Tag: #Jesus

FIERY TRIALS

I am sure that Daniel would not have wanted to be in the lion’s den.  The three Hebrew children probably would not have wanted to be put in the fiery furnace. Job would not have wanted to suffer the things he did.  But sometimes, the things we walk through are not just for us but to let the world see Jesus in us. Even Christ prayed, “Let this cup pass from me.” Yet he went to the cross and suffered because it was for the salvation of mankind.

I Peter 4:12 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:  13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.  14 If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.

We often wonder why good people seem to suffer while evil people prosper. The evil ones have their reward for a season.  But the Children of God will have our reward forever more. The fiery trials are to make us stronger.  The fire will burn out our impurities. The things we sometimes walk through are to teach us a lesson. The enemy will sometimes see how we walk through the fiery trials and be amazed at how God has worked on our behalf.

Do not be discouraged or allow the spirit of heaviness to lay on you.  He will remove the spirit of heaviness. Depression and discouragement have filled the earth.  But God will remove them if we look to him and trust in him.

God is looking for a few good men and women to be his army.  He honors the bold and the brave.  It will take boldness, Holy Boldness, in these days in which we live. We must have a made-up (determined) mind to follow Christ, no matter what it costs, even our lives.  He is starting to give marching orders.  Will we obey? Will we rise up and be the Christian Army the world needs to see or will we stay in our comfort zone? I am afraid those that choose the comfort zone over the fiery trials will be left behind.

The next time you walk through a tough time, remember that your fiery trial is working for your good and the good of others.

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

JOY AND HAPPINESS

Phil 4:8-9   Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.   9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

We often tell our friends that we only wish for them to be happy.  But actually, we should wish for them to be joyful instead.  Happiness depends on outside factors. If we have the right romantic relationship, if we have the right job, if we have material things that make us comfortable. All these things affect our happiness.

Joy is something we carry on the inside.  It is a sense of contentment or peace.  It does not dependent on material things, friends, family or the right romantic partner. Joy is a state of being that comes from God.  If we are His people, he will give us joy.  Inner joy can help us to let our light shine in difficulties. Adversity can affect our happiness.  It doesn’t affect our joy.

We can have our backs against the wall and feel like we have no escape from the things that come against us in life. These things can steal our sense of happiness, but they cannot steal our joy, as long as we look to Jesus to help us overcome our fiery trials.

Happiness is about pleasing ourselves, while joy comes when we please others.  Being content is a choice that we will not allow the enemy to make us feel down if we don’t have the material things, we wish we had in our possession. God will provide all we need.  If we have what we need today, tomorrow will take care of itself. When it arrives, we will again evaluate if we have all we need.

Phil 4:10-12 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity.   11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.  12 I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.

We may face rough times, but learning to be content is a way to allow the Holy Ghost to take control of our lives.  He will lead us exactly where we need to be and will provide what we need. If we can learn to be content, we will be a greater light to the world.

Joy is a fruit of the spirit and comes from the Lord. The longer we walk on this Christian journey the more our fruit should grow. We should walk in Love as well as Joy, letting our light shine before the world.

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

COMPLACENT

Complacency is the most dangerous place for Christians to find themselves.  It is easy to allow life to get in our way.  We will say, “I am really busy today, I will skip my bible reading.” Or “I don’t have time to concentrate on prayer, I will say a quick prayer and I will pray longer tomorrow.” One day turns into a week, then a month before you know it a month has gone by and then…we find ourselves in a place that forces us to our knees.

The word of God renews our minds.  It helps us to keep our hands clean and our feet out of mischief. We can be fine one moment and under attack the next.  If we haven’t spent much time praying or studying, we will be weak.  Fighting off the attack will be harder.  The enemy watches to see when we are at what he thinks is a weak moment. We cannot get complacent and give him an opportunity to attack.

Romans 12:2 – And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

We renew our mind by being in God’s presence and allowing the Word to wash and cleans our mind. There are times when we feel like we get nothing out of our reading of the word.  But it is not just words on a page it is living and transforming. It will get in our spirit and gives us what we need, even when we don’t feel like anything is different.

Psalm 119:11 -11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.

 We hide the word in our hearts. It will be there when the enemy comes to cause trouble by lying to us. We will be empowered to say, “No satan, the word says ….” We can quote the word that is hidden in our hearts.

Reading, prayer, worship, along with fellowship with other believers will help us to keep our God Focus.  Jesus is the best thing to keep our focus on in this life.

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

CLIMBING

Life is like a staircase stretching from earth to heaven.  There are people that are just starting on their journey with Christ that are behind us.  Others are on steps ahead of us.  Each one of us has a responsibility to help those on the stairs behind us.  None of us are perfect. None of us will ever be perfect enough to sit in the judgment seat. But we can reach down and lift up those who are not as strong.  Hopefully, the ones before us will do the same for us.

Phil 1:5-6  (5) For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now;   6 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:

We can be confident that as long as we depend on Christ, he will keep us.  It is in him that we will grow in truth and righteousness. We need to examine ourselves and try to walk as close as possible. It is not our place to judge our brother. God will complete the work he started.

Matt 7:1-5 Judge not, that ye be not judged. 2 For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. 3 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? 4 Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye? 5 Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye.

We need to pull the piece of lumber out of our eye before we can see clearly to help our brother with a speck of dust in his. In other words, we need to walk righteously before God and worry about our own issues and shortcomings.

Each day is a chance to climb higher in understanding and wisdom. We are called to love one another and help someone along their way.  Have a great week.

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

FINDING BEAUTY

A little girl, named Sara was walking along the beach for the first time.  As she walked along, she started picking up seashells.  Her mother pointed out one shell and the little girl said, “No I don’t want that one it is broken.” Her mom said, “Sometimes broken things can be beautiful.” The little girl picked it up and kept walking. When they got home the mom placed that seashell on a shelf.  It had pretty, purple spirals around the cone shape, even though it had a piece broken off it.

Many years later, Sara looked at the shell and it reminded her of that vacation. She smiled remembering what her mother had said to her. “Sometimes broken things can be beautiful.” Her mind wandered to how life had left her broken at times.  She suffered from depression and felt broken until God set her free. Smiling she understood what her mother was talking about, Jesus makes beautiful things out of broken things.

———-

People’s lives are often like this shell.  We have broken places, but we can still be beautiful. We can still be useful, even if we are not perfect or fully together. God does not call the perfect.  He calls those he has had to work on and recreate. Then he takes that brokenness and uses it to reach those that are broken and lost.

We have to be vulnerable and show our scars sometimes. Many people are dealing with terrible things. They are needing to see that God has delivered us from the things that broke us.  It will give them hope that they can be delivered too.

We were broken, but now are whole and complete in Jesus. I once was lost, but now am found. 

Psalm 147:3 3 He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

KEEP GOING

Everyone has a story. Each one of us has been through something that was hard to walk out.  Some of it is because of bad choices we have made to sin.  Others are attacks of the enemy.  While some things we have to walk through is just life. 

As we run this race we will come upon a lot of things.  Facing adversity is one of the biggest struggles for many Christians. Enduring opposition will give us strength.  When we feel anything but peace, He is our peace. Our joy comes from the Lord. 

We are called to walk in love even when we don’t feel the emotion.  Some people are hard to love, their actions make us feel the emotions that lean toward the opposite of love.  But Jesus loves the unlovable. He loved me when I wasn’t capable of loving him back.

We have two choices every day, do we run this race or do we quit.  If we quit, we will be plunged into darkness left to navigate life totally on our own.  If we keep running this race, it will be rough at times but God is with us to help us run this race.  The choice is a no brainer. 

2 TIM 2:3-4   3 Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. 4 No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.

We have to find the strength to keep fighting and keep pushing forward.  He never promised we would not have difficult times.  He did promise to never leave us or forsake us.  With Him, we have Him there to strengthen us, there is not anything we cannot endure.

It is all about pushing through the pain and enduring the opposition we come up against. Heaven is real and waiting for us to finish this race well. Hold on my friends, keep going.  You do not go alone, Jesus is with you.

BE BOLD, BE  BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

 

PRESSED

Isaiah 53:5 -But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

Often, we use this verse as one that encourages people to know that our God is a healer of our bodies and emotions.  But he also was bruised and beaten for our spiritual healing. If He had not gone to the cross we would not have any right to salvation. I want to focus on the bruised portion of this verse.

Olive oil is often used for anointing oil. It is an earthly representation of God’s anointing or the Holy Ghost. In order to understand the oil of anointing (Holy Ghost) in our lives as Christians, we need to understand how olive oil is pressed.

The fruit is washed and then put into a press where the fruit is pressed and crushed.  There are different presses and processes.  But the oil is squeezed out of the flesh of the fruit. Jesus was beaten and bruised in order that we could receive healing spiritually, physically and emotionally. 

John 16:7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.

The oil of the anointing of God is placed within us as believers.  When we are born of the Spirit (Holy Ghost) we have that anointing within us.  It is what sustains us and gives us the power to walk out our witness.  As we grow from level to level we must walk through some trials. The things we face will press in and squeeze our flesh, it will bruise and crush us. Every trial takes us to a new level of anointing.

Gal 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

We don’t have to literally hang on a cross, but we must constantly sacrifice (crucify) the desires of our flesh.  As we do this, we release what God has placed within us as his anointing. We will walk through tough times and things that we will not know if we can get through process and pain. But with every pressing, God’s oil will help us grow in Him. 

2 Cor 3:20-18 But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.

With every new level, we will walk more like Jesus and less like us. With every new level, there is a new devil.  The enemy will fight because he knows if we truly get a hold of who we are in Christ, there will be no stopping us.  With every new attack, we need to press into Jesus.  Knowing that He is always with us and will not leave us to fight alone.

Within ourselves, we do not stand a chance against satan.  That is why the world is so dark and evil right now.  But being blood-bought, Holy Ghost-filled children of the Most High God and King, the enemy is under our feet. He will not defeat us, as long as we walk in the power and anointing that has been given us by Jesus Christ.

NO COMPLAINTS

The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over, but expecting a different result. I often feel stuck in a situation that is total insanity.  But God has told me to stay for now.  When it comes to some situations it is to teach us something. Other times it is to let our light shine.

The Children of Israel kept going around the same mountain.  They wandered for years in the desert.  God was trying to teach them who He was and who He wanted them to become. They didn’t learn either lesson instead they complained and complained.

Philippians 2:14  Do all things without murmurings and disputings:

I try to keep a good attitude, but sometimes life piles so much on me that I find myself being like the Children of Israel.  I admit I turn to complaining.  Then I come across Philippians 2:14 and that verse steps on my toes.

God is faithful to forgive me when I am ungrateful.  I was sent a video this morning that made me think about complaining. It is the opposite of being grateful and thankful. The video said, what if you woke this morning with only what you thanked God for yesterday. It is something to think about. God wants us to have an attitude of gratitude. How do I know? Because His word says so. I Thes 5:18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

in everything… in everything. It is hard to give thanks when you are not in a good situation. It is easier for our flesh to complain.  Learning to overcome our fleshly instincts is part of walking out our faith. Sometimes we get so frustrated that all we can do is cry.  God understands our tears, he knows our heartache.  He is faithful to pick us up if we just trust him.  All things work out for our good, because God’s got us.

I often think about the old song, “Til the storm passes by” One line says, “hold me fast let me stand, in the hollow of your hand.”  I can see His great big hand and little me sitting deep in the hollow of His hand. Fully protected from all the storms that try to overtake me.  The God of the universe, who is so BIG cares about me and you.  He cares about our heartaches and our fears.  He is faithful to carry us when things get rough. 

God has promised, he will never leave us or forsake us.  With a promise like that, we have no reason to complain.

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

WHO WE ARE

It is important now more than ever to understand our identity.  We are blood bought; spirit-filled children of God. Ephesians Chapter 1 is full of descriptions that define Christians.  Paul was trying to explain to the church at Ephesus who they were in Christ.

Verse 4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:

This verse says we are chosen.  It is easy to accept that we are chosen but take a moment to think about it. Christ the hope of glory, our savior, our father loved us so much that he made a choice to die for us.  He chose death to save us.  We are chosen.

5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,  Verse five says we are adopted.  The spirit of rejection comes from satan. It makes us feel unwanted like spiritual orphans.  It is a lie from satan that says, you are not really a son of God. God says he accepts us and makes us his children. We cannot listen to the attacks of the enemy on our minds. We are loved and precious in God’s sight. He wants us with him throughout all eternity.

6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved  Verse 6 says we are accepted. The enemy will make you feel rejected by people and tell you that you are so worthless that God cannot even love you.  Don’t believe the lies.  Believe the word it says we are accepted.

7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;  We are redeemed, which means to make up for a fault. Christ redeemed us from our sins. God sees our flaws and imperfections but ignores them because the blood of Christ covers us and says we are redeemed.

11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:  Verse 11 says we are heirs of a home in heaven. Satan tries to get us to give up and tell us the road is too hard.  Philippians says I can do all things through Christ.

13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, We are sealed with the Holy Spirit.  I think about this being like home canning food, the food is preserved from spoiling or rotting. God will keep our souls from corruption if we abide in him and stay in his presence.

Chosen, adopted, accepted, redeemed, heirs and we are sealed. All these things say that we are loved by God.  The God of the universe who created everything, LOVES US.  Take a moment to let that sink in, HE LOVES US. We should never allow the enemy to tell us that we are less than, worthless, useless, hopeless or any other “less” words.  Notice he takes good words and adds less, suddenly we are feeling bad about ourselves.

We should never wallow in self-pity or self-loathing even if we make a mistake and fall down.  Jesus is there to pick us up. The next time satan comes whispering his lies about who we are, we need to stand boldly and tell him he doesn’t define us. Jesus has redeemed us and he names us.  His opinion is the only one that matters.

SEEKING GOD

People and things are not always as they appear to be. Manipulative people doing satan’s work are all around us.  They have evil agendas for our future and those of the children of this world.  We cannot believe everything we see or hear. Technology has become so advanced you cannot even believe a photo or video any longer.  Anything can be manipulated. How do we tell the good guys from the bad guys?  It is not always easy, many times we allow our emotions or compassion to make us second guess.

If we have God’s Spirit inside of us, one of the nine spiritual gifts he promised we could have is discernment. (Listed in I COR 12: 4-11) This is when the Spirit of God warns us when the enemy is using someone to lay a trap for us. Discernment will let us know what we need to know in order to help ourselves or others to not be harmed by the enemy.

God does not reveal things to harm anyone, but to bring His people together. Just as he has always used prophecy to warn His people and guide them during tough times. The body of Christ needs to shake loose the doctrines of men and get in the word.  Ask God for answers. I promise he will guide us if we are willing to listen to him.

The Holy Ghost is our guide, He is waiting to speak to us and direct our footsteps.  But we cannot hear his voice if we don’t slow down and listen. God is calling us to rest in him and listen for his still small voice.

In a world where there are so many voices trying to get our attention, it is even more important than ever to find quiet time with God.  Psalm 62:5-6  (5) My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him.  6 He only is my rock and my salvation: he is my defence; I shall not be moved.

Jer 29:11-13 11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.  12 Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. 13 And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.

God has plans for us, plans for good and not evil. But we have something to do too. God is not a genie in a bottle that grants wishes.  He is a loving God that wants a relationship with us. We have to pray and follow Jesus.  Verse 13 says we will find him when we search with all of our hearts.

God doesn’t want a ritualistic prayer.  He wants an honest conversation with us.  He is not afraid of our honesty.  He already knows what is in our hearts.  But by opening up and asking the hard questions, we can find the answers we seek.

I don’t want to see anyone miss the move of God that is coming because they are too afraid to step out of their comfort zones. Now is a time to be praying like never before, asking for God’s guidance. Big changes are coming, we need to be ready for the move of God. 

John 16:13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.

The Spirit of truth is the Holy Ghost, He is our guide.  But someone traveling could have the best guide ever, but if they don’t listen to them, or follow them they may as well be without a guide. We need to follow Him closely and pray every day for Him to lead us. By yielding our lives to Christ, we will never be alone, even in the worst of times.

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS