My Top 10…Always

This piece is a 13 year old relic that still stands true today. Always strive to do what pleases God the most, always…

1. Always have the right motives – Proverbs 21:2

“A person may think their own ways are right, but the Lord weighs the heart”

Always work to ensure your motives measure up to God’s standard.

2. Always be at peace with God – Job 22:21-30

Job grapples with his humanity in the face of great adversity. He listens to others, struggles to understand his situation in the sight of a ‘good God,’ and is forced to consider that he could have sinned and displeased God. Finally he finds himself at peace with God in spite of his circumstances.
We must always carry this attitude…always.

3. Always respect the commands of the Lord – Proverbs 13:13

“Whoever scorns instruction will pay for it, but whoever respects a command is rewarded.” – Always respect and obey His commands…out of love for Him and not out of fear of punishment.

4. Always fight in the name of the the Lord – 1 Samuel 17:45-47

“David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.” 
He knew that he could do ALL things through Him and so can we have that type of assurance when we’re fully dependent on Him.

5. Always accept the realities of oppression and the reasons for it – Jeremiah 2, James 1.

James 1 tells us that we must endure affliction and consider it a joyful thing – “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds…” (vs 2). It goes on to say that trials produce perseverance, which makes us mature and complete. Always seek maturity.

6. Always know your wisdom will be vindicated by her deeds – never back down from the Lord’s wisdom – Matthew 11:16-19.

The fruit of wisdom is almost always hidden. Smarts produce instant gratification but wisdom produces long lasting fruit and effect. Always pursue wisdom over smarts.

7. Always rest your hope in the Lord – 2 Corinthians 1:10.

Hope resting in Christ is the only hope that has a definite return. People will fail you, turn away from you, disappoint you, and leave you but the solid rock that Christ is will never leave you nor forsake you. We can always rest our hope in Him.

8. Always seek a clear conscience, purity, and sincerity in your conduct – 2 Corinthians 1:12.

Integrity and sincerity are great companions on the journey of life. When it’s all said and done, we will be measured by humanity then judged by God based on the totality of our work on earth. Always seek a clear conscience and a blameless reputation.

9. Always act in love – 1 Corinthians 16:14.

“Do everything in love.” Love is touted as the only truth, fruit of the Spirit, and attribute of a Christian that never fails (1 Cor. 13). Love must be the guiding factor behind decisions, prayers, conversations, and relationships. Looking through the eyes of love changes our perspective.

10. Always be alert, stand firm in the faith, and be brave and strong – 1 Corinthians 16:13.

“Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.”

Be on the look out. “Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.” (1 Peter 5:8) Watch out that you’re not the one he finds not on your ‘watch’.

Always ask, always seek, always knock…He is the end all in all.