This is a photo of one of the two existing slabs of stone that were used as warning markers in Herod's temple in 1st-century Jerusalem. The inscription on them is engraved in Latin and Greek, warning foreign visitors not to go beyond the court of the Gentiles into the inner temple areas.
The inscription reads: "No alien may enter within the balustrade around the sanctuary and the enclosure. Whoever is caught, on himself shall be put blame for the death which will ensue.”
Those who qualified to travel past these markers, deeper into the Jewish temple, could proceed into a forecourt area, up 14 stairs, into the Court of Women. Only males could travel further, through the Nicanor Gate into a special court where the men could bring their sacrifices to the priests. The priests were separated from those bringing sacrifices by a short flight of steps. Beyond that was a thick, heavy veil hiding the most exclusive room of all. Only one specially selected person from the tribe of Levi qualified to enter the Holy of Holies.
Jesus would have seen these same markers and all of the separation...and yet the Son of God gave everybody access to Himself. The Holy of Holies was now walking among Jews and Gentiles, men and women, young and old, rich and poor. He was not hidden from any of them. They could see Him with their own eyes. It is no accident that the veil covering the Holy of Holies was torn in two, from top to bottom, on the afternoon when Jesus died.
In the days in which we live, there is still so much division and separation. However, Jesus is still here to heal those divisions... "there is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Jesus Christ." (Galatians 3:28). May we be Christ's ambassadors and help bring peace to our divided world. (2 Corinthians 5:18).

WHAT IS DEATH?

Death is the separation of man's mortal body and immortal soul. It comes to all men as a result of original sin. It is a temporary state, for at the end of the world, all men shall rise again to be judged by Christ. Thus the whole man, body and soul, will be rewarded for the good or evil that he has done, body and soul, in this life.

At the moment of death, each human person is judged by God based on his conduct in this life, and goes immediately to his reward or punishment. Moreover, at the end of the world, Jesus Christ will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead. At that time, God's whole plan for the world shall be revealed, and his mercy and justice demonstrated.

Heaven Will Be Worth the Wait

There is a day coming for every child of God when faith will become sight, hope will become reality, and the long journey home will finally be over. Whatever trials we endure in this present life, whatever tears we shed, whatever prayers seem to wait unanswered, there is a glorious promise before us: Heaven will be worth the wait.

The Bible does not describe eternity as an endless existence floating upon clouds. It presents something far greater—a restored creation, the presence of God, the glory of Jesus Christ, the resurrection of our bodies, the reunion of God’s people, and a world where sin, suffering, death, and sorrow are gone forever.

The Greatest Gift: We Will See Jesus

Above everything else, Heaven is glorious because Jesus will be there.

Paul wrote that to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord (2 Corinthians 5:8). Jesus Himself promised His disciples:

“I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.”
—John 14:3, KJV

Imagine that moment.

The One whom we have trusted without seeing, we will finally see face to face. The One whose name we have worshiped, whose Word we have believed, and whose grace has carried us through our darkest days will stand before us in glory.

The Apostle John tells us:

“We shall see him as he is.”
—1 John 3:2

Every question about faith will be answered by His presence. Every doubt will disappear. Every struggle will seem small compared with the glory of being with Christ.

Jesus is not merely the One who gets us to Heaven.

Jesus is the treasure of Heaven.

We Will See Our Loved Ones Again

For those who have died in Christ, death is not the final goodbye.

The Christian hope is resurrection.

Paul comforted believers who were grieving their departed loved ones, telling them that Christians should not grieve “even as others which have no hope” (1 Thessalonians 4:13). He then described the great day when Christ returns and the dead in Christ are raised.

“And so shall we ever be with the Lord.”
—1 Thessalonians 4:17

What a promise.

The Christian does not believe that death permanently destroys the relationships God has given us. We look forward to the resurrection and the gathering together of God’s people in the presence of Christ.

Can we imagine embracing a loved one again—without sickness, without separation, without the fear that another goodbye is coming?

The reunion will not be marked by hospitals, funerals, tears, or graves.

It will be life.

And it will be eternal.

No More Death, Sorrow, or Pain

Perhaps one of the most beautiful promises concerning eternity is found in Revelation:

“And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain.”
—Revelation 21:4

Think about everything that causes us grief in this present world.

There will be no more death.

No more funeral services.

No more cancer wards.

No more broken hearts.

No more loneliness.

No more betrayal.

No more fear.

No more sin.

No more crying ourselves to sleep.

God Himself will wipe away the tears.

The hands that created the universe will personally comfort His children.

The New Heaven and the New Earth

Scripture points beyond simply going to Heaven. God’s ultimate plan is the renewal of creation.

John saw:

“a new heaven and a new earth.”
—Revelation 21:1

The Christian hope is not ultimately an escape from God’s creation but the redemption and renewal of creation.

Peter likewise speaks of looking for:

“new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.”
—2 Peter 3:13

Imagine a world where righteousness dwells completely.

No corruption.

No injustice.

No violence.

No exploitation.

No pollution.

No decay.

No sin.

Everything will finally exist as God intended it to exist.

The curse will be gone, and creation itself will be brought into glorious freedom.

The New Jerusalem

And then Scripture gives us one of the most breathtaking visions in all of the Bible—the New Jerusalem.

John saw the holy city descending from Heaven:

“And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.”
—Revelation 21:2

The description is magnificent: gates of pearl, foundations adorned with precious stones, streets of pure gold, and the glory of God illuminating the city.

But even these incredible descriptions point toward something greater.

God Himself will dwell with His people.

Revelation says:

“Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them.”
—Revelation 21:3

The greatest beauty of the New Jerusalem will not be its gold.

It will not be its gates.

It will not be its walls.

It will be the presence of God.

And there will be no temple in the city, because:

“the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it.”
—Revelation 21:22

The Lamb is Jesus Christ.

The One who died for us will be at the center of eternity.

We Will Finally Understand

There are things we cannot understand now.

There are prayers we do not understand.

There are disappointments whose purpose remains hidden.

There are losses that still hurt.

There are seasons when we wonder why God allowed something to happen.

But Heaven will bring clarity.

Paul wrote:

“For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face.”
—1 Corinthians 13:12

One day we will see clearly.

We will understand that God never abandoned His children.

We will understand the meaning of grace.

We will understand the purpose of perseverance.

And perhaps many things that caused us to weep on earth will appear completely different when viewed from eternity.

Heaven Will Make This Journey Worth It

Paul, who suffered imprisonment, persecution, beatings, rejection, hunger, danger, and hardship, wrote:

“For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.”
—Romans 8:18

That is an extraordinary statement.

Paul was not saying that suffering is insignificant.

He was saying that future glory is infinitely greater.

Whatever you are facing today, it will not last forever.

The sickness will not last forever.

The grief will not last forever.

The struggle against sin will not last forever.

The tears will not last forever.

This present age is not the end of the story.

There is a resurrection coming.

There is a Kingdom coming.

There is a New Jerusalem coming.

There is a new heaven and a new earth coming.

And, most importantly, Jesus is coming.

Keep Going

Sometimes the Christian life feels long.

Sometimes the road is difficult.

Sometimes faith feels like walking through darkness while holding onto a promise.

But keep going.

Keep trusting Christ.

Keep praying.

Keep believing.

Keep your eyes on eternity.

The writer of Hebrews tells us to run the race with endurance, “looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith” (Hebrews 12:1–2).

The finish line is closer than it has ever been.

And when we finally cross it, we will discover that every sacrifice made for Christ was worth it.

Every prayer was worth it.

Every act of obedience was worth it.

Every tear was worth it.

Every moment when we chose Christ over the world was worth it.

Because on the other side of this life is not emptiness.

There is glory.

There is resurrection.

There is reunion.

There is righteousness.

There is the New Jerusalem.

There is the new heaven and the new earth.

And there is Jesus.

The Best Is Yet to Come

Christian, do not let the temporary darkness of this world make you forget the eternal light that is coming.

Jesus promised to prepare a place for His people.

He promised to return.

He promised resurrection.

God promised to make all things new.

And John heard the voice from the throne proclaim:

“Behold, I make all things new.”
—Revelation 21:5

One day, the journey will be over.

One day, faith will become sight.

One day, we will stand in the presence of the One who loved us enough to die for us.

One day, we will see those who have gone before us in Christ.

One day, there will be no more graves to visit because death will be gone.

One day, there will be no more tears to shed because God Himself will wipe them away.

One day, we will enter the fullness of the inheritance Christ purchased for us.

And when that day comes, we will understand something with absolute certainty:

Heaven was worth the wait.

Until then, keep your eyes upon Jesus.

The road may be difficult.

The night may be long.

But morning is coming.

Christ is coming.

And for those who belong to Him, the best is yet to come.

“Even so, come, Lord Jesus.”
—Revelation 22:20

Guidelines for living.
August 19th, 2026

God is as Close as Your Need

The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Psalm 19:1



Anyone who has ever looked up at the stars on a dark night has, at times, been awe-struck by their vastness and the greatness of space, yet only twelve men in all history have been privileged to stand on the moon and look back towards the blue planet, as Earth has described. Standing on the surface of the moon, the Earth is some 229,000 plus miles away, and, according to Jim Irwin, one of the 12 astronauts who saw it from that perspective, the Earth appears to be the size of a walnut.

It takes a second and a half for light to reach us from the moon. Accordingly, astronomers refer to heavenly bodies as being light-years away. Now, a light year is the distance it takes light to travel in 365 days at the speed of 186,282 miles per second.

Our closest star, excluding the sun, is Alpha Centauri: 26 trillion miles away. It’s five times the sun; it takes 4.5 light years for light to reach us even from the closest star.

Very quickly the vastness of God’s creation begins to challenge our minds and comprehension—too great to fathom. So, how can the human mind handle all of this when we are accustomed to measuring distance in terms of miles or kilometers from our home?

Now, imagine the thickness of a single sheet of paper and conceptualize that sheet of paper as representing the distance from the Earth to the sun, 93 million miles away. The distance to Alpha Centauri, the closest star, would be represented by the thickness of a stack of paper 71 feet high, or the height of a seven-story building. The diameter of our galaxy alone would be a pile of paper 310 miles high. Again, that’s based on the fact that the thickness of a single sheet of paper would represent the distance between the Earth and the sun.

On several occasions, Jim Irwin, one of the 12 astronauts, was our guest at Guidelines. Before I did an interview with him, we had lunch with several friends at a nearby restaurant. While he was away from the table making a phone call, I told the waitress serving us who he was. When Jim came back to the table, the waitress kept peering out of the corner of her eye.

But honestly, having experienced what Colonel James Irwin experienced separated him from the masses of humanity who stand on Earth and look up at the moon and the stars. One thing that impressed me about Jim is that his perspective of Earth, as well as of space and God, was different from most people. Why? He’d been there! He saw it from a different perspective, and for him life would never be the same.

Robert Louis Stevenson, the poet, put it so beautifully when he wrote,

The stars shine over the mountains,

The stars shine over the sea,

The stars look up to the mighty God,

The stars look down on me,

The stars shall last for a million years,

A million years and a day,

But God and I will live and love

When the stars have passed away.”1

God is not “out there” somewhere. He’s as close as your need. He will reveal something of that personal care for you as you turn to Him and trust Him. He’s the God who cares, as well as the God, the Creator—which you can discover for yourself. Friend, get to know God. That’s the secret to life.


Resource Reading: Psalm 19:1-14

Ellen G. White
It is the lying wonders of the devil that will take the world captive, and he will cause fire to come down from heaven in the sight of men. He is to work miracles, and this wonderful, miracle-working power is to sweep in the whole world.—Selected Messages 2:51 (1890). – {LDE 167.3}

Satan will come in to deceive if possible the very elect. He claims to be Christ, and he is coming in, pretending to be the great medical missionary. He will cause fire to come down from heaven in the sight of men to prove that he is God.—Medical Ministry, 87, 88 (1903). – {LDE 167.4}

It is stated in the Word that the enemy will work through his agents who have departed from the faith, and they will seemingly work miracles, even to the bringing down of fire out of heaven in the sight of men.—Selected Messages 2:54 (1907). – {LDE 167.5}

Daily Bible Lesson.
THE DANGER OF A HALF GOSPEL

"For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God." — Acts 20:27 (KJV)

There is a burden on my heart that I cannot remain silent about.

The greatest deception in Christianity is not always an outright denial of Christ—it is the preaching of another gospel that leaves out the whole counsel of God. A gospel that emphasizes only what people want to hear while neglecting what God has commanded is not the gospel entrusted to the apostles.

Many today preach messages such as:

- "Any day is your Sabbath."
- "Christ is our Sabbath, so the seventh-day Sabbath no longer matters."
- "We are no longer under the law."
- "The Ten Commandments are no longer binding."
- "The Ten Commandments were only for the Jews."
- "Since we are under the New Covenant, God's law no longer matters."
- "Grace means obedience is optional."

These teachings often comfort people in their sins instead of calling them to repentance, faith, and obedience. They present a Christ who saves from the penalty of sin while ignoring that He also saves from the power of sin.

Jesus Himself said:

«"If ye love me, keep my commandments." — John 14:15»

The apostle Paul declared:

«"Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law." — Romans 3:31»

Grace is never a license to continue in disobedience.

«"For the grace of God that bringeth salvation... teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world." — Titus 2:11–12»

The true gospel is far more than prosperity, miracles, healing, or motivational speeches. Those things may have their place, but they are not the sum of the gospel.

The gospel proclaims Christ crucified, risen, and ministering for His people. It calls sinners to repentance, faith, holiness, obedience, and complete surrender to God.

Scripture plainly says:

«"Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord." — Hebrews 12:14»

When churches preach only pleasant messages and avoid the parts of God's Word that call for repentance and obedience, they leave people spiritually unprepared. A message that never confronts sin cannot produce genuine holiness.

The Bible repeatedly warns believers to test every doctrine.

«"Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God." — 1 John 4:1»

«"Though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you... let him be accursed." — Galatians 1:8–9»

Do not build your hope of salvation on popular opinions, human traditions, or teachings that set aside the clear commandments of God. Build your faith upon the whole Word of God.

The gospel is not merely about feeling better—it is about becoming new in Christ.

The call of Scripture is not comfort in sin, but victory over sin through Jesus Christ.

Study the Bible for yourself. Test every doctrine by Scripture. Hold fast to the truth, and follow Christ wherever He leads.

"Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth." — John 17:17

Be warned. Eternity is too important to entrust to a half gospel.

Daily Devotional.
Be kind and tenderhearted.

Be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you. Ephesians 4:32

Let the tenderness and mercy that Jesus has revealed in His own precious life be an example to us of the manner in which we should treat our fellow beings.... Many have fainted and become discouraged in the great struggle of life, whom one word of kindly cheer and courage would have strengthened to overcome.... We cannot tell how far reaching may be our tender words of kindness, our Christ-like efforts to lighten some burden. The erring can be restored in no other way than in the spirit of meekness, gentleness, and tender love.

In all your transactions with your fellow men never forget that you are dealing with God’s property. Be kind; be pitiful; be courteous. Respect God’s purchased possession. Treat one another with tenderness and courtesy.

If you have enmity, suspicion, envy, and jealousy in your hearts, you have a work to do to make these things right. Confess your sins; come into harmony with your brethren. Speak well of them. Throw out no unfavorable hints, no suggestions that will awaken distrust in the minds of others. Guard their reputation as sacredly as you would have them guard yours; love them as you would be loved of Jesus.

The grace of God leads men to place themselves in all their business transactions in the place of those with whom they are dealing. It leads men to look not only on their own things but also on the things of others. It leads them to reveal tenderness, sympathy, and kindness. Cherishing a right spirit, living a holy life—this is what being Christlike means....

Let your life be controlled by the wide, generous principles of the Bible, the principles of good will, kindness, and courtesy. [236]

Matthew 20:17-34

Jesus was always clear that He demands it all from us if we are to follow Him. And during this journey of miracles, feedings and teaching Jesus again warns them of the fact that when they arrive in Jerusalem that He would be handed over to be killed.

Now what the disciples were thinking I can't tell you. Maybe they thought that if they ignored it long enough it just won't happen. Maybe they thought this was another parable they didn't understand fully, yet. But they were too scared to ask.

He told them He would be raised on the third day but that good news didn't really get through their heads. Because to accept the good part they had to mentally accept the bad part. A ‘raising from the dead’ can't be done before the death part comes.

And it is in this context I believe that James and John’s mothers’ prayer for her sons was answered. Her prayer? That it would be her sons seated at Jesus’ left and right hands in the Kingdom. No doubt being the Jewish mother of all mothers she wanted her boys on the leadership council when He takes his Kingdom. She wanted them to be preeminent amongst all the disciples and Jesus is horrified at the request because he knows what it will mean for them and her.

She was thinking they would be powerful, Jesus knew it would cost their lives. Are you able to drink the cup I am about to drink? He asked, are you able and willing to die for this position? And they affirmed it. And that is the point that God made these two men the effective book ends for the Martyrdom that would claim the lives of all apostles.

James was the first Apostle to die.

Acts 12:1-2
[1] Now about that time Herod the king laid hands on some who belonged to the church, to do them harm. [2] And he had James the brother of John executed with a sword.

Herod was insane, but he was a people pleaser and when the church began making inroads into Jewish life and James’ death marks the beginning of the effort that led to the continued persecution of the church and the death of the apostles.

After James’ death, the enemy used the one tactic that would continually fail throughout history, persecution. Yes, some solid Christian leaders fell to the violence, but persecution always spurred on mighty works of the Spirit which grew the church. The one strategy the enemy believed would discourage the church became the catalyst for rapid expansion of Christianity worldwide.

And it was encompassed by these Bookends of Martyrdom, James and John. A position their mother believed would be an honor to them not realizing that honor would claim their lives as James became the first and John the last to give their lives for Him.

Think of the reception in Heaven when these young men arrived. Their arrival is a victory celebration in eternity while those who believed they were in the right for killing them celebrated here, temporarily. And now they suffer eternally.

Be careful mothers about what you pray for. You may end up getting it. The passage ends with healing blind men on their way. And amongst his warning of His impending death, His followers' fates and a prayer for a blessing she didn't fully comprehend Jesus has compassion and heals them.




[17] As Jesus was about to go up to Jerusalem, He took the twelve disciples aside by themselves, and on the road He said to them, [18] “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be handed over to the chief priests and scribes, and they will condemn Him to death, [19] and they will hand Him over to the Gentiles to mock and flog and crucify, and on the third day He will be raised up.” [20] Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came to Jesus with her sons, bowing down and making a request of Him. [21] And He said to her, “What do you desire?” She *said to Him, “Say that in Your kingdom these two sons of mine shall sit, one at Your right, and one at Your left.” [22] But Jesus replied, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink?” They *said to Him, “We are able.” [23] He *said to them, “My cup you shall drink; but to sit at My right and at My left is not Mine to give, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared by My Father.” [24] And after hearing this, the other ten disciples became indignant with the two brothers. [25] But Jesus called them to Himself and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles domineer over them, and those in high position exercise authority over them. [26] It is not this way among you, but whoever wants to become prominent among you shall be your servant, [27] and whoever desires to be first among you shall be your slave; [28] just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.” [29] As they were leaving Jericho, a large crowd followed Him. [30] And two people who were blind, sitting by the road, hearing that Jesus was passing by, cried out, “Lord, have mercy on us, Son of David!” [31] But the crowd sternly warned them to be quiet; yet they cried out all the more, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!” [32] And Jesus stopped and called them, and said, “What do you want Me to do for you?” [33] They *said to Him, “Lord, we want our eyes to be opened.” [34] Moved with compassion, Jesus touched their eyes; and immediately they regained their sight and followed Him.

FAITH THAT PLEASES GOD
Believe, Come, and Diligently Seek Him

Key Scripture:
“But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” — Hebrews 11:6 (KJV)

Thought Of The Day...
There are many things we desire from God—healing, provision, direction, protection, restoration, peace, deliverance, and breakthrough. But Hebrews 11:6 turns our attention from what we want God to do for us to what pleases God.
And Scripture gives us the answer:
FAITH PLEASES GOD.
Not perfect circumstances.
Not having every answer.
Not knowing how everything will work out.
Faith.
Faith says, “God, I may not understand what You are doing, but I still believe You.”

• WITHOUT FAITH IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO PLEASE GOD
The Scripture does not say it is difficult to please God without faith. It says:
“Without faith it is impossible to please him.”
Why is faith so important?
Because faith reveals where our confidence rests.
When everything is going well, it can be easy to say, “I trust God.” But genuine faith is revealed when the diagnosis is uncertain, the money is tight, the family is struggling, the door has not opened, the prayer has not yet been answered, and you cannot see what God is doing.
Faith says:
“Even here, I trust You.”
Job declared:
“Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him.” — Job 13:15 (KJV)
There will be seasons when you cannot trace God's hand. But you can still trust His heart.
Your circumstances may change, but God has not changed.

• YOU MUST BELIEVE THAT GOD IS!
Hebrews says:
“…he that cometh to God must believe that he is…”
Before believing God for something, we must believe God is.
He is God when you understand Him.
He is God when you don't.
He is God when the door opens.
He is still God when the door closes.
He is God when the answer comes immediately.
He is still God when He makes you wait.
Sometimes our faith becomes focused primarily on God's gifts: “Lord, give me this. Lord, change that. Lord, open this door.”
But mature faith says:
“Lord, even if You don't give me what I requested when I requested it, I still want You.”
Remember the three Hebrew men standing before the fiery furnace:
“Our God whom we serve is able to deliver us…” — Daniel 3:17 (KJV)
But then they declared:
“But if not… we will not serve thy gods…” — Daniel 3:18 (KJV)
That's powerful faith.
God can.
God is able.
I believe God will.
But even if He chooses another way, HE IS STILL GOD!

• FAITH COMES TO GOD
Notice the wording:
“…he that cometh to God…”
Faith doesn't run away from God during trouble.
Faith runs toward God.
When you're hurting—come.
When you're confused—come.
When you're disappointed—come.
When you're weary—come.
When you've made mistakes—come.
When you don't know what tomorrow holds—COME TO GOD!
David said:
“When my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I.” — Psalm 61:2 (KJV)
Your feelings may tell you to withdraw.
Your disappointment may tell you God has forgotten you.
Your circumstances may tell you prayer isn't working.
But faith says:
“I'm going back into His presence.”

• DILIGENT FAITH DOESN'T QUIT SEEKING!
The verse concludes:
“…he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”
There is a difference between casually seeking God and diligently seeking God.
Diligence means persistence.
It means you keep praying.
You keep believing.
You keep worshiping.
You keep reading His Word.
You keep serving.
You keep showing up.
You keep trusting God even when nothing appears to be changing.
Jesus taught:
“Men ought always to pray, and not to faint.” — Luke 18:1 (KJV)
Some answers require faith that refuses to quit.
You prayed yesterday?
Pray again.
You worshiped yesterday?
Worship again.
You believed yesterday?
Believe again today.
Don't allow God's silence to convince you that God is absent.
Silence does not mean abandonment.
Waiting does not mean denial.
Delay does not mean God has forgotten you.

• GOD REWARDS THOSE WHO SEEK HIM!
God promises that He is:
“…a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”
But we must understand the greatest reward of seeking God.
The greatest reward is not merely receiving something from His hand—it is experiencing more of His presence.
Sometimes the reward is an open door.
Sometimes it is healing.
Sometimes it is provision.
Sometimes it is restoration.
But sometimes the reward is strength to endure what God has not yet removed.
Paul prayed three times for his thorn to be removed, but God's response was:
“My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.” — 2 Corinthians 12:9 (KJV)
Paul asked for removal.
God gave him sustaining grace.
Never limit God's reward to one particular answer.
Sometimes God changes the situation.
Sometimes God changes you while you're walking through the situation.
Either way, God remains faithful.
DON'T STOP BELIEVING!
Perhaps you have been praying about something for a long time.
You've asked.
You've waited.
You've cried.
You've prayed again.
And you're wondering:
“God, when will You answer me?”
Hebrews 11:6 speaks directly into that season:
KEEP BELIEVING.
KEEP COMING.
KEEP SEEKING.
KEEP TRUSTING.
Your faith is not wasted.
Your prayers are not wasted.
Your worship is not wasted.
Your obedience is not wasted.
God sees every moment you choose faith instead of fear.
“For we walk by faith, not by sight.” — 2 Corinthians 5:7 (KJV)
You don't need to see everything God is doing to believe God is still working.

PRAYER...
Heavenly Father,
We come before You today declaring that You are God, and besides You there is none other.
Lord, increase our faith.
When we cannot see the way, help us trust You.
When we don't understand what You're doing, help us trust You.
When our prayers seem unanswered, help us trust You.
When our bodies are hurting, our finances are strained, our families are struggling, our hearts are heavy, and our minds are weary—help us trust You!
Father, forgive us for the times we allowed fear to speak louder than faith.
Forgive us for the times we doubted Your goodness because we could not understand Your plan.
Today we declare:
YOU ARE STILL GOD!
We believe that You are.
We believe You are faithful.
We believe You are able.
We believe You are our Provider.
We believe You are our Healer.
We believe You are our Deliverer.
We believe You are our Keeper.
And we believe You are a rewarder of those who diligently seek You.
So we will seek You when life is good, and we will seek You when life is difficult.
We will seek You when doors open, and we will seek You when doors close.
We will seek You when we understand, and we will seek You when we don't.
Give us faith that refuses to quit.
Let our lives declare:
“I DON'T HAVE TO SEE IT TO BELIEVE IT, BECAUSE I KNOW THE GOD IN WHOM I HAVE BELIEVED!”
We trust Your timing.
We trust Your wisdom.
We trust Your Word.
We trust Your plan.
And most importantly, we trust You.
In the mighty, matchless, powerful name of Jesus Christ, we pray.
Amen and Amen!

DECLARATION OF FAITH...
Today I declare:
I WILL WALK BY FAITH AND NOT BY SIGHT!
I believe God is.
I believe God can.
I believe God is able.
I believe God is faithful.
I will not allow what I see to cancel what God has spoken.
I will diligently seek Him.
I will keep praying.
I will keep worshiping.
I will keep trusting.
I will keep believing.
And even while I am waiting, MY FAITH WILL STILL PLEASE GOD!
BELIEVE. COME. SEEK. TRUST.
GOD IS STILL FAITHFUL!
“But without faith it is impossible to please him…” — Hebrews 11:6 (KJV)

THE HARD TRUTH ABOUT DISCIPLESHIP

“So you cannot become my disciple without giving up everything you own.” —Luke 14:33

It has been said, “There are only two tragedies in life: one is not getting what one wants, and the other is getting it.”

This statement reminds me of the account in Matthew 19 of the rich young man who came to Jesus seeking answers. Here was a man who, of all men, should have been content and fulfilled. He had great influence and affluence. Yet despite all his accomplishments, there was something missing in his life. He asked, “Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?” (verse 16 NLT).

“‘Why ask me about what is good?’ Jesus replied. ‘There is only One who is good. But to answer your question—if you want to receive eternal life, keep the commandments’” (verse 17 NLT). Jesus was not implying that by keeping the Ten Commandments, a person would be saved. Rather, Jesus held the Ten Commandments up as a mirror to show this man his sin.

“‘I’ve obeyed all these commandments,’ the young man replied. ‘What else must I do?’” (verse 20 NLT).

I think Jesus probably smiled at this. He saw what this man was really all about. So, He took it up a notch and said, “If you want to be perfect, go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me” (verse 21 NLT).

Verse 22 says, “But when the young man heard this, he went away sad, for he had many possessions” (NLT).

Jesus knew the problem with this young man was that possessions had possessed his soul. But Jesus just as easily could have said something completely different to someone else. What is really holding someone back from Christ and from further spiritual progress can vary from person to person.

Jesus revealed the hard truth about discipleship in Luke 14:33: “So you cannot become my disciple without giving up everything you own” (NLT). Nothing should be more valuable, more precious, or more important to us than our relationship with Christ.

Jesus drives this point home further in Luke 14:26–27. “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. And if you do not carry your own cross and follow me, you cannot be my disciple” (NLT). Nothing should ever be more important to us than our walk with Christ.

That’s why it’s a good idea to regularly come before Jesus and ask, “Lord, is there anything in my life that is getting in the way of my relationship with You?” We must be willing to do what the rich young man would not and sacrifice anything that gets in the way of our spiritual growth.

God bless you!