Choosing God, Over Evil

"Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction;
whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life." - Galatians 6:7-8


One of the most difficult things to do in our own "human selves",
is to choose to react in a way that is respectful, caring, peaceful, and pleasing to others,
in the middle of terrible situations.


Let me rephrase that for all Christians out there...
One of the most difficult things to do in our own "human selves" as a Christian,
is to choose to react in a way Jesus would- in terrible situations.


It's so difficult to act appropriately in our 'human ways'.
But maybe if we focussed more on the spirit within us VS
our human emotions of bitterness, anger, fear, and sadness...
we can find the Peace & Love- to act in a way Jesus would respond to a situation.


What is the Spirit of God anyways?

Romans 8:26 - "The Spirit helps us in our weakness.
For we do not know what to pray for as we ought,
but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words."


Galatians 5:22-23 : "The fruit of the Spirit is... love, joy, peace,
patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control."


1 Corinthians 6:19:
"Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you,
whom you have from God?"


Wow, isnt it amazing that WE ALL have access to an amazing powerful holy spirit,
that is of God and from God?  The same spirit that lives in Jesus.

Here's another thing... "God is love"
It says so in the bible -
1 John 4:8 - "Whoever does not love, does not know God, because God is love."

"Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast;
it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way;
it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing,
but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things,
believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. "
-1 Corinthians 13:4-7

Ok... so now we know the definition of what God's love looks like,
and we know there's God's spirit within us.
HOW ON EARTH is this going to help us remove all anger, bitterness, sadness, and all
things we feel inside when people hurt us? How???

CALL ON GOD!
For real.

There's a Holy Spirit in you that has instant access to God.
Its only difficult to respond in a loving way to others,
UNTIL we intentionally place ourselves in a space
where we can MORE EASILY concentrate on and feel God's love for us first.
It provides AMAZING peace!

Because when we can know and feel how much AMAZING Love God TRULY IS for us,
we can more easily give that love to others who have hurt us. And forgive. :)  

Hurt can come in many ways- maybe its that child who didnt respect their
parent, maybe its a spouse who didnt respect the commitment of a relationship,
maybe it's a person who said something offensive to you,
or an unreliable friend who you thought
would always be there for you when you needed help the most- and they werent.

How can we Humanly forgive people who do such terrible things to us???
Naturally, we feel the pain, the hurt, the agony, fear, the revenge, the resentment.

There's a saying that time heals. And it does in our humanness.

But, if you are wanting 'instant' Joy, Peace, Amazing Love, Incredible heights
of God that can make you feel the best you can be- and love others,
IT CAN BE DONE IN GODS SPIRIT- INSTANTLY.

GOD HAS INSTANT HEALING. He proved and showed this in Jesus Christ...
he immediately healed the sick, made the blind see, the mute speak.

So... when we take the time to listen to God in our hearts,
we learn that his message of Love is SO MUCH GREATER in our spirit,
than any human hurt, disappointment, agony, sorrow, and pain.

However... there's a catch...
We need to be constant and diligent about Seeking Gods love.

Otherwise.... we go back to feeling the sadness, anger, and bitterness of the world..
if we dont STAY FOCUSSED. 

We cant just sit around and expect us to feel that inner love of God either,
if we dont ask him for it constantly, over and over.
And not only just asking him... but placing ourselves in areas where it
becomes easier to connect with him, definitely helps.
What areas are these?
It could be in a small group of Christian friends who pray together,
a church where everyone is focussed on Gods love and glory,
It could be in the silence of your own home in prayer,
or maybe even concentrating on God's words in the bible.

Jesus was a perfect example of a man who - as a real human being-
felt strong emotions too.. knowing he would be killed, knowing he would be
offered as a sacrifice, so that he could deliver the message to the world
that GOD is REAL, and the HOLY SPIRIT is within us.

And if God can forgive us, we can forgive others, too.
Jesus words: ""This is my body, which is given up for You.
This is my blood, the blood of the promise.
It is poured out for many people so that sins are forgiven."
Luke 22:19/ Matthew 26:28.

If it doesnt occur to you, after reading that,
that GOD totally and completely loves you, after what Jesus did as the son of God... 
so his spirit can be there to help you ALWAYS- that he even died for you...

I dont know of any other source of true love that is of impactful as that.
If you know of one, feel free to message me and tell me about it.

So... back to the main point of this blog...
Choosing God over evil.

After this lengthy explanation:
In this imperfect world where people will hurt us... or we are tempted to dispise others...
We gotta constanly choose to look up to the cross... which represents a cross of
God the father, God the son Jesus, and God in the holy spirit.

Coz really, really, really I Promise you they will GIVE YOU PEACE AND JOY
if you call on them!
Seriously.
Try it.

But if you're having a hard time calling on Gods spirit...
Go to a place where Others are doing it, and it becomes so much easier.
Go to a church, go to a small group, get a bible and read, listen to Christian music.
DO SOMETHING.

And because we are human- our feelings of bitterness could come back at any
time.... SO KEEP FOCUSSED on God!!!  Be diligent to always seek Him in everything you do.
Constantly remind yourself that he is faithful and loving,
and keep putting yourself in places that will help remind you of that.

Finally, if you've ever wondered why there's so much evil in this world,
read this...

Revelations in the bible says: 12:7-9

"A war broke out in heaven. Angels fought against the dragon,
and the dragon and his angels fought back.
But the dragon was not strong enough, and they lost their place in heaven.
The great dragon was hurled down—
-that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray.
He was HURLED TO EARTH, and his angels with him."

(Revelations is a book in the bible also known as the Apocalypse,
 written from the visions of John the Apostle)

It just goes to show we live in an imperfect world. Where evil is pretty much dominant.

But.... if we can constantly access the Spirit of God, we will be guided
to make the better choices that resemble Gods love. :)

And don't worry if its hard to do- because that's' why we NEED God.

We just gotta ASK HIM, SEEK HIM, WELCOME HIM INTO OUR HEARTS, KNOW DEEP DOWN GOD IS GREATER THAN ANY HURT WE FEEL.

That's why he's there.  To guide us to all things good, and eventually to heaven.

God is Love.... Choose God, not evil. :)


In the words of Chris Tomlin: 
"Our God is greater, our God is stronger. God You are higher than any other.
 Our God is Healer, awesome and power, Our God."

Psalm 108:4 - "God's Faithfulness reaches to the Sky."

Funny Church Signs

Words on Friendship from the Audio A Concert

Maple Noise 2013 was in Barrie on Friday night (Sept 13)- and Audio Adrenaline headlined the concert at Timothy Christian. I had seen the band once before in concert in the past, but not with their newest lead singer Kevin Max (formerly of DC talk). Adding him to the mix really makes the band pop, and gives the group a totally new sound that I really, really enjoyed! Glad to have seen them put on a great show!

One thing that makes going to Christian concerts so much different than going to a secular concert, is that almost always: there's an inspirational message thrown into the mix. Kind of like hearing a sermon at church.

On Friday, lead singer Kevin Max shared his testimony of how after his DC Talk days, he decided to pursue a career on his own, and headed to LA. He says he moved away from all friends and family, pretty much in isolation, as he tried to build his career as a mainstream artist.  But in the process, he admitted that he fell into the "darkest, deepest hole" he had ever lived through.

Through his story, he reminded all of us that man indeed is not an island. God built us for fellowship with others, and so we really need to take the time cherish the people God puts into our lives- friends and family and church community.  And spend quality moments with them. As even Jesus had a close group of 12 friends (disciples) whom he confided in.

And of course, Audio A reminds us that God is always there. And it's when we humble ourselves and remember to acknowledge God's presence in our lives, and cry out to him for help- knowing that we cant do it without him - that God is able to direct our paths. :)

A really great message on Friday night.

Reminds us of the bible verse:

Proverbs 11:14
Where there is no guidance, a people falls,
but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.

Here's hoping the message gained from Audio A's show at Maple Noise 2013 can continue to inspire all of us to cherish and take t-i-m-e to nurture the uplifting friendships God has placed in our lives, and to surround ourselves with people who will lift us up- and whom we can inspire as well. :)

Loving Others, even if you dont see eye-to-eye

Ever been so fired up about your faith, but encountered people who really did not understand or believe in the same things?

If you come from a non-Christian household, perhaps the people that you don't see eye-to-eye with in terms of faith, could be the people in your own family. Or maybe it's agnostic friends you have met through work or school or through extra curricular activities.

At church this past weekend, the preacher talked about how Jesus knew that an allegiance to him, would cause some ripples in some relationships (especially with those who have not taken the time to get to know who he is) ...
however, that should not discourage us from loving the way that Jesus did for everyone,
despite differences of opinions. 

Lets look at John 15 in the Bible:
“If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first.
They will treat you this way because of my name,
for they do not know the one who sent me."
- John 15:18-20

When we look at the paragraph before that,
Jesus also specifically instructs his disciples:

"My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.
Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends."
-John 15:12-13

What an amazing example of love.

Jesus knew that many people of the world didn't believe him.
Many ridiculed him. And all he did when he was alive was perform
miracles and heal the sick, and preach of God's love.

The fact that Jesus knew that the world would hate him,
yet he chose to give up his life for them- because he loved them,
is the greatest inspiration that we can look up to.

Anyone today who has ever felt they had friends or family
who thought that their Christian faith was a joke, should
continue to look at Christ's example... that no matter how people
can ridicule/hate you, or your beliefs, it is our duty to love them, no matter what.
Even if you don't see eye-to-eye.

Because you never know... maybe one day they will understand who God
is, through the loving example that you show them. :) 

Finally remember this verse:
"I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength."
Philippians 4:13.

If Jesus can love people who mocked, ridiculed, and even killed him...
you can have the heart to love those whom you
do not see eye-to-eye with.  It wont be easy, but with Jesus as
the prime example, anything is possible...

God bless you today! :)

Prayer for the First Day of School

 

 

Source : http://www.6happyhearts.com/2013/08/first-day-of-school-prayer.html