“But also, for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. “ 2Peter 1:5-7 

This is quite a list, isn't it?  We are to "add" all of these things to the faith in God that we had when he added us into His family.  The verb, “add,” suggests these are godly traits but, like every command in the Bible, God does not call us to do something without enabling us to fulfill His command. 

Knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love do not come naturally or easily to us. We need to be willing to work with God as He, through His Spirit, develops these characteristics in us.  He is willing and able because He loves us!   

Let us hunger and thirst for these qualities in our lives and strive to be more Christ-like as we serve him every day.  

Have you ever wondered why the Lord's Supper (1 Cor 11:20) or "the breaking of bread" (Acts 2:42) is so important?  It is such a simple act that has great meaning!  Having an understanding of its meaning and importance is beneficial for its observance.  We certainly wouldn't want to be guilty of "sharing" this meal in a meaningless way. Consider..

1. The Supper is a MEMORIAL for the family of Christ (1 Cor 11:23-25). We remember His death.

2. The Supper is a PROCLAMATION by the family of Christ (1 Cor 11:26). We preach He is coming again to claim His own.

3. The Supper is SHARING with the family of Christ (1 Cor 10:16). We are ONE body sharing life, love and communion together.

4. The Supper is shared in REVERENCE with the family of Christ (1 Cor 11:27,29). Respecting His will, way, and word as the Author of eternal life.

5. The Supper is shared with INTROSPECTION (1 Cor 11:28). Taking personal assessment of our heart as we reflect on His sacrifice for sin.

6. The Supper is shared on the LORD'S DAY (Acts 20:7). It is His supper to be observed on His day by His people to honor His sacrifice of love for our sins.

This is such an important part of what we do when we meet together!  The Lord wanted us to remember Him (Matt 26:28) in His Kingdom (Mark 14:25) on His day.  Our meeting together should be all about Him, what He did on the cross, and what He established with His blood, until He returns to take us Home!!

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. “ Pro. 3:5-6

No matter your level of education, you don’t have all the answers to everything life throws at you. Whether it’s a difficult predicament, an unexpected turn of events, or a tragic loss you may find yourself struggling to solve a problem and explain why something negative has happened.

Sisters and brothers, God has all the answers. You don’t need to look any further or seek comfort from anyone else. He has your best interest in heart. Our Father and our God knows what we need. All we have to do is submit to Him, praise him for the successes in our life, and turn to Him at times of hardship. Our Lord will guide us through everything we do. Let us turn every area of our life over to Him. There’s no halfway with God. We can’t’ choose to follow Him some of the time and ignore Him other times.

If we make Him a vital part of everything we do, He will lead us because we will be working to accomplish His will. God knows what is best for us always! Our father is a better judge of what we need than we are, so we MUST trust Him completely in every choice we make. Amen.

“And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” Phil. 4:19

The Apostle Paul says, “... I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has laid hold of me” and “I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:12 & 14.  Paul had Jesus Christ in view for his life, and heaven as his ultimate destination. Living for Jesus was a priority for the present and future for Paul. He lived each day with an attitude of “pressing on” regardless of how difficult or challenging life might become for him.  Engaging in faith-building activities with his brothers and sisters in Christ helped him “press on” and ultimately gain the prize by God’s grace.

Here are a few things to help us as we journey toward heaven with our wonderful Lord this month!

1.  Read the daily devotionals in HIS WORD DEVOTIONAL BOOK and read the corresponding chapters in the NEW TESTAMENT. “Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You.” Psalm 119:11

2. Today many have been be looking for a place to visit.  This is an opportunity for us to invite our friends and family who are not Christians to come and hear the truth about our Lord, His

wonderful Church, and salvation through His resurrection.  This is a beautiful truth we embrace as we worship every Lord’s day!

3.  Let’s engage in various acts of kindness to make a difference in the lives of our friends and family.  Let’s love our enemies and do good to as many as possible and follow the example of our Lord and Savior, JESUS THE CHRIST!  

We must “press on” in order to experience life with Christ now and forever.  Let’s be a going church for a coming Lord. 

When you think about love, what does it look like?  Like a precious lady teaching stories of the Bible to a class full of kids?  Like a sweet older couple who are madly in love with one another, hand in hand in faith and love, although their faces are lined with wrinkles and their steps are shortened?  Like the heart of one serving with respect and diligence to put food on the table for hungry mouths and empty bellies at a shelter? Like the innocent face of a newborn baby who is pure and sinless?  There are a lot of people who display selfless, active, and unconditional love each day by their actions. Love is a decision that acts unselfishly, unconditionally, and nonjudgmentally!

THINK ABOUT THIS, LOVE is Jesus Christ … Jesus suffers long, He is kind, He does not envy, He does not parade Himself, He is not puffed up, He doesn't behave rudely, nor does He seek His own, and He is not easily provoked. He thinks NO EVIL and doesn't rejoice in iniquity!  He bears, believes, hopes, and endures ALL THINGS. Jesus is love with flesh and bones. He is a compassionate heart with a loving nonjudgmental look for the worst of us and serves, cares, and sacrifices anyway! He is what Paul was talking about in 1 Corinthians 13:4-6.

Let's do all we can to follow the example of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and love with all of our heart, soul, mind, and strength. “He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.”  -- 1 John 2:6