Developing Character through our Circumstance and the Living and Abiding Word of God
By: Rebekah Page
Situations are hard to bear.
Life is not as perfect as we had planned.
With faith though, and because of faith, there's HOPE.
And through hope>>>healing and much, much more.
The Lord’s plans for us will prevail.
The Lord’s plans will not be thwarted.
Life is better when we ACT on faith and trust in Him.
Faith, first.
Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.
-Hebrews 11:1
Faith, first.
Do we have a heavenly outlook, and look to the eternal rather than the temporal? Are we allowing scripture to dictate who we are? Scripture is after all God’s view and His perspective (and truth) of who we are and what He has in store for us.
When we observe or display distant, selfish, unbalanced, angry, bitter, jealous, greedy, or mean attitudes, we must turn our attention to scripture.
Jesus is the WAY.
The TRUTH.
And the LIFE.
And His WORD will lead us out of darkness.
Jesus is the WAY.
The TRUTH.
And the LIFE.
And His WORD will lead us out of darkness.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding in all your ways acknowledge him and he will make straight your path.
-Proverbs 3:5
When we trust in the Lord with all our hearts we actively put our FAITH into action, relinquishing control over our hearts, mind, and spirit (our soul). The Lord looks at our prayers to Him and our attitudes of reliance on Him as actions of love.
We no longer lean on OUR own thoughts and limited capability to understand His grander plan, but we acknowledge His proprietary rights and desire His power over our lives. This is FAITH in action.
When we acknowledge HIM, HE will direct our our paths and make them straight, right, true, and noble. Conforming us to His image, He will cause us to bear much fruit. Fruit that will last and be everlasting. IMPERISHABLE.
The name of the LORD is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.
-Proverbs 18:10
So friends:
- We may feel pressured in every way; but we are not crushed.
You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don't try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way.
-James 1:3-4 The Message
2) We may be unsure of the way out, but we will not be discouraged.
The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.
-Deuteronomy 31:8
He is the good shepherd...he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice.
-John 10:1-5
If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But he must ask in faith, without doubting, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.…
-James 1:5-6 NIV
And I will lead the blind in a way that they do not know, in paths that they have not known I will guide them. I will turn the darkness before them into light, the rough places into level ground. These are the things I do, and I do not forsake them.
-Isaiah 42:16
3) We may feel picked on and mistreated, but we are not alone.
Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
-Isaiah 41:10
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
-Romans 12:21
Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.
-Matthew 5:44
Bless those who persecute you, bless and do not curse.
-Romans 12:14
4) We may be struck down, but we are never destroyed.
I know how great this makes you feel, even though you have to put up with every kind of aggravation in the meantime. Pure gold put in the fire comes out of it proved pure; genuine faith put through this suffering comes out proved genuine. When Jesus wraps this all up, it’s your faith, not your gold, that God will have on display as evidence of his victory.
You never saw him, yet you love him. You still don’t see him, yet you trust him—with laughter and singing. Because you kept on believing, you’ll get what you’re looking forward to: total salvation.
-1 Peter 1:6-9 The Message
For we who live in this world, may consistently experience difficulty, but our momentary, light distress and passing trouble is producing perseverance, righteousness, and character. A character that reflects Jesus’ love for the world. So though physically our life is less than perfect, our spiritual life is actively at work within us day by day. Taking us from one glory to the next. We are being refined like gold, but with everlasting and eternal capacity. He is taking the imperfect and making us imperishable, so we can endure forever with Him in eternity.
So we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are unseen; for the things which are visible are temporal , but the things which are invisible are everlasting and imperishable.
-2 Corinthians 4:17
Weekly Resource:
Destined for Victory Ministry Audio/Podcasts
Pastor Paul Sheppard:
"An effective communicator of God’s Word, Pastor Paul is widely known for his practical and dynamic teaching style which helps people apply the timeless truths of Scripture to their everyday lives. He serves as speaker for the radio and online broadcast Destined For Victory. In addition, he is an author whose latest book Why God Created Dads helps fathers, grandfathers, and father figures understand and embrace the significant role God has given them to play in the lives of their children and families."
-from www.pastorpaul.net
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