“MYSTERY OF UNITY” – Charlene Cox

Posted by mcoxbmi on May 25, 2026
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The word “mystery” is used in the New Testament twenty-two times, seventeen times in St. Paul’s letters alone. Each time it is explained, especially in St. Paul’s writings, so is a mystery really something that we can’t understand? One of the definitions of the word is “information known only to the initiated.” It’s like the secret password or knock, unknown to outsiders.

We, the born-again children of God in Christ Jesus, are the insiders! Every mystery can be known by us. In Mark 4:11, Jesus said, “Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables:” KJV The mystery He was talking about here was that the seed sown is the WORD of God. He describes what happens to it. A lot of times we are puzzled about why people don’t pick up on the good news of the Gospel. So He explains what can interfere with people’s understanding and acceptance of it.

The entire first two chapters of First Corinthians tells of the hidden wisdom of God that is made known to us. 1 Corinthians 2:7  “But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:” KJV Then he says in 1 Corinthians 2:16  “For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.”  KJV How cool is that?

Six times in the six chapters of the letter to the Ephesians St. Paul instructs us in the mysteries of God’s plan for mankind. The hardest one of all that caused the most trouble for him is found in Ephesians 3:1-6  “For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles, if ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward: that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:” KJV

St. Paul got his information directly from God Himself by the Holy Spirit. Unity of Jews and Gentiles went against all the history and culture of the chosen people. They were supposed to avoid all contact with them. Such unity could only be known through revelation. In the book of Acts chapter 10, St. Peter had a vision. 10:28  “And he said unto them, Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation; but God hath shewed me that I should not call any man common or unclean.”KJV

What a great wonder and glory to God that He gives us such a direct line into His heart of love! It takes revelation from God Himself to break in on our hard headed determination to be separated from one another. St. Paul said in Galatians 3:26-29, “For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ; there is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.” KJV

Male nor female? Really? Wow. God takes unity seriously. Heavenly Father, teach us by Your WORD and Your revelation that such a mystery can be known and put into practice by us Your Church. Our unity is the only way the world will know and recognize that You have sent Your Son: John 17:21  “That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.” KJV Amen.

“Jesus – Our Faithful High Priest”

Posted by mcoxbmi on May 25, 2026
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Download This Message –>> 240830 Walking in the Ways of the Lord Part 53 – Jesus – Our Faithful High Priest.MP3

Jesus laid down His Life for us because He was Faithful.

Hebrews 3: 1 – 2 Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession, Christ Jesus, (2) who was faithful to Him who appointed Him, as Moses also was faithful in all His house. (NKJV)

John 8: 29 And He who sent Me is with Me. The Father has not left Me alone, for I always do those things that please Him.“ (NKJV)

Hebrews 2: 17 – 18 Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. (18) For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted. (NKJV)

Romans 5: 8 – 11 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (9) Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. (10) For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. (11) And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation. (NKJV)

Jesus Our High Priest Who Is seated at the right hand of the Father God is continually making intercession for us.

1st Timothy 2: 4 – 6  who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. (5) For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, (6) who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time, (NKJV)

“CHARITY – Agape Love”

Posted by mcoxbmi on May 15, 2026
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2 Peter 1:7b  “. . . and to brotherly kindness charity.” KJV Charity. Here is the Greek word that describes the highest form of love, agape. It is the kind of love that is God Himself. Translated as “love” in all other bibles, the King James uses the word “charity.” Because charity is most understood as a selfless gift, the KJV used another Greek word, “charis.” Charis means “gift,” and “grace.” Charity is a gift that does not expect a return. No strings attached.

Whenever the word “grace” is used, the Amplified translation also adds, “unmerited favor,” a gift that can’t be earned. It is the last brick to go into our wall:

Charity

brotherly kindness brotherly kindness

godliness godliness godliness

patience patience patience patience

Self-control self-control self-control self-control self-control

Knowledge knowledge knowledge knowledge knowledge knowledge

Virtue virtue virtue virtue virtue virtue virtue virtue virtue virtue virtue virtue

Faith faith faith faith faith faith faith faith faith faith faith faith faith faith faith faith faith faith

Without all the previous bricks, agape/love has nothing to stand on. But with them, agape/love is the most reasonable and natural result. Do we need a new definition of love? Jesus Himself said in John 15:13, “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” KJV The first letter of St. John also says, “Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren”(I John 3:16 KJV).  Is that what we are learning about the selfless, no-strings-attached, no-return-expected kind of love?

Charity doesn’t just mean sending used clothes and money to poor children on the other side of the world. We’ve got to use our faith, virtue, knowledge, self-control, patience, godliness and brotherly kindness to find out what real agape/love is. That can only come from studying and becoming familiar with the WORD. The living WORD of God. We just can’t find it in the world. There are lots of loving people out there. But are they loving with the true, perfect, laying-down-their-lives kind of love? The God kind?

In order to learn what agape/love really is, we need to study how God Himself showed us His love. It started in the beginning, ‘way back in Genesis. When there was nothing but darkness, God, Who is light, injected Himself into it. All creation followed. By the time He finished the Garden of Eden, everything was perfect for the people who were on their way. Alas, when our first parents disobeyed Him, that state of perfection ended. But God was ready right there with the Answer, the One Who was to come.

Jesus didn’t come to pass a law. He didn’t hold a meeting to establish a new policy. HE DIED. That was God’s Answer, TO LAY DOWN HIS LIFE. Unbeknownst to Satan, God knew that Jesus would rise again!

1 Corinthians 2:7-8  “But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:  Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.” KJV 

That’s what laying down our lives gets us: RESURRECTION! Maybe not in this life, but we can live in that resurrection life of agape/love with the grace of God as our back-up. Who knew? Certainly not the devil. It was a MYSTERY. The dictionary definition of mystery is “information known only to the initiated.” That’s us! Being born again is our initiation into the resurrection life of Jesus! That’s what the book of Romans is all about.

Thank You, Oh Most Gracious Heavenly Father, that You showed us how to lay down our lives just the way Jesus Your Beloved Son did. He said in John 10:18: “No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.” KJV Amen.

“The Fruit of Faithfulness Part 3”

Posted by mcoxbmi on May 15, 2026
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Download This Message –>> 240809 Walking in the Ways of the Lord Pt 52. – The Fruit of Faithfulness Pt 3.MP3

It is abnormal for a Born-Again Christian to be unfaithful.

A Faithful person is also a person of honor. They can be depended upon. They are steadfast and consistent. They are faithful, honorable, trustworthy, and can be depended upon even when doing a job that they do not like or want to do.

Matthew 21: 28 – 31 What do you think? There was a man who had two sons. He came to the first and said, Son, go and work today in the vineyard.(29) And he answered, I will not; but afterward he changed his mind and went.(30) Then the man came to the second and said the same [thing]. And he replied, I will [go], sir; but he did not go.(31) Which of the two did the will of the father? They replied, The first one. Jesus said to them, Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and the harlots will get into the kingdom of heaven before you. (NKJV)

Being Faithful is to be trustworthy and dependable. A faithful person will be a person who is faithful to their word.

A faithful person is a loyal person. A faithful person can be trusted. They can be trusted even when you can’t see them.

The Faithful Servant

Matthew 24: 45 – 47 “Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his master made ruler over his household, to give them food in due season? (46) Blessed is that servant whom his master, when he comes, will find so doing. (47) Assuredly, I say to you that he will make him ruler over all his goods. (NKJV)

Daniel and Joseph are examples of the blessings of the Lord on a wise and faithful servant.

The Unfaithful Servant

Matthew 24: 48 – 51 But if that evil servant says in his heart, ‘My master is delaying his coming,’(49) and begins to beat his fellow servants, and to eat and drink with the drunkards, (50) the master of that servant will come on a day when he is not looking for him and at an hour that he is not aware of, (51) and will cut him in two and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. (NKJV)

We are to be faithful all the days of our life even unto death.

Revelation 2: 10  Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life. (NKJV)

 

“BROTHERLY KINDNESS OR AFFECTION”

Posted by mcoxbmi on May 8, 2026
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2 Peter 1:7  “And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.” KJV In the Greek language of the Bible, there are a couple of words that we translate as our word “love.” The one we are concerned with here is “phileo.” It means to show kindness, good will, and affection to our fellow Christians. In the list of attributes we have been diligently adding to our faith, we’ve turned a corner. We are no longer putting in bricks that affect only ourselves. We are now reaching out to others with kindness and affection.

Living in godliness is a sure cure for selfishness. It’s time to get out of the classroom and into the real world. There are people out there! We want them to be nice to us! Are we learning to be nice to them? If we have truly been studying the WORD, we’ve come across places where Jesus has told us to “love one another” as He has loved us. (John 15:12 “This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.” KJV),

That, however, is not the Greek word “phileo.” That Greek word is “agape,” and it is the subject of our next meditation. The phileo aspect is an everyday word. It means mostly to be able to get along with people, specifically the ones we are in most contact with. It can extend to those we meet in the job, the marketplace, school, etc. It pretty much applies to everyone that we do not have a long-standing, more intimate relationship with.

And yet, it is a part of our growing up to maturity in our Christian life. We need it and achieve it as a fruit of our virtue, knowledge, self-control, patience and godliness. We want a reputation for being able to reach our goals in life. We want people to smile, not run, when they see us coming. To do that, we have to have all the other bricks in place.

Is it a hard thing? Is this what people mean when they say how hard it is to be a Christian? Is it just keeping ourselves from sin, or does it have to do with wanting to do things our own way? Does it represent a crossover point of dealing with others, even others we love? When was the last time we saw someone coming and wanted to run instead of smile?

It’s time to bite the bullet. It’s time to decide if we want this Christian life and lifestyle to be real. After all, what are we working on this wall for? Did we mean it when we started that patience level? And the self-control before that? Even non-Christians have a certain amount of will-power to be able to handle themselves and get along in life.

We are wanting to be good at this thing. We have the advantage the world does not have. It’s called the grace of God. Without that grace, which the Amplified translation calls, “[that merciful kindness by which God exerts His holy influence on souls and turns them to Christ, keeping and strengthening them-“(II Corinthians 6:1 Amplified Classic), there is no real power in ourselves for what we want to do. Try as we might, it just doesn’t last till the next challenge.

Father, thank You so much for Your precious grace. How desperately we need Your “holy influence” to keep us trying and learning and working, especially with our brothers and sisters. Thank You for the big picture of our unity in the faith. Amen.

“The Fruit of Faithfulness Part 2”

Posted by mcoxbmi on May 6, 2026
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Download This Message –>> 240802 Walking in the Ways of the Lord Pt 51 – The Fruit of Faithfulness Part 2.MP3

God Is Faithful. He Is always continuously faithful to His word. He cannot deny Himself.

A Born-Again Christian walking in the Ways of the Lord will be faithful to God and His Word and in all that they do.

It is abnormal for a Born-Again Christian to be unfaithful.

A Faithful person is also a person of honor. They can be depended upon. They are steadfast and consistent. They are faithful, honorable, trustworthy, and can be depended upon even when doing a job that they do not like or want to do.

Luke 16: 10 – 13 He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much; and he who is unjust in what is least is unjust also in much. (11) Therefore if you have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches? (12) And if you have not been faithful in what is another man’s, who will give you what is your own? (NKJV)

You cannot get anywhere in your Spiritual life without being faithful to God and His Living Word.

Faithfulness to God necessitates faithfulness to men.

God puts His Faithfulness in us so that we can be Faithful to Him. The trait of faithfulness will work in every area of our lives.

If the Fruit of faithfulness is operating in our lives it will make us a dependable and trustworthy person in every area of our lives. Faithfulness will cause us to be a diligent person.

When a person walks in Faithfulness other people think highly of that person.

Even when you are not present your faithfulness will be evident. People will notice it. Your faithfulness will follow wherever you go.

Proverbs 28: 20  A faithful man will abound with blessings, (NKJV)

Your faithfulness has everything to do with your increase in every area of life.

A person who is faithful will be diligent. Diligence that comes from faithfulness will cause you to excel and to be promoted.

The Christian Life is to manifest itself in the faithful discharge of all duties and the honest handling of all things committed to it.

Being Faithful is to be trustworthy and dependable. You will be a person who is faithful to your word.

Colossians 3: 17  And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. (NKJV)

A faithful person is a loyal person. A faithful person can be trusted. They can be trusted even when you can’t see them.

 

“the Fruit of Faithfulness Part 1”

Posted by mcoxbmi on May 4, 2026
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Download This Message –>> 240726 Walking in the Ways of the Lord Pt 50 – The Fruit of Faithfulness Pt 1.MP3

A person walking in the ways of the Lord is a person who is committed to and is diligently walking the Love-Walk developing the Fruit of the Spirit in every area of their lives. They are Faithful to God and His Living Word. They walk a life of Faith anchored in God’s Living Word.

Galatians 5:22 – 23  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, (23) gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. (NKJV)

Like all the Fruit of the Spirit, Faithfulness flows out of Love. Faithfulness like all the Fruit of the Spirit require the other Fruits to flow in fullness. They draw on one another.

The fruit of the Spirit does not come from a natural source. It comes from God. The Fruit of Faithfulness is the kind of Faithfulness that God has. If we are Born-Again His Faithfulness is in us.

Faith and Faithfulness both come from the same Greek Word πίστις pistis. It can be translated either or both ways.

Faithfulness is the result of our Faith. Faithfulness enables us to be faithful to God and to man.

It is abnormal for a Born-Again Christian to be unfaithful.

Faith is Faithfulness to God’s Word. Faith is a Spiritual force. Faith comes from God. God and His Word are One! John 1: 1. A Born-Again Christian walking in the Ways of the Lord will be faithful to God and His Word.

God Is Faithful. He Is always continuously faithful to His word. He cannot deny Himself.

2nd Timothy 2: 11 – 13 This is a faithful saying: For if we died with Him, We shall also live with Him.(12) If we endure, We shall also reign with Him. If we deny Him, He also will deny us.(13) If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself. (NKJV)

Deuteronomy 7: 9 “Therefore know that the LORD your God, He is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and mercy for a thousand generations with those who love Him and keep His commandments; (NKJV)

Psalm 31: 23 – 24 Oh, love the LORD, all you His saints! For the LORD preserves the faithful, and fully repays the proud person. (24) Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart, all you who hope in the LORD. (NKJV)

Psalm 119: 89 – 90 Forever, O LORD, Your word is settled in heaven. (90) Your faithfulness endures to all generations; You established the earth, and it abides. (NKJV)

Psalm 100: 5 For the LORD is good; His mercy is everlasting, And His truth endures to all generations. (NKJV)

1st Corinthians 1: 9 God is faithful (reliable, trustworthy, and therefore ever true to His promise, and He can be depended on); by Him you were called into companionship and participation with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. (AMP C)

That is exactly the way that we should be living our lives. This is what we should be showing to the World around us.

“Goodness”

Posted by mcoxbmi on May 2, 2026
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2 Peter 1:6  “And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness.” KJV For godliness, other translations say piety. Strong’s defines piety as holiness. The way it is used in other places seems to mean that godliness is religion. We might have to look at it from the other side, ungodliness. We can sure figure out what that is.

Basically piety, holiness, godliness means to be holy like God. If we are supposed to add this to our patience, it gives us a whole new attitude and motivation. We want to be just like God. Is it possible? After we work on all the previous attributes, our being like God is bound to start showing. There are certainly people in the world who are patient, loving and kind, but it takes more. It takes the knowledge and excellence of Jesus Christ that we are learning to live by.

St. Paul says in Second Corinthians 7:1, “Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” KJV Perfecting holiness. There are groups of Christians that call themselves “holiness.” Living a holy life according to some of them means rules that fall mainly on the female adherents, including the wearing of dresses instead of pants, long hair (some have never cut their hair in their lives), and not wearing makeup and jewelry. Some of them forbid the men to wear rings, neck chains, tie pins and watches.

They certainly stand out in the world around us. And they have scriptures to back them up. But without judging or criticizing, and with all due respect, does it keep them from sinning? “Perfecting holiness,” like St. Paul speaks of, has to be built on the fruits of the Spirit. We also define holiness as being set apart for service to God. Whatever we do or try to do according to the will of God, we want to clean up our lives from “all filthiness of the flesh and spirit.” We have heard that “cleanliness is next to godliness.”

We can also work so hard at not doing ungodly things that we forget all about just being godly. We can get bogged down in our focus at avoiding the ungodly actions that we don’t relax and just let the holiness flow by the Holy Spirit. We need to add some more virtue and knowledge bricks to our wall. Before long we will see the change. We will reap the harvest of godliness as our self-control and patience increases. It all flows and grows together.

1 Peter 1:15-16  “But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;  Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.” KJV He also says in the Amplified version, First Peter 2:4-5  “Come to Him [then, to that] Living Stone which men tried and threw away, but which is chosen [and] precious in God’s sight. [Psa_118:22; Isa_28:16]  [Come] and, like living stones, be yourselves built [into] a spiritual house, for a holy (dedicated, consecrated) priesthood, to offer up [those] spiritual sacrifices [that are] acceptable and pleasing to God through Jesus Christ. “(Amplified Classic)

Other people’s walls are also growing and will meet up with our own. We want to give “all diligence” to make our wall straight and strong, and give support to those around us. We are the “living stones” being built into the spiritual temple of God. Thank You, holy Lord, for keeping us strong as we strive to take our place in the house You are building for Yourself. We want to do our part in the place You have chosen for us and be just like You. Amen.

“Faith vs Fear Part 3”

Posted by mcoxbmi on May 2, 2026
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Download This Message –>> 240719 Walking in the Ways of the Lord Pt 49 – Faith vs Fear Pt 3.MP3

2nd Timothy 1: 7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. (NKJV)

(Amplified Classic) [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of calm and well-balanced mind and discipline and self-control.

Faith is always applied in the now to the Word not the circumstance or problem.

Fear is always applied in the now to the circumstance or problem.

Faith works with Hope. Fear works with Worry.

Hope is always future. Worry is always focused on the future. Both Hope and Worry operate in the future.

Faith and Hope work together bringing forth manifestation.

Fear and worry work together bringing forth manifestation.

Hebrews 11: 1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. (NKJV)

Faith applied to God’s Word and acted upon becomes Hope (Absolute Earnest Expectation) leading to the manifestation of the desired results Hoped for.

Fear applied to Satan’s deceptions and acted upon becomes Worry. Worry then becomes doubt and unbelief leading to the manifestation of what was feared.

Faith works by Love. Our Love Walk is vital to our Faith.

Galatians 5: 6b… faith which worketh by love. (KJV)

(NKJV) faith working through love. 

Faith comes by hearing God’s Living Word.

Romans 10:17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. (NKJV)

Fear also comes by hearing. Hearing the words of Satan and the world.

Once Faith comes it is then developed through meditating and acting on God’s Living Word which is Absolute Truth.

Faith is applied by speaking of things that are not as though they were.

Fear is also applied by speaking of things that are not as though they were.

Faith applied to the abiding Word in the heart of the believer brings forth Life.

Proverbs. 4: 20 – 23 My son, attend to my words; consent and submit to my sayings. (21) Let them not depart from your sight; keep them in the center of your heart. (22) For they are life to those who find them, healing and health to all their flesh. (23) Keep and guard your heart with all vigilance and above all that you guard, for out of it flow the springs of life. (Amp C)

Fear applied to Satan’s Lies and deceptions bring forth death.

 

“PATIENCE”

Posted by mcoxbmi on April 29, 2026
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Ah, patience. The one thing we seem to need more than anything else. Do we really want it? Why do we have to wait for anything? Why does everything take so long? St. Peter says to add it to our temperance. Isn’t it the same thing? Of course, it would be impossible to have patience without some self-control. But I need faith, virtue, knowledge and temperance in place, before I even have a place to add patience.

Once I have the virtue, knowledge and temperance in place on my firm foundation of faith, patience should fit right in. Maybe. I need the virtue: excellence, resolution, and Christian energy to know what to do with the knowledge. I need the knowledge to be able to understand why I need temperance. And without those things, patience wouldn’t have anything to stand on. I may have the self-control to hold my temper, but I would end up pretty miserable before I got good at patience.

St. Paul puts patience in his list of spiritual fruits in Galatians 5:22-23: “But the fruit of the [Holy] Spirit [the work which His presence within accomplishes] is love, joy (gladness), peace, patience (an even temper, forbearance), kindness, goodness (benevolence), faithfulness, Gentleness (meekness, humility), self-control (self-restraint, continence). Against such things there is no law [that can bring a charge].”  That’s the Amplified Classic version. It defines patience as an even temper, forbearance. The King James calls it “long suffering!”

It’s long suffering all right! But as a fruit of the Holy Spirit that His presence within is accomplishing, that means it is already inside us as a fruit seed. If we learn to exercise it, it will grow. Not only will we notice the difference it makes in ourselves, other people will take notice of it. Won’t they be surprised! In our instant gratification society where we want everything done for us yesterday, we will stand out like a sore thumb!

All these things help us in our daily lives. But just like the spiritual gifts in I Corinthians 12, they are for other people. Christianity is a life of service. These attributes aren’t just for ourselves. They work on us and through us to serve. In serving others we serve Jesus Himself. He said so in Matthew 25. And we can’t forget that as we build our wall, there are people building walls on either side of us. When we meet up, we want our wall to be straight, strong and level.

So we suffer a little. Maybe a lot. But it says in Romans 5: 1-5: “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:  By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.  And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;  And patience, experience; and experience, hope:  And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.” (KJV)

Tribulations? Ugh. People say, “Don’t pray for patience, you will get trouble.” What you will get is the opportunity to exercise patience. Trouble is out there. It is worse some days than others. But praying for patience isn’t how to get it. It is already there in our spirits from the Holy Spirit Himself. What we need to do is exercise it like St. Peter says. Exercise what we have to develop what we need.

Thank You, glorious Lord, for Your own precious example of how patiently You endured Your entire life and death. We will never suffer as bad as You did. According to Matthew 25, it is You who patiently wait for us to serve You by serving others. As St. Paul says, we are patiently running the race to win the prize of life everlasting (Hebrews 12:1 KJV). Amen.

“Faith vs Fear Part 2”

Posted by mcoxbmi on April 29, 2026
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Download This Message –>> 240712 – Walking in the Ways of the Lord Pt 48 – Faith vs Fear Part 2.MP3

To a person who knows Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior, Faith which works by Love, is a natural normal way of life. A believer who does not walk the Love Walk and live by faith they are abnormal.

2nd Timothy 1: 7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. (NKJV)

(Amplified Classic) [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of calm and well-balanced mind and discipline and self-control.

Romans 1: 17b… “THE JUST SHALL LIVE BY FAITH.” (NKJV)

Because we have been Justified by Faith (Romans 5: 1 – 2) we shall live by Faith.

Romans 5: 1 – 2 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, (2) through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. (NKJV)

1st John 4: 15 – 18 Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. (16) And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him. (17) Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world. (18) There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. (NKJV)

To a person who does not know Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior, Fear is a natural normal way of life.

1st John 4: 7 – 8 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. (8) He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. (NKJV)

Jesus is the Author and Developer of our faith.

Hebrews. 12: 2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. (NKJV)

Satan is the Author and Developer of Fear.

Satan is Hate and Fear the way that God Is Love and Faith.

Faith is the substance of things hoped for.

Hebrews 11: 1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. (NKJV)

Fear is the substance of things not desired.

Faith is an action word.

James 1: 22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. (NKJV)

James 2: 17 Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. (NKJV)

Fear is also an action word. When you act on fear it will produce what you are fearing.

Faith acted on produces the Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus.

Fear acted on produces the law of sin and death.

“TEMPERANCE or Self-Control”

Posted by mcoxbmi on April 24, 2026
Posted in: Text Messages & Devotionals. Tagged: , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

Second Peter 1:6 tells us that to our knowledge we should add temperance. Temperance means self-control. Is that really necessary when we already have some virtue bricks in place? If we are going to have any self-control, we need to have a lot of virtue, excellence, Christian energy and resolution first. Then we can build our knowledge base in order to know what self-control is. It takes both virtue and knowledge to teach us about self-control, and even give us a reason to practice it.

I’ve seen people who seemed excellent to me and seemed to have lots of knowledge. But there was something about them that was sort of unpredictable. Or they had some really bad habits. In Galatians 5:23, temperance or self-control is the last thing in St. Paul’s list of fruit of the Spirit. Since he considers it a fruit of the Spirit, we believe that the kernel of it is already present in us as soon as we receive the Holy Spirit at salvation. That is when the Holy Spirit plants His little tiny fruits in us. It is up to us then to make then grow through practice.

That is the point that St. Peter is making when he says to “add” each attribute to the ones he listed before. We have to start someplace. Learning to live the Christian life isn’t all faith. It isn’t all knowledge. It includes “tempering” our lives through experience. It is using our Christian energy (virtue) and the wisdom and understanding we are finding in the WORD about Jesus and His life (knowledge) to begin to control our thoughts, our impulses, our conversation.

It’s not something that is impossible. As we build these bricks into our wall, the Holy Spirit is there to catch us when we waver. If we have spent our lives in anger and bad temperament, it will show pretty quickly what we need to work on. Once we have the grace and influence of the Holy Spirit and God’s WORD working in our lives, as well as increasing in virtue and knowledge, we will begin to catch ourselves when the heat is on. We can get to the place where we see the importance of controlling our mouths, our temptation to lash out physically, our temptation to run away and hide.

We will also see the benefits of treating others kindly when they are being mean or ignorant. We will restrain ourselves from turning that stubborn project into a pile of smoking ruins. We will “stop, drop and roll” when the “fiery trials” of life try to consume us. (1 Peter 4:12 KJV)

It doesn’t happen all at once. It is a journey. We can look back and see how far we have come. Even if it seems like we will never make it, we are better now than we were. Believe me, the people in our lives will notice! They won’t have to walk on eggshells around us anymore.

It is a journey, a journey into peace. As we sow peaceful seeds, we will reap and enjoy a peaceful harvest. There is no substitute. The solution to anger management? Temperance. The cure for ulcers and high blood pressure? Temperance. The cure for lust and the sins that so easily beset us? You guessed it. Temperance.

We might have to do like Jesus did in John chapter 8, bend down and write on the ground while we plan our next move. While we pray and wait, like He did, waiting for His Father’s instructions. But the difference in our lives will show. And we have the help of the Holy Spirit to make us strong. Oh, thank You, Lord, that we can be strong in You and in the power of Your might. Thank You for the faith, virtue and knowledge along the way. Amen.

“Faith vs Fear Part 1”

Posted by mcoxbmi on April 22, 2026
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Download This Message –>> 240705 Walking in the Ways of the Lord Pt 47 – Faith vs Fear Part 1.mp3

Real Faith is at rest, anchored, and steadfast in the absolute Truth of God’s Living Word.

When we have unforgiveness, worry, fear, and strife working in your life we are never at rest.

For us to properly understand Faith, it is necessary for us to understand what Fear is and how it works.

You cannot walk in Faith and Fear, or Love and Fear, at the same time.

Satan cannot do anything to us apart from fear, any more than God can do something for us apart from faith.

1st John 5: 18b… he who has been born of God keeps himself, and the wicked one does not touch him. (NKJV)

Love, The Living Word, and Faith are involved in everything that God does.

Fear, worry, deception, and strife are the Satan’s big guns, his big weapons. They are involved in everything that he does.

All fear is self-centered. It always focuses on self. Love is others centered. It always focuses on others.

Whenever our focus is on ourselves rather than others, we have the foundation necessary to produce iniquity and sin. That foundation of iniquity and sin opens the door for fear to function and rule.

Faith moves God because faith is in God. Fear moves Satan because fear is in Satan.

Fear does not come from God. There is no fear in God for God Is Love. Fear comes from Satan for Satan is Fear.

1st John 4: 16… God is love (NKJV)

1st John 4: 18… There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear (NKJV)

Isaiah. 54: 14 – 15 In righteousness you shall be established; You shall be far from oppression, for you shall not fear; And from terror, for it shall not come near you. (15) Indeed they shall surely assemble, but not because of Me. Whoever assembles against you shall fall for your sake. (NKJV)

Love and Fear cannot exist together. They are direct opposites.

2nd Timothy 1: 7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. (NKJV)

“Entering the Rest of Faith”

Posted by mcoxbmi on April 20, 2026
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Download This Message –>> 240628 Walking in the Ways of The Lord Part 46 – Entering the Rest of Faith.MP3

Our faith applied to the Living Word that activates the Word.

Once that Word is activated by our Faith applied to the Word we must maintain our Faith in that Word.

Since Faith can only work in the now moment both Patience and Hope are both vital to maintaining our Faith in the Word.

Hebrews 11: 1 NOW FAITH is the assurance (the confirmation, the title deed) of the things [we] hope for, being the proof of things [we] do not see and the conviction of their reality [faith perceiving as real fact what is not revealed to the senses]. (AMP C)

Faith is applied to the Word, not to the circumstance or desired result.

Our Faith and Hope applied to the Word work together along with Patience to bring forth the desired result.

James 1: 4  But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. (NKJV)

Mark 11: 22 – 26 So Jesus answered and said to them, “Have faith in God. (23) For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says. (24) Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them. (25) “And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you yourtrespasses. (26) But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses.” (NKJV) 

(***AMP C) Mark 11: 25 – 26 And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him and let it drop (leave it, let it go), in order that your Father Who is in heaven may also forgive you your [own] failings and shortcomings and let them drop.(26) But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your failings and shortcomings (AMP C)

Faith works by Love. You cannot walk in Love and unforgiveness, worry, fear, and strife at the same time.

Love and Faith are Spiritual forces. Unforgiveness, worry, fear, and strife are carnal or fleshly.

You and only you choose which one you are walking in. When you choose unforgiveness, worry, fear, and strife instead of Love your Faith will not work.

Real Faith is at rest, anchored, and steadfast in the absolute Truth of God’s Living Word.

When you have unforgiveness, worry, fear, and strife working in your life you are never at rest.

“THROUGH THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD” – Charlene Cox

Posted by mcoxbmi on April 18, 2026
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2 Peter 1:5  “And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge.” (KJV) Virtue is the first brick on our foundation of faith. Once we see that excellence, resolution and Christian energy are the basis for beginning our salvation life journey, we need to find out what this new life is all about. That takes some very elemental knowledge. St. Peter mentions knowledge a couple of times in the preceding verses: 2nd Peter 1:2-4  “Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord, according as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.” (KJV) (emphasis mine). 

Knowledge is how we find out about God and Jesus, and all the things pertaining to life and godliness that He has given us according to His divine power. It also tells us that we have exceeding great and precious promises that help us learn to be partakers of the divine nature, God’s very nature of love, and how to escape the corruption that is in the world through lust.

So where does the knowledge come from? We have a certain amount of knowledge just due to our life already. But is it the knowledge we need? Evidently, we need more knowledge, a new kind of knowledge. The knowledge we have already lets us get along in the world and we always need more of that. But now we need the knowledge of God and of Jesus. Even if we were raised in church and read the Bible all our lives, there is more, always more that we need to know.

Jesus said in John’s gospel, John 8:31-32  “Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;  And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (KJV) Then in verse 36, “If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.” (KJV) There it is then, if we continue in His WORD. That’s where the truth is, the truth that can set us free. Free from what? His eye witness St. Peter says through this truth we can escape the corruption that is in the world through lust, and that corruption is sin.

We want to be free from sin. We want to conquer lust. We want to know God, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. There is only one place we can get that knowledge, the Bible. St. Paul says in Colossians 2:1-3: “For I would that ye knew what great conflict I have for you, and for them at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh: That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ;  In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” (KJV)

ALL the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. There is our source right there. If we want to know the Lord, we have to get started in the place where ALL that knowledge is, the Bible. “Oh, I can’t understand the Bible.” Don’t tell me that. All you have to do is start reading it. If you want to learn anything else in life, don’t you just go to where that knowledge is obtained: school, college, apprenticeship, a particular teacher?

Proverbs chapter 3 tells us that God’s WORD is life to those who find it, and health to all their flesh. Praise God, I’ve found it! Your WORD IS LIFE to me and HEALTH to all my flesh, glory to God! Amen.  

“Your Faith – The Activator”

Posted by mcoxbmi on April 9, 2026
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Download This Message –>> 240614 Walking in the Ways of The Lord Part 45 – Your Faith – The Activator.mp3

A person walking in the ways of the Lord is a person who is committed to and is diligently walking the Love-Walk developing the Fruit of the Spirit in every area of their lives. They are Faithful to God and His Living Word. They walk a life of Faith anchored in God’s Living Word.

The Bible definition for Faith is found in Hebrews 11: 1.

Hebrews 11: 1 NOW FAITH is the assurance (the confirmation, the title deed) of the things [we] hope for, being the proof of things [we] do not see and the conviction of their reality [faith perceiving as real fact what is not revealed to the senses]. (AMP C)

Faith is always now. Faith can only work in the now. Faith cannot work in the future. Hope works only in the future as a blueprint and guide for our now faith.

Faith and hope are both anchored in God’s Word. Faith and Hope work together along with Patience. All work by Love.

Faith is a Heart Condition

When Faith, Patience, and Hope all meet in a now moment you have manifestation.

God’s Word is absolute truth ** It is whether I believe it or not. It is absolute truth!

** John 17: 17 Sanctify them [purify, consecrate, separate them for Yourself, make them holy] by the Truth; Your Word is Truth. (Amp. C)

Faith applied to the absolute truth of God’s Word always brings results.

Ephesians 3: 20  Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, (NKJV) 

Mark 9: 22 – 23 And often he has thrown him both into the fire and into the water to destroy him. But if You can do anything, have compassion on us and help us. (23) ” Jesus said to him, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.” (NKJV)

Matthew 17: 19 – 20 Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, “Why could we not cast it out?” (20) So Jesus said to them, “Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you. (NKJV)

The now faith of the people was involved in the miracles that Jesus did. Your Faith has made you whole. Be it unto you according to your faith.

It is still the same today. Our now faith is also involved.

Matthew 7: 7 – 8 “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. (8) For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. (NKJV)

“Faith and Faithfulness – Fruits of the Spirit”

Posted by mcoxbmi on April 9, 2026
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Download This Message –>> 240607 Walking in the Ways of the Lord Part 44 – Faith and Faithfulness – Fruits of the Spirit.MP3

A person walking in the ways of the Lord is a person who is committed to and is diligently walking the Love-Walk developing the Fruit of the Spirit in every area of their lives. They

are Faithful to God and His Living Word. They walk a life of Faith anchored in God’s Living Word.

Galatians 5:22 – 23  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, (23) gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. (NKJV)

The NKJV Bible lists one of the Fruits of the Spirit as Faithfulness. Other translations list the Fruit as Faith. Amp, Amp C, American Standard, NKJV, NIV, The Living Bible all translate the Greek word as Faithfulness.

KJV, Modern KJV, The Passion Translation, and Youngs Literal Translation translates the Greek word as Faith.

The Weymouth Translation translates the Greek word as Benevolence.

The Greek word used in this verse is – πίστις pistis

The New Strong’s Expanded Dictionary of Bible Words says, “Pistis is used of belief with the predominate idea of trust (or confidence) whether in God or in Christ, springing from faith in the same.

‘Faith’ means trust, confidence, assurance, and belief”

Websters Dictionary: FA’ITHFULNESS, n.

1. Fidelity; loyalty; firm adherence to allegiance and duty;

2. Truth; veracity; as the faithfulness of God.

3. Strict adherence to injunctions, and to the duties of a station; as the faithfulness of servants or ministers.

4. Strict performance of promises, vows or covenants; constancy in affection; as the faithfulness of a husband or wife.

Faith and Faithfulness are both the Ways or Nature of God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. They are both Fruits of the Spirit.

We will be studying both Faith and Faithfulness. First we will study Faith since according to Hebrews 11: 6 it is impossible to please God without Faith.

Hebrews 11: 6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. (NKJV)

Romans 5: 1 – 2  Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, (2) through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. (NKJV)

The Bible defines pistis in Hebrews 11: 1.

Hebrews 11: 1 NOW FAITH is the assurance (the confirmation, the title deed) of the things [we] hope for, being the proof of things [we] do not see and the conviction of their reality [faith perceiving as real fact what is not revealed to the senses]. (AMP C)

Faith is always now. Faith can only work in the now. Faith cannot work in the future. Hope works only in the future as a blueprint and guide for our now faith.

Faith and hope are both anchored in God’s Word. Faith and Hope work together along with Patient. All work by Love.

Galatians 5:6  For [if we are] in Christ Jesus, neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith activated and energized and expressed and working through love. (Amp. C)

Faith works by Love

“Walking in the Steps of a Good Man Part 2”

Posted by mcoxbmi on April 2, 2026
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Download This Message –>> 240531 Walking in the Ways of the Lord Part 43 – Keys to Walking in the Steps of a Good Man Part 2

A person walking in the ways of the Lord is a person who is committed to and is diligently walking the Love-Walk developing the Fruit of the Spirit in every area of their lives. They are habitually others centered. The fruit of Goodness is a habitual lifestyle for this person.

Walking the Love Walk is walking in the Goodness of God

1st Corinthians 13: 4 – 8a Love endures long and is patient and kind; love never is envious nor boils over with jealousy, is not boastful or vainglorious, does not display itself haughtily. (5) It is not conceited (arrogant and inflated with pride); it is not rude (unmannerly) and does not act unbecomingly. Love (God’s love in us) does not insist on its own rights or its own way, for it is not self-seeking; it is not touchy or fretful or resentful; it takes no account of the evil done to it [it pays no attention to a suffered wrong]. (6) It does not rejoice at injustice and unrighteousness, but rejoices when right and truth prevail. (7) Love bears up under anything and everything that comes, is ever ready to believe the best of every person, its hopes are fadeless under all circumstances, and it endures everything [without weakening]. (8a) Love never fails [never fades out or becomes obsolete or comes to an end]. (Amplified Classic)

A person that is not walking in the ways of the Lord or not walking the Love Walk:

They will not Endure Long

They will not be Patient and Kind

They will be envious and boil over with jealousy.

They will be boastful or vain glorious.

They will display themselves haughtily.

They will be conceited (arrogant and inflated with pride

They will be rude (unmannerly) and will act unbecomingly.

They will insist on their own rights or their own way for they are self-seeking.

They will be touchy, fretful, and resentful.

They will take account of the evil done to them [they pay attention to every suffered wrong

They will rejoice at injustice and unrighteousness, they do not rejoice when right and truth

prevail.

They will not bear up under anything and everything that comes.

They will not believe the best of every person.

Their hopes will fade under all circumstances.

They will not endure anything without weakening.

Their Love will always fail, will always fade out, will become obsolete, and will come to an end.

1st John 4: 7 – 11 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. (8) He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. (9) In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. (10) In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. (11) Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. (NKJV)

 

 

“Add Virtue – Excellence – to Your Faith”

Posted by mcoxbmi on March 31, 2026
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A little further down in Hebrews 11:6 we read that, “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.“ (KJV) Again we are reminded that diligence is in order. 2 Peter 1:5-8 says, “And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;  And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;  And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.  For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (KJV) This list is a pretty good thing to be working on for life. But if we don’t have faith in God as the rewarder of them that diligently seek Him, what’s the point? We really have no foundation to build on.

Being born again makes the difference between us and the world. In 2 Timothy 1:12 St. Paul says, “For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.” (KJV) Only with faith like that does St. Peter’s exhortation make sense. We can’t be wishy-washy about our faith. It is the gift of God through His grace and our making our decision to believe it and stick with it no matter what.

So faith is our foundation. The first thing St. Peter tells us to build on our faith is virtue. Glory and virtue are what we are called to in verse 3 of Second Peter 1. The Amplified Bible tells us that virtue is excellence, resolution and Christian energy. From my school days I learned that “vir” is the latin word for “man.” In other words, being virtuous means to act like a man. Man-up. Of course, that goes for women too. Take life seriously and “give all diligence” to strive for excellence. Resolve to keep all that I learn about excellence in life fresh and strong. To do that I have to make the choice to devote energy to it.

It seems to be a huge undertaking, especially if I am new at this. I believe in God, I am diligently seeking to know Him through the study of His WORD and praying. I’m going to church and hanging out with my new Christian friends. I’m consciously moving away from the old temptations that ran me ragged before I met Jesus. Even if I was raised in church, once I accepted Jesus as my Savior, everything changed. My faith means something now, not just which door I go into on Sunday morning, if I go at all.

My new life means that now I must work to make Jesus the Lord of my life. He is definitely Lord and Savior, but they are two different things. I have seen lots of saved people who are not making Jesus their Lord. They are living without much excellence, resolution or Christian energy. These things don’t just happen when we get born again. That is what all the New Testament letters are about, multiple lists of what to do and what not to do. Not just because the old life is sinful, but we want our new life to show improvement in what we do and think. What we say.

We came to Jesus pretty messed up, but this is our opportunity to take some steps in the right direction so we can show ourselves pleasing to God by our faith, and helpful to ourselves and those around us. He will help us find people who are good examples and role models. We may not know how to describe virtue, but we know it when we see it. We are just naturally attracted to Christians who are more mature and have been giving all diligence to these things longer. If we are going to do this, we need encouragement from them. We need them to stand by us when we stumble a little. Who will teach us and give us testimony of what they went through when they were in our shoes.

Thank You, Father, that You always send just the right person at just the right time to show us what it is to strive for excellence in life. Like the Amplified says, we exercise our faith to develop our virtue, excellence, resolution, Christian energy. Amen.

 

“Walking in the Steps of a Good Man Part 1”

Posted by mcoxbmi on March 31, 2026
Posted in: Audio Messages. Tagged: , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

Download This Message –>> 240524 Walking in the Ways of the Lord Part 42 – Keys to Walking in the Steps of a Good Man

A person walking in the ways of the Lord is a person who is committed to and is diligently walking the Love-Walk developing the Fruit of the Spirit in every area of their lives. They are habitually others centered. The fruit of Goodness is a habitual lifestyle for this person.

Scripture says to be imitators of God. God IS Love, We Are Love. God IS Good, we are good. We have been created by God’s goodness, as a reflection of his goodness, to do good.

When we are walking in the steps of a good man, we are reflecting the Goodness of God by being imitators of God Ephesians 5: 1 – 2

Ephesians 5: 1 – 2  THEREFORE BE imitators of God [copy Him and follow His example], as well-beloved children [imitate their father]. (2) And walk in love, [esteeming and delighting in one another] as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us, a slain offering and sacrifice to God [for you, so that it became] a sweet fragrance. (AMP C)

God has already prepared us to walk in the steps of a good man.

Romans 8: 29  For those whom He foreknew [of whom He was aware and loved beforehand], He also destined from the beginning [foreordaining them] to be molded into the image of His Son [and share inwardly His likeness], that He might become the firstborn among many brethren. (AMP C)

Proverbs 4:18 – 19 shows us the difference in the walk of a person who is a good man or an uncompromisingly righteous man and a man or person who is not.

Proverbs 4:18 – 19  But the path of the [uncompromisingly] just and righteous is like the light of dawn, that shines more and more (brighter and clearer) until [it reaches its full strength and glory in] the perfect day [to be prepared]. (19) The way of the wicked is like deep darkness; they do not know over what they stumble. (AMP C)

Proverbs 4: 20 – 27 and Proverbs 3: 1 – 10 list some keys to walking in the steps of a good man.

Proverbs 4: 20 – 27 My son, attend to my words; consent and submit to my sayings. (21) Let them not depart from your sight; keep them in the center of your heart. (22) For they are life to those who find them, healing and health to all their flesh. (23) Keep and guard your heart with all vigilance and above all that you guard, for out of it flow the springs of life. (24) Put away from you false and dishonest speech, and willful and contrary talk put far from you. (25) Let your eyes look right on [with fixed purpose], and let your gaze be straight before you. (26) Consider well the path of your feet, and let all your ways be established and ordered aright. (27) Turn not aside to the right hand or to the left; remove your foot from evil. (AMP C)