As the apostle Paul writes, godliness requires training. But unlike professional sports, where the athletes eventually retire and stop training, training ourselves in godliness is a lifelong process. So how exactly do we train in godliness?

Despite the many reasons we aren’t astonished by God, the truth is that Jesus, the Word of God Himself, and his authority and power are astonishing, and maybe we just need to allow them to astonish us by submitting to His authority.

What traits would you like your family and friends to remember you by? How would you like to present yourself to God when you meet him?

Does God’s reign sound like good news to you? Isaiah prophesied that a son would be born a king. This King would be called “Mighty God” and “Prince of Peace.” He would establish His kingdom and rise to “kill the wicked” and “strike the earth with the rod of his mouth”.

Think of three people in a room. There’s the person you used to be, the person you want to become, and the person you are. Now look in the mirror. Which of the three people is looking back at you? Now think of a fourth person. He’s not like any of the other three. He kinda resembles you, but he’s not like you. This is the person you are meant to be, the person God is molding and shaping you to become!

We should stop and consider the “first things” in our lives and make sure we have our foundations set. In thinking about this, where should we start? An obvious answer might be, “with the Bible” but the immediate next question would be, “Where? Which book? Which chapter?”

Praise God that Jesus restores and renews our conscience! Instead of allowing our world to tell you how to think and make decisions, allow God’s Spirit and his word to inform you. As Paul wrote, “be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”

God surprises his people with words of grace and mercy. God offers not only to withhold punishment but to cleanse. He promises to remove the stains of the sins that have plagued his people and separated them from their God. The question is, how does God do this? How does a Holy God justify evil people?

What are ways we can extend grace to others and love people like Jesus?

Looking at Psalm 68, we find God responding to each person according to their situation. God responds to the wicked and the suffering, the proud and the humble, His people and His other creations. In the face of all these various situations, we have a choice of what narrative to believe and how to respond.