Mindset For Success

Dear brothers, you are only visitors here. Since your real home is in heaven, I beg you to keep away from the evil pleasures of this world; they are not for you, for they fight against your very souls. Be careful how you behave among your unsaved neighbors, for then, even if they are suspicious of you and talk against you, they will end up praising God for your good works when Christ returns. For the Lord's sake, obey every law of your government: those of the king as head of the state, and those of the king's officers, for he has sent them to punish all who do wrong and to honor those who do right. It is God's will that your good lives should silence those who foolishly condemn the Gospel without knowing what it can do for them, having never experienced its power. You are free from the law, but that doesn't mean you are free to do wrong. Live as those who are free to do only God's will at all times. - 1 Peter 2:11-16 (Living Bible) Is it the desire of my heart to d

Then he said to them, "My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and watch with me." And going a little farther, he fell on his face and prayed, saying, "My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will." - Matthew 26:38-39 (ESV) Jesus prayed this prayer three times in the Garden. His anguish had nothing to do with fear of men or the physical torments of the cross. He was sorrowful because, within hours, the full cup of divine fury against sin would be His to drink. Jesus willingly yielded to the fullness of divine wrath to pay the full price of sin. His cry of anguish on the cross reflects the extreme bitterness of the cup of wrath He was given. There was no other way for man to be saved from the eternal torments of hell apart from the only acceptable sacrifice for sin on the cross. Jesus, being fully God, yielded to the will of the Father. Upon accepting the gift of salvation, I, in following the ex

Yet it was our grief He bore, our sorrows that weighed him down. And we thought his troubles were a punishment from God, for his own sins! But he was wounded and bruised for our sins. He was beaten that we might have peace; he was lashed—and we were healed! We— every one of us—have strayed away like sheep! We, who left God's paths to follow our own. Yet God laid on him the guilt and sins of every one of us! He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he never said a word. He was brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he stood silent before the ones condemning him. From prison and trial, they led him away to his death. But who among the people of that day realized it was their sins that he was dying for—that he was suffering their punishment? He was buried like a criminal, but in a rich man's grave; but he had done no wrong and had never spoken an evil word. - Isaiah 53:4-9 (Living Bible) How does His sacrifice for my salvation impact

Your hands have made me and established me; give me understanding and a teachable heart that I may learn Your commandments.- Psalm 119:73 Is the sincere desire of my heart to know the Sovereign God who created me and to execute His unique plan for my life? May those who [reverently] fear You see me and be glad because I wait for Your word. - Psalm 119:74 Do other Christ-followers enjoy your company and find encouragement to pursue Christlikeness from their interactions with you? I know, O Lord, that Your judgments are fair and that in faithfulness, You have disciplined me.  - Psalm 119:75 Do I accept God's discipline with a contrite heart and proactively align with His will? O may Your lovingkindness and graciousness comfort me, according to Your word (promise) to Your servant. Let Your compassion come to me that I may live, for Your law is my delight. - Psalm 119:76,77 Do I experience the peace that passes all understanding through faithful study and obedience to God's Word? L