Most good practices are difficult at the start, but the longer we engage in them, the stronger we become.

Righteousness keepeth him that is upright in the way: but wickedness overthroweth the sinner.
- Proverbs 13:6

Some of our Christian duties are called spiritual disciplines. They certainly do require discipline at the beginning, but the longer we practice them, the more delightful and “easy” they become. We should read God‘s Word on days when we feel inspired and on days when we do not. We should meet with God in prayer daily when we are motivated, and when it is the last thing we want to do. The same applies to church attendance and other godly behaviors. In due time, we will develop a righteous momentum that will transform our lives, and it will keep us “in the way.“

We all have deeds that we have done that we wish we could undo. We have words we have said that cannot be taken back. We can praise God that there is forgiveness to be found with Him!

Remember not the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions: according to thy mercy remember thou me for thy goodness' sake, O LORD. - Psalm 25:7

When we confess our sins to God and repent of them, we can be certain that He will not remember them. This is not an act of actual forgetting, but of choosing not to remember. Others may remind us of our sins, and we may remember ourselves, but we must believe by faith that God will not!  Sometimes our sins will have lingering consequences that are part of the law of sowing and reaping. But we can be sure that our God will not remember them, and that He has wiped our record clean.

We know that the Lord Jesus was not accepted when He was on earth, and much less so today. We who have believed on Him are called to stand up and live unashamedly for Him.

Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me, his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God.
- 2 Timothy 1:8

When we consider that throughout history and even in modern times, many of our brothers and sisters are suffering greatly for their faith, this is a challenge for us to live boldly for Christ. To be shunned, ridiculed, or rejected because of Christ should be for us a very great honor. Can we seek approval from this world which hates our Lord and despises His people? Absolutely not! Whether we are called to suffer in ways great or small, we know that the Lord will give us the power to endure whatever comes our way.

One of the great tests of our character is how we respond to correction or rebuke. It is usually hard to take, but it is certainly necessary for all of us sometimes.

Let the righteous smite me; it shall be a kindness: and let him reprove me; it shall be an excellent oil, which shall not break my head: for yet my prayer also shall be in their calamities.
- Psalm 141:5

When we are wrong in our attitude or actions, we should be grateful to the Lord that someone is willing to point it out. It might feel like a slap in the face or punch in the gut, but if it comes from someone who loves us and has our best interest in mind, it is truly a kindness. May God give us the grace to receive correction with the right spirit, even when it is not given that way. And may God give us the wisdom and courage to lovingly confront others with a humble attitude when necessary.

We need to maintain a good testimony in our public lives, but it is equally important that we live right at home and in our private lives.

I will behave myself wisely in a perfect way. O when wilt thou come unto me? I will walk within my house with a perfect heart.
- Psalm 101:2

This was David’s resolve when he was becoming king of Israel, and it should be ours also. May God help us to live in such a way that even those who live with us and who are closest to us can see Christ at work in our lives. And even more so when we are alone in our private lives, may we still seek to live righteously when no one sees us but God. If we can live righteously at home, then our public living will take care of itself. And when we slip up by saying or doing the wrong things, we must quickly get ourselves right with God and our loved ones again.

Sometimes we make a serious error in judgment when we think that others will understand or appreciate what God is doing in our lives.

For he supposed his brethren would have understood how that God by his hand would deliver them: but they understood not. - Acts 7:25

God would use Moses to lead His people out of Egypt, but even Moses did not understand how or when. The people that he was supposed to lead surely did not understand. When we are walking in obedience to God‘s Word, what we do or say will often seem foolish to the world, and sometimes to other believers. Unlike Moses at his first attempt, we must see to it that we are doing what the Lord commanded and not just our own stubborn fleshly will. Yet we must never veer from what we know God has told us to do. And we must be patient and gracious with those who do not understand or even reject us.

We learn quickly after coming to faith in Christ that there are battles to fight in the Christian life. And the Lord has provided us with the whole armor of God so that we can live victoriously.

Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.  - Ephesians 6:16

The shield of faith is only one aspect of our defensive armor, but it is of great importance. “Above all” means on top of all the other parts of the armor. The evil one is always throwing and shooting fiery darts at our minds to get us to doubt God‘s goodness and God‘s plan. Taking the shield of faith means holding up a Scripture that we know to be true, which will snuff out the fiery darts of the devil. Grow in the knowledge of God‘s Word, and stand on it when your mind or emotions are under attack from all evil thoughts and doubts.

It is not possible to go through life without being hurt many times by others, but we must never allow bitterness to take root in our hearts.

Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby may be defiled.
- Hebrews 12:15

This warning is given in reference to Esau, who became bitter at his brother Jacob, after Esau sold his birthright to Jacob, and then Jacob stole Esau‘s blessing from their father. When we are bitter, we cannot receive the grace of God which we desperately need. Bitterness troubles the person who is holding it more than the person that they are bitter against. And bitterness defiles many. Bitterness spills out on those  close to us who are not the target of our anger. We must be diligent to forgive others and seek reconciliation wherever possible, because bitterness is destructive.

There are many good things that we desire in life, but desire is only the first step. It must be followed up with action.

The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat. - Proverbs 13:4

Desire must be followed up with diligence, or it will amount to nothing. This is true in the spiritual realm of Christian living as well as in every area of life. Diligence is constant earnest effort to accomplish a task. This applies to our study of God‘s Word, to ministry, and to our everyday work. When desire is followed up by diligence, the result is soul satisfaction (made fat). Make each desire a matter of prayer, then pursue it with great diligence.