’? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest! ³⁶ And he who reaps receives wages, and gathers fruit for eternal life, that both he who sows and he who reaps may rejoice together. ³⁷ For in this the saying is true: ‘One sows and another reaps.’ ³⁸ I sent you to reap that for which you have not labored; others have labored, and you have entered into their labors."

John 4:34-38, NKJV

[Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest (John 4:34-38, NKJV)] Open your eyes to the harvest that God has already set before you… one not of your own doing, but that of the Lord—³⁸ I sent you to reap that for which you have not labored; others have labored, and you have entered into their labors (John 4:38, NKJV). Understand that God’s grace and mercy have already established bountiful blessings in your life; however, it is ultimately your faith that allows you to see, touch and experience those blessings. God is the creator of all things [¹⁶ For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. ¹⁷ And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist (Colossians 1:16-17, NKJV). . . . His sovereignty establishes His dominion over this world and all it has to offer… so why can’t you receive a right now kind of harvest? Simply put you are only limited by your faith in what He can do—²⁷ Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh. Is there anything too hard for Me (Jeremiah 32:27, NKJV). Today reap the harvest that God has already labored for you.

All Natural

The words of the Lord are pure words, like silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. ⁷ You shall keep them, O Lord, you shall preserve them from this generation forever.

Psalms 12:6-7, NKJV

Artificiality can sometimes be good and serve a purpose, but when it comes to words and truth it just won’t do. No one wants to receive half truths or to listen to partial stories. The world is full of artificiality and depending upon where you go, has stringent rules governing the use of artificial substances in lieu of their natural counterparts… but there seemingly is no regulation on words. Given a choice which would you prefer—an artificial god full of false hope and promises… one whose words flatter you, but never fulfills his promises to you or a living benevolent God whose words are all natural void of any/all fluff and fillers—The words of the Lord are pure words, like silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. ⁷ You shall keep them, O Lord, you shall preserve them from this generation forever (Psalms 12:6-7, NKJV). God does not lie ["God is not a man, that He should lie, nor a son of man, that He should repent. Has He said, and will He not do? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good? (Numbers 23:19, NKJV)], He says what He means and means what He says—¹⁷ Thus God, determining to show more abundantly to the heirs of promise the immutability of His counsel, confirmed it by an oath, ¹⁸ that by two immutable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we might have strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before us (Hebrews 6:17-18, NKJV). God’s word is pure… it is established and will not change based artificialities, fillers, or any other kind of fluff—For I am the Lord, I do not change; therefore you are not consumed, O sons of Jacob (Malachi 3:6, NKJV). Today accept the all natural and pure word of God and accept no substitute.

A Kingdom Engagement

¹⁵ Now when one of those who sat at the table with Him heard these things, he said to Him, Blessed is he who shall eat bread in the kingdom of God! ¹⁶ Then He said to him, "A certain man gave a great supper and invited many, ¹⁷ and sent his servant at supper time to say to those who were invited, ‘Come, for all things are now ready.’ ¹⁸ But they all with one accord began to make excuses.

Luke 14:15-18, NKJV

How excited would you be if the Queen of England personally invited you to enjoy the spoils of her kingdom? Most folks would be ecstatic… some even humbled and very few would turn down the opportunity. So why does the world continuously turn the opportunity to enjoy the spoils of the King of kings—¹⁵ Now when one of those who sat at the table with Him heard these things, he said to Him, Blessed is he who shall eat bread in the kingdom of God (Luke 14:15, NKJV)? God continues to offer the bread of life [³⁵ And Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst" (John 6:35, NKJV)], but the world continues make excuse after excuse on why it can’t or won’t accept the Lord’s Kingdom engagement—¹⁶ Then He said to him, "A certain man gave a great supper and invited many, ¹⁷ and sent his servant at supper time to say to those who were invited, ‘Come, for all things are now ready.’ ¹⁸ But they all with one accord began to make excuses (Luke 14:16-18, NKJV). Is it any wonder then that so many people are so hungry… naturally and spiritually? Don’t be one of those that thirsts and hungers; not when your Heavenly Father is offering nourishment that lasts a lifetime. Today accept a Kingdom engagement with the King of kings and experience His eternal blessings

Stop The Affair

¹⁹ We love Him because He first loved us.

1 John 4:19, NKJV

Stop having an affair with God and start loving Him! If you’ve ever loved someone with all your heart, but didn’t receive the same back, then you probably know a little something about heart… heart that doesn’t just flair up based on a season, but deep down hurt that goes to the very core. This hurt is so overwhelming that you promised yourself that you’ll never hurt that way again. Unfortunately, love’s nature is that of forgiving [⁸ Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins (1 Peter 4:8, NIV)] so if you truly loved her, if you truly loved him, then it’s hard to just let them go. Affairs are so dangerous because ultimately one falls in lust and the other falls in love… the relationship is never mutually supporting—lust (your flesh) [⁶³ It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life (John 6:63, NKJV) is destined to fail; however, love never fails—⁸ Love never fails (1 Corinthians 13:8, NKJV). So where are you with God? Are you in love with Him or are you in lust? Do you continue to have periodic emotional, physical and spiritual affairs with Him or are you ready and able to leave the world behind and fully commit to Him? Put your lust for the world behind you and come to realize the world and its ways will never love you—¹⁹ If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you (John 15:19, NKJV). Today stop the affair and come back to your first love and start loving God—¹⁹ We love Him because He first loved us (1 John 4:19, NKJV).

Stop Cheating Yourself

⁸ Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ. ⁹ For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; ¹⁰ and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power.

Colossians 2:8-10, NKJV

Face it, in the natural (aka the world) when someone cheats you out of something, at a minimum you get a little upset… on the opposite end of the spectrum you might get down right mad. No one likes to lose their hard earned money or waste their time; especially, to someone else’s cheating ways. So why is it that you tolerate it in the church? The fact is that many Christians are being robbed on a habitual basis by carnal minded religious activities that masquerade as spiritual, but fall so very short of the grace of God—4 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world (1 John 4:4, NKJV). The problem is that these men and women that present themselves before God’s body cheat [⁸ Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ (Colossians 2:8, NKJV)] their members of the fullness of God [⁹ For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; ¹⁰ and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power (Colossians 2:9-10, NKJV)] and instead replace it with religious ceremonies/activities that attempt to maintain worldly stature. To the untrained eye, these ministries seem to prosper; however, their numbers swell because they target the very core of one’s flesh. But you, having chosen to mature beyond the site of mere form and fashion, realize that it is God’s Spirit that gives life [³ It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life (John 6:63, NKJV)] not the eloquence of the speaker and not the size of his/her church. So the choice is yours: spirit-filled connection with the Father or fleshly-filled self promoting religion… know the difference. Today stop cheating yourself and receive the fullness of God.

Rise Above This World

If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. ² Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.

Colossians 3:1-2, NKJV

Continue your walk in the Lord and watch as you mature in Christ. While your daily walk will be littered with bumpy patches, pot holes and ditches, continue to press forward and leave behind those things that once thwarted your progression—⁵ Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. ⁶ Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. ⁷ You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. ⁸ But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips (Colossians 3:5-8, NIV). Rise above this world and set your sights on Kingdom minded things and not the snares/traps of this world—If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. ² Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth (Colossians 3:1-2, NKJV). Do not afford yourself time to stop, rest or become comfortable in that which you once flourished, but the Spirit now finds abominable [¹² Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. ¹³ Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, ¹⁴ I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus (Philippians 3:12-14, NKJV)]; rather, draw close to the Lord and draw strength from His Heavenly grace—⁹ And He said to me, My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9, NKJV). Today rise above this world by elevating up to the Kingdom of God instead of shrinking back to this world—³⁷ For in just a very little while, "He who is coming will come and will not delay. ³⁸ But my righteous one will live by faith. And if he shrinks back, I will not be pleased with him." ³⁹ But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who believe and are saved (Hebrews 10:37-39, NIV).

Who Built Your House?

For every house is built by someone, but He who built all things is God

Hebrews 3:4, NKJV

A house is a tremendous investment and nobody wants to invest in shoddy work. Before building anything, much less your future home, you probably want to consider the builder and the materials that he/she will use. Unfortunately people seem to be a little less discerning… a little less discriminating when it comes to building their spiritual home—Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it (Psalms 127:1, NKJV). So who built your house—⁴ For every house is built by someone, but He who built all things is God (Hebrews 3:4, NKJV)? You should approach your spiritual home with the same discernment that you approach building your dream home. Just the same, you ought not be so liberal with building it; rather scrutinize the most minute detail: what it is built on (faith) . . . what it is built with (the word of God) and whom it is built by (Jesus Christ). If your foundation is faith, the material used is the word of God, and your builder Jesus Christ, then your spiritual home is built to last—⁴⁷ Whoever comes to Me, and hears My sayings and does them, I will show you whom he is like: ⁴⁸ He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently against that house, and could not shake it, for it was founded on the rock (Luke 6:47-48, NKJV). Today take a look at who built your house and remember that unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it (Psalms 127:1, NKJV).

Sharpen Your Knowledge About Him Through Him

⁵ But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, ⁶ to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, ⁷ to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. ⁸ For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. ⁹ For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins.

2 Peter 1:5-9, NKJV

It is far too easy to forget about how things used to be when things are going well. In the midst of your feel good moments, don’t let your triumphs/victories over this world cause you to forget the one that enabled your victory. Don’t forget where you came from [⁹ For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins (2 Peter 1:9, NKJV)] i.e. a hot mess littered with sin—²³ for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). No Christian has ever arrived when he/she is saved, rather they start a spiritual journey to God’s kingdom. But as with any quest you need knowledge on how to get there and what to do when you get there—¹⁰ Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never fall, ¹¹ and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (2 Peter 1:10-11, NIV). Today sharpen your knowledge about Him through Him [⁵ But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, ⁶ to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, ⁷ to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. ⁸ For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ (2 Peter 1:5:-8, NKJV)] and never forget that the goal is not just getting to the start line (being saved), but to cross the finish line (entering the gates