There are three things that need to be constant in the lives of believer's. These three things MUST be present in our lives in order to ensure a healthy spiritual life. We must be engaged in fellowship, we must study God's Word, and we must spend time in prayer with our Father in heaven.

What do you think Pastor Terry meant a moment ago when he mentioned the Madison avenue approach to church? He's talking about the marketing tactics that have crept into the church. Do you think the God of the Universe needs a fund raising thermometer to accomplish His will?

When you enter a long race, do you start out sprinting? No! If you did that, you wouldn't make it pass the first turn! In a long race, like a marathon, you have to pace yourself. And the most important thing is to NOT stop moving. That's the same way it is for us as Christians. Regardless of the struggle, we need to keep moving on this road of faith.

Ezra was a man of the Word. And today Pastor Terry exhorts us to follow Ezra's example. We should be diligent students of the Word of God. Not only for the various places that we might be teaching, but also for our own personal growth and relationship with God.

Another tactic of the false teachers today is to say that all you have to do is ask God for something and you will have it, that is...IF you have enough faith. We learn today that God has promised to supply all our needs, not our wants. There's a vast difference between the two.

Meditating on the characteristics of God should bring about one response, genuine and heartfelt worship! Just knowing that the God of the Universe loves you should cause you to lift up praise and worship because He is worthy!

Despite what's being taught in many churches today, grace is not only for the saving of souls. Grace is the power to live a holy life. Grace causes us to walk in God's Word. Grace is the source of an obedient life. Grace makes us more like our Savior Jesus.

Complacency is one of the biggest killers in the Body of Christ. It's easy to get into the routine of working through the week and then just coming to church on Sunday morning. That's certainly 'going to church'...but, is it BEING the church? No! God wants a vibrancy in our lives that is seen by all.

This world, this existence is truly not our home. We are to live as aliens and sojourners in this life. But, many times we get comfortable in this life...we tend to slip into what I call, Christian suburbia...we play church instead of being the church. This is not God's will for our lives, He wants to use us as living testimonies of His grace and goodness.

Thinking, meditating upon the person and work of our great God and Savior Jesus, is a bullet proof plan when it comes to keeping our minds pure. Our thoughts can only be of lovely, pure, noble, and good things when we think of Jesus. Why? Because He is the very essence of all that is good!