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When The New Chapter Comes Don’t Be Afraid To Turn The Page

Most of my life I have had many experiences and emotional peaks that I wish I could go back to. These moments could never seem to last enough time: moments with family that has passed away, services at church with people that have moved on, vacations that had to come to an end, projects at your job that were easy but were done quick, people we have met along the way that we wish we could have done more for; the list truly goes on and on. And while I wish I could have moments like these all the time, I have learned that these are not moments that are just whipped up or easily created. They are natural phases of life, giving us as mankind a peek inside of what true joys and the utmost happiness is supposed to feel like.

On the flip side of the coin I can see many moments in my life that I rarely choose to look back to: times I have failed, times I have failed others, times I gave up too early, other times I simply quit just because my willingness was stubborn, times I should have shown love, times I should have held my ground; trust me, if you look you will find some things you wish you could never remember. And while we try our best to avoid the controllable things we can work to improve there will always be moments where we are tested that present opportunities for our not so good half to show itself in its fullness. These also are the not so glamorous chapters of life that in their own way begin to define who we are and how we learn from our mistakes.

I want to speak to those of us out there who are trying to live stuck in these emotional highs and lows: When the new chapter comes don’t be afraid to turn the page. While I wish that I could hang onto or keep some moments or situations going I now realize that we must learn to handle the good and the bad. For if we only knew of the good things of God we would never realize the power of redemption and resurrection in our trials. Do not be afraid to move forward from those things that have hindered you. Learn to use the good things of God to forgive others and to move on with your head held high. And as you move forward from the present hindrances you will find that out of something bad can come something good. Learn to embrace the things that come to seemingly destroy you; or as the bible tells us to do when it says for us to “rejoice in the midst of our fiery trials”. That is the spirit that comes from the text you read. At first it did not make sense to me but now I understand. Do not live in something that was meant to only be for a season. Shake it off and move forward to the next good thing that is out there for you to experience.

 

Learning To Be Satisfied

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Philippians 1:3-7

[3] I thank my God upon every remembrance of you,
[4] Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy,
[5] For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now;
[6] Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:
[7] Even as it is meet for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart; inasmuch as both in my bonds, and in the defence and confirmation of the gospel, ye all are partakers of my grace.

I am satisfied with the good works that Christ has perfected in all of us!

Consider the phrase “so many works, from the first day until now” – Think about it! We should have all the reason in the world to be thankful and to praise God with no matter what we are dealing with at the time in our lives.

God knew us before we ever came to know him! He had already taken care of us before we were ever formed in this world! From this day until now! That should let me know with certainty that I am definitely not alone for sure!

Philippians 3:8

[8] Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,

I am satisfied with Christ’s compensation!

I would lose it all to gain him! Nothing else is of worth to keep that even compares to what you can feel through God!

When I really put into perspective what everything is really worth to me in comparison to what God means to me in my heart, all of this stuff in this world does not mean a thing!

Philippians 3:9-10

[9] And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:
[10] That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;

I am satisfied with Christ’s fellowship!

I want to know him, I want to know more of Him and I want to feel more of the spirit! To actually be in fellowship with the spirit is to be in a place of growth in my life!

I want to make it a goal in my life to be in continual fellowship with God and the spirit of God. That’s the only way my life can be in a ready state to grow!

Philippians 4:6-7

[6] Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
[7] And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

I am satisfied with Christ’s perfect peace!

It shall keep your minds and hearts if you will allow it to! In all reality, there is nothing out there that will ever keep me per say; it will only ever be the peace of God, because I will never be content with the way things are. God teaches us by the spirit to be content to a circumstance or situation.

Philippians 4:11-14

[11] Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.
[12] I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.
[13] I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
[14] Notwithstanding ye have well done, that ye did communicate with my affliction.

I am satisfied with Christ’s perfect strength!

God will speak to your situations and circumstances, no matter how grim that they seem to be! He will give you strength to be able to endure them!

Always remember the joy of the Lord is our strength, and without that joy, there is no strength. So I need to remember to surround myself or get myself to a place where joy is abundant.

Philippians 4:18-19

[18] But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God.
[19] But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

More than anything, I am satisfied know that I will receive from Christ’s supply for my every need!

These things we get from God are according to his riches in glory, and are not limited to what we are in this world. That should say so much to us when we feel like we have so many reasons why we cannot make it or cannot move forward in life.

Exhortations Of “Let Us” In Hebrews

I have been reading a lot lately and thought that I would put out some of the scriptures and notes that I have been taking. I hope that you get something good out of it like I have!

1. Hebrews 4:1-3 – Let Us Fear

[1] Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it.
[2] For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.
[3] For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world.

Let us fear and continually enter into God’s presence, lest we come short and fall before the time.

2. Hebrews 4:11-12- Labor

[11] Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.
[12] For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

Let us enter into his presence by labouring, lest anyone not receive the help they need when they need it.

3. Hebrews 4:16-Come Boldly

[16] Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

Let’s not tiptoe around, but come to the Lord with boldness, as he has given us the right to have with his endued power.

4. Hebrews 6:1-3-Go On

[1] Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,
[2] Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.
[3] And this will we do, if God permit.

Let’s not lay down what we have been taught, what we know to be true.

5. Hebrews 10:22-Draw Near

[22] Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.

Let us draw near, to be close to God with a full assurance and confidence in faith.

6. Hebrews 10:23 Hold Fast

[23] Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)

Let us not be moved in the open testimony of our faith, let us not be silenced.

7. Hebrews 10:24-25 Consider One Another

[24] And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:
[25] Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

Let us consider each other and only act out of love.

8. Hebrews 12:1-3 Lay Aside Every Weight & Run With Patience

[1] Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
[2] Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
[3] For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.

Let us lay down every burden that would pull us down.

9. Hebrews 12:28-29 Have Grace

[28] Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:
[29] For our God is a consuming fire.

Let us have grace that we learn to serve with godly fear.

10. Hebrews 13:13-14 Go Forth

[13] Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach.
[14] For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come.

Let us go forth and and do the work in the world while we wait.

11. Hebrews 13:15-16 Offer the Sacrifice of Praise

[15] By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.
[16] But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.

Let us offer our praise to God, whether we feel like it or not, CONTINUALLY!

For such sacrifices, God is well pleased.

Don’t Miss Supper

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Luke 14:8-24

[8] When thou art bidden of any man to a wedding, sit not down in the highest room; lest a more honourable man than thou be bidden of him;
[9] And he that bade thee and him come and say to thee, Give this man place; and thou begin with shame to take the lowest room.
[10] But when thou art bidden, go and sit down in the lowest room; that when he that bade thee cometh, he may say unto thee, Friend, go up higher: then shalt thou have worship in the presence of them that sit at meat with thee.
[11] For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.
[12] Then said he also to him that bade him, When thou makest a dinner or a supper, call not thy friends, nor thy brethren, neither thy kinsmen, nor thy rich neighbours; lest they also bid thee again, and a recompence be made thee.
[13] But when thou makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind:
[14] And thou shalt be blessed; for they cannot recompense thee: for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just.
[15] And when one of them that sat at meat with him heard these things, he said unto him, Blessed is he that shall eat bread in the kingdom of God.
[16] Then said he unto him, A certain man made a great supper, and bade many:
[17] And sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready.
[18] And they all with one consent began to make excuse. The first said unto him, I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it: I pray thee have me excused.
[19] And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them: I pray thee have me excused.
[20] And another said, I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.
[21] So that servant came, and shewed his lord these things. Then the master of the house being angry said to his servant, Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind.
[22] And the servant said, Lord, it is done as thou hast commanded, and yet there is room.
[23] And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.
[24] For I say unto you, That none of those men which were bidden shall taste of my supper.

Sit not down in the highest, sit down in the lowest

In other words, learn to be humble and to prefer others to be helped and be “above” your priorities and needs when it comes to being in church. You will be rewarded for it!

That he may say “friend, go up higher: then shalt thou have worship in the presence of them that sit at meat with thee”

We have to enter into the presence of God together, and enter into that higher place together, and partake of the same Godly fruitful things together! When all those pieces fall together, you have wonderful moves of the Lord!

We need to encourage and lift up those, and in the process, worship with them!

Call NOT thy Friends, brethren, kinsmen, rich neighbors (lest they bid again and they recompense thee)

People that are comfortable with others and are used to things being full and fulfilled will often times be spoiled and not care about the fact that they have wonderful circumstances, and we need not ever get to a place where we only worship with ourselves or just a few around us that we like.

When you dine in the flesh (so to speak) with those that exalt themselves, they will call (depend) upon YOU and not God for their feel-goods and pats on the back. I know that sounds harsh, but it is the reality of today. We all want a positive perspective, but life isn’t always that way.

Call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind, and thou shall be blessed!

Remember, some people won’t be able to pay you back for your efforts in the services, but don’t hold it against them; God will recompense you for your efforts!

Excuses, ALL in one accord!

They all in one consent began to make excuse (that’s sounds a lot like us today)

  • One bought a piece of ground, and had needs to go see it
  • Another bought 5 yoke of oxen, and had to go prove them
  • And another married a wife, and could not come

It seems like anymore that we have every reason in the world why we shouldn’t be obedient to God now, versus the reasons why we should be. What does that tell us? Who are we really listening to? Who are we really serving?