God has called us to a purpose far greater than mere salvation; He is actively working to perfect us for His Kingdom. He, who has begun a good work in those He calls, will not fail to complete it, shaping and developing us until the day of Jesus Christ. His purpose will be accomplished in us, as He teaches, tests, and refines us through trials, always with mercy and love, to prepare us for the roles He has destined for us. We must understand that God does not wink at disobedience or show leniency in this process; instead, as a loving Father, He corrects and prunes us, removing hindrances and encouraging diligence to make us more effective in bearing fruit. The examples of Job and Israel illustrate how God works in lives to build character and faith, even when the process is painful or misunderstood. Job, unaware of God's purpose, endured immense suffering yet was ultimately humbled and blessed, showing us perseverance in trials. Israel, freed from Egypt, faced repeated tests in the wilderness, often rebelling, yet God continued to shape them into a peculiar people for His glory. These accounts remind us that God operates in unchanging patterns, working to make us examples of righteousness and obedience, preparing us for eternal roles as sons of God, priests, and kings at the return of Jesus Christ. Our response to God's work must be one of submission and determination to change, recognizing that His correction is proof of His love and commitment to our ultimate good. Though trials may obscure His hand, we are never forgotten or abandoned; He is intimately involved in every aspect of our lives, ensuring that no test is beyond what we can bear. Like Joseph, who rose from slavery to rulership through God's perfect timing and trials, we too are being prepared for a sudden transformation to rulership in God's Kingdom. Therefore, we should embrace God's perfecting process, yielding to Him as adopted members of His Family, trusting that He will complete His work in us with precision and care for our eternal future.

God has a plan for each and every one of us, and for that plan to come to fruition in our lives, He must be first. His overall plan will be completed with or without us, but our continued participation in that plan depends on His mercy and grace, as well as our yielded and humble obedience. Our receipt of His blessings is contingent upon where He is in our lives. As seen in the example of Abraham and Isaac, God tested their loyalty, ensuring He held the primary place in their hearts. Abraham's unwavering obedience, even to the point of being ready to sacrifice his only son, demonstrated that God was first in his life, with no other gods before Him. Isaac's submission to his father's will and to God's command further showed that God held the foremost position in his heart as well. Because Abraham and Isaac put God first, God provided for them, fulfilling His promises and ensuring the continuation of His plan. Yielding and trusting in God are essential, as they are ways of ensuring He remains the only God in our lives. Each day, through prayer, study, and service to others, we show that God is first, participating in His plan and maintaining our relationship with Him. Despite any wealth or prestige we may have, there is room in our lives for only one God, and we must guard against anything that might intrude on that relationship.

Christianity demands thoughtfulness, attention, and care, as God desires us to devote our entire hearts, souls, and minds to His way of life. Keeping God's commandments requires constant effort and focus, applying them every moment of every day, ensuring that our minds are always centered on Him. If we maintain this diligence, we secure abundant life; if we are careless or inattentive, we risk spiritual death. Paul, in Titus 3:8, urges believers to be careful and thoughtful in maintaining good works, emphasizing the need to constantly ponder ways to do good. These good works encompass acts of service to others, such as feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, and visiting those in need, as Jesus Christ taught. Offerings are a form of good work, facilitating the spread of the gospel, supporting ministers, and meeting the needs of the church and its members. God calls us to thoughtfully consider not only the blessings He has given us but also the needs our contributions can address, participating actively in the work of the church rather than giving without thought or responsibility. In Haggai 1:3-8, God challenges His people to consider their ways, questioning whether they prioritize their own comfort over His work. He correlates participation in His work with the blessings He bestows, urging us to think constantly of ways to help proclaim the gospel and care for the flock. Our ultimate purpose is to bring pleasure and glory to Him, and one way to achieve this is through thoughtful contributions and offerings.