Believers who live and walk before men are men-pleasers and do not have the fear of God. They may pretend to obey the word of God whenever they are among the people of God. However, in the absence of fellow believers, especially their leaders, they can even quarrel and fight for their rights in disobedience to God's word. The true measure of obedience to the word of God is tested outside the Church, among the unbelievers.  

After you have been saved by grace through faith, you must continually prepare for the coming of the Lord, otherwise you may not make it to heaven. The five foolish virgins did not realise that they did not have enough oil until their lamps went out while waiting for the bridegroom. They were not checking continually to see if they needed to top up. Watch and pray without ceasing as you prepare for the imminent return of the Lord.

God is omnipotent - He is all-powerful. With God all things are possible and without Him we cannot do anything. There is nothing too hard for Him to do - He saves sinners, heals the sick, delivers the oppressed, raises the dead and sets the captives free. No matter how terrible your situation may be, you can trust Him for the solution. Take your eyes away from men because they cannot help you.

Are you concerned like Peter, about what you will gain having left all to follow Jesus? For your information, your labour is not in vain in the Lord. The Lord has promised to reward you now, with a hundredfold of whatever you have given up serving Him, and to give you eternal life in the world to come. All you need to inherit these promised blessings is to remain faithful and committed as you serve the Lord Jesus Christ.

Water Lilies typically grow in very shallow, muddy or miry water. Just like the water lily which stands out white and beautiful in miry water, it is also possible for the believer to exude purity in this filthy world. Although the believer is in the world, they are not of the world. Jesus said: They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world - John 17:16. Beloved, you are there to shine and light up the dark world around you. Always remember that light is stronger than darkness.