From Ben Fronczek... Are You A Happy Christian?

Are You A Happy Christian? 

  (Reading Luke 14:15-24)

Today I have a personal question to ask. Are you a happy person?  Would you consider yourself to be happy and joy filled person more than 90 percent of the time?  Here’s a good test of this, if I were to ask others, maybe family members or those closest would they say that you are a happy person? What would they say about how joy filled you are?

Well you may be thinking, ‘Well I’m a happy Christian most of the time; that is when I’m not rushing around like a chicken with it’s head cut off. Or, when I’m not upset with my husband or my wife or my kids or the people I work with, or when I’m not feeling angry at those crazy drivers out there. Or, when I’m not having a personal pity party, or when someone purposely hurts my feelings.

So how much time does that leave you to be really happy and joy filled?

Do you realize that one of the very reasons why Jesus came into this world and died for you on the cross of Calvary is because the Heavenly Father and Jesus Himself wanted you to be happy and full of joy?

In Philippians 4 the Apostle Paul wrote,  

“⁴ Rejoice in the Lord always (always). I will say it again: Rejoice! ⁵ Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. ⁶ Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. ⁷ And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

When I read verses like this I can’t help but believe that Paul learned the secret of being truly happy. If you know anything about Paul’s life as a Christian it was anything but easy. Later in verses 12 and 13 he writes,           

“¹² I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content(happy) in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. ¹³ I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”

Paul joy and strength was totally rooted in knowing and believing in Jesus. His happiness depended less on waiting for others to make him happy, or for situations to make him happy, or events to make him truly happy because things may not happen the way you want them to happen and people will let you down.  Rather his inner peace and joy was rooted and grounded in someone who would never let him down; Jesus and all that He promised those who love and follow Him.

In Galatians 5:22 Paul wrote that  “the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness…”   I think happiness and joy is one of the evidences of our spiritual conversion in Christ.

So what’s the problem? Why are so many of us so unhappy?

Abraham Lincoln once said, “People are about as happy as they make up their minds to be.”  Centuries before Lincoln, the Roman Emperor Marcus Antonius said, “No man is happy who does not think himself so.”  The English journalist Roger L ‘Estrange said it best when he said, “It is not the place, nor the condition, but the mind alone that can make anyone happy or miserable.” Solomon wrote “As a Man thinketh in his heart, so is he.”

So it’s all in our head, but all too often we are guilty of thinking wrong or what I call ‘stinkin thinkin’.   To often we think we will be happier if we get what we want, or run from where we are to some place else, or if we try to look like or be someone different than who we are.

Usually when we get the things that we want or crave, we are happy for a short time but it’s never enough and we find our self looking to get something else. And if we run away from our problems thinking things are going to be better some place else, that new found happiness is short lived. Why? Because we cannot escape our self and our own negative attitudes.

Jesus said that He came that we may have life and have it to the full (or more abundantly).  And so if you don’t accept Jesus and what He has provided whether you be a Christian or not you are going to find an empty hole in you spirit and soul. Faith in Jesus and what is promise to us because of what He did for us is the key to unlocking that happiness and joy that our soul craves.

It must make God sad when we don’t take advantage of the great blessings and happiness and peace He has made available to us.

In the Parable of the great banquet  (Luke 14:15-24) we read that a certain man goes out of his way to prepare this great party and feast at much expense to himself and then invites his friends and neighbors to come and enjoy this feast with him. My wife and I use to entertain more and we use to have big picnics during the summer and we’d invite as many friends and relatives that would come. We enjoyed entertaining people in this manner and we wanted to show them a good time and feed them some good food. Well as the story goes no one he initially invited wanted to go to this guy’s feast. They all came up with various excuses as to what they could not attend.

When his servants reported this to him we read that he was upset. I can understand.  He was probably more hurt especially since he went through all that trouble and expense to show these people a good time but they chose to do something different. I would be hurt a little if my wife and I put on this big picnic and bought all kind of great food and only s few we invited showed up.

Well as the story goes the man sent out his servants to find any and everyone they could find, even if he did not know then, to come to his feast.

Now I believe that this parable is letting us know how God feels when we don’t take advantage of the great blessings He has provided us with. He has provided us with so many blessings. He offers us abundant life, joy, peace of mind, an inheritance equal to that of His Son Jesus, yet many Christians seem oblivious or forget those blessings and promises. And just like the man in the story was disappointed, I can’t help but believe God is disappointed when we when He see us miserable and sad, and depressed and hears us whining and complaining, even coming up with all kinds of excuses as to why we don’t take advantage of what He wants to give us.

Just as a reminder I want to share with you some of those things which He has provided you and me with.

2 Peter 1:3-4  

“His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.”

In other words, because of His glory and excellence, and love for us, He has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share in His divine nature and that will help you escape the corruption of this world. (When you put on Christ you put on God!

Romans 6:23 says   

“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.”

  That’s a pretty awesome promise!

In John 14:15-19 Jesus said,   

“If you love me, keep my commands.  And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever—the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him. But you know Him, for He lives with you and will be in you.  I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.  Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live.  On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you.”

Jesus told us that He would send His Spirit into Christians and he Spirit will help us, lead us into truth, teach us, convict us when we mess up, and would be with us forever. In Romans 8:26-27 Paul told us that the Spirit also helps us to pray.

In Philippians 4:7 we are told that if we pray the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard our heart and mind in Christ Jesus.

In Romans 8:35 we are told that nothing will separate us from the love of Christ.

In 1 Corinthians 10:13 we are told that God won’t let me be tried or tempted beyond what I can endure.  

And that in Romans 8:28 All things work together for my good.

In 2 Corinthians 9:8 we are told that God is able to make all grace abound to me and you, so all our needs will be met.  We are in God’s favor!

We are promised an awesome inheritance in Ephesians 1:14 Col. 1:12

In Ephesians 3:12 we are also told that we can approach God with freedom and confidence.

In Hebrews 2:18  we are told that Jesus will help me if I’m tempted.

In James 1:5 James tells us that if we ask for wisdom from God, He will give it to us.

James also told us that If we draw near to God, He will draw near to us. James 4:8

John said that God will continue to forgive and cleanses us of new sin, if we confess those sins to Him.   1John 1:9

John also wrote that When Jesus re-appears, we will be made like Him. 1 John 3:2

Peter wrote that A new heaven and earth await you and me, which is called the ‘home of righteousness’. 2 Peter 3:13

God has also given you and me eternal life as a Christian. 1 John 5:11

These are just a few of the many promises given to those of us who are Christians.  So what it comes down to is you have a choice. You can choose to be happy, feel good and rejoice because of who you are in Christ, because you are God’s sons and daughters, because has set heavenly glory before you and want to richly bless you in your daily life, or you can choose to be miserable, sad, angry, depressed or filled with self pity always complaining about every little thing.  The choice is yours. (As a man thinketh …) One way leads to that abundant life God sent His son to give you. 

The other is a sad and unhappy way of life with may occasional good moments.

The key is what you believe; what and who you have faith in.

Make a decision everyday when you get up to rejoice in the Lord and what He has provided and called us to. When you wake up in the morning, have a meeting with yourself. Make a decision to be a more positive happy person for that day and ask God to help you. It may be hard the first few days, but as you keep making a decision each day and ask for God’s help you will become a happier person.

Also remember and acknowledge and thank God for His love and many promise He has made to bless you. Think about these things throughout the day and your life will. And one day you will be able to say like Paul,  

“ I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. ¹³ I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”

For more lessons click on the following link:

http://granvillenychurchofchrist.org/?page_id=566

From Gary... Bible Reading January 24

Bible Reading   

January 24

The World English Bible

Jan. 24

Genesis 24

Gen 24:1 Abraham was old, and well stricken in age. Yahweh had blessed Abraham in all things.

Gen 24:2 Abraham said to his servant, the elder of his house, who ruled over all that he had, "Please put your hand under my thigh.

Gen 24:3 I will make you swear by Yahweh, the God of heaven and the God of the earth, that you shall not take a wife for my son of the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I live.

Gen 24:4 But you shall go to my country, and to my relatives, and take a wife for my son Isaac."

Gen 24:5 The servant said to him, "What if the woman isn't willing to follow me to this land? Must I bring your son again to the land you came from?"

Gen 24:6 Abraham said to him, "Beware that you don't bring my son there again.

Gen 24:7 Yahweh, the God of heaven, who took me from my father's house, and from the land of my birth, who spoke to me, and who swore to me, saying, 'I will give this land to your seed.' He will send his angel before you, and you shall take a wife for my son from there.

Gen 24:8 If the woman isn't willing to follow you, then you shall be clear from this my oath. Only you shall not bring my son there again."

Gen 24:9 The servant put his hand under the thigh of Abraham his master, and swore to him concerning this matter.

Gen 24:10 The servant took ten camels, of his master's camels, and departed, having a variety of good things of his master's with him. He arose, and went to Mesopotamia, to the city of Nahor.

Gen 24:11 He made the camels kneel down outside the city by the well of water at the time of evening, the time that women go out to draw water.

Gen 24:12 He said, "Yahweh, the God of my master Abraham, please give me success this day, and show kindness to my master Abraham.

Gen 24:13 Behold, I am standing by the spring of water. The daughters of the men of the city are coming out to draw water.

Gen 24:14 Let it happen, that the young lady to whom I will say, 'Please let down your pitcher, that I may drink,' and she will say, 'Drink, and I will also give your camels a drink,'--let her be the one you have appointed for your servant Isaac. By this I will know that you have shown kindness to my master."

Gen 24:15 It happened, before he had finished speaking, that behold, Rebekah came out, who was born to Bethuel the son of Milcah, the wife of Nahor, Abraham's brother, with her pitcher on her shoulder.

Gen 24:16 The young lady was very beautiful to look at, a virgin, neither had any man known her. She went down to the spring, filled her pitcher, and came up.

Gen 24:17 The servant ran to meet her, and said, "Please give me a drink, a little water from your pitcher."

Gen 24:18 She said, "Drink, my lord." She hurried, and let down her pitcher on her hand, and gave him drink.

Gen 24:19 When she had done giving him drink, she said, "I will also draw for your camels, until they have done drinking."

Gen 24:20 She hurried, and emptied her pitcher into the trough, and ran again to the well to draw, and drew for all his camels.

Gen 24:21 The man looked steadfastly at her, remaining silent, to know whether Yahweh had made his journey prosperous or not.

Gen 24:22 It happened, as the camels had done drinking, that the man took a golden ring of half a shekel weight, and two bracelets for her hands of ten shekels weight of gold,

Gen 24:23 and said, "Whose daughter are you? Please tell me. Is there room in your father's house for us to lodge in?"

Gen 24:24 She said to him, "I am the daughter of Bethuel the son of Milcah, whom she bore to Nahor."

Gen 24:25 She said moreover to him, "We have both straw and provender enough, and room to lodge in."

Gen 24:26 The man bowed his head, and worshiped Yahweh.

Gen 24:27 He said, "Blessed be Yahweh, the God of my master Abraham, who has not forsaken his loving kindness and his truth toward my master. As for me, Yahweh has led me in the way to the house of my master's relatives."

Gen 24:28 The young lady ran, and told her mother's house about these words.

Gen 24:29 Rebekah had a brother, and his name was Laban. Laban ran out to the man, to the spring.

Gen 24:30 It happened, when he saw the ring, and the bracelets on his sister's hands, and when he heard the words of Rebekah his sister, saying, "This is what the man said to me," that he came to the man. Behold, he was standing by the camels at the spring.

Gen 24:31 He said, "Come in, you blessed of Yahweh. Why do you stand outside? For I have prepared the house, and room for the camels."

Gen 24:32 The man came into the house, and he unloaded the camels. He gave straw and provender for the camels, and water to wash his feet and the feet of the men who were with him.

Gen 24:33 Food was set before him to eat, but he said, "I will not eat until I have told my message." He said, "Speak on."

Gen 24:34 He said, "I am Abraham's servant.

Gen 24:35 Yahweh has blessed my master greatly. He has become great. He has given him flocks and herds, silver and gold, male servants and female servants, and camels and donkeys.

Gen 24:36 Sarah, my master's wife, bore a son to my master when she was old. He has given all that he has to him.

Gen 24:37 My master made me swear, saying, 'You shall not take a wife for my son of the daughters of the Canaanites, in whose land I live,

Gen 24:38 but you shall go to my father's house, and to my relatives, and take a wife for my son.'

Gen 24:39 I said to my master, 'What if the woman will not follow me?'

Gen 24:40 He said to me, 'Yahweh, before whom I walk, will send his angel with you, and prosper your way. You shall take a wife for my son of my relatives, and of my father's house.

Gen 24:41 Then will you be clear from my oath, when you come to my relatives. If they don't give her to you, you shall be clear from my oath.'

Gen 24:42 I came this day to the spring, and said, 'Yahweh, the God of my master Abraham, if now you do prosper my way which I go--

Gen 24:43 behold, I am standing by this spring of water. Let it happen, that the maiden who comes forth to draw, to whom I will say, "Give me, I pray you, a little water from your pitcher to drink,"

Gen 24:44 and she will tell me, "Drink, and I will also draw for your camels,"--let her be the woman whom Yahweh has appointed for my master's son.'

Gen 24:45 Before I had done speaking in my heart, behold, Rebekah came forth with her pitcher on her shoulder. She went down to the spring, and drew. I said to her, 'Please let me drink.'

Gen 24:46 She hurried and let down her pitcher from her shoulder, and said, 'Drink, and I will also give your camels a drink.' So I drank, and she made the camels drink also.

Gen 24:47 I asked her, and said, 'Whose daughter are you?' She said, 'The daughter of Bethuel, Nahor's son, whom Milcah bore to him.' I put the ring on her nose, and the bracelets on her hands.

Gen 24:48 I bowed my head, and worshiped Yahweh, and blessed Yahweh, the God of my master Abraham, who had led me in the right way to take my master's brother's daughter for his son.

Gen 24:49 Now if you will deal kindly and truly with my master, tell me. If not, tell me, that I may turn to the right hand, or to the left."

Gen 24:50 Then Laban and Bethuel answered, "The thing proceeds from Yahweh. We can't speak to you bad or good.

Gen 24:51 Behold, Rebekah is before you. Take her, and go, and let her be your master's son's wife, as Yahweh has spoken."

Gen 24:52 It happened that when Abraham's servant heard their words, he bowed himself down to the earth to Yahweh.

Gen 24:53 The servant brought forth jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and clothing, and gave them to Rebekah. He also gave precious things to her brother and her mother.

Gen 24:54 They ate and drank, he and the men who were with him, and stayed all night. They rose up in the morning, and he said, "Send me away to my master."

Gen 24:55 Her brother and her mother said, "Let the young lady stay with us a few days, at least ten. After that she will go."

Gen 24:56 He said to them, "Don't hinder me, seeing Yahweh has prospered my way. Send me away that I may go to my master."

Gen 24:57 They said, "We will call the young lady, and ask her."

Gen 24:58 They called Rebekah, and said to her, "Will you go with this man?" She said, "I will go."

Gen 24:59 They sent away Rebekah, their sister, with her nurse, Abraham's servant, and his men.

Gen 24:60 They blessed Rebekah, and said to her, "Our sister, may you be the mother of thousands of ten thousands, and let your seed possess the gate of those who hate them."

Gen 24:61 Rebekah arose with her ladies. They rode on the camels, and followed the man. The servant took Rebekah, and went his way.

Gen 24:62 Isaac came from the way of Beer Lahai Roi, for he lived in the land of the South.

Gen 24:63 Isaac went out to meditate in the field at the evening. He lifted up his eyes, and saw, and, behold, there were camels coming.

Gen 24:64 Rebekah lifted up her eyes, and when she saw Isaac, she dismounted from the camel.

Gen 24:65 She said to the servant, "Who is the man who is walking in the field to meet us?" The servant said, "It is my master." She took her veil, and covered herself.

Gen 24:66 The servant told Isaac all the things that he had done.

Gen 24:67 Isaac brought her into his mother Sarah's tent, and took Rebekah, and she became his wife. He loved her. Isaac was comforted after his mother's death.

From Mark Copeland... Soldiers Of Jesus Christ ( 2 Timothy 2:3-4)

                    "THE SECOND EPISTLE TO TIMOTHY"

                    Soldiers Of Jesus Christ (2:3-4)

INTRODUCTION

1. Our service to Jesus Christ is often compared to different
   occupations...
   a. Such as an athlete - 1Co 9:24-27; 2Ti 4:7-8
   b. Such as a laborers in the harvest - Lk 10:2

2. In our text (2Ti 2:3-4), our service is to compared to that of a
   soldier...
   a. In which one is to be "a good soldier"
   b. Seeking to please him who enlisted us as "soldiers"

[That we may be sure to understand the service Jesus desires of us,
let's review the characteristics of a soldier in the army of Christ...]

I. THE NATURE OF OUR ENLISTMENT

   A. WE HAVE BEEN CHOSEN...
      1. As per the KJV ("chosen") - 2Ti 2:4
      2. The Greek is stratologeo, "to gather (or select) as a warrior,
         that is, enlist in the army; choose to be a soldier." - Strong

   B. NOT AN INVOLUNTARY DRAFT...
      1. We are "enlisted" (NKJV, NASB, ESV) - 2Ti 2:4
      2. We were chosen as we responded in faith to the call of the
         gospel - cf. 2Th 2:13-14

[The army of Christ is an "all voluntary" army.  We were not drafted
against our will, and our attitude should reflect our willingness to do
our part.  Note also...]

II. THE NATURE OF OUR SERVICE

   A. IT IS AN 'ACTIVE' SERVICE...
      1. I.e., full duty, like those in active military service - 2 Ti 2:4
      2. Therefore one is not to be entangled "in the affairs of
         everyday life" - 2Ti 2:4
      3. One must be willing to endure hardship - 2Ti 2:3
         a. This affects our relations with our physical families
            1) Christ must come first - cf. Mt 10:37
            2) Even as He put His Father in heaven first - cf. Mt 12:
               46-50
         b. This affects our attitudes toward our secular jobs
            1) The true purpose of work - Ac 20:34-35; Ep 4:28
            2) For we cannot serve both God and mammon - Mt 6:24

   B. NOT 'RESERVE' DUTY...
      1. Where we serve only on limited occasions
      2. Where one might not take their responsibilities seriously

[All the soldiers in the army of Christ are on "active duty", though
some might be on the front line and other supporting them at the base.
Now consider...]

III. THE NATURE OF OUR WARFARE

   A. OUR ENEMIES...
      1. Spiritual forces of wickedness - Ep 6:10-13
      2. Physical lusts which wage war against the soul - 1Pe 2:11
      3. The unrighteousness and ungodliness of men - Ro 1:18-32
         a. Of those who do not recognize God
         b. Of those who are given over to vile passions

   B. OUR OBJECTIVES...
      1. To produce the fruit of the Spirit in our own lives - Ga 5:
         16-23
      2. To bring every thought into submission to Christ - cf. 2 Co 10:5
      3. To help those ensnared of the devil to escape - cf. 2Ti 2:26

[The opposition is mighty, the objective is noble.  With what weapons do
we wage such warfare...?]

IV. THE NATURE OF OUR WEAPONS

   A. THEY ARE NOT CARNAL...
      1. For our warfare is not carnal - 2Co 10:3-4; Jn 18:36
      2. Thus we do not use the sword or other such weapons to fight
         - cf. Mt 26:52
      3. Nor are we to use works of the flesh (e.g., anger, wrath)
         - 2Co 10:1-3; cf. Ga 5:19-21

   B. THEY ARE MIGHTY IN GOD...
      1. Attitudes consistent with the meekness and gentleness of Christ
         - cf. 2Co 10:1
         a. Such as the fruit of the Spirit - Ga 5:22-23
         b. Needed when we seek to help those overtaken in a fault - Ga 6:1
         c. Necessary to correct those who are in opposition - 2Ti 2:
            24-26
      2. The armor of God, including truth, faith and hope - Ep 6:10-17
         a. The Word of God is a powerful sword of the Spirit - Ep 6:17;
            He 4:12
         b. Faith is a powerful shield against the devil - Ep 6:16
         c. Hope likewise serves as a helmet - Ep 6:17

CONCLUSION

1. In the army of Christ, we seek to save ourselves and those with whom
   we fight

2. It is a noble objective, one that requires a noble service as
   "Soldiers Of Jesus Christ"

Are you therefore willing to endure hardship, and thus please Him who
enlisted you as a soldier...?

Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2011

From Jim McGuiggan... What do you say to the troubled?

What do you say to the troubled?

You know a group (or a family or an individual) that is having a rough ride in life and you know it’ll get worse before it gets better and you purpose to write them a letter. How would you begin it? 

There’d be nothing at all wrong in saying something like, “Ah, dear people, we have heard of your pain and loss and we want you to know that our hearts are with your hearts…” Surely there’s always a place for the expression of fellow-feeling and sympathy! 

But troubled people need more than sympathy—of course! Where it’s possible we need to get involved in a “hands on” way to alleviate if not completely eradicate their difficulties (what is this other than Matthew 25:34-40?).  

After the meal has been eaten or the warmth of the personal visit is only a memory something must remain with them! The meal and the warmth and the clothes should all be given but there comes a time when the person must carry the burden alone and something must be put into these people that stays when the helpers depart.  

Peter writes to Jewish people in trouble, people despised and rejected by society, people who are undergoing suffering and will face even more in the days ahead. And how does he open a letter to that kind of people? In 1:1-3 he tells them who they are! 

He tells them they are God’s chosen! He tells them that they are the people made different by the Holy Spirit! He tells them that they are the people covenanted to God by the blood of Jesus Christ (see Exodus 24:1-8). He later tells them that though they are rejected by their peers and despised by them that they are chosen by God and that he sees them as precious (1 Peter 2:4). Then he tells them that however scorned and mistreated they are that they are God’s holy nation and royal priesthood with a destiny and a commission that beggars description (2:9-10). 

Peter doesn’t deny their trouble—far from it! Read the entire short letter in one sitting and see what I mean. 

But he opens his letter reminding them who they are! Imagine them sitting in their little assemblies and hearing these words read out to them (1:1-3, and the rest). If they can really believe these almost incredible claims will their lives not be transformed and will they not enjoy the struggle to cash in on them—will life not astonish them? “This is who we are? This is really who we are?” 

And how should we speak to our troubled brothers and sisters throughout the world? What should we say to tiny assemblies in far-off places that are suffering for their faith? And to those nearer at hand, is this not a direction we should go? In wise and caring ways should we not—before we speak of their troubles but never forgetting that they are troubled—should we not tell them who they are? 

©2004 Jim McGuiggan. All materials are free to be copied and used as long as money is not being made.

Many thanks to brother Ed Healy, for allowing me to post from his website, theabidingword.com.

From Ben Fronczek... Faith (Part 3)

Faith  (Part 3)

Opening Reading: Matthew 6:25-34

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? ²⁶ Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? ²⁷ Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?

²⁸ “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. ²⁹ Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. ³⁰ If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? ³¹ So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ ³² For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. ³³ But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. ³⁴ Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”

Many times when we think about or talk about great faith we think about accomplishing those great tasks in life, maybe you even think about those champions of faith in the Bible like Abraham, Moses, Joshua, David, Daniel, and some of those New Testament characters like Paul.

But it seems to me that God has given us faith for all kinds of occasions, for the monumental challenges of life, for the fiery darts that may come our way, even the ability to believe what most people do not about God, Jesus, salvation, Heaven and other spiritual things.

But there is also the type of faith that we need for everyday living; the faith we need sometimes to get out of bed in the morning to do what we have to do, faith to buy what we need to survive or even bigger items like cars and homes, to go into debt and have the faith that we will be able to pay those bills. We also need faith to do our jobs or run our businesses. We need a degree faith as we relate to others so that we can trust them. We need faith to keep our marriages going smoothly. And faith to raise our kids, even when we send them off to school where they are in the care of others in this crazy world.

Faith in our daily life is very, very important, and it is necessary if we want to eliminate worry, stress and anxiety, and have peace of mind to enjoy everyday life.

I am here today to tell you that we need to make it even more of a habit to pull out or exercise our faith  (trusting in God, even trusting in others) and stop doubting, and stop worrying about every little thing. Trusting God and having faith that He is in control leaves no room for worry or anxiety to take over your life.

And here you may say, “But Ben, you don’t know what my life is like. You don’t know all the responsibilities I have. You don’t know how many bills I have. You don’t know what it’s like to be sick like I am or how bad I feel. You don’t know how much pressure I have at work. You don’t know how lonely I feel. “ Etc.

I may not know exactly how you feel but one thing I do know is that fear, worry, frustration and anxiety is not good for you. It can hurt you and make you sick and will rob you of the peace and joy that God wants you to be experiencing in your life.

And I also know and believe that a strong faith in God, (that is when you learn to trust in Him and trust in His ability to help you handle your situation, to make you secure and stable) is the answer for all that this life and Satan wants to throw at you.  Our ability to have faith is a blessing from God!

If you think about it, most of the things we worry about and are stressed out about are things we cannot change anyway. They are out of our control and only God can change those things. So we just need to learn to turn those things over to Him and relax.

I remember many years ago when I first started going to a chiropractor after hurting my back. I’ll never forget what he told me. As he was working on me he said, “You don’t believe in God do you?” I told him of course I did, I told Him that I was a Christina.  He basically told me “You could have fooled me. He said you so uptight and stressed out that it has obviously affected your body and its ability to heal itself. “ He told me that if I really believed in God and trusted Him I would not be so stress and ready to pop like a broken spring.

And there I was ‘the Christian’, ‘the Bible student’ going to the Northeast School of Biblical Studies at the time. I guess I had something else to learn. We not only need to trust God with the big things in life, we also need to trust and believe He is there to help us with the everyday little things as well.

Many of us are not only dealing with pressures that surround us in the here and now, many of us are dealing with stress, remorse, regrets and guilt from some things we have done or failed to do in the past.

At one point in his life the Apostle Paul approved of the capture, imprisonment and death of members of the church.  But then thru a chain of events he, himself became a believer, and was baptized and became a member of the very church he was persecuting.

When he realized how wrong he was we read in Acts 9 that he could not eat or drink for three days. He was so full of remorse I could not help but wonder how he could ever go on to become one of the greatest apostle and spokesman for Jesus ever, or how he could get over those feelings of regret.  But listen to what he has to say as he later writes to his son in the faith, Timothy:  

“¹²  I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength to do his work. He considered me trustworthy and appointed me to serve him, ¹³ even though I used to blaspheme the name of Christ. In my insolence, I persecuted his people. But God had mercy on me because I

did it in ignorance and unbelief. ¹⁴ Oh, how generous and gracious our Lord was! He filled me with the faith and love that come from Christ Jesus.  ¹⁵ This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners”—and I am the worst of them all. ¹⁶ But God had mercy on me so that Christ Jesus could use me as a prime example of his great patience with even the worst sinners. Then others will realize that they, too, can believe in him and receive eternal life. ¹⁷ All honor and glory to God forever and ever! He is the eternal King, the unseen one who never dies; he alone is God. Amen.           1 Tim. 1:12-17

Because of his faith in Christ, Paul recognized and  saw the Love of God at work in his life. Even though Paul did horrible things in his past he did not let guilt of those past sins cripple his life and service to our Lord later. Paul accepted God’s mercy and forgiveness and moved forward and so should we.

If you are a Christian you are a new creation, in Christ. The old gone and you have been made new. God change Paul so much he gave him a new name. His old name was Saul.

If we really trust and have faith in Christ, and believe and accept the love of God we don’t have to go around feeling guilty and burdened from what we did in the past. If you have done something bad since you became a Christian, you can still get right with God. All you need to do is repent and ask for forgiveness. We are told in 1 John 1:9 that “If we confess our sins He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”

Faith in God’s love and forgiveness can set us free from the burden of past mistakes and free us from guilt… we just need believe and accept His forgiveness.

Our Faith can also shield and protect us from future uncertainties.

Some people read their horoscope and even pay to go to fortune-tellers hoping to find out what going to happen in their future. Others worry about the future and ask questions like, “What’s going to happen if…. “, or  “What going to happen when…”.

What’s going to happen if I get sick, or if I get laid off from my job, or if my car dies on the road, or if my child gets sick with some weird disease, or if I get Alzheimer’s when I am old, or if my spouse dies before me?” …. What am I going to do?

Or, what is going to happen when I get old, or when I stop working will I have enough money to live on?”

We could worry about an endless number of things concerning our future. Questions like these cause some to fret and fear the future.

But again, trusting in God, in His love for you, in His providence, and believing that He will work out all things for those who love Him takes away our fear.

In our opening reading Jesus told His disciples not to worry about our life, what we will eat and what we will drink, about your body or what you will wear.. He said that your heavenly Father knows what you need, and He goes on to say,    

 “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. ³⁴ Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”

I cannot stress the importance of developing a faith habit; YES a HABIT, a habit of trusting God with all, and in every situation. By doing so you will find that peace and joy you are yearning for. I REALLY believe this!

So what can we do to help us develop this ‘faith habit’ ?                           

I believe it’s important to verbalize our faith over and over;  actually say, ‘I trust you God!,’ or ‘I believe that God is working in this situation in my life right now and He’s going to take care of me.’ Or. ‘I believe when the time comes my God will provide what I need.’  Speak words like this over and over all day long!  This can recondition our mind and exercise our faith.

Consider what David says in Psalm 25.

“In you, Lord my God,     I put my trust.

² I trust in you;    

do not let me be put to shame,     nor let my enemies triumph over me.

³ No one who hopes in you     will ever be put to shame, but shame will come on those     who are treacherous without cause.

David was not ashamed to verbalize his faith. I believe it’s how he became the great man that he was, a man after God’s own heart. David made a habit of expressing his faith over and over, and I believe it’s imperative that we do the same!

Read God’s word. Read the Psalm and take note of how David and others saw God acting in their lives and the peace that this gave them.

Stop speaking like a victim, like someone defeated and like no one care what you are going through and learn to speak words of faith over and over and over. It will change your life!

The best way to defeat worry and fear is to resist them right away; when they first enter your mind. The Apostle Peter said that we should resist the devil and I believe that we  should do it right away (1 Peter 5:9).

In Romans 1:17 Paul wrote that we need to live by faith. Faith is fills us with hopeful expectations and doesn’t give up believing that God will help us in any and all situations.   And that’s my challenge for you today!  Expect the best. Expect God is going to work things out in your favor.

For more lessons click on the following link:
http://granvillenychurchofchrist.org/?page_id=566

From Gary... Too much is NOT ENOUGH

I wonder, how far back can YOU remember? Kindergarten, preschool or perhaps something earlier?  However far back you go, there will be times of goodness, caring and that fuzzy warm feeling that you just KNOW something GOOD happened.  Now, I am sure that as young children we all experienced times like this one, where the love was just a bit TOO MUCH, but HEY, that goes with being a baby and is something we all had to cope with (whether we actually remember it or not).   But what about the other side of the equation here- I mean the giver (in this case, the dog)?  What does it feel like to care for someone else; to put their needs above your own?  And what if you applied this as a spiritual principle in reference  to adults???? Paul writes the following...

1 Thessalonians, Chapter 2

  1 For you yourselves know, brothers, our visit to you wasn’t in vain,  2 but having suffered before and been shamefully treated, as you know, at Philippi, we grew bold in our God to tell you the Good News of God in much conflict.  3 For our exhortation is not of error, nor of uncleanness, nor in deception.  4 But even as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the Good News, so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, who tests our hearts.  5 For neither were we at any time found using words of flattery, as you know, nor a cloak of covetousness (God is witness),  6 nor seeking glory from men (neither from you nor from others), when we might have claimed authority as apostles of Christ.  7 But we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother cherishes her own children. 

  8  Even so, affectionately longing for you, we were well pleased to impart to you, not the Good News of God only, but also our own souls, because you had become very dear to us.  9 For you remember, brothers, our labor and travail; for working night and day, that we might not burden any of you, we preached to you the Good News of God.  10 You are witnesses with God, how holy, righteously, and blamelessly we behaved ourselves toward you who believe.  11 As you know, we exhorted, comforted, and implored every one of you, as a father does his own children,  12 to the end that you should walk worthily of God, who calls you into his own Kingdom and glory.  13 For this cause we also thank God without ceasing, that, when you received from us the word of the message of God, you accepted it not as the word of men, but, as it is in truth, the word of God, which also works in you who believe.  14 For you, brothers, became imitators of the assemblies of God which are in Judea in Christ Jesus; for you also suffered the same things from your own countrymen, even as they did from the Jews;  15 who killed both the Lord Jesus and their own prophets, and drove us out, and didn’t please God, and are contrary to all men;  16 forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they may be saved; to fill up their sins always. But wrath has come on them to the uttermost. 

  17  But we, brothers, being bereaved of you for a short season, in presence, not in heart, tried even harder to see your face with great desire,  18 because we wanted to come to you—indeed, I, Paul, once and again—but Satan hindered us.  19 For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Isn’t it even you, before our Lord Jesus at his coming?  20 For you are our glory and our joy. 

As a parent (and a grandparent for twenty plus years) I can tell you the job is NOT EASY!!!  Rewarding, yes; easy NO!!!  However, where there is love, even the impossible becomes do-able (somehow).  We all take for granted the love we receive as children and if we were blessed to have too much love- then all that means is... We have an excess to share.  Paul (and company) loved the Thessalonians; this much is obvious.  I wonder... is our love for the BRETHREN like that???  Ask yourself; if not-- WHY NOT???