"BUT SEEK FIRST THE KINGDOM OF GOD AND HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS AND ALL THESE THINGS WILL BE ADDED TO YOU." -Jesus Christ (Mat 6:33)

Assyria was a unique superpower of the ancient world. It was one of the first, really, to attempt to bring the whole known world under one (taxable) roof. It set out to accomplish this by using military might and brutality. It says something of your tactics when the Babylonians, the Persians, and Rome (with its practice of crucifixion) looked on you as barbaric.

How do we get healthier? Harder to beat? Quicker to recover?
One of the first answers to that question has to be: get stronger.
Thankfully this is a subject Scripture has much to say about. Here are a few of my favorite passages on this topic, in which we'll find much help..

How significant is Sabbath to spiritual health?
Let's observe a few points, along with a counterpoint, from Scripture.

And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed. (Mar 1:35 ESV)

Great verses to reflect on... which I may do later. For now, simply read, consider, and enjoy.

Last week we saw Jesus develop this: true peace in this life only comes from Jesus, by the Spirit, using the Word. Jesus wants us to understand the connection between Jesus, the Holy Spirit, Scripture, and us having lives with life and peace in them.

Last week we heard Jesus say that “the Spirit gives life,” which He explains by saying that “the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life.” (John 6:63)
There is an important connection between four things here: Jesus, the Holy Spirit, Scripture, and us having lives with life in them.

How’s your life?
I think most of us can confidently say, “Ummmmm…”
Whatever “life” is, sign us up for an upgrade!.

God wants His people to be thankful. He wants us to see His innumerable perfections and kindnesses and to… enumerate them. Give Him thanks. Show Him gratitude. Appreciate God.

Sometimes we feel alone. Like, no one really knows you. Which means that no one really cares enough to get to know you. This is a deep, heavy, sadness that all of us feel sometimes. We say to ourselves, “You’re all alone in this, pal. No one really knows you. No one really cares.”

It is the glory of God to conceal things, but the glory of kings is to search things out. (Proverbs 25:2)

Scripture says, and Jesus repeatedly points out, that God is not interested in burnt-meat. But God is after people who know His glory, worship Him, and are transformed into the likeness of His Son. God is after disciples of Jesus, people who will embody, and become, His mercy to others.

What should Christians “ponder”? What should we slowly, patiently, mull-over until we perceive the hidden lesson, the truth within?

John sees and hears many things as his (and our) journey begins. But I want to draw your attention to one detail that I’d overlooked for years of being familiar with this passage: what was before the Throne of God.

We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers, as is right, because your faith is growing abundantly, and the love of every one of you for one another is increasing.

2 Thessalonians 1:11-12 contains three key prayer requests: 1) that God may make us worthy of His calling; 2) that God may fulfill every one of our resolves for good; and 3) that God may fulfill every one of our works of faith.

Paul prays for Christians to be glorified. He prays for Jesus to be glorified first, of course. And our glory is connected to His glory. But he does actually pray for the congregation at Thessalonica to be glorified!

What is “the Name” of our Lord Jesus? Isn’t it, “Lord Jesus”?
“Name” here means reputation. Or, an accurate understanding of a person’s character and value, which understanding is increasingly communicated to more people.

Work is what we do. Faith is what we hope God does. A “work of faith,” then, is something that I need to do and I need God to do. Who’s going to do this!? Am I? Is God?