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Rejoice in the Lord alway and again, I say rejoice.
-Philippians 4:4 A very popular verse, we quote it all the time, we even sing about it, but the new question is, can we live by it? Hey, Michael here, and today I want to talk to you about rejoicing and giving God praise in every situation. I know a lot of people look at this verse and think, 'So I have to praise God every second of my life?' I am no famous commentator, and the Lord reveals things to us differently, so perhaps, you will get something completely different from this verse. I don't think this means that every second we need to be speaking praises to God, though that would be wonderful if we could, as much as it is telling us to praise in every type of circumstance. We should be able to praise Him when life is going great for us. We need to praise Him when life is going OK for us, and even praise Him when life just seems too hard. Its easy to praise God when everything is going good, isn't it? But what about when the bills come? Do you praise Him then? What about when we lose a loved one? Will we praise Him, or blame Him? I've been there. You see, I was the one pointing a finger at God, asking ‘Why?' As if I deserved an answer. Praising Him in the hard times is what defines us. If we can praise Him in the hard times, we can praise at all times. But if we only praise Him in the good times, what does that say about us? What does it say about our faith? Have you ever praised God in the middle of your hurting? If s, have you noticed a sense of peace sweep over you? That's what happens, God will send his comforter to help you. Now, let's look past ourselves, when we praise God in the middle of our storms, how do you think that makes Him feel? I would say that makes Him one proud Father. As children, we seek to please our parents, so why is this any different? Let's seek to please God by giving Him praise the next the bills come, or the next time we get a pop quiz, or the next time we just have a bad day. No matter the storm, let's give Him some praise. Consider it, a challenge. I Can Do All Things Through Christ Who Strengthens Me!
I know that throughout the years people have said to help with depression or anger the best way to do it is to go to counsiling. Well, its not that I dissagree but i also don't exactly agree either. I've been through a lot with my little sister. We've both been hurt multiple times. Through it all i've always been there for her to be a shoulder to cry on. At the same time though I haven't had anybody to really turn to. People would always tell me to pray about it, and don't get me wrong it always sounded like a great idea but eventually I forgot about it all. I didn't think a God who is supposed to love me would put me through all this. When I moved to Hillsboro September 2012 I was very depressed and the only place I would go to was church. I finally decided to pray and to ask god to help me through the rough time I was having. It was the next day that I heard a sermon on not being able to let go untill you inderstand what went on. The day after that I heard another sermon on forgivness. That next day after I had heard both of them I was jsut fine. I was jsut I was just absolutely wonderful. Thats my story on only one way God has heped me. So i'm here to you all from personal expirience it gets better. God never puts you through something knowing you wont come out of it. All you have to do is pray about it. God answers prayers three ways: Yes, no, and not now. - He will only do what is best for you. He loves you. If I can have my prayers ansered so can you. So when you are having a bad day, just pray. What is something many Christians struggle with? Here one of MANY
answers: anger. Now don't get me wrong anger is not a sin in itself, because even Jesus got angry. The bible says in Matthew 21:12 "And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves" . So like I said, there is nothing wrong with being angry. However, when you are angry and you sin, then it becomes a problem. So when somebody says something hurtful to you and you become angry, try your best not to lash back at them. The bible says that we are to turn the other cheek in Matther 5:39. It actually says this: "But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also." This means that when someone offends you, you should basically let what just happened slide. Well, you know the saying "forgive and forget". That is what we as CHRISTians are supposed to do. Let it slide. This is hard because we live in the flesh but we walk with God. This also means that while in this confrontation, act all cool, then go to your friend's cousin's grandfather twice removed and tell him "well, this is what so and so did and how they did it." Because if you friend's cousin's grandfather twice removed had noting to do with it, and he is not a part of apositive and hopefully godly solution, then you just gossiped. Which is a Sin. There is one more point I would like to make. Before you go to sleep, forgive the person if you hadn't yet. The bible even says so. It says in Ephesians 4:26: Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath." So please pray and ask god to help you forgive, because you are not promised tomorrow. Thank you for reading and may God Bless you.  1 Chronicles 4:10
And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that thine hand might be with me, and that thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me! And God granted him that which he requested , those big *coast: territory Jabez, in his prayers, asked for so much. But when God had heard it, those big requests seemed like nothing. We may look at things and say, ' It's impossible', or 'It's too big to be done'. With God, nothing is impossible or too big, and Jabez soon found out. In his prayer, Jabez only asked for four things;
Part 1: Bless me indeed! The word 'indeed' is very powerful. It's like going to the top of a mountain and screaming out your request. Basically, you can replace 'indeed' with numerous exclamation points. (! ! ! !) Jabez wanted everything that God was willing to give him. You see, God is kind of like a ' big bank of blessings'. He has so many blessings that he is ready to give you right now. So, why does it seem that God is holding his many blessings? That's simple! All you have to do is ask. You don't have to pray for any specific one thing, because when you do that, the only way God will give you that blessing is... 1.) If He wants you to have it: God is a God of love! God wants you, his chosen child, to be happy. If it matches up with God's Will, then he will be happy to hand it over to you. 2.) If it matches up with God's Will: God's Will is like a giant puzzle; if what you want doesn't match up with what God wants perfectly, then it doesn't fit in His Will. It doesn't matter if you think that what you want fits God's Will, the fact is, if it is not part of His perfect puzzle, then it doesn't belong. If it doesn't belong, then maybe you shouldn't pursue this 'want' that you have. So, with this in mind, remember that God wants to bless you, you just have to ask for it. (According to what God wants you to have.) Part 2: Expand my land (territory) ! as people, human beings, and God's children, we come with a territory. That territory, as I see it, is our own physical limitations to who and where we can reach in (God's) ministry. When you pray, 'God, help us to minister and bless more people today than ever', you will be amazed at what you can do. (By the love, strength and power of God.) God loves a heart that is willing to labor for the Glory of God. If you labor for God, then you will be blessed with more and more territory. God has a set ministry for every single one of us. Now, odds are, you won't be able to go all over the world. (unless that's God's calling for you.) I've heard about a teenager who was called at the age of thirteen to be a missionary. I personally know two missionaries who travel the world because that is what God wants them to do. Missions work starts right where you're at. Even if your missions work is strictly limited to the town in which you live, you can change the world. All it takes is one person, willing enough, to take what ministered to them and use that to minister to others. It then creates a 'snowball' effect. So, don't get discouraged if you can work your ministry in one small place, because you may be ministering to somebody on the other side of the world! And remember, God loves a heart that is willing to labor for His Glory. Part 3: Be with me always! God has been with us since the beginning of time. 'For he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.' (Hebrews 13:5) God is everywhere, he is always there with you no matter where you go. He is even right there while you read this. As a follower of Christ, God has his fingerprint on you, you have been marked by God. When you pray for God to be with you day by day, you will find yourself with more peace, more love and more joy. Not only that, but with the presence of God in you, others will be able to tell. They will see his presence dwelling in and on you. When the presence of God is upon you, people will want to hear what you have to say. They will see you peace, your love and your joy and think, ' I want what they have.' And with that, that is one of the most powerful tools you can use; their want to have what you have. With this, you have the tool that could be used to reach that very soul. Don't be afraid to let God's light shine through you. Allow yourself to be his lantern, shining the light into the darkness of this world. Part 4: Keep me from evil! This world that we live in is so full of evil. What is evil? I see evil as anything that is not a part of God. At this point, you may say, 'I agree with that.', but before you say that, let me list some things that seem so harmless. Certain television shows, some (if not most) radio stations, a little white lie, an unkind gesture, put somebody down behind their back (Gossip). Do you still agree with me? Odds are, you probably don't, and that's okay, everybody is entitled to their own opinion. The fact is, evil is EVERYWHERE. That's why we need God to keep us from it. This evil makes itself seem so pretty and pleasing that we can't help but to be a part of it. Sometimes without even knowing we are even a part of it! We should be asking God to guide our steps in every part of the day. Every choice, move, thought should be led and inspired by God. We need to be willing to give up our wants for God's wants. We need to let God make our choices, he won't lead us astray. His decisions will be for your good and for His Glory. Remember, He loves you and wants you to be happy. Yes, during your life you will face hardships, but if you are truly led by God and you surrender your all to Him, then you shall inherit the Kingdom of God and shall be happy. God sees you in the long-run while you see yourself today. Put your all in Him and allow Him to lead you and you will be surprised where he leads you. 'And God granted him that which he requested.' God is waiting for you to ask, so that He can grant you this prayer that was once prayed by Jabez. So, if you would take a moment and pray this prayer with me , and continue it in your daily life, then you will see God move and bless. God, I pray that you unleash all your blessings you have set aside for me today. Please enlarge your ministry through me, for your glory, not mine. Be with me throughout my day and lead me in your way that you have prepared for me. Keep me in your presence, and away from evil. Thank you God for all your many blessings you have given me. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Thank you for reading this blog and may God bless you throughout your day. -Michael |
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