Where Do You Find Glory? Everyone wants to know that they are significant and that their life matters. We innately look for “glory” in our lives through popularity, status, material belongs, etc. As a Christian, we are to glorify God, and in doing so, we find our value and worth to God. John 12: 12-31 (HCSB)

Malachi 3 is often used as the text for tithing. However, as Bro. Mike points out, this text was written during Nehemiah’s time to Israelites who were still under the Mosiac Law. Malachi was chastising them because the tithe was supposed to be used to support the Levite priests and the priests were out working in the fields because the Israelites were not tithing. It is important when looking at Old Testament laws to look at what the New Testament says about them. Giving for today’s Christians, according to the New Testament, looks very different from the tithe of the Old Testament. Giving is an exhibition of faith, not a requirement of law for the believer. Malachi 3 (HCSB)

On the judgement day, God will separate the goats and the sheep. Which group will you fall into? Are you a sheep, a follower of Christ? Or are you a goat, a discontented, contrary individual who has never turned their life over to God. How do you become a sheep? Repent. God warns us to repent or we will perish. He warns us because He wants us to be prepared and ready when our last day on earth comes. (Luke 13: 1-5, Matthew 25: 31-46 HCSB)

Sometimes we get weary and discouraged, but God wants us to stay in the race. In Hebrews, we read about how Christ endured the cross, endured hostility, and resisted sin. He stayed in the race and because He did, we can have the gift of salvation. (Hebrews 12: 1-3, 7 NKJV)

In the book, Lessons From a Sheep Dog, Phillip Keller discusses how he begins to train Lass, his rescue collie, with simple one word commands and rewards. As Lass begins to trust and obey Phillip, he moves on to harder commands and hand signals. Lass’s response becomes one of joy at pleasing and serving her master and dog and master become friends. God also works with us to build a relationship of trust and obedience. As we become obedient in small simple ways, God begins to give us more difficult tasks to build our trust in Him and to build our relationship with Him. God calls us “friends” and reveals His will for our lives as we build this relationship with Him. (John 15: 14-15 NKJV)

Brother Mike continues his series about Lass, the sheep dog, and his master. As Lass learns to trust and respond to his master’s touch, so we must also learn to trust and respond to God. (1 John 4:19)

Few have heard the tale of the Dragon of Christmas. It is not normally a Christmas story. Brother Mike brings this important story to us to help us in our daily struggle to stand fast in our faith and not compromise our faith. (Revelation 12: 1-7 NKJV)