Devotions - Prayer
BOOK OF PHILIPPIANS
We can have joy, even in hardship. Joy does not come from outward circumstances but from inward strength. As Christians we must not rely on what we have or what we experience to give us joy but on Christ within us;.
Developing our character begins with God’s work in us. But Growth also requires self-discipline, obedience to God’s Word, and concentration on our part. Christ gives us power to lay aside our personal needs and concerns. We dare not be self-centered. When we give up self-interest, we can serve with joy, love and kindness.
JOY is the quiet, confident assurance of God’s love and work in our lives—that he will be there no matter what!
• Joy is Suffering 1:1-30
• Joy in Serving 2:1-30
• Joy in Believing 3:-4:1
• Joy in Giving 4:2-23
Read the ENTIRE Book of Philippians and Look For Balance!
1. All Jesus has done for you.
2. What you can do for Jesus.
3. See how all is based on Jesus Christ
4. We agree to have the mind set of Christ or to say–THINK LIKE GOD THINKS!
Read Philippians verses below and what do they all have in common?
1:6-7
2:2&5
3:15
4:2
4:10
HOW DOES GOD THINK?
* What does Luke 17:3 say is needed before forgiveness?
* READ MATTHEW 16:22-28 WHAT DOES IT SAY?
* HOW TO THINK LIKE GOD THINKS! Get Jesus character from the Beatitudes in Matthew 5.
Lord, Thank You for your Word which is Truth and following it, I can get some balance and purpose for my life. Amen
Read MoreBusiness as Ministry
by Os Hillman
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” Colossians 3:23-24
The Bible is very clear that the purpose for our work life is to reflect Christ in and through our lives. It is an attitude that says our work is to have an overriding “ministry” objective to it. Our work is our worship to God. These two words even originate from the same Hebrew word, avodah.
Robert Laidlaw was born in Scotland in 1885 but grew up in New Zealand. Born to Christian parents, he committed his life fully to the Lord when he was 17. Laidlaw began working in a hardware merchant company as a traveling sales representative when he was 19. Later he had the idea for a mail-order catalogue business that sold everything imaginable including underwear, groceries, cosmetics, and farm equipment, all at bargain-basement prices. His concept proved successful and his business later merged with the Farmer’s Union Trading Company. He became general manager and held that position for 50 years.
But this is not the most significant thing that can be said about Robert Laidlaw. He understood that his work life was a tool to affect others for Jesus Christ. He began giving ten percent of his income early in his business life. Later, however, he entered this into his journal: “September 1919, age twenty-five. I have decided to change my earlier graduated scale, and start now giving half (fifty percent) of all my earnings.” This he continued for the next 60 years. [John Woodbridge, ed., More Than Conquerors (Chicago, Illinois: Moody Press, 1992), 351.]
The result of that commitment was countless numbers affected for Jesus Christ through the resources he gave to mission groups and other worthy Christian causes. He was personally involved in ministry. He wrote a small book that gave a thoughtful answer to basic questions about life and faith. It was titled “The Reason Why.” Many hundreds of thousands came to faith in Christ because of this 46-page booklet. He publicly spoke to many of his faith in Christ and became very involved in the Soldier’s and Airmen’s Association when World War II broke out. Robert Laidlaw understood what it meant to view business with an overriding ministry objective.
Does the Lord have complete control of your life? If so, you will be able to see your work life as an extension of His life in you. Let the Lord live in and through your work life today.
Read More
Salvation is our greatest need:
*Romans 10:9 If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved.
*Romans 5:11 Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us.
Peace can only come when we relate to God on the basis of faith in what He did for us, instead of what we do for Him.
A person who is thinking that he must perform up to some standard to be accepted by God will have no peace.
That puts the burden of salvation on our shoulders, and we can’t bear that load.
*We were incapable of living holy enough to please God before we were saved, and we are incapable of living holy enough to please God now that we are saved (Heb. 11:6).
We were saved by faith, and we have to continue to walk with God by faith (Col. 2:6).
It’s traditionally acceptable to think about baby Jesus in the manger. And, of course, it’s all part of the beautiful Christmas story. But also, let’s remember that Jesus came with a purpose, to destroy the works of the enemy. Friend, whatever it is that you are going through; know this…Jesus came to empower you to be an overcomer!
Yes, it’s true that He came to provide salvation. But, it’s so much more! Salvation is derived from the Greek word sozo, which means more than being “saved”; salvation is a word that fully translates as protection, prosperity, healing, and (I like to say) everything that Heaven has to offer! When Jesus died on the Cross, we reaped the full benefits of sozo!
Jesus came as a Champion over every stronghold, every setback, and every mountain that attempts to stand before you! You have been promised victory according to the “counsel” of your Mighty God! The enemy will attempt to speak lies that will bind you to the shame of your past. See 1 John 4:4
“Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.” Philippians 1:27a
Lord, thank You for picking me up when I fall down. I know that my struggles mean that You are helping me overcome my negative mindsets and bringing me more and more in line with Your way of thinking. The Peace of God Transcends all obstacles. I love you Lord! Amen.
Read More“Give, and you will receive. You will be given much. It will be poured into your hands — more than you can hold. You will be given so much that it will spill into your lap. The way you give to others is the way God will give to you.” (Luke 6:38 )
To reap a great harvest, you must plant generously in faith.
To plant generously in faith, you need to remember two promises of Jesus.
Luke 6:38 says, “Give, and you will receive. You will be given much. It will be poured into your hands — more than you can hold. You will be given so much that it will spill into your lap. The way you give to others is the way God will give to you”.
The way you give to others is the way God will give to you. You need to start being generous in planting seeds in this life to harvest in the next.
Then in Mark 10:29-30 Jesus gives a guarantee about anything you give up for his sake. He says, “There is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands, for my sake and for the gospel, who will not receive a hundredfold now in this time … and in the age to come eternal life” (ESV).
God says that anything that you give up of value for his sake, anything you sacrifice for his Kingdom will be returned a hundredfold.
You know how much a hundredfold is? That’s 10,000 percent interest. Do you know any stockbroker that will guarantee that? Only God and his Son can do that. They’ve been doing business with people like you and me for 2,000 years.
Jesus also in the verse above, emphasized persecution to make sure that people do not selfishly follow him only for the rewards.
These are the promises of God. You can believe them or not. But if you don’t believe God’s promises, I have to ask you this: Why do you believe Jesus will save you and take you to Heaven? That’s the same Jesus. Why do some people trust God with their eternal salvation, but they don’t trust God with their finances?
It only makes sense to trust him for both and to plant generously in faith so that you can reap a harvest.
Read MoreWe live in the world, but Christ has overcome the world. While we’re here, we have to deal with some stuff of the world.
Very often we struggle with what goes on in our own minds. We emphasize spiritual warfare, but many of our battles are internal.
If we can win the battle between our ears, the rest of it will be easy.
In spiritual warfare of the mind is the literally the battle ground.
The mind is the control center that establish the direction of our lives. What goes on in our mind determines the course of every other part of our lives.
It effects the decision we make.
Romans 12:2 Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.
* Focus on God; His will to understand the true purpose one has when placed here.
We have weapons to fight the good fight.
The first weapon available to us is truth. The Christian is given an insight into life and reality that others do not have. We know what is behind the forces at work in our society today, and we ought to know how to go about overcoming them.
Truth is realism. That is why it is so important that we understand the Scriptures, that we refresh our minds with them all the time, for we are constantly bombarded with illusion and error every day, and it is easy to drift back into thinking the way everybody around us thinks.
Love is also a powerful weapon, and in Scripture, the Word of God links truth with love.
Along with truth and love in Scripture is Faith.
Faith is the recognition that God is present in history.
God has not left us alone to stumble on our own way. The Lord Jesus sits in control of all the nations of earth.
Another powerful weapon for the Christian, proceeding from faith, is prayer.
The power of prayer is held before us throughout Scripture.
Lord, help me from here on to begin to use the weapons of truth, love, faith, and prayer for Your Glory. Amen
Matthew 5:9 God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God.
The Father is the great Peace Maker. But, that peace came at a great cost.
Colossians 1 teaches us that the cost to God of reconciling (making peace) with us was Jesus Christ’s death on the Cross.
Jesus has enabled anyone who will trust Him for forgiveness and healing and freedom, to be at peace with God.
2 Corinthians 5:20. “So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, “Come back to God!”
Only when our hearts are ruled by God’s Love are we given the hope that transcends emotion or circumstance.
“…we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts…” Romans 5:3-5
Proverbs 1:33 But whoever listens to me will live in safety and be at ease, without fear of harm.
One thing that people all over the world today are striving for is security, but here is an offer of total security.
You’ll live in safety; you’ll be at ease, without fear of harm. Not merely will you be physically safe, but you’ll be free from worry and anxiety and care.
What’s the secret?
*The secret is listening to the right voice.
*That’s the voice of divine wisdom speaking through the pages of Scripture, offering that promise of total security and ongoing, uninterrupted emotional stability and peace.
How can you find that?
*You can’t find it in the world’s system, in the world’s provisions.
*The world can offer temporary stability, temporary security, but nothing that’s permanent.
***The only pathway to permanent stability, security, peace of mind is to listen to the voice of divine wisdom speaking through the pages of Scripture and then to do what wisdom enjoys.
John 14:27 “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.
*The peace can only be made with our dependence to God.
Thank You Jesus for Your word! THE BIBLE (Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth)! I believe the Bible contains the mind of God, the state of man, the way of life, the doom of sinners, the happiness of believers. I Read it to be wise. Believe it to be safe —-Practice it to be holy. The Bible gives light to direct you, food to support you and comfort to cheer you. Amen!!!
Read More“Why are you crying out to Me? Tell the Israelites to move on.” – Exodus 14:15
Moses had brought the whole nation of Israel, approximately 600,000, to a dead end in the desert.
The only thing between Israel and Pharaoh’s pursuing army was the Red Sea.
Panic set in. The defenseless Israelites cried out,
“Was it because there were no graves in Egypt that you brought us to the desert to die?…It would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the desert!” (Ex. 14:11b-12)
God sometimes brings each of us to a “Red Sea” in our life.
*It may be a work problem that can’t be solved.
*It may be a marriage that seems to be failing.
*It may be a debilitating disease.
**Whatever your Red Sea, God tells us one thing: Keep moving forward.
The Red Sea was before them, yet God was angered at Moses and told him to “Keep moving.”
“But Lord, the Red Sea is before me.” “Keep moving.”
When we live by sight, we act on what we see. God sets this stage in dramatic fashion. God is into the dramatic. There is no way out without God here. That is just the way He wants it. No one will get glory except God.
There is great healing when we look past our own problems and seek to invest ourselves in others for the sake of Christ.
This is when our own Red Seas become parted.
*We begin to walk to freedom. But we will never experience the miracle of the Red Sea in our lives if we don’t first “Keep moving forward.
There is an issue that you must settle in your own mind and heart. There are just some things that you cannot fix or make different. You can only make decisions about the things that are yours to deal with, and that does not include other people and their choices.
Psalms 118:8 It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.
Amen
Matthew 17:20 “You do not have enough faith, Jesus told them. “I tell you the truth, if you had faith even as a small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it would move. Nothing would be impossible.”
If we are facing a problem that seems as big and immovable as a mountain, turn our eyes from the mountain and look to Christ for more faith.
Only then will we be able to overcome the obstacles that may stand in our way.
- There is great potential in even a little faith when we trust in God’s power to act.
- We need to trust in God’s power not our own ability to produce results.
Acts 1:8 But you(apostles) will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria and to the ends of the earth.
We can always look around and find plenty of Christians who are not using this power, but 2 Corinthians 10:12 says that comparing ourselves among ourselves is not wise.
Most Christians are living so far below what God intended for them that when someone begins to live a normal Christian life (according to God’s standard), then everyone thinks he’s abnormal.
We will be successful when we not only build our faith but destroy our doubts.
One reason we are so prone to doubt is that we fail to see God at work in our circumstances.
- We asked, and nothing happened.
- But the Lord is not some cosmic bellhop who jumps in response to our requests.
- He sees past, present, and future and knows the right time for every answer.
- His invisible hand is already at work on our behalf—arranging situations to accomplish His will, opening hearts, and preparing us to receive what He wants to give.
If we don’t know God’s ways, we will be disappointed in His response. (see Hosea 4:6)
All too often our prayers are accompanied by expectations of how He will work. When He fails to intervene according to our timetable or anticipated method, we start to doubt.
But placing our faith in the Lord and trusting in His good and perfect ways gives us stability as we wait for His answer.
To overcome doubts, spend time in the Word to learn God’s principles and ways. Then you’ll begin to grasp what He wants to achieve in your life and how He goes about it.
Thank You Jesus for all the answered prayers of the past that I just took for granted. Amen
Read MoreWho is called to be a minister? According to these verses below, we are all called to be ministers.
Matthew 28:19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.
20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
I am persuaded that many of our goals and dreams fail simply because we place limitations upon ourselves. This is true for the church as well—Christ’s command to share the gospeL.
Jesus gave us the vision to tell all nations about His salvation, and as His followers, we should make this our aim.
Many Christians, however, are not working to fulfill this “Great Commission”—at least not fervently and purposefully.
Often, what holds us back are the “Boundaries” we place upon ourselves.
“Fear“ is one of the biggest self-erected barriers to success.
*For instance, if evangelizing means traveling overseas, lack of safety might worry us.
*We may also feel concern about how family and friends will react to our decision and whether people will react negatively to our message.
Another hindrance might be conditional obedience—that is, a willingness to serve as long as God keeps us in a particular location or has us minister in a country where we don’t have to learn a new language.
There are many barriers that can keep us from sharing the gospel. *But when we’re willing to tear those down, we’ll be amazed at what God can accomplish through us.
Are you passionately sharing the gospel?
*If not, identify the obstruction that stands in your way, and pray.
*Refocus by reading the Word and remembering the mission that Jesus gave you.
*God’s love covers the whole world, and He therefore intends that everyone hear the good news.
* We are to share the good news of the Gospel. We are to speak about Christ giving up His life on the cross as redemption of our sins.
*We are to let others know about the grace, love, and mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ. Without it we would be hopeless. With It we can do all things.
Release yourself from the thoughts, worries, fears and concerns that keep you earthbound.
For, you must rise above all that keeps you from absolute faith in the Lord. We cannot operate in the realm of faith and be in fear at the same time.
Pay attention to your thoughts and make the necessary adjustments to demonstrate faith.
2 Corinthians 10:5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.
God, I ask You to help me proclaim boldly what You have taught me in Your Word. I pray for the strength to rest in Jesus to overcome my shortcomings. I need hope that God really will keep working in me and change my heart daily and give You Lord all the Glory. Amen
Psalms 23:6 Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the LORD forever.
-We will live in Heaven forever
Matthew 22:29 Jesus replied, “Your mistake is that you don’t know the Scriptures, and you don’t know the power of God. 30 For when the dead rise, they will neither marry nor be given in marriage. In this respect they will be like the angels in heaven.
-There will be no marriage in Heaven, and we will be like the angels.
John 14:2 There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you?
-Jesus prepares a place for us in Heaven, in which there are many rooms.
Philippians 3:20 But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior.21 He will take our weak mortal bodies and change them into glorious bodies like his own, using the same power with which he will bring everything under his control.
-Our citizenship is in Heaven where our earthly bodies will be transformed to be glorious like Jesus’
2 Timothy 4:7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful.
8 And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing.
-We will never hunger or thirst when in Heaven.
Revelation 7:16 They will never again be hungry or thirsty; they will never be scorched by the heat of the sun. 17 For the Lamb on the throne will be their Shepherd.
He will lead them to springs of life-giving water. And God will wipe every tear from their eyes.”
-There is a crown of righteousness in store for us in Heaven that God will reward us with.
Revelation 21:4 He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.”
-There will be no death, mourning, crying, or pain in Heaven.
Revelation 21:22 I saw no temple in the city, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. 23 And the city has no need of sun or moon, for the glory of God illuminates the city, and the Lamb is its light. (Read throgh verse 27)
-There will be nothing impure in Heaven, and only those whose name is written in the Lamb’s book of life will be allowed in
Lord Jesus, Thank You for Your Word and the Promises we have after this life here on earth. Help us share this great news with as many as possible. Amen
Read MoreAlways be on the lookout for anything that takes your “peace” away, and then ask God to reveal what’s going on inside the hidden chambers of your soul.
* “Why are you in despair, O my soul? And why have you become disturbed within me? Hope in God, for I shall again praise Him for the help of His presence.” Psalm 42:5
*You must have peace with God– to have peace of God.
The more sensitive we become to the Holy Spirit’s leading, the better we are able to walk in the world with peace and assurance as true sons of God.
JOHN 20:21 Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you.”
The dictionary states that to reconcile means to re-establish friendship between; to settle or resolve, as a dispute.
The key to reconciliation is to effectively deal with the enmity, ill will, hatred, or hostility that caused the dispute, etc.
2 Corinthians 5:18 -19
*May we be quick to forgive and reconcile with those we are at odds with.
The enmity between man and God was SIN.
*God took the initiative to remove this barrier through the means and agency of Jesus Christ, thus leaving man and God as friends once again.
We have received the ministry of reconciliation.
*That means we are in the ministry of reconciling people to God.
Imputing people’s sins unto them was not the way God used Jesus to reconcile the world unto Himself.
**We should not focus on the problem of sin, but on the answer of God’s grace (Rom. 5:20).
Our real job as ministers of reconciliation is to announce the good NEWS, which is an accomplished fact – that sin has already been dealt with through the person of Christ.
No matter how far you have wandered, as long as you still draw breathe, it is never too late to go back to God.
*Come, put down your pride and accept the gift of grace and love He has poured out for you and me.
Ephesians 2:16 Together as one body, Christ reconciled both groups to God by means of his death on the cross, and our hostility toward each other was put to death.
Lord, help me see each day that-Peace comes from the relationship I have with You! Lord, help me to stop worrying about others and start worrying about me and my relationship with You. Amen
Read More
“Each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself.”
Ephesians 5:33
To properly define the God‐ordained role of husbands, there’s no better place to turn than Scripture. The apostle Paul instructs: “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy. . . . In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies” (Ephesians 5:25–28).
Paul also tells us “the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church” (Ephesians 5:23).
Here’s the bottom line of your responsibility as a husband:
- You are charged with the holy, loving leadership of your wife. There is nothing dictatorial or selfish in this prescription!
- Your love is to be so strong that it mirrors Christ’s love for the church, so committed that you would unquestioningly die to save her, and so powerful that it is indistinguishable from love of your self.
What a challenge! And what a privilege to join with God and your wife in this holy partnership! For as you fulfill your role as head of the house, you’ll encounter blessings you never imagined.
Ask yourselves . . .
• (husband) What has been my most “shining moment” as your husband?
• (husband) Do you feel my love for you meets this scriptural ideal?
• (wife) How do you feel about the responsibility God gives husbands?
• (wife) How can I encourage you in this role?
“Husbands, in the same way [be submissive] as you live together with your wives . . .” be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers. Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble”. 1 Peter 3:7-8
The NLT captures this meaning in their translation:. . . you husbands must give honor to your wives. Treat your wife with understanding as you live together. She may be weaker than you are, but she is your equal partner in God’s gift of new life. 1 Peter 3:7
Heavenly Father, You have given me an awesome and holy responsibility to love my wife just as Christ loved the church. Help me to follow Christ’s perfect example as I learn to increase my love for my mate. Amen
Read MoreGod’s Love isn’t given to just a select few. It’s a gift we all receive when we are born again.
“…for love is from God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.”. 1 John 4:7
Perhaps you are saying, “I want Jesus to be king of my life. I want to do everything He commands me!”
Two of the wonderful blessings that come to all who enthrone Jesus as king of their lives.
1. First, Scripture says if you will submit yourself to Jesus, waiting to receive His counsel and direction, you will partake of His holiness. (SEE:Hebrews 12:9-10).
Paul commands us to come to Jesus, asking Him to give us dominion over all our sins and fears:
For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace” (Romans 6:14).
God is saying, “If you want to know abundant life—true, full life—then submit yourself to Me and I will give you life without fear, guilt or condemnation!”
2. Second, those who submit to Christ’s lordship will walk in peace—without fear or anxiety.
“That he would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life. . . . Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us, to give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace” (Luke 1:74-75, 78-79).
What a wonderful promise!
If we will yield our lives to Him, He will shine His light into our darkness and guide us into peace and rest.
You can tell when a person has enthroned Christ in his heart.
Such a life produces a peace that passes all understanding and you can see that peace in the person’s face and demeanor.
Are you passionately telling others about Christ?
*Loving God involves not just having a personal relationship with Jesus but also sharing Him with others.
*The world around you needs the power of Christ. Let the Holy Spirit guide and enable you to share effectively with those around you.
Thank You for Your Peace Jesus. And help me have more of the Eternal Perspective Daily. Amen
We can lack faith because we don’t understand what it is sometimes.
Hebrews 11:1 Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see.
I read this someplace and it really hit home for me about Faith.
A drowning boy struggled desperately in the water. His mother, on shore, cried out for a strong young man swimming near her son to save him.
But the young man remained several feet away from the boy.
Strength failing, the boy’s struggles ceased and he began to sink.
With two deft strokes, the young man was at the boy’s side.
After both were on the shore, the mother asked the young man, “Why didn’t you save my boy sooner?”
The young man replied, “I could not save your boy until he gave up his own struggling. He would have pulled us both down.”
Just as the drowning boy found his best efforts of no avail, and just as the Lord’s disciples found their best efforts insufficient, we often come face-to-face with a problem only to find our best efforts not enough.
What a happy discovery this can be!
Now we call out to God for help.
*Nothing is impossible with God.
*His efforts are always sufficient to satisfy the need.
Instead of struggling along, let us seek the help of our heavenly Father Who is ever by our side to work on our behalf.
When we have ceased our struggling with the overwhelming problems facing us, we find God is there to help us.
We can have the resources through Christ to meet every challenge.
Jesus promises: I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard see, you can say to this mountain, “Move from here to there” and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you (Matthew 17:20).
Thank You Lord for giving me Faith in You.
Forgive me for any unbelief in Jesus that I may have, which is a turning away from you in order to seek satisfaction in other things. Thank you Jesus for being the only way, truth and life. Amen
“Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep” (Romans 12:15 ESV).
The Bible tells us to “rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep” (Romans 12:15). Have you noticed that the second part of that sentence is easy, but the first part can be really tough?
When somebody’s having a tough time, it’s easy to be sympathetic. It’s easy to encourage people when they’re down. But sometimes what we can’t stand is when they get a promotion. We’re not very good at handling the success of other people. Rather than rejoicing in it, we resent it. In fact, we wish bad things would happen to people, because somehow we think that if we can blow out somebody else’s candle, ours will shine brighter.
There’s plenty of God’s grace to go around. If God wants to pay other people the same amount, so what? I shouldn’t even worry about what he wants to give other people. I should worry about what I’m doing with what I’ve been given.
Let me explain something about envy to you. Envy happens close to you. It happens in your relationship to your peers. You don’t typically envy people who aren’t your peers. You can have some kind of idol worship that says, “I wish I were like that superstar.” But really it’s not as grating as the people closest to you. Those are the people you have the hardest time seeing success in — your family and friends.
Envy is insidious. It devalues others, it destroys relationships, and it makes you miserable. It’s hidden, but it’s destructive. And it causes you to miss out on so much joy.
You’ll enjoy life a whole lot more if you will learn to be happy over the successes of other people. Speak Blessings over them—Not Curses!
If you’re only happy when things go well for you, you’re going to be miserable most of your life, because things won’t always go well for you or anybody else. But if you learn to be happy at other people’s successes and enjoy other people’s celebrations, you can be happy all the time.
The Bible says in 1 Corinthians 13:4, “Love does not envy.” Envy is the most unloving thing you can do to somebody else. Love is not envious.
Love celebrates God’s goodness to others. Read 1 Thess. 5:16-19 for God’s will for you. Amen
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