Smiling Through Difficult Times

Remembering our knowledge of God and His Word will help us to smile in the most distressing of circumstances. Why? We know that there is nothing that can separate us from God's love. (Romans 8:38) He has given us major promises and he will fulfill them. 

We are able to smile when we are distressed, sorrowful, depressed or discouraged. If not smile, at least feel hopeful. (Romans 15:13) We can proclaim, Thank you Lord for joy unspeakable and the peace that surpasses all understanding. We know that the joy of the Lord is our strength, and He keeps us in perfect peace because we choose to keep our minds on Him. 

I feel better immediately when I remember what I already know about the goodness of God. What about the times when I just don't feel like remembering and quoting those truths? That's another story but one that is also filled with Kingdom of God success. Christian hope is based on the spiritual facts that we know. No matter what it feels like, looks like, tastes like, sounds like or smells like, nothing is too hard for God. (Jeremiah 32:17) 

In other words, when we choose to walk in our reborn spirits instead of in the flesh, we can experience hope again. This is the choice that we make over and over, until Jesus comes back. We can break out into a smile and have hope in difficult times, despite challenges.

Guiding with Grace: How to Offer Compassionate Christian Advice

We all do it, judge others by comparing their lives to ours. We don't mean to judge but through our comments it can sound like we are. The comments we make are often because we think that we have the answers for others' issues.

We are on the outside of their lives looking in. It can give us a more pure perspective. Still, none of us have the answers to another person's problems, even though we think you should or should have done it like I did. That doesn't mean that it would have worked for him/her.

Sometimes, we are so concerned and so badly want others to do well that we come off as judging when we make suggestions. We forget that we have issues that, should we share them, others would want to give swift answers to also. We would then understand how some of our responses sound. 

We don't always listen carefully when others ask for opinions or suggestions. Because of this, we can be guilty of giving the same answers over and over, cliches, standard comments, time-worn suggestions, etc.  People already know the stock answers and are seeking more than that. 

Platitudes are not working for them anymore, if they ever did. They feel judged when they are callously told to do more of what they have been doing, such as believe, accept, hope, adapt. There are, however, two things that will help if suggested, even if they are already doing them.

The only perfect answers to give anyone are to read the Bible more often and study it more deeply. The second suggestion is to pray more candidly to God, to be more honest as never before. Those are answers that will help anyone and everyone. 

If the praying and Bible reading is not helping, then the only perfect answer is between that person and God. God will have to reveal, through His Holy Spirit, what the answer is to their dilemma. We can only give comforting sympathetic or empathetic, unique words of faith. 

While it is motivating and encouraging to us to give advice, we must be careful that we are not discouraging and overwhelming others with ultimatums of performance. Our comments, suggestions and guidance should uplift, inspire and edify through God's grace. Ephesians 4:29

How To Live In Moderation As A Christian

Moderation may mean different things depending on to what we are referring. Some think of modesty in dress, how not to dress in overly-embellished and revealing attire. Others prefer modesty in environment, choosing simplicity in living rather than ostentatious decor. 

There is also modesty in attitude towards life's ups and downs. I am learning to develop modesty in experiencing life's blessings and challenges. The Holy Spirit is leading me to not be overly excited about blessings nor excessively concerned about challenges. I know that His desire for me is to remain on an even keel no matter what each day brings. 

While I can always be thankful for God's blessings that flow, I am not to be so caught up in receiving from Him that I forget that the devil as a roaring lion walks about seeking whom he may devour. I Peter 5:8 I am not to be so excited about any accomplishment that I forget to put on God's whole armor. Ephesians 6:10-17 

When difficulties surface, I can feel concerned but I am not to sink down into the dumps and feel defeated. I am not to forget that all things work together for good to those who love God. Romans 8:28 I am not to be so distressed that I forget that if God is for me, how can anyone succeed against me? Romans 8:31 

Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say rejoice. Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. Be careful for nothing but in everything, by prayer and supplication, let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God that surpasses all understanding shall keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.  Philippians 4:4-8

The 1st part of that scripture passage can pertain to being peaceful during blessings. The 2nd part can pertain to being peaceful during tribulations. When we let our moderate attitudes and lifestyles be seem by others, and when we do not worry about anything but go to God with all requests, we will live on an even keel. We will be even-tempered and at peace. 

So, whatever moderation means to you, the essence is the same. It is behavior that reflects self-control, high self-esteem, respect for self and others, moderation in all things, peacefulness and self-confidence. It is a holiness that is not contrived by our flesh to repel others. It is a holiness and righteousness that is a shining reflection of our transforming relationship with a loving God.

Did Abraham Laugh At God?

I give Brother Prince credit as the only teacher I've ever heard (through years and years of listening regularly to many) who shared that Abraham also laughed. Other teachers only share that Sarah laughed. Abraham laughed at first and even in God's face. The Bible tells us that he fell onto the ground laughing, and God said to him, You will TOO have a child. Read it for yourself. Genesis 17:17

Read something else in the Bible other than your fav scriptures everyday. You don't grow in Christ through reading the same scriptures. Read the entire bible so that you can be transformed and strengthened. The Holy Spirit that lives in you will help you to rightly divide the Word of Truth and discern all of the scriptures, if you indeed know that you love God and are called according to his purposes.

While some like to push it forward that Sarah laughed while omitting that Abraham did also, I think it is worse that Abraham fell on the ground laughing, while he was communing with God. I've waited for so long to hear a minister give Abraham his due detraction for laughing at the promise of God. Brother Prince is not afraid to tell the truth. God bless him and his entire family and ministry more and more!

Hope That Makes No Sense (But Works) | Joseph Prince Ministries

Aging And Faith

Age brings change, no doubt, but it is said that we automatically accept that certain things will happen when we grow older, that we accept them as a given. Much of it is all in the minds, say psychologists. Some say we get what we expect. Others insist that we can't stop the hands of the clock nor advancing time, or its effects on our bodies and minds.

Well, I believe both. I believe that if we replace, with positive words, the words about what we feel is unavoidably negative, it can effect change. Though it won't change the inevitable, it can counteract it for a time and make life more hopeful and enjoyable.

I do believe that because of fear, resignation and lack of vision, we accept situations, conditions, disabilities and sicknesses that we might not have had to suffer. Essentially, we can also create them with our consistently hopeless thoughts and words. When they pertain to health, doctors call them psychosomatic illnesses. When they pertain to situations in our lives, I call them creating what we repetitively fear. These are facts to seriously consider.  

It is better to work on building our positive, God-inspired attitudes everyday and to turn our thinking and speaking habits to what the Word of God declares. Our thoughts and words will then line up to produce a hopeful, healthy future for our remaining time here on earth. It's not easy for our depressing ways of thinking and speaking to change, but it is possible. 

Jesus said,

In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world. John 16:33

If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes. Mark 9:23

In Proverbs we are told,

Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit. Proverbs 18:21

And in Matthew,

But those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and they defile a man. Matthew 15:18

Obey God And Prosper

We often think about having all that we need and perfection in the New Heaven and the New Earth. Why try so hard to build up a much better life now? We're all going to leave this earth anyway, so why try to do so much better in this dark and dying world? If it's all prepared for us later, what can we expect here? Are we entitled to prosper and do very well here in this earth?  I read in the Bible that the blessings of the Lord are not only for the world to come, but for this world as well. Luke 18:29-30 

One reason to reach out and claim all that God provides here is that we can inspire others to follow Christ when our lives visibly improve. A second reason is that we feel more like worshipping and praising God when we see improvement in our lives. Thirdly, we can leave a better legacy for our children. 

Another important reason is that how we learn to access and utilize God's provision today will have a direct bearing on our positions and rewards in the New Life in Eternity. This is because as we grow closer to God here and learn to relate and receive from him, we are increased spiritually. God always grows us spiritually as he blesses us materially, physically and mentally. Our acquiring here also stores up riches in Heaven.

Christian author and pastor Joseph Prince said God's desire is for us to realize health and provision. Like The Widow and The Syrian in the Bible, we will have to let The Provider into our innermost abodes and do as we are told to realize the miracles of provision and healing that we are entitled to today.

Christian Father's Day Gifts

 

God Loves You Dad And So Do I

Order my Father's Day design as a printable image at Draw Nigh To Hope Shop.

Create wall art, greeting cards, tags for gift wrapping, journals, etc., by printing this father's day artwork from your own home printer. In blues, oranges, yellows, greens and white.

You Will Receive 5 (five) JPEGs Artwork and 1 (one) PDF In A Zip Folder, 300 Dpi Image Files For Crisp Printing, plus the Graphics Agreement file, the Draw Nigh To Hope Info files and a coupon offer file.

Order this version of the design on 38 POD products, from wall art to cell phone covers to bed linens and more, at the Redbubble Shop.

Also available is a 2nd version of the Redbubble Shop design, 39 POD products, from wall art to cell phone covers to bed linens and more.

*****

The Words Of Your Mouth

That Tongue! The power of life and death. Choose life. Choose to speak positive words. Choose to speak the scriptures. Choose life. Choose to be quiet. Choose to speak faith. Choose life. Choose to cut it short. Choose to shut up. Choose life. It's the difference between positive and negative words. 

That tongue of yours can create or it can destroy. It can build up or tear down. It can heal or it can hurt. Your tongue can do what it does to others but mostly, it is doing its thing to you.

Negative quotes. Negative statements. Negative clichés. See them for what they are. Negative pronouncements that bring things to pass. Those depressing things that your mouth says creates what it says. Whether you know it or understand it or accept it, your words create. They bring things to pass. 

Whether idle words or words spoken on purpose, those words, fragments and sentences create stuff. What does this mean? It means that your words are valuable because you are valuable. You have the power to create life or death. You have a wealth of power. The power of life and death is in your tongue. 

Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit. Proverbs 18:21

Will God Bring Me Friends?

Mom was lamenting that her nail polish did not match her blouse, after all. The color looked different outside and she was quite annoyed. To quell her unrest, I said that it was okay, that probably no one would notice. 

Throwing up her hands, she said jokingly but seriously, No one notices me anyway. I soothingly replied, People will notice you more when you start going out to more places other than just to the doctor.

Though the Lord can direct a new friend to arrive at wherever we are, it's good to make a habit of getting out. Go to the places that you like and some new places along the lines of what you like to do. If you like to do nothing, go to a place and do nothing. Sit, look and smile. 

Say a simple prayer in faith before you go. Continue to go whether you meet anyone at first or not. Go for your own encouragement and to be ready for the Lord to bring new friends into your path.

The scripture ....we should not stop gathering together with other believers....(Hebrews 10:25 God's Word translation) can also encourage us to go out in the hopes of making friends. If you want a friend, go out and be friendly. If you want to have friends, go out to meet friends.

Trust God to lead wholesome, positive, spirit-filled people into your path. He'll lead Christians to you so that you can receive strength through their strong faith. 

He'll lead non-Christians and babes in Christ to you so that you can be a source of strength to them. How exciting it will be to be giving and receiving strength through new friends.

________________________________________
Image Credit: Active Rain

God Help Me To Love Myself

The Love of God is shed abroad in our hearts (Romans 5:5), so love does begin within. This scripture can be interpreted several ways. I see one of the interpretations as God's love in our hearts teaches us how to love ourselves.

We often give so much on behalf of others that we don't allow God to work on ourselves with ourselves. Sometimes, we need to be separated from others in various ways and for various periods of time in order for God to work exclusively with us about loving ourselves. 

Of course, God is also doing a work in us as we interact with others. Our Father, however, wants to reveal to us how we are not valuing ourselves as He is. We neglect ourselves because we believe that our confirmation of being in Christ is confirmed through our unceasing, loving activities for others.  

We don't realize that we never learned to unconditionally love ourselves. If the love that we think we have for ourselves is a scam and a sham, a false illusion, then nothing that we do for others proves that we love them. 

How can we love then when we haven't learned to love ourselves? Until we begin healing towards ourselves, our relationships with others will continue to begin and be maintained by our fleshly reaching out.  

Our efforts for others should be a reflection of our inner love for ourselves. As we learn to love ourselves as God loves us, we won't be motivated through ulterior motive, inverted pride, secret goals and selfish orchestration. These are the facts that the Holy Spirit wants to help us to accept. 

Once we begin to see ourselves with the respect, admiration and validation with which God sees us, we come to love ourselves in a way in which we never learned. We did not learn through our families, church members, spouses, friends or through any other person. 

No matter how good they may have seemed, we could not learn to love ourselves through them. Some of them were not good at all, for they took away what love we could have learned to have for ourselves. As we grow in The Lord, we become able to accept the brutal truth. 

Godly love for ourselves comes through acceptance of the truth about our deficiency and personal revelation from God about who we each are. When we start loving ourselves with the spiritual dedication provided for us by the Holy Spirit, then we can act upon a true love for others. This will result in wisdom, circumspection and restraint about what we do on behalf of loving others.  

The God-established love for ourselves is one of the pillars that we must sink into our foundation on the Rock of Jesus Christ. It is what helps us to build a stable Christian life. It is how we exhibit solid and unselfish service to God. We learn to be obedient to God rather than being self-sacrificing busy-bodies. (1 Samuel 15:22)