D. Brandt Berg
A Nossa Enterprise
Thursday, May 14, 2015
Sharing God’s Love When It’s Tough
http://anchor.tfionline.com/post/sharing-gods-love-when-its-tough/
Words from Jesus
Audio length: 8:39
Download Audio (11.8MB)
Introduction by Maria Fontaine:
Sometimes those that you’re close to may not be especially supportive or receptive to your religious beliefs; some people may even oppose or reject you because of the choices you’ve made. I pray the Lord will give you the extra grace, love, anointing, and encouragement that you need for being an effective witness and example of His love in situations where you are experiencing friction, difficulty, or challenges in your interactions with family, loved ones, or close associates and friends.
You can be assured that even if you find yourself in a difficult or challenging situation, the Lord is in control and will give you the grace, wisdom, and love that you need. The Lord needs you, and there are many searching souls who need you—including those who readily admit their hunger and need for the Lord and those who don’t yet know how much they need Jesus and His love. Everybody needs Jesus and His love, and nobody is beyond hope. So keep loving, keep giving, keep witnessing, and keep following the Lord and His counsel as you reach your part of the world!
Here are some messages from Jesus on the subject:
Dealing with rejection
I know what it’s like to be rejected by the people you are trying to reach. I was “despised and rejected of men.”1 During My three and a half years of ministry, I was constantly faced with receivers, rejecters, and the indifferent and undecided. Many of My own people, who I had come to bring salvation and freedom to, rejected Me. But I never stopped giving the words of truth. Shortly before I died, I said, “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, how often would I have gathered your children together, as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing.”2 I didn’t stop giving them the opportunity to receive the truth.
Because you have chosen to follow Me and walk on the path of discipleship, you will at times face opposition and rejection. “For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on Him, but also to suffer for Him.”3 That need not discourage you, though. It may break your heart, but you can allow that breaking to draw you closer to Me. I will bind up your wounds and soothe your heart and bring healing. I will pour upon your spirit My gifts of faith, trust, and endurance.
Even though you may face difficulties or challenges with some of the people you care about, and they may not be open to your witness, I will work in their hearts as you commit them to Me. Reflect on these words I spoke, as recorded in the Gospel of Luke, and let them strengthen your faith:
“Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. Do to others as you would have them do to you. If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that. And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, expecting to be repaid in full. But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.”4
As you seek Me, you will find Me—My solutions, comfort, direction, endurance, wisdom, and love. There is great reward for you who are not ashamed of Me or My Father. I will not deny you, but I will honor you. In this world you will have tribulation, but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world—and so will you, if you will keep the faith.5
I hear your heartcries, and as you put your faith in Me, I will work things out. In your patience possess ye your souls.6 Look to My Word for direction, for in My Word you will find the answers to give to them that ask of you.7 The Word will teach you about when you should “agree with your adversary.”8 There are times when it is best to keep silent. I will show you when it is time to “endure hardness” as one of My good soldiers.9
My Word has the guidelines that will enable you to prosper and be successful. “This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth; but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.”10 My Word is your refuge and your strength.
Supernatural love
I say to you what I said to My disciples when I was on earth: “Love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.”11 That is what you are doing when you bear the burden of displeasure or rejection of others because of your faith. The love that I speak of is My supernatural and unconditional love for others, My love that “surpasses knowledge.”12
I know what it’s like to love those who don’t understand you. I also felt the disdain, the displeasure, the ridicule, and even direct opposition of family and friends.
There was only one way for Me to accomplish My mission of bringing salvation to the world, and that was through the supernatural love that I received from My Father, the love that compelled Him to give His only Son to the world so that they might be saved. The all-encompassing power of that love is found in these words: “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.”13
It is this supernatural love that will give you the understanding and insight into the hearts of those who do not share your faith and may even oppose your faith. That’s why one of the vital components of love is patience—the kind of patience that endures and trusts that I love those that are close to you, and I am working in their lives. Trust that as you pray for others, and as you continue to patiently love them, all things will one day work together for good, and you will receive the reward of obeying My commandment of loving others as I have loved you.
Strive to manifest love and patience toward others. Love can abound, even if complete understanding is not present. “Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 14 Love never fails.”15
Originally published June 2009. Adapted and republished May 2015.
Read by Simon Peterson.
1 Isaiah 53:3.
2 Luke 13:34 ESV.
3 Philippians 1:29 NIV.
4 Luke 6:30–36 NIV.
5 John 16:33.
6 Luke 21:19.
7 1 Peter 3:15.
8 Matthew 5:25.
9 2 Timothy 2:3.
10 Joshua 1:8 ESV.
11 John 15:12–13 ESV.
12 Ephesians 3:19.
13 John 3:16 ESV.
14 1 Corinthians 13:7 ESV.
15 1 Corinthians 13:8 NIV.
Words from Jesus
Audio length: 8:39
Download Audio (11.8MB)
Introduction by Maria Fontaine:
Sometimes those that you’re close to may not be especially supportive or receptive to your religious beliefs; some people may even oppose or reject you because of the choices you’ve made. I pray the Lord will give you the extra grace, love, anointing, and encouragement that you need for being an effective witness and example of His love in situations where you are experiencing friction, difficulty, or challenges in your interactions with family, loved ones, or close associates and friends.
You can be assured that even if you find yourself in a difficult or challenging situation, the Lord is in control and will give you the grace, wisdom, and love that you need. The Lord needs you, and there are many searching souls who need you—including those who readily admit their hunger and need for the Lord and those who don’t yet know how much they need Jesus and His love. Everybody needs Jesus and His love, and nobody is beyond hope. So keep loving, keep giving, keep witnessing, and keep following the Lord and His counsel as you reach your part of the world!
Here are some messages from Jesus on the subject:
Dealing with rejection
I know what it’s like to be rejected by the people you are trying to reach. I was “despised and rejected of men.”1 During My three and a half years of ministry, I was constantly faced with receivers, rejecters, and the indifferent and undecided. Many of My own people, who I had come to bring salvation and freedom to, rejected Me. But I never stopped giving the words of truth. Shortly before I died, I said, “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, how often would I have gathered your children together, as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing.”2 I didn’t stop giving them the opportunity to receive the truth.
Because you have chosen to follow Me and walk on the path of discipleship, you will at times face opposition and rejection. “For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on Him, but also to suffer for Him.”3 That need not discourage you, though. It may break your heart, but you can allow that breaking to draw you closer to Me. I will bind up your wounds and soothe your heart and bring healing. I will pour upon your spirit My gifts of faith, trust, and endurance.
Even though you may face difficulties or challenges with some of the people you care about, and they may not be open to your witness, I will work in their hearts as you commit them to Me. Reflect on these words I spoke, as recorded in the Gospel of Luke, and let them strengthen your faith:
“Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. Do to others as you would have them do to you. If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that. And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, expecting to be repaid in full. But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.”4
As you seek Me, you will find Me—My solutions, comfort, direction, endurance, wisdom, and love. There is great reward for you who are not ashamed of Me or My Father. I will not deny you, but I will honor you. In this world you will have tribulation, but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world—and so will you, if you will keep the faith.5
I hear your heartcries, and as you put your faith in Me, I will work things out. In your patience possess ye your souls.6 Look to My Word for direction, for in My Word you will find the answers to give to them that ask of you.7 The Word will teach you about when you should “agree with your adversary.”8 There are times when it is best to keep silent. I will show you when it is time to “endure hardness” as one of My good soldiers.9
My Word has the guidelines that will enable you to prosper and be successful. “This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth; but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.”10 My Word is your refuge and your strength.
Supernatural love
I say to you what I said to My disciples when I was on earth: “Love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.”11 That is what you are doing when you bear the burden of displeasure or rejection of others because of your faith. The love that I speak of is My supernatural and unconditional love for others, My love that “surpasses knowledge.”12
I know what it’s like to love those who don’t understand you. I also felt the disdain, the displeasure, the ridicule, and even direct opposition of family and friends.
There was only one way for Me to accomplish My mission of bringing salvation to the world, and that was through the supernatural love that I received from My Father, the love that compelled Him to give His only Son to the world so that they might be saved. The all-encompassing power of that love is found in these words: “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.”13
It is this supernatural love that will give you the understanding and insight into the hearts of those who do not share your faith and may even oppose your faith. That’s why one of the vital components of love is patience—the kind of patience that endures and trusts that I love those that are close to you, and I am working in their lives. Trust that as you pray for others, and as you continue to patiently love them, all things will one day work together for good, and you will receive the reward of obeying My commandment of loving others as I have loved you.
Strive to manifest love and patience toward others. Love can abound, even if complete understanding is not present. “Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 14 Love never fails.”15
Originally published June 2009. Adapted and republished May 2015.
Read by Simon Peterson.
1 Isaiah 53:3.
2 Luke 13:34 ESV.
3 Philippians 1:29 NIV.
4 Luke 6:30–36 NIV.
5 John 16:33.
6 Luke 21:19.
7 1 Peter 3:15.
8 Matthew 5:25.
9 2 Timothy 2:3.
10 Joshua 1:8 ESV.
11 John 15:12–13 ESV.
12 Ephesians 3:19.
13 John 3:16 ESV.
14 1 Corinthians 13:7 ESV.
15 1 Corinthians 13:8 NIV.
How moms set children’s spiritual compass and why it matters
Cathy Lynn Grossman, Religion News Service, May 8, 2015
Religious identity used to be “inherited.” “Cradle Catholic” is shorthand for born into the faith; within Judaism, the faith is passed through a Jewish mother to her children unless they grow up to proclaim a different religion.
But children don’t just inherit parents’ spirituality, says psychologist Lisa Miller in her new book, “The Spiritual Child.” She writes that the essential sense of a transcendent power in the world–one that will love, guide and accept them and wrap them in a protective layer of self-worth–has to be nurtured.
And for that, call (and thank) your mom or grandmom.
Miller, professor and director of clinical psychology at the Teachers College of Columbia University, scrupulously uses the neutral reference to “parents” throughout “The Spiritual Child.” But sorry, fellas, her research and narrative examples are replete with women in a book released just in time for Mother’s Day.
“Science shows women are central to the spiritual development of children and that their sense of connection to a God or higher power is the cornerstone of psychological thriving and resilience across their life span,” Miller said in an interview.
“Children get plenty of good things from dad, but it’s the mother whose spiritual practices and observances really impact both daughters and sons, particularly daughters,” she said. Miller’s studies found children with a spiritual connection at a young age were “90 percent less likely to be depressed” as teens or young adults.
This does not necessarily mean a forced march to a house of worship–which can be a complicated command for many interfaith couples who often compromise by making no religious choice at all. Miller sees no advantages in organized, branded religions–particularly ones that minimize women’s roles, which her research showed “gave no benefit” to women’s spiritual and psychological well-being.
The key is to “figure out how you pray,” said Miller, with an emphasis on the personal.
“It’s less important which religious tradition you observe if your children hear you speak authentically about spirituality and your own relationship to the creator and you let them know the spiritual life is as real as the earth under our feet: We stand on it and we count on it,” said Miller.
Miller, 48, who is Jewish, said she grew up in the Midwest in a community where, she said, “spirituality was in the water. We knew we were born spiritual. It was based on love and on relationships.”
Religious identity used to be “inherited.” “Cradle Catholic” is shorthand for born into the faith; within Judaism, the faith is passed through a Jewish mother to her children unless they grow up to proclaim a different religion.
But children don’t just inherit parents’ spirituality, says psychologist Lisa Miller in her new book, “The Spiritual Child.” She writes that the essential sense of a transcendent power in the world–one that will love, guide and accept them and wrap them in a protective layer of self-worth–has to be nurtured.
And for that, call (and thank) your mom or grandmom.
Miller, professor and director of clinical psychology at the Teachers College of Columbia University, scrupulously uses the neutral reference to “parents” throughout “The Spiritual Child.” But sorry, fellas, her research and narrative examples are replete with women in a book released just in time for Mother’s Day.
“Science shows women are central to the spiritual development of children and that their sense of connection to a God or higher power is the cornerstone of psychological thriving and resilience across their life span,” Miller said in an interview.
“Children get plenty of good things from dad, but it’s the mother whose spiritual practices and observances really impact both daughters and sons, particularly daughters,” she said. Miller’s studies found children with a spiritual connection at a young age were “90 percent less likely to be depressed” as teens or young adults.
This does not necessarily mean a forced march to a house of worship–which can be a complicated command for many interfaith couples who often compromise by making no religious choice at all. Miller sees no advantages in organized, branded religions–particularly ones that minimize women’s roles, which her research showed “gave no benefit” to women’s spiritual and psychological well-being.
The key is to “figure out how you pray,” said Miller, with an emphasis on the personal.
“It’s less important which religious tradition you observe if your children hear you speak authentically about spirituality and your own relationship to the creator and you let them know the spiritual life is as real as the earth under our feet: We stand on it and we count on it,” said Miller.
Miller, 48, who is Jewish, said she grew up in the Midwest in a community where, she said, “spirituality was in the water. We knew we were born spiritual. It was based on love and on relationships.”
Wednesday, May 13, 2015
The Secret Life of Timothy McVeigh (video)
Oklahoma Bombing
Timothy McVeigh. We have been told so much about him, the Oklahoma City bombing, and what it meant for America. But what if it’s all a lie? Join us today for this special Corbett Report podcast documentary as we examine the multiple trucks, multiple bombs, government informants, faked executions and other pieces of information suggesting that McVeigh […]
Timothy McVeigh. We have been told so much about him, the Oklahoma City bombing, and what it meant for America. But what if it’s all a lie? Join us today for this special Corbett Report podcast documentary as we examine the multiple trucks, multiple bombs, government informants, faked executions and other pieces of information suggesting that McVeigh […]
Atheists Express Their Intolerance and Hatred of Anything Christian
Ken Ham AIG
Well, atheist groups are again showing their intolerance for anything—or anyone!—Christian. A friend of our ministry, Eric Hovind of Creation Today, recently spoke in a public high school debate class in Georgia on critical thinking. Well, an atheist group, the Freedom from Religion Foundation (FFRF), is “requesting an investigation into Hovind’s appearance.”
Apparently, a lawyer from FFRF wrote a letter to the school stating, “It is unconstitutional and completely inappropriate for TCCHS to host a fundamentalist Christian speaker whose sole purpose and goal is the promotion of biblical creationism . . . . It is difficult for us to understand how this presentation could have been approved . . . . Your community undoubtedly includes many people who have professional experience . . . to discuss ‘critical thinking’ with students interested in debate, and whose presence would not violate clear constitutional dictates.” This lawyer is reportedly claiming that having Eric come to the public school and speak is a violation of the First Amendment.
Now, to claim that Eric can’t speak in a public school about critical thinking simply because he is a Christian/creationist is absolutely ridiculous. Christians are not second-class citizens barred from participating in society or from speaking in the public sphere. In no way is having a Christian give a lecture on critical thinking a violation of the First Amendment. If FFRF wants to claim that Christians can’t speak on critical thinking, then neither can they! But this is the type of intimidation these secular groups are often using to try to inhibit Christians from speaking out in this country. Really, such secular groups want freedom of speech as long it is their own! They want freedom of religion as long as it is their own religion (i.e., the worldview of naturalism and humanism I mention below)! They want the free exercise of religion as long as it is only for them!
You see, anytime that atheists or other secular humanists are speaking in the public sphere or in a school, they are promoting religion. They are teaching students that the universe and all life came about through natural processes. Naturalism is atheism. Atheism or secular humanism is no less a religion than Christianity is. It is a set of beliefs through which they view and interpret the world that they cling to with blind faith and ardor—it’s a religion. In fact, in some places humanism is even officially categorized as a religion. Those at FFRF and similar organizations are just as religious and fundamental as Eric or any other Christian! So if Christians can’t speak on critical thinking in the classroom then neither can atheists, agnostics, or other humanists! Virtually, no one would be able to speak in a classroom—including the teacher!
.FFRF can’t stand a Christian even being allowed to give a lecture on critical thinking! What are they so afraid of? All that FFRF’s complaint does is show their hatred of anything Christian. The organization would better be called the “Freedom from Christianity Foundation”—because that is their true motivation in what they strive for.
They know in their hearts that God exists, but they are actively suppressing this belief in unrighteousness (Romans 1:18). They fight so hard against a God that they claim doesn’t even exist because they know that He really does! We need to pray that, instead of fighting against God, these lost individuals will repent and put their faith and trust in Christ and in what He did for them.
If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. (Romans 10:9)
Thanks for stopping by and thanks for praying,
Ken
This item was written with the assistance of AiG’s research team.
Well, atheist groups are again showing their intolerance for anything—or anyone!—Christian. A friend of our ministry, Eric Hovind of Creation Today, recently spoke in a public high school debate class in Georgia on critical thinking. Well, an atheist group, the Freedom from Religion Foundation (FFRF), is “requesting an investigation into Hovind’s appearance.”
Apparently, a lawyer from FFRF wrote a letter to the school stating, “It is unconstitutional and completely inappropriate for TCCHS to host a fundamentalist Christian speaker whose sole purpose and goal is the promotion of biblical creationism . . . . It is difficult for us to understand how this presentation could have been approved . . . . Your community undoubtedly includes many people who have professional experience . . . to discuss ‘critical thinking’ with students interested in debate, and whose presence would not violate clear constitutional dictates.” This lawyer is reportedly claiming that having Eric come to the public school and speak is a violation of the First Amendment.
Now, to claim that Eric can’t speak in a public school about critical thinking simply because he is a Christian/creationist is absolutely ridiculous. Christians are not second-class citizens barred from participating in society or from speaking in the public sphere. In no way is having a Christian give a lecture on critical thinking a violation of the First Amendment. If FFRF wants to claim that Christians can’t speak on critical thinking, then neither can they! But this is the type of intimidation these secular groups are often using to try to inhibit Christians from speaking out in this country. Really, such secular groups want freedom of speech as long it is their own! They want freedom of religion as long as it is their own religion (i.e., the worldview of naturalism and humanism I mention below)! They want the free exercise of religion as long as it is only for them!
You see, anytime that atheists or other secular humanists are speaking in the public sphere or in a school, they are promoting religion. They are teaching students that the universe and all life came about through natural processes. Naturalism is atheism. Atheism or secular humanism is no less a religion than Christianity is. It is a set of beliefs through which they view and interpret the world that they cling to with blind faith and ardor—it’s a religion. In fact, in some places humanism is even officially categorized as a religion. Those at FFRF and similar organizations are just as religious and fundamental as Eric or any other Christian! So if Christians can’t speak on critical thinking in the classroom then neither can atheists, agnostics, or other humanists! Virtually, no one would be able to speak in a classroom—including the teacher!
.FFRF can’t stand a Christian even being allowed to give a lecture on critical thinking! What are they so afraid of? All that FFRF’s complaint does is show their hatred of anything Christian. The organization would better be called the “Freedom from Christianity Foundation”—because that is their true motivation in what they strive for.
They know in their hearts that God exists, but they are actively suppressing this belief in unrighteousness (Romans 1:18). They fight so hard against a God that they claim doesn’t even exist because they know that He really does! We need to pray that, instead of fighting against God, these lost individuals will repent and put their faith and trust in Christ and in what He did for them.
If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. (Romans 10:9)
Thanks for stopping by and thanks for praying,
Ken
This item was written with the assistance of AiG’s research team.
Interpretations and Priorities
http://directors.tfionline.com/post/interpretations-and-priorities/
By P Amsterdam
Maria and I recently received several emails asking for our opinion on a set of two letters written and circulated by a TFI member regarding the 70th week of Daniel. This brother puts forth the possibility that there is no gap between the 69th and 70th weeks in the prophecy of Daniel chapter 9, and that Jesus already fulfilled those things foretold to happen before the end. This interpretation differs from the teachings of David and many other Bible interpreters about the 70th week representing the last seven years before Jesus returns. Before going further, I want to say that while I don’t necessarily agree with the interpretation put forth in these letters, I thought the presentation was well thought out and demonstrated humility. Also, those members who wrote us and asked what we thought did so with an open mind.
As we have said before, neither Maria nor I are experts on endtime scripture and interpretation. Of course, I sat in on many of David’s endtime classes and talks over the years, and have read all of his writings on the subject; but the endtime is not my main focus or expertise, as it is for some TFI members.
Having said that, after reading the two-part explanation in question regarding the 70 weeks, I was intrigued. It sounded interesting, so I did some of my own research. I read some of what David said about the 70th week, looked up material in the books I have available, as well as searched for scholarly material online in order to see what different interpretations are put forth by religious scholars.
Without going into a lot of detail, there seem to be five main views put forward by Bible interpreters regarding the interpretation of Daniel 9:27:
The view which sees the 70weeks of Daniel as fulfilled in 164 BC when Judas Maccabeus cleansed the Jewish temple.
The view of Jewish scholars that the 70th week was fulfilled in the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD.
That the 70th week of Daniel is an indefinite period, beginning with Christ but extending the final fulfillment of the eternal state.
That the 70th seven represents seven literal years, beginning with the public ministry of Christ and ending about three and a half years after His death.
That there is a time gap between the 69th and the 70th week, and that the 70th week begins when a covenant is made between the “prince that shall come” (the Antichrist) and “the many” (the people of Israel). Three and half years later the covenant is broken, resulting in the desecration of the future Jewish temple and the stopping of sacrifices, which brings on the Great Tribulation.
The first four views, for the most part, present the concept that the fulfillment of the 70 weeks has already happened. The fifth view, which David taught, has the 70th week happening in the future. As far as I can tell, the view put forth by the Family brother is number four.
This brother’s explanation is presented well and seems to be in alignment with the Bible scholars who hold to the same interpretation. David’s interpretation is in alignment with number five and, from what I can tell, the majority of Bible scholars agree with this position. After researching and reading up on the various positions, I am in agreement with number five.
If you are unsure which interpretation to hold to, I would suggest you do some personal study and research yourself, in order to better understand the different interpretations. And, while you may disagree with someone else’s interpretation, it’s best to accept that they have a different point of view and to refrain from becoming judgmental and argumentative about it.
Something I have been made keenly aware of while writing series like The Heart of It All, The Stories Jesus Told, and now Jesus—His Life and Message is the extent to which Christians have varying interpretations of Scripture. There are brilliant Christian authors, theologians, teachers, preachers, evangelists, and Bible commentators who are tops in their fields, who disagree with one another’s interpretations. Even when they agree on the core beliefs of our Christian faith, they may have different outlooks on what this or that passage means. I come across this on a regular basis. I consult about 50 books when researching my posts on the Gospels, and while these authors agree on much, they often have differing explanations. And each side usually has good, clear, well-documented reasons for believing as they do.
Thankfully, many Christians understand that everything in Scripture isn’t “mission critical” to the fundamental message of the Bible. There are some things which are of lesser importance, and how you interpret these parts of Scripture has no effect on the fact that Jesus died for the sins of humanity and that through His death salvation is available to those who receive Him as their Savior.
Centuries ago, disputes over differences in doctrine led to Christians killing other Christians. Thankfully, those days are long gone. While in some countries preachers spend a lot of their time castigating other Christians with whom they disagree, and teaching others to do the same, for the most part, Christians today generally recognize that beyond the basic creeds that all Christians believe, there will be differing interpretations of some parts of Scripture, and that’s okay.
I have a Christian friend who believes in predestination. I disagree with him on this issue. I believe that individuals can make the choice of whether to accept or reject Jesus as their Savior; he believes that God has chosen those who will be saved, and those chosen can’t refuse while those not chosen can’t be saved. This is basic Reformed theology, and he has shown me from Scripture why he believes as he does, and likewise I have shown him from Scripture why I disagree.
However, despite our differing theological views, I consider him to be a dedicated Christian who loves the Lord, witnesses, and does his best to live according to God’s Word. I think he feels the same way about me, so we simply agree to disagree on this one matter. Regardless of the right interpretation of Scripture, the fact remains that salvation comes through Jesus. We both agree on that point. Our differing opinions of how to interpret certain scriptures don’t make a difference regarding the core of what we both understand, that those who believe in Jesus and receive Him as their Savior will be saved.
There are numerous other examples of points which Christians disagree on, such as whether or not you have to be baptized; and if you need to be baptized, do you have to be fully immersed or just have water sprinkled over your head? Does one become filled with the Holy Spirit upon getting saved, or only when one specifically prays to receive the Holy Spirit? There is the difference between cessationist and continuationist belief—with continuationists believing that all the gifts of the Holy Spirit are in operation, and the cessationists believing that the miraculous gifts—such as tongues, healing, prophecy, and miracles—have come to an end.
Even among continuationists there are disagreements, such as regarding the gift of healing. While continuationists believe that the gift of healing functions within Christianity today and that God miraculously heals, there is some difference in belief regarding whether God will miraculously heal in every instance. There are also disagreements between new and old earth creationist views, as well as the question of whether salvation is eternal or can be lost. Clearly, between Bible-believing, Jesus-loving, witnessing individuals who are dedicated to the teachings of Scripture, there are differences of opinion on some points of doctrine.
When I look at the presentations about whether Jesus already fulfilled the 70th week, or whether the Antichrist is going to sign a covenant which will usher in the 70th week that will begin the last seven years before the rapture, clearly both of these interpretations can’t be right. But frankly, in the overall picture of living according to Jesus’ teachings and trying to follow Him, I don’t think that this detail matters so very much.
What we know is that the Bible tells us that Jesus will return, that the dead in Christ will rise first, and then those who are alive will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord.1 The exact timing and the interpretation of how the events will unfold are secondary to the biblical truth that Jesus will return. As David often pointed out in his teachings on the endtime, we cannot know for certain or be dogmatic about details regarding the timing of Jesus’ Second Coming, the events surrounding it, and other details of the prophecies and how they will play out.
While we may or may not be alive to see the events of the endtime, we know that when our own life comes to an end, we will stand before the Lord and give account for how we lived. This should help us stay focused on the majors. So while trying to understand biblical prophecies regarding the future, Christ’s return, the Millennium, and the new heaven and earth is exciting, interesting, and worthwhile, I feel it should be secondary to doing our best to live our faith in our daily lives.
We may feel strongly about a certain doctrine, as my Reformed friend does about predestination, or as I do against that doctrine. But since we are both able to use Scripture to defend our position, we must both humbly admit that this is something we won’t know definitively until we are with the Lord.
I believe that if he and I were to become angry with each other, or if we were to speak negatively of each other because we don’t agree on secondary doctrine, we would be acting in a very un-Christlike manner. I feel that when such things happen, it hurts the cause of Christ. If I were to gather with other believers and speak against my friend and his belief; or if I were speaking with others who believe as he does and I were to go out of my way to show them how I feel they are in error and try to convince them that they are wrong; if I were to become so adamant about my beliefs that I criticized him verbally to others or in my heart; then I should seriously question whether I was truly living in accordance with Christ’s teachings. (To clarify, I’m not speaking about standing up to someone who is preaching outright false doctrine; that, if necessary, should be done—still with love and humility. I’m referring here to positions regarding minor doctrine on which many Christians disagree, as mentioned above.)
It is spiritually unhealthy to have an attitude of absolute certainty when it comes to secondary doctrines. Whenever we exhibit deep dogmatism, it breeds intolerance and judgment, which are the opposite of Christlikeness. Dogmatism is generally harsh and condemning. It is usually arrogant and repellent. It pushes people away rather than drawing them close. When we are dogmatic we become rigid, which leads to being critical of those who don’t agree with us, and creates an “us against them” scenario that hurts the cause of Christ. When we find ourselves spending time in heated face-to-face or email discussions on secondary points of doctrine, it distracts us and can easily drive us away from the more important aspects of our faith, such as applying Jesus’ teachings in our day-to-day lives or reaching others with the Gospel. It damages our testimony as Christians when we exhibit such a lack of love and tolerance.
As I said earlier, those who presented the question regarding the 70 weeks did so in a non-dogmatic way and with a humble attitude. Likewise, those who have written us asking for our view on the matter did so in a loving and open manner. I was inspired to see their Christian maturity, their understanding that others may disagree with them, and their lack of dogmatism. As Christians, it’s healthy for us to walk humbly, to realize that some of our personal beliefs will differ from those of other believers, and that some of our interpretations of secondary doctrine may be wrong. We’re all Christians, we believe the same things regarding the core of our faith, and we should show love and respect for those who may not interpret some scriptures the same way we do.
As the beautiful “love chapter” says:
If I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing … As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away … For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known. So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.2
1 1 Thessalonians 4:16–17.
2 1 Corinthians 13:2, 8–10, 12–13 ESV.
O Quanto Deus Se Importa?
http://anchor.tfionline.com/pt/post/o-quanto-deus-se-importa/
P Amsterdam
P Amsterdam
Em questão de uma semana, ouvi três pessoas dizerem três coisas diferentes, mas interligadas, que me fizeram pensar na minha interação com Deus e Sua participação na minha vida.
A primeira pessoa disse que não sabia se Deus realmente Se importava com o que fazemos, que talvez não esteja interessado nas decisões que tomamos, além da Salvação. Disse que talvez a maioria das nossas escolhas não fazia diferença para Ele, principalmente as corriqueiras.
A segunda pessoa disse que tinha ouvido um palestrante em um podcast dizer que Deus só intervém depois que chegamos ao limite e não temos mais nenhum outro meio de descobrir a Sua vontade. Segundo ele, Deus espera que usemos todos os recursos disponÃveis e façamos tudo o que podemos, antes de Se envolver.
A terceira pessoa mencionou que depois de criar o mundo, Deus fez como um relojoeiro, montou o relógio, deu corda e o largou para funcionar por conta própria. Deus criou o mundo e as leis da natureza, e depois deixou tudo funcionar sem intervenção ou envolvimento da Sua parte.
Fiquei pensando nesses comentários por alguns dias, porque essa maneira de ver as coisas me incomodou. Algo dentro de mim se recusava a aceitar que Deus não Se importava nem queria participar da minha vida, ou que receber Sua atenção exigia tanto empenho que nem parecia valer a pena.
Se algum desses três conceitos é verdadeiro, eu não precisaria de Deus para mais nada a não ser a Salvação. De que adiantaria Deus para mim? Nos momentos de conflitos, na hora da necessidade de orientação, preciso ter certeza que Ele pode me ajudar, e não ficar me indagando se Ele Se importa ou vai Se envolver. — Ou quão ruins as coisas precisam ficar para Ele agir.
Remoendo esses três pontos de vista, lembrei-me que Deus interveio na minha vida em diferentes ocasiões, deixando claro que estava interessado nas minhas decisões. Há muitos anos, tive um sonho no qual recebi a resposta antes sequer de saber qual era a pergunta. O sonho foi alguns dias antes de me serem oferecidos dois serviços. Ficou bem claro que oferta eu devia aceitar, o que me colocou no caminho do meu trabalho principal para o Senhor.
Em inúmeras ocasiões busquei e recebi a orientação do Senhor. Orei e encontrei soluções. Pedi a Deus para me responder e Ele me atendeu: falando comigo em profecia, falando ao meu coração, durante a leitura da Palavra, e por meios de circunstâncias. Ele me deu conselhos e orientações claros que funcionaram. Eu sei, por experiência pessoal, que Deus Se importa, está interessado em mim e intervém na minha vida.
O Antigo e o Novo Testamento contêm diversos exemplos da interação de Deus com o homem, Sua intervenção, orientação e conselhos, bem como instruções e avisos.
A BÃblia diz explicitamente que devemos buscar a orientação divina antes de uma decisão, e se o fizermos, Ele nos mostrará:
Reconhece-o em todos os teus caminhos, e ele endireitará as tuas veredas.[1]
Instruir-te-ei e ensinar-te-ei o caminho que deves seguir; guiar-te-ei com os meus olhos.[2]
A fé de Davi na orientação divina fica clara na sua oração nos Salmos, “Faze-me saber o caminho que devo seguir, porque a ti levanto a minha alma.”[3]
Jesus disse que se precisamos de algo, devemos pedir:
Peçam, e lhes será dado; busquem, e encontrarão; batam, e a porta lhes será aberta.[4]
Quando Jesus ia escolher os apóstolos entre Seus discÃpulos, fica evidente que Ele acreditava que Seu Pai O guiaria nas decisões:
E aconteceu que, naqueles dias, subiu ao monte a orar e passou a noite em oração a Deus. E, quando já era dia, chamou a si os seus discÃpulos, e escolheu doze deles, a quem também deu o nome de apóstolos.[5]
As Escrituras deixam claro que Deus quer e intervirá se nós assim desejarmos.
Jesus também prometeu que, quando Se ausentasse fisicamente, o Pai enviaria o EspÃrito Santo para habitar entre os que criam. Ele disse que o EspÃrito Santo viveria em nós.
E eu pedirei ao Pai, e ele lhes dará outro Conselheiro para estar com vocês para sempre, o EspÃrito da verdade. O mundo não pode recebê-lo, porque não o vê nem o conhece. Mas vocês o conhecem, pois ele vive com vocês e estará em vocês. Naquele dia compreenderão que estou em meu Pai, vocês em mim, e eu em vocês.[6]
Se Deus ia enviar o Seu EspÃrito para habitar comigo para sempre, então faz sentido Ele estar interessado em mim pessoalmente, no que faço e nas decisões que tomo. Eu diria que Ele na verdade está bem interessado. E não apenas interessado, mas envolvido.
Vejo evidência suficiente do desejo de Deus de participar da minha vida ativamente, até de forma interativa. Nós dois estamos trabalhando juntos. O Seu EspÃrito habitando em mim, guiando minhas decisões, me ajuda na jornada na vida.
Em diversas versões traduzidas da BÃblia, a palavra “conselheiro” que é usada para se referir ao EspÃrito Santo é reconhecida como Ajudante. Gosto dessa perspectiva de ter o EspÃrito de Deus para me ajudar. Adoro o fato de que Deus participa ativamente da minha vida, está interessado em mim, em quem sou e no que faço.
Estou muito agradecido por Ele não ter simplesmente dado corda em mim e Se afastado. Pelo contrário, deu-me meios de interagir com Ele por meio da Palavra e do Seu EspÃrito. Adoro o fato do Seu EspÃrito habitar em mim.
Publicado originalmente em setembro de 2010. Adaptado e republicado em abril de 2015.
[1] Provérbios 3:6.
[2] Salmo 32:8.
[3] Salmo 143:8.
[4] Mateus 7:7–8 NVI.
[5] Lucas 6:12–13.
[6] João 14:16–17,20 NVI.
A primeira pessoa disse que não sabia se Deus realmente Se importava com o que fazemos, que talvez não esteja interessado nas decisões que tomamos, além da Salvação. Disse que talvez a maioria das nossas escolhas não fazia diferença para Ele, principalmente as corriqueiras.
A segunda pessoa disse que tinha ouvido um palestrante em um podcast dizer que Deus só intervém depois que chegamos ao limite e não temos mais nenhum outro meio de descobrir a Sua vontade. Segundo ele, Deus espera que usemos todos os recursos disponÃveis e façamos tudo o que podemos, antes de Se envolver.
A terceira pessoa mencionou que depois de criar o mundo, Deus fez como um relojoeiro, montou o relógio, deu corda e o largou para funcionar por conta própria. Deus criou o mundo e as leis da natureza, e depois deixou tudo funcionar sem intervenção ou envolvimento da Sua parte.
Fiquei pensando nesses comentários por alguns dias, porque essa maneira de ver as coisas me incomodou. Algo dentro de mim se recusava a aceitar que Deus não Se importava nem queria participar da minha vida, ou que receber Sua atenção exigia tanto empenho que nem parecia valer a pena.
Se algum desses três conceitos é verdadeiro, eu não precisaria de Deus para mais nada a não ser a Salvação. De que adiantaria Deus para mim? Nos momentos de conflitos, na hora da necessidade de orientação, preciso ter certeza que Ele pode me ajudar, e não ficar me indagando se Ele Se importa ou vai Se envolver. — Ou quão ruins as coisas precisam ficar para Ele agir.
Remoendo esses três pontos de vista, lembrei-me que Deus interveio na minha vida em diferentes ocasiões, deixando claro que estava interessado nas minhas decisões. Há muitos anos, tive um sonho no qual recebi a resposta antes sequer de saber qual era a pergunta. O sonho foi alguns dias antes de me serem oferecidos dois serviços. Ficou bem claro que oferta eu devia aceitar, o que me colocou no caminho do meu trabalho principal para o Senhor.
Em inúmeras ocasiões busquei e recebi a orientação do Senhor. Orei e encontrei soluções. Pedi a Deus para me responder e Ele me atendeu: falando comigo em profecia, falando ao meu coração, durante a leitura da Palavra, e por meios de circunstâncias. Ele me deu conselhos e orientações claros que funcionaram. Eu sei, por experiência pessoal, que Deus Se importa, está interessado em mim e intervém na minha vida.
O Antigo e o Novo Testamento contêm diversos exemplos da interação de Deus com o homem, Sua intervenção, orientação e conselhos, bem como instruções e avisos.
A BÃblia diz explicitamente que devemos buscar a orientação divina antes de uma decisão, e se o fizermos, Ele nos mostrará:
Reconhece-o em todos os teus caminhos, e ele endireitará as tuas veredas.[1]
Instruir-te-ei e ensinar-te-ei o caminho que deves seguir; guiar-te-ei com os meus olhos.[2]
A fé de Davi na orientação divina fica clara na sua oração nos Salmos, “Faze-me saber o caminho que devo seguir, porque a ti levanto a minha alma.”[3]
Jesus disse que se precisamos de algo, devemos pedir:
Peçam, e lhes será dado; busquem, e encontrarão; batam, e a porta lhes será aberta.[4]
Quando Jesus ia escolher os apóstolos entre Seus discÃpulos, fica evidente que Ele acreditava que Seu Pai O guiaria nas decisões:
E aconteceu que, naqueles dias, subiu ao monte a orar e passou a noite em oração a Deus. E, quando já era dia, chamou a si os seus discÃpulos, e escolheu doze deles, a quem também deu o nome de apóstolos.[5]
As Escrituras deixam claro que Deus quer e intervirá se nós assim desejarmos.
Jesus também prometeu que, quando Se ausentasse fisicamente, o Pai enviaria o EspÃrito Santo para habitar entre os que criam. Ele disse que o EspÃrito Santo viveria em nós.
E eu pedirei ao Pai, e ele lhes dará outro Conselheiro para estar com vocês para sempre, o EspÃrito da verdade. O mundo não pode recebê-lo, porque não o vê nem o conhece. Mas vocês o conhecem, pois ele vive com vocês e estará em vocês. Naquele dia compreenderão que estou em meu Pai, vocês em mim, e eu em vocês.[6]
Se Deus ia enviar o Seu EspÃrito para habitar comigo para sempre, então faz sentido Ele estar interessado em mim pessoalmente, no que faço e nas decisões que tomo. Eu diria que Ele na verdade está bem interessado. E não apenas interessado, mas envolvido.
Vejo evidência suficiente do desejo de Deus de participar da minha vida ativamente, até de forma interativa. Nós dois estamos trabalhando juntos. O Seu EspÃrito habitando em mim, guiando minhas decisões, me ajuda na jornada na vida.
Em diversas versões traduzidas da BÃblia, a palavra “conselheiro” que é usada para se referir ao EspÃrito Santo é reconhecida como Ajudante. Gosto dessa perspectiva de ter o EspÃrito de Deus para me ajudar. Adoro o fato de que Deus participa ativamente da minha vida, está interessado em mim, em quem sou e no que faço.
Estou muito agradecido por Ele não ter simplesmente dado corda em mim e Se afastado. Pelo contrário, deu-me meios de interagir com Ele por meio da Palavra e do Seu EspÃrito. Adoro o fato do Seu EspÃrito habitar em mim.
Publicado originalmente em setembro de 2010. Adaptado e republicado em abril de 2015.
[1] Provérbios 3:6.
[2] Salmo 32:8.
[3] Salmo 143:8.
[4] Mateus 7:7–8 NVI.
[5] Lucas 6:12–13.
[6] João 14:16–17,20 NVI.
My Life. My Choices. My Future.
http://anchor.tfionline.com/post/my-life-my-choices-my-future/
By Natalie Brooks
I’ve been thinking a lot lately about change. Maybe it’s because I feel the need for change in my life, but for some reason I feel stuck. I feel like something is holding me back. I spent some time in prayer, meditation, and journaling. These are my thoughts on the subject.
If you or I want to change our lives, it’s not easy. Change is a killer.
On the one hand, we know in this modern day there are a lot of opportunities available where we can blaze a new trail, learn a new skill, or even start a new career, if we want to. We’ve all probably heard some of these familiar sayings:
The world is your oyster.
There are no limits.
The word impossible is not in my dictionary.
Never give up.
If you can dream it, you can do it.
The best way to know the future is to invent it.
Success is 1% inspiration and 99% perspiration.
Those might be pretty good points, but I end up thinking, “Yeah, right.”
Then I thought I’d bring some truth to the table that I trust; in fact, that I can stake my life on:
Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”1
God is faithful, who has called you into fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.2
But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.3
And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work.4
He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.5
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us.6
What is impossible with men is possible with God.7
He set himself to seek God … and as long as he sought the LORD, God made him prosper.8
In my heart I feel greatly blessed because I have a personal relationship with Jesus, I know that God loves me, and I have the source of truth in my hands with the Bible and other godly materials. I have unique life experience from years of living by faith and preaching the gospel. I believe I have much to offer the world, and I should be able to take advantage of the many opportunities around me to serve, give back, find fulfillment, and chart a path toward a legacy that will make my loved ones and Jesus proud of me.
If I have all this, why is it then that sometimes my “reality” is not what I just described? Sometimes I feel small, forgotten, lost, or as if I’m drifting almost aimlessly. In my heart and mind I know I’ve been blessed and have knowledge, understanding, faith, and valuable spiritual gifts. But sometimes I just can’t put it all together to somehow make those gifts work for me.
I don’t know if others can relate to this, or if anyone else has been desperately looking for more, needing to reach out, needing a greater sense of belonging, needing a better career and more money, needing to make changes in health habits and relationships … and the list goes on.
I have found that the longer I have felt this way, the worse it becomes, until eventually I start to wonder if I’ll ever find that path to a better life, a deeper relationship, a healthier lifestyle. When I feel stuck or unsure or unsatisfied with where I am today, it can be confusing or frustrating to try to “fix it” or even to know where to start.
Then I came to a conclusion that was helpful for me: This is my life. It is what I make it.
That might seem so basic, but somehow that brought clarity to me.
My realization was that I have to take ownership of my life. I have to accept without excuses or justifications: This is MY LIFE. No one can change it for me. No one can make my decisions for me. No one can take action for me.
But there are many obstacles that weigh me down and keep me stuck. I made a list of a few of them.
Inertia is one. It’s easier to keep doing what I’m doing than to change. It takes energy, sacrifice, and movement to change the trajectory of my life. Without focused determination to change, I know I will naturally stay on my current path.
Fear is another. Fear of failure, fear of embarrassment, fear of success, fear of loss, fear of too much hard work. All that fear can be paralyzing. I think fear makes us convince ourselves that what we have right now is not that bad; it’s not worth the risk to change.
Procrastination is another. Putting things off until tomorrow is a recipe for stagnation.
The expectations of others are also an obstacle. How I think people see me can hold me back from making changes and venturing into unknown territory. I am trying to remind myself that I will stand before the Lord alone. I won’t be judged or blessed according to what others thought I should do; God will look at what I actually did, how I lived my life. That is ultimately my responsibility and mine alone.
Lack of clarity is another. Maybe you’re feeling this too. Perhaps you sense in your spirit that you need to change your life. Maybe you’re feeling restless or uneasy. Like me, you might have a gut sense that there’s something new and better that the Lord has for you. But you’re not sure what direction to go or what to do, so you wait. I’ve done that. But I think the key is to do something. As we move ahead, we’ll find clarity.
It takes courage to own your life and take full responsibility.
It takes courage to follow God.
It takes courage to change and to make different choices.
It takes courage to take risks.
It takes courage to live life in sync with our highest aspirations, rather than succumbing to mediocrity.
It takes courage to go deeper and grow into the people we want to be, rather than hiding behind excuses or blaming others.
It takes courage to live the truth and be the truest expression of who God wants us to be.
It takes courage to stay the course and weather the storms that will inevitably come once we’ve made a change.
I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.—Nelson Mandela
Man cannot discover new oceans unless he has courage to lose sight of the shore.—Andre Gide
Once we take ownership of our lives and our future, and once we muster up the courage to acknowledge what needs to change, then the next inevitable and irreplaceable step is to take action. There can be no progress or change without action. If we want to change any aspect of our lives, it’s up to us as individuals to just do it.
As Mother Teresa said, “Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow has not yet come. We have only today. Let us begin.” Today is all we have, and the action we take today is creating our life, our legacy.
It is important that you get clear for yourself that your only access to impacting life is action. The world does not care what you intend, how committed you are, how you feel or what you think, and certainly it has no interest in what you want and don’t want. Take a look at life as it is lived and see for yourself that the world only moves for you when you act.—Werner Erhard
There is no substitute for hard work.—Thomas Edison
So the challenge I face is not complicated:
Take ownership of my life.
Recognize the obstacles that I’m facing or that are keeping me stuck.
Have courage.
Take action.
When we take hold of our life choices, face whatever has been stopping us, and ask God for the courage to take action to fulfill our dreams, we can rest assured that we are not alone. God is for us. As one of my favorite verses says:
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”9
God can’t live my life for me, but if I will take a step in the right direction, He will be there for me. He will fulfill His promises. He will answer my prayers. That’s when those Bible promises come to life, and they represent real power!
When God moves on our behalf, then we can see the fulfillment of our dreams and live the life we were created to live. God is FOR us!
1 Matthew 19:26 NIV.
2 1 Corinthians 1:9 NIV.
3 Philippians 4:19 KJV.
4 2 Corinthians 9:8 KJV.
5 Romans 4:20–21 KJV.
6 Ephesians 3:20 NIV.
7 Luke 18:27 ESV.
8 2 Chronicles 26:5 ESV.
9 Jeremiah 29:11 NIV.
By Natalie Brooks
I’ve been thinking a lot lately about change. Maybe it’s because I feel the need for change in my life, but for some reason I feel stuck. I feel like something is holding me back. I spent some time in prayer, meditation, and journaling. These are my thoughts on the subject.
If you or I want to change our lives, it’s not easy. Change is a killer.
On the one hand, we know in this modern day there are a lot of opportunities available where we can blaze a new trail, learn a new skill, or even start a new career, if we want to. We’ve all probably heard some of these familiar sayings:
The world is your oyster.
There are no limits.
The word impossible is not in my dictionary.
Never give up.
If you can dream it, you can do it.
The best way to know the future is to invent it.
Success is 1% inspiration and 99% perspiration.
Those might be pretty good points, but I end up thinking, “Yeah, right.”
Then I thought I’d bring some truth to the table that I trust; in fact, that I can stake my life on:
Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”1
God is faithful, who has called you into fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.2
But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.3
And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work.4
He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.5
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us.6
What is impossible with men is possible with God.7
He set himself to seek God … and as long as he sought the LORD, God made him prosper.8
In my heart I feel greatly blessed because I have a personal relationship with Jesus, I know that God loves me, and I have the source of truth in my hands with the Bible and other godly materials. I have unique life experience from years of living by faith and preaching the gospel. I believe I have much to offer the world, and I should be able to take advantage of the many opportunities around me to serve, give back, find fulfillment, and chart a path toward a legacy that will make my loved ones and Jesus proud of me.
If I have all this, why is it then that sometimes my “reality” is not what I just described? Sometimes I feel small, forgotten, lost, or as if I’m drifting almost aimlessly. In my heart and mind I know I’ve been blessed and have knowledge, understanding, faith, and valuable spiritual gifts. But sometimes I just can’t put it all together to somehow make those gifts work for me.
I don’t know if others can relate to this, or if anyone else has been desperately looking for more, needing to reach out, needing a greater sense of belonging, needing a better career and more money, needing to make changes in health habits and relationships … and the list goes on.
I have found that the longer I have felt this way, the worse it becomes, until eventually I start to wonder if I’ll ever find that path to a better life, a deeper relationship, a healthier lifestyle. When I feel stuck or unsure or unsatisfied with where I am today, it can be confusing or frustrating to try to “fix it” or even to know where to start.
Then I came to a conclusion that was helpful for me: This is my life. It is what I make it.
That might seem so basic, but somehow that brought clarity to me.
My realization was that I have to take ownership of my life. I have to accept without excuses or justifications: This is MY LIFE. No one can change it for me. No one can make my decisions for me. No one can take action for me.
But there are many obstacles that weigh me down and keep me stuck. I made a list of a few of them.
Inertia is one. It’s easier to keep doing what I’m doing than to change. It takes energy, sacrifice, and movement to change the trajectory of my life. Without focused determination to change, I know I will naturally stay on my current path.
Fear is another. Fear of failure, fear of embarrassment, fear of success, fear of loss, fear of too much hard work. All that fear can be paralyzing. I think fear makes us convince ourselves that what we have right now is not that bad; it’s not worth the risk to change.
Procrastination is another. Putting things off until tomorrow is a recipe for stagnation.
The expectations of others are also an obstacle. How I think people see me can hold me back from making changes and venturing into unknown territory. I am trying to remind myself that I will stand before the Lord alone. I won’t be judged or blessed according to what others thought I should do; God will look at what I actually did, how I lived my life. That is ultimately my responsibility and mine alone.
Lack of clarity is another. Maybe you’re feeling this too. Perhaps you sense in your spirit that you need to change your life. Maybe you’re feeling restless or uneasy. Like me, you might have a gut sense that there’s something new and better that the Lord has for you. But you’re not sure what direction to go or what to do, so you wait. I’ve done that. But I think the key is to do something. As we move ahead, we’ll find clarity.
It takes courage to own your life and take full responsibility.
It takes courage to follow God.
It takes courage to change and to make different choices.
It takes courage to take risks.
It takes courage to live life in sync with our highest aspirations, rather than succumbing to mediocrity.
It takes courage to go deeper and grow into the people we want to be, rather than hiding behind excuses or blaming others.
It takes courage to live the truth and be the truest expression of who God wants us to be.
It takes courage to stay the course and weather the storms that will inevitably come once we’ve made a change.
I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.—Nelson Mandela
Man cannot discover new oceans unless he has courage to lose sight of the shore.—Andre Gide
Once we take ownership of our lives and our future, and once we muster up the courage to acknowledge what needs to change, then the next inevitable and irreplaceable step is to take action. There can be no progress or change without action. If we want to change any aspect of our lives, it’s up to us as individuals to just do it.
As Mother Teresa said, “Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow has not yet come. We have only today. Let us begin.” Today is all we have, and the action we take today is creating our life, our legacy.
It is important that you get clear for yourself that your only access to impacting life is action. The world does not care what you intend, how committed you are, how you feel or what you think, and certainly it has no interest in what you want and don’t want. Take a look at life as it is lived and see for yourself that the world only moves for you when you act.—Werner Erhard
There is no substitute for hard work.—Thomas Edison
So the challenge I face is not complicated:
Take ownership of my life.
Recognize the obstacles that I’m facing or that are keeping me stuck.
Have courage.
Take action.
When we take hold of our life choices, face whatever has been stopping us, and ask God for the courage to take action to fulfill our dreams, we can rest assured that we are not alone. God is for us. As one of my favorite verses says:
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”9
God can’t live my life for me, but if I will take a step in the right direction, He will be there for me. He will fulfill His promises. He will answer my prayers. That’s when those Bible promises come to life, and they represent real power!
When God moves on our behalf, then we can see the fulfillment of our dreams and live the life we were created to live. God is FOR us!
1 Matthew 19:26 NIV.
2 1 Corinthians 1:9 NIV.
3 Philippians 4:19 KJV.
4 2 Corinthians 9:8 KJV.
5 Romans 4:20–21 KJV.
6 Ephesians 3:20 NIV.
7 Luke 18:27 ESV.
8 2 Chronicles 26:5 ESV.
9 Jeremiah 29:11 NIV.
Tuesday, May 12, 2015
Confiar e Obedecer a Deus
D. Brandt Berg
http://anchor.tfionline.com/pt/post/confiar-e-obedecer-deus/
http://anchor.tfionline.com/pt/post/confiar-e-obedecer-deus/
