Wednesday, June 21, 2017

RIGHTEOUS PEOPLE IN AN UNRIGHTEOUS WORLD!

RIGHTEOUS PEOPLE IN AN 

UNRIGHTEOUS WORLD


Righteousness is a blessed experience with a lot of promises. It is amazing that the righteous God makes human beings righteous through the death of Jesus Christ on the cross of Calvary. Such righteous people are blessed with all the blessings of the heavenly places. They are given the experience of being seated in heaven. Proverbs chapter 10 talks about 12 special blessings for such people.

1.  They live with the satisfaction of their physical needs provided for and guaranteed (vs. 3)
2.  Their heads are crowned with heavenly gifts and favors (vs. 6)
3.  Their remembrance is a blessing in the life of others (vs. 7)
4.  Their utterances cause blessings to those who listen to them (vs. 11)
5.  Their earnings help them to live a life of satisfaction (vs. 16)
6.  Their expressions enrich others in life (vs. 21)
7.  Their desires in and for their God will be fulfilled and satisfied (vs. 24)
8.  Their foundations in life will be steady and sustained (vs. 25)
9.  Their hope and prospects will give them and others happiness (vs. 28)
10. They will not be shaken in all circumstances and situations (vs. 30)
11. Their oral communication is full of heavenly wisdom (vs. 31)
12.Their speech is pleasing as it is full of God’s wisdom (vs. 32)

Isn't it a great privilege to live as righteous in this unrighteous world?


Let us today examine our lives to see if we have at least some measure of these blessings in our lives (2 Corinthians 13:5) and prayerfully rebuild our lives to exemplify righteousness.  

Friday, June 9, 2017

CASE STUDY: MY TROUBLED FRIEND JASMINE!

STORY OF A CONCERNED YOUNG LADY

My Troubled Friend Jasmine!
  
Hi! I’m Jyothi, a student of a professional college. Jasmine is my church mate and a close friend. She works for a private company after her professional education. Jasmine called me the other day and asked for counsel about some important concerns in her life. As we talked, the story of her life was unfolded. She has recently developed some special feelings about Rohan, a young man at her workplace. For some time Jasmine couldn’t understand her feelings towards him and so she tried to brush it aside. But the feelings grew stronger slowly as they were part of the same workgroup and spent a lot of time together daily. Unknowingly she was falling into a relationship with him that has become stronger day by day. Now they both feel that they are made for each other. But lately, Jasmine is much alarmed because Rohan is from another religion and had no particular affinity for fundamental Christianity.  Other than that, Rohan seems to be a very nice person in Jasmine’s opinion, with good family background and moral values. He is highly qualified and well respected in the office and also very good looking. At his request, Jasmine visited his home a few times and got herself acquainted with his dignified parents and only sister.

As days went by, Rohan started discussing with Jasmine about their future. Though Jasmine desperately wanted to marry Rohan, she seemed to be quite unsure about how to handle it because she is a born again and baptized believer in our church. Her father is an Elder, and mother, a leader of the Sister’s Fellowship. Her elder brother Sabu is also a committed Christian and is married to a committed Christian from an assembly. Jasmine felt that if she speaks to her parents and brother about her interest in Rohan, there will be turmoil at home. In the meanwhile, her relationship with Rohan grew stronger and they both felt that they were inseparable.

After much struggle for about 6 months, Jasmine finally decided to share her concerns about her faith with Rohan. But he took her concern very lightly because he didn’t understand her kind of Christianity well. Rohan told Jasmine that he would not have any problem accepting her as his life partner in spite of their differences in faith. He told her that he will have no difficulty to go to her church and that he would even accompany her for some service in the church if she so desired. He promised to remove his colorful wristband while going to her church to avoid embarrassment for her and her family although he loved to wear these in public. He also invited her to go with him to his temple sometime. Jasmine tried to explain the difficulties she and her family would have in conducting their marriage.  Then Roshan suggested that the marriage may be conducted by his family according to their faith or they could even have a registered marriage. Jasmine had no answers to such suggestions. She has been struggling with this matter and found it difficult to pray or read her Bible. She often went for meetings in the assembly just to impress upon the people that everything is OK with her Christian life. She was careful that no one at home or in the church found out anything about her relationship with Rohan. After all, it was not difficult for her and Rohan to get lost in the crowd of the big city where they dwelt and not noticed by anyone!

Jasmine finally shared with her brother Sabu in a soft manner about her relationship with Rohan, with the plea not to reveal it to their parents. She thought her brother would somehow help her in this matter. Sabu was upset and shocked about the relationship his sister Jasmine has with an unbeliever and he was much worried. And he lost no time in lovingly reminding her of her faith and the commandment of the Bible about (1) having such relationships with an unbeliever (2) her disguised life to impress upon people about her faith and (3) the audacity about thinking to marry an unbeliever. He warned her about the consequences of such a relationship and a possible marriage. He also told her that it would be impossible for him to support her in her relationship and shared his biblical convictions against such a relationship. Anyway, he gave her a few days to think it over and promised to pray for her. Jasmine was at once in a great fix because she was not getting any support from her brother. She is lost as to what to tell her brother on the one hand and Rohan on the other. She was bewildered just imagining about the possible reactions of her parents if and when they found out about it. It was at that time that she decided to share her story with me, hoping to get some support and a workable solution.

I was greatly shocked and emotionally crushed as I listened to the story Jasmine told me. I didn’t have the slightest hint about the emotional entanglement she had with a young man, that too from another faith! I tried to persuade her to give up her relationship with a man from another faith which is against the Word of God which will have serious consequences. I also felt sad thinking about her parents who are devout Christians having a rich ministry in the spiritual circles. I knew very well that news about Jasmine’s affair with an unbeliever would break their hearts. But Jasmine told me with tears in her eyes that she is unable to separate from Rohan. I tried to pray with her, but Jasmine was not much keen. I once again told her that her relationship would break her family and create havoc in her assembly. But she had no answers to such concerns. It seems that it is not easy to coerce Jasmine to renounce Rohan on the one hand and her family and church on the other. What can I do, I wonder!!

Jyothi

Questions for discussion

1.       Is Jasmine biblically right in her relationship with an unbeliever? How could she have avoided it at the beginning?
2.       Has Jasmine been true to her calling as a Christian believer? Do you think she has any spiritual problems?
3.       What kinds of temptations and challenges lay waiting for Christian Youth like Jasmine in the secular world?
4.       What do you think about Jasmine’s brother’s role in this scenario?

5.       Is it right for Jasmine to marry Rohan at this time?
6.       If Jasmine is your friend, how will you handle this situation?
7.       Is Jyothi justified in her concerns about Jasmine?
8.       Should we have such concerns about other believers who have spiritual problems? How can we discharge these concerns?
9.       What lessons, if any, are you able to learn from the present events in the life of Jasmine?

Wednesday, June 7, 2017

CONCERNS ABOUT HIGHER EDUCATION AND CAREER!

Choice of Higher Education and Career

          The following is a mail I received from a young believer by the name James, asking me to help him to clarify issues related to vital choices he has to make in life as a believer. My reply to him is given below for the benefit of the youth, parents, and leaders of assemblies.

Dear Uncle,
I am about to complete my secondary education and now considering various options for higher studies and a future career. I have many thoughts and desires about this but my parents are putting pressure on me to choose areas of study and career according to their desire. So I am much confused and do not know what to do. Will you please guide me to make the right choice according to God’s will for my life?
Yours in Jesus Christ,
James
 
Hello dear James,

        Thanks for writing to me about your confusions in making a choice about future studies and career. Please know that you are not the only one who has such confusions. Wherever I go, I find young people who have such concerns. But at the very outset, I want to remind you that our God is not the God of confusion, but of peace and order and He will remove all confusions from the heart of His dear children like you (1 Corinthians 14:33). So be confident in the Lord.

I am glad that you are much concerned about God’s will in your life. It is vital that you make the right choice according to God’s perfect will for you. God’s will is most important in all your choices, but it is not easy to find it out. So you have to be very careful and prayerful. Our God will not forsake those who seek Him (Psalm 9:10). The Bible says that if you are humble and willing to surrender all your interests and desires to God, He will guide you in the way in which you should move (Psalm 25:9). If you have true fear of God in your heart, God will honor it and show you His ways for your life (Psalm 25:12). You are asked by the Bible to delight in the Lord and in His will and He shall give you the desires of your heart (Psalm 37:4-5). When you are truly committed to the Lord, He will give you the ability to develop the right desires and then He will help you to work it out (Philippians 2:13). The Bible also tells us that whatever we do, it should all be done in the name of the Lord Jesus and for the glory of God (Colossians 3:17). I suggest that you may please read and meditate on these passages of the Bible.

        As an aspiring disciple of Jesus Christ, you should work on your desires, interest, and abilities which Jesus has given you in life. It will then help you to see the most spiritually relevant choices that are available for you. Your academic achievements at the Secondary school level will also decide for which course you will qualify for admission. At the same time, you need to know that your education and career should be relevant for eternity and not simply for this life. So surrender your desires, interest, and abilities to the Lord and ask Him to work out your admission and career for you. Commit all your desires to the Lord and tell Him that you are ready to accept anything that He would bring your way. God will also work through your situations by closing doors which He would not permit in your life and open doors which are according to His will (Revelation 3:7). But you should be careful not to forcefully open the doors He closes in your case or ignore the doors that He opens for you. Whatever course of study you choose and career you aspire, it should be for the glory of God and for the furtherance of His kingdom.

        Please remember that your desire for a course of study may be such that it would help you to love and serve God better. Your career also may be one that would help you to serve God better and will grant enough time to use for His glory.

        Let me tell you that you should consider your career as a means the Lord would use to meet your living expenses while you serve Him in some ministry, whether it is done full time or part time. God is not interested in you to be great, prominent and popular in this world, but to be His servant with or without a career.  When you choose a career, it should not be one which would hinder you from attending the meetings of the assembly and engage in the ministry of the Lord for which He gives you spiritual gifts. One more thing to remember is that your course of study and career should not be in an area which is forbidden by the Bible for God’s children, especially in services related to alcohol, tobacco, commercial movies, fashion, usury, black marketing, money laundering, politics of the world and in areas like secular humanism. You should not allow the world to make you a slave to a job or a profession, but to Jesus Christ only.

        It is good to collect information about the job market and prospects and to see the admission criteria for the courses you like to join. These will help you to focus on some area of study and to pray specifically. If you commit your ways to the Lord without any reservation and wait upon Him in intense prayer, He will also give you internal peace and joy and will confirm His choice in your heart. But at the same time, please also remember to stay within the means of your parents to support you in your educational expenses. Your studies and career should be a matter of exercising your faith in the Lord for the means to study and find a job.

        Along with considering secular education, it is also worth considering biblical education as a viable option. Biblical education will help you to have a strong foundation in the Word of God and train you to serve the Lord in His vineyard. God’s vineyard needs people of all professions to work as partners in the extension of His kingdom. Christian ministry needs doctors, nurses, engineers, IT professionals, teachers, mechanics, cooks, painters, and administrators, along with Bible teachers, preachers, writers, and counselors. So pray that the Lord will have pre-eminence in your choice of education and career, whether it is through secular or biblical studies.

        I want you to be careful that your choice of a course or a career would not keep you away from Christian fellowship and spiritual activities. Always keep your spirituality, the interest of the Lord, His church and the people He loves as most important in your mind. God expects His children to be ready to sacrifice any worldly prospects and prosperity for His sake because He forsook heaven and all its comforts to come down to this world to die for you.

It is also good to discuss your interest and commitment with your parents and seek their prayer support and wise counsel in making the right choice. Make sure to listen to the views and opinions of your parents patiently and pray together with them so that you all can together decide about your choice of a course and a career. It is also good to consult with senior brothers in the assembly and ask them to pray for you in this vital matter. Hope you have a prayer partner with whom also you can pray about your choices. Above all, you may please pray alone intensely (Matthew 7:7-11; John 14:13-14; Philippians 4:4-7) about this matter.

        May God lead and guide you to find His perfect will in choosing the right field of study and join the right career for His glory! I am praying for you that the Lord may make your life, education, and career a great source of blessing to others and bring glory to His name.

        Hope my observations given above will be of use to you as you prayerfully consider the various options that are around you. If you have any further questions in this matter, please do not hesitate to write to me.


STYLE, CULTURE AND OPEN CRITICISM!

Handling Style, Culture, and Open Criticism
  

          Dear Readers, The following is a mail I received from a young believer by the name Joe Peters, asking me to help him clarify issues related to the external appearance of a believer. My reply to him is given below for the benefit of the Youth, parents, and leaders of assemblies.

Dear Uncle,

Will you please clarify to what extent outward appearance of a young believer with regard to beard, mustache, hairstyle, dress, etc. can be biblically understood. What does the Bible say about these? Is this not purely a cultural matter? Recently one of our elders openly criticized me for wearing a beard. I am deeply hurt by his open criticism and am wondering if I should go back to the assembly or not. Please help me to sort this out spiritually.

Yours sincerely,
Joe Peters
 
          Hello Dear Joe,

          Thanks for your mail and for feeling free to write to me on these sensitive issues. Please know that you are not the only one who has such questions about appearance. In fact, not only young men like you but young ladies also have such concerns. Let us see how Christian believers should handle this issue. Such questions often come to confront us and we are expected to find convincing answers for us and others whom we meet. We cannot escape such questions but must face it gracefully.
                  
          Your point is right that external appearance with regard to hairstyle and grooming are basically cultural. I am sure you will agree with me that we cannot think about going back to the styles and patterns of the Old Testament or New Testament times because things have changed so much. It is not easy to prescribe a pattern that can be universally acceptable at all times. Not only that, such cultural elements keep changing over time. Knowingly or otherwise, we all fall a prey to culture sometimes in some measure. That's why I feel that it may not be expedient for the seniors in the church to regulate a particular style for all men or women all the time.

          Many people take extreme views in this matter. While some argue for freedom to adopt all cultural norms and variations according to their personal choices and preferences to be up-to-date, some others vehemently oppose it totally.

          So, it is a great challenge to reach a consensus as to how we would take a stand on this matter without violating the Biblical principles? My conviction is that we may bear in mind the following points and make our decisions on these matters in the presence of God in prayer and meditation.
1.   What is the purpose of wearing a mustache, beard (full or half, or shaped beard), or some particular styles, like that of a political leader/cine artist/sports hero or a fashion model?

          a. Is this any kind of imitation? If so, will the Bible support such imitation of worldly people?
          b. Is it self-promotion and good looks? If so, will it help us to show ourselves as disciples of Jesus in promoting Christ instead of ourselves?
          c. Is it related to self-esteem? If so, is it right for a believer to develop and improve his self-esteem patterned after the contemporary world and its style or be humble and broken in his appearance as well as his attitude as a Christian disciple?

          2. Is it decoration of some sort which will make me look better and will attract people to me? If so, will the Bible support it? Should I attract others to myself or to Jesus through my spiritual behavior and attitude?

3.   Will cultural adaptation and style in any way cover up the expressions of joy, peace, satisfaction, grace, and love that God wants me to exhibit on my face and through my facial and body language? Will my facial style and hairstyle create a channel for people to see Christ in my heart? Or would I be showing pride, arrogance, self-promotion, haughtiness, superiority complex and overbearing through such styles?  One will have to examine oneself in these areas with the help of the Bible.

4.   Will the adoption of modern changing cultural affinities, fashions and styles of the contemporary world in any way make people despise me as I serve the Lord? (1 Timothy 4:12). This depends on whether I am moderate and careful in adopting certain cultural changes or keeping an extreme stand in following modern trends?

5.   Will these adaptations to culture or imitation make me a good example for others to follow Christ? (1 Timothy 4:12). Am I an example to other believers in word, conduct, love, spirit, faith, and life? Will my external appearance fall into any one or more of these areas of practical life?

          Please know that certain styles, including hair styles, are for identity with certain horrible sins like homosexuality. A child of God may keep carefully away from such identity traps, to keep his testimony.

          I suggest that these matters may be meditated upon and decided after examining our hearts before the Lord and seeking His mind for the sake of our life and ministry.

          Joe, you mentioned about open criticism by someone in this matter. My conviction is that parents and seniors may patiently discuss these with youngsters as appropriately. They may lovingly communicate their convictions, desires, and expectations about the Youth and other believers for biblical consideration and prayer. The ministering brethren should not be judgmental or contemptuous, but considerate and patient with the Youth. It may not be a good idea to handle these issues critically from a pulpit or through open public criticism. But biblical principles about these may be taught in the assembly, without pointing out to any individual in particular covertly or overtly. Personal admonition, with love, is a more effective approach. Elders may try to counsel the youth and others in these matters and reach out to them with concern. We must guard ourselves against falling into unhealthy arguments to win our case but should endeavor to win hearts with love and patience.

          Dear Joe, the above questions, and principles that I tried to explain may be applicable also to our younger sisters and others in the challenges they face in cultural affiliation in dressing, make-up, and fashion. Here also, it is spiritually more expedient if the elder sisters may patiently teach and lovingly counsel younger sisters in matters of dress, makeup, etc.

          This means that the elders and elder sisters ought to build up a good relationship with the youngsters and all others to be able to communicate without difficulties. They should also be examples in what they try to communicate. An elder with a mustache may not be the best person to instruct a youngster about a beard. An elder sister with a gold-color spectacle frame, a golden strap of a watch or golden broche may not be in a strong position to tell others about changes in their lifestyles. They may examine themselves in all these areas before speaking to the youngsters to make their spiritual communication effective and result-oriented.
 
          Please know that it is important that our spirituality, humility, devotion to the Lord, discipleship, brokenness, and commitment may be seen in our whole personality, appearance, and expressions to the extent possible and as led by the Lord. Let no one despise us for our walk, appearance (looks) and behavior. Let us endeavor to portray the image of Christ in all that we do and are.

          Lastly, I would like to request you not to get upset with the elder who openly criticized you, but take it as a spiritual and loving admonition of a father figure. Please don't keep any bitterness, but be happy with the Lord. Please do not keep away from the assembly because it will not resolve any issues or problems at stake. But keep yourself in active fellowship with God's people. It will strengthen your spiritual life and not weaken it in any way.  You may prayerfully sacrifice your style of any sort for the sake of your brothers and for the happiness of those who love you in the Lord. (Please meditate on 1 Corinthians chapter 8 to learn about this principle)  


          Hope this discussion will help you to handle your concerns about culture, style, and open criticism spiritually and with expediency. 

THE TROUBLED MIND OF A YOUNG CHRISTIAN!

The Troubled Mind of a Youth



Among the many counseling mails I receive, the following was received from a 15-year old boy by the name Joe (name changed). Pertinent parts of his mail read as follows:

            Hi uncle,

            I am a high school student from a Christian family and am born again. I want to be baptized. But I feel that I am often faced with temptations by the devil. I am unable to control my thoughts and make it clean. Uncle, will you please give me some tips which I can follow to remove these temptations. I have nobody else to share this burden with. Please pray for me, uncle. I am much disturbed about the lack of victory in my Christian life.  
            Another thing: I try my best to send gospel messages to my friends, but I'm scared that the relationship between me and my friends will end because of this. Please pray for me. I am also praying.
            Please give me a reply soon, uncle.
            Bye uncle.
            Joe
            10th June 2016

MY RESPONSE

            Hello Dear Joe,

            Thank you so much for your kind mail. Thanks for writing about your burdens in your Christian life. I assure you that I shall prayerfully help you with some tips.

            I am glad you are thinking about speaking to your friends about Jesus. Negative fear always comes from the devil and your flesh and personality. Such fear is a technique used by the enemy of Gospel to keep you from being bold in speaking about your Savior. But if you trust Jesus and leave the consequences to Him, He will give you the boldness to speak to your friends about Jesus. Jesus will take care of the consequences of being bold. But you should be as loving as possible when you speak or send gospel messages to your friends and classmates. Please take care not to get into any argument while speaking. Whenever there is disagreement, make it "agree to disagree agreeably" and have peace. Keep the relationship going and continue to pray for them. God will work in their hearts and will bring about a change in them one of these days. Remember, you are the 'only Bible' they read and so be very careful the way you live among them, speak and behave. They will watch all of these in you and will evaluate you. Please be careful never to antagonize them so that they will be open to you.

            I am glad that you are desirous of getting baptized.  This is one of the earliest steps you should take in your Christian life to demonstrate that you love Jesus more than anything or anyone else in this world. When you have this desire, the enemy will try to pull you back. But you should refuse to be pulled back by any force. Prayerfully submit yourself to the Lord and ask Him to take control of your thought life and desires.

Whenever temptations come, do the following:

            1. Denounce it in the name of Jesus Christ and ask in prayer that it is removed from your thinking. Keep praying continuously, every day and at every opportunity (James 4:7; 1 Peter 5:8-9).
            2. Pray for strength to resist the devil (Matthew 7:7-11).
            3. Guard your eyes and ears against seeing or listening to anything that will try to tempt you (Job 31:1; Proverbs 4:23-27; Matthew 6:22; 1 John 2:16).
            4. Whenever there is a failure, confess it to the Lord and ask for forgiveness (1 John 2:1-2).
            5. Then thank God for the victory you experience each time (2 Corinthians 2:14).

            Joe, please remember, victory is never permanent in this life; it comes to us one step at a time. You can get victory over sin and thought life step by step and a day at a time. So live carefully and confess and repent each time you fall. You cannot stop temptation because it comes from the outside. But you can keep away from it and from all its entry points and be careful not to fall into it. Spend much time with the Lord in prayer and Bible study. These are ways to get victory over thought life. Also as much as possible, please don't be alone anywhere, but always be with others, like mom, dad, brother and Christian friends.

            Please note the following verses which will help strengthen your fight against sin and thought life. Study and meditate on these verses. The result will be amazing.

            1. Romans 6:12-14 (Submit our bodies and our whole being as instruments for God to use for His glory).
            2. Romans 13:14 (Make efforts not to make any provision for sin and wrong thoughts).
            3. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (We are not ours and we should allow God to do what He pleases only in our lives, thoughts, and bodies).
            4. 2 Corinthians 7:1 (Keep yourself cleansed through the reading of the Word, confession, and prayer).
            5. 2 Timothy 2:22 (Flee or run away from all circumstances which would prompt us to sin).
            6. 1 Peter 2:11 (Keep away from fleshly lust which tries to enter your mind).
            7. Philippians 4:8 (Think about sublime, noble and holy things all the time, as much as possible. Fill your heart and thoughts with it).
            8. 1 John 1:9; 2:1-2; Proverbs 28:13 (when you have a failure, confess your sins and ask for forgiveness. God will definitely forgive you).
            9. Romans 12:1-2 (Submit your body and mind to God during daily prayer. Live daily with this fact that your bodies are already submitted to God and that it is not right to take it back from Him).
            10. Psalms 119:11 (Spend much time in the Word of God - read, meditate, memorize and study).
            11. 2 Corinthians 3:18 (Look at Jesus by faith and be occupied with Him and things concerning Him).
            12. Proverbs 18:10 (Call on the name of the Lord in moments of fierce temptation).

            Please follow this pattern of life every day. Also, I recommend the following for you to consider and implement soonest possible:

1.      Have a QUIET TIME every day. Select and read a small portion and meditate and study that portion. God will speak to you from that portion to strengthen your spiritual life.

2.      Find a PRAYER PARTNER who is closely known to you. Perhaps it could be a friend or some other youth from the assembly or outside the assembly. Meet with him sometime during the week and spend some time in prayer together. This will strengthen your spiritual life.

3.      Along with the Bible, please read good CHRISTIAN BOOKS, like True Discipleship (By William MacDonald). I shall send you a set of books if you contact me (E-mail: )

            I hope all of these will help you in your Christian walk.  My recommendation is that you need not wait to decide about baptism. If you have the assurance of salvation, without the shadow of a doubt, please go ahead and get baptized. As you obey the Lord, He will give you the strength day by day to resist the devil and give you victory over your thought life and sins. Thus each day you will have a closer walk with the Lord.


            Dear Joe: Please write to me if you have further questions about any of the above or anything new. I will continue to remember you in my prayers that the Lord will protect you from all evil, strengthen you to resist the devil and sins in your thought life and take good care for you. Remember! There is victory waiting for you each day as you live that day in faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

ARE WE RIGHTEOUS PEOPLE?

THE RIGHTEOUS PEOPLE
  
Righteousness is a blessed experience with a lot of promises. It is amazing that the righteous God makes human beings righteous through the death of Jesus Christ on the cross of Calvary. Such righteous people are blessed with all the blessings of the heavenly places. They are given the experience of being seated in heaven. Proverbs chapter 10 talks about 12 special blessings for such people.

1.  They live with the satisfaction of their physical needs provided for and guaranteed (vs. 3)
2.  Their heads are crowned with heavenly gifts and favors (vs. 6)
3.  Their remembrance is a blessing in the life of others (vs. 7)
4.  Their utterances cause blessings to those who listen to them (vs. 11)
5.  Their earnings help them to live a life of satisfaction (vs. 16)
6.  Their expressions enrich others in life (vs. 21)
7.  Their desires in and for their God will be fulfilled and satisfied (vs. 24)
8.  Their foundations in life will be steady and sustained (vs. 25)
9.  Their hope and prospects will give them and others happiness (vs. 28)
10. They will not be shaken in all circumstances and situations (vs. 30)
11. Their oral communication is full of heavenly wisdom (vs. 31) 
12.Their speech is pleasing as it is full of God’s wisdom (vs. 32)


Let us today examine our lives to see if we have at least some measure of these blessings in our lives (2 Corinthians 13:5) and prayerfully rebuild our lives to exemplify righteousness. Our lives must give evidence for a righteous life so that others will be challenged to want to experience such a life.