Your life, the life of a child in the womb, the life of a handicapped person, and the life of an elderly human being all have struggles and imperfections – But God is rich in mercy.

So, what is meant by the term “thankfulness?” Politeness? Toleration of the undesirable? A forced smile? Satisfying one with gratitude to get what you want? The Bible says that thankfulness is…

Think about it. God can see where I cannot. God knows everything. He has no limit to His power. He is even perfect in wisdom. God has made my life the target of His love. God desires for my joy to be full. So, why not follow God’s will? Do you know what we reveal about ourselves when we follow God’s will?

Do you feel like you’ve been struggling physically, mentally, & even financially? Do you feel like you are going backwards spiritually? Ask yourself this question: What kind of emphasis has the Bible had in your heart and mind over the last month?

You and I may know in our hearts what the key to a successful life is, but if it is not true in our own lives, we will fail. For knowing it and practicing it are two different things!

Somehow, we make ourselves believe that we have the right to choose our own way over God’s clearly stated commands. So, what is the answer to our struggling obedience? What ought to serve as our motivation for choosing to obey God?

Abiding in Christ is not optional for the believer – it is as vital as breathing is for life! Abiding is so vital because my bearing fruit is so vital. When I choose not to abide in Christ, I will choose to abide in something else. I MUST abide in Christ.

The purging presses me to God the Father, greater relationship with the Father is realized, and greater depth in times of prayer are revealed. The Lord kindly shows us the end of the path to show us the importance of the beginning of the path. That difficult time you face is not necessarily God’s wrath, perhaps it is His love in purging you to bear more fruit!

Are you merely caught in the trappings of Christianity without genuine relationship “in Christ?” Can I say without question that you have eternal life and forgiveness of sin based on what the Bible says? Or am are you just playing church…fulfilling an obligation…adding more good works to your chart of life? What does the Bible say is the real answer?