Luke 6:45 warns us that where our heart is, so is our treasure. Jesus says:

“A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth the good. And an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth the evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.”

We need to remember this when we talk with new Christians who are overwhelmed with what they have to give up to become Christians. When close friends and family see the changes which Christ has wrought in us, it scares them. They may have been convicted of their sins and want to be Christians, but they don’t yet want to be changed. They are good and comfortable where they are, sitting enjoying the flesh of this Satanic world – but “saved.”

The problem is, there is no such place. Mankind cannot walk with Christ, with our feet in worldliness.

We need to help them, and ourselves, not by giving them a list of things not to do, but a list of things to do. They will fail, as we all do, but there is a large difference in failing to do something good, than in failing not to do something bad.

If we bring our heart to the good, then our treasures will also be good. If we bring our heart to the bad, then our treasures will be bad.

At all times, let us focus on doing the good and positive things which the Holy Bible calls us to do. When we do that, there will be no time left for doing bad. In fact, we don’t even need to know what bad is; as it has no part in a based Kingdom view of life.

The Bible lays this down for us in two verses saying in Acts 2:40,

“And with many other words he earnestly testified and exhorted, saying, Be saved from this perverse generation”

and in Acts 11:23,

“who was glad when he had come and had seen the grace of God. And he exhorted all with purpose of heart to remain near to the Lord.”

Let us now look at some 35, generally affirming exhortations, which can be found in the Bible for use by Christians, so we may establish ourselves solid footsteps toward a Kingdom, treasure. All these are pleasing to the Lord:

Abstain from all appearance of evil as well as evil itself.

First Thessalonians 5:22 “Abstain from every appearance of evil.”

Always be thankful.

First Thessalonians 5:18 “In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”

Be a faithful minister.

First Peter 5 click for full First Peter 5 text.

Be of good cheer in trouble.

Romans 27:22 “And now I exhort you to be of good cheer, for there will be no casting away of life among you, only of the ship.”

Be patient toward all men.

First Thessalonians 5:14 “Now we exhort you, brothers, warn those who are unruly, comfort the faint-hearted, support the weak, be patient toward all.”

Be sober and alert and resist Satan by faith.

First Peter 5:8-10 “Be sensible and vigilant, because your adversary the Devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking someone he may devour; whom firmly resist in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions in the world are being completed in your brotherhood. But the God of all grace, He calling us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a little, He will perfect, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.”

Be sober minded.

Titus 1:2:6 “Likewise exhort the young men to be discreet.”

Cast all care upon God.

First Peter 5:7 “casting all your anxiety onto Him, for He cares for you.”

Comfort the feeble minded.

First Thessalonians 5:14 “Now we exhort you, brothers, warn those who are unruly, comfort the faint-hearted, support the weak, be patient toward all.”

Contend for the faith.

Jude 3 “Having made all haste to write to you about the common salvation, beloved, I had need to write to you to exhort you to contend earnestly for the faith once delivered to the saints.”

Continually rejoice.

First Thessalonians 5:16 “Rejoice evermore.”

Continue in the faith.

Acts 11:23 “who was glad when he had come and had seen the grace of God. And he exhorted all with purpose of heart to remain near to the Lord.”

Acts 14:22 “confirming the souls of the disciples, calling on them to continue in the faith and that through much tribulation we must enter into the Kingdom of God.”

Acts 15:32 “And Judas and Silas, also being prophets themselves, exhorted the brothers with many words and confirmed them.”

Convince gainsayers.

Titus 1:9 “holding fast the faithful Word according to the doctrine, that he may be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and to convict the gainsayers.” (Gainsayer: One who contradicts or denies what is alleged; an opposer.)

Despise not prophesying.

First Thessalonians 5:20 “Do not despise prophesying.”

Do not fellowship rebels.

Second Timothy 3:14 “And if anyone does not obey our word by this letter, mark that one and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed.”

Do not weary in well doing.

Second Timothy 3:13 “But you, brothers, do not be weary in well doing.”

Ever follow the good.

First Thessalonians 5:15 “See that none gives evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue the good, both towards one another and towards all.”

Exhort all be longsuffering and proper teaching.

Second Timothy 4:2 “preach the Word, be instant in season and out of season, reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long-suffering and doctrine.”

Exhort daily.

Hebrews 3:13 “But exhort one another daily, while it is called today, lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.”

Hebrews 10:25 “not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.”

Hold fast to the good.

First Thessalonians 5:21 “Prove all things, hold fast to the good.”

Maintain proper labour relations.

First Timothy 6:1-2 “Let as many slaves as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour, so that the name and doctrine of God may not be blasphemed. And those who have believing masters, let them not despise them because they are brothers. But rather let them serve, because they are faithful and beloved, those of the good service receiving in return. Teach and exhort these things.”

Titus 2:9-10 “Slaves are to be obedient to their masters, to please them well in all things, not talking against, not stealing, but showing all good faith, so that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things.”

Manifest good words.

Second Corinthians 9:5 “Therefore I thought it necessary to exhort the brothers that they would go forward to you, and make up beforehand your blessing, it having been promised that this would be ready, thus as a matter of blessing, and not as of covetousness.”

Please God in our walk.

First Thessalonians 4:1 “For the rest, then, my brothers, we beseech you and exhort you in the Lord Jesus, that, as you have received from us how you ought to walk and to please God, so you would abound more and more.”

Prove all things.

First Thessalonians 5:21 “Prove all things, hold fast to the good.”

Pray for all men.

First Timothy 2:1 “First of all, then, I exhort that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men.”

Pray without ceasing.

First Thessalonians 5:17 “Pray without ceasing.”

Put on humility.

First Peter 5:5-7 “Likewise, younger ones, be subject to older ones, and all being subject to one another. Put on humility. For God resists proud ones, but He gives grace to the humble. Therefore be humbled under the mighty hand of God, so that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your anxiety onto Him, for He cares for you.”

Quench not the Spirit.

First Thessalonians 5:19 “Do not quench the Spirit.”

Save ourselves by meeting the terms of the Gospel.

Acts 2:38-40 “Then Peter said to them, Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ to remission of sins, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all those afar off, as many as the Lord our God shall call. And with many other words he earnestly testified and exhorted, saying, Be saved from this perverse generation.”

See that no evil is repaid.

First Thessalonians 5:15 “See that none gives evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue the good, both towards one another and towards all.”

Submit to each other.

First Peter 5:5 “Likewise, younger ones, be subject to older ones, and all being subject to one another. Put on humility. For God resists proud ones, but He gives grace to the humble.”

Submit to elders.

First Peter 5:5 “Likewise, younger ones, be subject to older ones, and all being subject to one another. Put on humility. For God resists proud ones, but He gives grace to the humble.”

Support the week.

First Thessalonians 5:14 “Now we exhort you, brothers, warn those who are unruly, comfort the faint-hearted, support the weak, be patient toward all.”

Warn the unruly.

First Thessalonians 5:14 “Now we exhort you, brothers, warn those who are unruly, comfort the faint-hearted, support the weak, be patient toward all.”

Work quietly, making your own living, and not living off others.

Second Timothy 3:12 “Now we command and exhort those who are such, by our Lord Jesus Christ, that they work with quietness and eat their own bread.”

Amen and Amen and Amen.

 

Dear Heavenly Father,
I come before You as an acknowledged sinner and thank You that you have taken me as Your child. I thank you that Your Son Jesus Christ is now Lord and Saviour over my life, and I thank you for the sacrifice Jesus made for me on Calvary.
Father, I pray that you will empower me to lead a full and fruitful life for You and your Kingdom and that Your destiny for me will be fulfilled in my life and my works.
Please help me to live out a true Christian life, such that You may be glorified and honoured. But lord, please help me make it all about You, and not about me.
As I read the above exhortations which you have given to me in Your Holy Bible, I pray that You will empower me daily to live them out and to keep them always before me.
Oh Lord, please have Your way in my life, for I so desperately seek that narrow door and I need your help to keep me on that narrow path which leads to it. Help my Lord, to make Your Word a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path; I need you!
In Jesus name I pray, Amen and Amen.