No better admonition could have been given than that which the Apostle Paul gave to the Philippians: Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable if anything is excellent or praiseworthy&nbsp-think about such things (Philippians 4:8)

Paul mentions in 1 Corinthians 16:13: Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong. There must be spiritual development of strength in the body of Christ, as presented in God's Word (Ephesians 4:13-16).

There is a definite pattern in the New Testament concerning the worship in the church (Acts 2:42).

Those who have a one-day-a-week attitude concerning worship of God have a concept that is totally opposite of that found in the Scriptures, and more than likely, do not worship God at all!! Jesus said, God is Spirit, and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. (John 4:24). In Amos 5:21-23 we see God's people going through outward acts and rituals of worship, yet the Lord referred to it as noise!

Everybody loves a winner. And everyone wants to be a winner. Being a winner is a slogan often used by coaches in every kind of athletics, by sales managers, advertisers, politicians and others who seek to motivate and provoke to a better effort.

Abraham's faith, even of old, was predicted on the reality of the ultimate reward: For he was looking forward to the city without foundations, whose architect and builder is God. Hebrews 11:10

This was the hope and aspiration surging in the hearts and minds of God's people before and since! The Apostle Paul spoke of his being caught up into that third heaven and seeing things he could not reveal, but said later, For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain, and expressed the desire to go on to be with Christ, which is far better (Philippians 1:21-23).

The Gift of the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit was promised to obedient believers: The Apostle Peter made this plain in the first gospel sermon: Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ, so that your sins may be forgiven. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38). They were led to believe the Spirit would be given to them - and they were not disappointed!