Friday Freedom-Resilience

“We fall down, but we get up

We fall down, but we get up

We fall down, but we get up

For a saint is just a sinner who fell down

And got up…”

As people of God we must realize that we are not perfect. However we do have the power of the Almighty God on our side. We are not slaves to sin, as unsaved people are. When we slip we should have the resilience to recognize our sin for what it is, confess it, and continue to walk where Christ is leading us. We all make mistakes. That’s life. However we are to learn from our mistakes. The real mistake for a Christian is when we slip and stumble, and do not learn anything from our experiences. 

Thursday Thought-Resilience

Is there anything that you can not overcome? Most people are experts at telling someone else how good God is and that He can help with anything. However, when it comes to our own issues we tend to feel less confident. If there is something we have been struggling with for a long time it becomes easier to give in. But God is truly able to break any habit, mindset, or addiction.

The sixth chapter of Romans helps us understand that through Christ every believer is dead to sin. Part of accepting Christ is dying to your old self and receiving a new life; a fresh start. Plain and simple, if you are a true Christian, then sin has no power over you. No more than you give it. God will help you overcome. All you have to do is yield yourself to Him. Are you willing to do that?

Wednesday Word-Resilience

“If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me:”~Psalm 66:18

Do you ever have that disconnected feeling? A Christian caught up in sin loses fellowship with God. You can never lose your salvation, but you can lose good communication with Christ. Your prayers feel empty and useless. In life you have no direction. There seems to be some kind of overwhelming wall between you and Jesus. This is the result of regarding iniquity, or simply holding on to sin, in your heart.

Light and darkness cannot inhabit the same place. Jesus wants to fill up your heart, but He and sin do not mix. The Holy Spirit longs to saturate every aspect of you, but light and darkness simply will not coexist. Examine yourself CONSTANTLY to identify areas of need. A life of resilience and repentance will cause you to progressively draw further away from sin. God knows that you are not perfect, but He does expect to see progress. God is concerned about the heart!

Tuesday Truth-Resilience

Resilience means being able to withstand or recover from difficulties. We all go through difficult times. This is especially true anytime you step outside of God’s will. Getting caught in a cycle of sin will be detrimental to your Christian walk. The only way to avoid this from happening is repentance. True repentance, however, is not just saying ‘sorry’, but a change of heart and mind.

We all sin; no matter what we try to portray to others or even ourselves. Still, the person with a heart after God will feel grieved because of their sin. The only way to withstand the difficulties from sin in our lives is to repent; to turn away from our wrong actions. This is how you restore fellowship with Christ and experience His peace. You are not perfect. God knows that, but He also knows if you are sincere.

Monday Motivation-Resilience

When you slip God is not surprised. Nothing we do is a surprise to the Lord. When you sin God does hate your actions, but He does not love you any less. Sometimes we can get so disappointed in ourselves that we actually run further and further away from Jesus. But when we sin God is not waiting to beat you down. No, He wants to build you back up!

When you slip and stumble accept it for what it is. You have sinned. But now it’s over. Look back to see how you can avoid the same situation in the future, but move on. God knows that you are not perfect. That’s why you need Him. Confess your sins to the Lord, dust yourself off, and continue to walk with Him. Real discipleship is not displayed through perfection (which is impossible), but through resilience.

Thursday Thought-Stand

“What do you do 
when you've done all you can
And it seems like it's never enough?
And what do you say 
when your friends turn away, 
you're all alone?
Tell me, what do you give 
When you've given your all, 
and seems like 
you can't make it through?

You just stand…”

You’ve prayed and cried. The past just will not stop haunting you. Pain and temptation are always there. And don’t get me started on other people’s opinions… Through it all just stand. Stand as a child of the living God. Your past is not perfect; no one’s is. You will make many mistakes along the way; everyone does. You won’t always be right; nobody is. But if you are a Christian, then Christ Jesus is on your side. Just stand knowing that the Lord is with you through it all. GOD ALWAYS REWARDS OBEDIENCE!!!

Thursday Thought-Stand

What do you stand for? God created each and every one of us with an intended purpose. The only way to find this out is to seek Him. His ways, mindset, plans, and the like. So often Christians miss out on God’s best because they are afraid to stand up for Him. We fear ridicule, being different, or ostracized. But that is exactly what happened to Jesus!

Opposition can be a sign that you are standing up for the truth. Don’t run from it, but accept it as a necessary consequence. The world doesn’t like the truth, but it is still the truth. At the end of this life what will be more important; how many people liked you or that your life was a message to the world about who Jesus is? What do you stand for? Is it worth it?

Wednesday Word-Stand

“The Lord is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?” ~Psalm 118:6

If we get our attention off of the Lord it is very easy to get worried. People’s comments, bank statements, looking at what others have, and even our own thoughts can make us worry. Whenever we take our focus away from God we begin to doubt His power. But if God is with us doubt should be the farthest thing from our minds.

If you have been born again, then Christ is on your side. You are on the winning team, friend. Are you in right standing with Jesus? If so, then you can walk through life confidently knowing Who is fighting for you. No person, problem, or even your own imagination can overcome the Almighty God. The Lord is with you. Stand firm and represent Jesus Christ. Why would you fear?

Tuesday Truth-Stand

Being a true Christian entails more than most people think. We are saved from sin and now have a personal relationship with God, but that is not all. Jesus promised that the world would hate you because it hated Him (John 15:18). We are commanded to study the Bible to live a life that is acceptable to the Lord (2 Tim. 2:15). Christ said that we are to carry our own cross DAILY (Luke 9:23). There is immeasurable peace, love, and joy that accompanies Christianity, but there is also much dedication and sacrifice involved.

Christ gave His very all for us and He just wants the same in return. No matter what the popular opinion is; we must stand for Jesus. Regardless of how you feel; still follow what you know Christ would want you to do. Do not base your life decisions on what others think, the culture, or even your own opinion. Stand for Jesus even if you feel you are standing alone. God always blesses obedience!

Monday Motivation- Stand

There are heavenly rewards awaiting those who stand for Jesus Christ. In today’s society being firm for one’s Christian beliefs is becoming increasingly unpopular. Flagrant attacks toward Christianity are rampant. However we are still called to stand and represent our Lord. Jesus knows this is not easy, but it is necessary. Nothing compares to the results of standing up for God.

Christ stood for the right thing when virtually everyone told Him it was the wrong thing. Why? Because Jesus knew that He was in God’s will. The way He lived was approved by God and nothing else mattered. Because He stood for the truth God’s plan was accomplished; for His life and for all of us. God’s plan can be accomplished for your life also, friend. People may disagree with you…Wait, people will disagree with you. ‘Friends’ will think you are crazy. Sometimes you may feel like everyone you know is just at odds with you. Stand up for Christ anyway. God always blesses obedience!

Friday Freedom-Endurance

“I will trust in the Lord

I will trust in the Lord

I will trust in the Lord, until I die!

I will trust in the Lord

I will trust in the Lord

I will trust in the Lord, until I die!!!”

This is often sung from the mouth, but scarcely from the heart. Think about what these short simple lyrics mean. As long as you live you will trust in Jesus. All your confidence will be in Him. How much more fulfilling would your life be if you lived out these words every day? When you learn to really trust God, then endurance is certain. When all your confidence is in the Almighty, then you will stay strong until the end. Endure.

Thursday Thought- Endurance

Why are we so willing to endure for worldly things? We will give our last and our all for a bit of money, notoriety, and what we deem as success. We work all day to move up and/or get a promotion. We study relentlessly to get more letters behind our name. And especially around this time of year people are working out twelve times a day to look good for the summer. None of those things are bad in themselves. However one day the job will end, your degrees will not matter, and even your body will be worthless. Why, then, are we so unwilling to endure for Christ?

Living a godly life is the only work that will have eternal effects and rewards (1 Timothy 4:8). How horrible would it be for a believer to meet the Lord face to face and have nothing to show for his life? Quality job performance, education, and fitness are all important, but they must not be your highest priorities. Seek God's purpose. Ask the Spirit to show you how to forgive, trust, and love like Jesus does. Endure hardships knowing they will yield great, glorious, and eternal results. For eternal rewards from the Lord Jesus Christ, is there anything you are not willing to endure?

Wednesday Word-Endurance

“But He knows the way that I take;  When He has tested me, I shall come forth as gold.”~ Job 23:10 NKJV

Nothing surprises God about your life. He knew about it and allowed it long ago. Yes, even those hard situations that you can not understand. He allowed those to enter your life. Why? So that you can be tried and tested. Job said He would come forth as gold. The only way for gold to be purified is through fire.

When precious metals are tried with fire the impurities are removed. Right now you may be experiencing a fire. Think about what Christ wants to remove from you. The situation you are facing is simply a way of the Lord making you more like Him. You should be learning to trust Jesus more, pray more, study more, and act more like Jesus. Your spiritual strength should be increasing. The trial is not pleasant. The test is not fun. But in the end you will be pure and perfected.

Tuesday Truth-Endurance

God knows what you can endure. During this test you are constantly finding out what you are made of. When The Lord allows us to go through various hardships we find new ways and reasons to trust Him. We find strength we have never known before by relying on the Holy Spirit for guidance. The Lord is trying to show you what He already knows. God is simply leading you to the real you; your full potential in Christ.

Stop wasting time wondering if you will make it through. Understand that as a child of the King victory is the only option. Instead meditate and ask God how He is specifically planning to build up your endurance. Thank Jesus for preparing you for something greater. You have already won IF you don’t give up. God knows that. Do you?

Monday Motivation-Endurance

God is building up your strength, character, and trust in Him. You wonder sometimes, “Why Lord? Why are You allowing this to happen?” You have been going through this trial for a few months, maybe even years. You have prayed, studied the Scriptures, and even examined yourself thoroughly. Yet the trial still remains! God is not punishing you my friend, He is making you stronger.

God has a magnificent task just for you. However, you may not be ready to handle that duty just yet. So Christ is allowing you to be tested so that you will come out on the other side stronger, wiser, and better than you ever imagined you could be. Don’t give up friend. PLEASE! Do not give up. Stay strong and endure as a Spirit filled child of the True and Living God!

Friday Freedom- God Knows

"Why should I feel discouraged? Why should the shadows come?
Why should my heart be lonely? And long for heaven and home?
When Jesus is my portion, my constant Friend is He:
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me"

God is watching you. Every step, every breath, every move. The Lord is watching over you, friend. Really let that sink in…GOD IS WATCHING OVER YOU! There is no need for discouragement. There is no place for worrying. There is no reason for fear. Why? Because Jesus is with you. There is only room in your life for peace, confidence, and joy. You don’t know everything, but God knows.

Thursday Thought-God Knows

Would the Lord really let you down now? Seriously take a moment to think about that. Look back on your life and reflect on all that Christ has done for you. Even when you were dead wrong He still gave you another chance. When you deserved failure He led you to success. When you should have died Jesus gave you life. Why would God stop taking care of you now?

Has God ever let you down? Not one time! The future is uncertain to us, but He knows all about it. He knows about your problems. He has allowed them to come your way. Not to bring you down, but as a means to build you up. Forget about what you don’t know and just focus on what is certain; God knows. Outside of that what else do you really need to know?

Wednesday Word-God Knows

 Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? ~ Matthew 6:26

God takes care of a bird. The bird has food to eat. It has a home. It is well taken care of. Why? Because the bird is one of the Lord’s precious creations. Have you ever seen a bird worry?  No. God supplies the needs and the bird simply takes advantage of it. Aren’t you of more worth to the Lord than a bird?

Man is God’s special creation. If God takes care of the animals, then surely He will take care of you. You don’t have to understand everything. Just understand that God does. Jesus knows and He is working out every situation. Remember that you are special to Christ. He knows all about what you need (even more than you) and He will take care of you in His own sovereign way.

Tuesday Truth-God Knows

Pain is simply preparation for your destiny. In order to go from one level to the next we all must go through a transition phase. Just think about it. This could be anything from a new job, new school, or moving to a new home. Whenever a change is taking place a transition period is inevitable. As a matter of fact it is required for the change to work out correctly.

God knows about your pain. Jesus sees you hurting. Why won’t He just stop it? Because He wants to build you up. There is so much more that Christ has for you, but the transition stage must be endured. Bodybuilders and like love the phrase, ‘No pain, no gain.’ This couldn’t be farther from the truth in moving higher in the Lord. Doing new things, going new places, and learning new habits will be painful at times. But we must endure the pain of transition to reach our destiny in Christ. And don’t forget, God knows.

Monday Motivation-God Knows

My friends, God knows. What does He know about? Everything! The Lord knows all about your struggles. Even when it feels like He is not there, He’s there. Jesus sees His people awake in the middle of the night stressed and confused. Christ sees you doing right and other people seemingly getting over by living wrong. Jesus sees our struggling churches/pastors wrestling with tough decisions. Our Savior sees all of us who are trying to figure life out. Christ sees and He cares.

God promised that everything that occurs in this world would work out for your good IF you are a born again believer (Romans 8:28). God did not say everything would be good, but that all things will work out for your good. In the midst of whatever is wearing you down right now, have faith. Have faith knowing that somehow someway Christ is using that situation for your good. It doesn’t have to make sense to you because it makes sense to God. Whatever the situation may be, it is working out for your benefit!

Sunday Sermon-Real Life

Friday Freedom-Discipline

“He's preparing me for something 
I cannot handle right now 
He's making me ready 
Just because He cares 
He's providing me with what I'll need 
To carry out the next matter in my life 

Preparing me 
He cares for me 
Preparing me 
For everything 
That comes in my life 

He is preparing 
God is preparing me”

Parents discipline children so those children will be successful later in life. Usually it is not difficult to identify an adult who was an undisciplined child. The Father is grooming you for something greater than where you are now. Every trial has a purpose. Every opened door has a meaning. Even every closed door was for your good. All the pain will benefit you in some way. Children of God remember that your Father disciplines you because He loves you. He’s preparing you. He’s maturing you.