Keep it Together

I do my very best in every situation to respond with love and wisdom, to not give way to anger because I know that anger will often lead me to react in a way contrary to the desires of my spirit.  So often, I find that when life becomes hectic, my patience becomes short.  My flesh fails me often, which is why it is important to rely on the Holy Spirit to guide and direct our spirit in all that we do.

Ephesians 4:24-30 says  24 ”Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.  25 So stop telling lies. Let us tell our neighbors the truth, for we are all parts of the same body. 26 And “don’t sin by letting anger control you.” [a] Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry,  27 for anger gives a foothold to the devil.  28 If you are a thief, quit stealing. Instead, use your hands for good hard work, and then give generously to others in need.  29 Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.  30 And do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, He has identified you as His own, [b] guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption.”

           

When things do not go according to my plan  (which is often), it is an uncomfortable, often stressful feeling.  Some people handle this stress in a variety of different ways.  Some count to 10, take a few breaths, go for a run, scream into a pillow, etc….  These efforts may temporarily provide physiological relief for a brief moment, but they will never be a permanent solution.  Instead, I find that when I am close in my walk with God that He will often prepare me physically, mentally, and spiritually for the trials of the day.  

When we take the focus off of how we can fix our problems and place complete control and trust in God’s hands, it does not matter how big our problems are.  God will always provide the means to get you through them.  All we must do is trust in Him.  Proverbs 3:5-6 tells us 5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. 6 Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.

When we remain in fellowship with God, there is a supernatural thing that happens inside us.  We are comforted, assured that all will be ok for we know that ”28...that God causes everything to work together [a] for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. - Romans 8:28.  Even when things seem wrong, God is working them for good.  Just seek to see the situation through His eyes and rely on His spirit for Guidance.  He will never let you down.

It's A Process

     If you feel like your life is stagnant and you are praying for a positive change, turn and surrender to God.  He will often call you into the new and out of your comfort zone.  Remember, if you do what you've always done you will get what you've always gotten.  It's a stretching process.  We are constantly being molded and shaped.  We will never be perfected on this earth.  True perfection will only happen when we are face to face with Jesus.  Do not become discouraged because He is faithful to finish what he began.  

See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?  I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.

Isaiah 43:19 NIV

And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. (Philippians 1:6 ESV)

How Well Do You Wear Jesus?

“For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with him. Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.”

1 Thessalonians 5:9-11 ESV

One of the most loving and beautiful traits of our God is that He grants each of us free will. Some choose to follow Christ, whereas others do not.  In the end, the choice is left up to the individual and it is not our place as Christ-followers to bash those that share differing beliefs.  We are instructed to love, to "encourage one another and build one another up."  Nowhere in the Bible does God appoint us to the position of judge or jury.  We need to love others more, no matter their stance on religion, politics, etc...  It is an honor to bear the name of Christ.  Are you portraying the love of Christ in all of your interactions? 

In Christ,

~John

Praise from a Prison Cell

     God wants you to rejoice where you are blessed and also when you are facing a trial.  Acts 16:25-26 tells us "Around midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening.  Suddenly, there was a massive earthquake, and the prison was shaken to it's foundations.  All the doors immediately flew open, and the chains flew off of every prisoner."  
     There are two important things to note here.  First, they were rejoicing while in prison.  They were able to praise God in the most inconvenient or circumstances.  Second, the faithful work of a few brought blessing to those directly around them.  
     We can complain about the cards we have been dealt in life, or we could choose to be like Paul.  Philippians 4:11-12 writes "I have learned to be content with whatever I have.  I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything.  I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little."
     It is always easier to live the "Godly life" when things are going well, but how often do we ruin our witness when life turns for the worst?  Thankfully, when we act in an ungodly way, there is grace and mercy for us all.  "Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begun afresh each morning" -Lamentations 3:23.  So, when things are going as planned, are you going to praise God from the prison, or feel sorry for yourself?

I Promise...

 So often I confidently make plans or statements regarding my plans without first consulting God.  How can I be so selfish?  My life does not belong to me, but to God.  As Christians, we should be asking God for his daily guidance in every situation of our lives.  Be careful not to promise things out of our own power.  In Acts 17:21 Paul says “I will come back if it is God’s will.”  Are you living according to YOUR will, or God’s?  Praise God for accepting us, even is our imperfections

Why Do Bad Things Happen To Good People?

     Ever have one of those days when everything is going wrong?  The more you struggle for control, the less you have.  I remember, as a young believer, having a few misconceptions about Christianity.  First, Christians are perfect…boy, was I wrong on that one.  Second, nothing bad ever happens or goes wrong if you are Christian…wrong again.  I long for the faith I had in God when I was only eight years old.  Now that I am older, I have come to learn that we are all human, capable of right and wrong.  I also have learned that sometimes, bad things happen to good people.  It may not make sense to us, but it makes sense to God.
All things work together to accomplish His purpose.  Peter writes on this.  “You may have to suffer grief in all kinds of trials.”  This is only a test of your faith, which is a process that serves to glorify God.  So, if you are going through some rough times, just remember that God is using you in those struggles to mold you, or someone else, and change the world.  How awesome it is to feel included.  Do not forget to say thank you for the good times and the bad times, and for making you a part in His master plan.

Related Scripture:
1 Peter 1:6-7;  “6 for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 7 These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.

Does Work Have You Worked Up?

     Let’s face it, even the most rewarding job has its downsides.  Everyone suffers from the occasional bad day, but where can we turn for a quick “pick me up?”  The bible mentions work over two-hundred times, all starting with God in Genesis.  What an awesome example to follow.  Some may disagree, saying: “God didn’t have to work as many hours as I do” or, “He didn’t have a boss man breathing down his neck”. While these things may be true, there are still a few things we can learn from the creation found in Genesis.
     Genesis 1:3 writes “And God said, let there be light and there was light.  God saw that the light was good.”  Even God himself knew how to appreciate a job well done.  Sometimes, we are so focused on all of the negative aspects of our own job situation that we fail to give ourselves some inward praise for a good job.<l
     We also learn that God, the creator of the universe, “had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day, he rested from all his work,” (Genesis 2:2).  If God, as powerful as He is, took time to recharge, then how important is it for us to do the same?
     The bible encourages us to “be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded,” (2 Chronicles 15:7).  Proverbs instructs us to “commit your work to the LORD, and then your plans will succeed,” (Prov. 16:3).  As long as we can carry God with us throughout our day, we will be blessed.  Do you make time for God in the office?  I encourage you to take a short, fifteen minute break to read some scripture, or maybe go on a walk outside where you can appreciate the weather and start a conversation with the Father.  No matter what the circumstances, remember that you are never alone.