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circumstance

Sometimes It Hurts, Sometimes It Helps

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THE WORD

John 15:20 – 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.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

When it comes to encouraging others the reaction you receive will always vary. You can sometimes give someone just what they need, while in other moments the other person may appear agitated. It could even be a right now word that you speak that touches their life and yet they still reject you. An important part to remember in ministry work is that even the best encouragement cannot alter a stubborn spirit. All that we can do in any situation is offer God through love and obedience so that the people you witness to can begin to know the source of help and encouragement through the wisdom and spirit of God you share!

There will be other times, however, when the words will begin to fail you. When a person is in a circumstance long enough, they will begin to look back at you and simply say they have “heard this all before” or that you just “do not understand”. Remember that pursuing harder is not always the best option. You must learn to follow the leadership of how God’s spirit would have you to counsel others. There were times when Christ offered to people words of encouragement and faith. For example, Jesus spoke to the woman at the well to draw from the fountain of living water, extending choice to a new way of life. When the man was at the pool at Bethesda, Jesus spoke for him to take up his bed and walk, encouraging him to take the action in faith! Just remember as a witness of God to always follow the Holy Spirit when you go out to help people and you will never be led astray by your own actions, words or opinions!

PUT INTO PRACTICE

God’s spirit always has the most perfect timing when it comes to when actions and obedience need to be interjected into a situation. Think about moments when worship and preaching have really changed your life. Was it not when you were really going through something and needed help? Find those moments with people as you pray for God to show you and learn when to bring out the best of your love and compassion for others.

Are You On The Outside Looking In?

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Hebrews 10:15 – Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before

1 John 5:10 – He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son.

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When I am going through the problems in my life, it is always the most difficult plunge of faith to be able to trust God completely. Sometimes we have to remind ourselves that in our own perspective versus God’s that we are on the outside looking in. There will be many occasions when we do not understand the feelings or pains that a circumstance brings to an individual or family. The perfect example I could give you is when you see someone go to pray. When they are on their way to the altar, others go to pray for them and are done praying quicker simply because their heart is not invested like the individual that came. It simply was not enough. In times like that we may just say what we think is best or just hug a person and say “You are going to be okay”, but what are we really doing? Are we not staying long enough? Are we not caring deeply enough to feel the load that they carry? Tough questions, right?

It is especially easy for people to get on the defensive when you are passing on worldly advice, yes. Obviously it is the easiest choice for you to just tell them what you might think is best for them at the present time. Sometimes personal advice will prove to work, while when times are harder it can be less effective. Trials will be trials and burdens will be hard felt, regardless of what we can offer. There is nothing that I could say or any shield that I could put around anyone that would keep them from being able to escape from all the things that life will bring. So what am I getting at today?

I have to remember to not be a judge on people and instead help to be a burden bearer spiritually! When my words will fail them and there is nothing else that I can do, sometimes you have to begin to pray for the situation to improve. Sometimes going and trying to intervene is not necessarily the best plan of attack. You see, God’s ways are far above our ways, and He is above looking over each and every one of us! His perspectives go far beyond yesterday and today, but even into tomorrow to see what is in store. Always remember that God is your judge, and that you can always lean on God for comfort, rest, and an escape from the trials of life each day!

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Put Into Practice:

The first exercise is short and sweet. Go an entire day without saying a judging comment about another person. You would be surprised how hard it can be when you consciously try.

Find The Good In What You Can

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Proverbs 12:25 – Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: but a good word maketh it glad.

Philemon 1:4-8 – I thank my God, making mention of thee always in my prayers, Hearing of thy love and faith, which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all saints; That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus. For we have great joy and consolation in thy love, because the bowels of the saints are refreshed by thee, brother. Wherefore, though I might be much bold in Christ to enjoin thee that which is convenient

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With everyday shocks and surprises around the corner, it is very easy to get frustrated at everything going on. It is also easy to simply throw your hands up and give up on your walk with God. In fact, this is the behavior that we are seeing in churches right now in all walks of life. If I thought about it long enough, I am sure I could say that there are plenty of reasons for me to be justified about being upset at situations or even people for that matter. I (as we all have to at some point) have to remind myself that I definitely know better than that. We that are attuned to the leadership of the spirit of God know that we must be faithful even in times of peril and distress.

Consider those individuals in the bible who faced perilous times and that could have given up easily, yet you read that they continued on for the cause of God and made it through. It inspires me to realize what is of more worth to me now. People that get mad at you for no reason whatsoever are just upset people upset for a reason you cannot change regardless of what you do to alter it. Objects that break cannot be fixed are just objects broken regardless of the glue we use to mend them. Ultimately, we must realize that our emotions cannot fix everything and in an upset or distressed state leave our walk with God spiritually disabled. God can fix every circumstance and does not need me to get angry and try to always intervene on my own behalf.

I have to be reminded to be thankful for what I have, for what is going to come, and that things are not worse than they are. When I begin to do that, I take a deep breath and step away from the situation, and finally just let God have my emotions and let him transform me (via the comforter of the spirit) to a person he can use. Big subject matter, but useful if we only but apply it!

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Put Into Practice:

Get out of the habit of thinking of the negative first. Begin to think of the spiritual positives right off the bat, and allow God to unlock a witness through your faith and endurance through tough times. Every time you make it, it is another testimony to find out how good God is!

Face Your Confusion and Worries With God

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1 Corinthians 14:33 – For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.

Psalm 71:1 – In thee, O LORD, do I put my trust: let me never be put to confusion.

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Normally I do not share personal details of this magnitude but I thought I would start this piece out with this: One of the most requested items that people come and ask me to pray for is either direction for their life or outside problems that they are worrying themselves to death over.

It is a big burden to walk around with these concerns on our hearts each day. I also do not think that this is something that people can easily just “shake off” without some assistance either. Luckily, we have something within us that gives us the ability to ward off all of the woes and worries of life. What is it you ask? God of course!

You see, the peace of God surpasses all understanding and will give you comfort when you cannot find it in logic or the facts you have before you. God works in things seen and unseen and goes before you even unto what you do not even know. We can begin each day alleviating our confusion by beginning to obtain peace in our mind! When the weight of burdens attempt to come and be more than we can bear, those are the times when we are to do more than watch. I believe that is why it said to “watch” AND “pray”.

Be aware of things, but don’t let the circumstance pull you down. Pray and begin to let God pull you out of the pits of every single issue that would steer you away from the focus of God’s will for your life!

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Put Into Practice:

I really encourage you to participate in this exercise as we have many things that we are in question of or are confused about. Take one to two minutes and dedicate it to finding something (it will not take long) that is really bothering you that you cannot do anything about. Once you have it on your mind perform these simple steps: humble yourself in prayer, openly admit to God that you do not have the answer, and then openly establish your trust in God by believing and building your faith.

Please do not go past this page before completing this. I encourage you more than anything to get down this very moment and take God at His word to realize we can lay our confusion down and begin to realize a more greater love and trust with our unbreakable Godly relationship!

Breaking Down God’s Communication

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John 16:13

[13] Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.

Literally and Spiritually via the bible and through seeking him! I think about hearing the phrase into “all truth”, and it makes me to consider that there will not be any moments where I am feeling lost!

The spirit of truth will provide you with guidance, and will not lie to you. It will not leave you comfortless, or without peace of mind. Sometimes we feel like that we are left without hope, but we are not! Do not be deceived! People will deceive you, but God will not!

Luke 21:33-36

[33] Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.
[34] And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.
[35] For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth.
[36] Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.

The word of God will speak to every circumstance, and it will instruct you and help you to grow in areas that you are weak in!

It’s important to know that our decisions only line up if we know God personally. If the condition of the relationship is right also, in other words when we are right, we are in operation of the mind of Christ!

And when the body of Christ is in proper operation, people get help the way that God intended it to be in the beginning!

Romans 8:35

[35] Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

God speaks through the details of your life; i.e. your trials and circumstances: the things that we know the best of course!

This is hard to say, but if we feel like we are getting the short end of the stick in life, then maybe it’s time we get back to basics and begin to take focus off me (flesh), read his word more, be around people in God’s will, have a strong spiritual environment, and  begin to focus more on God!

We must know and realize that our trials have their place, and they should not be the thing that rules our lives! God should be!

Proverbs 1:10

[10] My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not.

Say what?!? Some things must begin to change! Consent thou not! In other words, don’t feel like you have to be like everybody else! God has raised up a standard in you to be something different; an example if you will, that will lead others to Christ!

Proverbs 4:13-15

[13] Take fast hold of instruction; let her not go: keep her; for she is thy life.
[14] Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men.
[15] Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away.

Let the instruction not go! If we do anything, do not let go of the things that God speaks to you, the guidance, steps and words that are given to you are the only life to you that will keep you through the dark times and storms of your life!