“Romans 14:1: Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations.” We should reach out in friendship to those weak in the faith. They may have a desire to live a good religious life and we who are strong should deal tenderly with those that are weak. I think this also means to not have divisions. “Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. 1 Corinthians 1:10”. “We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Romans 15:1”. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is for everyone. That is why the Bible says God is no respecter of persons. God deals with every one of His children tenderly and with love. The only way to please God is to have faith in Him. It is through faith and God’s grace we are saved. Amen

“Amos 3:7: Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.” Throughout history God has spoken to us through the prophets. Now God speaks to us through His Word (the Bible), Father, Son and the Holy Spirit. “Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; – Hebrews 1:2”. God spoke to us in the Bible by the prophets and still speaks to us today. “For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. – 2 Peter 1:21”. Amen

“1 Corinthians 1:18: For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.” When we are saved we hold the Gospel as dear to us and trust God. However, to the unbelieving oftentimes the Gospel of Christ dying and rising from the dead for our sins may be seen as foolishness. To a Christian Jesus is God, salvation is given through the cross, Jesus rose from the dead and we believe this. I think it’s God that opens our hearts to believe in Him and to escape the things of the world. Praise God through Jesus Christ for salvation. Amen

“Colossians 1:16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him.” Jesus created the heavens and the earth. “Genesis 1:1–2 In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.” Nothing was made without Jesus. He is before all things. John 8:58, ““Truly, truly, I tell you,” Jesus declared, “before Abraham was born, I am!”. “I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made… – Psalms 139:14”. The Bible also teaches that both men and women were created after the image of God. Adam and Eve sinned when they ate of the tree of life but through Jesus Christ we are forgiven and promised eternal life. Amen

“But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me. – Micah 7:7”. At times the people of God had to wait upon Him. Jesus came as the Messiah and restored our relationship to God. Jesus will come back sometime soon and take His people with Him. “Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 1 Thessalonians 4:17”. Everyone will see Jesus return to earth according to The Book of Revelation, “Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen. Revelation 1:7”. The Bible also teaches us that Jesus will return in the same way He left. Acts 1:11 says, “Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.”. “For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. Romans 15:4”. We have the word of God known as Scripture so that we can have hope in Jesus and believe in Him for salvation. God is our comfort and guide. Amen.

“Revelation 1:6: And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.” What does this mean? It means we were once sinners separated from God but have now become a part of the royal priesthood (or body) of Christ. We were once in bondage to sin but now we worship God. We are a kingdom of priests. Back in the Old Testament days animal sacrifices were offered on behalf of the people. Now with Jesus’ sacrifice Christ is the lamb of God and the only way to be joined to God. We were once stuck in sin but now we are cleansed by the blood of Jesus. Ephesians 2:2, 5 remind us that once we were followers of the prince of the power of the air—Satan—but our merciful and loving God made us alive together with Christ. John is telling us that we now offer praise to God for uniting us to Him. God has all praise, glory and dominion. Amen

“For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. 2 Peter 1:21”. What does this mean? God’s word is inspired and came forth through His inspiration. “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 2 Timothy 3:16”. This is important to me because I can go and dig into scripture and through it God speaks to me. God has proven the authority of His word through various prophecies such as the coming of the Messiah which was Jesus (who died & rose from the dead). For example, Malachi chapter 3:1 prophecies of a messenger who will prepare the way of the Lord. That prophecy was fulfilled through John the Baptist who declared the coming of the Lord. The Good News is that God still speaks to us today through the Bible. God loves us and can guide us as we trust in Him. Amen

“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Ephesians 6:12”. What does this mean? Well, it can teach us that while our faith is tested God is with us. Many times it can be a spirit battle. For example King David was often tested and it resulted in Him having to rely more on God. In the same way when I’m tested I find that I have to seek more after God. An example of this is discussed in 1 Samuel 17:1-58 where David has to fight against a Giant named Goliath, in the same way there are also big battles for me to overcome in my life. God proved to David that He was able to do all things for those who are obedient to His call. The story of David and Goliath is amazing because David defeats a Giant with a small sling shot which causes him to win the battle against him. This led to a great victory for the Israelites against the Philistines.

The story of David and Goliath is an allegory of my life because I too often have big battles to overcome. Sometimes my faith is tested such as when I lose a loved one or get stressed out. God has proved to me over and over again that just as he was there to help David overcome the battle He is also there for me in my life to help me to overcome all things that I am going through. I see this as a great example of God’s love and grace and it encourages me to continue to overcome the battle of life with strength.
After reading the verses about David and Goliath it can be seen as a great example of the power of God and the fact that He is victorious and able to take us from the very darkest of times and draw us closer to Him.

“If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. 1 Corinthians 15:19” We who believe and know the truth profess that Christ has risen from the dead. If Christ had not risen from the dead our beliefs would be a waste of time and we’d be bound for hell. “But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. 1 Corinthians 15:20” In the beginning Adam sinned and we were destined to die but through Christ we have life. “For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. 1 Corinthians 15:22”. Amen

“Romans 8:1: There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” Those that believe in Jesus aren’t subject to the wrath of God. When we believe and are saved God directs our paths and we should do our best to walk with God’s spirit. God will lead and guide us. Jesus loves us and everyone. Christ came so that we could have a better life and an afterlife with God. The Bible promises that no one who believes in Christ will be turned away: “Him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out” (John 6:37). Amen