In a world obsessed with immediate gratification, and free from many of the struggles that existed in the days of old, it is no wonder that psychologists are finding that our resilience is becoming a cause for concern. Resilience is the ability to endure. Lack of resilience means we do not put up with things we dislike or that are difficult for us.

Sometimes the truth is hard for us to hear and that is what the Apostle Paul warned Timothy would come into the world. ‘Sound teaching’ is that which is built upon a solid foundation. The word of God in the Old and New Testaments is the solid foundation for the household of God. Ephesians 2:20 “And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;”

When we try to build away from that foundation, even if that is the direction of the majority consensus, then it is the building that will not endure if any tempest should come against it.
There are many popular leaders and progressive ways of operating but if these stray from the truth and only tell people what they want to hear they too will not endure.

The danger exists even within the church when we hear the truth, but we do not like it. Our instinct is to listen only to what we like but that is not good for us. The only sound doctrine is the truth of God’s word. The English translation ‘sound’ means something that has vitality or good health. In short, ‘sound doctrine’ must be the ‘living word’ that can lead to eternal life.

God desires to mould us through His word, but this can only happen if we ‘endure sound doctrine’ and also correction, when required. Hebrews 12:7 “If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?” His word should show us ourselves as we are and encourage deep roots of faith to trust in that word.

If we are unable to ‘endure’, and turn away from God’s word because it offends, we become those described by Jesus, Matthew 13:20-21 “But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it; Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended.”

It is not the seed or word that differs, but how we receive it and what we choose to do as a result that will bring forth the fruit!

In this Text we are reminded of the three (3) sources of temptations, namely: Our Flesh, the World and Satan. We understood that temptation itself is not sin, because we know that our Lord was tempted and yet remained sinless and pure. When we fall to temptations, then sin comes in and we know that we then have to call on the Grace of Christ. Romans 3:23 (both physical and spiritual). “For all have sinned and, come short of the Glory of God.”
These three sources of temptations are evident in the story recorded in Genesis. Eve fell into the temptation, and we can see from this story the manifestation of these 3 temptations; (1) The lust of flesh or eyes (Gen 3:6), World or the creation – the forbidden fruit itself (Gen. 3:3); (3) Satan himself – the Serpent (Gen 3:4-5). This can also be seen in the 3 temptations from Satan himself as recorded in Matthew 4. (1) Lust of flesh – stone to bread to fulfill the desire of flesh. (2) Kingdoms of this world (3) Satan, when he attacked the validity of God’s word.
As Christians, we are in a spiritual warfare, and we need to put on the “armour of God” as recorded in Ephesians 6 which represents Christ Himself. We must put on Christ, His robe of righteousness, and His virtues in order for us to overcome these temptations which are our spiritual enemies. Interestingly, our Lord gave us a solution so we can overcome these temptations, and this can be found in Luke 9:23 “And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me”. To overcome the first temptation is to first deny ourselves. The lust of the flesh is our first enemy and to overcome this is to deny ourselves to humble ourselves and fully trust and submit to God’s will and His ways. The second enemy is the temptation from things of the world such as love of money, material wealth, creations, fame, etc. To overcome this is to carry our cross. The one thing we ought to carry from this world is the message from the preaching of the Cross of Christ which was given to us through His gospels. The Cross of Christ carries the message of hope, peace, humility, forgiveness, grace and most importantly divine love. Therefore, we should always carry these heavenly virtues and treasures wherever we go. The last enemy is Satan himself, to overcome him is “to follow Christ”. We must obey the teachings of the Lord, follow in His footsteps and let the works of the Holy Spirit manifest in us to overcome these temptations.
Like our Lord Jesus Christ, He has defeated God’s three enemies for our sakes: Sin, Hell and Death. He defeated these three enemies using the same principle – Denied His throne in heaven and came to us in the form of a bondservant; He carried His Cross; and He followed/obeyed His Father in heaven. Our Lord leads us by setting an example, and we ought to follow His footsteps.
Let us remember this teaching that our Lord gave us, walk, and live by it faithfully. We must never forget that we are called to be more than conquerors through Christ who loved us (Romans 8:37). Indeed, we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us (Philippians 4:13).

The word peace is at present one that is heard all the time; but it is not easy to bring about peace, or to preserve it. With the one party excepting the other to make the first move towards establishing the peace, it is not surprising then with such a lop-sided effort that there just never is any success. Peace is a difficult state to achieve. But this peace striven after by man is not to be compared to the peace of God. The peace man speaks about is not more than a matter of sensibleness, of reason (John 14:27 “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid”) (Philippians 4:7 “And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus”).

According to the bible, the Lord sent out His apostles as messengers of peace, they were to go to the homes of the people and bring peace. Once again Apostles for Christ are offering this peace of God, a peace whose origin lies in the merit of Christ, and which can be received through accepting those whom God sends, hearing and accepting the word of God, having one’s sins forgiven. Matthew 10:40 “He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me”. 2 Corinthians 5:18-20 “And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.”

The peace of Christ is not pushy and will not impose itself on anyone. As ‘children of peace’ we have to pursue this peace and thereby prepare ourselves for our tasks in the thousand-year kingdom of peace. The preservation of this peace in our soul does not only make life pleasant for us, but serves on a much higher plane in our preparation for the return of our Redeemer

As parents, our goal is always to do, and provide, what is best for our children. The drivers of our human nature direct our focus towards protecting, feeding and clothing those in our care. The love we have for our children should help us to understand the desire God has to provide what is best for us. God has always demonstrated His desire to, both naturally and spiritually, protect, feed and clothe those who would choose Him. Even before Jesus provided the means to reconnect us to the Almighty God, as our loving, heavenly Father, King David shared with his son the value of seeking such a relationship with God.

In the quoted verse, David emphasises the freewill choice we all have to choose God but also the consequences of the choice we make.He taught the need to be obedient (serve) our Heavenly Father so that our emotions (heart) and thinking (thoughts) can be profitable. Love, joy and peace are Godly emotions that flow from the Throne of Grace, and we are encouraged to embrace their source and grow in them.

Our knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ is also how we can be spiritually fed, and by reading and hearing the Word of God we can be nourished.2 Peter 3:18, “But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.”God continues to provide ways for His children to remember where blessings come from. The Ministry is called to do this, but so are parents in their role they play for their children.1 Timothy 4:6, “If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained.”

In our efforts to do what is best for our children, let us remember the words of King David so that they can access a Loving, Heavenly Father in this world and the one to come.

At times, we may find ourselves meandering through life’s labyrinth, feeling lost and devoid of direction. While the world often offers temporary solutions, Bible verses serve as a timeless beacon of hope, providing guidance and comfort during our most disorienting moments. Let’s explore a collection of empowering Bible verses that offer solace, hope, and a spiritual compass when we feel adrift.  

When uncertainty looms large, and the path ahead seems veiled in fog, these verses remind us that God’s unwavering presence is a steadfast promise we can rely on. Isaiah 41:10 “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.” 

These passages encourage believers to ground themselves in faith even when the journey is undefined. The assurance of God’s strength and guidance provides a sense of direction that transcends our circumstances. Encountering life’s challenges can sometimes make us feel as though we’re traversing an intricate maze with no exit in sight. The Bible offers wisdom to assist in finding our way through.  Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” Matthew 7:7 “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.”  

These scriptures remind us that reliance on God’s understanding rather than our own is a key to emerging from the maze. By seeking divine wisdom and knocking on the door of opportunity with faith, we can anticipate the eventual clarity of our path.  

Feeling lost can often lead to a sense of vulnerability. However, the word of God offers a sheltering presence, advocating embrace of God’s word. Psalm 119:105 “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” Hope is an indispensable ally when we feel unsure of our direction. It anchors us to a brighter future and reinforces the belief that we are never alone.  Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.” Romans 15:13 “Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.” 

Feeling lost is an integral part of the human experience, but it does not have to be a permanent state of being. By turning to scripture, we can find solace and direction during our most bewildering stretches. Allow these Bible verses to guide us back to a path of spiritual certainty, hope, and inner peace. Remember that no matter how isolated we may feel, we walk with a loving God who is always ready to reveal the way forward. 

As we travel through life, we should, where possible, answer the call of the Lord in assisting Him to complete His mission to bring about the Kingdom of God. On the cross, He made a call to the Church, that we sometimes forget once Good Friday is passed.

John 19:28 “After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I THIRST.”

We know this fulfilled the prophecy in Psalm 69:21, but it had a very profound call to us. Jesus was not referring to water, but was requesting the future Church to satisfy His need in the future to supply Him with righteousness for Him to use in the mission yet to complete. According to the Holy Bible, there are several ways this can be obtained by our actions in life, often unknowingly. Let us consider the simplest of these ways.

When we believe the Word of God and live those words — Genesis 15, records how Abraham believed God’s Word, in verse 6— “And he believed in the Lord: and he counted it to him for righteousness.”

Each day we take time to read, or meditate, on the Word of God, we should also confirm in our heart that we also believe those words. We often use the word “Amen”. This confession is the beginning to answer the call and counts. After that of course comes the greater battle to not only accept the word, but to become the doer of the word to also contribute that to the righteousness for Christ.

We know that Jesus Christ became the living Word of God and explained clearly, those things that we should follow to be counted as righteousness. Matthew — chapters 5, 6, 7 must be referred to regularly to be sure we are answering the call “I THIRST.”

Luke  23:33 – “And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left.”

In Matthew 27:33-55, we read those terse words. There they crucified Him. There at Golgotha — Hebrew for “place of skull,” Latinised to Calvary — we see the only exception to King David’s declaration.

Psalm 37:25 – “I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.”

At Golgotha the righteous One was forsaken by the world. The harrowing experience needed no sensational adjuncts or rhetoric. The details of the crucifixion of Christ are not elaborated in the Gospel accounts; but it is known how Romans meted out the horrible death sentence. Long, crude, rusty spikes were driven through the hands and feet before the bare bodies were lifted up by ropes on the heavy wooden cross-pieces, held high for all to scorn and ridicule. The anguish, pain, and degradation can be left to the imagination. The excruciating process bringing about a slow and agonising death was unlike speedier modern-day execution by gas chamber, electric chair, lethal injection or firing squad.

It is quite significant that the last time this unbelieving world saw the Lord Jesus before His death, He was a sorry sight, dying like a common criminal, forsaken, despised, rejected — a picture of defeat. He knew His mission was to suffer as an innocent man so the penalties of the law could be taken away John 19:30 “It is finished.”  A new way was to begin for all mankind. I Corinthians 15:22 “For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.”

He did not labour Himself to the unregenerate multitudes during the forty days after His glorious resurrection. But when He comes again, He will reign victoriously as the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords.

Revelation 1:7 “Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him:  and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him.  Even so. Amen.”

Yes, there at Calvary, hanging between heaven and earth, our Lord brought about the reconciliation between a Holy God and sinful men. On the cross He crossed out the sins of all mankind Galatians 3:13-14 “Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:  That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith”; sins that were to be remembered no more.  Romans 5:1 “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:” Isaiah 43:25 “I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember they sins.”  By His side were two who saw Him, one who rejected Him, and one who was redeemed and whose eternal life was assured. He refused to come down from the cross lest all men be lost. He took our place in gracious condescension so He could lift us up to the heights of glory. Amen, Thank you Lord Jesus!

Because of the Good Friday festival, we should all be aware of what the great sacrifice of Christ means for us each day. Of course, most of us that give thanks over this festival, are descendants from the Gentile Nations who existed at the time of this event, as recorded in the temptation of Christ in Matthew 4:8-10 “Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.”

Our Lord knew that even though all the nations worshipped various false gods, there was always a plan to offer them in God’s time, the opportunity to be part of the Kingdom of God. Many places in the Holy Bible pointed to this. Some are –

1921 – year B.C. – Genesis 12:3 – Promise to Abram. “And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.”

Approximately 1,000 B.C. – Psalm 49:1. “Hear this, all ye people; give ear, all ye inhabitants of the world.”

740 years B.C. to 700 years B.C. – Isaiah 9:2. “The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.”

Isaiah 11:10. “And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek: and his rest shall be glorious.”

Also, Isaiah 25:8; 28:16; 42:1; 49:6. 500 years B.C. Haggai 2:7, Zechariah 6:12-15. Up to the birth of Christ – Luke 2:10. “And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.”

If the Gentile Nations were to be allowed access to God and His Grace, they would have to be forgiven for all their past lives. There could only be one who could intercede for them all. He who had won sufficient righteousness to cover the sins of the world. Our Lord knew as He suffered on the cross, that God’s people, the Jewish Nation, had rejected Him, when they declared to Pilate – Matthew 27:25 “Then answered all the people, and said, His blood be on us, and on our children.”   He knew that in time God would call His people back to the great promise that had been rejected.  Romans 11:27 “For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.”  Our Lord then had to prepare the Gentile Nations to become Children of God, and on the cross He asked His Father – Luke 23:34 “Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.”  We see in those words one of the greatest victories of our Lord. Satan’s work over hundreds of years was lost in that one day. The request will stand to the end of the world and is still ongoing in the world.

This fulfilled His right granted to Him, 1,000 years before – Psalm 2:7-8 “I will declare the decree: the Lord hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee. Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession.”

As we offer thanks for the many blessings won on the cross, let us also remember this great gift granted to us who come from the Gentile Nations. Psalm 8:1 “0 Lord, our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth! Who hast set thy glory above the heavens.”