Getting Stronger

Getting Stronger

1 Thessalonians 3: ¹¹ May our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus prepare the way for us to come to you! ¹² May the Lord make your love for one another and for all people grow more and more and become as great as our love for you. ¹³ In this way he will strengthen you, and you will be perfect and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all who belong to him

 

============

 

“I don’t like that guy” I said to myself. I also said “I don’t like that woman” because she was associated with “that” guy. Each time I saw him or her, I would get distracted at the brazen attacks they did on people. “How am I going to protect myself? I wondered.

 

• I spent hours and hours thinking of ways to protect “my” ideas and career.
• I missed deadlines because I was so concerned with protecting myself that I forgot to do what I was supposed to do.
• I was so distracted making labels for him and her that I had no time to create new ideas.

 

Paul, Silas and Timothy send their best to the people of Thessalonica. They knew the people had faced difficulties that need a solution. The problem stemmed from church leaders and government officials persecuting people because of their belief in JESUS. They needed something to make them stronger, namely love.

 

My Observations

• Love is the strengthening source that GOD wants me to have.
• Love clears up paths that seem to be filled with barriers.
• Love enables me to, one day, become perfect and holy in the presence of GOD and FATHER when our LORD JESUS comes.

 

GOD is love. GOD is power. Love is power. Seems simple, but I don’t always take advantage of this great exercise for my soul. I mean, it is easier for me to hate other people and label him or her “wrong” versus taking the harder route of loving those who seem to hate me.

 

Love takes patience, goodness, kindness faithfulness, joy, peace, gentleness and self-control. When I exercise the fruit of the Spirit, I get stronger, because GOD’s strength is made perfect in my weakness. I diminish and HE grows. I am glad HE gives me a better way, namely love for one another.

 

Challenge

• Why do you think the writers wanted to come to the people?
• Have you ever gotten so mad or distracted by someone that you cannot think?
• Will you ask GOD for a portion of HIS love so you will become stronger and able to withstand attacks, so you will also stay on the HIS path today?

Prayer for Your Strength

Prayer for Your Strength

Colossians 1: ^11-12 May you be made strong with all the strength which comes from his glorious power, so that you may be able to endure everything with patience. And with joy give thanks to the Father, who has made you fit to have your share of what God has reserved for his people in the kingdom of light. 

 

============

 

Weakness has been a lifelong problem with me. From bullies who physically taunted me to falling for temptation to acquiescing to fear, it seemed like I had no strength to fight off foes I was supposed to.be able to withstand.

 

• I felt weak.
• I wondered “Why does GOD let people get away with things?”
• I complained “Why do YOU allow attacks, hurt and pain?”

 

Paul knew many people would question their suffering and pain. Because of his relationship with CHRIST, he was able to do amazing things, but he also had to suffer great pain. Knowing the pain he went through, he said a small prayer for those who follow GOD and are persecuted for it.

 

My Observations

• When I am weak, GOD is strong.
• Placing everything in GOD’s hands makes me strong.
• Seeking GOD’s protection helps me to let go of things that make me worry.

 

Too much ownership makes me worry which in turn causes me to take action “my” way. I mean, when I look at the thing that is in front of me, am I frustrated, or wanting “my” way or filled with fear? The answer has been “all \of the above.” BUT GOD has a remedy, “Give it to ME.”

 

No decision is too large or small for GOD. HE can withstand my sin and provide grace when I fall. HE gives me patience to not run away from difficulties and joy to endure hardship which brings thanks instead of complaints. I am thankful GOD is willing to share what HE has reserved for HIS people in the kingdom of light with me.

 

Challenge

• What strength does the writer suggest?
• Have you ever felt weak?
• Will you let go of your decisions and allow GOD to guide you so you can endure “everything with patience?”

 

Prayer

Dear LORD, please bless this reader with strength that comes from YOU. Bless this reader with endurance, patience, joy and thankfulness that YOU have made us share in YOUR kingdom of light. amen

Resilience Boot Camp

Resilience Boot Camp

Acts 20: ¹⁷ From Miletus, Paul sent to Ephesus for the elders of the church. ¹⁸ When they arrived, he said to them: “You know how I lived the whole time I was with you, from the first day I came into the province of Asia. ¹⁹ I served the Lord with great humility and with tears and in the midst of severe testing by the plots of my Jewish opponents. ²⁰ You know that I have not hesitated to preach anything that would be helpful to you but have taught you publicly and from house to house. ²¹ I have declared to both Jews and Greeks that they must turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus.

============

“Maybe I am a weakling” I said to myself after doing a disappointing number of pushups. Well at least in my mind the number was disappointing. I could not lift as much weight as the “strong” people in the gym and when people commented on how skinny I was, it seemed to cut to the bone.

• There were times when I thought I was not as good as those people over there.
• There were times when I thought my body, hair and skin was wrong.
• There were times when I thought I was inadequate for most things.

Paul sent for the elders of Ephesus after passing it on his way to Jerusalem. When they arrived, he explained what he went through. He told them about the difficult times he had while preaching about JESUS. He also stated he did not stop.

• GOD wants me to live my life for HIS purpose.
• GOD wants me to dwell on JESUS being the solution rather than repeating the problem over and over.
• GOD wants me to serve the LORD with great humility so I can survive severe testing and be bold to publicly teach about JESUS to all races.

Going through difficulties is never ever fun. BUT GOD loves when I grow up to expect difficulties in life. HE also loves when I keep preaching about HIM even when it is not popular or welcome. HE knows I will face opposition when I speak about HIS love. I am grateful HE protects me in spite of the enemy’s attacks. In HIM I am more than adequate, I am a child of GOD.

• Are you going through a difficult time?
• Are you depending on support from people who “like” your words, but could care less about your eternal life?
• Will you stop chasing human approval and seek GOD as your life’s purpose, speaking and teaching JESUS as the Savior today?

Getting Stronger

Job 16: ⁹ Nevertheless, the righteous will hold to their ways,
    and those with clean hands will grow stronger.

============

Sitting in the corner with my head down was how I felt many times. I mean life can deal out some vicious blows. My car was totaled at the time and work was not only clear across campus but I lived an additional half mile from the edge.  I had no money so I had to go to work. Then one day it rained. “Don’t go” popped in my mind. I wonder if I should have lied and called in sick.

• Sometimes I get tempted to cut corners.
• Sometimes I feel like doing things that are comfortable.
• Sometimes I lean towards little white lies that protect my way.

I took a deep breath and walked to work and found it wasn’t so bad. I found ways to get to work through buildings that would keep me semi dry and I could make it on time. Soon I enjoyed walking and I became stronger in my convictions about going to work. My boss saw that I was on time each day so he commended me.

• When I think no one is watching GOD is watching.
• When I think no one cares GOD cares.
• When I think no one is in my corner GOD holds me tight and no one can pluck me out of HIS hand.

GOD knows I will face adverse times, yet HE holds onto me tightly and with a loving grip. HE wants me to mature and face battles instead of running away and hiding. HE knows my weaknesses and has me doing exercises daily to strengthen areas in my life that aren’t so good. HE knows exactly what to take me through to make me stronger.

• Are you going through something?
• Does it all seem to be falling apart?
• Can you put your trust in GOD and depend on HIM?
• Will you lift your head up, get up and raise up your arms to praise GOD today?

Amazing things can happen

Ruth 4: ¹¹ Then the elders and all the people at the gate said, “We are witnesses. May the Lord make the woman who is coming into your home like Rachel and Leah, who together built up the family of Israel. May you have standing in Ephrathah and be famous in Bethlehem. ¹² Through the offspring the Lord gives you by this young woman, may your family be like that of Perez, whom Tamar bore to Judah.”

-------

²¹ Salmon the father of Boaz,

Boaz the father of Obed,

²² Obed the father of Jesse,

and Jesse the father of David.

============

Ruth was a foreigner who decided to serve a widow instead of remarrying. What’s amazing to me is she stuck to her convictions and didn’t seem like she was secretly looking for something or trying to ‘pretend’ so she could manipulate GOD.

She wasn’t seeking a title or praise by other people BUT GOD had something different planned for her.

• GOD amazingly brought Ruth through very harsh times.
• GOD saw fit to heal a very broken situation by rescuing an older and younger widow.
• GOD delivered the right person at the right time when things seemed the most desperate and he became the redeemer.

What’s so amazing about this piece of history is JESUS was a descendant of this family when HE decided to become a human. I tried to think of an amazing story that could match what was going on here and could not think of one.  The story speaks for itself.

• GOD doesn’t need to part oceans in order to be known.
• GOD can use ordinary desires to produce something special.
• GOD can bless me without fanfare, pomp and circumstances.

Sometimes just living life is enough for GOD to do some amazing things.

• Do you think GOD is not concerned about you?
• Does life seem monotonous?
• Do you realize GOD may be doing some amazing things in your life that you are blinded to?
• Won’t you open your eyes to how amazing GOD is on a daily basis?