Acts 24:16 ” So I strive always to keep my conscience clear before God and man.”

A clean conscience is free from guilt…it knows the difference between right and wrong and tries hard not to offend.  In Daniel 6:4 the Administrators and satraps of the government were trying to find grounds for charges against Daniel in his conduct of governmental affairs, but they were unable to do so…they could find no corruption in him, because he was trust worthy and neither corrupt nor negligent in his dealings.  Daniel was a man of integrity before God and man.

II Chronicles 5:14 ” Then the Temple of the Lord was filled with a cloud, and the priests could not perform their service because of the cloud, for the glory of the Lord filled the Temple of God.”

The Levitical Priests were the Ministers of Worship in the Temple.  When the empty Temple was filled with the presence of God, the glory cloud was so thick with His majesty, they couldn’t see.  Oh, to have that kind of glory cloud descend into every Church…God’s presence filling every available space…His glory breaking forth in a magnificent display.

II Samuel 22: 2-4 ” The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation. He is my stronghold, my refuge and my savior – from violent men You have saved me. I will call to the Lord, who is worthy of praise, and I am saved from my enemies.”

The Lord is my stability in an uncertain and constantly wavering world.  He is my safe refuge where I am able to retreat, rest, and rebuild my shattered hopes and dreams.  The Lord is my advocate and protector when I cry out for mercy.  The Lord is my Lord.

Proverbs 3: 1-2 ” My son, do not forget My teaching, but keep My commands in your heart, for they will prolong your life many years and bring you prosperity.”

Sure, there’s eternal benefits to obeying the Word of God and His commands.  But there are many practical benefits and blessings we may not always think of…things like health, peace, and security, which eludes the world, but for Believers… are just a wonderful part of living our life for the Lord.

Proverbs 1:8 ” Listen, my son to your father’s instruction and do not forsake your mother’s teaching.”

As children we may not look like we’re listening…but our heart is attentive.  As teenagers we roll our eyes and sigh…thinking our parents are so out of touch and old fashion…but our heart is listening.  And when we finally reach adulthood with some age under our belt, we look back at all the godly instruction and disciple we’ve received by our parents…and decide,  they really did know best.

Jeremiah 29: 14 ” ‘I will be found by you,’ declares the Lord, ‘and will bring you back from captivity. I will gather you from all nations and places where I have banished you,’ declares the Lord, ‘and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile.’ “

Sometimes we manage to banish ourselves from God’s presence by bad decisions we’ve made…sometimes the Lord disciplines us by starkly exposing our disobedience and lets us think about it in the desert for a while.  Either way, God promises His forgiveness and reconciliation to all who seek Him.

Jeremiah 29:13 ” You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart.”

God wants the best of you…not the leftover dregs.  He wants your total heart, mind, and soul in  pursuit of His will for your life.  That means setting aside a time daily to be in His Word and pray…whether that means early in the morning, over the lunch hour, or in the evening when the house quiets down.  Don’t squeeze God into your schedule…but rather work your schedule around Him and the things that have eternal consequences.

Jeremiah 29:12 ” ‘Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you.’ “

When we seek the Lord…He will be found, and He will listen.  When we summon His aid…He’s right there to help.  When we plead for mercy…He hears and moves on our behalf.  You have God’s undivided attention anytime you call to Him…for He wants to  shoulder the burdens you’re carrying.

Jeremiah 29:11 ” ‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’ “

The plan and purpose for your life was written before the beginning of time.  Every goal, aspiration, and ambition has been planned for you beforehand…every aim, consideration, and course of life has been especially designed for you only by the Lord Himself.  He desires only the best for you.

Romans 15:14 I myself am convinced, my brothers, that you yourselves are full of goodness, complete in knowledge and competent to instruct one another.”

Multi-generational  Discipleship is a wonderful way of handing down Godly wisdom…from generation to generation.  When old and young are paired together in  cross-generational activities, wisdom and sage advice are shared…enthusiasm and energy are appreciated.   The personal knowledge gleaned from a long-lived Christian life  teaches  far beyond what any class could do.