In the morning sow your seed, and in the evening do not withhold your hand; For you do not know which will prosper, either this or that, or whether both alike will be good (Ecclesiastes 11:6).
Solomon in Ecclesiastes 9:10 says “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might; for there is no work or device or knowledge or wisdom in the grave where you are going.”
We reflect God’s character through faithfulness, forgiveness, patience, and kindness. One’s self-worth comes from being made in God’s image, not from possessions, achievements, looks, or fame.
As His image bearers we share some of His characteristics thus we can appreciate our self-worth and know He values us. Knowing that we are valuable to our Heavenly Father, helps us love and connect personally with Him and serve others.
Some say that as His image bearers the people of God can reflect His glory, with their creativity, speech, self- determination, and reason. God is our Creator therefore we will never be fully like Him.
Thank you, Father, for creating us in your image and giving us the Holy Spirit to reflect your character.
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
Only Christ not man-made approaches or solutions that disregard God is the answer to the problems in life. In resisting heresy study God’s words and keep your eyes on Christ.
The idols of the nations are silver and gold, The work of men’s hands. They have mouths, but they do not speak; Eyes they have, but they do not see; they have ears, but they do not hear; Nor is there any breath in their mouths. Those who make them are like them; So is everyone who trusts in them.” Psalm135: 15-18 NKJV
So listen and your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left. Isaiah 30:21 ESV
“Oh yes, people of Zion, citizens of Jerusalem, your time of tears is over. Cry for help and you’ll find it’s grace and more grace. The moment he hears, he’ll answer. Just as the Master kept you alive during the hard times, he’ll keep your teacher alive and present among you. Your teacher will be right there, local and on the job, urging you on whenever you wander left or right: “This is the right road. Walk down this road.” You’ll scrap your expensive and fashionable god-images. You’ll throw them in the trash as so much garbage, saying, “Good riddance!” Isaiah 30:19-22 MSG
Then follow TheWay of Jesus Christ the path of life that is right. John 14:6; Acts 9:2; and Isaiah 35:8.
When thinking like Christ believers must avoid hatred and anger and have right relationships with God and others. Jesus did not associate or follow all the traditions of wicked notorious people such as the Pharisees who rejected Him, even though He was committed to God and respected the law. Jesus had compassion on multitudes of people and healed many of their afflictions and diseases.
Remember what the word of God says “But we have the mind of Christ” meaning believers share Jesus’s purpose, plan, and perspective.
The mind of Christ?
Mark 2:6,16; Matthew 5:20-22; 14:14; Matthew 23:1-36; Luke 6:2; Luke 7:36-47; 1 Corinthians 2:16
Whoever has no rule over his own spirit is like a city broken down, without walls. Proverbs 25:28
Self-control may limit us; However, self-control is essential in Kingdom leaders and people. An out-of-control life is open to all types of attacks from the enemy. Think of self-control as a barrier for protection and defense.
Self control is achieved by:
“God alone knows the way to Wisdom, he knows the exact place to find it. He knows where everything is on earth, he sees everything under heaven.
After he commanded the winds to blow and measured out the waters, Arranged for the rain and set off explosions of thunder and lightning.
He focused on Wisdom, made sure it was all set and tested and ready. Then he addressed the human race: ‘Here it is!
Fear-of-the-Lord—that’s Wisdom, and Insight means shunning evil.”
Job 28:23-28 MSG
Psalm 46:1-7
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.
There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day. Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall; He lifts his voice, the earth melts.The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our stronghold.
Throughout biblical history, the word of God teaches that God is pleased with various aromas from burnt offerings, grain offerings of baked pieces of bread, and wine. He no longer is pleased with aromas from sin offerings or other offerings described in the Old Testament because Jesus was our sin offering (Hebrews13:10-12, CSB).
Pleasing Aromas?
God wants to smell aromas that are pleasing to Him, aromas that are spread through His gathered people who serve Him and whom themselves have been a pleasing aroma to Him. These aromas arise from faith, the knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ and Him, and the movement of the sweet message of the gospel.
May we give off the aromas that are pleasing to God and give life.
Genesis 8:21; Exodus 29:18; Leviticus 1:29; 6:19-21; Numbers 15:7; Ezekiel 20:39-41; Hebrews 11:6; 2 Corinthians 2:14-16
Words of Encouragement
Hebrews 3:13-14; Hebrews 6:13-20, Hebrews 10:22-25 MSG
Now that we have began the year 2025, the word of God instructs us to:
… watch your step, friends. Make sure there’s no evil unbelief lying around that will trip you up and throw you off course, diverting you from the living God. For as long as God’s still calling it Today, keep each other on your toes so sin doesn’t slow down your reflexes. If we can only keep our grip on the sure thing we started out with, we’re in this with Christ for the long haul.
Remember that God gave his word When God made His promise to Abraham, He backed it all the way, putting his own reputation on the line. He said, “I promise that I’ll bless you with everything I have—bless and bless and bless!” Abraham stuck it out and got everything that had been promised to him. When people make promises, they guarantee them by appeal to some authority above them so that if there is any question that they’ll make good on the promise, the authority will back them up.
When God wanted to guarantee His promises, He gave his word, a rock-solid guarantee—God can’t break his word. And because his word cannot change, the promise is likewise unchangeable.
We who have run for our very lives to God have every reason to grab the promised hope with both hands and never let go. It’s an unbreakable spiritual lifeline, reaching past all appearances right to the very presence of God where Jesus, running on ahead of us, has taken up his permanent post as high priest for us, in the order of Melchizedek.
So let’s do it—(step into 2025) full of belief, confident that we’re presentable inside and out. Let’s keep a firm grip on the promises that keep us going. God always keeps his word. Let’s see how inventive we can be in encouraging love and helping others, not avoiding worshiping together as some do but spurring each other on, especially as we see the big Day approaching. For Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him” (Hebrews 9:28).
Prayer.
Father, we thank you for your presence, love, blessings, provisions, and protection upon us. May we your children fulfil your purpose and plans through the power of the Holy Spirit in what we have been called for in your Kingdom as we step in to 2025.
Father, I pray for your people who have fallen away and have hardened their hearts that they will repent and come back to their first love, Jesus Christ, that they will be full of faith and keep a firm grip on your promises for you are a keeper of your word. In Jesus name. Amen
Wind Gust 