.....hug

In the fall of the year, Linda, a young woman, was traveling alone in the rutted and rugged highway from Alberta, Canada, to the Yukon. Linda didn't realize that you don't travel to Whitehorse alone in a rundown little Honda Civic.  So, she set off where only four-wheel-drives and cars with chains normally venture. 

The first evening she found a room in the mountains near the summit and asked for a 5 o'clock wake-up call, so she could get an early start.  She couldn't understand why the clerk looked surprised at the request, but when she awoke to an early morning fog shrouding the mountain tops, she understood. 

Not wanting to look foolish, she got up and went to breakfast.  Two truckers invited Linda to join them, and since the place was so small, she felt obliged.  "Where are you headed?" one of the truckers asked. "Whitehorse," she answered.  

"In that little Civic?" one of them said.  "No way!  This pass is way too dangerous in weather like this."  "Well, I'm determined to try," was Linda's gutsy, if not very informed, response. "Then I guess we're just going to have to hug you," the trucker suggested. Linda drew back.  "There's no way I'm going to let you touch me!" she said angrily.

"Not like that!" the truckers chuckled. "We'll put one truck in front of you and one in the rear.  That way, we'll get you through the mountains safely." 

Throughout that entire foggy morning, Linda followed the two red dots - the tail lights of the rig in front of her.  She had the reassurance of another big rig - right behind her - as they slowly made their way safely up, and through, the mountains. She realized that she could never have traveled this road on her own. She needed the two truckers to "hug" her.

There are times we are caught in the fog of our own dangerous passage through life.  During those times, we, too, need to be "hugged"... Hugged by fellow Christians who know the way and can safely lead ahead of us, and with other Christians behind us to guard the way, gently encouraging us along.

With those fellow Christians "hugging" us - both in the front leading us and also behind us guarding us - we too, can pass safely through the mountains and passes of life.

"Bear one another's burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ." Galatians 6:2 

- charles swindle

.....solid

As we begin to view our life more from God's perspective - an eternal perspective - our heavy burdens can seem "Light and Momentary” and we can find purpose even in our "Times of Waiting." This view of life cannot be obtained apart from belief in Jesus Christ. The life changing benefit of God's perspective can only be found through a clear understanding of the gospel message. 

This gospel changes everything!

The gospel message is one of hope which says, God loves us and has an ETERNAL plan for our life through faith in His Son Jesus. Without the hope of the gospel, we would continue to live a life of emptiness and an eternity separated from God. Even if we stumbled onto temporary fulfillment - even if our burden was made light - without the gospel our life would end without hope.

But as we place our trust in Jesus, He lifts us up, gives our life new meaning, and transforms us into a new creation through the power of His Spirit.

I waited patiently for the Lord; He turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; He set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand Psalm 40:1-2

These words, written by King David over one thousand years before the death and resurrection of Jesus yet, they provide an excellent illustration of the hope found in the message of Salvation.

In our sinful nature, we all "have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way" Isaiah 53:6. Our nature is to follow our own sinful desires and walk down paths which cause us to "fall short of the glory of God" Romans 3:23. Each of us have been firmly embedded in the mire of sin and none of us can climb out of the slimy pit with our own strength; we have no ability to build eternal hope!

But praise God that before the creation of the world He loved us and had a plan to bring us back to Himself, a plan to rescue us; "While we were still sinners, Christ died for us" Romans 5:8. The death and resurrection of Jesus allows us victory over sin and creates a way out of the mud; "If you confess with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved" Romans 10:9.

If we desire to be clean and live with hope and a new view of life, we must call out to Jesus and believe He is who He claimed to be - our Savior and Lord! If we will trust Him and cry out in faith, He has promised to hear our cry and lift us up. He will pour His cleansing love upon us and fill us with purpose! 

He will set our feet for all eternity upon Himself and we will forever stand on solid ground.

.....waiting

As Paul was returning to Jerusalem at the end of his third missionary journey, he already had a sense of where his next journey would lead; "after I have been there, I must visit Rome" Acts 19:21. But he also knew he was about to face many difficulties; "in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me" Acts 20:23. Paul was arrested less than ten days after arriving in Jerusalem. He probably didn't realize it at the time, but his journey to Rome had just begun.

Paul's journey to Rome would last about two and a half years and include many legal and physical trials, and many opportunities to demonstrate his faith in Jesus Christ, it also included two long years where Paul had nothing to do but sit in prison and wait for an occasional visit with Governor Felix before being transferred to the courts of Rome.

As Paul discoursed on righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and said, 'That's enough for now! You may leave. When I find it convenient, I will send for you Acts 24:25

This must have been a difficult time for someone accustomed to being so actively involved in ministry. Paul was treated well in this prison, but after receiving specific instructions to minister in Rome, two years must have felt like a painfully long time.

We are never told of God's reason for this waiting period. Many times, waiting is necessary to allow other events to occur and other people to be properly positioned. And many times, waiting is necessary because we need to better learn some of God's truths....

Paul was about to face his most challenging journey and possibly his most significant ministry opportunity; "Take courage! As you have testified about Me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome" Acts 23:11. On his journey, Paul faced a severe storm, shipwreck, snakebite, as threats on his life, he also was given the opportunity to minister to the leaders of the Roman Empire.

Much of our own journey involves patience and learning how to trust and wait on God. Almost nothing seems to occur as fast as we would like; difficult situations take longer to resolve, people take longer to mature, and ministries take longer to grow. But our present circumstances always serve a purpose!

If we have earnestly sought God and not received specific direction, it's possible we are simply being told to wait - wait and be refreshed; wait and spend time abiding in His presence; wait...and prepare. Let's continue to rejoice and learn to trust Him even more during our times of waiting.

- adapted from steve troxel

.....momentary

There is no example of a Christ-changed life which is more dramatic than the Apostle Paul. While on his way to Damascus to capture Christians and put them in jail, Jesus blinded Paul and asked, "Why do you persecute Me?" Acts 9:4. When Paul asked who was speaking, Jesus replied: "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do" Acts 9:5-6.

Jesus identified Paul as "My chosen instrument to carry My name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel" Acts 9:15. This special selection did not make Paul perfect, but he was gifted with a close relationship with Jesus as well as special insight into the true gospel message.

Paul suffered many hardships and trials during his years of ministry. His life was continually threatened; he was beaten many times, placed in prison for extended periods, and faced the frustration of ministering to people who failed to truly appreciate his message. And yet, Paul weighed his trials on the scale of eternity.

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 2 Corinthians 4:16-17

Paul had learned "the secret of being content in any and every situation" Philippians 4:12. This secret involved knowing who he was in Christ and viewing his life from the perspective of eternity. This secret also gave him a new understanding of his trials.

Our life must no longer be viewed with a beginning and an end, but truly as being eternal. Though our days on earth may sometimes be difficult, our days are very few. A hundred years is not even a visible speck on the canvas of eternity - our days are momentary! And the weight of our burdens vanish to nothing when compared to the glory of Heaven - our burdens are truly light! This is the lasting power of an eternal perspective.

God's peace and contentment require us to expand our view to include an eternity we cannot see and a glory we may not understand; "I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace" (John 16:33). His peace is available today; it is available in our relationships, our work, our finances, our health, and our ministry.

Let's allow the world to see our confidence in His promised eternal glory by the peace which fills our life. Let's live by the faith of an eternal perspective and be renewed as we rightly consider ALL our trials to be light and momentary.

- steve troxel

.....cross

Anyone who does not take his cross and follow Me is not worthy of Me  Matthew 10:38

Luke records similar words as Jesus spoke to a large crowd: "and anyone who does not carry his cross and follow Me cannot be My disciple" Luke 14:27. Jesus also said that anyone who would come after Him must "take up his cross daily and follow" Luke 9:23.

But what does it mean to take up our cross? Many people refer to a hardship or difficult situation as "my cross to bear," and I know many of us are facing these kind of hardships right now! But God's Word contains no such reference to cross as hardship. The cross has only one Biblical association: Death! The only time anyone would carry their cross was when they were about to die.

Yes, we are called to die. But the call is not to a physical death; this death will eventually come to us all, and there is never a need to hasten its arrival. The call of Jesus is to a death of "self," the old sinful nature with its evil desires, dreams, and ambitions: "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in this body, I live by faith in the Son of God" Galatians 2:20.

We are called to a death which leads to true contentment and peace. But this death is not a one-time event; we are called to die daily! And this death is a process, every day seems to breathe life into our old nature, when we begin to talk, act, and think contrary to the way of Christ. When this occurs, simply praise God for the conviction of His Spirit, take up the cross once again, and continue to follow down His path.

As we "die" and completely surrender control to God, temptations of the world lose their pull and anxieties lose their source of concern. As we no longer live, we no longer focus on the cravings of our flesh or about what tomorrow may or may not bring. As Christ lives in us, the enemy loses the ability to effectively attack - they are no longer attacking us but Christ.

Our call is to become a follower of Jesus Christ and be transformed into His image. But to follow we must die! Let's become His worthy disciple as we love Him and trust Him with all our heart. Let's set aside all  and take up our cross.

.....fears

Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free John 8:32

Business professors Gary Hamel and C.K. Prahalad wrote about an experiment with four monkeys. In their cage was placed a pole with a bunch of bananas suspended at the top. When one of the monkeys climbed the pole, just as he reached out to grasp hold of a banana, he was doused with a torrent of cold water. 

Squealing, he quickly scampered down the pole. The same thing happened to the three other monkeys. After several more attempts, they abandoned all hope of reaching the bananas. 

The researchers then replaced one of the monkeys with another monkey, and as soon as the newcomer monkey began to climb the pole, the other three monkeys pulled him away. After several more attempts, he too gave up. A second one of the four original monkeys was replaced and the same thing happened to him. He, too, was pulled away from the pole when he attempted to climb it. 

In time all four of the original monkeys were replaced... none of whom dared climb the pole even though they never knew why and had never been doused with cold water. 

False fears, which may have had validity at one time but are no longer valid, are not only taught and learned by monkeys, but also by people. Such fears can be learned through an early traumatic experience--or learned from a parent--and be firmly programmed into our unconscious mind, and hold us back from becoming and doing all that God envisioned for us to be and do. 

For some people, irrational fears can be crippling. Only as we see and know the truth can we begin to be set free.

Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love 1 John 4:18

.....offenses

A person's wisdom yields patience; it is to one's glory to overlook an offense Proverbs 19:11

I have a friend who tells a story of a lesson the Lord taught him through his wife. It seems that every time he and his wife would get in the car to travel somewhere, his wife had a strong need to direct his driving. She would tell him where to turn and when to turn, even in their own subdivision. It was such a horrible habit that it drove my friend crazy and became the source of many an argument. Finally, one day my friend concluded that the Lord was trying to teach him something through this experience. He decided he would let go of his need to be free from this correction. He began to affirm his wife and even thank her for her input. It was excruciatingly painful to do this from where he sat.

A few months passed. He let go of the entire situation and actually got to a place where it just didn't matter to him anymore. An interesting thing happened a few months later. One day his wife looked at him and said, "John, I just realized that I have been directing your driving all these years and now I realize why I do that. It goes back to my childhood when I had to direct my younger brothers and sisters. I am so sorry I have been doing that."

My friend nearly fell out of his seat!

Whenever we work close to another person, whether in an office or home, small offenses can become the source of great conflict. Resentment and irritability soon follow. God allows these "offenses" into our lives to develop character qualities in us. He uses individuals in our lives to accomplish his goal of making us more Christ-like.

So the next time you complain or resist a habit or action from someone close to you, ask God if it has been placed there to develop some quality in you. "Pride is the root source of the need to change another person. A man's wisdom gives him patience - to let go of little offenses." 

This is where spiritual maturity is seen in the day-to-day activity of life. Is there someone close to you who has some habit you really want to change? Give up that desire to the Lord. Who knows, He may even change it after you let go of the need to change it.

.....light

Jesus set the example for ministry by equipping us to serve in His Kingdom. Each of us have been called to minister as we love Him and build up the body of Christ. Our specific roles in ministry may differ, but we have all been called and asked to be a part of His plan; we are all given the charge to tell others of the way to the Father through faith in Jesus. Paul calls this the ministry of reconciliation; "We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making His appeal through us" 2 Corinthians 5:20.

There is more work to be done in the field than we can possibly accomplish - our "job" is never complete. This has the potential for great stress "burnout" if we don't maintain a sense of our true purpose and an understanding of Who is really in charge.

"Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light." Matthew 11:28-30

A yoke is a dual harness used to attach oxen and plow fields. Jesus said to take up His yoke and join Him in working His field. He is already pulling the load and wants us to attach ourselves to the other harness. As we do, we will discover a well-defined row in bad need of plowing. We will also find a load which is easy to bear.

 Jesus said our main task as we take up His yoke is to "learn from Him." It's as if walking by His side is really enough; as if walking by His side IS our ministry. The field will still get plowed, but in the process we will be blessed with a closer and deeper relationship with the Son of God.

If our burden has become heavy - if we are feeling weary and ready to quit - let's determine if we are properly "hitched" to His yoke and aligned to His row. A heavy burden requires some adjustments - maybe an adjustment in attitude, maybe an adjustment in priority. Let's take up His yoke and remember: His burden is light!

.....name

Jesus came to earth to be our necessary and absolutely sufficient sacrifice for sin. His death on the cross and resurrection from the tomb opened the door of grace for an eternally restored relationship with God for all who believe.

Prior to our salvation, the Holy Spirit draws us near by revealing truth to our heart. We are "born again" John 3:5-7 when we place our trust in the sacrifice of Jesus for the forgiveness of sin. At the moment of our new birth, we are changed - made a "new creation" 2 Corinthians 5:17 - by the power of the Holy Spirit; we also become "co-heirs with Christ" in God's Eternal Kingdom Romans 8:17.

As we begin our walk with Christ, we soon realize we are not who we once were; "the old has gone, the new has come" 2 Corinthians 5:17. The Spirit of God began a change in our heart that will continue all the rest of our days as we are "conformed to the likeness of His Son" Romans 8:29. Some aspects of this change are immediate as the bondage to sin is broken, but other portions of change will take a lifetime.

God has promised that our transformation will one day be complete; "He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion" Philippians 1:6. He will continue to shape and mold us - to chip off the rough edges - until we stand before Him and hear, "Well done, good and faithful servant!" Matthew 25:21. On that day, God's glory will be fully revealed in us and we will understand our true identity in Him.

To him who overcomes, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give him a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to him who receives it Revelation 2:17

God knows exactly who we are; "I the Lord search the heart and examine the mind" Jeremiah 17:10. But He also knows exactly who we will become. When we stand before His throne, He will acknowledge our completed transformation by giving us a new name. But as we receive the name, we will also receive full understanding of who we are and how our life has fit into His perfect plan. We will see the purpose of every twist and turn in our path and see what it really means to live in Christ.

Until that day, we must trust Him with all our heart and allow every aspect of our life to bring Him glory and honor. We must seek a consistency with our new identity - with the life God desires us to live. We are not who we once were, nor who we will one day become. Let's live a transformed life with great expectations of the glory to be revealed when we stand in His presence and receive a new name.

- steve troxel 

.....anew

Thomas Edison might be regarded as one of the world's greatest failures. This man tried more than a thousand different light bulbs until he got it right. Have you ever failed at something a thousand times before you got it right? If you had, your name might be right up there with that of Thomas Edison. 

Thomas Edison didn't think of these failed experiments as failures. He regarded them as steps in a long process. But late in his life something happened to him that would have defeated a lesser man. 

Thomas Edison's son Charles, one-time governor of New Jersey, tells the story. On the night of December 9, 1914, Edison Industries was virtually destroyed by fire. Edison lost two million dollars that night and much of his life's work went up in flames. He was insured for only $238,000, because the buildings had been made of concrete, at that time thought to be fireproof. 

Charles was 24; Thomas was 67. The young man ran about frantically, trying to find his father. Finally he came upon him, standing near the fire, his face ruddy in the glow, his white hair blown by the December winds. 

"My heart ached for him," Charles Edison said. "he was 67 - no longer a young man - and everything was going up in flames. He spotted me. 'Charles,' he shouted, 'where's your mother?' 1 don't know, Dad,' I said. 'Find her. Bring her here. She will never see anything like this again as long as she lives.'" 

The next morning, walking about the charred embers of all his hopes and dreams, Thomas Edison said, "There is great value in disaster. All our mistakes are burned up. Thank God we can start anew." 

Three weeks after the fire, his firm delivered the first phonograph. 

But this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus Philippians 3:13-14 

.....able

To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy - to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen Jude 24-25 

Able is the Greek word "dunatos", related to "dunamis", meaning ability, abundance, capability, mighty works, miraculous power, prevailing strength. "God is able" means God has the mighty power to do a miraculous work out of His abundance and strength. Romans 16:25 says God is able to establish you. Listen to the richness of the verse when read with its full definition "God has mighty power to do a miraculous work out of His abundance and strength to establish you." 

Bring your inability to the ability of God. As you read these verses drink in the bigness of God as you replace "able" with "has the mighty power to do a miraculous work out of His abundance and strength." 

God is ...

   Able to give much more 2 Chron 25:9

   Able to deliver from the fire Dan 3:17

   Able to raise up children of Abraham from stones Mat 3:9

   Able to give sight to the blind Mat 9:28-29

   Able to perform what He promised Rom 4:21

   Able to make you stand Rom 14:4; Ephesians 6

   Able to establish you Rom 16:25

   Able to make a way through temptation 1 Cor 10:13

   Able to make all grace abound to you 2 Cor 9:8

   Able to do exceedingly beyond all your asking Eph 3:20 

   Able to subdue everything under His control Phil 3:21

   Able to keep all we have committed to Him 2 Tim 1:12

   Able to save from death Heb 5:7

   Able to save completely, to the utmost Heb 7:25

   Able to raise men from the dead Heb 11:19

   Able to keep you from falling and to present you before His presence Jude 24

"To the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power, and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen." Jude 25

Be blessed in the name of God who is able

 - david langerfed

.....all

After all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you Matthew 6:32-33

Notice how many times in this passage that Jesus said "All These Things"

England's Queen Elizabeth I once asked a British  to undertake a mission for the crown. "But your Highness," said the man, "such a long absence will be fatal to my business." To which the queen replied: "You take care of my business, and I will take care of yours." When the man returned, he found that the queen's patronage had enlarged his company immeasurably.

Alice Taylor was a missionary to China whose four children were captured by the Japanese and interned in a concentration camp during World War II. Alice suffered galloping anxiety. But she recalled her pastor once putting Matthew 6:33 like this: "If you take care of the things that are dear to God, He will take care of the things that are dear to you."

"If you take care of the things that are dear to God, He will take care of the things that are dear to you." Alice forced herself to focus on the Lords work while trusting Him with her cares. In time her children came home safely to the glory of God.

What's our greatest need today? Whatever it is - financial, relational, physical, or emotional - it's included in that universal "all these things". 

Jesus said, "All these things...

        "All these things..."

        "All these things..."

.....with

Prior to crossing into the promised land, Moses told the people of Israel: "Do not be afraid, for the Lord goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you" Deuteronomy 31:6. This is one of the many promises which remain with us today. As we walk with God into the land of promise - the land of contentment and peace - we must learn to truly apply these promises and consistently live by them. 

He is RIGHT THERE! He wants us to live with the contentment of knowing He is going with us.

Every day we are confronted with things which attempt to pull us away from God and steal our joy. Though He is walking right beside us, and absolutely nothing catches Him by surprise, we seldom even think of Him during our day. This should not be! If we are truly His child, we are being called to trust Him with ALL and allow Him to live in and through us - this is the life Jesus desires for us to live.

We must continually believe the truth of His Word and allow our faith to mature by taking steps which lead us closer to God, even if our steps of faith seem small. With each new step, we will more clearly see the truth of God's promises. We will begin to see past the visible garbage of this world and begin to gaze with wonder on "Him who is invisible" Hebrews 11:27. The life of contentment and peace is the life of total commitment and surrender.

.....endured

As we walk together down God's path, we must assume a certain level of responsibility for one another. We must encourage our Brothers and Sisters when they are down and remind one another that God is near, that our trials will soon fade; "Encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today!" Hebrews 3:13.

But as we encourage, we must continually direct each other toward Christ and the life He calls us to live. It is never true encouragement to simply lend our agreement and "comfort" to a complaining or selfish attitude. This actually keeps someone down and threatens to pull us down in the process. Forgiveness, and victory, is only found in Jesus Christ.

Jesus endured ridicule and humiliation from His accusers, and overwhelming pain on the cross, simply because He dearly loved us. The joy of seeing our restored relationship with the Father allowed Him to persevere through unbelievable hardship. His sacrifice brought us the gift of Salvation. His perseverance should bring us the gift of strength and a renewed hope.

"Consider Him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart." Hebrews 12:3

There are going to be days when the burden seems extra heavy - days when the attacks come fast and furious and feel like they will never end. It may bring temporary relief for someone to sympathize and confirm the difficulty of our situation, but the only way to truly ease the load is to focus our heart back to Christ and pray to receive His strength; "May the Lord direct your hearts into God's love and Christ's perseverance" 2 Thessalonians 3:5. We must persevere...because He first persevered for us!

.....inexhaustible

The gospel reveals Jesus Christ as an inexhaustible fountain—ever flowing, never diminished, sufficient for every need of the human soul, this truth becomes deeply personal. Our hope, strength, and standing before God do not arise from within ourselves, but from an endless supply found in Christ alone. Scripture invites us, “Ho! Everyone who thirsts, come to the waters” Isaiah 55:1. The call is not to earn, but to receive.

Righteousness by faith directs the believer away from self and toward Christ as the sole source of life and acceptance. Jesus declared, “Whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst” John 4:14. This promise speaks not only of forgiveness, but of ongoing renewal. The Christian life is sustained by continual dependence on Christ, drawing daily from His grace, mercy, and power.

The apostle Paul wrote, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” Philippians 4:13. His confidence rested in Christ’s sufficiency, not his own endurance. “The soul that is united with Christ becomes a partaker of the divine nature… drawing constantly from the inexhaustible fountain” Steps to Christ, p. 100. In Christ, there is no scarcity—only abundance.

Too often, we attempt to live the Christian life by relying on past experiences or personal resolve. Yet we are taught  that yesterday’s grace cannot sustain today’s battles. Jesus invites us to come continually, not occasionally. “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink” John 7:37. Each trial, temptation, and failure becomes an opportunity to drink more deeply from Christ’s fullness.

This inexhaustible fountain also overflows into the lives of others. Jesus promised that those who drink will become channels of blessing: “Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water” John 7:38. When believers rest in Christ’s righteousness, their lives reflect peace, patience, and love—not as forced behavior, but as the natural overflow of communion with Him. “It is not by our own merits that we are justified, but by faith in Christ; and as we draw near to God, He draws near to us” Faith and Works, p. 107. The more we come, the more we receive.

In Jesus, we never reach the bottom. He is an inexhaustible fountain, freely given, eternally sufficient. To live by faith is to drink daily—and to find that His grace is always enough.

.....unity

Unity in the church is never achieved by human effort alone. It is the fruit of hearts surrendered to Christ and resting in His righteousness. Paul appeals to believers to be “of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind” Philippians 2:2. Such unity flows naturally when believers cease striving to establish their own righteousness and instead stand together on the merits of Christ.

Righteousness by faith humbles the soul. When we recognize that we are saved not by works, status, or spiritual achievement, but solely by grace, pride loses its power. Paul reminds us, “Where is boasting then? It is excluded” Romans 3:27. Pride breeds division, but humility nurtures unity. “Nothing so needs reforming as the habits of thought. The spirit of Christ must be cherished” Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5, p. 236. When Christ’s spirit governs the heart, believers learn to value others above themselves.

Unity also rests on a shared dependence on Christ. Jesus prayed that His followers would be one “that the world may believe” John 17:21. The gospel we proclaim is inseparable from the spirit in which we proclaim it. When righteousness by faith is rightly understood, it produces patience, gentleness, and love—qualities essential for unity. “The strongest argument in favor of the gospel is a loving and lovable Christian” The Ministry of Healing, p. 470.

What is it that causes dissension and discord? It is the result of walking apart from Christ. At a distance from Him, we lose our love for Him, and grow cold toward His followers. The farther the beams of light recede from their center, the wider separated they become. Each believer is as a beam of light from Christ the Sun of righteousness. The more closely we walk with Christ, the center of all love and light, the greater will be our affection for His light-bearers. When the saints are drawn close to Christ, they must of necessity be drawn close to each other, for the sanctifying grace of Christ will bind their hearts together. You cannot love God and yet fail to love your ­brethren. Ye Shall Receive Power, p. 87.

In a world marked by competition and self-promotion, the church is called to model a different way of living. Paul urges, “Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself” Philippians 2:3. Such counsel is not theoretical; it is practical Christianity lived out in homes, churches, and communities.

Righteousness by faith does not weaken commitment to truth; it strengthens it by grounding unity in Christ rather than in opinion or personality. As believers look to Jesus together, differences are softened and hearts are drawn closer.  “As we behold Christ, we become changed into the same image” The Great Controversy, p. 555.

True unity is the result of faith resting in Christ alone. When He is our righteousness, unity becomes not a burden to maintain, but a blessing to experience.

.....fearless

Fear is one of the enemy’s most effective tools. Fear of rejection, failure, suffering, or death can quietly shape our choices and silence our witness. Yet Scripture presents a different picture of the believer’s life “The righteous are bold as a lion” Proverbs 28:1. This boldness does not come from self-assurance, but from a settled trust in Christ.

Apostle Paul lived with this fearless confidence, from prison, he could declare, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ” Romans 1:16, his courage flowed from knowing that his life was secure in Christ, regardless of circumstances. Whether he faced freedom or chains, life or death, his confidence remained unshaken.

Fearlessness also grows from peace with God “If God is for us, who can be against us?” Romans 8:31. When the heart rests in Christ’s acceptance, the threats of this world lose their power. “He who is clothed with the righteousness of Christ need not fear the assaults of Satan.” Christ’s Object Lessons*, p. 316. Assurance in Christ produces spiritual courage.

Jesus Himself acknowledged that His followers would face hardship “In the world you will have tribulation” John 16:33, He encourages us to be of good cheer. Fearlessness is not the absence of danger, but the presence of trust. The believer stands firm, not because the path is easy, but because Christ has already won the victory.

This fearless faith is especially vital in a time when truth is unpopular and loyalty to Christ invites opposition. *“The greatest want of the world is the want of men… who will stand for the right though the heavens fall.” Education*, p. 57.  Such courage is born of a living connection with Christ.

In a fearful world, God calls His people to live with quiet confidence, steadfast hope, and unwavering trust. When Christ is our assurance, fear loses its hold. Clothed in Him, we can stand fearless—faithful in trial, bold in witness, and at peace in every circumstance.

.....stand

Stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel Philippians 1:27. 

This counsel is especially urgent n a world fractured by pride, self-interest, and confusion, Christian unity is not optional—it is essential to our witness and our survival.

Standing fast does not mean stubbornness or uniformity of personality; it means shared loyalty to Christ and His truth. Jesus prayed, “That they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You” John 17:21. Such unity is not manufactured by policy or pressure, but produced by the Spirit as believers submit their hearts to God’s sanctifying truth, when Christ is central, unity follows.

The early church understood this reality. Surrounded by hostility and persecution, they were “of one heart and one soul” Acts 4:32. Their unity did not shield them from suffering, but it empowered them to endure it with courage. “The strength of God’s people lies in their union with Him through His only-begotten Son, and their union with one another” Testimonies for the Church, vol. 8, p. 240. Disunity weakens the church’s testimony and more often than not gives advantage to the enemy.

In an age that celebrates independence and self-expression above all else, humility becomes the glue of unity, we are exhorted by the Apostle “In lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself” Philippians 2:3. Pride fractures fellowship, Christlike meekness heals it, as pride and self-sufficiency are cherished, the spirit of Christ departs.

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Standing fast together implies standing firm against error while maintaining love. Unity is never achieved by sacrificing truth, it is preserved by living the truth in love Ephesians 4:15. In a deceptive world, believers must cling to Scripture while extending grace to one another.

God calls His people to shine “as lights in the world” Philippians 2:15. When Christians stand fast in unity—humble, faithful, and loving—they reveal Christ’s character to a watching world. By His grace such unity testifies that the gospel is real, powerful, and transformative.

.....live

For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain Philippians 1:21, these words capture the heart of authentic Christian discipleship. For the believer, life and death are both surrendered to Christ, governed not by fear or self-preservation, but by faith in God’s eternal purposes. This perspective lies at the center of the great controversy between Christ and Satan—a conflict over loyalty, trust, and love.

To **live for Christ** means that every aspect of life is brought under His lordship. Paul testified, “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me”Galatians 2:20. Such a life reflects Christ’s character—self-sacrificing love, obedience, and unwavering trust in the Father. When Christ lives within us, our daily choices, trials, and service become a witness to the gospel.

Paul also speaks of *dying for Chri—not as an escape from life, but as a faithful resting place when life’s work is done. Scripture is clear that death is a sleep until the resurrection: “The dead know nothing” Ecclesiastes 9:5, and “the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice” John 5:28. For the Christian, death holds no terror, because it is not the end. Ellen G. White assures us, “To the believer, death is but a small matter… Christ speaks of it as if it were of little moment” The Desire of Ages, p. 787

Paul understood that whether he lived or died, Christ would be glorified. Living meant continued labor for the church; dying meant resting in Christ until the resurrection morning Philippians 1:22–24. This confidence did not rest in human strength, but in Christ’s victory at the cross. “O death, where is your sting?” 1 Corinthians 15:55

In a world that clings desperately to life or fears death deeply, the Christian stands as a quiet testimony. To live is Christ—faithfully, obediently, lovingly. To die is gain—not because of immediate reward, but because the next moment of awareness will be seeing Jesus face to face. 

Such hope empowers believers to live courageously now, and to rest peacefully when their work is done.

.....anchored

When Paul wrote, “For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain” Philippians 1:21, he was not speaking from comfort or safety. He was imprisoned, uncertain of his future, and fully aware that faithfulness to Christ could cost him his life. Yet he viewed death not as defeat, but as gain—because his life was already completely anchored in Christ.

Biblically, death is not glorified, nor is it minimized. Scripture calls it an enemy 1 Corinthians 15:26. Yet for the believer, death has been disarmed by the cross. Jesus declared, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live” John 11:25. Because Christ conquered the grave, death no longer has the final word. It becomes a sleep from which God will awaken His faithful at the resurrection 1 Thessalonians 4:13–16.

Illustration in the life of a terminally ill Christian who, near the end of life, chose not to focus on fear but on faith. Though medical treatments had ended, hope had not. Surrounded by family, this believer spoke often of the resurrection morning and the joy of seeing Jesus face to face. There was sorrow in the room, but also peace. Death had lost its terror, because Christ had already secured the victory.

“To the believer, Christ is the resurrection and the life. In our Saviour the life that was lost through sin is restored.” The Desire of Ages, p. 786 Paul also recognized that while life meant fruitful labor for others, death meant rest and reward in Christ’s keeping Philippians 1:22–23. His confidence did not rest in martyrdom itself, but in the certainty that nothing—not even death—could separate him from Christ Romans 8:38–39.

... “to die is gain” because death ends suffering, silences the accusations of the enemy, and places the believer securely in Christ’s care until the resurrection. For those who live in Christ, death is not loss—it is a pause before eternal gain.