The Word of God for wisdom:
Proverbs 15:13 (NLT)
13 A glad heart makes a happy face; a broken heart crushes the spirit.
The Word of God for inspiration:
Psalm 112:1 (NLT)
1 Praise the LORD! How joyful are those who fear the LORD and delight in obeying his commands.
The Word of God for encouragement:
John 8:30-32 (ESV)
30 As he was saying these things, many believed in him.
31 So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, "If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples,
32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."
My observation:
Although Jesus faced stiff opposition during his earthly ministry, there were still many who believed in him. However, not all who professed belief in Jesus had genuine faith. Jesus spoke of those types of people earlier.
John 2:23-25 (ESV)
23 Now when he was in Jerusalem at the Passover Feast, many believed in his name when they saw the signs that he was doing.
24 But Jesus on his part did not entrust himself to them, because he knew all people
25 and needed no one to bear witness about man, for he himself knew what was in man.
Jesus is able to look into the hearts of those who say they believe in him, but don't really have genuine faith. He can tell the fakers, who subscribe to the notion that if you fake it, you can make it. That kind of belief is not the kind that saves.
Jesus gives the standard for the kind of belief in Him that result in salvation; in eternal life. Examine your faith by how you measure up to the way Jesus responds to those who say they believe in Him. I ask the question, Does Jesus believe in you? What kind of faith does he see when he looks into your heart?
John 8:31 (ESV)
31 So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, "If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples,
How are you doing with the obedience standard?
My prayer:
Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I pray that all of those who say that they believe in Jesus will be able to have a faith that will result in Jesus entrusting himself to them. Father, give all of those who hear the word this type of faith. In Jesus' name, Amen.
James 1:22 (ESV)
22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.
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1 Timothy 4:4-5 (HCSB)
4 For everything created by God is good, and nothing should be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving,
5 since it is sanctified by the word of God and by prayer.
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