10 Concerns in the Christians Walk with God – Part 9
9. Communicate to a Person who has Invested in You and Tell Them You Love Them The Bible gives us examples of the power of personal investment and how it inspired the recipient to the high ground of moral excellence. Making the investment to influence others can be seen in Scripture. Barnabas clearly mentored Paul; Elijah influenced Elisha; and Moses prepared Joshua. Jesus invested much in Peter. In spite of his failings, Jesus was determined to do well on His investment in His disciple. Jesus told him, “Feed my sheep.” Peter went on to lead the early church in evangelistic impact that brought thousands into Heaven. He was faithful to the end, dying a martyr’s death. Paul poured his life into Timothy, and urged him to press on fearlessly in the face of opposition. He charged Timothy, II Timothy 2:2, And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also. Paul visualized a faithful finish for Timothy, one that would impact future generations with the truth. To influence someone is the power to motivate and lead a person to make a crucial choice in their life. Your life is the result of many loving investors who have sacrificed considerably for your success. Reflect on those who have invested in you encouraging you. Listen to the wise people the Lord has places in your life. Those who led you to Christ, taught your Sunday school classes, or discipled you in the faith. Remember the investment of parents, teachers, pastors, authority figures, or work supervisors who have provided for you in so many ways. What about the friends who have helped you, encouraged your faith, and strengthened you in tough times? What about the family members who have sacrificed time, money, and prayers on your behalf? If we live with eternity in view, we will spend our lives on the things that matter most. You can honor those who invested in your life by living a life pleasing unto the Lord. III John 4, I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth. Every day we, as children of God, are in a role where our performance has ultimate consequences far more serious than physical life and death. Every person we meet has an eternal future that will be spent in either Heaven or Hell. Attitudes are contagious. Every person we meet is being influenced by our life and interaction with them. We often go carelessly through the day without a thought of the vital and eternal implications of our testimony. We have an obligation to Him, and to them, to take our lives seriously. Those who have invested their lives in you deserve a good return on their investment. A lot of people have sacrificed for you and have invested in you. Make them proud. As you run your race visualize them in the stands. They love you and want the very best for you. Who will you impact? We all have something to contribute: our example, testimony, investment, prayer, patience, instruction, wise counsel, giving, serving, etc. We all can and must invest in others! We can make a difference! Prayer: LORD, I seek Your wisdom for the decisions I need to make. Help me to always honor those who have invested their lives in me as I journey on the path of life. Help me to siege every opportunity You give me to positively impact those You allow me to cross paths with. Help me to live a life that will influence others to have a desire to want to know You. Help me to bring joy to others and be a good example. In Jesus' name. Amen Please Share this website and its articles with others: www.fellowshipbaptistcarrabelle.com Visit webpage again for – Part 10.
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10 Concerns in the Christians Walk with God – Part 8
8. Take Time to Rejoice in your Relationship with Jesus Psalm 68:19, "Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation." David wanted to praise the Lord with all that was within him. That was true in David’s day. How much more is it true today? Truly, He has daily loaded us with blessings. Daily we need to be reminding ourselves and giving thanks for the Lord’s benefits. Therefore, we have a duty to bless the God of our salvation. If that was true then, how much more so now! In Psalm 103, David identifies eight spiritual reasons that should encourage our hearts to offer God thanksgiving and praise. “Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits” (Psalm 103:2). To bless the Lord means to show admiration for the Lord as we thank and praise Him. It’s a call to give adoration, praise and worship to a worthy God. David is focusing on the abundant goodness of God. He warns of the dangers of forgetting the benefits of the Lord in his life. The word forget refers to a lapse of memory that can cause one to wander. David seeks to stir up his inner man to praise the Lord. Perhaps he is in a spiritual slump. Perhaps his praise isn’t as vocal or as frequent as it should be, so, he challenges himself to bless the Lord. It’s human nature to forget God’s benefits so, focusing on God’s blessings must be a deliberate choice. When we forget what we have in Jesus and who we are in Jesus, there is the danger that might wander away from Him. We are living in a day when there truly is a drought of praise among the people of God. We would be wise to stir up our own souls to praise the Lord! As David closes this Psalm, he calls on all of creation to join him in his praise of the Lord. Angels, saints, servants, and sinners, along with all of creation, are called upon to offer God the praise, glory and adoration He deserves. The benefits of the Lord are, indeed, great and marvelous, and it would be an act of ingratitude not to remember and appreciate them. When considering His benefits we have the great gift of eternal life, through faith in Christ and His finished work of redemption. We have it every day of the year and are daily ready to meet the Lord, whenever He calls. Each day we have the indwelling presence of His Spirit, the illuminating guidance of His Word, the daily provision of all real needs, and the assurance of His love. He has surely loaded us with benefits! Think of your family, your church, your health, your food, your home, your friends, etc. Your blessings are enormous! Let us praise Him for our health, our families, our financial blessings and so on. Let us be thankful for all the things He gives us. Let us not take them for granted. But, let us learn to be more thankful for those things which we can never lose! Let's learn to be ever thankful for those things that cannot change! Don’t just count your blessings. Make your blessings count. Thank the Lord for the blessings of salvation you can enjoy right now. What a wonderful privilege to know Jesus Christ personally! Because of salvation we will someday enjoy a home in Heaven, a sinless body and eternity with Christ. We all look forward to our future with Jesus Christ but it's easy to forget about the benefits of salvation for today. Since God is the source of all our blessings, He deserves the full measure of our praise. If we honestly asses all that the Lord has done for you, it will not take long for you to begin rejoicing that He daily loads us with benefits. Let's take a moment to remember a few of the many blessings we can enjoy every day as Christians. · Alongside of counting all those blessings, let's make it a goal this year to make those blessings count. · Go reach the lost at your workplace or in your neighborhood. · Make it a point to help fellow Christians who need encouragement. · Lift up those who are hurting in prayer. · How will you bless the Lord today? Prayer, Father in Heaven, forgive me for complaining of the things I don’t have and create in my heart a spirit of contentment for the things I do have. I never again want to fail to thank You and praise You for Your daily blessings. I understand that many of the blessings You have blessed me with are for the purpose of blessing others. Help me to make these blessings count. In Jesus name, Amen! Please Share this website and its articles with others: www.fellowshipbaptistcarrabelle.com Visit webpage again for – Part 9. 10 Concerns in the Christians Walk with God – Part 7
7. Restore a Wounded Friend This present world which we live in is broken due to the curse of sin going back to the garden of Eden in Genesis 3. As the result of man’s sin, the world, also mankind which was perfect at one time became imperfect. That is why every relationship since the first family has needed and will always need reconciliation with God. This can only be received through His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. Below are at least three ways friendships can be restored. 1.Godly friends will help bring us to the Lord in our helpless estate (Luke 5:17-19). Here, four men brought a paralyzed man, on his bed to Jesus. Obviously, this man could not get to Jesus on his own. There were four men who were willing to do whatever it took to get this man to Jesus. As we journey in this world, we cross paths with numerous people. Although they may not be physically paralyzed, but spiritually they are buckled under the weight of sin and they are in desperate need from the help of believers to carry them to them Lord. 2.Godly friends restore you when you have fallen (Galatians 6:1). All Christians now and then will make a mistake and fall into sin. The Bible commands us in Galatians 6:1, “Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.” As Christians we have got some duties. The spiritual Christians are to restore the fallen. We are to do it with prayerfully & carefully. Christian duty is not to condemn or criticize the wayward brother, but is to restore him to a proper position. As brethren had fallen into such sin, it was the duty of those who were spiritual to restore them. In the restoration process, there must be discipline and repentance, but those who are spiritual should aim to restore that person with gentleness. We see here, that someone has fallen into sin and we see how we are to restore them. The first reaction we should have when another Christian falls into sin is restoration; and repair back to completeness. Notice: The word restore means to repair or mend; what has been broken. This fallen brother needs someone to tenderly help him. He needs to be restored and reinstated with all gentleness. In the ministry, we are taking broken lives and letting God put them together. 3.Godly friends will help us rebound and live for the Lord (Hebrews 3:13; 10:24). We need godly friends who will tell us if we are living for the Lord. Godly friends hold you up when others will let you fall. Anyone can live a carnal life. It takes a courageous Christian to live a life that pleases and honors the Lord. We know that an obedient life glorifies God and counts in eternity. When a person is encouraged it always helps them to continue running the race the Lord has set for them. Patiently, we are to deal with him, helping him to confess and forsake his sin and be restored to spiritual health. The spiritual brother is to restore the one who is overtaken. Not just anyone in the church should do this, but, a spiritual brother, one that is spiritual with an attitude of restoration. He is to restore the fallen one in the spirit of meekness; not meanness. When someone falls we are to help them get back on their feet without harsh criticism. As God’s children we need each other to help us through those times. Yes, there are real impacts from sin that cannot be ignored or overlooked. But rather than writing people off because they have done wrong, we need to humbly reach out to them in love and do what we can to help them put the pieces back together. We need to consider ourselves; although we are saved we too can be tempted. We are to take a good look at ourselves and realize that we have weaknesses and may be tempted to fall (Romans 7:18). Notice: If it were not for the grace of God we would be doing the same thing. Application: We can all be tempted with the same sin that this person has been overtaken on. One day we too may fall and we will need help from a spirit brother in Christ to restore us one day. We are all capable of sin. ·What do you do when a brother or sister falls because of sin? ·Do you go to them and try to restore them? ·Will you decide to be a spiritual brother and do your part to restore the broken? ·If we are not willing to help people with problems, we have no one to whom we can minister. ·Pray for GOD to help you be spiritually mature to rebuild lives. Prayer, Heavenly Father, too often I see others who are stranded on the highway of life. Help me to be more passionate concerning the care and restoration for others who have fallen. As Your Word and Spirit does surgery on their heart may they understand that only You can satisfy their longing soul and fill their hungry heart. Amen. Please Share this website and its articles with others: www.fellowshipbaptistcarrabelle.com Visit webpage again for – Part 8. 10 Concerns in the Christians Walk with God – Part 6
6. Contact a Friend Who is Lonely or Hurting A member of a certain church, who previously had been attending services regularly, stopped going. After a few weeks, the pastor decided to visit him. It was a cold evening. The pastor found the man at home alone, sitting before a blazing fire. Guessing the reason for his pastor's visit, the man welcomed him, led him to a big chair near the fireplace and waited. The pastor made himself comfortable but said nothing. In the grave silence, he watched the flames around the burning logs. After some minutes, the pastor took the fire tongs, carefully picked up a brightly burning ember and placed it to one side of the hearth all alone. Then he sat back in his chair, still silent. The host was captivated as he watched all this in silence. As the one lone ember's flame diminished, there was a momentary glow and then its fire was no more. Soon it was cold and dead. Not a word had been spoken since the initial greeting. Just before the pastor was ready to leave, he picked up the cold, dead ember and placed it back in the middle of the fire. Immediately it began to glow once more with the light and warmth of the burning coals around it. As the pastor reached the door to leave, his host said, "Thank you so much for your visit and especially for the fiery sermon. I shall be back in church next Sunday." Loneliness is a big obstacle to perseverance. Sometimes you can even feel isolated in a crowd. Whatever is going on in your heart and life today understand everybody goes through loneliness at some point in life—even the apostle Paul. Paul was experiencing loneliness. “Who really understands me? How many people do I know that have really walked the road that I'm walking?” In II Timothy 4, Paul is nearing the end of his life. Paul is wrapping up his second letter to Timothy, he writes, II Timothy 4:9, “Do thy diligence to come shortly unto me:.” Now that is a pretty vulnerable request. In a manner of words Paul said, “Son, I don’t mind telling you that I need you ASAP!” Paul had not hidden from Timothy the affection he had for him (I Timothy 1:2; II Timothy 1:2). Sufferers often struggle with feeling isolated and alone. One of their biggest needs is to have people reach out and pursue relationship with them. If you are a Christian who has faced suffering in your life, then you have probably encountered a fellow Christian who wanted to provide comfort and help to you. Communicating with people going through a difficult time can mean a lot. It really makes difference to a hurting friend or fellow Christian know that we are thinking of and praying for them. Even if it’s just a few brief words of encouragement expressing your love and prayer support. And, of course, you could stop by their home or hospital room to visit and pray with them. Human friendships are part of God’s gift to us. As we live in the reality of these truths and thus grow in faith and trust, each day that we suffer we begin to recognize some of the ways God shows His compassion for us. We begin to appreciate His compassion in giving us family and friends as well as the beauty and comfort of Your nature; the blessings we so often take for granted. We begin to notice and recognize His "small" compassions, unexpected help from a stranger, an encouraging note, a faithful pet curled up at our feet or in our lap, or a biography of a Christian who has gone through suffering. We begin to thank our heavenly Father for a heightened awareness and a greater appreciation of His loving kindness. We begin to realize that "all things" really does mean all things. And even when we feel that our various needs for comfort and encouragement are not being met as we would like, in any and all disappointing and hurting situations we can take hope in the midst of our hurts because we know that God is faithful to His commitment to our welfare--today and forever. Finally, we have all the Biblical promises of an eternal future with our Lord in heaven. This life is only a brief moment compared to eternity. The hurts of today will soon be gone forever. For the Christian, there is surely hope in the midst of hurt! Sometimes all it takes to help someone who is lonely is a kind word, a card or letter, or just an occasional short visit. Prayer: Father, we thank You that You came to us in the person of your Son, Jesus Christ. You did not forget us, and You did not leave us alone. We bless You for remembering us in our misery and coming to save us through Christ the Lord. You clothed Your Son with human flesh so that he might be our Saviour. Amen. Visit webpage again for – Part 7. 10 Concerns in the Christians Walk with God – Part 5
5. When Relationships Reach a Roadblock Conflicts! We have all at some point in life faced conflicts head on with others. Most people hate it. In a perfect world, we’d all get along; but we live in a fallen world where people are misunderstood, feelings are hurt, and agendas are pursued. When our relationships with others reach a roadblock the Holy Spirit constrains us to reconcile the quarrel. God wants us to live in harmony with our brothers and sisters in the Lord. We should seek peace with others, however, sometimes it not always possible. Romans 12:18, If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. Sometimes you have to deal with difficult people. When conflict arises, pray that God will give you the wisdom to deal with it Biblically. I’ve had to deal with conflict over the years. And while I haven’t been perfect, I’ve learned many valuable lessons about handling disagreements. Hopefully some of these suggestions can help you in your life: 1. Try not to provoke the other person. Even if you are right and the other person is wrong, do your best to keep your feelings in check. 2. When you are right, use humility and grace. 3. Consider yourself. Don’t allow yourself to say, “I would never have done what this person did.” 4. Apologize. Be the first to seek reconciliation. You’d be surprised at how disarming a genuine “I’m sorry” can be. 5. Sacrifice where necessary, but not your core values. Be willing to give of yourself if it means resolving the conflict. The Church is the place where people must bear with one another in love. We are not yet what we are going to be, and we need to "bear with one another" as the process goes on. Colossians 3:13 tells us, “Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye”. It is putting up with one another in a spirit of love. Forbearing one another means a person tolerates others when they irritate him or to put up with things we don't like in other people. Forbearance has a touch of tolerance or a component of compassion to defer a rightful demand out of consideration for the weakness of a fellow believer. The idea is not only of putting up with each other, but indeed forgiving each other. Even as Christ forgave us, we in turn ought to forgive others. In the context of longsuffering, Paul expounds that we forbear one another and forgive one another. More specifically, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. Forbearing one another speaks of longsuffering. Even as Christ forgave us, we in turn ought to forgive others. Forgiving one another carries the idea of the gracious removal of sin and the gracious treatment of the sinner who is unworthy to receive it. He qualifies forgiveness by saying that believers should forgive in the same way the Lord forgave us. How did the Lord forgive us? He forgives us in such a way that He no longer holds our sins against us. Many Christians are historians. They are constantly bringing up what someone did to them last month, a year ago, or two years ago. Their forgiveness is worldly instead of like Christ. They forgive, but only as long as it suits them. Believers should forgive like Christ did. Christ doesn’t forget because He can’t forget anything. When Scripture says, “their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more” (Isaiah 43:25; Hebrews 8:12; 10:17) it simply means He no longer holds it against us. Are you holding on to a record of wrongs? Are you holding on to past sins that someone committed against you? One of the things that should identify us as Christians is our Christlike forgiveness. How can we do these things suggested Colossians 3:13? How can we put up with things we don't like in others? How can we let go of things others have done to us? We can do these things because this is what Jesus did for us. He put up with things in us He did not like. He let go of the things we have done to Him. Since He did that for us, we should be willing to do that for Him. Since He did that to us, we should be willing to do that to others. ·What can a Christian do when conflict arises? ·How can we best deal with it without intentionally creating an enemy? ·How will you approach him or her? ·When conflict arises, pray that God will give you the wisdom to deal with it Biblically. Prayer, Father, I want to have Your heart about reconciliation. You sent Your Son to reconcile me to Yourself, help bring reconciliation to those around me. Thank You for Your Word that gives me wisdom and direction in handling conflict between people I love. Give me Your words and wisdom as I reach out to those that are hurting as You lead. Your principles for handling conflict remind me again of the importance of living out my relationship with You in relation to others. In Jesus’ name, Amen. Visit webpage again for – Part 6. 10 Concerns in the Christians Walk with God – Part 4
4. Encourage Someone who is Discouraged. The person who sets out to be an encourager will never find a shortage of people to help. The word encourage means to put courage into another. Now more than ever, people are more discouraged due to the pressures in life. One of the overlooked needs that people have is to be encouraged. Often it is easier for us to read the physical needs of people rather than their emotional needs. A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver (Proverbs 25:11). The right word spoken at the right time can make all the difference to someone whose world is crashing. William Arthur Ward said, “Flatter me, and I may not believe you. Criticize me, and I may not like you. Ignore me, and I may not forgive you. Encourage me, and I will not forget you.” You Can Encourage Others by Extending Friendship- In Acts 9 we read of Saul who had been an enemy of the early Church—even having some Christians killed. He became a believer, but the Church was still hesitant of receiving him into fellowship. Acts 9:26-27 says, “And when Saul was come to Jerusalem, he assayed to join himself to the disciples: but they were all afraid of him, and believed not that he was a disciple. But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared unto them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that He had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus.” Barnabas encouraged Saul by extending love and friendship to him. He befriended this new believer. I am constantly reminded of how much new Christians need encouragement in their spiritual journey. People grow the best when there is a attitude & an atmosphere of acceptance is present. We need the influence of others in our lives if we are going to grow spiritually. Proverbs 27:17, “Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.” You have found a good friend if they are sharpening you in your spiritual development. The one Bible character who personified this was Barnabas. Barnabas was such an encouragement that the apostles changed his name from Joses to Barnabas—which means, “Son of encouragement.” In the New Testament, the word most often translated “encouragement” is the word paraklesis. It comes from two Greek words: para, “alongside of,” and kaleo, “to call.” So the word encourager means “someone who is called to come alongside of you to help renew & comfort you.” Think about it. What is one of the Greek words for the Holy Spirit? Parakletos—which is very similar to the word for encouragement. When a Christian is yielded to the Holy Spirit; then he can be a source of encouragement to others. Barnabas was a man greatly used by the Lord to reach many people for Christ. Acts 11:24 For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith: and much people was added unto the Lord.” Barnabas was mightily used to reach and disciple new believers for the Lord. Barnabas was known for encouraging Saul. In so doing, God used Saul (Paul) in an unbelievable way to impact the world for God. You Can Encourage Others by Re-Building Relationships- In Acts 15:36-41. Earlier in their ministry, Paul and Barnabas had taken a young John Mark with them on their first missionary journey. Somewhere along the way, Mark left the team and went home. Later, when they wanted to retrace their steps. Barnabas wanted to take Mark with them, but Paul refused. Barnabas took Mark one way, and Paul took Silas another. Barnabas sought to mend the broken relationship. Later, in II Timothy 4:11, Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry. Paul asks for Mark to come to him. Paul’s relationship with Mark was restored and their ministries continued in part because Barnabas refused to let go of a good man just because he failed. Barnabas was an encourager, and we too are called to be encouragers. In II Corinthians 1:3, the Bible calls God the God of all comfort or encouragement. So for us to encourage others is to be like God. We need more believers like Barnabas. For the glory of God, will you say, “God, make me an encourager?” · Today, who can you come alongside and serve or encourage? What is stopping you from doing this? Prayer: Father, thank You for Your Spirit inside me that urges me to “supply what is lacking” in the lives of others. How gracious that You choose to use me to help someone You love. Help me to always see that encouraging others as the privilege it is rather than a burden. In Jesus’name, Amen. Visit webpage again for – Part 5. |
AuthorDr. Blackman is passionate about helping others grow in the grace of the Lord. His devotions are centered on how to grow closer to the Lord through a personal relationship with Christ. Archives
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