He will crown your efforts with success!

“In everything you do, put God first, and he will direct you and crown your efforts with success.” (Proverbs 3:6 TLB)

Do you want what you do to be blessed and be the very best that it can for you? Do you want to be successful in your personal life, in your vocation, in your relationships, in your marriage? Then put God first in it!

Involving God from the start of everything you do is how to have His blessing in everything you do! “Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans. (Prov. 16:3 NIV)

The truth is, you just can’t go wrong putting God first in everything!

I believe it has to be the number one success principle found throughout the Bible. “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” (Matt. 6:33 ESV)

In the beginning, God!

The first four words of the Bible are “In the beginning God.” It lets us know immediately who is at the heart of everything that exists! In everything you do, remember those four words, “In the beginning God,” and then put your trust in Him at the very beginning!

Therefore…

“But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.” (Jer. 17:7-8 NIV)

Mike French
He cleanses us us from all unrighteousness!

“Do not remember the sins of my youth and my rebellious ways; according to your love remember me, for you, LORD, are good.” (Psalms 25:7 NIV)

Perspective

When I was a kid, I remember hearing my dad say, “Too soon old, too late smart!” I didn’t know what he meant way back then, but I think I do now. Time gives you lots of perspective!

The joke 

Dad used to have a group of men over to our house to play poker and I would listen to them as I played under the kitchen table. I heard one of them tell a joke and they all burst into loud laughter. I didn’t understand the meaning of the joke but I remembered how to tell it. The next day at school, my 1st grade teacher had a show-and-tell time. She said we could share anything, even tell a funny story or a joke. I got up in front of the class and enthusiastically told the joke. As soon as I said the punchline the teacher screeched and rushed me to the sink and washed my mouth out with soap. The funny thing is that I didn’t have a clue what it was that I had said wrong! It was only years later, when I thought of the incident and remembered the joke, that I finally knew exactly why she had washed my mouth out.

I cringe when I remember mistakes of my youth!

In retrospect, I can’t believe I was so clueless! But I was! Of course, lots of water has since gone under the proverbial bridge and much learning and maturity has made me into a different person. Thank goodness for that!

I’m sure glad that God has promised to forgive and forget our past!

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9 NASB)

And, that’s a very comforting promise indeed!

Therefore…

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” (Prov. 3:5-6 ESV)

“And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” (Phil. 1:6 ESV)

Mike Frenchbible promises, god cleanses us, from unrighteousness
Mutual encouragement!

“When we get together, I want to encourage you in your faith, but I also want to be encouraged by yours.” (Rom. 1:12 NLT)

Learn to be an encourager!

Everybody needs encouragement from time to time! And one of the best ways to be encouraged is to be an encourager yourself! It’s the principle of getting back what you give. “You reap what you sow!” (Gal. 6:7)

Whenever you get together with someone, use it as an opportunity to encourage them! And in doing so, you also will be encouraged in the process!

How to encourage

It’s not complicated. To encourage, you give support, confidence, or hope to someone. Other synonyms for encourage are hearten, cheer, buoy up, uplift, inspire, motivate, spur on, stir, stir up, fire up, stimulate, invigorate, vitalize, revitalize, embolden, and fortify.

Do you need any of that? I know I do!

Here are some encouraging verses that you can use to encourage others.

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” (John 14:27 NIV)

“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33 ESV)

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 4:6-7 ESV)

“And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.” (Col. 3:15 ESV)

Mike Frenchbible promises, mutual encouragement, mutual, encouragement
This is not a threat, it's a promise!

“But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days.” (2 Tim. 3:1 NIV)

When I was in Army basic training at Fort Lewis, we had one particular Drill Sergeant who liked to pour on grueling training exercises such as a 10-mile hike in the noontime heat, while wearing full combat gear! He would often describe each event in advance to us with all its scary details. And he would end his description by saying, “And this is not a threat, this is a promise!”

This training was hard!

Tough times were ahead for us and the Drill Sergeant knew it. Many of us were headed to Vietnam with its extreme heat and dangerous combat situations and we needed to be toughened up and ready for it! It was a matter of survival! 

Jesus warns us about tough times coming in our future!

He wants us to be prepared for it! He said that in the last days, just before He returns, things are going to go from bad to worse to the extreme point that only God’s intervention will stop total destruction! He said, “For there will be greater anguish in those days than at any time since God created the world. And it will never be so great again. In fact, unless the Lord shortens that time of calamity, not a single person will survive. But for the sake of his chosen ones he has shortened those days.” (Mark 13:19-20 NLT)

Look what is said about how people will be like in the end times.

“People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— having a form of godliness but denying its power.” (2 Tim. 3:2-5 NIV)

Sound familiar?

We are living in a very different time than even a few short years ago! We are now calling good bad and bad good! Things are flipped upside down! We are accepting sexual deviancy as normal, and things like fidelity and celibacy until marriage as abnormal. Biblical marriage (between a man and a woman) is now redefined to include same-sex couples! There is public outrage over the death of a lion or gorilla, and yet thousands of babies are aborted every day without hardly a word! “Political correctness” has become the way the world filters things. The Bible is no longer welcome in our learning institutions! Biblical truth is banished from open discussion.

Okay, all this sounds scary, and it is, but don’t fear or panic!

Here’s what Jesus said to do 

“And you will hear of wars and threats of wars, but don’t panic.” (Mark 13:7 NLT)

“When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.” (Luke 21:28 NIV)

“Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you suddenly like a trap.” (Luke 21:34 NIV)

“And everyone will hate you because you are my followers. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.” (Mark 13:13 NLT)

And finally, remember this!

“Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Rom. 8:37-39 NKJV)

Quote:

“I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand.” – Jesus Christ (John 10:28)

Mike Frenchbible promises, last days, tough times, future
God can do what is impossible for man!

“With God all things are possible!” (Matt. 19:26 NASB)

Over the years, I have heard people quote this verse exactly this way, out of context, therefore, I put it exactly that way on purpose to make a point. And that point is to say it is dangerous to quote only half or part of Bible verses because in doing so you could say or imply something that was not meant in its complete and proper context. 

The statement, “With God all things are possible” is not factual!

There are some things that God is incapable of doing, such as lying or denying Himself (Hebrews 6:18; 2 Timothy 2:13; Titus 1:2). That’s why it’s always important to consider the context of scripture verses to understand what is actually being said.

A good principle to remember, “text out of context is pretext”

So, let’s look at this verse again with some earlier text and background added to it. Jesus had just finished talking to the rich young ruler who had just gone away sadly after Jesus had told him, “sell all you have, give it to the poor, and follow me.”

Jesus used the incident to teach his disciples. “And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.” When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, “Who then can be saved?”  But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, “With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.” (Matt: 19:23-26 KJV)

So, it is best to remember that the context of this statement “but with God all things are possible” is in reference to salvation. God made a way when the way was impossible for us.

God does what is impossible for man

God’s omnipotence or power is unlimited (Job 11:7-11, 37:23; Revelation 4:8). That is, God can take the things that are impossible to man, and make them possible because His power is unlimited, while ours is limited. The context of Jesus’ statement in Matthew 19:26 is a perfect example of His unlimited power because, while it is possible for man to be saved, it is impossible for man to save himself by his own merits or for the law to grant eternal life. The grace offered only by Jesus Christ is necessary.

God may not “do all things” but He can and does do “impossible things”

Scripture is full of verses that portray God making the impossible possible. When Abraham and Sarah were awaiting the promise of a son, even after they were well past child bearing years, God told them, “Is anything too difficult for the Lord?” (Genesis 18:14)  In the book of Numbers when the Israelites were complaining to Moses about food, the Lord told Moses that he was going to feed over half a million people for an entire month.

Moses was skeptical, but God said, “Is the Lord’s power limited? Now you shall see whether My word will come true for you or not.” (Numbers 11:23 NASB)

In the book of Job, after forty-two chapters of trials, Job was able to answer God and say, “I know that You can do all things, and that no purpose of Yours can be thwarted” (Job 42:2 ESV) 

The prophet Isaiah wrote, “Behold, the Lord’s hand is not so short that it cannot save; Nor is His ear so dull that it cannot hear.” (Isaiah 59:1 NASB)

Jeremiah said, “Ah Lord God! Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and by your outstretched arm! Nothing is too difficult for You.” (Jeremiah 32:17 NASB)

Finally, in foretelling the birth of Jesus, the angel Gabriel told Mary, “For nothing will be impossible with God.” (Luke 1:37 NASB) And that statement, too, is understood best in its proper subject-matter context!

Mike Frenchbible promises, salvation, impossible, possible with god
Every time I remember you, I pray!

“Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God. Whenever I pray, I make my requests for all of you with joy.” (Phil 1:3-4 NLT)

A prompting to take action 

Have you ever had someone just pop into your thoughts? I have, many times, and I use it as a prompt from the Holy Spirit to say a prayer for them. This is what this verse is saying. “Every time I think of you …. I pray … I give thanks …  I make requests for you …. with joy.  Notice that there are five parts to this verse and it ends with joy!  Think, pray, thank, request, and joy. It’s actually a great example to follow.

A type of ministry

This can be a very powerful and helpful ministry for any perceptive believer who puts this process of “remembering and praying” for others into practice! The Bible says, “The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.”  (James 5:16b NIV)

“Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.” (John 16:24 NKJV)

Therefore…

“For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.” (James 1:23-25 ESV)

“Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.” (Col. 3:2 ESV)

Mike Frenchbible promises
Show yourself friendly and get friends!

“A man who has friends must himself be friendly, But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” (Prov. 18:24 NKJV)

Friendliness produces friendliness 

If you want to “have” friends you have to “show yourself” friendly. This is a simple biblical principle that works wonderfully! It’s an example of “reaping what you sow.” – Friendliness produces friendliness!

She was lonely, depressed and suicidal

A good example of this “friendly-produces-friendliness principle”is demonstrated clearly in the story about psychiatrist Dr. Milton Erickson, and his advice given to a reclusive woman who was lonely, depressed, and suicidal, and what happened to her after taking his great advice.

The ailing 52-year-old spinster lived in a rambling Victorian house with the heavy draperies drawn and dust gathering on faded upholstered furniture. Now wheelchair bound due to illness, the woman rarely went to church, an activity which had been her only social and spiritual sustenance for many years. She’d become isolated and depressed, even suicidal.

The woman’s nephew was a client of Erickson’s, and knowing the doctor would soon be traveling to Milwaukee for a speaking engagement, asked him if he’d be willing to call on his beloved aunt who lived there. Dr. Erickson agreed.

When Erickson arrived, the aunt invited him in and showed him around her gloomy house, it appeared as if nothing had been changed for many years. The furniture and household decorations showed a faded glory, smelling of musk. Erickson was struck by the fact that all the curtains were kept closed, making the house a depressing place to be in.

The aunt saved the very best for last, however, and finally ushered Erickson into her greenhouse nursery. This was her pride and joy; she had a green thumb and spent many happy hours working with the plants. She proudly showed him her latest project—taking cuttings from her African violets and starting new plants.

“Not a very good Christian”

Erickson told her that he thought depression was not really the problem. It was clear to him that her problem was that she was not being a very good Christian. She was taken aback by this and began to bristle, until he explained. “Here you are with all this money, time on your hands, and a green thumb. And it’s all going to waste! What I recommend is that you get a copy of your church membership list and then look in the latest church bulletin. You’ll find announcements of births, illnesses, graduations, engagements, and marriages in there—all the happy and sad events in the life of people in the congregation. Make a number of African violet cuttings and get them well established. Then repot them in gift pots and have your handyman drive you to the homes of people who are affected by these happy or sad events. Bring them a plant and your congratulations or condolences and comfort, whichever is appropriate to the situation.” Hearing this, the woman agreed that perhaps she had fallen down in her Christian duty and agreed to do more.

African Violet Queen

Twenty years later, in the Milwaukee Journal, a feature article appeared with a large headline that read “African Violet Queen of Milwaukee Dies, Mourned by Thousands.” The article detailed the life of this incredibly caring woman who had become famous for her trademark flowers and her charitable work with people in the community for many years preceding her death. Her last years were filled with many wonderful friends, a loving purpose, and much happiness! All because she had learned to reach out to others in need, and“show herself to be friendly” to them.

Closer than a brother 

The last part of the promise verse at the top of this page says, “and there is a friend that sticks closer than a brother.” And, that friend, of course is Jesus! Here is what He said about helping others: 

“Whoever has two tunics is to share with him who has none, and whoever has food is to do likewise.” (Luke 3:10-11 ESV)

Golden  

And the “golden rule” says the same thing: “Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you.” (Matt. 7:12 NLT)

The Law of Reciprocity

And finally, even though you must always give unselfishly without expecting anything in return, when you do so, something very wonderful will begin to happen just the same. Social psychologists call it The Law of Reciprocity – and it basically says that when someone does something nice for you, you will have a deep-rooted psychological urge to do something nice in return. As a matter of fact, you may even reciprocate with a gesture far more generous than their original good deed. Obviously, that happened to the African Violet Queen in the story above. She got back more than she gave!

Therefore…

“Trust in the Lord, and do good; dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness.” (Psalm 37:3 ESV)

“And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.” (Gal. 6:9 ESV)

Mike Frenchbible promises, friendly, african violet queen, reap what you sow, recipriocity, how to get friends
You can become more noble-minded!

“Now these people were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so..” (Acts 17:11 NASB)

When the apostle Paul spoke to the people of Berea they did two important things, first, they were very willing to receive God’s message, and second, they carefully examined the scriptures to make sure what Paul said was true!

They were “more noble-minded”

The passage said they were more noble-minded because they did this!

The word “noble” means righteous, virtuous, good, honorable, upright, decent, worthy, moral, ethical, and reputable.

And it had a positive affect!

According to the following verse, many became believers! “As a result, many Jews believed, as did many of the prominent Greek women and men.” (Acts 17:12 NLT)

Want to be noble-minded?

Then receive God’s message willingly and then check the scriptures to make sure what is being said is true! It will change your life!

Therefore…

“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” (Phil. 4:8 NIV)

“But he who is noble plans noble things, and on noble things he stands.” (Isa. 32:8 ESV)

Mike Frenchbible promises, noble-minded
We can approach God's throne of grace boldly with confidence!

“Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” (Heb. 4:16 NIV)

There was a king who was very powerful and severe!

No one dared approach him without first having acquired the proper prearranged permission to do so. Even so, if the king didn’t like the person who came before him for any reason at all, the person could be severely punished, imprisoned or even put to death. People in his kingdom were rightly terrified of him.

This King had a dearly beloved son who he greatly cherished!

One day the king’s son, who was with his mother in a different part of the castle, slipped away from her and began looking for his father. He soon heard his father’s voice and burst into the large room where the king was holding court. The child saw his father and cried aloud, “Daddy!” And he ran across the room, jumped onto the Kings lap, and threw his arms around him. The King, looked down at the child and gave him a big smile. He embraced his son and gave him his complete love and attention.

In the same way

Today’s Bible passage at top  tells us we can “approach God’s throne of grace boldly so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us, in our time of need.” Another verse says it all his way, “In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.” (Eph. 3:12 NIV)

We can do this without fear because He is our Heavenly Father and we can approach Him as such! And, He is always glad to hear from us!

Therefore…

“And I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me, says the Lord Almighty.” (2 Cor. 6:18 ESV)

“You have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, “Abba! Father!” (Rom. 8:15 NASB)

Quote:

“I'm so thankful because of my relationship with Jesus Christ and being adopted in the family of God that I don't have to live the highs and the lows and the roller coaster that the rest of the world lives, because I know where my identity lies. My identity lies as a child of God, and that’s something that will never be shaken.” - Tim Tebow

“The most important belief we possess is a true knowledge of who God is.
The second most important belief is who we are as children of God, because we cannot consistently behave in a way that is inconsistent with how we perceive ourselves.” - Neil T Anderson

Mike French