“His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’” (Matt. 25:21)

Faithfulness always pays off

Within this verse is found the key to moving ahead and finding happiness. It begins with 1) being faithful in a “few” things. After that, you will 2) progress to “many” things. Happiness results from practicing faithfulness, no matter what level you find yourself at. Faithfulness always pays off.

God demonstrates faithfulness

“Know therefore that the LORD your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations.” (Deut. 7:9)

God is merciful and gracious

“But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.” (Psalm 86:15)

“Your steadfast love, O LORD, extends to the heavens, your faithfulness to the clouds.” (Psalm 36:5)

“God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.” (1 Cor. 1:9)

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“Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds!” (Luke 12:24 NIV)

God supplies all your needs through His many promises!

“There are approximately 8,810 promises in the entire Bible. In the Old Testament there are 7,706 and in the New Testament there are 1,104 wonderful promises. Deuteronomy 28 has 133 promises, which is more than any other chapter in the Bible. ‘We’re sitting on the premises when we ought to be standing on the promises!’” -  Vance Havner 

 He graciously gives 

“He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?” (Rom. 8:32)

He supplies all your needs!

“And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 4:19)

Therefore…

“Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all.” (Matt. 6:31-32)

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“As for God, his way is perfect: The LORD’s word is flawless; he shields all who take refuge in him.” (Psalm 18:30 NIV)

This passage of scripture contains a number of important words to look closely at: perfect, flawless, shield, and refuge.

God’s way is perfect!

Perfect is defined as having all the required or desirable elements, qualities, or characteristics; as good as it is possible to be. Ideal, and without fault.

God’s Word is flawless!

Flawless is defined as without any blemishes or imperfections; perfect. unmarked, and unimpaired. 

He is your shield!

Shield is defined as something that defends or protects someone or something.

Take refuge in Him!

Refuge is defined as condition of being safe or sheltered from pursuit, danger, or trouble. It’s shelter, protection, safety, security, and sanctuary.

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“And his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms.” (Eph. 1:19-20 NIV)

The Gospel came with power

“For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake.” (1 Thess. 1:5)

“But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” (Acts 1:8 KJV)

“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” (2 Tim. 1:7)

That power works in you!

“Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us.” (Eph. 3:20)

“He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.” (Isaiah 40:29)

“Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.” (Luke 10:19)

Therefore…

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.” (Eph. 6:10)

Quote:

“God is looking for people through whom He can do the impossible. What a pity that we plan only the things we can do by ourselves.” - A. W. Tozer

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“And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do the things that are pleasing in His sight.” (1 John 3:22 NIV)

An agreed prayer in faith

“When Hudson Taylor was sailing to China to begin his missionary work, his ship was in great danger. The wind had died, and the current was carrying them toward sunken reefs which were close to islands inhabited by cannibals—so close they could see them building fires on the shore. Everything they tried was to no avail. In his journal Taylor recorded what happened next: The Captain said to me, “Well, we have done everything that can be done.” A thought occurred to me, and I replied, “No, there is one thing we have not done yet.” “What is that?” he queried. “Four of us on board are Christians. Let us each retire to his own cabin, and in agreed prayer ask the Lord to give us immediately a breeze.”

Taylor prayed briefly and then, certain that the answer was coming, went up on the deck and asked the first officer to let down the sails. “What would be the good of that?” he answered roughly. I told him we had been asking a wind from God; that it was coming immediately.Within minutes the wind did began to blow, and it carried them safely past the reefs. Taylor wrote: Thus God encouraged me ere landing on China’s shores to bring every variety of need to Him in prayer, and to expect that He would honour the name of the Lord Jesus and give the help each emergency required.

Knowing that our prayers touch the heart of our loving Father in Heaven and that He can meet any need, we should be confident that He will hear and answer when we cry out to Him.” - Source: The Works of J. Hudson Taylor, Hudson Taylor

If His Words abide in you

“If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.” (John 15:7)

He chose you to bear fruit

“You did not choose Me but I chose you, and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit, and that your fruit would remain, so that whatever you ask of the Father in My name He may give to you.” (John 15:16)

The Father will give it

“In that day you will not question Me about anything. Truly, truly, I say to you, if you ask the Father for anything in My name, He will give it to you. Until now you have asked for nothing in My name; ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be made full.” (John 16:23-24 NASB)

Therefore…

“So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead?  Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion?  If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” (Luke 11:9-13)

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“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Rom. 25:13 NIV)

There are at least four things you should notice in the above passage:

1.     Who? “The God of Hope.”

2.     What? “He fills you with all joy and peace.”

3.     When? “As you trust in Him.”

4.     Results. You overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

Therefore…

He fills you to overflowing! In other words, when you place your trust in God, He then fills you with so much joy and peace that it simply overflows from you by the Holy Spirit’s power!

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” (Rom. 15:13 ESV)

“Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’” (John 7:38 ESV)

“The wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.” (James 3:17 NIV)

How do you know if you are being wise according to God’s standards? This verse gives the answer.

It must be pure

Pure is defined as not mixed or adulterated. Having no moral failing or guilt. To be virtuous, ethical, good, righteous, honorable, reputable, wholesome, clean, honest, upright, upstanding, exemplary, irreproachable; decent, worthy, noble, blameless, guiltless, spotless, unsullied, uncorrupt.

It must be peace-loving

Peace-loving is defined as appeasing, peaceful, amicable, calm, conciliatory, diplomatic, friendly, gentle, neutral, peaceable, peacemaking, quiet, tranquil, untroubled.

It must be considerate

Considerate is defined as careful not to cause inconvenience or hurt to others. It’s attentive, thoughtful, solicitous, mindful, heedful; obliging, accommodating, helpful, cooperative, patient; kind, unselfish, compassionate, sympathetic, caring, charitable, altruistic, generous; polite, sensitive, tactful.

It is submissive

Submissive is defined as ready to conform to the authority or will of others; meekly obedient or passive. It is compliant, yielding, acquiescent, unassertive, passive, obedient, biddable, dutiful, docile, pliant.

It is full of mercy

Mercy is defined as compassion or forgiveness shown toward someone whom it is within one’s power to punish or harm. Mercy demonstrates leniency, clemency, compassion, grace, pity, charity, forgiveness, forbearance, soft-heartedness, tenderheartedness, kindness, sympathy.

Full of good fruit

Good fruit is defined as that which is produced by the Holy Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control; against such things there is no law. (Gal. 5:22 ESV)

 It must be impartial

Impartial is defined as treating all rivals or disputants equally; fair and just. To be impartial means to be unbiased, unprejudiced, neutral, nonpartisan, nondiscriminatory, fair, fair-minded, just; without favoritism.

It must be sincere

Sincere is defined as free from pretense or deceit; proceeding from genuine feelings. To be heartfelt, wholehearted, profound, deep; not dishonest or hypocritical.

Wisdom is the principle thing!

“Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.” (Prov. 4:7)

Need God’s kind of wisdom? Ask God for it!

“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” (James 1:5)

“So get rid of your old self, which made you live as you used to — the old self that was being destroyed by its deceitful desires. Your hearts and minds must be made completely new, and you must put on the new self, which is created in God’s likeness and reveals itself in the true life that is upright and holy.” (Eph. 4:22-24 NIV)

God grows us one step at a time

Even though God could work a miracle and change us quickly, He usually works with us slowly and changes us gradually, a little bit at a time. That’s how Jesus worked in developing the lives of His disciples and that’s how God allowed the Israelites to take over the Promised Land “little by little” so they wouldn’t be overwhelmed (Deut. 7:22).

Both negative and positive habits develop slowly over time

You don’t get out of shape instantly, physically or mentally, and you don’t get into good shape instantly either. I realized this fact when my doctor told me I was pre-diabetic and must lose weight. It had taken me a long time to gain the weight and to lose it would also take time. So, I developed a plan that took a year and a half to lose 60 lbs. It was slow and the changes were in small increments. But I accomplished it.

Good character habits take time to develop

To develop the habits of Christ like character you must practice them over a longtime. Your character is the sum-total of your habits. You can’t claim to be kind unless you are habitually kind. Your habits define your character. There are no instant habits. Paul urged Timothy, “Practice these things. Devote your life to them so that everyone can see your progress.” (1 Tim. 4:15)

Therefore…

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,” (Heb. 12:1 ESV)

“Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually!” (1 Chron. 16:11 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)

“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” (Prov. 4:23 NIV)

The heart is regarded as the center of a person’s thoughts and emotions.

In both the Old Testament and the New Testament the word “heart” is used to refer to the whole of the innermost part of the human, NOT merely the emotions. The heart regarded as the center of a person’s thoughts and emotions, especially love or compassion.

The Biblical word “heart,” is the inner aspect of a man, made of three parts: mind, will, and emotions.

Everything you do flows from your heart

Believers are instructed to, “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. Keep your mouth free of perversity; keep corrupt talk far from your lips. Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you. Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways.” (Proverbs 4:23–26 NIV)

Guarding your heart

When Solomon, who wrote this passage, refers to guarding the heart, he really means the inner core of a person, the thoughts, feelings, desires, will, and choices that make that person who he/she is. The Bible tells us that our thoughts often dictate who we become (Proverbs 23:7; 27:19). The mind of a man reflects who he really is, not simply his actions or words. That is why God examines the heart of a man, not simply his outward appearance and what he appears to be (1 Samuel 16:7).