Hebrews 11:1 – Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
1. Faith proves what you believe. Faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen. For those mentioned in Hebrews 11, the substance of what they were hoping for was the eternal city (Hebrews 11:13-16) and the evidence of what they were hoping for was their obedient life. They were living as if they believed they would receive entrance into the eternal city (eternal life). Their lives proved (gave evidence) of what they hoped for.
2. Faith doesn’t fill in the blanks. The path the Lord desire you to travel upon (before reaching eternal life) doesn’t come with complete instructions. There will be times when the Lord will not tell you where money will come from, where you will live, who will help you, or what will happen tomorrow. You must believe that He will never leave or forsake you as He promised.
Sexual immorality is destroying the church!
It manifests through pornography, adultery, homosexuality, bisexuality, bestiality, etc. Many of our fellow brothers and sisters are turning to the darkness of sin to commit their evil deeds rather than living in the light of the Lord:
John 3:19-21 – And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.
If you are struggling with sexual sin, get help NOW! Go to the Father, repent of your sins, and dedicate yourself to living above the muck and mire of your old sinful nature. Find strength in the Lord and your fellow brothers and sisters. You don’t have to give into temptation. You don’t have to sin.
Matthew 6:14-15 – For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
Unless you have forgiven others for the sins they commit against you, you will not be forgiven for the sins you committed.
1. Sadly, many Christans refuse to forgive. We store unforgiveness in our hearts, tormenting ourselves (with bitterness, anger, and resentment). Many of us hold unto unforgiveness because (1) we want want revenge on those who wronged us; (2) we want to see them ‘pay’ for what they did to us; or (3) we wait for the person (or people) to take responsibility for their actions (via apology). Revenge, ‘payback,’ and waiting for apologies isn’t what God desires of us. God wants us to love others, show mercy to them, and forgive, just as He has done for you.
Your thoughts and perceptions affect the direction of your life. If you think you will never be an overcomer, then your decisions and actions will reflect it. But if you believe you can overcome, then your decisions and actions will follow. The process of change may not be easy (Hebrews 12:1-13), but the thoughts of a renewed and changed mind will keep you focused on achieving what you believe through Christ Jesus (Romans 12:1-2).
You are what you think. In order to change your decisions and actions, you must change your perspective on how you see yourself, your situations, and other events or ‘positions’ that affect them. As you remove negative thoughts and ‘positions’ from your life, you must add positive, affirming thoughts that motivate you to change. Through your knowledge of Jesus Christ, the Bible, and other affirming messages, you can begin the process of possessing the qualities that allow you to be all that God desires for you (Romans 8:29).
Photo courtesy of freeimages.com/Simon Jackson
Matthew 22:36-40 – Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.
We all want to be loved; treated with respect, kindness, and love; be supported in our endeavors; and feel appreciate and understood. In the process of our personal wish list, we must also remember that this is the same list we must use toward others. Just as we want to be loved, we should love others in the same manner:
- We should treat others we the same level of respect, kindness, and love…even greater!
- We should support others and encourage them in their projects, goals, and dreams.
- We should strive to understand and appreciate those around us.
Though the needs of others may differ from our own, it does not negate our responsibility to seek God on ways to meet their needs.
There is more to ‘life’ than pleasing ourselves…
Photo courtesy of freeimages.com/Sande Hamilton
Matthew 5:38-42 – Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also. And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain. Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.
At some point in our lives, we have all heard ‘an eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’ When I was a child, I heard people say, ‘if someone hits you, hit them back.’ As children of God and citizens of the Kingdom of Heaven, Jesus provided ‘guidelines’ for our behavior and actions (as illustrated in the scripture above). Though it may seem His ways are foreign, it is the world’s ways that are foreign to believers of Christ (Ephesians 2:18-22; Hebrews 11:1-13; 1 Peter 2:9-12).
It seems that no matter how much we do or not do, temptation is around every corner…and we sometimes give into it. Though many situations seem to be geared toward sin, it can become an opportunity for growth.
Sometimes a change of view or mental state can help us see the blessing in our trials, the comfort others need, and the lesson(s) God want us to learn. There are painful situations that may darken each of our doorsteps, but how we view and address our situations will determine how we will get through them.
By repeating painful situations and problems, they can become the match that lights our fuse of greater anger, frustration, sadness, despair, rage, etc. Like stacking bricks upon one another, you build a strong tower that seems impossible to destroy.
Philippians 4:8 (KJV) – Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
Have you ever thought about a situation that upset you? It seems that every time you think about the situation you get madder and madder. Within a few minutes, your stress is high, your anger is surging, and you’re ready to ‘throw down.’ By the time you see the ‘object’ of your anger again, you’re ready to strike. You then do everything in your power to treat them badly and make them pay for what they did. You find yourself acting in a manner that is far from godly and places you in an even worse position. Then you repeat the cycle of thinking and acting again and again – hurting yourself, others, and your witness for Christ.
Have you ever had a beautiful day where the sun is shining; the birds are chirping; the trees are swaying; when…BAM, temptation comes out of nowhere?! Here you are trying to mind your own business, not bothering anyone, when temptation wants to pay you a visit.
A part of you is mad because once again, you have to deal with this again, but you know if you don’t deal with it quickly and properly, you may give into its call to sin.
2 Timothy 2:22 – Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
1 Corinthians 10:12 – Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.
Temptation and sin are nothing to play with and should be taken seriously!!!!
April 25, 2006
My Will vs. God’s Will
Have you ever had a VERY strong desire to do something, but you soon found that it wasn’t God’s will for you? You scream at the top of your lungs in disapproval and vent your frustrations. Your emotions cry out, your heart hurts, and your mind is losing its grip…yet, God’s decision remains unchanged. Regardless of the internal or external tantrum we put up, God calmly speaks His will.
I am thankful that God allows us to voice our pains, frustrations, and even disagreements. The venting anger often reveals our truest emotions (and some over inflated ones as well). He helps us place our lives into its proper perspective and see our situations through His love. Though you may believe your desire may be the best solution for your circumstances, God is sovereign and knows what you and others need. Your desire could mess up His plans for you or someone else even though you have the purest of intentions. Your way may only cause more heartache and grief, rather than joy and prosperity.
We may not always understand God’s purposes, but we must accept them graciously. He knows what He’s doing. God has our best interest at heart and will move heaven and earth to help us. God is not just looking at the temporal and here and now, He’s looking into eternity!
With a calm mind and spirit, we can say “your will be done Father.” Amen.
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