My Prayer for You
Tag Archives: ESV
If you don’t feel you have it in you to deal with that person another day remember…
You can, and I can, because we are not alone!
If your life is like mine, the days fly by so fast that it can be easy to get so to caught up in just living that you forget that “to live is Christ” (Philippians 1:21).
And while that is a fact that we may think we know as Christians, Is it really? Do our lives reflect a life that is lived for and with Christ, even when dealing with “that” person?
The thing is, we are not just supposed to be just surviving our lives. But, if we are really honest with ourselves, there are some people who make us feel like that is all we can presently do. Just getting through the day, without too much interaction with “that person” is our goal.
That mindset causes us to forget that God has ordered our lives. That there is a reason “that person” is in it. Now, maybe that reason is for them, for them to see a light in a dark world. Or maybe it is for us, for God to strengthen and refine our character, the person we really are at our core. Whatever the case, remember Jesus said…
“…I’m telling you to love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the energies of prayer, for then you are working out of your true selves, your God-created selves. This is what God does. He gives his best—the sun to warm and the rain to nourish—to everyone, regardless: the good and bad, the nice and nasty. If all you do is love the lovable, do you expect a bonus? Anybody can do that. If you simply say hello to those who greet you, do you expect a medal? Any run-of-the-mill sinner does that. “In a word, what I’m saying is, Grow up. You’re kingdom subjects. Now live like it. Live out your God-created identity. Live generously and graciously toward others, the way God lives toward you.”” (Matthew 5:44–48, The Message, Emphisis mine)
Remember that as a believer in Christ you have everything you need to not just survive but to thrive in the face of adversity. For “the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you” (Romans 8:1 ESV).
We are not alone, and our life is not our own.
May we both remember to live like it!
The two things about fear that every Christian should know
“In order to succeed, your desire for success should be greater than your fear of failure.” – Bill Cosby
We all have come face to face with fear in our lives. For some of us it is a daily struggle, and sometimes we may feel powerless to overcome it.
Yet, two things are very clear about fear.
- It is not from God.
As it says in the 2 Timothy 1:7, “God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control”(ESV). So if we are feeling fear we know that it is not coming from God but from our adversary who “prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” (1 Peter 5:8, ESV).
- God can take away our fears.
In Psalms 34:4 we read how the Psalmist “sought the Lord, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears”(ESV). Because God is no respecter of persons, we know that if we go to God with our fears He will deliver us as well.
Do not allow the enemy to steal any part of your life in by causing you to fear. Life is to short and you have too much to accomplish to let fear stop you.
Instead run to God and give Him your fear, and He will meet you with His peace.
Then you will be free to accomplish great things for the glory of God.
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I Am Trusting God 