Exhortations for The Soul

I think we basically left off from yesterday’s discussion agreeing that yes we can live in the world but not be of the world. We understand that Jesus wants us to be sanctified, set apart as holy. We also understand that we have a mission. However, in carrying out that mission, we must not go it alone. We cannot go it alone. Because the enemy is out there as a predator, seeking to pounce on us as God’s ambassadors, to try to tempt us and sway us into doing wrong. So we agreed that we must be prayed up. We must stay in God. We must remain focused.   I want to reiterate one of the scriptures I touched on, where Jesus specifically prayed for His disciples, acknowledging the challenges they will face as they continued His mission in the world. John 17: 14 - 17 ESV “I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. They a...

The main passage of scripture I’d like us to focus on for today’s exhortation and discussion is 1 John 2:15-16. I read from the New King James Version of The Bible. “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world.” How do we do that? Be in the world but not be of the world? Is that even possible? Doesn’t that make living the Christian life all the more difficult? I cannot assume that all of us here are Christians. In fact, I’d love it if there are some people watching who are just curious to know what these Jesus people are talking about. Even as Christians, we know that the Christian walk is very challenging. And as the trials come day after day, with our health, finances, relationships, and the different temptations, we are comforted in knowing that we are not alone on this journey ...

“When God wants to accomplish something... He will find the right person... He will find one who is trustworthy... He will find one who has faith in Him... He will find one who will obey His voice...He will find one who will not be distracted but who will remain focused and follow His instructions.” (c) The message here emphasizes the characteristics that God seeks in a person when He desires to accomplish something significant.   Let me start by reflecting on these qualities, and I invite you to share your thoughts by calling in throughout the programme. As I understand it, when God has a divine purpose, He carefully selects those fit for the task. The Bible reveals the characteristics of such people: 1. Trustworthiness: God values those who can be trusted with His plans.   Proverbs 28:20 NLT version says, “The trustworthy person will get a rich reward, but a person who wants quick riches will get into trouble.”   Faithfulness and integrity are key traits that make someo...

As I was thinking about what we should talk about today, I asked the Lord for a scripture. Because it was dropped in my spirit that in these times that perhaps we can do some more reading of the Word of God. If we are honest, we don’t get to read the Bible as often as we should. So I opened the Bible on my phone and the Holy Spirit led me to 2 Corinthians chapter 9. When I read it, I was like no God I don’t want to talk about money or giving right now. We have been going through a phase where I’ve been asking for contributions towards the computer fund and you have been giving, and so today I was determined not to say anything else about it. I promise you. I said that. To provide a veiled financial report, we are 60% of the way towards meeting our goal. If you want to know the target, send me a message. I won’t say it publicly here. So I said let me give it a few days or as soon as I get that cheque I’m waiting on, I will go ahead and put the balance. So I started to prepare for today’...