When things have become a little uncomfortable for a believer, it is probably because they are doing something right. Satan attacks those who are doing something for God to tries to stop them.

The good thing about persecution is that it is temporary – just for “a moment” – when compared to eternity. If you are facing persecution of some kind for being a believer, remember that God’s grace is always sufficient. He will give times of refreshing. Spend more time in His presence in prayer and Bible reading during those occasions.

One more thing, when persecution and hardship comes, you can be sure that the glory you will receive for it when you see Him will make it all worthwhile. He will not forget your labor of love and faithfulness. All persecution increases your rewards if you stay faithful. Another reason to not quit is because others are watching you and some will follow your example – or lack of it.

Abraham’s servant had been sent to get a bride for Isaac. As instructed, he went to the place Abraham sent him – to the land of his relatives. It was a journey of many miles.

The servant, whose name is unknown, was faithful in everything Abraham told him to do. He did not dawdle or exalt himself. He repeatedly spoke of Abraham as “my master.” He was not ashamed of his position. Paul also gladly referred to himself as a “servant.”

Everything this servant did was faithful to his master – even in his attitudes. He did not take any shortcuts and had no plans of his own. He also was a believer because he prayed and God answered him in the middle of his prayer. It is also mentioned more than once in this story that he worshipped the Lord and gave Him thanks.

What needs to be seen in this chapter is that the servant was faithful to all of his instructions. Hi did not pick and choose which parts he liked and leave off the unfavorable parts. This incident in the servant’s life brings out a principle that must be followed if you would know God’s specific will for your life. He said, in verse 18: “the Lord God…had led me in the right way.” As he went and obeyed, God led him. Just like you cannot steer a vehicle that is not moving so a believer cannot be guided unless he or she is in the way already.

If you want to know God’s will, you must already be doing what you know about God wants believers to do. In other words, God will not show you steps B, C, and D until you first take step A. This needs to be done where you are – and right now. You must also be faithful in that task. God never called lazy people or faithless ones.

Nor has God ever given riches to believers who are not already faithful in the little things. David and Moses were both faithful in watching over sheep when God called them; Elisha was plowing when God called him; Peter and John were washing their nets, etc., when God called them.

God will show you His will for your life when He is ready – and when you are ready. In the meantime, be faithful where you are and continue to be faithful in going to church, reading your Bible, praying, tithing, and witnessing. Be available to help in the ministries of the church.

If God gave you a personal report card today – would He say that you are faithful? Are there areas in your life that need some work?

The Christmas holiday is past, and life goes on. Since the year 2021 is almost over and the new year will soon be here, now is a good time to stop and give this past year some time for worthwhile reflection.

Not a single one of us knows exactly how much longer we might live, if we will be given the “threescore and ten” or not, so it makes a lot of sense to live it wisely. It also needs to be remembered that God sees everything and He is recording what we do; and, one day – it will all be revealed. The meaning of “sowing and reaping” will certainly take effect at that time.

Thank God, that if you are a believer, the sins of your past have been erased. You have been justified. Your name has been written in the Lamb’s Book of Life and glory awaits – all of it is something to shout about! Praise God! Romans 6:6 tells us: “Knowing this, that our old man” (the way you lived before salvation) “is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.”

Although freed from the penalty of sin (Hell), the thing that needs to be remembered is that your rewards (not your salvation) are based on faithfulness and obedience to His Word. We have been redeemed – not to live the way we want – but according to the will of God.

With a fresh year coming soon, this would be the ideal time to make some desirable changes in your life. Take a pause in your day (or this week) to evaluate how you have lived and what you have accomplished for God this year. To help you, I encourage you to consider the following questions:

• Have you lived in such a way that God will be pleased when you stand before Him at the Judgment?
• Will you be happy to have all your secret actions and thoughts revealed for all to see?
• If you knew you would die tomorrow, are there some things in your life you would want to change?
• Are you doing what you know God expects of believers: reading your Bible daily, faithful church attendance, tithing, prayer, seeking to be an example, etc.?
• Have you helped others to come to Christ during this past year?

After a pause for reflection, pray and ask God to help you see what areas need improvement. Then, jot down those things and ask for His help to implement them into your life this coming year.

Since none of us are yet perfect, it means we all have some room to grow. God provides power and blessing to His children that serve Him. While He will never force anyone to serve Him, be aware that you cannot beat His eternal rewards! After we get to glory, there is little doubt that we will say – after having lived for God – that it was worth it all!

If there is someone reading this and you know you are not yet saved, why not make today the day to get saved? After all – you do not know how long you will live, either! Remember, too, you live one life, then you die – then you face the judgment of God (Hebrews 9:27)! There is no redo and there will be no appeals! Let me encourage you to make that decision to trust Christ and get saved today!

Because God is love and wants people to trust Him, He has provided thousands of promises in the Bible. Of course, the promises are for His children – those who are born again by faith in Jesus Christ and what He did on the Cross for sinners.

In order to believe that someone is faithful to their Word, there usually needs to be a track record of faithfulness to what they say. God declares that people can determine His faithfulness by considering how faithful He made the heavens: “For I have said, Mercy shall be built up for ever: thy faithfulness shalt thou establish in the very heavens” (Ps. 89:2).

Every day, you can expect the sun to rise and set (unless you live near the poles). The moon will do the same. When the skies are clear at night, you can expect the stars will still be there – and in the same patterns as they were the day before. God has created a faithful and predictable universe. The heavens do not change. You can also expect four seasons each year – with some variation.

When considering the creation and the heavens, the writer of this chapter in Psalms asks: “O LORD God of hosts, who is a strong LORD like unto thee? or to thy faithfulness round about thee?” (Ps. 89:8). Of course, the answer is that there is none as faithful as He is – all the time! David also testified of His faithfulness when he said, in Ps. 37:25: “I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.”

Whether you need to trust Him for salvation, for deliverance from sin, forgiveness of sin (I John 1:9), or answers to prayer – He can be trusted. Sometimes, however, there are conditions. One of them is that you need to be His child and another is that you need to be obedient. Remember, too, that you need to give God the glory when He does answer, and that sometimes He may override your request – give Him praise anyway since He always knows what is best – He is faithful!