There are certain virtues we should all purpose to develop in our lives.

Fortitude:

Virtues are behaviors, traits, qualities that if developed, will help us to live for God. One such behavior is fortitude. We don’t hear this word much, but it means a strength or firmness of mind, courage of soul which enables a person to encounter danger with coolness, bearing pain or adversity without murmuring, depression, or despondency. When someone has fortitude, it means that they have emotional power or reserves and the ability to withstand adversity.

Perseverance:

Fortitude is different from perseverance. Perseverance is continuing in a course of action without regard to discouragement, opposition, or previous failure; while fortitude is mental or emotional strength that enables courage in the face of adversity. This virtue developed becomes our habit that we can rely on to make our lives work — a life that works, a life that functions well.

Tenacity:

Fortitude can mean courage, bravery, valor, heroism. It can also mean endurance, tenacity. It is the ability to stay with a task in the midst of every conceivable discouragement and setback. When we develop this virtue, fortitude, it will cause us to serve God regardless of our circumstances — to not allow ourselves to become so discouraged we shrink back or turn away from God (Hebrews 10:38). God takes no pleasure in anyone who turns away.

So, let’s be people with the habit of expressing fortitude, and continue serving our Lord Jesus. It’s the willing and obedient who will eat the good of the land (Isaiah 1:19).

Just a thought,

PSS

When it comes to God and who He is, there are so many lies about Him out there.

Be a doer of the word:

One might say, Doing the word of God is too hard. The truth is, God wouldn’t tell us to do something if we couldn’t do it. What makes it hard is at times we don’t want to do certain things the Bible says we should do. The Bible teaches: We can do all things through Christ Jesus who strengthens us. To be a true follower of Christ, we must learn and then practice scripture.

I’m-OK deception:

So many want God to do something while they sit back and do nothing. It doesn’t work that way. God gave us His word (Bible) to practice it, to do it. It’s the doers of the word who are blessed. Those who hear it and do it are blessed. Those who hear it and don’t do it are deceived. Too many think they can ignore God, do what they think is right, and be OK. The truth is, you’re not OK. It’s called disobedience. It’s the willing-to-obey crowd that is blessed (Isa. 1:19).

Father knows best:

We all must learn God’s word is not up for negotiation. God knows what is best for His creation. His ways and thoughts are higher than our ways and thoughts. This is the truth. This is what we all must learn in order to serve Him. Once we do, we will find we do have the strength to overcome and get through any situation we may face in life.

God wants to help us, but we must do things His way. Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life.

Just a thought,

PSS

The Bible teaches: Where there is strife, there is every evil work (James 3:16).

Beginning:

It is so easy for us to be drawn into wrong desires by the pressures and lies of even well-meaning Christians. Strife is defined as: angry or bitter disagreement over fundamental issues; conflict. If you allow strife into your lives, the works of the flesh will begin to be manifested in your lives.

Middle:

You will be against something more than you are for something. Jealousy, envy will be at work in your life that will cause the Holy Spirit to be grieved in your life. So, we can’t allow strife into our lives. Don’t allow anyone to destroy your joy and peace because they have an issue with something or someone.

End:

Life is way too short to allow strife into your life. Cut it off, whatever the source of it is. I won’t allow strife into my life at all because it is so destructive it ruins people. It leads to gossip, slander of someone or something. When strife begins to work in you, stop it. Say, No I’m not going to listen to whatever people are saying. And if you do, go and find out the other side. Strife cannot survive truth. Strife wants to hide in the dark. Bring whatever the issue is into the light, and allow truth to set you free.

Strife will only hurt your life — don’t allow it ever!

Just a thought,

PSS

Daniel 6:3 (KJ21) — Then this Daniel was preferred above the presidents and princes, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king thought to set him over the whole realm.

Frenemies:

Excellent is defined as: extremely good, outstanding, extraordinary, pre-eminent. When you begin to excel, you will find that people, coworkers, may look for ways to hold you back and tear you down. How should you deal with those who cheer at your failure and even try to cause it to happen?

Holiness:

Conduct your life above reproach. That doesn’t mean perfectly — it simply means you will have nothing to hide. You work hard and produce. You purpose to live a life that would be hard to criticize. You may get criticized for your faith, but not because of the way you act or work. Learn to walk and live according to the word of God — in holiness, living a moral and pure life, serving the Lord in a way that pleases Him, separating yourself for His service.

Purpose:

An excellent spirit is purposing to live a life honoring God, purposing to do things right, not the good-enough attitude. You work hard and purpose to be outstanding or extremely good. It’s becoming more and more difficult to find people who possess an excellent spirit about them. But we can all strive to be better, do better, and live better.

Let’s live a life with excellence.

Just a thought,

PSS

As we serve the Lord, there are a few things I believe we have to learn.

Must-haves:

Jesus said, If you want to be my disciple, you must, by comparison, hate everyone else — your father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters — yes, even your own life. Otherwise, you cannot be my disciple (Luke 14:26). Jesus is teaching His ways, His word. Pleasing Him must be the number one priority in our lives, over everything else. If not, we cannot be His disciple.

Self-will:

In Matthew 7:21-23, Jesus speaks of those who do what they want, what they think is best, instead of what He wants them to do, what He says is best. They are self-willed instead of God-willed. We must learn to be obedient to God’s ways, His word. That is what He desires. So many miss out on His blessings, His help, because they do what they think is best, instead of what He asks. It’s so sad to me to watch this.

God-will:

If we would simply learn it’s not what we want, it is what He wills, we would all be living the abundant life Jesus came to give us. In order to affect the lost, see them saved, we must let them see us becoming successful, living victorious lives. They are watching how we handle setbacks in our lives.

If you really want the blessings of God, do what He asks (John 14:21).

Just a thought,

PSS