Hebrews 10: 37-38 ” For in just a very little while, He who is coming will come and will not delay. But My righteous one will live by faith. And if he shrinks back, I will not be pleased with him.”

In these scriptures, Paul is quoting Habakkuk 2:3-4 to help explain that justification is by faith alone, not by works.  No amount of good deeds and clean living will make me right before God…for it’s only by trust and faith in His Son, Jesus Christ, that I’m saved.

Mark 6:7 ” Calling the Twelve to Him, He sent them out two by two and gave them authority over evil spirits.”

Why did Jesus send the Disciples out in twos?  It goes back to Deuteronomy 17:6, “On the testimony of two or three witnesses a man shall be put to death, but no one shall be put to death on the testimony of only one witness.”   By sending them out in pairs, there was built-in   accountability, safety,  and responsibility for them.  With them both witnessing the same thing…they could then validate and verify the miracles, signs, and wonders they saw.

Philippians 3:9 ” …that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ – the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith.”

There’s the Law of works and the Law of faith.  The Law of works tell you that if you’re perfect and do enough good works down here on earth, you can somehow “work” your way into heaven.  But in the end,  the only thing you’ll  see is depression, anxiety, and discouragement…for no one can live a perfect life, and despite  how many good works you do, it’ll never be enough.  On the other hand the Law of faith frees us from that condemnation  and  self-loathing  that loves to torture us when we fail.  Within the Law of faith there is not only that freedom,  but saving grace and mercy… all in the name of Jesus.

John 14:2 ” In My Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you.”

We all long for a place to call our own.  A safe, quiet place,  full of peace and security, where we can feel loved.  That’s what your Heavenly Father is making ready for you right now.  A place for you to dwell and remain in,  not like anything else you’ve ever lived in before.  It is beyond anything you can imagine…but it will be perfect for you in every way.

Psalm 41:12 ” In my integrity You uphold me and set me in Your presence forever.”

If you’ve asked Jesus Christ into your life…if you call yourself a Believer…if you love the Lord with all your heart, soul, and mind – nothing can or will ever take you from Him.  Your destiny and eternal life is securely established in Him forever.

I Corinthians 1:5 ” For in Him you have been enriched in every way – in all your speaking and in all your knowledge.”

Take a moment to remember yourself as a brand new Christian…now look at yourself today.  From the beginning, the Lord has been pouring into you  divine revelation and understanding.  He’s been improving, refining, and endowing you in all aspects in order that you might  fight the good fight.  And today you stand, having been  built up in Christ…strong, and full of Godly wisdom.

John 2:4 ” ‘Dear woman, why do you involve Me?’ Jesus replied. ‘My time has not yet come.’ “

Jesus and His mother Mary had a very special and totally unique relationship.  They shared the traditional Mother-Son bond…but because of the miraculous way Jesus was conceived, Mary had insight into just how life-changing His time on earth would be.  When the wine ran out at the wedding in Cana, Mary knew Jesus could do something about it.  But why did He change the water into wine if His time had not yet come?  He did it because He loved and honored His Mother more than any time-table or schedule.

Matthew 8:1-3 ” When He came down from the mountainside, large crowds followed Him. A man with leprosy came and knelt before Him and said, ‘ Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.’ Jesus reached out His hand and touched the man, ‘I am willing,’ He said. ‘Be clean!’ Immediately he was cured of his leprosy.”

“If You are willing.”  The man had been watching Jesus heal others.  His faith in the Messiah had grown with each person  he saw walk away cured and whole.  He had faith, but would Jesus be ready and able to heal him?  Jesus went beyond what He had to do to heal this man…He could of just spoken the word and he’d been healed.  But instead, Jesus stretched out His hand and touched the unclean man, and in doing so showed that he was a valued and loved human being.

Psalm 109:4 “In return for my friendship they accuse me, but I am a man of prayer.”

Taking the high road is often very difficult…especially when your good intentions are met with anger and resentment.  But it’s when we’re attacked and slandered that people are watching us the closest for our reaction.  Do we answer back as the world would…or as Jesus would?

Malachi 3:2 ” But who can endure the day of His coming? Who can stand when He appears? For He will be like a refiner’s fire or a launder’s soap.”

Evil will no longer be able to prevail here on earth on the great and dreadful day of the Lord.  All wickedness and darkness will be purged from His sight as the Lord comes in His Father’s glory.  In the blink of an eye,  all will be purified and cleansed.