February 1st 2026
Keep The Power Of Positive Thinking In Your Mind In This World. Remember, Heaven Awaits!
Hebrews 5:7 (NIV)
During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission.
When Jesus was still walking this earth, He taught His disciples a prayer that we are to pray and direct it to Our Father who art in heaven. When we do this, it claims all who are praying this prayer are members of the family of God! At the church we attend we pray the Lord’s Prayer every Sunday, and I am sure the church of your choice does too! It is a shame we do not believe what we pray! If we could truly believe that we share the Our Father who art in heaven. Then we would all belong to the same family, which would allow us to live in a heavenly atmosphere and to all attend the same earthly church!
Paul wrote about the earthly struggle that all believers face in this cursed world. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. (Ephesians 6:12-13). Paul gives us a clue about how we need to face these earthly temptations by putting “on the full armor of God.’ I read this as a clue to band together through prayer and regular attendance at a church of your choice.
While physical attendance at a church of your choice is, I believe, the best way to maintain your belief system! However, it can also be retained by viewing the worship services of a church via the Internet or some other form of video for people who are not able to physically go to the service of a church. Sorry, if you may have felt sometimes left out in my Verse of the Week!
Everyone can work on becoming more Christ-like by setting aside time to read your Bible every day! All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Starting every week with viewing worship services and then continuing with the enrichment of studying Scripture is in my opinion well worth your time. It is not too late to make this your New Year’s resolution, either to continue these good habits, or more importantly to vow to start this good new habit.
In this cursed world it is easy to stay discouraged, all you have to do is watch the nightly news reports! I do not think I need to supply an example here, as that may cause me to direct you to dwell on topics we should know about. But not to dwell on negative thoughts! Paul wrote about a method of looking for the positive and keeping those thoughts in mind. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. (Philippians 4:8). Keep the power of positive thinking in your mind in this world. Remember, heaven awaits!
In this cursed world followers of Jesus Christ will experience distrust by some people, and you may experience hatred, because you are trying to become more Christ-like while still living in this cursed world. Jesus told His disciples about this when He said, “I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.” (Matthew 10:16).
Then when Jesus was leaving this world and ascending into heaven, He gave His disciples, and us, the Great Commission. Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshipped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." (Matthew 28: 16-20).
Notice at the end of this command Jesus assures His followers that even though He is leaving this earth His presence will be felt and His power will be made available through the Holy Spirit when we train people in this world. If we commit to doing this Jesus said, “surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." In this world many people will disagree with you when you tell them how Jesus in your life has improved it and keep the faith by knowing Jesus is always available to you.
In my Bible study this week the writers of a daily devotional wrote about how followers of Jesus Christ may receive different crowns based on their involvement in trying to train others about Jesus Christ, which may lead to pointing people to believe and thus gain their salvation through grace.
I did not have time to research and describe each of these crowns. I just wanted to present them as a way of encouragement to all the believers reading this today.
And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away. (1 Peter 5:4).
Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. (James 1:12).
Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing. (2 Timothy 4:8).
And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. (1 Corinthians 9:25 (NKJV)).
Looking ahead to heaven and a glimpse of what John wrote about the 12 Apostles and 12 Israel tribe leaders seated on their thrones. After this I looked, and there before me was a door standing open in heaven. And the voice I had first heard speaking to me like a trumpet said, "Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this." At once I was in the Spirit, and there before me was a throne in heaven with someone sitting on it. And the one who sat there had the appearance of jasper and carnelian. A rainbow, resembling an emerald, encircled the throne. Surrounding the throne were twenty-four other thrones, and seated on them were twenty-four elders. They were dressed in white and had crowns of gold on their heads. (Revelation 4:1-4).
Your brother in life through Adam, your brother in eternity through Jesus,
Bob Moak
Hebrews 5:7 (NIV)
During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission.
When Jesus was still walking this earth, He taught His disciples a prayer that we are to pray and direct it to Our Father who art in heaven. When we do this, it claims all who are praying this prayer are members of the family of God! At the church we attend we pray the Lord’s Prayer every Sunday, and I am sure the church of your choice does too! It is a shame we do not believe what we pray! If we could truly believe that we share the Our Father who art in heaven. Then we would all belong to the same family, which would allow us to live in a heavenly atmosphere and to all attend the same earthly church!
Paul wrote about the earthly struggle that all believers face in this cursed world. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. (Ephesians 6:12-13). Paul gives us a clue about how we need to face these earthly temptations by putting “on the full armor of God.’ I read this as a clue to band together through prayer and regular attendance at a church of your choice.
While physical attendance at a church of your choice is, I believe, the best way to maintain your belief system! However, it can also be retained by viewing the worship services of a church via the Internet or some other form of video for people who are not able to physically go to the service of a church. Sorry, if you may have felt sometimes left out in my Verse of the Week!
Everyone can work on becoming more Christ-like by setting aside time to read your Bible every day! All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Starting every week with viewing worship services and then continuing with the enrichment of studying Scripture is in my opinion well worth your time. It is not too late to make this your New Year’s resolution, either to continue these good habits, or more importantly to vow to start this good new habit.
In this cursed world it is easy to stay discouraged, all you have to do is watch the nightly news reports! I do not think I need to supply an example here, as that may cause me to direct you to dwell on topics we should know about. But not to dwell on negative thoughts! Paul wrote about a method of looking for the positive and keeping those thoughts in mind. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. (Philippians 4:8). Keep the power of positive thinking in your mind in this world. Remember, heaven awaits!
In this cursed world followers of Jesus Christ will experience distrust by some people, and you may experience hatred, because you are trying to become more Christ-like while still living in this cursed world. Jesus told His disciples about this when He said, “I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.” (Matthew 10:16).
Then when Jesus was leaving this world and ascending into heaven, He gave His disciples, and us, the Great Commission. Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshipped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." (Matthew 28: 16-20).
Notice at the end of this command Jesus assures His followers that even though He is leaving this earth His presence will be felt and His power will be made available through the Holy Spirit when we train people in this world. If we commit to doing this Jesus said, “surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." In this world many people will disagree with you when you tell them how Jesus in your life has improved it and keep the faith by knowing Jesus is always available to you.
In my Bible study this week the writers of a daily devotional wrote about how followers of Jesus Christ may receive different crowns based on their involvement in trying to train others about Jesus Christ, which may lead to pointing people to believe and thus gain their salvation through grace.
I did not have time to research and describe each of these crowns. I just wanted to present them as a way of encouragement to all the believers reading this today.
And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away. (1 Peter 5:4).
Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. (James 1:12).
Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing. (2 Timothy 4:8).
And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. (1 Corinthians 9:25 (NKJV)).
Looking ahead to heaven and a glimpse of what John wrote about the 12 Apostles and 12 Israel tribe leaders seated on their thrones. After this I looked, and there before me was a door standing open in heaven. And the voice I had first heard speaking to me like a trumpet said, "Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this." At once I was in the Spirit, and there before me was a throne in heaven with someone sitting on it. And the one who sat there had the appearance of jasper and carnelian. A rainbow, resembling an emerald, encircled the throne. Surrounding the throne were twenty-four other thrones, and seated on them were twenty-four elders. They were dressed in white and had crowns of gold on their heads. (Revelation 4:1-4).
Your brother in life through Adam, your brother in eternity through Jesus,
Bob Moak
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