When we take a "good thing" and make it an "ultimate thing” - it has become an idol. The Living God has no tolerance for us giving the worship that belongs to the creator to something in creation. We must be serious about smashing the snakes (idols) in our lives.

The Apostle Paul writing from a jail cell (because of his faith in Jesus) reveals the secret of contentment. Mathematically we can understand it this way, there will be some things that need to be subtracted from our lives and there also will be some things that need to be added to our lives.

Welcome to Court — The Living God lovingly confronts his people with their sins. The people of Judah responded by proposing they just offer additional sacrifices. The Lawyer (Micah) tells the people what God wants, which is their obedience, their heart, and their love; rather than more religious acts. Give God your heart.

Many people view the future with fear and anxiety because of the uncertainty that surrounds it. Christians are to see the future differently because we know that our Eternal God and King has all things under his powerful authority. The Future is bright for the followers of Jesus.

Leadership Matters! Truth Matters! When leadership and truth don’t matter to us, we can know that the consequences will be very real and painful. The Living God loves his people very deeply and he is not afraid to hold us to account when people are are mistreated or led away from him.

The Living God is a Provider. He does not take it lightly when people Covet and take from their “neighbor”. He will bring his perfect discipline to deal with those who mistreat and abuse others for their own selfish gain. His discipline may feel harsh but he loves to bring Hope to the hopeless.

Our God leads with Mercy and Grace. When people refuse His mercy and Grace they receive His Justice. God wants to break through to those with Hard Hearts. He is not afraid to speak firmly and directly to our Hearts to help us hear and respond to him.

The Truth Matters. The Truth is that Jesus Christ is God's Son who came for us (in the Flesh). As Christians celebrate the truth, we must remain on guard as many false teachers continue to pervert the truth.

We (Christians) can have certainty in an uncertain world. We have the assurance of eternal life, answered prayer, victory over sin and satan, belonging to God, and that Jesus is the TRUE God. Jesus gives us real confidence despite the ever-shifting circumstances.

Am I confident or living in fear? Am I honest or living a lie? Am I joyfully obedient to God or rebelling? Am I an overcomer of the world or hopelessly overwhelmed. The book of 1 John helps us to answer some of these questions.