Ruthie's Inspirations

Revelation 19-22 And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.   Revelation 19:10 And I John saw these things, and heard them. And when I had heard and seen, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel which shewed me these things.     Then saith he unto me, See thou do it not: for I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book: worship God.   Revelation 22:8-9 Though angels are mighty and seem so much higher than us, they are not the ones that are deserving of our worship. Only God is. The angel in Revelation describes himself as a fellowservant to John, and of his brethren, and those that keep the sayings of God's word. As you live your life will you remember to worship God? It is the most importan...

Revelation 12-18 And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.   Revelation 14:13 Often death is either feared, or just simply thought of as a bad thing that no one wants to happen to them. But you belong to the Lord and not only do you have nothing to fear, death, when it comes, is a blessing. You are released from your responsibilities to your Lord and get to be with Him face to face! But until that day, are you doing the work that God has given you to do? The work you do for the Lord is the only thing that you will take with you and will manifest into rewards in heaven. Are you walking with the Lord and doing all He has asked you to do? If you are, then death will be nothing more than the last obstacle to cross before seeing your Savior and receiving the rewards for the labor you have done for Him.

Revelation 6-11 And I went unto the angel, and said unto him, Give me the little book. And he said unto me, Take it, and eat it up; and it shall make thy belly bitter, but it shall be in thy mouth sweet as honey.     And I took the little book out of the angel's hand, and ate it up; and it was in my mouth sweet as honey: and as soon as I had eaten it, my belly was bitter.   Revelation 10:9-10 There are some things in the Bible that are sweet to read but leave a bitter feeling in your belly. Things that God convicts you on that need to be changed in your life. The fellowship with the Lord is sweet but sometimes the lessons learned aren't so much. When God brings to light things in your life that need changed, do you obey? Will you swallow all of God's word knowing that conviction will come? Are you willing to change whatever it is that God wants you to change so that you may be more like Him?

Revelation 1-5 Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.   Revelation 2:4 Have you left your first love? The One to whom you expressed endless amounts of gratitude and would do anything for because He loved you first? When at first salvation comes, it's hard to imagine loving anyone or anything more than Jesus. But if you are not careful to tend that relationship and to walk closely with the Lord each and every day, you will find yourself drifting. Drifting to the things you once knew. To the comforts you once held dear. Drifting to the world and little by little giving into the flesh. God is a jealous God and He wants your full attention and affection. He is against idolatry and anything that you put above Him is an idol. Will you make it a priority to stay close with your first love and to not let anything between you?

2 John 1, 3 John 1 And now I beseech thee, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment unto thee, but that which we had from the beginning, that we love one another.     And this is love, that we walk after his commandments. This is the commandment, That, as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it.   2 John 1:5-6 For I rejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and testified of the truth that is in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth.     I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.   3 John 1:3-4 To love one another is nothing new. It's been a command from the beginning. Do you obey this command and love others? It is not optional. When you obey God's commandments, it brings joy to those around you. Especially to those who have invested in your life. Do you bring joy to others because of your obedience? Or do you choose your own way and bring disappointment and grief to those who ...

1 John 1-5 For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things.     Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God.   1 John 3:20-21 There is a difference between heart condemnation and Holy Spirit conviction but it is often difficult to tell the difference between the two. Whenever you feel bad about something, do you bring it to God and ask Him what to do about it? He can tell us whether it's something He's convicting us about or something that our heart is guilting us about that isn't something to feel guilty about. Do you bring all your concerns to God? And if you don't feel any condemnation about anything, you can have confidence in God that you’re doing what's right and if you weren't, He would tell you. Who will you listen to? Your heart, or God?

2 Peter 1-3, Jude 1 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;     And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;     And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.     For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.     But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.   2 Peter 1:5-9 Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.   Jude 1:3 These are things you need to work on to build your faith. It starts, as Jude puts it, with ...

2 Timothy 1-4 It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him:     If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us:     If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.   2 Timothy 2:11-13 There are so many things that seem backwards when it comes to how we live for Christ. The world says that we need to have stuff and experiences to truly live. And to love ourselves so we'll be happy. But the truth is, you need to die to yourself so you can live to Christ. In order to reign with Him, you need to suffer. Not push for power and glory. If you deny God, He will deny you. But even if you don't believe Him, He is still faithful to keep His end of the bargain because He can't deny Himself and it is Himself that paid for our sins and keeps us. Will you choose to live dead to yourself but alive in Christ? It will be worth it, no matter the cost.

Hebrews 11-13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.     For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country.     And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned.     But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.   Hebrews 11:13-16 The people in the Old Testament didn't have much, if any, of the word of God depending on who it was. But even though they hadn't received the promises yet, they still believed God and lived in faith that God would keep His promises. They lived for the eternal and God was not ashamed to be called their God and prepared for th...

Hebrews 7-10 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)     And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:     Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.   Hebrews 10:23-25 Once saved, always saved. It is not what you do or say that saves you but trusting in what Christ has already done that saves you. He promised that He would save and keep us and He is faithful. Because of that, you need to trust Him and not doubt and move forward with what He wants you to do. We should be encouraging each other to love and do good works. One of which is going to church. Especially as the day draws nearer and nearer to Christ's return, we need to be in church more and more. The more the filth of the world increases, the more you need to be cleansed by the ...

Hebrews 1-6 Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.     For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succor them that are tempted.   Hebrews 2:17-18 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.     Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.   Hebrews 4:15-16 Jesus willingly became a human so He could become the payment for our sins. In living a human life, He can relate to all the problems we face because He endured the same pain and suffering that we do. Because of that, He can relate to us and has compassion on us and invites us to come to His throne ...

1 Peter 1-5   But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light:     Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.   1 Peter 2:9-10 God has chosen us for a special job. To show forth the praises of God. We don't start out as the children of God. We started out in darkness and without mercy. But, when we trust Christ as Savior, we become His child and have been called into His light to show forth His praises and have obtained mercy. We are His chosen generation, royal priesthood, holy nation, and peculiar people. With great freedom comes great responsibility. Do you live a holy life in accordance with the word of God? Are you living in such a way that the light of Christ can shine through you?

Titus 1-3 And let our's also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, that they be not unfruitful.   Titus 3:14 What are you using your good works for? To impress someone? To try and get in a better position with people? Good works are the fruit in your life of Christ working in you. They are to be used for things that are necessary. Not for your own gain or furtherance in life. Do you let the Lord lead you in what you should do and who you should help? The goodness of God leads people to repentance. Will you let His goodness shine through in your life to point others to Christ?

1 Timothy 1-6 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;     For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.     For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God and our Saviour;     Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.     1 Timothy 2:1-4 This can easily be a controversial passage of scripture. There are so many leaders we have, especially in our government, that we disagree with. But as children of God we are to pray for and give thanks for all men. Including all that are in authority. That is how you lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. God wants all men to be saved and to know the truth so praying for those in authority is acceptable in the sight of God. There will be times that we ...

Philippians 1-4 If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies,     Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likemended, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.     Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.     Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.   Philippians 2:1-4 Paul, like he's done many times before, encourages people to love one another. This time though, he gives practical examples of a few ways we can demonstrate that love. He's asking that if there be any consolation in Christ, comfort of love, fellowship of the Spirit, bowels and mercies, any of those things, not those things perfected, then they should follow these things to fulfill Paul's joy. Be likeminded, have the same love, be of one accor...

Ephesians 1-6 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.   Ephesians 2:10 You are created for good works. That is how God designed you even before you were born! Good works cannot save your soul but you were created for that purpose in Christ Jesus. Others should be able to see your good works and know that there is something different. Christ should be able to be seen through you to others by good works. Can others see a difference in you? Can they see Jesus in you through your good works? Is your life a testimony of Christ and His love or of selfishness and stinginess?

Colossians 1-4, Philemon 1 For I would that ye knew what great conflict I have for you, and for them at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh;     That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ;     In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.   Colossians 2:1-3 For we have great joy and consolation in thy love, because the bowels of the saints are refreshed by thee, brother.   Philemon 1:7 There are things that Paul could not observe in the churches that he wrote to because he wasn't present with them. But he wished that they would love one another and know God. To love God and to love others are the greatest commandments. In Philemon, Paul commends Philemon for his love and his service to them and to the saints. Can you be c...

Acts 27-28 And when they had appointed him a day, there came many to him into his lodging; to whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Moses, and out of the prophets, form morning till evening.   Acts 28:23 How much do you know of the Old Testament? Well enough that you could show others the kingdom of God and persuade them concerning Jesus? Jesus is all over the Old Testament. The New Testament quotes the Old Testament over, and over again. The Old Testament was the only thing the early Church and the first Christians had before some of them wrote the New Testament. Most people don't even know the New Testament well enough to prove things about Jesus. We have been given the preserved word of God, Old and New Testaments. You ought to know God's word, all of it, so you can show anyone from anywhere about God and His kingdom and things about Jesus. Are you able to do that?

Acts 24-26 And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men.   Acts 24:16 Paul says that he exercises himself to always have a conscience void of offence toward God and men. He exercises himself, and exercise is intentional and takes work. Do you work at having a conscience void of offence? To offend is to cause someone to sin. Which could be myself. Are you careful with what you say and do so as not to cause someone else to sin? Are you careful with what you allow in your life so you don't cause yourself to sin? To be void of offence toward God and others should be something you strive for. To sin is to hurt God. Will you purpose to have a conscience void of offence toward God and men?

Acts 20-23 Then Paul answered, What mean ye to weep and to break mine heart? for I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.     And when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, The will of the Lord be done.   Acts 21:13-14 There are things that God asks of you that can cause your heart to break. Things that bring more tears than excitement. But when it is the will of the Lord, your response should be like those that were with Paul, "The will of the Lord be done." Are you willing to submit to the Lord's will for your life, even if it's not what you want? Even if it'll require more pain and sacrifice than you'd like to endure? Will you trust that even if it costs your life, God's will is best for you and God is worth following?

Romans 14-16 We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.     Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification.     For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me.   Romans 15:1-3 It can be easy to jump on the don't be a people pleaser train. Set up boundaries and cut people out of your life if you deem them toxic. While you shouldn't stay in abusive situations or give into every persons demands, especially if they're manipulating you, we are to be people pleasers. We are to be bearers of the burdens of the weak and to please others for their good to edification. Jesus didn't please himself, but others. He gave His life so that others can have life. He gave of Himself for our good to our edification. You should go above and beyond in your service to others, and not to see it as being taken advanta...

Romans 11-13 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.     And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.   Romans 12:1-2 To give all of yourself to God isn't outrageous. It says here it's your reasonable service and it is acceptable to God. In order to be able to present your body a living and holy sacrifice, you need to not be conformed by the world but transformed by the renewing of your mind. You need to be renewing your mind by reading the word of God, and following Him, and by indulging in those things that edify the Spirit. To indulge in the world's system and philosophies and what they have to offer will sear your conscience and take over your mind. If you are allowing the world to influence your mind, yo...

Romans 8-10 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.   Romans 8:1 Everyone loves the first part of this verse and it is more quoted than the whole thing. To know that we have no condemnation is great because we are in Christ! But that's not the only requirement to not have condemnation. It is to those who are in Christ Jesus and who walk after the Spirit and not the flesh. Although you are in Christ, are you walking after the Spirit? Or do you give in to the appetites the flesh? If you don't want condemnation, you need to walk after the Spirit because walking after the flesh will bring condemnation. What are you going to walk after?

Romans 4-7 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?   Romans 6:16 You have two choices of who you’re going to serve. God or Satan. If you serve Satan, you’re yielding yourself to obey him and sin which leads to death. If you choose to obey God, you are yielding yourself to Him and to obedience to Him which brings righteousness. What do you want to reap? Do you want to harvest death or righteousness in your life? What you reap is dependent on who you serve. Who will you choose to serve?

Romans 1-3 Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith.     Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.     Is he the God of the Jews only? is he not also of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also:     Seeing it is one God, which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith.     Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law.   Romans 3:27-31 Because salvation and a life lived for the Lord is by faith, we cannot boast of ourselves because we have done none of the work. It is Jesus who did all the work and extends to us the gift of salvation freely. Do you live by faith? Do you give God all the glory for your life? And just because life is by faith doesn't make you exempt from following the law. It is not your good works that justify you, but i...

2 Corinthians 10-13 And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved.   2 Corinthians 12:15 This can be a tough thing to follow. It's easy to throw in the towel when you get rejected. When you get hurt. When it seems impossible that you could ever love someone again because of the pain they have caused and the disobedience in their life. But, with God all things are possible. You too have caused great pain and have disobeyed more times than you can count, yet, God still loved you enough to die for you. People can be hurtful. And there are some people that may never listen, never learn, and will continue to be hurtful. But, you are still to love. You are still to gladly spend and be spent for them. Paul followed Christ's example in this and so should you. There may be people that love you less the more you love them and try to show them that you care. But just because they pull away doesn't mean you should. Eve...

2 Corinthians 5-9 Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.   2 Corinthians 7:1 You have the promises of God. The entire word of God. Why is it then that you gravitate back to the world? You have the complete word of God readily available to you and if you don't know what is expected of you then that's your fault. You shouldn't be living your life to see what you can get away with or how you can live just good enough to look better than most everyone else. You need to cleanse yourself of the filthiness of the flesh and spirit and perfect holiness in the fear of God. Perfect holiness. Not just merely be holy, perfect holiness. To be the most holy that you can be. The most like Christ. The cleanest you can be. How clean and holy you are will depend on how much you know of, and obey, the word of God. Do you love God's word? Do you read and study it? Your...

2 Corinthians 1-4 To whom ye forgive any thing, I forgive also: for if I forgave any thing, to whom I forgave it, for your sakes forgave I it in the person of Christ;     Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.   2 Corinthians 2:10-11 If someone did someone else wrong, Paul said that anything they forgave, he did too. He didn't hang on to hurt for other people because he said that, that would allow Satan to get an advantage of them. That it was one of Satan's devices. Even when those that are close to you get hurt, are you willing to forgive anything that they are willing to forgive? Or do you hang on to a hope of revenge? If so, you need to immediately forgive for their sakes so you don't cause division and allow Satan to use you that way. Will you be ready and willing to forgive, no matter what?

1 Corinthians 15-16 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.     Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain the in the Lord.   1 Corinthians 15:57-58 You already have the victory through Christ. You don't need to fight for it, you've already been given it. But the key is, through our Lord Jesus Christ. Not through your self control and hard work. If you've already been given victory through Christ, then nothing should be able to stop you from doing the work of the Lord. You have a job to do and you don't have the time to waste trying to get victory, you need to claim it. You need to depend on Christ and draw close to Him, then keep on doing what He's given you to do because it's not in vain if it's in the Lord! Do you keep going, despite falling? Do you get back up and keep walking with and working for t...

1 Corinthians 12-14 But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.     Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary:     And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comliness.     For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked:     That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.     And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.   1 Corinthians 12:18,22-26 Often in families there are favorites. Favorite parent, favorite siblings, favorite children, etc. That is also...

1 Corinthians 9-11 Conscience, I say, not thine own, but of the other: for why is my liberty judged of another man's conscience:     For if I by grace be a partaker, why am I evil spoken of for that for which I give thanks?     Whether therefore ye ear, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.     Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God:     Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.   1 Corinthians 10:29-33 Although God has given us liberty in what we eat and many other choices there is one way in which what we do, even though it's not wrong, would be considered wrong. If our choices and what we do cause another person to sin. We also must be careful not to judge other people for the convictions that they hold. They have liberty and free will just like we do...

1 Corinthians 5-8 All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.     Meats for the belly, and the belly for meat: but God shall destroy both it and them. Now the body is not for fornication, but for the Lord; and the Lord for the body.   1 Corinthians 6:12-13 Our body is meant for the Lord. And He cares what happens in and what we do with our bodies. But at the same time, we aren't supposed to be under the control of food. We can eat anything, but that doesn't mean that we should. There is no law of man or God that forbids certain foods but if what we eat becomes more important, or has more control over us than God does, it becomes a problem. Does God have control over your diet? Do you allow Him to direct you in even the things that seem insignificant? Eventually, God will destroy both food and our body so it shouldn't be such a priority that it's what tak...

1 Corinthians 1-4 And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:     That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.     But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.     For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.   1 Corinthians 2:4-5,10-11 The Holy Spirit should be the power behind the words that we say. The faith of any person ought to be grounded in the Lord and not in what we say. In order to know what it is that we should say, we need to listen to the Holy Spirit. Is there something you don't understand in the Bible? It is the Holy Spirit that you should ask for understanding. He it is that can reveal the word of God to you, and ...

Acts 18-19 And when he was disposed to pass into Achaia, the brethren wrote, exhorting the disciples to receive him: who, when he was come, helped them much which had believed through grace:     For he mightily convinced the Jews, and that publickly, shewing by the scriptures that Jesus was Christ.   Acts 18:27-28 How well do you know the scriptures? What could you show others? Can you prove that Jesus was Christ? There are so many doctrinal disputes that go on and very little, or out of context scriptures used to back up the stance of those in conversation. There are many false doctrines based of misunderstood or out of context scriptures because as much as we might think we know of God's word, we really don't spend the time in it that we ought. The in-depth study of God's word takes time. Do you really want to know what it says? Do you really want to understand all of what God wants you to? Will you take the time to get to know God and His word on an ...

1 Thessalonians 1-2 Thessalonians 3 But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children:     So being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us.   1 Thessalonians 2:7-8 We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith growth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth;   2 Thessalonians 1:3 Paul and those with him set an example for the Thessalonians. They cared so much for them that they treated them with as much care and affection as someone that demonstrates tender care for a child. They wanted to give them the gospel and also to give of themselves because they were so dear to them. In second Thessalonians we can see that one of the things that Paul commends them for is the charity that they have for each other. They followed the e...

Acts 17 And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews.     These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.   Acts 17:10-11 Good preaching is a great tool to use to learn more of God's word. We are commanded to be faithful to church in Hebrews. God has given us His word to read and access to the Father to pray to Him, and the Holy Spirit that lives inside us. But it is not enough just to read, pray, and listen. We need to study God's word and find out for ourselves what God's word says and listen to the Holy Spirit to tell us what it means. 2 Timothy tells us to study to show ourselves approved unto God that we won't be an ashamed workman and that we should rightly divide the word of truth. Are you taking the time to study the word of God and know ...

Galatians 4-6 Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.     For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.     Galatians 5:1,13 Through Christ we have liberty. When we accept Him as our Savior, He frees us from the bondage of sin that held us so tightly. So often it is that bondage that we put ourselves back under. Here we are instructed not to do that. Do you live in the liberty of Christ or are you going back under the bondage that He freed you from? Now, just because you have been set free and given liberty, does not mean you can use it however you want. Paul instructs us that we are to use it to serve one another by love and not for gratifying our flesh. What are you using your liberty for?

Galatians 1-3 For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.   Galatians 1:10 When considering the choices you will make and the steps that you will take it should not be the opinions of men that direct your decisions. You cannot serve the Lord the way He wants you to if you’re always worried about what others might think of you. It is God's opinion that matters and His leading that you should follow. Who are you following? Who are you allowing to influence your thinking? When there's a choice of who will be happy, will you choose to follow God instead of men?

Acts 15-16 And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul.     And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought us, saying, if ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide there. And she constrained us.   Acts 16:14-15 Do you worship the Lord every day in your private time with Him? And when you worship Him with your church, do you allow Him to open your heart so that you might receive what He has for you in the message? When He speaks to you, will you obediently follow in whatever it is He asks you to do? Out of a heart of worship, learning, and obedience, God will put in you a heart of service and use you to meet others needs. Can God mold you, teach you, and use you like He did Lydia?

James 1-5 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.   James 1:12 Temptation is a difficult thing to endure. Satan knows that and that is why he tempts us to do what we know we shouldn't by making it look better than it is. But usually when it comes to spiritual things, anything difficult is worth doing. Though it would be far easier to give into the temptations that come your way, if you choose to turn to God and resist temptation, it will gain you eternal rewards. You will get a crown of life when you get to heaven. And that ought to matter far more to you than instant gratification and taking the easy way out here on earth. When you get to heaven, will you have a crown of life to cast at Jesus' feet?

Acts 13-14 And when they were come, and had gathered the church together, they rehearsed all that God had done with them, and how he had opened the door of faith unto the Gentiles.   Acts 14:27 When you gather together with other believers, what do you talk about? What is the main subject of your conversations? Is your first response to complain about your problems? Or just talk about yourself? What if you start your conversations with praising God for something He has done? Even if it's something about your life, you can give God the credit for it. Will you be mindful to make God and what He has done the center of your conversations?