Work out (cultivate, carry out to the goal, and fully complete) your own salvation with reverence and awe and trembling (self-distrust, with serious caution, tenderness of conscience, watchfulness against temptation, timidly shrinking from whatever might offend God and discredit the name of Christ). Philippians 2:12 (AMPC)  Have you ever started a project that you didn’t fully complete?  Let’s say a man wants to repaint his car. He gets it primed, but then he stops there and drives it around like that for the next few years. He’s so close to being finished, but he just doesn’t take that one extra step!   Well, the Bible is saying that a lot of Christians haven’t fully completed their salvation. No wonder they struggle! We all need to enthusiastically …

Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. Matthew 7:24 (NLT)  We often think that God sends us the storms of life—pain, tragedy and heartache—to make us stronger. But is it true?  In Matthew 7, Jesus told a parable about two houses: one built on the rock and one on the sand. When a storm hit, the one on the sand was destroyed, but the one on the rock remained. Let me ask you a question. What built strength into that house on the rock to cause it to stand? Did the storm strengthen the house? Did the sky rain down concrete to secure the foundation? Did the wind drive the nails …

And all of us, as with unveiled face, [because we] continued to behold [in the Word of God] as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are constantly being transfigured into His very own image in ever increasing splendor and from one degree of glory to another; [for this comes] from the Lord [Who is] the Spirit. 2 Corinthians 3:18 (AMPC)  Christians often become fixated with trying to find their unique destiny—their one true calling in life. Although it’s true that you have unique God-given gifts and abilities and that He has an individualized plan for your life, you have to be careful. These are not your primary focus.  You haven’t been called to a position. Your destiny is to be like Jesus.  If …

And just as we have borne the image [of the man] of dust, so shall we and so let us also bear the image [of the Man] of heaven. 1 Corinthians 15:49 (AMPC)  Change isn’t everyone’s favourite thing. In fact, some people need to be dragged, kicking and screaming, through change. Others simply won’t change, and they don’t like things to change around them.  The problem is that God is calling every one of us to go to new seasons in life, and this involves change.  How do you know when you need to change? Well, are you breathing? We all need to continually change throughout our lives! At times you might start to feel dissatisfied with life if you haven’t changed in a while. …

We are assured and know that [God being a partner in their labor] all things work together and are [fitting into a plan] for good to and for those who love God and are called according to [His] design and purpose. For those whom He foreknew [of whom He was aware and loved beforehand], He also destined from the beginning. Romans 8:28 (AMPC)  You are called by God, according to His design and purpose. He destined you from the beginning. But destined you for what? Are you destined to be a hero? A person of high position? Someone special by the world’s standards? Maybe you will be recognized that way, but that’s not what today’s verse is talking about. In fact, the verse that follows …