cannyben

Jude 1: 24 "To him who is able to keep you from stumbling...." How assuring to know that when we hold our peace when tempted to speak angrily, to opt for honesty over deceit, choose love over hate or to select truth over error -- we experience God's power to keep us standing and sustaining Grace as we Praise God from whom all blessings flow.

Jeremiah 24-7 "I will give them a heart to know me, that I am the Lord. They will be my people, and I will be their God, for they will return to me with all their heart". The key to repentance and transformation is found in God's promise. This verse indicates that God works in people's lives for them to escape their sinful conditions. It was only because of the Lord's mercy that the "exiles" could be changed. God can use our disappointments to nurture our faith in Him.

Job 12:13-25 "To God belong wisdom and power, counsel and understanding are his. " Job 12:13 We won't always understand why we are going through trials. This was certainly the case for Job, who faced horrendous and unexplainable suffering and loss. Yet despite his many questions, in Job 12 he declares that God is mighty : "what he tears down cannot be rebuilt " and "to him belong strength and insight ". We may not understand why God allows certain struggles in our lives, but we can put our trust in Him. The Lord loves us.

John 14:15-21 "I will not leave you as orphans, I will come to you. " John 14:18 In our life's journey, we would face joys and sorrows, conflict and loss. Many a time, we would not be able to see a clear road. However, as followers, we do not face this journey alone. The Scriptures reminds us of the constant presence of God. He will never leave us. Jesus, after promising to send the Holy Spirit, told His disciples, "I will not leave you as orphans, I will come to you. " The challenges and opportunities we face on our journey can be met confidently, for God has promised us His never failing presence.

1 John 2:3-11 "The darkness is passing and the true light is already shining ". 1John 2:8 John wrote these words to believers as a message of encouragement. He went on to say, "Anyone who loves their brother and sister lives in the light, and there is nothing in them to make them stumble ". By contrast, he equated hating people with roaming around in darkness. Hatred is disorienting, it takes away our sense of moral direction. Loving people is not always easy. When we choose love instead of hate, we are showing our relationship with Him and reflecting His radiance to the world around us. "God is light, in him there is no darkness at all ". 1 John 1:5

John 14:16-17 "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give you. " John 14:27. Jesus promised this to the followers after the "last supper. " He reminded them that although they would face trouble in this world, the Father would send the Spirit of truth to live with them, and be in them. Although as God's children, we face hardships in the world, we're comforted that the Holy Spirit lives within us and flowing out of us.

Romans 15:1-7 "Each of us should please our neighbours for their good, to build them up. " Romans 15:2. As we "accept one another" , let us entrust our spiritual growth to God, to the work of His Spirit. And while we daily seek to follow Him, we may create an atmosphere of encouragement for our brothers and sisters in Jesus, as they seek to grow in their faith.