The apostle Paul challenged the Corinthians to, “Examine yourselves to see if your faith is genuine. Test yourselves” (2 Cor 13:5; NLT). Again, in Galatians 6:3-5 and Romans 12:3, Paul challenged us to be honest and realistic concerning where we are at in our walk with God. King David is a good example for us all of humility and a desire to be all God wanted him to be. He appealed to God to, “Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me and know my anxieties; And see if there is any wicked way in me and lead me in the way everlasting” (Ps 139:23-24; NKJV). This is a good prayer for us today. We need to turn away from the things of the world that hold our attention and dictate out actions and focus on the things of God that bring true life and purpose (Col 3:1-2). Paul exhorted us to, “Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure” (Phil 2:12-13; NKJV, see also Phil 1:6). As we spend time in God’s word, the Holy Spirit in us will reveal the amazing, blessed life and ministry that God has for us all (1 Cor 2:9-11). Time in the word builds our faith (Rom 10:17), to allow the transforming power of the Holy Spirit to change us to become more like Jesus (2 Cor 3:18). At our life’s end on this earth, we like Paul, will be able to truly say, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith” (2 Tim 4:7; NKJV).

“For I, the Lord your God, will hold your right hand, saying to you, “Fear not, I will help you”” (Isa 41:13; NKJV; see also Isa 41:10). I love the idea of God holding our hands and telling us not to be afraid because He will help us. There are so many places in the Bible where God tells us He is with us and will help us through difficult times (Ps 34:19). In Psalm 23 we learn that we don’t need to fear evil because God is with us and will comfort us. Isaiah 43:2 is also very comforting, “when you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you” (NKJV). The disciples were caught in a terrible storm on lake Galilee, but Jesus told them not to be afraid and said, “I am here” (Matt 14:27). The apostle Paul experienced great trials in life, many of them are listed in 2 Corinthians 11:24-29 and Romans 8:35,36. Paul’s response to his trials is interesting, “In all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us” (Rom 8:37; NKJV) and “I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared to the glory which shall be revealed in us” (Rom 8:18; NKJV). Hallelujah! When you go through challenges always remember that God goes with you and will never leave you (Heb 13:5), in fact, as a Christian, He is in you (Col 1:27)!

“And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near” (Hebr 10:25; NLT). In Hebrews 10:24-25, we in the church are told to call each other on in attendance, love and caring for each other. The church is to be the: “pillar and foundation of the truth” (1 Tim 3:15b; NLT). An important part of our church leaders caring role is to build us up in faith, unity and knowledge of God’s word so we can become more and more like Christ (Eph 4:11-13; NKJV). Leaders are to shepherd or care for the church (1 Peter 5:2; Acts 20:28). As in the early church (Acts 2:42; NKJV) we should also experience a beautiful, caring fellowship (Greek koinonia) with each other. This is more than just social events but a deep spiritual union with God and each other as we focus on his word and prayer together. We should love one another as Christ loves us (John 13:43-35; Rom 12:9-10); this love and caring must be demonstrated: “Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other, let us show the truth by our actions” (1 John 3:18; NLT). The apostle Paul encouraged us to look out: “for the interests of others” (Phil 2:4; NKJV) and even seek the good of others before our own (1 Cor 10:24). We are all called to be servants (Gal 5:13; Matt 23;11). A strong, caring church will impact the world around us. I believe that’s God's desire.

In the Old Testament we read how Jacob stole his brother Esau’s birthright and father’s blessing (Gen 25:29-34; 27:1-40). Later In Genesis is the account of how Jacob wrestled all night with the angel of God (Gen 32:24-30). The angel asked Jacob what his name was and to his discomfort he had to admit it was Jacob which means supplanter, schemer and swindler. However, the angel told Jacob that his name was to be changed to “Israel” which means, “one who struggled with God and prevailed”; the angel blessed Jacob. Jacob’s change of name to Israel marked a significant transformation in his life and character from supplanter to the first person to bear the name of God’s people, Israel. Praise God that we as Christians have not had to wrestle with God. However, think about it, when we asked Jesus into our lives as Lord and Saviour (Rom 10:9-10) we experienced a more significant transformation in our lives than Jacob did. We were spiritually born again (John 3:3,5-7) transformed from sinner to child of God (Eph 2:1; John 1:12), forgiven of all our sins, past, present and future (1 John 1:8-10), delivered from satan’s darkness into God’s kingdom of light (Col 1:13-14), and given abundant life (John 10:10b) to be God’s witnesses on this earth (Mark 16:15-18). More than this, God gave us His word in our Bibles to show us how to walk in all God has for us and the Holy Spirit (2 Cor 1:22) to empower us to do it.