Warning: Trying to access array offset on value of type bool in /home1/heartof6/public_html/blog/wp-content/themes/responsive-mobile/includes/functions-extentions.php on line 35
Home › Posts tagged acceptance

acceptance

Odd One Out?

Posted on by

Smiley

Recently I walked into a room with a group of people that I know quite well and found that rather than being greeted I was mostly ignored. Upon the quick realization of this silence I tried to compensate maybe assuming some backwardness or shyness and attempted to initiate the opening dialog of conversation. To my surprise this was met with even more resistance, leading to behavior which went to either diving into their cell phone or to begin talking with other people around them.

Once all this had happened and I had sat down for a minute to gather myself I had come to a newfound realization: I’ve been here before. I remember a time in my life where I felt like the odd man out, always fighting and seeking approval from others by efforts and exploits. I remember a time that without the closure of knowing I fit into the perceptual “popular” crowd that I would have been emotionally affected to the point of depression. The difference from when it had happened in the past and today is that I have something within me that has changed my answer on if I need the popular vote of approval.

Now I realize that if for nothing else this experience of mine has caused me to learn and grow in God even deeper. The demand for attention for a person and the behavior that follows this is mostly called having an ego. An ego is defined as a person’s sense of self-esteem or self-importance. When people live to speak of themselves (or only speak to those for whom they seek approval) and have little interest in others it displays an imagery of pride that we as Christians should not walk in. If we walk humbly with the spirit of God then we find that our behavior is the quite the opposite. In fact, the bible talks about the side effects of each behavior: “for every one that exalts himself shall be abased, and he that abases himself shall be exalted” (Luke 14:11).

You might be out there feeling like the odd one out amongst the world. I am here to remind you that it is okay to be that way. It is normal to be the first person to say hello and to ask about how someone is. It is not only acceptable but actually expected of us according to scripture: “Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.” (Philippians 2:3-4)

What I am about to tell you takes time to grow in but is necessary if you are to grow spiritually. You must learn to accept that there are people (friends, family, co-workers, etc.) that will have little or no interest in you or your life. Do not struggle to push your way through to get approval or interest. As Christians our primary goal is to love our neighbor as we love ourselves. Part of this is learning to take interest in other peoples’ lives before your own. If you can learn to inquire of others and accept never getting to tell anything about yourself then you are taking one of the toughest steps in ministry (death of pride).

Always take the first step in the conversation and show interest in others first. This humbleness opens many doors and shows that your Christian witness is not defined by your ego. If you are rejected in your attempts to demonstrate your love by being engaging then simply walk away in your spirit knowing that you did all that you could to walk and talk as God would have you.

Sometimes People Just Won’t Get You

Posted on by

John 15:18-25

[18] If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.
[19] If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.
[20] Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.
[21] But all these things will they do unto you for my name’s sake, because they know not him that sent me.
[22] If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin: but now they have no cloak for their sin.
[23] He that hateth me hateth my Father also.
[24] If I had not done among them the works which none other man did, they had not had sin: but now have they both seen and hated both me and my Father.
[25] But this cometh to pass, that the word might be fulfilled that is written in their law, They hated me without a cause.

One of the toughest truths to accept when considering the social aspect of being a Christian is that sometimes people just won’t get you.

Let’s read from II Corinthians 12: 20:

[20] For I fear, lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I would, and that I shall be found unto you such as ye would not: lest there be debates, envyings, wraths, strifes, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults

Through the few years of ministry that I have made it through I have found all of the different types of negative behaviors attempt to attack me on a public as well as a personal level. There has been times that even when you are doing all of the right things that someone still finds a way to point something negative out to you. Some people will even tell others about something that is not wrong whatsoever just to attempt to create drama to elevate their status in self-righteousness. Drama happens whether or not you are in presence of others. The part that I have noticed about the enemies tactics through using willing people that will behave negatively is that they are nice to you in person and only feel the authority and power over you to work division while not in your presence. You will also find this behaviour as you read of the demons in the bible whom scared others from even walking by but began to change their tune when Jesus was in the midst!

Matthew 8:28-34

[28] And when he was come to the other side into the country of the Gergesenes, there met him two possessed with devils, coming out of the tombs, exceeding fierce, so that no man might pass by that way.
[29] And, behold, they cried out, saying, What have we to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God? art thou come hither to torment us before the time?
[30] And there was a good way off from them an herd of many swine feeding.
[31] So the devils besought him, saying, If thou cast us out, suffer us to go away into the herd of swine.
[32] And he said unto them, Go. And when they were come out, they went into the herd of swine: and, behold, the whole herd of swine ran violently down a steep place into the sea, and perished in the waters.
[33] And they that kept them fled, and went their ways into the city, and told every thing, and what was befallen to the possessed of the devils.
[34] And, behold, the whole city came out to meet Jesus: and when they saw him, they besought him that he would depart out of their coasts.

When the enemy is in the presence of the anointed he cannot exercise the same authority he could while working it in the shadows of what you cannot see or hear. Each of these kinds of feelings that people will bring on you are not things that you should take lightly or not prepare yourself against. One of the best nuggets of wisdom God has taught me is that you must not worry about what people will try to do to work against you. We as Christians must learn to work together and to see persecution as a stepping stone rather than a stumbling block. For when we can endure the present sufferings of peoples’ persecution then we can be blessed by walking in the virtues that God has given and called us to use.

Continue in your calling and be not moved by the words and attempts to bring division. Stay steadfast in the love you have for all people and bless those that will despitefully use you for their own gain. Turn away from the petty attempts the devil uses behind your back to try and ensnare your favor and patience that God builds in us daily. Be strong and keep your mind focused on the one who loves you and forget the things that those who despise you will do. What your enemies will try to do only hinders what God tries to prosper. Jesus even recognized that mankind in its weakened state of sin doesn’t even know at times what we do; for in the greatest moment of suffering on the cross Jesus chose to love us and to prevail against all the things that would have kept us from the eternal fellowship and relationship we remain in with God today!

Prepare For Your Warfare

Posted on by

 

Click To Play     

 

Click To Play     

Ephesians 6:10-12

[10] Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
[11] Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
[12] For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

Paul, a man who spoke with great clarity, brought forth one of the most powerful understandings to how we can begin to overcome in spiritual warfare.

For the first step to winning any battle is to understand what you must do to preserve your longevity to see the victory!

Ephesians 6:13

[13] Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

Paul spoke to an acceptance that we must learn that we need all that God has given us to believe, know, learn and demonstrate. For to be lacking in any part of the whole armor leaves vulnerabilities for the enemies weapons!

Ephesians 6:14

[14] Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;

To girt up your loins is to mentally prepare yourself for something difficult, literally to tie up long loose clothes as they were more practical for work or travel. The breastplate was the central part of the Roman armor. To not wear it into battle was asking for death, for it protects the most vital organs of your body. I can tell you with certainty that there is no greater way to protect your heart than to live right in the sight of God. When wearing the breastplate the attacks that would normally be fatal are of no effect and roll off of you with very little consequences!

Proverbs 11:4-8

[4] Riches profit not in the day of wrath: but righteousness delivereth from death.
[5] The righteousness of the perfect shall direct his way: but the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness.
[6] The righteousness of the upright shall deliver them: but transgressors shall be taken in their own naughtiness.
[7] When a wicked man dieth, his expectation shall perish: and the hope of unjust men perisheth.
[8] The righteous is delivered out of trouble, and the wicked cometh in his stead.

Righteousness will prevail against all attacks of the integrity of your inner soul and personal life.

Ephesians 6:15

[15] And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

A spiritual shoe is something that aids our movement and defense and is not relative to our appearance. To appreciate the preparation of the gospel we must know what shoes are made of they are durable, made to last the journey of your life

Luke 2:10

[10] And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

Even the afflictions of the world cannot darken the glory of the good news of Jesus Christ!

Ephesians 6:16

[16] Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

A shield protects from the head, chest, waist, arms and legs. It is the greatest protection and without it we cannot press in to attack. The fiery darts are intended to bring doubts to your inner confidence to withstand and keep fighting.

1 John 5:4

[4] For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.

Ephesians 6:17

[17] And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

Knowing that you are saved forevermore and that you are a child of God protects you and keeps your face, eyes, nose, mouth, ears and mind! The sword of the spirit is the word of God, the same weapon Jesus used against Satan, and the same weapon you use to attack! For all other virtues create a mighty warrior in the Lord and brings dominion to finally win!

Ephesians 6:18

[18] Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

With all and supplication is to demonstrate through faith of the action of asking or begging for something earnestly or humbly. Doing this in the spirit will help you to not only stay motivated to protect yourself but to persevere the same way of life for the believer, and most importantly for the witness to all!

Put Denial In Its Place

Posted on by

Matthew 10:32-33 – Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.

– – – –

Denial does exist and is prevalent in the everyday lives of everyone. I could not be more blown away when you consider that the average person will live in denial of at least two or three different things consecutively at a given time. I am not here to try and pinpoint those things for each and every individual, but I want us to begin to try to recognize where our help comes from.

We serve a God who is a God of help. God will reach out to you in your weakness, lift you up, and restore to you from the things that you never thought that you could move on from. God is also a God of understanding. Though many people may try and judge you by your trials, God will not. Bring your issues to God and allow Him to help you change what needs to be! God is also a God of love. Sometimes we will fight so long for the acceptance of popularity or the forgiveness of things from others that will more than likely never come. However, if you pray to God to forgive you, he will wipe it all away and restore your life unto you.

What I am trying to tell you today is to not let your denial overrule your acceptance. Accept that you can pray and repent for your mistakes. Accept that God can help you and do allow anything to let you not deny it. Accept that God can save you from sin and that you can make Heaven your home. There is no better time than the present to stop looking behind you in your past, regretting all of the things you cannot change, and moving on from your denial and stepping into the acceptance of the power of Christ!

– – – –

Put Into Practice:

Sometimes the easiest way to recognize denial is in the silliest ones. If you are bold enough to try this example, I encourage you to: find an object that is heavy and will not break under any pressure or weight (like a rock or a bolt) and place it under a blanket. The interesting part is that in your mind you know that it is there and that walking on this would be quite uncomfortable. Try to humor yourself and say out loud “there isn’t anything under there”, and then try to walk on your blanket. If you have made it this far you are beginning to realize the power of denial.

Even though we will have problems that leap out in front of us or will hinder us in our walk with God we have to learn to recognize those small things and be able to remove them so that we can begin to be closer to God! Put denial in its place and do not allow yourself to live with it!