Treasured Truth

When striving to live a successful life, we need to understand that when we meet the requirements, God gives us the rewards He has planned for us.  Pastor Ford explains that God tells us in His word, “I am going to take you where you cannot go yourself. I’m going to make sure that I bless you.” What a promise!

Life comes out of the seed of the word of God.  And when you plant a seed, it’s in one form, but it comes up in another form.  So the writer of Psalm 1 is telling us that when we plant the seed of the word of God in our faith soil, it comes up differently from how we planted it, and it bears fruit in our lives.

When trying to live a successful life, we must realize that God has already made provisions for us.  Pastor Ford says what we have to do is wait on God and take a chill pill!  We have to say, “God we trust You and we understand that we can totally depend upon You.”

The Bible says, “My son, forget not My law, but let your heart keep My commandments.”  There’s the rule for living a successful life.  Do you want to live a successful life?  Then you need to listen to God and keep His commandments.

When we’re committed to Jesus, we need to have a commitment that’s three dimensional—first to the person of Christ, then to the proclamation of the gospel, then to participation in what He has called us to do and gifted us for.

It costs a lot to be a disciple of Jesus.  But guess what—it costs more not to be one!  Because Jesus said, “For whoever wants to save their life will lose it.  But whoever loses their life for My sake, will save it.”

As we consider what it really means to be committed to Jesus, Pastor Ford asks us to consider this question—Are we paying the price that it takes to follow the Lord Jesus Christ?  Because there is a cost associated with following Him, and it includes self-sacrifice.  Have you begun to pick up your cross, die daily and follow Him?

The person described in Psalm 1 loves the word of God.  His delight is in the word of God.  And on His law, this person meditates day and night.  He has affection and he gives attention to it.  So, he walks in the word and is a great example for us all as believers to follow.

Perspective and perception are two key factors that affect our understanding of suffering. Our perspective governs our perception. In other words, the way you look at whatever you’re going through will determine how you perceive and comprehend it. And so it’s crucial for us to try to gain God’s perspective on our suffering, instead of looking at it from our own perspective.

Pastor Ford will explain that God used a giant to bring David to prominence.  If he’d had no encounter with the giant, he would have had no prominence.  God used the Devil to bring Job to prominence—no Devil, no prominence.  He used the cross to bring Christ to prominence.  So, do you see how God uses suffering?  He uses it for His purposes and for His glory.