Pleasing people
By Belspearl
This is a topic that people don’t talk about enough. Many people are born people pleasers. I identify as a “recovering” people pleaser. I have come such a long way and I want to share what I have learned to bring hope and restoration to others. I didn’t realize that I was a people pleaser until in my adult years. After my childhood, after college, and even after I started working at my first job. I was living a life that revolved around keeping the people around me happy. I wish I could say that I could blame it on the people around me. But, I cannot. It is a heart issue. Something that only God can repair.
I had this fear that as soon as those close to me discovered the real me they would no longer want me. I was looking at life through a conditional lens. If I was to accomplish tasks, make people smile, and keep them happy then I would have their attention, affection, and respect. That is the scariest part about pleasing people. Everyone stated that I was a kind, sweet, and friendly person. No one realized that I was on a steady downward dangerous spiral.
I had been working a stable job for 2 years. I lived in a large house with roommates. I was dating guys. Hanging out with friends. But, one day I realized that no one around me was happy. The more I would try the more it didn’t work. The harder I would have to work. I was judgemental, frustrated, and then all of a sudden I became depressed. I couldn’t get out of bed. I couldn’t smile. I had given up. My life was a waste and I had let everyone down. I was not okay. I was the complete opposite of what everyone thought I was. No one could understand or help me.
I went to counseling. It helped me change my perspective. When I started looking into it; God has a lot to say about it. “The fear of the Lord leads to life; then one rests content, untouched by trouble.” Proverbs 19:23. This verse is amazing! I was afraid of what people thought of me. I didn’t want people to know the real me. Then, they wouldn’t want me. Instead, my fear needed to be pointed toward Christ. He is the only opinion that should matter. His perspective is the only one that reveals my identity. I needed to view him with a holy fear. However, the power in this verse is what follows. UNTOUCHED BY TROUBLE. The stress of making people happy is gone. Words of people no longer hold meaning. Darts that Satan throws don’t stick. When God is the one you are pleasing you find true peace. Peace that passes beyond understanding (Phil 4:7).
The more time you spend with God the more he will change your identity. I am happy now because I fear the Lord. I follow the plans he has for me. I ask him to show me how to love. When to love. What people decide to do with what I have done is up to them. I am held accountable to the God who holds my heart. Praying blessings over you. That you find the freedom God wants you to have.
Thank you. Have a God glorifying day.
LIVING YOUR DREAMS
This is a christian motivational blog that inspires, motivates and elevates you. its run by the edu-entrepreneur group (GMG). all we do is rediscover lives.
Tuesday, 5 March 2019
God Our Protector
We have seen in the past, and continue to see, a great many tragedies in our world—earthquakes, tsunamis, floods, hurricanes and, of course, the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001. The list could continue ad infinitum. During tragedies like these, we often see innocent peoples’ lives snuffed out in a matter of minutes or seconds. Many times the focus is put upon the children and how tragic it is for families who lose a child in an untimely death.
These types of tragedies will inevitably engender the following questions: “Where was God?” “Why didn’t God protect us?” “If there is a God, why does He allow such horrible accidents?”
For many people, it comes down to a very basic question: “Does God exist?” People like to take personal credit for any successes they have. If something goes wrong, however, they are quick to blame God.
Do you believe that God protects those who call upon Him? Every year in our church, we have a special ceremony to ask God to bless the little children. And nearly every time we have an opening or closing prayer at a church service, we ask for God’s protection. Do we believe He will protect us? Of course! Does He? Absolutely! Does He sometimes allow even those who pray for His protection to experience an accident or even a tragedy? Yes. Have you ever been in an automobile/motorcycle—or any kind of accident? Do you believe that even in that accident God protected you—saved your life? Do you know of anyone who has died in an accident?
I think most have experienced an accident of some sort. If you’ve been around for a long time, you surely have heard of those who believe that if it were not for God, they would have had much worse things happen. How many people on that Minnesota bridge fell more than 60 feet and suffered little or no physical damage? How many surfaced from their cars after plunging headlong into the river?
So, how should a Christian approach this subject? What if someone on the job, a relative or an acquaintance asks you, “How could a loving God allow this to happen?” What would you say? Would you be ready to give an answer?
If we look at God’s Word, we see that there are some reasons that accidents and tragedies occur in this world. We also need to understand this subject—not only for our own peace of mind, but to help others understand, if the situation ever arises.
Consider three principles that can help us keep tragedy and disaster in perspective.
We are all flesh and blood!
First, to some extent what we’re talking about is physical inevitability. Man is physical. We’re all temporary! Look at Hebrews 9:27: “And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment.” Another verse that illustrates this point is 1 Corinthians 15:50 where Paul writes that “flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God.”
God never intended that mankind would live forever in the flesh. You cannot find any scripture to support such an idea. In spite of mankind trying to perpetuate his physical existence by every means possible—be it technology, medicines, surgeries or cryogenics—the truth is that we deteriorate and wear out! Of course, some of us wear out faster than others due to genes, lifestyle, exercise, diet, accidents or some other factor.
If we look at this subject with the realization that we are physical and at some point in the future we will expire, we will be able to understand why God allows death. Let’s face it, we can’t turn ourselves over and see our expiration date. God has power over death through the resurrection, and all who die will live again, in their own order as shown in 1 Corinthians 15:23: “But each one in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ’s at His coming.” Part of this understanding involves knowing God’s plan (revealed through His annual Holy Days) and knowing that all mankind will have the opportunity to have life eternal at some point in the future.
Why are there tragedies and accidents in the world today?
Second, we need to consider who is behind tragedy and disaster. Is God responsible? “We know that…the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one” (1 John 5:19). This is not God’s world. YET! Satan is the destroyer (Abaddon and Apollyon in Hebrew and Greek, Revelation 9:11), the deceiver (Revelation 12:9), the father of murders (John 8:44). He persecutes the Church and tries to devour the sheep of God like a lion (1 Peter 5:8). We must understand that God allows Satan to have some power over “natural disasters” on this earth (for now)—but he and his minions will be vanquished at the coming of Jesus Christ (2 Thessalonians 2:8 and Revelation 20:2). Though Satan rules this society, he is still limited in what he is allowed to do.
In this world, we learn to trust God and endure—to avoid and resist Satan at all cost (1 Peter 5:9-10). We must turn to God in the face of disasters and according to His will—He will protect us!
The principle of cause and effect
Many times personal catastrophes are the result of going against that which is right (transgression against spiritual laws is sinning). What about an event where a 2-year-old was hit by a car? Lots of questions can be asked about a situation like this: Was he taught properly to stay out of the street? Where was his mother or guardian? Maybe it was the driver’s fault—was the driver speeding or impaired? These same sorts of questions can be extended to any accident.
Think back to the Minnesota bridge collapse. If a bridge is allowed to deteriorate into a state of disrepair, and you put 150 cars on it during rush hour and it falls down, someone must have overlooked something. Is there an engineering design or principle that would have prevented its collapse?
Can you even imagine mankind doing anything he wanted and knowing that there would never be any penalty or consequence? What kind of a miserable, topsy-turvy world would that be? Would we all be automatons doing what comes naturally and having God watching every move we made? We’d never get burned when we touched fire, never die if we jumped off a building—the list could just go on and on.
If we see negative effects in our lives, we should evaluate them to determine if they are the result of inappropriate actions. Where necessary and possible, we should be able to make necessary adjustments (for instance, repentance which includes changing from sinning to obeying God). Change the cause, so you get the desired effect!
We are free moral agents and can choose to do right or wrong. God told the nation of Israel that He wanted them to be a model nation for all other nations and to choose life (see Deuteronomy 30:11-19).
Ultimately God will give each person an opportunity to choose His way. We have been given the opportunity to choose that way now. Very few today understand what the right choices are, but someday the whole world will come to understand! But even though we have that opportunity, sometimes it’s hard to make the right choice. If we balance on the edge of a cliff over a canyon or a river, there’s a chance that we will fall. If you choose to do dangerous things or choose a dangerous activity to participate in, God will sometimes allow you to suffer the penalty.
We can avoid many tragedies in this life if we choose God’s way over the way of this world. You will be blessed and protected, but sometimes even God’s people are victims of:
Time and chance
Ecclesiastes 9:10-11: “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might; for there is no work or device or knowledge or wisdom in the grave where you are going. I returned, and saw under the sun that—the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, nor bread to the wise, nor riches to men of understanding, nor favor to men of skill; but time and chance happen to them all.”
“Time and chance” doesn’t mean that we roll the dice and gamble every time we step out of our houses. As Christians, we pray each day for God’s blessings, guidance, deliverance and protection. We live our lives with confidence and faith in God. Notice what Satan said to God: “Have You not made a hedge around him, around his household, and around all that he has on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land” (Job 1:10).
“Time and chance” just means that sometimes things happen that we never expected. God is carefully guiding and molding those He has called into His Church, so what happens to them will not ever be simply time and chance. But when we don’t see what God is doing behind the scenes, it often seems to be time and chance. The point for everyone to remember is, things will often happen that you don’t expect.
Circumstances occur over time, accidents happen, cars drive on the wrong side of the road, bridges fall down; there are hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, violence, terrorism, etc. We need to be on guard and vigilant in this world, and of course, we need to do our part to do what’s right.
In Luke 13:1-5 Jesus used an example similar to the Minnesota bridge collapse. He explained that those who died when a tower fell on them didn’t deserve to perish because they were worse than others. He used their tragic experience with “time and chance” to teach that when a person repents and commits to following Jesus, their lives are not left to arbitrary tragedy. Even if they fall victim to what seems to be a random circumstance, they can be assured that God is aware and is watching over them.
We need to also realize that at times God will allow us to encounter a trial to test our faith.
Trials are a test of faith
God promises to never test us beyond what we can endure (1 Corinthians 10:13), which is one of the most encouraging verses in the Bible for a Christian. Combine this with Hebrews 11:6 (“But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek him”) and we see that our faith must be unwavering—knowing that our future is not based on the physical. There are several scriptures about trials. This is because God allows some trials and gives us other trials! It’s part of the life of a Christian to suffer in this world. We can learn valuable lessons from enduring, and we’re admonished by Christ to endure to the end.
Ultimately God will deliver us from even the most difficult and severe circumstances (see Psalms 34:17-22). For some this will be when we enter His Kingdom! It may not necessarily happen in this life!
Being content with what you have (see Philippians 4:11-13) can also apply to trials. Sometimes when we go through very difficult trials, we can be discouraged and we may even ask God to remove a trial. When we experience a trial, God is working specifically in the situation so we might learn the most we can in this life and develop patience and overcome! He knows what we need, when we need it and the difficulty we can endure!
Conclusion
God is our protector, but we must do our part. And we must live life with the understanding that we were not meant to live forever in the flesh. God does protect us according to His will (see Psalms 91:1-16). According to His will, this means “in our best interest” (even though we may not be able to see it at the time)! He wants us to make it into His Kingdom and be part of His eternal family. He knows how to protect us and how to work in our lives.
God wants us to be in good health and to prosper in this life, and that’s good! But that is not all there is to life. It’s true that we have a great future ahead of us, and we need to focus on that future, not on the physical. What happens in this life cannot even be compared to the things that God has prepared for those who love Him (1 Corinthians 2:9).
Enjoy each other. While times are good, kiss your mate, hug and kiss your kids! Praise and thank God for your blessings. Ask God to protect you, according to His will, and only give you trials that you can endure!
And in every circumstance remember the promise in Hebrews 13:5-6: “Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, ‘I will never leave you, nor forsake you.’ So we may boldly say: ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?”
Monday, 4 March 2019
FREEDOM BY GOD FROM THE DEVIL
Satan’s work is not the chief peril dealt with in the death of Christ. God’s wrath is. God is opposed to us in his righteous wrath, and he is for us in his love. Therefore, in his great love, he sends his Son to endure his own wrath against us. In this way, his righteousness is upheld and his love is expressed. His wrath and curse and condemnation of our sin are endured for us by another—a substitute, Jesus Christ. Here are some of the texts that teach this:
§ “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him” (John 3:36).
§ “Since . . . we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God” (Romans 5:9).
§ “[We] were by nature children of wrath . . . . But God . . . made us alive together with Christ” (Ephesians 2:3-4).
§ “God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ who died for us” (1 Thessalonians 5:9).
§ “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law [which is an expression of his wrath] by becoming a curse for us [so that we do not bear God’s wrath]” (Galatians 3:13).
§ “By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, [God] condemned sin in the flesh [thus, his wrathful condemnation of sin is expended on his Son’s flesh, not ours]” (Romans 8:3).
Nevertheless, in dealing with God’s wrath in this way, the double work of Satan is itself overcome. It is crucial that we see this wrath-enduring work of Christ as foundational to our deliverance from Satan’s work. To say it more provocatively, it is crucial that we see our deliverance from God as foundational to our deliverance from Satan.
The double work of Satan is his work of accusation and his work of temptation. His name, Satan, means accuser. And John describes him that way, “The accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God” (Revelation 12:10). And both Matthew and Paul call him “the tempter” (Matthew 4:3; 1 Thessalonians 3:5). Consider then how Christ’s deliverance from the wrath of God is the foundation of his deliverance from both these works of Satan.
When Satan accuses us before God, what he accuses us with is sin. The only reason this accusation has a significance is that it is true. Both Satan and God know that we have sinned. And they both know that “the wages of sin is [eternal] death” (Romans 6:23). That is, God’s appointed punishment for sin is eternal torment (Matthew 25:41, 46; Revelation 14:11). Sin deserves and receives God’s wrath. “On account of these [sins] the wrath of God is coming” (Colossians 3:6). So Satan is laying claim to humans and saying that on God’s own terms they must be damned like he is for his sin.
But at this point in Satan’s accusation, Jesus Christ stands forth as our advocate and intercedes for us. God designed this, desires this, and delights in this. “If anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. He is the propitiation for our sins” (1 John 2:1-2). Christ’s advocacy is based on his propitiation—his infallible securing of the removal of God’s wrath for all who are in him. So Satan’s accusations fall to the ground because our Advocate pleads his own blood and righteousness on our behalf. “Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us” (Romans 8:34). Christ’s advocacy and intercession for us nullify Satan’s accusations against us. This advocacy and intercession are based on his death for us. By this death for us, Christ endured God’s wrath against us. Therefore, Christ’s deliverance from God’s wrath is the foundation of his deliverance of us from Satan’s accusations.
This is also true of our deliverance from Satan’s temptations. Christ’s propitiating work to deliver us from God’s wrath is not only the foundation of our deliverance from Satan’s accusations but also from his temptations. Many Christians fail to see this. That is why the gospel (the news of Christ’s wrath-enduring, guilt-removing death and resurrection) is so often associated with starting the Christian life but not living the Christian life.
There are at least two ways that the New Testament shows how Christ’s deliverance from God’s wrath is the foundation for our deliverance from Satan’s temptations. One is that our victory over Satan’s temptations assumes God’s merciful help by his Spirit. “Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil” (Ephesians 6:11). “God may perhaps grant them repentance . . . and they may . . . escape from the snare of the devil” (2 Timothy 2:25-26). “By the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body” (Romans 8:13).
Without the merciful gifts of God’s armor and repentance and Spirit, we cannot defeat the temptations of the devil. But the only reason God’s full sanctifying mercy is flowing to us (through his armor and repentance and Spirit) is because his wrath isn’t. And the reason his wrath isn’t is because Christ endured it for us on the cross. Therefore, our deliverance from Satan’s temptations is based on our deliverance from God’s wrath.
One other way that the New Testament shows this is by teaching us that when Christ died for us, we died with him. And because we died with him, we can reckon ourselves dead to Satan’s temptations to sin. “We have been united with [Christ] in a death like his . . . . [O]ur old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin” (Romans 6:5-6; cf. Galatians 2:20). “One has died for all, therefore all have died” (2 Corinthians 5:14). Therefore, one of the ways we fight Satan’s temptations to sin is to reckon ourselves dead to sin. “So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus” (Romans 6:11). We can do this because when Christ died for us, we died in him.
But why did he have to die for us? Why did we have to die in him? Because the wages of sin is death. God’s righteous wrath sooner or later falls on all sin (colossians 3;16). Therefore, the death of Christ, by which we die to sin, is the same death that endures the wrath of God for us. The death that we die in Christ is both our punishment for sin and our death to sin. They are inseparable. That is why Christ’s work to deliver us from the wrath of God is not only his deliverance from the accusations of the devil but also from the temptations of the devil.
Summarizing, Christ’s wrath-enduring, propitiating work on the cross is the foundation of our justification and our sanctification. This justifying work of God corresponds to, and conquers, Satan’s work of accusation. And this sanctifying work of God corresponds to, and conquers, Satan’s work of temptation. In our justification, Satan’s accusations lose their condemning power, and in our sanctification, Satan’s temptations lose their corrupting power. And both—our deliverance from his accusations and our deliverance from his temptations—are based on our deliverance from God’s wrath by the cross of Christ (that is, by his propitiation).
Therefore, in the defense of the gospel, let us never surrender the wrath-enduring substitution of Christ on our behalf. It is foundational to everything that matters in our lives. And in the radical living of the gospel for the glory of Christ and the good of the world, let us never get beyond the gospel of Christ crucified in our place. May it be our daily bread. May we live by its Satan-defeating power.
Loving the gospel of Christ with you,
Saturday, 2 March 2019
GOD, OUR PROVIDER
Your heavenly Father is the Great Provider for all the earth. He gives rain when the earth needs refreshment. He calls the sun from its hiding when the earth needs warmth. He gives to the animals their food, the flowers their beauty, the birds their shelter, and you and me everything we need.
We worship a God who is both loving and powerful. He is both omnipotent and omnipresent. He is both good and able. If he were not, we would be forced to fend for ourselves, striving for that which he has promised to provide. If he were only good, we would not be assured of the provision his power provides. And if he were only able, we would fear for a lack of his desire to provide. But God is our heavenly Father who both knows what we need and longs to provide for us in exceeding measures. He is our Creator and Sustainer, Lord of all and Lord in all.
So why do you fear for your needs? Why do you stress over the foundational cares of this life while your heavenly Father is seated on his throne? The truth is that until we experience for ourselves both the goodness and power of our heavenly Father, the truth of his provision will only ever feel like a heady, theological principle. Until we experience firsthand the character and provision of our God, fear will remain.
1 John 4:18 says, “There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.” God longs to perfect you in his love today. He longs to guide you into an encounter with his goodness and power. He longs to establish a foundation of his faithfulness by which you can live in faith. May you have a transformative encounter with the Holy Spirit today that frees you from fear and striving as you enter into guided prayer.
Now let's look at the key text that relates to God's provision:
Abraham looked up and there in a thicket he saw a ram caught by its horns. He went over and took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering instead of his son. So Abraham called that place The LORD Will Provide (Yahweh-yir´eh). And to this day it is said, "On the mountain of the LORD it will be provided." (Genesis 22:13-14)
In this case Abraham doesn't call God a different name, but he names the place with a compound, "Yahweh Provides" (New Jerusalem Bible). The King James Version transliterates the Hebrew words as "Jehovah-jireh." A better pronunciation here is Yahweh-yir´eh.
This was the first time we know of that Abraham had to trust God to provide. Later, as God reveals himself to Moses and the people of Israel, they begin to understand that this is part of God's responsibility as King and part of his role as Father and part of his character as the Loving God. In the New Testament we see two clear statements:
"But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." (Matthew 6:33, KJV)
"And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:19)
From that day forward, Abraham remembered the name he had given that mountain top “Jehovah Jireh, Yahweh-yir´eh, "The LORD Will Provide."
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Friday, 1 March 2019
GOD OUR HEALER
The Bible describes God as "Jehovah-Rophe" (or Jehovah-Rapha) more than 60 times. Jehovah means “God” and Rophe or Rapha means “to restore,” “to heal,” or “to make healthful.”
In Exodus 15:26, God promised Moses and the people of Israel, “If you listen carefully to the Lord your God and do what is right in his eyes, if you pay attention to his commands and keep all his decrees, I will not bring on you any of the diseases I brought on the Egyptians, for I am the Lord, who heals you.”
Healer is an integral part of God’s character. God cares about every area of your health — your physical health, your mental and emotional well-being as well as your spiritual vitality (Psalm 103:2-3). When we understand that God is Jehovah-Rophe, the Great Physician, we recognize that no healing happens apart from Him. Only He can provide lasting healing from our brokenness.
So often, we want the healing without the dealing. But God has to deal with the source of our pain — the rejection, the hurt, or perhaps the betrayal — to heal us.
Our Healer has never and will never change (Malachi 3:6). Jesus still does miracles. God works through modern medicine, just like He worked through ancient Israel’s laws to protect them from disease.
The Gospel is the physical, moral, and spiritual remedy for all people. Because in Christ, we have eternal life, the guidance of the Holy Spirit, and connection with God (Isaiah 53:5).
Reflect:
· When you think about your overall health, what can you begin to give God today for healing?
· What are you grateful to God for regarding your health today?
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Thursday, 28 February 2019
FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” (Galatians 5:22-23)
The Greek word translated “fruit” refers to the natural product of a living thing. Paul used “fruit” to help us understand the product of the Holy Spirit, who lives inside every believer. The fruit of the Spirit is produced by the Spirit, not by the Christian. The Greek word is singular, showing that “fruit” is a unified whole, not independent characteristics. As we grow, all the characteristics of Christ will be manifested in our lives.
Yet, like physical fruit needs time to grow, the fruit of the Spirit will not ripen in our lives overnight. Like a successful gardener must battle against weeds to enjoy the sweet fruit they desire, we must constantly work to rid our lives of the “weeds” of our old sin natures that want to choke out the work of the Spirit.
The Holy Spirit gives us the power we need to reject those old sinful desires. We can say “no” to sin and accept the “way out” God faithfully provides (1 Corinthians 10:13) by following the Holy Spirit’s leading.
As we give the Spirit more control of our lives, He begins to do in and through us what only He can do - to shape us and grow us to look like Jesus (2 Corinthians 3:17-18).
Since God’s goal for all His children is for us to be like Jesus (Romans 8:29), the Holy Spirit constantly works to rid our lives of the “acts of the sinful nature” (Gal 5:19) and display His fruit instead. Therefore, the presence of the “fruit of the Spirit” is evidence that our character is becoming more like Christ’s.
Paul uses 9 characteristics to describe the fruit of the Spirit in the book of Galatians.
Love
Love
True, biblical love is a choice, not a feeling. It deliberately expresses itself in loving ways and always seeks the welfare of others. Biblical love is dependent on the giver’s character, not emotion. For instance, a mature believer demonstrating love will not exercise his or her freedom if that action might harm another Christian in some way. Rather than risking the possibility of causing the immature Christian to question and stumble, the mature believer will not exercise his freedom out of love for his brother (Romans 14:1-15). Love chooses to set aside one’s own preferences, desires, and sometimes even needs to put the other person first (Philippians 2:1-3).
Joy
Joy
Sometimes we Christians tend to downplay the meaning of joy. But, the Greek word translated as “joy” in Galatians 5 means “gladness and delight” – basically the same thing the world means when it talks about joy. It is a feeling of gladness based on our circumstances. Sadly, the world’s joy cannot last because it is based on fleeting, physical circumstances. But the joy of the Lord is established in our spiritual, eternal circumstances. As we cling tight to Jesus, abiding daily in our saving relationship with Him, we will experience the fullness of joy He promised (John 15:4-11).
Peace
Peace
The world doesn’t offer much peace. Just look around. The world cannot give it because the world doesn’t know the One who is peace. But for those who have the Spirit of peace within us, the peace of Christ is possible, no matter our circumstances (John 14:27). We can reject the chaos of the world and embrace God’s peace. The book of Philippians tells us how (Philippians 4:4-9). First, choose to rejoice in God and who He is. Second, bring all your worries, fears, and concerns to God in prayer. Third, fill your mind with God’s truth. And fourth, choose to think about the things of God.
Patience
Patience
We don’t see much patience in the world today, not even in the church. Maybe part of the reason is our fast-paced, want-it-now culture. But Christians have everything we need to be patient because we have the Holy Spirit living in us longing to display His character to those around us. Patient people put up with circumstances and other people, even when severely tried. Patient people display endurance, longsuffering, and perseverance. The New Testament also specifically connects patience with sharing the Gospel. God is patient as He waits for the lost to come to Him (2 Peter 3:9) and He calls His people to be patient as we extend the offer of salvation in Christ to others (2 Timothy 4:20).
Kindness and Goodness
Kindness and Goodness
The characteristics of “kindness” and “goodness” are closely related. Together they present the picture of one who not only possesses moral goodness and integrity, but also generously expresses it in the way they act toward others. This “goodness in action” reflects God’s kindness and goodness toward us. God demonstrated His kindness and goodness to us in our salvation (Titus 3:4) and will continue to “show the immeasurable riches of His grace in kindness toward us” for all eternity (Ephesians 2:7)!
Faithfulness
Faithfulness
To be “faithful” is to be reliable or trustworthy. For the Christian, this is faithfulness specifically to the Savior who redeemed us. Christian faithfulness therefore, is continued and consistent submission and obedience to the same Spirit who provides the ability for us to be faithful. This attitude is in direct contrast to our previous “faithfulness” to our own sinful desires and ways. The word also describes someone willing to suffer persecution and even death for Christ’s sake. “Therefore, among God’s churches we boast about your perseverance and faith in all the persecutions and trials you are enduring." (2 Thessalonians 1:4)
Gentleness/Meekness
Gentleness/Meekness
Closely linked to humility, gentleness is grace of the soul. It is not weakness, but instead it is strength under control. For instance, in Paul’s second letter to Timothy, he wrote that the “Lord’s servant” will “correct his opponents with gentleness” (2 Timothy 2:25). And in Paul’s letter to the church in Galatia, he wrote that those who have been caught in sin should be restored in a “spirit of gentleness” (Galatians 6:1). Gentleness, being the opposite of self-assertiveness and self-interest, is also a key ingredient in unity and peace within the body of Christ (Ephesians 4:2).
Self-Control
Self-Control
The last characteristic in Paul’s description of the fruit of the Spirit points us back to his list of the “works of the flesh” in Galatians 5:19-21. Those of us with the indwelling Holy Spirit has the strength to control our sinful desires, to say “no” to our flesh. Self-control gives us the power to say “yes” to the Spirit and foster a beautiful, bountiful harvest of spiritual fruit!
Monday, 25 February 2019
WAITING ON GOD
Waiting for God – He Acts on our Behalf
Are you waiting for God? He acts on our behalf as we wait for Him. “Since ancient times no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you, who acts on behalf of those who wait for him” (Isaiah 64:4).
A few years ago, a man went in for his annual physical and the doctor ordered a routine chest x-ray. A lesion was found on his lung and a CAT scan was ordered. After the CAT scan, other tests were done. Church and family prayed as they waited in expectancy to see how God would answer. During times of trial, depending on God to bring us through is sometimes difficult. However, we can always reflect on other times of suffering and how we were kept by His power.
This man has been going to a cardiologist for the last two years and the x-rays have been negative. The cardiologist continues to check on this spot on the lung every six months. As he await results, he trusted God and know He is in control. Today we praise and thank God once again for a negative test. He alone has acted on our behalf as we wait on Him!
Are you waiting for God? He acts on our behalf as we wait for Him. “Since ancient times no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you, who acts on behalf of those who wait for him” (Isaiah 64:4).
A few years ago, a man went in for his annual physical and the doctor ordered a routine chest x-ray. A lesion was found on his lung and a CAT scan was ordered. After the CAT scan, other tests were done. Church and family prayed as they waited in expectancy to see how God would answer. During times of trial, depending on God to bring us through is sometimes difficult. However, we can always reflect on other times of suffering and how we were kept by His power.
This man has been going to a cardiologist for the last two years and the x-rays have been negative. The cardiologist continues to check on this spot on the lung every six months. As he await results, he trusted God and know He is in control. Today we praise and thank God once again for a negative test. He alone has acted on our behalf as we wait on Him!
Waiting for God – He Strengthens Us
As you are waiting for God, He strengthens you. “But those who wait on the Lord will find new strength. They will fly high on wings as eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint” (Isaiah 40:31).
I once heard an illustration about how God strengthens us during trials. It went like this: “Did you know that an eagle knows when a storm is approaching long before it breaks? The eagle will fly to high spot and wait for the winds to come. When the storm hits, it sets its wings so that the wind will pick it up and lift it above the storm. While the storm rages below, the eagle is soaring above it. The eagle does not escape the storm; it simply uses the storm to lift it higher. It rises on the winds that bring the storm. When the storms of life come upon us, we can rise above them by setting our minds and our belief toward God. The storms do not have to overcome us; we can allow God's power to lift us above them. God enables us to ride the winds of the storm that bring sickness, tragedy, failure, and disappointment into our lives. We can soar above the storm. Remember, it is not the burdens of life that weigh us down, it is how we handle them.”
As you are waiting for God, He strengthens you. “But those who wait on the Lord will find new strength. They will fly high on wings as eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint” (Isaiah 40:31).
I once heard an illustration about how God strengthens us during trials. It went like this: “Did you know that an eagle knows when a storm is approaching long before it breaks? The eagle will fly to high spot and wait for the winds to come. When the storm hits, it sets its wings so that the wind will pick it up and lift it above the storm. While the storm rages below, the eagle is soaring above it. The eagle does not escape the storm; it simply uses the storm to lift it higher. It rises on the winds that bring the storm. When the storms of life come upon us, we can rise above them by setting our minds and our belief toward God. The storms do not have to overcome us; we can allow God's power to lift us above them. God enables us to ride the winds of the storm that bring sickness, tragedy, failure, and disappointment into our lives. We can soar above the storm. Remember, it is not the burdens of life that weigh us down, it is how we handle them.”
When waiting for God, He blesses you. “Yet the LORD longs to be gracious to you; he rises to show you compassion. For the LORD is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him” (Isaiah 30:18).
What does it mean to be blessed by God while we wait on Him? As we wait on God and His timing, He can accomplish so much in our hearts. Often we find new purpose in life, receive answers to prayer, see God work, increase our faith, and most often we see God’s perfect plan fulfilled in our situation. Remember, waiting is not wasted time!
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