Monday, June 21, 2021

How To Be Happy and Overcome Any Disappointment




The Happiness Equation:
We become happy when our life situation equals our life expectations. 

Disappointed expectations:
We become unhappy due to disappointed expectations. When we're unhappy, we tend to allow life events, other people, and even our own mistakes to define us. All upset is because of unmet expectations. "Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but when the desire comes, it is a tree of life." Proverbs 13:12. 

What you focus on is what you will find
Out of fear of disappointment, many lower their expectations, but ironically, this only leads to more and more disappointment. "For the thing I greatly feared has come upon me, and what I dreaded has happened to me." Job 3:25. Whatever you focus on is inevitably what you will find. Jesus said, "seek, and you will find" Matthew 7:7. 

Seek godly counsel
It would do us good to seek advice from godly mentors (Proverbs 11:14), but remember that though man may fail us, we may find counsel in the word of God who will never leave us nor forsake us. (Psalm 118:8, Psalm 119:24, Hebrews 13:5). 

Set your expectation on God through prayer
Our expectations are to be on God alone and we are to believe that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. (Psalm 62:5, Hebrews 11:6). "Whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them." Mark 11:24. 

God answers prayers made according to His will
We can have confidence knowing that God answers prayers made according to His will. "Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him." 1 John 5:14-15

God loves to exceed our expectations
God doesn't always answer the way we expect, in fact, He loves giving us even better than we expect. "Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us" Ephesians 3:20. 

All things happen for you, not to you
Also remember that all things happen for you, not to you. "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28.

Trade your expectations for appreciation
Discipline your disappointment by trading your expectation for appreciation. "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18. You can't choose your circumstances, but you can choose your reaction. 




Sit, Walk, Stand

Sitting in heavenly places in Christ Jesus
Ephesians 2:4-7 4 But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.

Walking in the good works we were created for in Christ
Ephesians 2:8-10 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.  For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
Walking in gentleness, patience, and love
Ephesians 4:1-3 
I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 
Ephesians 5:2 And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.
Walking as Children of Light
Ephesians 5:8, 13 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light.. all things that are exposed are made manifest by the light, for whatever makes manifest is light.
Walking in Wisdom
Ephesians 5:15-21 See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. 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.

Stand with God's Armor
Ephesians 6:10- Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 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.

God helps you stand
Jude 24-25 (NASB 1995) Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy, to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.



Friday, May 21, 2021

Steps to Christ and the 12 Steps of Recovery

Sinner's Need of Christ
1. Honestly admit you're powerless
Romans 7:18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find.

Repentance
2. Believe in God's power
Isaiah 41:10 Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’
Philippians 2:13 for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.
3. Surrender to God's care
Luke 9:23 Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.
Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.
4. Do a moral inventory of yourself
Lamentations 3:40 Let us search out and examine our ways, and turn back to the Lord

Confession
5. Admit to God, yourself, and others the nature of your wrongs
James 5:16 Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.

Consecration
6. Be willing to let God remove your defects of character
Isaiah 1:19 If you are willing and obedient, You shall eat the good of the land;
James 4:10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.

Faith and Acceptance
7. Humbly ask God to remove your shortcomings
1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Test of Discipleship
8. Make a list of people you've harmed and be wiling to make amends
Matthew 5:23-24 Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.

Growing Up Into Christ
9. Make amends, except when to do so would cause harm
Luke 6:31 And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise.
Luke 6:38 Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.”

The Work and the Life
10. Continued personal inventory, promptly admitting wrongs
Romans 12:3 For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.
1 Corinthians 10:12 Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.

A Knowledge of God, Privilege of Prayer, What To Do With Doubt
11. Pray for God's will and His power to carry it out
Psalm 19:14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart Be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer.
Colossians 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

Rejoicing in the Lord
12. Share your experience with others
Galatians 6:1 Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.

Sunday, May 16, 2021

What The Bible Says About The Mind

 2 Corinthians 4:1-4 Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we do not lose heart. But we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness nor handling the word of God deceitfully, but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God. But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them.

2 Corinthians 3:14-18 But their minds were blinded. For until this day the same veil remains unlifted in the reading of the Old Testament, because the veil is taken away in Christ. But even to this day, when Moses is read, a veil lies on their heart. Nevertheless when one turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.

Philippians 2:5-8 (MEV)  Let this mind be in you all, which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped. But He emptied Himself, taking upon Himself the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men. And being found in the form of a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death, even death on a cross.

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.

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.”

2 Corinthians 10:4-5 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

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. 

Colossians 3:1-3 If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.

Romans 8:5-8 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God. But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His.

Romans 12:1-2 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

Matthew 22:37-39 37 Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’

Hebrews 8:10 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put My laws in their mind and write them on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.

Colossians 1:21-22 And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight

Philippians 4:6-8 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.

2 Timothy 1:7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

Isaiah 26:3 You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.

Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.

Friday, May 7, 2021

The Freedom Found In Jesus


 Freedom From Sin's Penalty and Power

Sin is the absence of faith and disagrees with what God's law says. (Romans 14:23, 1 John 3:4). When we live merely through the flesh, our desires will only rise in opposition to God's law, no matter how hard we try to keep it and we'll only be left condemned to death (Romans 7:5-15). The law can only point out sin, it can't make us righteous (Romans 3:20). The power to do right isn't found in ourselves, but in Christ (Romans 7:16-18, 8:2-4). We can only become righteous by faith in Jesus (Galatians 3:24). God changes us from the inside out and works in us to both the desire and the doing of His will (Ezekiel 36:25-27, Philippians 2:13).

It's by receiving what Christ already did for us that God sets us free from sin's power and its penalty of death so that we can live in the Spirit instead of the flesh (Colossians 1:13, Colossians 2:11-15, Romans 8:1-12). To be in the Spirit means the Holy Spirit dwells in you (Romans 8:9). The Holy Spirit also will guide you, bringing God’s word to your memory and helping you overcome temptation (John 14:26, Isaiah 30:21, Matthew 4:3-4, Romans 8:13).

God Accepts You As His Child

We are all God's offspring, for He created us and sustains our very life (Acts 17:26-28). Since God made us in the womb and even now, He sees us as wonderful and precious (Psalm 139:13-18). Though we've all wandered away like prodigals, God still sees us as His children (Luke 15:11-32, 1 John 3:1). When we see God's love for us in contrast to the selfishness of sin, this leads us to abandon sin and and live for God instead (Romans 5:8, Romans 2:4, Luke 15:17-19). God doesn't even wait for you to ask for forgiveness to forgive you, His heart is already moved with compassion for you even when you were afar off (Luke 15:20). We are to live this reality of forgiveness by extending it toward others (Matthew 6:12, 14-15). 

Passed From Death Unto Life

We used to live in the “far country” or realm of sin and death, working for the father of lies, but we’ve been brought back life by faith in God’s word. (Luke 15:13-16, John 8:43-44, John 5:24,  Ephesians 2:1-10, Luke 15:24). As we abide in the word, the truth as it is in Jesus sets us free from sin (John 8:31-36, Ephesians 4:17-24). By faith in the word, we’re given the power to live as children of God (John 1:12, Luke 15:22). Faith is what enables us to receive God's gifts and by receiving Jesus, we receive the life that comes from Him (Mark 11:24, 1 John 5:11-12). Jesus wasn't given to us to make God love us, He was given to us because He already loved us (John 3:16).

Raised Into New Life

Death came to us in Adam: the First Man who is from the earth, but life comes to us in Christ: the Second Man who is from heaven (1 Corinthians 15:22, 47). In Christ, you were baptized into His death, your old self was crucified so that you should no longer be a slave of sin (Romans 6:3, 6). In Christ you were also resurrected into new life, you're a new creation. (Romans 6:4, 2 Corinthians 5:17). Set your mind on what you receive from above in Christ, putting on the "new man", reflecting Christ's character to others around you (Ephesians 1:3, Colossians 3:1-17). 

If We Stumble, Jesus Helps Us Get Back Up

As you've received Christ, "so walk in Him" and abound in faith with thanksgiving (Colossians 2:6-7). As long as we're walking in the light of God's love by extending it to others, there's no reason for us to stumble (1 John 2:10). But if we do stumble, Jesus defends us and helps us get back up (1 John 2:1-2, Proverbs 24:16). But as we get to know Jesus more and more personally, the power of God's grace in our lives will help us to even overcome those things that cause us to stumble (2 Peter 1:2-10, Titus 2:11-14). "Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy," Jude 1:24

Dead To Sin, Alive To God

When we live in the reality of grace, we no longer continue living in sin because we're dead to it and live to God instead (Romans 6:1-2, 11). Everyday we are to live this reality: "I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me." Galatians 2:20

Tuesday, March 23, 2021

Collective Identity and Belonging

 

We Are God's Children
Romans 8:16 The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God
1 John 3:1-3 Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.

We Were Bought With A Price
1 Corinthians 6:18-20 Flee sexual immorality. Every sin that a man does is outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body. Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.

We Have Fellowship With One Another
1 John 1:7 If we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin

We Share A Common Purpose
2 Timothy 2:22 Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart

We Pray For One Another
James 5:16 Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.
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
Matthew 18:19 Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven.
Job 42:10 And the Lord restored Job’s losses when he prayed for his friends. Indeed the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before.

We Share The Same Sufferings
1 Peter 5:8-9 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.
Romans 12:15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.

We Shine Together
Philippians 2:14-15 Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world
Matthew 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

We Pray For The Salvation of Others
1 Timothy 2:1-4 Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.


Thursday, March 18, 2021

Spiritual Perception


Revelation 3:18 "...anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see"

Isaiah 45:22 "Look to Me, and be saved.."


Understanding God’s Word
Psalm 119:18 Open my eyes, that I may see wondrous things from Your law.

Beholding Jesus
2 Corinthians 3:15-18 But even to this day, when Moses is read, a veil lies on their heart. Nevertheless when one turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.

Spiritual Blindness and Behavior
Ephesians 4:17-24  This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind, having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart; who, being past feeling, have given themselves over to lewdness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. But you have not so learned Christ, 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.

1 John 2:10-11 He who loves his brother abides in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him. But he who hates his brother is in darkness and walks in darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.

Need for The Holy Spirit
1 Corinthians 2:11-14  For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God. These things we also speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

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