“You are witnesses, and God also, how devoutly and justly and blamelessly we behaved ourselves among you who believe” (1 Thessalonians 2:10).

With all the talk in the church about spiritual warfare, too many Christians have not learned how to resist the enemy. In fact, few believers know how to stand up and fight, and they become real pushovers for the devil.

There is much talk of revival these days, with varying opinions of what it should look like. The first evidence of true revival is a great desire to hear and obey the Word of God. In Nehemiah’s day, the people expressed to Ezra, a priest and scribe, their desire to have the book of the law of Moses read to them. “And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people … and when he opened it, all the people stood up” (Nehemiah 8:5).

Are you tired of living in need when everything you will ever require has been provided? Perhaps your focus is wrong. You tend to dwell on your weaknesses, temptations and past failures — and when you look inside your own heart, what you see discourages you.

“[The plain of] Sharon shall be a fold of flocks, and the Valley of Achor a place for herds to lie down, for My people who have sought Me” (Isaiah 65:10).

God promises that if his children will seek him continually with all their heart, they will always have plenty of spiritual food. Yet those who do not seek God will be empty, famished, dry — wandering about, looking for a shepherd, hungry and never satisfied. The Word says, “You shall be hungry … thirsty … ashamed” (verse 13). But it also says, “Behold, My servants shall eat … drink … rejoice …sing for joy” (verses 13-14).

Love, fear, obedience — when it comes to walking with God, they are inseparable because you cannot practice one without the other two.

“Walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us” (Ephesians 5:2). The apostle Paul was urging the Ephesians here, “Jesus truly loves you, so walk as one who is greatly loved by God!”

“Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away” (Hebrews 2:1).

“When you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret, will reward you openly” (Matthew 6:6).

When Jesus speaks of going into a secret place to seek the Father, he is talking about something much greater than a physical closet. He is referring to any place where you can be alone with him in intimate communion.

“When He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you” (John 16:13-14).