Philippians 4:19 (KJV) Says, "But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus." Psalms 46:1 (KJV) Says, "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble." Deuteronomy 31:8 (KJV) Says, "And the Lord, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed." I Peter 5:7 (KJV) Says, "Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you." 2 Timothy 1:7 (KJV) Says, "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." John 14:27 (KJV) Says, "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." Proverbs 3:24 (KJV) Says, "When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: yea, thou shalt lie down, and thou sleep shall be sweet." John 3:16 (KJV) Says, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."
Many people have the wrong idea about who God is, and what it means to live a Christian life. Accepting Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior, and choosing to live life as a Christian is opting to live the greatest life you could ever possibly hope to live. God is not looking down from Heaven with a lightening bolt in his hand; waiting for you to make a mistake so that he can zap you with it. God is kind, understanding, forgiving, loving, merciful, full of grace, and so much more. In fact, God is by definition love. There are some individuals who are under the impression that opting to live a Christian life means that one is choosing to live a very strict, and boring life, when in fact there could be nothing further from the truth. Living a Christian life means to live a life filled with joy, love, and divine peace.
The above verses of scripture are just a few of the many blessings that we receive, when we choose to accept Jesus Christ as our personal Lord and Savior. There is no way I could list them all within the confines of this blog because they far exceed the space available here. In Philippians 4:19 God promises to supply all of our needs, and we can certainly trust that he will. I'm not saying that we can lay on the couch all day, and expect God to pay our bills. What I am saying is that when we are doing all we can to meet our needs and we see no way possible to meet them, we can go to God in prayer trusting that he will find a way where we can't see one.
In Psalms 46:1 we see that God is our refuge and strength. We also see that he will help us, if we will simply call on him. Whenever we are faced with difficulties or trouble of any sort, we can find refuge in God. He will provide us with the strength and comfort we need to make it through whatever storm we are facing, and he will walk through it with us every step of the way. Deuteronomy 31:8 promises us that God walks before us, that he is with us, that he will not fail us or forsake us. This verse also tells us not to be afraid or dismayed. I urge you to pause and consider what a blessing it is that Almighty God goes before us, that we don't have to be afraid, that he never leaves us, that he will never fail us, and that he will never forsake us.
The above verse of scripture taken from the book of I Peter makes clear that we can cast our cares upon the Lord, and we can leave them there. It is such a relief to be able to go to God in prayer, and give him all of my worries and cares knowing I don't have to give them another thought. I encourage you to do the same as it will rid you of all unnecessary stress and lighten your load tremendously.
The verse of scripture taken from 2 Timothy tells us that God did not gives us a spirit of fear. It makes clear that what he did gives us is power, love, and a sound mind. God loves each and every one of us tremendously, and he doesn't want us living in a state of fear or worry. He gives born again believers power through the Holy Spirit, and he gives them a peaceful mind. The peace God gives us is not like any peace we have ever known. As the verse of scripture taken from John tells us; God give us his peace which is divine in nature, and that is a peace which cannot be matched.
Another blessing God bestows upon believers who are living in obedience to him is a peaceful sleep void of any fear. As seen in the verse of scripture taken from Proverbs he describes this peaceful sleep as sweet. Finally, in the above verse of scripture which most of us learned as a child, John 3:16, we see that God loves each of us so much that he sent his only Son to die on the cross for our sins, and that whosoever, which is any person in the entire world, believes on him will not perish, but will be given the precious gift of eternal life.
After reading these verses of scripture and the blessings they hold for all believers, I don't think that any one could honestly say that God is not a loving God who is eager to bless us, that living a Christian life is too strict; or that it is the least bit boring. I believe they would have to admit that they had the wrong idea. Once a person accepts Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior they opt to live in a manner that pleases him out of the desire in their heart to do so. They are not living in obedience to God because they feel they must live a strict rigid life void of any and all joy. In fact, as I have pointed out there is abundant joy in living one's life in a manner that pleases God. It is a life filled with many blessings such as love, divine peace, joy, sweet sleep, having our needs met, free from worry, having divine strength, comfort, and many more; the greatest of all being the promise of eternal life.
If you are a born again believer in Jesus Christ, I encourage you to remember the promises of God and all the blessings he has bestowed upon you as you go through your daily life. If you have not accepted Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior, I urge you to do so immediately knowing that we are not promised tomorrow. Don't put it off for even one more second. Go to God in prayer ask him to forgive you of your sins, repent of them, tell him you believe that Jesus died on the cross for your sins, and that he rose again the third day. Ask him to come into your heart and be your Lord and Savior. If you pray this prayer sincerely, believing these things with all your heart, you will be saved. Making the decision to accept Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior is the greatest decision you will ever make, and it is one you will never regret. It is my prayer that you make the decision to accept Christ, and that you do so right now; right where you are.
If you have a prayer request and would like me to pray for you, leave me a message and I will be more than happy to do so. May God bless you!
Saturday, February 25, 2017
Saturday, February 18, 2017
Feeling Discouraged
Joshua 1:9 (KJV) Says, "Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: For the Lord thy God is with thee withersoever thou goest." Psalms 31:24 (KJV) Says, "Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the Lord." Matthew 11:28 (KJV) Says, "Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. I Peter 5:7 (KJV) Says, Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you."
As human beings we all find ourselves feeling discouraged at one time or another in our lives. It can be caused by a job loss, a friendship failing, a personal relationship ending that you never wanted to end, a divorce, struggling to pay bills and raise a child or children alone, God taking longer than you have the patience for to answer your prayers, sickness, the loss of a loved one, and these are just a few of the struggles that can result in our landing in a pit of discouragement.
The first thing we need to remember when we find ourselves beginning to feel discouraged is that it is a negative emotion that comes straight from Satan himself. If we allow Satan to win us over with thoughts such as you'll never get another job, you'll never find anyone else who loves you, I'll never be able to raise this child or these children on my on, I'll always struggle financially, God doesn't hear my prayers, I'll never be healed of this sickness, or I'll never be happy again after losing someone who meant so much to me. Don't forget that Satan is the father of lies, and thoughts such as these are great examples of the many he has in his arsenal. The moment you have a thought like this come into your mind, I encourage you to recognize it for exactly what it is; a lie from Satan, and to rebuke him immediately.
After you promptly rebuke Satan, remind yourself of the many promises of God found within his Word, and of the fact that God has never and will never break not one single promise. Remind yourself that God instructs us, in the above verse of scripture taken from the book of Joshua, to be strong and brave, not to be afraid, or dismayed because he is with us everywhere we go. Remind yourself that God will never leave you or forsake you. I also encourage you to remember the above verse of scripture taken from the book of Psalms. This verse instructs us to be courageous, and advises us that when we are, God will strengthen our heart if we will hope in him. It is made clear in the above verse of scripture taken from the book of Matthew that God is aware that as human beings we have the potential to become discouraged. He lets us know that we can come to him when we are feeling tired, and he will give us rest. Finally, the above passage of scripture taken from I Peter instructs us to cast all of our cares on the Lord knowing he cares for us. Please note it doesn't say cast your cares on God for a minute, and then take them back. I encourage you to cast your cares on God, and to leave them there. After all, he is Almighty God, and there is no problem so great that he can't handle it.
I urge you to remember that God loves you tremendously right where you are, and that it is not God's desire for us to become discouraged, and opt to live in that state. God wants you to have a joyous life filled with love and his divine peace. I encourage you to remember who God is, and that his power is unlimited. Take whatever problems you are facing to God in prayer, cast your cares on him, and leave them there. Be Patient in prayer waiting on God to work in your life no matter how long it takes knowing that his timing is absolutely perfect. Remember who you are in Christ, be strong and of good courage, be bold in your faith, and walk in love. Rest in the assurance that as a child of God you will never face not one single problem alone. Rebuke Satan and his spirit of discouragement, enjoy your life, be kind, spread love, witness for Christ, and watch God work in your life.
If you have a prayer request and would like me to pray for you, leave me a message and I will be more than happy to do so. May God bless you!
As human beings we all find ourselves feeling discouraged at one time or another in our lives. It can be caused by a job loss, a friendship failing, a personal relationship ending that you never wanted to end, a divorce, struggling to pay bills and raise a child or children alone, God taking longer than you have the patience for to answer your prayers, sickness, the loss of a loved one, and these are just a few of the struggles that can result in our landing in a pit of discouragement.
The first thing we need to remember when we find ourselves beginning to feel discouraged is that it is a negative emotion that comes straight from Satan himself. If we allow Satan to win us over with thoughts such as you'll never get another job, you'll never find anyone else who loves you, I'll never be able to raise this child or these children on my on, I'll always struggle financially, God doesn't hear my prayers, I'll never be healed of this sickness, or I'll never be happy again after losing someone who meant so much to me. Don't forget that Satan is the father of lies, and thoughts such as these are great examples of the many he has in his arsenal. The moment you have a thought like this come into your mind, I encourage you to recognize it for exactly what it is; a lie from Satan, and to rebuke him immediately.
After you promptly rebuke Satan, remind yourself of the many promises of God found within his Word, and of the fact that God has never and will never break not one single promise. Remind yourself that God instructs us, in the above verse of scripture taken from the book of Joshua, to be strong and brave, not to be afraid, or dismayed because he is with us everywhere we go. Remind yourself that God will never leave you or forsake you. I also encourage you to remember the above verse of scripture taken from the book of Psalms. This verse instructs us to be courageous, and advises us that when we are, God will strengthen our heart if we will hope in him. It is made clear in the above verse of scripture taken from the book of Matthew that God is aware that as human beings we have the potential to become discouraged. He lets us know that we can come to him when we are feeling tired, and he will give us rest. Finally, the above passage of scripture taken from I Peter instructs us to cast all of our cares on the Lord knowing he cares for us. Please note it doesn't say cast your cares on God for a minute, and then take them back. I encourage you to cast your cares on God, and to leave them there. After all, he is Almighty God, and there is no problem so great that he can't handle it.
I urge you to remember that God loves you tremendously right where you are, and that it is not God's desire for us to become discouraged, and opt to live in that state. God wants you to have a joyous life filled with love and his divine peace. I encourage you to remember who God is, and that his power is unlimited. Take whatever problems you are facing to God in prayer, cast your cares on him, and leave them there. Be Patient in prayer waiting on God to work in your life no matter how long it takes knowing that his timing is absolutely perfect. Remember who you are in Christ, be strong and of good courage, be bold in your faith, and walk in love. Rest in the assurance that as a child of God you will never face not one single problem alone. Rebuke Satan and his spirit of discouragement, enjoy your life, be kind, spread love, witness for Christ, and watch God work in your life.
If you have a prayer request and would like me to pray for you, leave me a message and I will be more than happy to do so. May God bless you!
Wednesday, February 15, 2017
Feeding A Flame
Proverbs 26:20-22 (KJV) Says, "Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth. As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife. The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly." Ephesians 4:29 (KJV) Says, "Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers." Proverbs 16:28 (KJV) Says, "A froward man soweth strife and a whisperer separateh chief friends."
The above verses of scripture taken from the book of Proverbs make clear that when we stop adding wood to a fire the fire goes out. These verses also make clear that the same can be said about spreading gossip or sharing news that should not be shared. When we partake in gossip or the spreading of any type information that is negative and should not be shared we are feeding the flame of a fire and growing it's intensity.
Theses verses from the book of Proverbs also make clear that, when we spread gossip or share news that should not be shared our words are like wounds. Words when not chosen wisely can and do cause harm to people and relationships.
The above verse of scripture taken from the book of Ephesians makes clear that we should not allow gossip or any form of hurtful and damaging speech to come out of our mouths. This verse instructs us that we should speak only on things that are good as born again believers in Jesus Christ. If we go about spreading gossip and stirring up strife then we are not behaving in a Christ-like manner. When others see that we do not participate in conversations that are based on gossip then we are setting a good example for them of what it looks like to be a Christian who is walking the walk. If we jump into these type conversations and gossip with those that are having a field day with someone then we are behaving no differently than they are, and I can promise you they will not see the fruits of the Spirit in us; or the light of Jesus Christ. Joining in on these type conversations is extremely damaging to our personal testimony, and it causes us to blow an opportunity to witness to those around us through our behavior. I am by no means saying that you should be rude, throw you nose up in the air and walk away in disgust, when you come upon one of these conversations. I am saying do not engage in them. You can either redirect the conversation; or walk away in a quiet and humble way. They will eventually get the message that engaging in these type conversations does not fit who you are in Christ.
Proverbs 16:28 listed above makes clear the damage that can be caused by one who is a talebearer and/or gossip. It makes clear that those who go about talking behind the backs of others, spreading gossip, and stirring up strife leave painful damage in their wake. Please note it doesn't say that they cause minor damage with their tongue or that they cause a little trouble, it says that their behavior separates even the greatest of friends.
I have seen, as I'm sure you have as well, the damage that can be caused by gossips, talebearers, and those who seem to feed off of strife. What could have been addressed and resolved between two individuals having an issue, easily turns into a fast-spreading poison that can run through an entire family like a wildfire, when a gossip or talebearer gets involved. We've all met people that can't wait to spread some piece of gossip that they've gotten their hands on. I have witnessed known gossips as they hear news that I realize they see as a dirt alert, and the moment they hear it their eyes light up with excitement. It was obvious secondary to the gleam in their eye that they can't wait to spread the news, and feed the flame.
I encourage you to remember that words added to strife are like wood added to a fire, and that both feed a flame. I further encourage you to avoid gossips and talebearers, and their attempts to cause strife and spread poison. Don't allow yourself to be caught up in their toxic behavior. Anytime you find yourself in a situation where a person or persons are talking about someone behind their back; or spreading gossip, refuse to be a part of it. Remind yourself that gossip and talking bad about other people does not fit who you are as a Christian. I urge you also to be extremely careful who you share your personal problems with. While it is great to have a friend or friends that we can confide in we must make certain they have our best interest at heart, that they are truly concerned for us, that they love us, and that they are not among those that are eager to feed a flame.
If you have a prayer request and would like me to pray for you, leave me a message and I will be more than happy to do so. May God bless you!
The above verses of scripture taken from the book of Proverbs make clear that when we stop adding wood to a fire the fire goes out. These verses also make clear that the same can be said about spreading gossip or sharing news that should not be shared. When we partake in gossip or the spreading of any type information that is negative and should not be shared we are feeding the flame of a fire and growing it's intensity.
Theses verses from the book of Proverbs also make clear that, when we spread gossip or share news that should not be shared our words are like wounds. Words when not chosen wisely can and do cause harm to people and relationships.
The above verse of scripture taken from the book of Ephesians makes clear that we should not allow gossip or any form of hurtful and damaging speech to come out of our mouths. This verse instructs us that we should speak only on things that are good as born again believers in Jesus Christ. If we go about spreading gossip and stirring up strife then we are not behaving in a Christ-like manner. When others see that we do not participate in conversations that are based on gossip then we are setting a good example for them of what it looks like to be a Christian who is walking the walk. If we jump into these type conversations and gossip with those that are having a field day with someone then we are behaving no differently than they are, and I can promise you they will not see the fruits of the Spirit in us; or the light of Jesus Christ. Joining in on these type conversations is extremely damaging to our personal testimony, and it causes us to blow an opportunity to witness to those around us through our behavior. I am by no means saying that you should be rude, throw you nose up in the air and walk away in disgust, when you come upon one of these conversations. I am saying do not engage in them. You can either redirect the conversation; or walk away in a quiet and humble way. They will eventually get the message that engaging in these type conversations does not fit who you are in Christ.
Proverbs 16:28 listed above makes clear the damage that can be caused by one who is a talebearer and/or gossip. It makes clear that those who go about talking behind the backs of others, spreading gossip, and stirring up strife leave painful damage in their wake. Please note it doesn't say that they cause minor damage with their tongue or that they cause a little trouble, it says that their behavior separates even the greatest of friends.
I have seen, as I'm sure you have as well, the damage that can be caused by gossips, talebearers, and those who seem to feed off of strife. What could have been addressed and resolved between two individuals having an issue, easily turns into a fast-spreading poison that can run through an entire family like a wildfire, when a gossip or talebearer gets involved. We've all met people that can't wait to spread some piece of gossip that they've gotten their hands on. I have witnessed known gossips as they hear news that I realize they see as a dirt alert, and the moment they hear it their eyes light up with excitement. It was obvious secondary to the gleam in their eye that they can't wait to spread the news, and feed the flame.
I encourage you to remember that words added to strife are like wood added to a fire, and that both feed a flame. I further encourage you to avoid gossips and talebearers, and their attempts to cause strife and spread poison. Don't allow yourself to be caught up in their toxic behavior. Anytime you find yourself in a situation where a person or persons are talking about someone behind their back; or spreading gossip, refuse to be a part of it. Remind yourself that gossip and talking bad about other people does not fit who you are as a Christian. I urge you also to be extremely careful who you share your personal problems with. While it is great to have a friend or friends that we can confide in we must make certain they have our best interest at heart, that they are truly concerned for us, that they love us, and that they are not among those that are eager to feed a flame.
If you have a prayer request and would like me to pray for you, leave me a message and I will be more than happy to do so. May God bless you!
Monday, February 13, 2017
Perfection
2 Peter 3:18 (KJV) Says, "But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever. Amen." Philippians 1:6 (KJV) Says, "Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ."
The above verse of scripture taken from 2 Peter instructs us that we are to grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. The verse of scripture taken from the book of Philippians tells us that we can and should be confident that God will continue the good work that he has begun in us until the day of Jesus Christ.
Once we accept Christ into our heart, we should have the desire to live our lives in a manner that is pleasing to him, and that sets an example for those around us as to what a Christ-like life looks like. The manner in which we live our lives is a huge part of our personal testimony. When we live our lives righteously it allows the light of Christ within us to shine through us for others to see. With that said, there are key elements that we must implement to grow and mature as Christians. We should pray, read and study God's Word, attend worship services, fellowship with other Christians, and sit quietly listening for him to lead, guide, and direct us. He can and does speak to us, if we will take the time to listen. He may speak to us through his Word, through other people, through nature, by placing something on our heart, or by clarifying something in our mind just to give a few examples. When we put God first in our lives, and do these things on a regular basis making our personal relationship with him a priority we will build, maintain, and strengthen our relationship with him, and we will grow in Christ. We will never reach the point, however, where we become sinless and perfect because we are human beings, and as such we are fallible.
It is important that we recognize and accept the fact that we will never be perfect so that we don't find ourselves feeling disappointed in ourselves, discouraged, and so stressed out that we are unable to be the disciples he has called us to be. I am by no means stating that we should use our freewill to commit sin purposefully with no remorse for doing so. What i'm say is that we should have the desire to live our lives in a manner that is pleasing to God, but that as human beings it is not possible to be perfect and sinless, therefore, when we fall short and sin we should confess our sins to God, ask him to forgive us, and move forward in our walk with him. If instead we continue to beat ourselves up over our sins, and allow Satan to convince us that we are not worthy of God's love and forgiveness then we land in a state of despair and become paralyzed by feelings of discouragement and defeat.
Each and every Christian falls short of the glory of God, and that is documented in Romans 3:23 (KJV) which says, "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;" When go to God in prayer and ask him to forgive us he does so immediately. The problem for many people is they have difficulty accepting the fact that God has forgiven them, and they also struggle to forgive themselves. If Almighty God can forgive us then we should be able to forgive ourselves.
In short, no human being will ever be sinless and perfect. We should strive to live righteous lives that are pleasing to God, but when we do commit sin that was not purposeful we need to go to God as soon as we recognize it, ask him to forgive us, repent of it, forgive ourselves, and move forward immediately. I urge you not to allow Satan to convince you that because you made a mistake you are not worthy of God's love or capable of serving him effectively. Recognize that you are a fallible human being attempting to live your life in a manner that pleases God. Remember that God forgives you the second you ask him to, that he loves you tremendously, and that we are all works in progress. Remember that we are growing in Christ, and do your best to please him.
God doesn't intend for Christians to go about beating themselves up because they feel they fall short of perfection, and he certainly isn't behind the spirit of defeat and discouragement that Satan likes to place on us. If we allow Satan to convince us that we are not worthy because we fall short of perfection then we are buying into his lies, and he is able to distract us from serving the Lord. The Christian life is not some strict, miserable, and unhappy life. It is a joy filled life full of God's love, joy, and divine peace. God is not standing in Heaven with a lightening bolt in his hand eager to strike you with it the moment you commit a sin; that is not who he is. God is loving, kind, forgiving, merciful, compassionate, understanding, and so much more. I urge you to remember these things, and any time Satan tries to paralyze your walk with God using his negative wiles rebuke him, and keep pressing forward in service to God being the bold disciple that God has called you to be.
If you have a prayer request and would like me to pray for you, leave me a message and I will be more than happy to do so. May God bless you!
The above verse of scripture taken from 2 Peter instructs us that we are to grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. The verse of scripture taken from the book of Philippians tells us that we can and should be confident that God will continue the good work that he has begun in us until the day of Jesus Christ.
Once we accept Christ into our heart, we should have the desire to live our lives in a manner that is pleasing to him, and that sets an example for those around us as to what a Christ-like life looks like. The manner in which we live our lives is a huge part of our personal testimony. When we live our lives righteously it allows the light of Christ within us to shine through us for others to see. With that said, there are key elements that we must implement to grow and mature as Christians. We should pray, read and study God's Word, attend worship services, fellowship with other Christians, and sit quietly listening for him to lead, guide, and direct us. He can and does speak to us, if we will take the time to listen. He may speak to us through his Word, through other people, through nature, by placing something on our heart, or by clarifying something in our mind just to give a few examples. When we put God first in our lives, and do these things on a regular basis making our personal relationship with him a priority we will build, maintain, and strengthen our relationship with him, and we will grow in Christ. We will never reach the point, however, where we become sinless and perfect because we are human beings, and as such we are fallible.
It is important that we recognize and accept the fact that we will never be perfect so that we don't find ourselves feeling disappointed in ourselves, discouraged, and so stressed out that we are unable to be the disciples he has called us to be. I am by no means stating that we should use our freewill to commit sin purposefully with no remorse for doing so. What i'm say is that we should have the desire to live our lives in a manner that is pleasing to God, but that as human beings it is not possible to be perfect and sinless, therefore, when we fall short and sin we should confess our sins to God, ask him to forgive us, and move forward in our walk with him. If instead we continue to beat ourselves up over our sins, and allow Satan to convince us that we are not worthy of God's love and forgiveness then we land in a state of despair and become paralyzed by feelings of discouragement and defeat.
Each and every Christian falls short of the glory of God, and that is documented in Romans 3:23 (KJV) which says, "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;" When go to God in prayer and ask him to forgive us he does so immediately. The problem for many people is they have difficulty accepting the fact that God has forgiven them, and they also struggle to forgive themselves. If Almighty God can forgive us then we should be able to forgive ourselves.
In short, no human being will ever be sinless and perfect. We should strive to live righteous lives that are pleasing to God, but when we do commit sin that was not purposeful we need to go to God as soon as we recognize it, ask him to forgive us, repent of it, forgive ourselves, and move forward immediately. I urge you not to allow Satan to convince you that because you made a mistake you are not worthy of God's love or capable of serving him effectively. Recognize that you are a fallible human being attempting to live your life in a manner that pleases God. Remember that God forgives you the second you ask him to, that he loves you tremendously, and that we are all works in progress. Remember that we are growing in Christ, and do your best to please him.
God doesn't intend for Christians to go about beating themselves up because they feel they fall short of perfection, and he certainly isn't behind the spirit of defeat and discouragement that Satan likes to place on us. If we allow Satan to convince us that we are not worthy because we fall short of perfection then we are buying into his lies, and he is able to distract us from serving the Lord. The Christian life is not some strict, miserable, and unhappy life. It is a joy filled life full of God's love, joy, and divine peace. God is not standing in Heaven with a lightening bolt in his hand eager to strike you with it the moment you commit a sin; that is not who he is. God is loving, kind, forgiving, merciful, compassionate, understanding, and so much more. I urge you to remember these things, and any time Satan tries to paralyze your walk with God using his negative wiles rebuke him, and keep pressing forward in service to God being the bold disciple that God has called you to be.
If you have a prayer request and would like me to pray for you, leave me a message and I will be more than happy to do so. May God bless you!
Friday, February 10, 2017
You Are Enough
Genesis 1:27 (KJV) Says, "So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them." I John 4:10 (KJV) Says, "Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his son (to be) the propitiation for our sins." Romans 5:8 (KJV) Says, "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." John 3:16 (KJV) Says, For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him, shall not perish, but have everlastng life." I Corinthians 3:16 (KJV) Says, "Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you. I Samuel 16:7 (KJV) Says, "But the Lord said unto Samuel, look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: For the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart." Romans 3:10 (KJV) Says, "As it is written, there is none righteous, no, not one: Romans 3:23 (KJV) Says, "For all have sinned; and come short of the glory of God;
Genesis 1:27, I John 4:10, Romans 5:8, and John 3:16 are just a few of the many verses of scripture in God's Word that make clear to us that he loves us tremendously. In fact, God's Word tells us that he loves us so much that he sent his ONLY Son who was perfect and sinless to die on the cross for our sins. That is without a doubt evidence that God loves each of us so much that words can't measure it. I Corinthians 3:16 reminds us that as born again believers in Jesus Christ, we have the Holy Spirit dwelling within us. I Samuel 16:7 reminds us that God doesn't look at our outward appearance as man does, but that God looks on our hearts. Romans 3:10 states that there is not one righteous human being, and Romans 3:23 tells us that all human beings are sinners and that each and every one of us fall short of the glory of God.
The reason I chose the above verses of scripture is because there are Christians in this world who behave as though they have reached the pinnacle of Christianity, and have landed in a position of sheer sinless perfection. These type individuals tend to talk down to other Christians who they personally deem are falling short in their walk with God. Let me state here that there is a huger difference in this type behavior, and holding fellow Christians accountable. I have witnessed Christians who place themselves above others as though there were some sin scale. These individuals are the same ones who behave in a holier than thou manner as they judge others, doubt the personal relationship others have with Christ, and question the salvation of others. For the record, questioning another's salvation is extremely dangerous as that's God's territory. I understand that we should be able to recognize born again believers by their fruit meaning of course that they are kind, understanding, loving, serving God, showing compassion, and so forth. With that said, we must keep in mind that someone can be a born again believer and backslide. Even though that is not a state any of us want to find ourselves in, it is not a state in which God takes away our salvation. Another thing to keep in mind is that just because we do not personally see someone serve God does not mean that they are not serving him, when they are not in our company. Maybe they are serving God and opting not to brag on the fact that they are doing so, because they are not seeking the praise of men.
Most of us have found ourselves at one time or another speaking to a Christian who leaves us feeling as though we are not enough or that we're not quite there yet. The result of these type interactions and conversations can be devastating and leave one feeling discouraged and defeated which is the polar opposite of how we should be feeling after having interacted with a fellow believer. We should walk away feeling uplifted and encouraged. A couple of great examples of encouraging individuals are found in Jesus and Paul, and we have proof of that as it is documented in the Word of God. There is no shame in needing to be encouraged and uplifted on occasion. It is not a surprise to God that as human beings we need encouragement from one another. His Word tells us that it is better for two to walk together so that if one falls there is one with them to lift them up.
We can find ourselves in trouble if we take our focus off of God, and place it on people. If we begin to listen to what others have to say about us and our walk with God then we are placing power in their hands that absolutely doesn't belong there. Your personal relationship with God is between you and him. Never allow anyone to cause you to question where you stand with God; or cause you to begin to doubt who you are in Christ. Remember the above verse of scripture taken from I Samuel which tells us that God looks on the heart. The heart is where our real truth can be found, and God sees it clearly. He knows what we think, how we feel, and what we are working on in our lives that we feel doesn't fit who we are as followers of Jesus Christ, Two people know your heart and those two people are you and Almighty God.
As born again believers in Jesus Christ we should have the desire in our hearts to live our lives in a manner that is pleasing to God. With that said, we are all a work in progress, and will be until the day God calls us home. In the meantime, Know who you are in Christ, serve him, love people, be compassionate, understanding, kind, and forgiving. Go to God in prayer and ask him to help you with the things that you know are not pleasing to him, and he will do so. Do not, however, ever let anyone cause you to doubt yourself or your salvation, make you feel less than, or leave you feeling discouraged and defeated as if you are not enough. There is a huge difference in being under conviction from God, and being made to feel less than by another human being. Don't let another human being set goals for you in your life that they feel must be accomplished in order for you to be on par in your walk with God.
If you ever find yourself feeling less than or defeated, I urge you to remind yourself that God created you in his own image, and that alone makes you enough. I urge you to remember that he loves you tremendously, and to keep in mind always that what matters is how God sees you; not people. Remember God looks on your heart, and that is not a skill other people possess. If you find yourself in a situation where someone is judging you, questioning your salvation, or attempting to cause you to question the strength of your personal relationship with Christ, don't allow it. Stand firm knowing who you are in Christ, how much he loves you, that you were created in the image of Almighty God, and that you are enough.
If you have a prayer request and would like me to pray for you, leave me a message and I will be more than happy to do so. May God bless you!
Genesis 1:27, I John 4:10, Romans 5:8, and John 3:16 are just a few of the many verses of scripture in God's Word that make clear to us that he loves us tremendously. In fact, God's Word tells us that he loves us so much that he sent his ONLY Son who was perfect and sinless to die on the cross for our sins. That is without a doubt evidence that God loves each of us so much that words can't measure it. I Corinthians 3:16 reminds us that as born again believers in Jesus Christ, we have the Holy Spirit dwelling within us. I Samuel 16:7 reminds us that God doesn't look at our outward appearance as man does, but that God looks on our hearts. Romans 3:10 states that there is not one righteous human being, and Romans 3:23 tells us that all human beings are sinners and that each and every one of us fall short of the glory of God.
The reason I chose the above verses of scripture is because there are Christians in this world who behave as though they have reached the pinnacle of Christianity, and have landed in a position of sheer sinless perfection. These type individuals tend to talk down to other Christians who they personally deem are falling short in their walk with God. Let me state here that there is a huger difference in this type behavior, and holding fellow Christians accountable. I have witnessed Christians who place themselves above others as though there were some sin scale. These individuals are the same ones who behave in a holier than thou manner as they judge others, doubt the personal relationship others have with Christ, and question the salvation of others. For the record, questioning another's salvation is extremely dangerous as that's God's territory. I understand that we should be able to recognize born again believers by their fruit meaning of course that they are kind, understanding, loving, serving God, showing compassion, and so forth. With that said, we must keep in mind that someone can be a born again believer and backslide. Even though that is not a state any of us want to find ourselves in, it is not a state in which God takes away our salvation. Another thing to keep in mind is that just because we do not personally see someone serve God does not mean that they are not serving him, when they are not in our company. Maybe they are serving God and opting not to brag on the fact that they are doing so, because they are not seeking the praise of men.
Most of us have found ourselves at one time or another speaking to a Christian who leaves us feeling as though we are not enough or that we're not quite there yet. The result of these type interactions and conversations can be devastating and leave one feeling discouraged and defeated which is the polar opposite of how we should be feeling after having interacted with a fellow believer. We should walk away feeling uplifted and encouraged. A couple of great examples of encouraging individuals are found in Jesus and Paul, and we have proof of that as it is documented in the Word of God. There is no shame in needing to be encouraged and uplifted on occasion. It is not a surprise to God that as human beings we need encouragement from one another. His Word tells us that it is better for two to walk together so that if one falls there is one with them to lift them up.
We can find ourselves in trouble if we take our focus off of God, and place it on people. If we begin to listen to what others have to say about us and our walk with God then we are placing power in their hands that absolutely doesn't belong there. Your personal relationship with God is between you and him. Never allow anyone to cause you to question where you stand with God; or cause you to begin to doubt who you are in Christ. Remember the above verse of scripture taken from I Samuel which tells us that God looks on the heart. The heart is where our real truth can be found, and God sees it clearly. He knows what we think, how we feel, and what we are working on in our lives that we feel doesn't fit who we are as followers of Jesus Christ, Two people know your heart and those two people are you and Almighty God.
As born again believers in Jesus Christ we should have the desire in our hearts to live our lives in a manner that is pleasing to God. With that said, we are all a work in progress, and will be until the day God calls us home. In the meantime, Know who you are in Christ, serve him, love people, be compassionate, understanding, kind, and forgiving. Go to God in prayer and ask him to help you with the things that you know are not pleasing to him, and he will do so. Do not, however, ever let anyone cause you to doubt yourself or your salvation, make you feel less than, or leave you feeling discouraged and defeated as if you are not enough. There is a huge difference in being under conviction from God, and being made to feel less than by another human being. Don't let another human being set goals for you in your life that they feel must be accomplished in order for you to be on par in your walk with God.
If you ever find yourself feeling less than or defeated, I urge you to remind yourself that God created you in his own image, and that alone makes you enough. I urge you to remember that he loves you tremendously, and to keep in mind always that what matters is how God sees you; not people. Remember God looks on your heart, and that is not a skill other people possess. If you find yourself in a situation where someone is judging you, questioning your salvation, or attempting to cause you to question the strength of your personal relationship with Christ, don't allow it. Stand firm knowing who you are in Christ, how much he loves you, that you were created in the image of Almighty God, and that you are enough.
If you have a prayer request and would like me to pray for you, leave me a message and I will be more than happy to do so. May God bless you!
Thursday, February 2, 2017
Encouragement
Joshua 1:9 (KJV) Says, "Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with the whithersoever thou goest." 2 Timothy 1:7 (KJV) Says, "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind."
The above two verses of scripture are just a couple of the many verses of encouragement that can be found in the Word of God, and encouragement is a vital necessity for all human beings. Children from a very young age need to hear words of encouragement from their parents in order to have instilled in them a sense of worthiness, and a healthy sense of pride.
Just as children need encouragement so do adults, and this applies to all human beings including Christians. Obviously God was aware of this because he included several encouraging verses of scripture in the Bible. If a person, whether child or adult, hears only that they are doing this or that wrong, that they are falling short here and there, and that they need to step up because they're not quite enough, then they will find themselves imprisoned by the spirit of defeat.
All people, including Christians, need to be hugged, told they are loved, and that they are worthy. Life is hard enough so we certainly don't need to walk around feeling depressed, hopeless, and less than. It is so important that we love and encourage one another and it is certainly not a difficult task. Even something as simple as a smile can be encouraging to someone, and who knows you may smile at someone who at the moment needed it desperately. As born again believers in Jesus Christ, we are to love one another, and when we love someone we should have the desire in our hearts to encourage them, and show them the love of Christ that is within us.
We get so busy with life that we fail to even notice the people around us. I urge you to take a good look at the faces of your friends, your family members, co-workers, church family members, and even strangers that cross your path. What you will notice on many faces these days is stress, sadness, pain, anger and bitterness. When you notice any of these expressions on someones face, I urge you to do something to encourage that individual even if it's simply taking the time to share a smile.
Don't be a person who feeds the spirit of defeat in others by telling them only what they are doing wrong, in what areas they are falling short, and how disappointed you are in them. Instead, encourage one another, share uplifting scripture, share a smile, share a hug, tell someone you love them. The love of Christ in whatever form serves to uplift and encourage people, and that in turn makes them feel worthy, appreciated, noticed, and loved, and those things are vitally important to human beings.
I urge you to notice the facial expressions on the people around you, and to reach out and encourage those who look as though they need it. Note this also that an encouraged Christian is a far better disciple and witness for Jesus Christ than is one who is feeling discouraged and defeated. Allow the love of Christ to shine through you and work through you to make this world a more loving place; after all, God is love.
If you have a prayer request and would like me to pray for you, leave me a message and I will be more than happy to do so. May God bless you!
The above two verses of scripture are just a couple of the many verses of encouragement that can be found in the Word of God, and encouragement is a vital necessity for all human beings. Children from a very young age need to hear words of encouragement from their parents in order to have instilled in them a sense of worthiness, and a healthy sense of pride.
Just as children need encouragement so do adults, and this applies to all human beings including Christians. Obviously God was aware of this because he included several encouraging verses of scripture in the Bible. If a person, whether child or adult, hears only that they are doing this or that wrong, that they are falling short here and there, and that they need to step up because they're not quite enough, then they will find themselves imprisoned by the spirit of defeat.
All people, including Christians, need to be hugged, told they are loved, and that they are worthy. Life is hard enough so we certainly don't need to walk around feeling depressed, hopeless, and less than. It is so important that we love and encourage one another and it is certainly not a difficult task. Even something as simple as a smile can be encouraging to someone, and who knows you may smile at someone who at the moment needed it desperately. As born again believers in Jesus Christ, we are to love one another, and when we love someone we should have the desire in our hearts to encourage them, and show them the love of Christ that is within us.
We get so busy with life that we fail to even notice the people around us. I urge you to take a good look at the faces of your friends, your family members, co-workers, church family members, and even strangers that cross your path. What you will notice on many faces these days is stress, sadness, pain, anger and bitterness. When you notice any of these expressions on someones face, I urge you to do something to encourage that individual even if it's simply taking the time to share a smile.
Don't be a person who feeds the spirit of defeat in others by telling them only what they are doing wrong, in what areas they are falling short, and how disappointed you are in them. Instead, encourage one another, share uplifting scripture, share a smile, share a hug, tell someone you love them. The love of Christ in whatever form serves to uplift and encourage people, and that in turn makes them feel worthy, appreciated, noticed, and loved, and those things are vitally important to human beings.
I urge you to notice the facial expressions on the people around you, and to reach out and encourage those who look as though they need it. Note this also that an encouraged Christian is a far better disciple and witness for Jesus Christ than is one who is feeling discouraged and defeated. Allow the love of Christ to shine through you and work through you to make this world a more loving place; after all, God is love.
If you have a prayer request and would like me to pray for you, leave me a message and I will be more than happy to do so. May God bless you!
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