Rick Costa

The LORD answered, “My presence will go with you, and I will give you peace.”

– Exodus 33:15 (GOD’S WORD® Translation (©1995))

Do you need God’s peace in your life?  Get into His presence.  It’s the best place to find it.

The greatest love you can show is to give your life for your friends.  You are my friends if you obey my commandments.

– John 15:13-14 (GOD’S WORD® Translation (©1995))

If you ever feel like you have no friends to talk to, remember that Jesus is your friend and He’s ALWAYS available.

Now, little children, remain in Him, that when He appears, we may have boldness, and not be ashamed before Him at His coming.

1 John 2:29 (World English Bible)

When Jesus returns to the earth…at that very moment…what will you be doing?  Think about it.

I have set the LORD continually before me; Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.  Therefore my heart is glad and my glory rejoices; My flesh also will dwell securely.

– Psalm 16:8-9 (New American Standard Bible ©)

If you always put God in the forefront of your life you will have the confidence to go through anything.  When the Creator of all things is at your side, it makes the future seem brighter.

But dedicate your lives to Christ as Lord. Always be ready to defend your confidence [in God] when anyone asks you to explain it. However, make your defense with gentleness and respect.

– 1 Peter 3:15 (GOD’S WORD® Translation (©1995))

There are many Christians who in their excitement about the Lord are way too aggressive in their witness and come across as arrogant which completely turns people off.  To those who had truly open hearts, Jesus never spoke in a condemning way but rather loved them and calmly told them the truth.  The choice to accept or reject Him was up to them.

He has not treated us as we deserve for our sins or paid us back for our wrongs. As high as the heavens are above the earth- that is how vast his mercy is toward those who fear him. As far as the east is from the west- that is how far he has removed our rebellious acts from himself. As a father has compassion for his children, so the LORD has compassion for those who fear him.

– Psalm 103:10-13 (GOD’S WORD® Translation (©1995))

None of us truly deserves the mercy of God on us.  Over and over we keep sinning and yet He still loves and forgives us.  The enemy can bring up our messed up past against us but God chooses not to even remember it.  How great is His love toward us!

As everyone dies because of Adam, so also everyone will be made alive because of Christ.  This will happen to each person in his own turn. Christ is the first, then at his coming, those who belong to him will be made alive.

– 1 Corinthians 15:22-23 (GOD’S WORD® Translation (©1995))

Since the beginning of mankind we have all had to experience death because of the sin of Adam.  The good thing however is that a second Adam came, Who is Jesus and He instead brought mankind the possibility of life.  We as Christians have this hope that we won’t just cease to exist, nor suffer eternally in hell but we will live on with our Savior forever.

For a short time our fathers disciplined us as they thought best. Yet, God disciplines us for our own good so that we can become holy like him.

– Romans 12:10 (GOD’S WORD® Translation (©1995))

A lot of times God lets us go “through the fire” so to speak in order that the impure desires within us will burn off.  It doesn’t feel good while we’re going through it but in the end we will become more like Him.

However, the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything. He will remind you of everything that I have ever told you.

– John 14:26 (GOD’S WORD® Translation (©1995))

The Holy Spirit isn’t some ghost that floats around just watching us doing nothing.  No, He is God Himself just as much as Jesus walking the earth always was and is.  He is here to help us, to teach us and to help us remember God’s Word as we go through life.  Don’t ignore Him!  Ask Him for help!  It’s why Jesus had the Father send Him here.

But I say to you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which spitefully use you, and persecute you;  That you may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he makes his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.

– Matthew 5:44-45 (American King James Version)

God doesn’t only do good to those who deserve it.  He does good to all because He IS good and our Father wants us to be like Him.  We’re to treat everyone with the same goodness that God has given to us when we surely didn’t deserve it.  No, it doesn’t feel good to be mistreated but God doesn’t feel good when we keep sinning against Him yet He is continually good to us.