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Most Christians are after what God can do in their life but not following God fully, and building a relationship with God. Matthew 15: 8 “‘These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. 9 They worship me in vain; their teachings are merely human rules.

True worship must be “in spirit,” that is, engaging the whole heart. Unless there’s a real passion for God, there is no worship in spirit. At the same time, worship must be “in truth,” that is, properly informed. Unless we have knowledge of the God we worship, there is no worship in truth. Both are necessary for satisfying and God-honoring worship. Spirit without truth leads to a shallow, overly emotional experience that could be compared to a high. As soon as the emotion is over, when the fervor cools, so does the worship. Truth without spirit can result in a dry, passionless encounter that can easily lead to a form of joyless legalism. The best combination of both aspects of worship results in a joyous appreciation of God informed by Scripture. The more we know about God, the more we appreciate Him. The more we appreciate, the deeper our worship. The deeper our worship, the more God is glorified.

You said it right.

Matt 13v 1That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the lake. 2 Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat in it, while all the people stood on the shore. 3 Then he told them many things in parables, saying: “A farmer went out to sow his seed. 4 As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. 5 Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. 6 But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. 7 Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. 8 Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. 9 Whoever has ears, let them hear.”

Matt 13v 1That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the lake. 2 Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat in it, while all the people stood on the shore. 3 Then he told them many things in parables, saying: “A farmer went out to sow his seed. 4 As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. 5 Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. 6 But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. 7 Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. 8 Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. 9 Whoever has ears, let them hear.”

"God made known His ways to Moses, His acts to the sons of Israel" (Psalms 103:7). "This is eternal life that they may know Thee the only true God and Jesus Christ Whom Thou hast sent" (John 17:3). There is a lot of difference between observing God's actions (even His miracles) and understanding His ways. Most Christians observe only God's actions. They are impressed by external miracles. They eagerly seek for healing and for material blessings. Most of their prayers too are related to such earthly matters, in which they want to see God act on their behalf and bless them in the physical realm. This is because they are in a state of spiritual babyhood. The Bible says that eternal life is "to know God and Jesus Christ" (John 17:3). Eternal life does not refer to eternal existence. Eternal life is but another phrase for God's life and nature.

You need to pray to God for the deliverance of your family and as for your ill sister, she needs a doctor.

In Christ there is peace and love. Christ is the source of life abundant life.

Stay in the word of God and prayer.

PREACH

Matt 10v34 “Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. 35 For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. 36 And a person’s enemies will be those of his own household. 37 Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. 38 And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. 39 Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. This means that, there will be difficult choices we have to make along the way. The life of following Christ is never easy, but worth it.

John uses three terms to describe Christ’s sacrifice for our sins: (1) He is our Advocate with the Father; (2) He is Jesus Christ the righteous; and, (3) He is the propitiation for our sins. Then John adds (2:2), “and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world.” A. Jesus Christ is our Advocate with the Father. “Advocate” is from the Greek word that is transliterated, “Paraclete.” It is used of Jesus Christ only in our text. Jesus uses it of the Holy Spirit (John 14:16, 26; 15:26; 16:7). It refers to one who is called alongside to help, especially in a court of law. If you have been accused of a crime, you need an attorney to come to your aid by pleading your case before the bench. The Holy Spirit comes to believers in Christ’s stead to testify of Him and lead us into all truth. He assures us that we are children of God (Rom. 8:16). But here John says that Jesus is our Advocate in heaven, “with the Father.” “With” is the same word used in John 1:1, “the Word was with God.” It means that Jesus is always before the Father. He never takes a vacation or a break. Whenever we need Him (which is always!), He is there, coming to our aid. When we sin, Satan, the accuser of the brethren (Rev. 12:10; Zech. 3:1-5), charges us as guilty before God. Jesus Christ, our defense attorney, steps to the bench, but He does not enter a plea of “not guilty.” That would not be true. We have sinned. Rather, He enters a plea of guilty, but then He argues for pardon because He paid the penalty for that sin by His substitutionary death. Therefore, His client is not liable for punishment. And, although we should confess our sins (1:9), John does not say, “If we confess our sins, we have an Advocate.” Rather, he says, “If anyone sins, we have an Advocate.” Our forgiveness and our standing with God do not depend on anything we do, but rather on the finished work of Christ. If we are His children through the new birth, He is there before the Father on our behalf, pleading His blood, even before we confess our sins!

How does a fellow believer ensures that they stay on the Lord's side despite the hardships they face?

I so much appreciate your positive feedback, it really helps.

All Glory to the LORD

Amen

Guidance of the Holy Spirit Those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. God The Father will give you another Counselor to be with you forever, the Spirit of truth, He will teach you all things and guide you into all truth. (Psalms 23:1-3 NIV) A psalm of David. The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. {2} He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, {3} he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. (Psalms 25:4-9 NIV) Show me your ways, O LORD, teach me your paths; {5} guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long. {6} Remember, O LORD, your great mercy and love, for they are from of old. {7} Remember not the sins of my youth and my rebellious ways; according to your love remember me, for you are good, O LORD. {8} Good and upright is the LORD; therefore he instructs sinners in his ways. {9} He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way. (Psalms 32:8-10 NIV) I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you. {9} Do not be like the horse or the mule, which have no understanding but must be controlled by bit and bridle or they will not come to you. {10} Many are the woes of the wicked, but the Lord’s unfailing love surrounds the man who trusts in him. (Psalms 48:14 NIV) For this God is our God for ever and ever; he will be our guide even to the end. (Psalms 73:21-26 NIV) When my heart was grieved and my spirit embittered, {22} I was senseless and ignorant; I was a brute beast before you. {23} Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand. {24} You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory. {25} Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. {26} My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. (Psalms 119:105 NIV) Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path. (Psalms 139:23-24 NIV) Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. {24} See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. (Psalms 143:10 NIV) Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground.

The Presence of God We know that God is omnipresent, which means God is everywhere. David said in (Psalms 139:7-8 NKJV) Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? {8} If I ascend into heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there. God is with us, His presence is very near us and as Christians He is in us. (Acts 17:27-28 NKJV) {27} “so that they should seek the Lord, in the hope that they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us; {28} “for in Him we live and move and have our being, as also some of your own poets have said, ‘For we are also His offspring.’ (Colossians 1:17 NKJV) And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist. (Proverbs 15:3 NKJV) The eyes of the LORD are in every place, Keeping watch on the evil and the good. Since God is present everywhere, when we talk about the presence of God we are really talking about the realization of God’s presence, the perceiving of His presence, becoming conscious of His presence. (Genesis 28:16 NKJV) Then Jacob awoke from his sleep and said, “Surely the LORD is in this place, and I did not know it.” God reveals Himself to those that seek Him earnestly. (Deuteronomy 4:29 NKJV) “But from there you will seek the LORD your God, and you will find Him if you seek Him with all your heart and with all your soul. As always God desires that we seek to come near Him and when we do then He reveals Himself to us. (James 4:8 NKJV) Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. It seems that when we are at our low points in life and it feels that God is a million miles away then we turn our focus on Him and immediately we are filled with the presence of His peace and comfort. (Psalms 34:18 NKJV) The LORD is near to those who have a broken heart, And saves such as have a contrite spirit. I believe that God is always quick to respond at our lowest point for two reasons first because He is the God of compassion and gets pleasure from His compassion flowing to us, rescuing us from despair. The second reason is because when we are at our lowest point we seek God with our whole heart and soul, He becomes our only focus, our only hope. (Psalms 46:1 NKJV) God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. We enter into God’s presence by preparing our heart. As we come close to the Lord immediately the Holy Spirit reveals any unforgiven sin to us. Then we confess our sin to the Lord and accept His loving mercy and forgiveness. (Acts 3:19 NKJV) “Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord. The word refreshing means recovery of breath or revival, true revival begins with repentance, and then we become renewed and restored by the Holy Spirit, the breath of life. (Psalms 51:10-12 NKJV) Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me. {11} Do not cast me away from Your presence, And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. {12} Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, And uphold me by Your generous Spirit. There is a wonderful joy in salvation that comes from our inner most being where God dwells in our heart. (Psalms 16:11 NKJV) You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore. His refreshing brings love, peace, and joy that could only come from God even when we are surrounded by trouble on the outside we can enter into His presence and have rest and security. (Exodus 33:14 NKJV) And He said, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” (Psalms 31:19-20 NKJV) Oh, how great is Your goodness, Which You have laid up for those who fear You, Which You have prepared for those who trust in You In the presence of the sons of men! {20} You shall hide them in the secret place of Your presence From the plots of man; You shall keep them secretly in a pavilion From the strife of tongues. The secret place of the Most High is the presence of God. (Psalms 91:1-2 NKJV) He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shade of the Almighty. {2} I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.” After our sins are forgiven we can come closer into God’s presence by thanksgiving, praise, and worship. (Psalms 100:2-5 NKJV) Serve the LORD with gladness; Come before His presence with singing. {3} Know that the LORD, He is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; We are His people and the sheep of His pasture. {4} Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name. {5} For the LORD is good; His mercy is everlasting, And His truth endures to all generations. Salvation through Jesus Christ gives us the right to enter into God’s presence. Confession and repentance of our sins prepares us to enter into His presence. Thanksgiving unto God takes us in the gate and by praise we enter into His court. But it is love that unites us with Him. (1 John 4:16 NKJV) …God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him. When we dwell in love we dwell in God and Him in us. That is the secret place of the Most High.

Hello That really is good advice is will surely take it into consideration. before my life completely falls apart

Hello, everyone Two or three years ago is was in the right direction regarding the word of God and was free in spirit, however the circumstances have changed i feel i have fallen off the wagon. How can i start building myself spiritual life again, prayerful lifestyle and living the word of God. Thank you!

1. Obey God’s law of love. “Great peace have those who love Your law, and nothing causes them to stumble” (Psalm 119:165). God’s law is the basis of all right relationships—showing us how to love God and love our fellow humans (Matthew 22:37-40). Being a peacemaker requires not just thinking, but acting. And the letter and spirit of God’s law shows us how to act in a way that produces peace (Matthew 5:21-26, 38-48). Paul described some of the elements of this way of peace in his letter to the Romans: “Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion. Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, ‘Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,’ says the Lord. “Therefore ‘If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.’ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:16-21). Striving to live in harmony, not allowing pride to stir up conflicts, leaving revenge to God, serving our enemies—these are challenging assignments, but they are essential to the way of peace. Many other biblical passages detail the attitude and approach of the peacemaker. 2. Grow in godly wisdom. As we saw in James 4, wars come from our selfish desires. Just before that, James gave more information about the way of peace. “But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace” (James 3:17-18). James used eight Greek words here to describe the wisdom that comes from above, and they each counteract the type of worldly wisdom that is “full of bitter envy and self-seeking” (verse 14) that leads to confusion, fights and war. Let’s focus on the Greek word eirenikos, the second word in the list, the one translated “peaceable.” Its root word, when it is used of men, basically means right relationships between man and man, and between man and God. What does James mean by: “The fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace”? William Barclay’s Daily Study Bible commentary says: “Let us remember that peace, eirene, means right relationships between man and man. So, then, what James is saying is this, ‘We are all trying to reap the harvest which a good life brings. But the seeds which bring the rich harvest can never flourish in any atmosphere other than one of right relationships between man and man. And the only people who can sow these seeds and reap the reward are those whose life work it has been to produce such right relationships.’ That is to say, nothing good can ever grow in an atmosphere where men are at variance with one another. A group where there is bitterness and strife is a barren soil in which the seeds of righteousness can never grow and out of which no reward

Part of the reason some believe Paul changed what Jesus taught is the perception that Paul’s teaching on grace means that obeying God’s law is no longer required. Before addressing this commonly held teaching, let’s consider what Jesus Christ taught on these important subjects. Jesus’ teaching about law and grace One of the sections of Scripture that clearly reveals Jesus’ teaching on law and grace is the one in which an adulteress was dragged before Him to see if He would pronounce the penalty upon her demanded by the law—death by stoning (John 8:1-11). Silent at first, He only wrote something in the dust with His finger. Pressed by the accusers to make a judgment, He told them, “He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first” (verse 7). No one stepped forward. Instead, they slowly dissolved into the crowd within the temple. When all the accusers had left without condemning the woman, Jesus, the only One who truly was sinless, did not condemn her either. “Go and sin no more,” He told her (John 8:11). Because of grace, God’s benevolent kindness, Jesus pardoned the woman from death for something of which she was certainly guilty. Expressed in today’s language, God’s grace was His not giving the woman what she deserved for the way she had behaved. What did Jesus teach about law? This, too, is revealed in the above account. He did not say to the woman that she was free to carry on as before, as if she hadn’t been pardoned. He wanted her to change her way of living—to repent. Essentially, He said, “Now, go behave yourself.”

The Bible emphasizes the central role that love plays in our lives. One of the descriptions of God Himself is that “God is love” (1 John 4:16). In other places we are urged to become perfected in the love of God. Do you know how to love like God? How do you achieve this kind of godly love? Is it even possible to love like God does? A term frequently used to describe the highest form of unselfish love is altruistic love. Is altruistic love godly love? What is the source of godly love? Love is a uniquely human trait that cannot be explained away as the end result of an evolutionary process. This trait comes from the Creator God. Genesis 1:26 tells us God’s words at the creation of humanity: “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness.” Since human beings have the capability to love, and since we are made in the likeness of God, He must be the source of love. Jesus Christ, who came and dwelt on earth as God in the flesh, exemplified the love of God for us. On the evening before Jesus faced a brutal scourging and death by crucifixion, He reflected on the ultimate in love from a human perspective: “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends” (John 15:13). But notice that God’s love goes even further. Early in Jesus’ ministry, He taught that loving your friends was not enough. The full depth of God’s love “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward have you?” (Matthew 5:43-46). Jesus practiced what He preached! Since Jesus led a sinless life, He did not have to die. “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23). He could have rightly claimed eternal life. But rather, He stood in the gap and said to His Father that He would take the death penalty for the sins of His friends—and, more significantly, for the sins of His enemies. This attitude is an essential part of understanding the love of God. Even in the agony of the crucifixion, Christ spoke this way of His enemies who were killing Him: “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do” (Luke 23:34). Do you have this kind of godly love? It is one of the hardest things to have—but the rewards are worth it! Yet there is even more to your development of godly love.