Church Minute

Overview of the Old Testament - Part Two

The living Sovereign LORD God’s story of salvation continues with the books of Samuel, which describes Israel (Jacob) rejecting Him as King and establishing Saul as Israel’s first king. Saul proved to be an unfaithful king, so the Sovereign LORD God rejected Saul as king and chose His faithful servant David from the tribe of Judah as king to reign in Jerusalem (Zion), followed by his son Solomon as king of Israel. David’s son Solomon built the Jerusalem Temple that transformed Jerusalem into the divine residence of the Sovereign LORD God. However, Israel’s united kingdom under David and Solomon became divided into two kingdoms after Solomon’s death because of Solomon’s unfaithfulness to the Sovereign LORD God. The divided kingdom existed from 930 to 586 BC with ten tribes of Israel living in northern Israel and two tribes living in southern Israel, now known as Judah. Evil leaders ruled Israel’s ten northern tribes; however, Judah in the south had some good leaders who followed David’s faithfulness to the Sovereign LORD God, such as Hezekiah and Josiah. However, Israel and Judah walked increasingly in rebellion and evil toward the living Sovereign LORD God and His covenant given at Mount Sinai (Horeb). The Sovereign LORD God empowered many holy prophets (messengers) such as Elijah, Elisha, and Jeremiah to call Israel and Judah to wholeheartedly turn from their evildoing and rebellion and return to Him with love, faithfulness, and obedience. Because of their continual sinfulness, the Sovereign LORD God used the Assyrians to destroy and scatter Israel and their ten tribes in 722 BC, and then He used Nebuchadnezzar and the Babylonians to destroy Judah and Solomon’s Temple in Jerusalem in 586 BC, leading to the 70-year Exile of God’s people from the Promised Land of Israel-Palestine. After 586 BC, the people of God were no longer ruled by a king but by foreign powers, including the Persians, the Greeks, and the Romans. However, the Sovereign LORD God, full of mercy and grace, used Cyrus of Persia to defeat the Babylonians in 539 BC. The Persians allowed God’s people, now known as Jews, to return to their homeland in Israel-Palestine to rebuild the Jerusalem Temple (Second Temple) in 516/515 BC and the Jerusalem wall in 444 BC under the leadership of Zerubbabel, Haggai, Zechariah, Ezra, and Nehemiah. Despite Israel and Judah’s destruction, the holy prophets of God began to comfort God’s people with a message of restoration and hope with the coming of a Righteous Servant-Branch from King David’s family line that would be King of Israel and lead Israel and all nations as Savior and Ruler. This hope of a new King came with Christ Jesus as the Messiah-King. Thus, the grand story of God’s salvation moves from the Garden of Eden with the original sin, the story of Abraham and his sons, Isaac and Jacob, David and Solomon, into the New Testament. God’s salvation story, handwritten on scrolls, was written in Hebrew and Aramaic and later translated into Greek with the Septuagint (Greek version of the Old Testament Scriptures) and confirmed by the ancient Dead Sea Scrolls discovered in 1947. 

Overview of the Old Testament - Part One

The living Sovereign LORD God’s plan of salvation and redemption begins in the Old Testament with events that divinely occurred in the Middle East with Israel-Palestine, Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Turkey, and Iraq. The 39 books of the Old Testament-often called the Hebrew Bible-are important to understanding God’s plan of salvation that would come through His Son, Jesus the Messiah (Christ, Anointed One). The Old Testament is divided into three sections:  the Law of God (the first five books of the Holy Bible, often called the Pentateuch or Torah), the Prophets, and the Psalms. The story of salvation begins in Genesis with the divine creation of the heavens and earth and ends in the New Testament book of Revelation with the coming of the new heavens and earth. Genesis explains the origin of human sin in Genesis 3 with Adam and Eve’s disobedience in the Garden of Eden, and then God’s redemptive plan to save humanity through faith in the Seed of a woman and the Seed of Abraham-Christ Jesus our Lord and Savior. Genesis chapters 1 through 11 give the story of the Sovereign LORD God’s creation of the world, Adam and Eve’s rebellion and the Great Fall of humanity leading to a world dominated by violence and corruption resulting in the Great Flood and God’s salvation with Noah and his family then onward (through Noah’s son Shem) to Abraham. Genesis chapters 12 through 50 focus on the calling of Abraham (chapters 12-24), his sons Isaac and Jacob (chapters 25-36), and Jacob’s son Joseph in Egypt with the salvation of many nations (chapters 37-50) foreshadowing the greater blessings through Christ Jesus our Savior. Moses’s birth and death frame the books of Exodus through Deuteronomy. These books describe Jacob’s sons (the Twelve Tribes of Israel) living in Egyptian slavery and then Almighty God’s salvation of Israel by grace from slavery with signs and wonders (Exodus chapters 1-18), then the giving of the Law of God at Mount Sinai (Ten Commandments) (Exodus chapters 19-24) so Israel will be a holy nation in covenant with God, and then the building of Tabernacle (Exodus chapters 25-40). The Passover in Exodus 12 and the lamb of salvation foreshadows the coming Christ Jesus’s Passover in the New Testament as the perfect Passover Lamb of God. The book of Leviticus discusses how Israel can maintain holiness with God with atonement and holy living. Then, Israel’s journey from Mount Sinai to the land of Canaan is recorded in the book of Numbers, which also records Israel’s lack of trust and faith in the Sovereign LORD God and their subsequent punishment. Deuteronomy records Moses giving Israel the Law of God to a new generation of Israel with a covenant renewal as they prepare to enter the Promised Land (Israel-Palestine) under the leadership of Joshua. Joshua brought Israel safely into the Promised Land of God (Joshua chapters 1-24) with the help of the Commander of God’s Army leading the way. After Joshua’s death, the book of Judges describes Israel entering into a period of moral and spiritual darkness as they disobeyed God’s Mount Sinai covenant resulting in Israel’s enemies defeating them until the Sovereign LORD God brought Spirit-filled leaders called judges to lead Israel to defeat their enemies.

History of Salvation - Old Testament

The Holy Bible is the living Sovereign LORD God’s love story of salvation for ALL humankind. Salvation means deliverance and redemption from Satan’s sin and its consequence brought about by our repentance with faithfulness and obedience to the Sovereign LORD God and His Son, Christ Jesus. The story of God’s salvation starts with the Old Testament. Everything written in the Old Testament points to Christ Jesus our Savior, encouraging everyone to remain faithful to the Sovereign LORD God. The Old Testament begins with the Sovereign LORD God’s creation of a world of goodness with His Son Jesus and the Holy Spirit. Genesis chapters 3 through 11 describe the rebellion of Adam and Eve causing the Original Sin (Great Fall), then the violence and corruption of Noah’s generation leading to the Great Flood, and humankind’s pride to reach heaven at the Tower of Babel leading to the shattering of humans throughout the earth. Then, the story of salvation begins with the Sovereign LORD God calling Abraham and His sons Isaac, Jacob (Israel), and Joseph to bring His message of salvation and blessings through faith in Him. Then, Jacob’s twelve sons-the tribes of Israel come to live in Egypt and succumb to Egyptian slavery. The Sovereign LORD God led Israel by His grace out of Egyptian slavery through His servant Moses and brought Israel to Mount Sinai by giving His Law so they could become a holy nation and His priesthood to the world. Then, Joshua led Israel into the Promised Land of God (Israel-Palestine). After Joshua’s death, Israel was ruled by various Spirit-filled judges until the prophet Samuel anointed Saul as Israel’s first king and followed by Israel’s greatest kings-King David and his son Solomon. Solomon built Israel’s first Temple. After David and Solomon’s deaths, Israel was divided into two kingdoms-Israel in the north with 10 tribes and Judah in the south with two tribes. Many different kings and one queen ruled the northern kingdom of Israel, and all of Israel’s leaders were evil. The southern kingdom of Israel (Judah) had several good kings who followed the holy ways of God, like King David, such as Jehoshaphat, Hezekiah, and Josiah. The Sovereign LORD God anointed many prophets, including Elijah and Elisha, calling Israel and Judah to return to Him wholeheartedly, faithfully, and obedient. However, Israel and her sister Judah continued their rebellion against the Sovereign LORD God until 722 BC when the Sovereign LORD God called the Assyrians to destroy Israel and then called the Babylonians in 586 BC to destroy Jerusalem, Judah, and Solomon’s Temple. However, Israel had hope of salvation when the Sovereign LORD God allowed Israel to return to her homeland of Israel-Palestine to rebuild the Temple and Jerusalem wall and the hope of the Messiah coming from King David’s family to bring salvation to the world. The New Testament writers announce that the Messiah (Anointed One) came in Christ Jesus, our Lord and Savior of the world.

God's Amazing Grace

The Holy Bible defines grace as the Sovereign LORD God’s kindness, unmerited favor, forgiveness, goodness, blessings, salvation, and eternal love. The essence of the Holy Trinity (Triune) of God - the Sovereign LORD God, His Son Christ Jesus our Lord, and the Holy Spirit of God - means grace and peace. Grace is a good gift from God. The Holy Bible speaks of the Sovereign LORD God coming and giving His amazing grace, forgiveness, and mercy to Jacob (Israel), Israel’s children in Exodus, the prodigal sons, Apostle Paul, and many others, not because of any righteous act nor ritual but when they were dead in Satan’s darkness and bondage. The Good News (Gospel) is the message of the Sovereign LORD God’s amazing grace and love for all people by sending His Son Christ Jesus to bring salvation (healing) and a new spiritual life through faith in Him and His Son Christ Jesus as Lord and Savior. Those who have experienced the Sovereign LORD God’s amazing grace, salvation, and forgiveness receive the Holy Spirit of God with new hearts, equipping, strengthening, and transforming them to live holy lives and producing good fruits of righteousness and love within their lives and hearts. The Sovereign LORD God empowers believers in Jesus to walk with Him by humble faith from their whole hearts and live blameless lives filled with honesty, decency, and integrity. Christ Jesus declared in His teaching that living a life of mercy, forgiveness, goodness, humility, generosity, faith, and love for one another leads to God’s blessings and grace. Everyone can access the Sovereign LORD God’s abundant grace and mercy through our repentance (turning from Satan) with faith and obedience to Him and His Son, Christ Jesus as Lord and Savior. The Sovereign LORD God gives His abundant grace, favor, and inheritance to those who repent and turn from evildoing and live and walk with Him by faith in truth and goodness with a humble spirit. The New Testament writers encouraged believers of Jesus to continue living in God’s grace with obedience to Him and never abuse God’s grace with Satan’s dark living. 

Miracles

The Holy Bible is filled with miracles, including Israel’s exodus from Egyptian slavery and deliverance at the Red Sea, the miracles of Joshua, David versus Goliath, and the prophets Elijah and Elisha, the miraculous birth and resurrection of Christ Jesus, and the numerous miracles and wonders of Jesus and His true disciples. Miracles are extraordinary and supernatural events declaring the power and divine work of the Sovereign LORD God and His Kingdom into the human affairs of the world. Signs and wonders” are often defined and associated with miracles in the Holy Bible. Also, there are individuals with the divine gift of miracles given by the Holy Spirit of God to help strengthen, edify, and encourage the church of Jesus. Miracles are for God’s glory. However, miracles are NOT magic, but they are connected to the Sovereign LORD God’s providence - the protective care of God (fate, destiny, or divine intervention). The Sovereign LORD God can perform miracles and wonders as He controls and governs all aspects of life in the heavens and earth. The Holy Bible teaches that the Sovereign LORD God makes the rain fall, causes the grass to grow, and holds all things by His word and power. Satan and his lawless workers of darkness also perform miracles, signs, and false wonders for money, pride, and fame to take people away from the loving Sovereign LORD God Almighty and His abundant grace and goodness. Christ Jesus taught that everyone can recognize these lying demons of Satan by their bad fruit and evil deeds of darkness. The Sovereign LORD God and His Son Christ Jesus are greater, mighty, and more powerful than Satan and his evil workers of darkness. Everyone can access the Sovereign LORD God’s miracles of grace through our humble prayers, seeking Him with our wholehearted belief and faith in His goodness and grace found in Christ Jesus our Lord. Nothing is impossible nor too hard for God.

Who Is God

The Holy Bible states that there is ONE true and living God of heaven and earth, and He is the Sovereign LORD God and Holy Father of Christ Jesus our Lord, who is our Mediator and Peacemaker with God. The Sovereign LORD God is King of the Universe, and He is ONE with this Son, Christ Jesus and the Holy Spirit of God. There are many names for the Sovereign LORD God in the Holy Bible, including Adonai, El Shaddai (God Almighty), Elohim, and the Holy One. The essence of God’s Name is Yahweh or Jehovah - translated as the LORD, meaning “the I AM WHO I AM” or “I AM the Existing One,” and He is the Father of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob filled with unending love, mercy, forgiveness, and justice. The eternal Sovereign LORD God like His Son Christ Jesus is the First and Last - Alpha and Omega. Every one who loves and trusts the Sovereign LORD God is known by Him. The living Sovereign LORD God reigns and rules the world, and we can always trust in Him as our loving provider, shield, and helper. However, an idol is nothing in the world because an idol represents no real god and possesses no power, and we must NEVER worship an idol or any other god. The all-knowing Sovereign LORD God is our good and faithful Heavenly Father, and He and His Son Christ Jesus are our Savior and Creator of the heavens, the earth, the sea, and all living things that live in them - our life. The heavens and earth reveal the Sovereign LORD God’s existence and power as our merciful Redeemer, Savior, and LORD of Heaven’s Armies (Sabaoth). Finally, the Holy Bible states that everyone must love and trust but also fear the all-wise Sovereign LORD God with all our hearts, souls, minds, and strength as He is the King of the Universe. Let the whole earth seek and worship the Sovereign LORD God and love Him first with our hearts, and also love one another because love and goodness strengthen the church of Christ and the world. 

Salvation and Holiness

The Gospel message of Jesus is the righteousness and goodness of God that brings everyone salvation and holiness from heaven. Salvation has many different meanings, but biblical salvation means redemption, deliverance, or lifeline from Satan’s evildoing and its consequences. Our salvation and holiness that brings new Kingdom life from heaven come to everyone through our repentance with faith and obedience to the living Sovereign LORD God and His Son, Christ Jesus, as our Lord and Savior. The Sovereign LORD God and His Son Christ Jesus are our Savior. Everyone who repents and turns from Satan’s evildoing, confesses wholehearted faith to the Sovereign LORD God and His Son, Christ Jesus as Lord and Savior, and believes in God’s grace through Christ Jesus’s death and resurrection for their sinfulness will be declared righteous and saved. The Holy Bible declares that everyone is saved and delivered from Satan’s wrath, condemnation, and eternal death by living and walking in continual faithfulness and obedience to the Sovereign LORD God and His Son, Christ Jesus as Lord. Our salvation through repentance with faith and obedience to Christ Jesus includes forgiveness of all our past sinfulness and evildoing, present deliverance from Satan’s dark living and our holiness (sanctification) into a new life from heaven, and future glorification when Christ Jesus returns from heaven in the Glory Cloud of God.
 
Biblical salvation requires humility with repentance and turning from Satan’s dark and evil living, which leads to depression, despair, and death. Believers of Jesus must no longer follow Satan’s lies, hatred, lawlessness, adultery, and greed but instead produce the fruit of righteousness and goodness in the world for God’s glory. Here is the Good News:  the Sovereign LORD God through His Son Christ Jesus sends the Holy Spirit of God as our Helper and Guide to live inside our hearts and minds. The Trinity of God - God the Father, God the Son Jesus, and God the Holy Spirit are all involved in our salvation, justification (righteousness), and holiness (sanctification). As our Helper and Guide, the Holy Spirit empowers and strengthens believers in Jesus to produce good and righteous fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control toward others in the world for God’s glory. In other words, the Holy Spirit of God is living inside the hearts and minds of believers of Jesus, empowering us to live in obedience to the Sovereign LORD God and practice righteousness with holiness so we no longer walk in Satan’s dark and evil living.

Living Your Best Life

Our faith and belief in Christ Jesus as our Lord and Savior gives everyone a fresh start and new beginnings with a new heart. As believers in Christ, we have been given a new nature and new birth from heaven by the Holy Spirit of God. With these new beginnings, we become believers in Jesus, Jesus’ disciples, and importantly citizens and family members inside God’s Kingdom. 
 
As Kingdom citizens, Jesus calls believers in Him to walk faithfully and obediently to Him and His Holy Father - the Sovereign LORD God of heaven and earth with truth, humility, gentleness, patience, peace, goodness, and importantly love towards one another. Daily, believers of Jesus must turn away and flee from Satan’s dark and sinful living filled with lies, stealing, greed, hatred, witchcraft, sexual sins, anger, filthy talk, crime, and drunkenness, as such dark living removes us from the living Sovereign LORD God’s abundant grace and blessings and brings God’s wrath. Also, these dark and evil deeds were part of our old self before our faith and obedience in Christ Jesus as our Lord. Believers of Jesus must walk in the newness of life with Christ Jesus as Lord with the Holy Spirit as our Helper and Guide so we can live our best life now on earth and for all eternity with joy and peace. Living our best lives means walking and living each day with love and obedience to the Sovereign LORD God and His Son Christ Jesus and love, goodness, patience, kindness, and forgiveness towards one another, even our enemies. Also, living our best lives means being good to our spouses and children, the best workers at our jobs, and good neighbors in our communities. Our Kingdom's deeds of goodness and love shine the light of God for God’s glory and bring God’s grace and blessings into our lives. 
Finally, Christ Jesus has given believers in Him spiritual weapons and the armor of God to defeat Satan and his evil attacks so we can live our best life. As believers in Christ Jesus, we have truth, goodness (righteousness), peace, faith, God’s Word, salvation (victory), and prayer we can use daily to defeat Satan’s spiritual and physical attacks so we can live our best life now on earth and for all eternity. These spiritual weapons and the armor of God strengthen believers in Jesus with strength and power by the Holy Spirit of God living inside our hearts and minds through our continual faithfulness and obedience to Christ Jesus as Lord and Savior. Let everyone live their best life with Jesus!

In Christ

In Christ Jesus, the living Sovereign LORD God of heaven and earth blesses everyone with blessings and grace through our repentance of sins with faithfulness and obedience to His Son, Christ Jesus as our Lord and Savior. In Christ means we become united, baptized, and reconciled with Christ Jesus and His Holy Father as One by the Holy Spirit of God. In Christ Jesus, the Sovereign LORD God of heaven and earth has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places. Through our faithfulness and obedience to Christ Jesus, we are 
 
Adopted into the Kingdom family of God as Jesus’s co-heirs, Jesus’ fellow brothers and sisters, and Abraham’s seed with Abraham’s blessings. 
Loved by the Sovereign LORD God of heaven and earth.
Saved from Satan’s condemnation, darkness, depression, disease, and death. 
Receive the Holy Spirit of God with an inpouring of God’s love into our hearts and our outpouring of God’s fruits of the Holy Spirit - fruits of righteousness. 
Rebirth and renewal from heaven by God’s Holy Spirit so you are reborn and renewed with a new heart and new life. In other words, you are a new creation!
Declared holy and sanctified by the washing and cleansing of God’s Holy Spirit. In other words, you are a saint with God’s seal of approval!
Redeemed and declared righteous and no longer guilty of Satan’s sinfulness.
Become wise with heavenly wisdom. In other words, you become smarter!
Forgiven of sins and healed. 
Victorious and made more than conquerors with spiritual weapons of warfare.
Access to God’s abundant grace and mercy for help during the time of need.
Spiritual gifts for service in God’s Kingdom to serve Jesus and help others. 
 
All these blessings and gifts in Christ require our repentance by turning from Satan’s lies, dark living, and evildoing and turning by faith with a heart of obedience to the Sovereign LORD God and His Son Christ Jesus. Repentance with faithfulness and obedience to the Sovereign LORD God and His Son Jesus are the keys to a blessed life! Here is the Good News… the Holy Spirit of God is God’s Helper that comes inside our hearts to help and strengthen us to walk faithfully with obedience in Christ. Let everyone come to and live in Christ Jesus by faith and obedience and receive all these heavenly blessings!
 
Grace and peace to you from God our Holy Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Savior. Romans 1:7
Have a blessed day and blessed week in Jesus!

Real Faith

Real Faith
Life is filled with good and wonderful days of joy and fun but also trials and tribulations. Romans 5:3-5; James 1:2-4. 
Life has highs and lows, ups and downs as taught in the wisdom literature in the book of Job and Ecclesiastes. Ecclesiastes 3:1-8. 
Everyone stumbles and falls in life, including the rich and poor.
The Holy Bible instructs us to be patient, persevere, and endure hardships and difficulties, knowing that patience and continual faithfulness to the Sovereign LORD God, like Job, lead to the Sovereign LORD God’s blessings. Matthew 5:10-12; Job 42:1-17; James 5:7-11.
One God 
One God existing as God the Father, God the Son - Jesus, and God the Spirit. Matthew 3:16-17; Matthew 28:19; 1 Corinthians 12:4-6; 2 Corinthians 13:14; Ephesians 1:2-13; Ephesians 4:4-6; Titus 3:4-6. 
Living Sovereign LORD God of heaven and earth, who is the Holy Father of Christ Jesus our Lord. Deuteronomy 6:4-6; 1 Corinthians 8:4, 6.
One with Son - Christ Jesus and the Holy Spirit of God. John 10:30, 36-38.
Love and worship the true and living God of heaven and earth. Exodus 20:3-5; Matthew 22:37.  
Repentance
Repentance brings healing and life. Ezekiel 18:23, 32. 
Jesus, all the Old Testament prophets, and Jesus’s apostles taught repentance. (Matthew 3:2; Matthew 4:17).
Count your blessings and each joy.
We can always count on the living Sovereign LORD God of heaven and earth when we need wisdom and guidance by seeking Him and looking up to heaven in prayer and wholehearted faith. Matthew 7:7-11; Mark 11:23-24; James 1:5-6.
Sovereign LORD God is filled with blessings and goodness from heaven as we humbly and faithfully follow Him. John 3:27; James 1:17.
Crown of Life. 
Sovereign LORD God promises His blessings, grace, crown of life, and glory if we faithfully and humbly walk with Him daily. Matthew 6:1-21, 33; 1 Corinthians 9:25; 2 Timothy 4:8; James 1:12; 1 Peter 5:4.
Sovereign LORD God gives His abundant grace to those who are humble and trust in Him by faith and obedience. James 4:6, 10.
Draw near the Sovereign LORD God, and He will come to you with His goodness and light. Isaiah 1:16; James 4:8.
Sovereign LORD God is good and gracious to everyone - the least and the greatest of these who come to Him by faith and obedience. Matthew 20:1-16.
Flee Evildoing
Walking and following Satan’s evil and dark ways lead to death and destruction. Romans 5:15; Romans 6:23; James 1:12-15.
Flee the evils and temptations of Satan. Isaiah 1:16. 
Lay aside and turn away from all Satan’s wickedness and darkness. James 1:21; James 4:7. 
Satan’s selfishness and greed lead to wars, fights, murder, and quarrels. James 4:1-4.
Riches and fame are only temporary and can lead to misery and despair if obtained by lying, cheating, and hurting others. James 5:1-6.
Obedience as Doers of God’s Word
Christ Jesus has commanded everyone to obey Him and His Holy Father’s teaching and words. Matthew 7:15-23; Luke 8:21; John 14:15-17.
Good deeds towards others with kindness lead to God’s blessings from heaven. James 1:22-27.
Our daily conduct, actions, and behavior matter in the eyes of the Sovereign LORD God because He wants everyone to live and produce the righteous fruit of His Kingdom - love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, and self-control and not the evil deeds of Satan’s evil and dark kingdom of division, selfishness, and hatred. Romans 12:1-15:33; 1 Corinthians 13:1-13; Galatians 5:19-23; Colossians 3:12-15. 
Christ Jesus has called everyone to good and faithful service as Kingdom citizens for His Holy Father’s glory. Matthew 25:14-30; Luke 19:11-27.
Loving others equally and never hating or discriminating against others, whether rich or poor, black or white. James 2:1-8
Mercy and fairness toward others are what Jesus demands of all people. Matthew 5:8; Matthew 7:12; Matthew 9:13; Matthew 12:7; Matthew 22:34-40; Matthew 23:23; Luke 11:42; James 2:13; cf. Leviticus 19:18.
Caring and sharing for others. James 2:12-26; 1 John 3:17-18.
Our goodness towards others shines God’s light in the world for His glory. Matthew 5:14-16.
Everyone is justified and declared right or righteous before the Sovereign LORD God by our good deeds and works. James 2:24-26. 
According to the New Testament book of James, faith without good works and good deeds is dead faith. James 2:26. 
Our good deeds and good works done in humble service reveal our divine wisdom. Galatians 6:7-10; James 3:13.
Let us all aim to do good deeds towards others for God’s glory and praise. Proverbs 3:27; Romans 12:9-14, 21; 1 Corinthians 10:31; Titus 3:8, 14.
True wisdom comes from goodness and helping others, not selfishness, envy, self-indulgence, and greed. James 3:13-16.
Fruits of righteousness…. Peace, love, mercy, truth, and humility. James 3:17-18.
Our Words 
Use your words and tongues wisely to encourage and uplift others and yourself, not speak evil of one another. James 4:11.
Our words can bring poison, death, life, hope, blessing, and curses. Matthew 12:36-37; Matthew 15:11, 18; James 3:6-10.
Continual Prayer
We must pray daily and seek the Sovereign LORD God as our loving Heavenly Father for all our daily needs, good health, and life’s enjoyment. Matthew 6:9-13; Luke 11:1-13; James 5:13-18.
Pray with persistence. James 5:17-18.
Pray without ceasing. Matthew 7:7-11; Luke 18:1; Ephesians 6:18; 1 Thessalonians 5:17.
In our daily prayers, we must continually lean upon and trust in the Sovereign LORD God. 
Our loving and good Heavenly Father knows what we need, so we can always trust and depend on Him for all our needs. Matthew 6:8, 32.
When praying, confess your sins, always forgive, and not have hate and unforgiveness in your hearts. Matthew 6:14-15; James 5:16.
We must also pray for one another. James 5:16.
Love One Another
Above all, we should continue to love the Sovereign LORD God and one another as Christ Jesus commanded. Matthew 22:34-40; John 15:12, 17; 1 Peter 4:8.
Our love for one another reveals we are Jesus’s disciples - true Christians. John 13:34-35; 1 John 3:23; 1 John 4:7-8, 11-12, 19-21.