When I was a little boy living in the Dominican Republic, I used to save ants from the flood my mother created when she cleaned the concrete floor in our garage. I would take little leaves, straws, whatever was around, to save them. How terrible it was when even one didn’t make it. It pained me.
If all Christians would read and take to heart these verses daily, along with Philippians 4:8, which tells us to think on whatsoever is true, honest, just, pure, lovely and of good report, we would not have the problems in church we are faced with today. But the only way to attain, retain and maintain that fruit is by steadily focusing on Jesus; to “think on” Him continuously.
This verse has meant a lot to me through the years because I’ve always feared that people wouldn’t like me or accept me because I was not good enough. This lack of confidence kept me from trying a lot of things for fear of rejection or failure.
This text resonates with me because it came at a time when I was fervently praying for someone dear to me. As I poured out my heart to God, He spoke to me clearly by providing this verse, and reassured me that He would heal and lead that person.
One hot July, I was working as a literature evangelist. That morning, I held just one lead card—the person I had been requested to visit that day. The name David was scribbled on the card, obviously a child’s handwriting.
Mountaintop spent the better part of 2020 (and still today) growing together as a church family through weekly potlucks, socials, community out- reach and corporate Bible study.
Israel had witnessed the Lord’s powerful hand at work during their campaign to conquer the idolatrous inhabitants of the land of Canaan. Despite this—and without excuses—they weren’t fully devoted to God.