Remember......God produces the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22) in us by allowing us to encounter situations and people with characteristics that are exactly the opposite of the fruit of the Spirit! So far we've looked at the love, joy, peace and today, patience.
Patience is a virtue that carries alot of wait! Patience is the ability to let your light shine after your fuse has been blown! If God puts you on hold, don't hang up!
We all know what we need to do and be in order to show others patience....1) We should look at people and situations from God's perspective. He sees us as human, which means no one is perfect! 2) We need to develop a good sense of humor. Sometimes the only thing we can do is laugh. Humor is a great stress-disolver! "A cheerful heart is good medicine." (Proverbs 17:22) and 3) We need to deepen our love for others. Ephesians 4:2 says it best..."Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love."
These three tips have dealt with people and situations that test our patience, but today I want us to look at how we handle our impatience with God. Let's be honest..many times we question why we have to wait for God to answer a prayer, perform a miracle or point us in the right direction. We wonder what good can come from waiting. What is the point of waiting when there is so much to do for God, but so little time. One answer could be that, while we worry about how fast we grow, God is concerned about how strong we grow!
As we have been learning with the fruit of the Spirit, they are God's desire for us to have in our life and they are a representation of Christ's character. Does this character develop overnight? Not usually. God's plan is to mold and shape us little by little until we are fully prepared for His assignment - and that may take time, lots of time for some of us! One of life's frustrations is that God's timetable is rarely the same as our own. The Bible is full of examples of how God used a long process to develop character. Abraham and Sarah. Noah. Moses. David. Joseph. The Bible is a book about waiting!
So what do you and I do during our waiting time? I can tell you what not to do ~ nothing! Waiting is not a time to waste. In the book of Psalms, David tells us several things we are to be doing (and I believe he knew something about waiting and character development!) In 27:14, he tells us to "Wait for the Lord, be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord." 37:7, "Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret..." 37:34a, "Wait for the Lord and keep his ways..." 46:10, "Be still and know that I am God..." 130:5, "I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his Word do I put my hope."
Waiting is not something we enjoy doing; but we can make the most of our time by learning about God by being still, developing our character by obedience, building our confidence while staying strong and strengthening our dependence on him by not fretting. As women, we often fall into the trap of thinking if we're not doing something, we must be wasting time. I hope these verses confirm the importance and desire God has for you to wait for Him. He can't speak to you or get your attention when your life is too busy, too loud, too distracted and too rushed.
What is God having you wait for today? Don't look at it as a denial to your requests. God's delays are never His denials. They are just another method He uses to continue to mold and shape us into women He can use for His purposes! Remember, if God puts you on hold, don't hang up!!
Encouragement for Purpose-Full Living!
Monday, August 30, 2010
Monday, August 23, 2010
Peaceful Living in an Uptight World
Can you imagine your life without tension? Is peace of mind really attainable? What or who causes you the most stress? Everyone wants peace in their life. When my kids ask me what I want for Christmas, I always answer "World Peace" ~ taken from one of my favorite Sandra Bullock movies. When we look to the world for peace, we don't see a great track record of success. So where should we turn to find it?
The Bible tells us about 3 kinds of peace we should and can possess:
1) Spiritual Peace = peace with God. This is the foundation of peace and there's only one way to get it - through faith in Christ Jesus. (John 14:6)
2) Emotional Peace = the peace of God. Colossians 3:15 instructs us to let the "peace of Christ rule in our hearts." This peace is described as an internal sense of well-being and order. Isn't that what we all desire?
3) Relational Peace = peace with others. People are our greatest source of stress sometimes and God understands that! He encourages us in Romans 12:18 that "...whenever it is possible, live at peace with everyone."
Is it possible to live a peaceful life in an uptight world? Yes, but it requires us to change our focus. One thing we learned from God's Power to Change Your Life is that we must focus on God's presence. Isaiah 26:3 tells us that God "will keep in perfect peace him who mind is steadfast because he trusts in you." What does steadfast mean? It means that we are focused, concentrated, not disturbed, holding firm to something or someone. Is that how your focus is on God's presence? Or is it scattered, confused, wavering back and forth?
Think about times when you experience the most stress? Where is your focus? Is it on the person you are struggling to have a peaceful relationship with? Is it when you're trying to control a situation that is clearly out of your control, but you won't admit it? Is it on the circumstances surrounding you at that moment or fear of possible upcoming problems (aka-worry)?
I want to challenge you today to look at stress as a positive thing from God! Yes, stress can serve as a gift from God to warn us that our focus is off Him and on someone/something else. Someone else who has no control to change the situation. Something else that you're trying to figure out how to control. Again, it's a choice we make. Are we going to focus on God or our circumstances?
Fill in the blank "My life would be more peaceful if_______________." Now give it to God, turn your focus away from the situation and onto Him.
Remember, peace is not a trouble-free life, it's a sense of calm in the midst of life's storms!
The Bible tells us about 3 kinds of peace we should and can possess:
1) Spiritual Peace = peace with God. This is the foundation of peace and there's only one way to get it - through faith in Christ Jesus. (John 14:6)
2) Emotional Peace = the peace of God. Colossians 3:15 instructs us to let the "peace of Christ rule in our hearts." This peace is described as an internal sense of well-being and order. Isn't that what we all desire?
3) Relational Peace = peace with others. People are our greatest source of stress sometimes and God understands that! He encourages us in Romans 12:18 that "...whenever it is possible, live at peace with everyone."
Is it possible to live a peaceful life in an uptight world? Yes, but it requires us to change our focus. One thing we learned from God's Power to Change Your Life is that we must focus on God's presence. Isaiah 26:3 tells us that God "will keep in perfect peace him who mind is steadfast because he trusts in you." What does steadfast mean? It means that we are focused, concentrated, not disturbed, holding firm to something or someone. Is that how your focus is on God's presence? Or is it scattered, confused, wavering back and forth?
Think about times when you experience the most stress? Where is your focus? Is it on the person you are struggling to have a peaceful relationship with? Is it when you're trying to control a situation that is clearly out of your control, but you won't admit it? Is it on the circumstances surrounding you at that moment or fear of possible upcoming problems (aka-worry)?
I want to challenge you today to look at stress as a positive thing from God! Yes, stress can serve as a gift from God to warn us that our focus is off Him and on someone/something else. Someone else who has no control to change the situation. Something else that you're trying to figure out how to control. Again, it's a choice we make. Are we going to focus on God or our circumstances?
Fill in the blank "My life would be more peaceful if_______________." Now give it to God, turn your focus away from the situation and onto Him.
Remember, peace is not a trouble-free life, it's a sense of calm in the midst of life's storms!
Monday, August 16, 2010
The Choice to Rejoice
Is it possible to stay positive in a negative world? Is there such a thing as "true" happiness? Why are some people more joyful than others? Where does joy come from?
As we look at the next fruit of the Spirit - joy - we must make sure we understand its meaning. Joy is an inside job and does not depend on circumstances. Happiness depends on happenings. Joy is an attitude; a choice. Happiness comes and goes.
Paul tells us in Romans 5: 2b, that we can rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. It's been said that a person can live forty days without food, three days without water, eight minutes without air, by not one minute without hope! Many people have hope, but they are not basing it on anything solid. Many people base it on the wrong things: the stock market, good looks, a big salary, a nice job, a good family with obedient children, etc. BUT all these things are temporary and can be taken away in a heartbeat. When they disappear, so does hope. And joy is impossible without hope.
Where does hope come from and how do we get it? First, because of our faith in Christ, we can see that no situation is hopeless. Romans 5:2..."Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege..and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing in God's glory." (NLT) Second, we can see that God has a purpose in every situation. Romans 5:3-4...."We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance and endurance develops character and character strengthens our confident hope..." (NLT). Third, we can know that God is always with us, no matter where we are or what we're facing. Romans 5:11.."So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends with God!" (NLT)
So what are you putting your hope in? What happenings are you going to base your happiness on today? If you really want to understand joy, I encourage you to read the book of Philippians. Nineteen times in this short letter, Paul talks about rejoicing and having joy - and he was in a nasty, dirty, rat-infested, no cable tv or workout facility prison when he wrote this book!!
No matter what your day brings, make the choice to rejoice and cling to Nehemiah's words ..... "This day is sacred to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the JOY of the Lord is your strength." (Nehemiah 8:10)
As we look at the next fruit of the Spirit - joy - we must make sure we understand its meaning. Joy is an inside job and does not depend on circumstances. Happiness depends on happenings. Joy is an attitude; a choice. Happiness comes and goes.
Paul tells us in Romans 5: 2b, that we can rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. It's been said that a person can live forty days without food, three days without water, eight minutes without air, by not one minute without hope! Many people have hope, but they are not basing it on anything solid. Many people base it on the wrong things: the stock market, good looks, a big salary, a nice job, a good family with obedient children, etc. BUT all these things are temporary and can be taken away in a heartbeat. When they disappear, so does hope. And joy is impossible without hope.
Where does hope come from and how do we get it? First, because of our faith in Christ, we can see that no situation is hopeless. Romans 5:2..."Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege..and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing in God's glory." (NLT) Second, we can see that God has a purpose in every situation. Romans 5:3-4...."We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance and endurance develops character and character strengthens our confident hope..." (NLT). Third, we can know that God is always with us, no matter where we are or what we're facing. Romans 5:11.."So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends with God!" (NLT)
So what are you putting your hope in? What happenings are you going to base your happiness on today? If you really want to understand joy, I encourage you to read the book of Philippians. Nineteen times in this short letter, Paul talks about rejoicing and having joy - and he was in a nasty, dirty, rat-infested, no cable tv or workout facility prison when he wrote this book!!
No matter what your day brings, make the choice to rejoice and cling to Nehemiah's words ..... "This day is sacred to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the JOY of the Lord is your strength." (Nehemiah 8:10)
Monday, August 9, 2010
Becoming a More Loving Person
"A new command I (Jesus) give you, love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another" (John 13:34)
Today's Truth - God produces the fruit of the Spirit in us by allowing us to encounter situations and people with characteristics that are the exact opposite of the fruit of the Spirit!
As we continue our quest to change by God's power, loving the unlovable sometimes takes a supernatural power! God's Word gives us 5 steps to follow - not always easy ones - but effective if we make the choice to put them to the test!
1) We must feel and understand how deeply God loves us. Ephesians 3:17 - "that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power...to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ." God showed His love for us by sending His Son to die for our sins (John 3:16) while we were yet sinners (Romans 5:8). Can you understand that love today?
2) We must forgive those who have hurt us. "Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you." Colossians 3:13. Anytime you resent someone, you give them a piece of your heart, your attention, your mind, your energy, your ability to love, etc. Can you afford to give all this away?
3) We must think loving thoughts. "Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as Christ Jesus." Philippians 2:4-5. Hurting people hurt people. If instead of thinking about a person's faults and we begin to think about their needs, it will change the way we see them, which will change the way we feel about them, which will change the way we act toward them. Try it and see!
4) Act in a loving way. Have I lost you yet? These steps seem to grow in difficulty, but the reward of implementing them in your life far outweighs the discomfort. In Luke 6:27-28, Jesus commands (not suggests) that we: 1) love our enemies 2) do good to those who we don't like and vice versa 3) bless those who curse you and 4) pray for those who mistreat you. Does anyone come to mind? What one thing can you do today to act in a loving way toward the unlovable in your life?
5) Expect the best of even those you don't like. Probably the most difficult step yet! When we expect the best, we bring out the best. When we expect the worst, we get the worst from people. This is love by faith. And loving by faith is the greatest force in the world. Love is contagious and it changes people.
My challenge this week is to take a baby step toward loving the most unlovable person in your life ~ not in your own power, you know how far that will get you - BUT in God's power..."God has not given us the spirit of fear, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline." 2 Timothy 1:7
*Taken from God's Power to Change Your Life by Rick Warren
Today's Truth - God produces the fruit of the Spirit in us by allowing us to encounter situations and people with characteristics that are the exact opposite of the fruit of the Spirit!
As we continue our quest to change by God's power, loving the unlovable sometimes takes a supernatural power! God's Word gives us 5 steps to follow - not always easy ones - but effective if we make the choice to put them to the test!
1) We must feel and understand how deeply God loves us. Ephesians 3:17 - "that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power...to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ." God showed His love for us by sending His Son to die for our sins (John 3:16) while we were yet sinners (Romans 5:8). Can you understand that love today?
2) We must forgive those who have hurt us. "Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you." Colossians 3:13. Anytime you resent someone, you give them a piece of your heart, your attention, your mind, your energy, your ability to love, etc. Can you afford to give all this away?
3) We must think loving thoughts. "Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as Christ Jesus." Philippians 2:4-5. Hurting people hurt people. If instead of thinking about a person's faults and we begin to think about their needs, it will change the way we see them, which will change the way we feel about them, which will change the way we act toward them. Try it and see!
4) Act in a loving way. Have I lost you yet? These steps seem to grow in difficulty, but the reward of implementing them in your life far outweighs the discomfort. In Luke 6:27-28, Jesus commands (not suggests) that we: 1) love our enemies 2) do good to those who we don't like and vice versa 3) bless those who curse you and 4) pray for those who mistreat you. Does anyone come to mind? What one thing can you do today to act in a loving way toward the unlovable in your life?
5) Expect the best of even those you don't like. Probably the most difficult step yet! When we expect the best, we bring out the best. When we expect the worst, we get the worst from people. This is love by faith. And loving by faith is the greatest force in the world. Love is contagious and it changes people.
My challenge this week is to take a baby step toward loving the most unlovable person in your life ~ not in your own power, you know how far that will get you - BUT in God's power..."God has not given us the spirit of fear, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline." 2 Timothy 1:7
*Taken from God's Power to Change Your Life by Rick Warren
Monday, August 2, 2010
God's Power to Change Your Life
Today's Truth - God's number one purpose in your life is to make you like Jesus Christ.
How are you responding to the circumstances in your life? With praise or pouting? With defeat or determination? With surrender or a stubborn spirit? Although we can't control all the things that happen in our life, we can control how we respond to them. We can control whether an experience or situation will make us bitter or better. What matters in life is not so much what happens to us but what happens in us!
Did you know that the source of our circumstances makes NO difference to God? Yes, we often bring problems on ourselves by wrong decisions and choices, bad judgement and sin. At other times our problems are caused by other people. Sometimes the devil causes thing to happen to us as he did to Job. But God says the source of the circumstance is irrelevant! He will use every situtation in your life to fit into His plan and to make you more like His Son, Jesus Christ.
So.... there is no circumstance in your life from which you can't learn from, if you just have the right attitude. Let's truly claim Romans 8:28 as the presence of God's power working in your life to change you for the better - even through the good, bad and ugly of circumstances. "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."
What are you holding onto that God wants to help with? He wants you to stop trying and start trusting Him with your problems! We spend so much time and energy trying to solve everything ourselves, in our own power, but to no avail.
"God whispers to us in our pleasure but He shouts to us in our pain." C.S. Lewis.
How are you responding to the circumstances in your life? With praise or pouting? With defeat or determination? With surrender or a stubborn spirit? Although we can't control all the things that happen in our life, we can control how we respond to them. We can control whether an experience or situation will make us bitter or better. What matters in life is not so much what happens to us but what happens in us!
Did you know that the source of our circumstances makes NO difference to God? Yes, we often bring problems on ourselves by wrong decisions and choices, bad judgement and sin. At other times our problems are caused by other people. Sometimes the devil causes thing to happen to us as he did to Job. But God says the source of the circumstance is irrelevant! He will use every situtation in your life to fit into His plan and to make you more like His Son, Jesus Christ.
So.... there is no circumstance in your life from which you can't learn from, if you just have the right attitude. Let's truly claim Romans 8:28 as the presence of God's power working in your life to change you for the better - even through the good, bad and ugly of circumstances. "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."
What are you holding onto that God wants to help with? He wants you to stop trying and start trusting Him with your problems! We spend so much time and energy trying to solve everything ourselves, in our own power, but to no avail.
"God whispers to us in our pleasure but He shouts to us in our pain." C.S. Lewis.
Is God shouting to you today?
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