Lights in This World.

     Beloved, imitate not that which is evil, but that which is good...
              3 John 1:11a

     This world lies in darkness. We see evil abounding everywhere. Although this world is darkened by sin, we are called to shine forth as lights in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation (Phil 2:15). Dare to go against the current of this world! Let your lights shine forth in this dark day! As you joyfully follow Christ, your good behavior will become evident to all, proving that your deeds have been wrought in God. 

    Even so let your light shine before men; that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.
                Matthew 5:16

A Prayer For Understanding.

     Thy hands have made me and fashioned me: give me understanding, that I may learn thy commandments.
                                    Psalm 119:73

     It is only right that as God's creation, we should be willing to serve Him. It is also right that we go to the God who has created us for understanding, so that we would know His commands, and learn to be pleasing unto Him.
    

Knowing God.

     For I desire goodness, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt-offerings.
                                 Hosea 6:6

     The vast majority of people seem to believe that the way to God can be found through forms and rituals. This is how all of the world's religions work. The individual approaches their god through sacrifices, rote prayers, and various other religious exercises, that give one a false sense of God's favor.
     Sadly, many who call themselves Christians also approach God in this way. They pride themselves on all of the religious rules and forms that they maintain, thinking that this is what God desires.
     God desires us to know Him intimately. This is what eternal life is, knowing God, through Jesus Christ (John 17:3). He cannot be found through all of our empty traditions. We worship in Spirit and truth (John 4:23-24). The pursuit of God is carried out by faith, as we humbly submit ourselves to Jesus Christ, allowing Him to form Himself in us.
     Exercising justice, and compassion are what God really wants from us, as we walk humbly with Him. This far exceeds all the sacrifices and offerings we could ever bring to God (Micah 6:6-8).
    

Loving Jesus.

     Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my word: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.
                                     John  14:23

     True biblical love is not self seeking (1 Cor 13:5). It seeks the good of others with no thought of self. Often we see someone do something for somebody else that seems kind, but it is done with the thought of some benefit for self. This is not love. Many try to keep God's commandments with self preservation in mind, but this only amounts to selfishness.
     The one who loves Jesus will, out of that love, live to please Him. Their desire is for Him and His glory. They live to promote the highest possible good that they can, for Him.
     We see even in our own relationships, that when we love someone with a unselfish love, that we will go to great lengths to please that individual.
     It is therefore only natural that if we love Jesus, we will obey His commands (John 14:15, 21).
     Look at the promise we have from the Savior, to come and dwell with us in intimate fellowship, if we truly love Him, with an obedient love.