Jesus' Circles of Relationship

A summary of a presentation at ARISE by Nicole Parker

When Jesus came down here and became a human being, he was limited in the ability to invest deeply in everyone during His ministry, even though He loved everyone. Inevitably, that would mean prioritizing some relationships over others.

Jesus had three circles of relationships: The outer circle, the second circle, and the inner circle. His outer circle included enemies and people who were curious but had no interest in believing in Him. His outer circle also included people He invested in for a brief time and then moved on, like with the Samaritan woman and the demoniacs. Your outer circle consists of casual acquaintances we may interact with in public settings.

In Jesus' second circle, He had the 70 and the 12 disciples. Like Jesus, your second circle consists of people who you can reach out to, share God's love, and disciple so that they can share God's love with others. This circle consists of people who you decide to invest in for God's kingdom. Then there's your inner circle, which consists of people you can trust enough to lean on for support. For Jesus, this included Peter, James, John, Mary Magdalene, Martha, Lazarus, and Mary (Jesus' mother). It takes time to develop trust and because of limited time, you can't have too many people in your inner circle.

Your outer circle challenges you to get out of your comfort zone. Your second circle is about investing in others intentionally, it involves dealing with their personal issues, and it helps you grow. The inner circle is where people can confront you and encourage you to believe what God says about you instead of worrying what other people think. We need inner circle people to help keep our eyes on Jesus.

Jesus provides us with an example of what to do when people fail us. He kept Peter in His inner circle even though He knew that he would deny Him three times. When we are loving even to those who fail us, we show them what God is like: Loving others without expecting love in return. But sometimes people don't want you to invest in them, so you'll have to let them go. This doesn't mean you don't love them, but if you don't let them go and let them reap what they sow, you prevent them from being able to repent.

Also see, Setting Healthy Boundaries
Also see, Overcoming the fear of man

The Holy Spirit Breaks The Power of Sin

Sinful habits (addictions) are an attempt to find joy without any relation to God. Sinful habits are essentially false worship, the worship of God's gifts instead of the Giver. To yield to these habits is to hew "broken cisterns that can hold no water". Jeremiah 2:13. The pleasures of sin are only for a season (Hebrews 11:24-26). The only joy that will ever last comes from the indwelling presence of Jesus through the Holy Spirit, also referred to as rivers of living waters (Psalm 16:11, John 7:37-39).

The Holy Spirit draws us away from false worship and leads us to true worship, thus breaking the power of sin (John 4:23, Romans 8:13). True worship plays a very important role in overcoming sin. When we don't glorify God or give Him thanks, our minds become dark, foolish, and idolatrous, thus leading to immoral behavior (Romans 1).

The Holy Spirit breaks the power of sin and produces fruit: "love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance" Galatians 5:22-23. The sinful thoughts that lead to sinful actions can be overcome by having God's agape love in our hearts (as described in 1 Corinthians 13).

Take notice of how one of the attributes of love is that it isn't proud and it's pride that leads to our own defeat (Proverbs 16:18). Thus, we see that humility before God also plays a very important role in overcoming sin (James 4:7). When we remain humble, temperate in all things, and keep occupied serving God and reaching out to others around us who are in need, we avoid getting caught up in sinful behavior (Ezekiel 16:49-50).

Let us be like the wise virgins who bought oil for their lamps, ask God in prayer for the oil of His Holy Spirit. (Matthew 25:8-9). Let us keep ourselves occupied in the Lord's work till He comes, lest we find ourselves doing wrong to one another (Luke 19:13, Matthew 24:48-49). Let us be found helping others in need, for whatever we do to others, we are doing to Jesus Himself (Matthew 25:35-40). To have it in our hearts to do this is only possible through the Holy Spirit (Romans 5:5).

Also see Learn of Him, Know Him, Abide in Him

Put On God's Armor

Put On Christ (The Armor of Light)

Galatians 3:27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

Romans 13:12-14 The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.

Put On The New Man, renewed in knowledge

Colossians 3:8-10 But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth. Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him

Ephesians 4:21-24 if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus: that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.

Put On The Whole Armor of God
Ephesians 6:11-13 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

Waist Girded with Truth

Ephesians 6:14a Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth...'

Ephesians 4:25 Therefore, putting away lying, “Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor,” for we are members of one another.

John 14:6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

Breastplate of Righteousness, faith and love

Ephesians 6:14b Stand therefore... having put on the breastplate of righteousness

1 Thessalonians 5:8 But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love...

Philippians 3:8-9 Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith

Feet prepared with the Gospel of Peace

Ephesians 6:15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace

1 Peter 3:15 But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect

Isaiah 52:7 How beautiful upon the mountains Are the feet of him who brings good news, Who proclaims peace, Who brings glad tidings of good things, Who proclaims salvation, Who says to Zion, “Your God reigns!”

Shield of Faith

Ephesians 6:16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 

Psalm 18:30 As for God, His way is perfect; The word of the Lord is proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him.

Psalm 91:4 He shall cover you with His feathers, And under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler.

Helmet (of the Hope) of Salvation

Ephesians 6:17a And take the helmet of salvation....

1 Thessalonians 5:8 putting on... the helmet the hope of salvation.

Romans 5:1-5 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

Spirit's Sword: God's Word

Ephesians 6:17b And take... the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God

Psalm 119:11 Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You.

Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living and powerful, and is harper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

Guard Mind and Heart Through Prayer

Philippians 4:6-7 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Ephesians 6:18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints

Gird Up The Loins of Your Mind

1 Peter 1:13-16 Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.”

The Mind of Christ
1 Peter 4:1-2 Therefore, since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind, for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will of God.
Philippians 2:5-8 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.

Clothed with humility.. stand firm in faith

1 Peter 5:5-9 (ESV) Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”  Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.

Put on love, the bond of perfection

Colossians 3:12-15 Put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.

AndrewCarroll · Change Your Mind

Learn of Him, Know Him, Abide in Him

 The following verses look into the concepts of learning of, knowing, and abiding in Jesus. Also notice the role of the Holy Spirit in these verses

Jesus is surrendered to the Father's will
John 5:30 I can of Myself do nothing. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is righteous, because I do not seek My own will but the will of the Father who sent Me.

Jesus does what The Father does
John 5:19 Then Jesus answered and said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner."

Jesus says what The Father says
John 8:28
Then Jesus said to them, “When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am He, and that I do nothing of Myself; but as My Father taught Me, I speak these things.

Abide in Jesus
John 15:5 I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.

Walk as He walked
1 John 2:6 He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.

Jesus' invitation to learn of Him
Matthew 11:29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

Be taught of Him, put on the new man
Ephesians 4:21-24 if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus: that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.

Follow His Steps
1 Peter 2:21-24 For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps:  “Who committed no sin, Nor was deceit found in His mouth”; who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously; who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed.

Focus on your own walk with Jesus
John 21:20-22 Then Peter, turning around, saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following, who also had leaned on His breast at the supper, and said, “Lord, who is the one who betrays You?” Peter, seeing him, said to Jesus, “But Lord, what about this man?” Jesus said to him, “If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you? You follow Me.”

How to know we know Him and abide in Him
1 John 2:3-5  Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. He who says, “I know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him.

1 John 3:24-23 And this is His commandment: that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another, as He gave us commandment. Now he who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him. And by this we know that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us.

1 John 3:6 Whoever abides in Him does not sin. Whoever sins has neither seen Him nor known Him.

1 John 4:12-16 No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God abides in us, and His love has been perfected in us. By this we know that we abide in Him, and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit. And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son as Savior of the world. Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him.

Everyone who loves is born of God and knows God
1 John 4:7-8 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.

More on knowing Jesus

Knowing God through Jesus
John 1:18 No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him.

Eternal life is about knowing God and Jesus Christ
John 17:3 And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.

The Holy Spirit Testifies of Jesus
John 15:26 But when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me.

The Knowledge of Christ is to be Supreme in our minds
1 Corinthians 2:2 For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.

Philippians 3:8-11 Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.

2 Corinthians 10:4-6 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, 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, and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.

God knows His own and His own know Him 
John 10:14 I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own.

Glory in Knowing The Lord 
Jeremiah 9:23-24
Thus says the Lord: “Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, Let not the mighty man glory in his might, Nor let the rich man glory in his riches; But let him who glories glory in this, That he understands and knows Me, That I am the Lord, exercising lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth. For in these I delight,” says the Lord.

The Knowledge of the Holy One is Understanding 
Proverbs 9:10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

Get To Know Him, Let Him Be Your Treasure
Proverbs 2:3-5 Yes, if you cry out for discernment, And lift up your voice for understanding, If you seek her as silver, And search for her as for hidden treasures; Then you will understand the fear of the Lord, And find the knowledge of God.

Job 22:21-28 Now acquaint yourself with Him, and be at peace; Thereby good will come to you. Receive, please, instruction from His mouth, And lay up His words in your heart. If you return to the Almighty, you will be built up; You will remove iniquity far from your tents. Then you will lay your gold in the dust, And the gold of Ophir among the stones of the brooks. Yes, the Almighty will be your gold And your precious silver; For then you will have your delight in the Almighty, And lift up your face to God. You will make your prayer to Him, He will hear you, And you will pay your vows. You will also declare a thing, And it will be established for you; So light will shine on your ways.

Also see, Knowing God
Also see The Christian Walk
Also see How to be a follower of Jesus 
Also see Bible verses about following God's ways 

Only God Can Satisfy The Heart

Psalm 42:1-2 As the deer pants for the water brooks, So pants my soul for You, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God?

Psalms 63:1 O God, You are my God; Early will I seek You; My soul thirsts for You; My flesh longs for You In a dry and thirsty land Where there is no water.

Revelation 22:17
And the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!” And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.

John 4:14  ...the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.

John 17:3 And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.

Jeremiah 2:13
For My people have committed two evils: They have forsaken Me, the fountain of living waters, and hewn themselves cisterns—broken cisterns that can hold no water.

Proverbs 27:7 

A satisfied soul loathes the honeycomb, But to a hungry soul every bitter thing is sweet.

Isaiah 55:1-3 Ho! Everyone who thirsts, Come to the waters; And you who have no money, Come, buy and eat. Yes, come, buy wine and milk Without money and without price. Why do you spend money for what is not bread, And your wages for what does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, And let your soul delight itself in abundance. Incline your ear, and come to Me. Hear, and your soul shall live; And I will make an everlasting covenant with you— The sure mercies of David.

Jeremiah 31:25 

For I have satiated the weary soul, and I have replenished every sorrowful soul.

Luke 15:17 But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!

Psalm 145:17-19 The Lord is righteous in all His ways, Gracious in all His works. The Lord is near to all who call upon Him, To all who call upon Him in truth. He will fulfill the desire of those who fear Him; He also will hear their cry and save them.

Isaiah 58:11 The Lord will guide you continually, and satisfy your soul in drought, and strengthen your bones; You shall be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail.

John 6:27-29 Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting life, which the Son of Man will give you, because God the Father has set His seal on Him.” Then they said to Him, “What shall we do, that we may work the works of God?” Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent.”

John 6:35 And Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst."

John 6:63 It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life.

Deuteronomy 8:3b ...man shall not live by bread alone; but man lives by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the Lord.

Job 23:12 I have not departed from the commandment of His lips; I have treasured the words of His mouth More than my necessary food.

John 4:34
Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work."

1 John 2:17  And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.

Isaiah 40:8 The grass withers, the flower fades, But the word of our God stands forever.

John 7:37-39 .... “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive....

Matthew 5:6
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.

Romans 8:26 Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

Psalm 23:2-3
He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.

1 Peter 2:1-3 Therefore, laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking, as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby, if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious.

Psalm 34:8 Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!

Psalm 37:3 Trust in the Lord, and do good; Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness.

 Psalm 119:103-104 How sweet are Your words to my taste, Sweeter than honey to my mouth! Through Your precepts I get understanding; Therefore I hate every false way. 

Psalm 107:8-9 Oh, that men would give thanks to the Lord for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men! For He satisfies the longing soul, And fills the hungry soul with goodness.

Also notice what these verses say we are to be filled with

Romans 5:5 Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

Romans 15:14-15 Now I myself am confident concerning you, my brethren, that you also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another. Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Ephesians 3:19 to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

Ephesians 5:17-21 Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another in the fear of God.

Philippians 1:9-11  And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ, being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.

Colossians 1:9-12 For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy; giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light.

Other Related Verses

Psalm 27:4 One thing I have desired of the Lord, That will I seek: That I may dwell in the house of the Lord All the days of my life, To behold the beauty of the Lord, And to inquire in His temple.

Psalm 16:11 You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

Psalm 145:16  You open Your hand And satisfy the desire of every living thing.

Matthew 26:39 "...not as I will, but as You will.”

Philippians 2:13 for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.

Psalm 34:10 The young lions lack and suffer hunger; but those who seek the Lord shall not lack any good thing.

Psalm 84:11 For the Lord God is a sun and shield; The Lord will give grace and glory; No good thing will He withhold From those who walk uprightly.

Also see Spiritual Thirst

Also see Idols are lies that can't satisfy

Also see Bible verses on desiring God

Also see Promises for those in need

Christ's Invitation

The following is based on a chapter of Desire of Ages, written in my own words

Cast your cares upon Jesus
Whatever your worries and trials may be, spread your case before the Lord in prayer and He will help you sort it out. He will open a way to untangle yourself from any difficult and embarrassing situation. The weaker and more helpless your recognize yourself to be, the stronger you will be in the Lord's strength. Blessed relief is found in casting all our worries and cares upon Jesus, our Burden Bearer.

Serving God, Yoked to Christ
Christ calls us to wear His yoke, in other words, to unite ourselves with Him in service to God. This yoke is God's law and it will not be burdensome as long as we are yoked to Christ, depending on His strength and wisdom instead of our own. Christ bore this yoke Himself in humanity. He said,  “I delight to do Thy will, O My God: yea, Thy law is within My heart.” Psalm 40:8. "I came down from heaven, not to do Mine own will, but the will of Him that sent Me.” John 6:38.

Self-denying love
It was out of love for God, zeal for God's glory, and love for us that Jesus came down here to suffer and die for our sins. Jesus calls us to live by this same principle of self-denying love. Notice how people tried to tempt Jesus to save Himself from the cross, but He refused because if He did so, we would've had no hope of forgiveness and favor with God. Jesus said "the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many." He meant what He said and He did it, all in love for us. If we would believe in God's love for us, all our worries and fears would be dismissed.

Removing the yoke of worry
Many are burdened by a load of care because they're trying to live up to the expectations of others. Jesus wants them to remove this yoke of bondage. Worry is blind and cannot see what the future holds, but we can confidently hold on to the hand of Jesus who knows the end from the beginning. For every difficult situation, He has a way prepared to bring relief. Make service and honor to God your priority in life and you will have all you need.

Learning of Christ's meekness
Enter into the school of Christ, learn from His meekness. Learning of Him, being restored into His likeness, is the process by which we are trained for heaven. Learning from Him means being emancipated from ideas and habits learned from the kingdom of darkness. The soul must be delivered from all that is opposed to loyalty to God.

Surrender and peace of mind
Christ's heart was in perfect peace because in it was in perfect harmony with God. He was so focused on His mission to save souls, He never worried what others thought of Him. He was never elated by the praise of others nor did he ever feel put down by disapproval of others. No matter how much opposition or cruelty was done against Him, He was of good courage. If we would so surrender ourselves to God, we would have this same peace of mind. It is the love of self, depending on self, that destroys our peace.

Blessing others, giving God the glory
When we are born again (by faith in Christ), we will have the mind of Christ who humbled Himself so that we may be saved. When our will is surrendered to the will of God, and we use His gifts to bless others, we shall find life's burden light. Every good gift comes from God, we can do no good work of ourselves. It is God who works in us the will and the doing of His good pleasure. When we understand this, we will not be competing for positions or doing things to get noticed. When we shine, the glory goes to God alone.

How to become sweet and winsome

Ephesians 4:29-32 Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.

Psalm 19:7-10 The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul; The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple; The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes; The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; The judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, Yea, than much fine gold; Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.

Psalm 119:9-12 How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word. With my whole heart I have sought You; Oh, let me not wander from Your commandments! Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You. Blessed are You, O Lord! Teach me Your statutes.

Psalm 119:103-104 How sweet are Your words to my taste, Sweeter than honey to my mouth! Through Your precepts I get understanding; Therefore I hate every false way.

Proverbs 18:21
Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit.

Proverbs 11:30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise.

Proverbs 25:11 A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold In settings of silver.

Proverbs 27:9 (NASB) Oil and incense bring joy to the heart, and the sweetness of a friend is counsel to the soul.

Proverbs 16:24
Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, Sweetness to the soul and health to the bones

Just like it's a bee's work to make honey, it's God's work that we "believe in Him whom He sent".  John 6:29. Jesus is the bread of life that gives life to our souls when we come to Him in faith and yet we wouldn't even be able to come if it weren't for God drawing us (John 6:35, 44). When we've tasted the goodness of God which leads us to repentance, we will want to invite others to taste and see that the Lord is good. (Romans 2:4, Psalm 34:8). As long as God is working in us "both to will and to do for His good pleasure", we won't be found "complaining and disputing"  Philippians 2:13-14.

If we would fill our mouths everyday with thanksgiving and praise for every good and perfect gift that comes from God, we wouldn't even have time for grumbling against one another. (James 1:17, Psalm 71:8). We are to be a good witness of a good God who withholds no good thing from them who walk uprightly (Psalm 84:11). Pursue what is good for all, rejoice always, pray without ceasing, and in everything give thanks (Thessalonians 5:15-18). "Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord: looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled" Hebrews 12:14-15.

The next time you're tempted to become impatient, sing praises to God who is "longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance." 2 Peter 3:9