But Be of Good Cheer

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Jesus said that "In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33) It is most critical that we never lose our focus on God, as the results may not be good. When hard things come our way, we must never lose heart, for God is with us. When we become believers in Christ Jesus, God's primary purpose with us is to transform us into the image of His Son. It is during these hard times we grow. While we all desire smooth sailing in life, often these are the times we lose sight of God because we feel as though we do not need Him. It is good to remember Job during the trials in life. Job lost his property and children, yet he still praised God.

²⁰ Then Job arose, tore his robe, and shaved his head; and he fell to the ground and worshiped.  

²¹ And he said:

“Naked I came from my mother’s womb,
And naked shall I return there.
The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away;
Blessed be the name of the Lord.”

²² In all this Job did not sin nor charge God with wrong.

 (Job 1:20-22 NKJV)

Instead of the "poor little me" attitude leading to discouragement, look to the promises of God and know He is working in and through this situation. No, we do not have to like the pain, but we may always rejoice in the grace which He gives us to get us through.

To Live Is…?

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During my morning devotional time I have been studying from the book of Philippians, with a focus on joy. More specifically, what is it about Paul, a man in prison, who could write a book on joy. Prison was not the only tribulation Paul faced, consider this:

²⁴ From the Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one. ²⁵ Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep; ²⁶ in journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; ²⁷ in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness—  (2 Corinthians 11:24-27 NKJV)

 

 

I touched on Paul’s joy in my last post. This week I wish to share with you one more nugget of truth.

For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. (Philippians 1:21 NKJV)

As I read this passage of scripture, I must ponder how I would word this sentence as it applies to me. “For me to live is______ and to die is ______.” Fill in the blanks.  I do not know about you, but the second part, I could say. That is, “to die is gain.” This I know as a believer in Christ Jesus, I have a future in heaven well beyond my wildest immigration. I desire to live for whatever time God has appointed for me. However, I sure do look forward to what awaits me once I step into eternity.

Now for the first part, could I truly say, “For me to live is Christ?” Yea, I could say it, but how honest would I be with myself? Would this be more accurate? “To live is me?” 

Yes, I love Jesus. I love serving and going to church. I enjoy me relationship with the Lord. I love other believers. However, in this fallen sinful state, I want myself to come first. Just think for a moment of the troubles we face which are the results of selfishness.

Paul was a different breed. In spite of all his hardships, Paul lived a successful and fulfilling life in the Lord. A life overflowing with joy. After Paul’s conversion on the road to Damascus, he lived for Christ. Here in lies another nugget of truth. Paul lived an unselfish life. He was a man who could say, “To live is Christ, to die is gain.” “Paul’s life was not his own, but for the glory of Christ. He dedicated his life to living in the will of God and advancing the gospel. He was willing to go through what ever for the benefit of others. He rejoiced in the gospel going forth. With this attitude, how could he be anything but joyful?

In Prison...Or not!

   …my chains and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel…

 Philippians 1:7 NKJV

Paul wrote this from prison, “…my chains are in Christ…” (Philippians 1:13) Paul did not feel bound by the restraints of prison because his chains were in Christ. As for us today, we need not necessarily be in prison to feel imprisoned and hopeless. Maybe some circumstances, such as an illness or lack of a particular skill may leave one feeling as though they are trapped, unable to live with joy or accomplish something of value. Oh how discouraging this can be. I have to ask, how is it that someone in prison could write a book about “Joy?" The Apostle Paul did just that. The book of Philippians is often called “The Book of Joy,” which was written by Paul from prison. Spend some time studying the book of Philippians and one could discover some clues. In this post however, I am going to focus on just one of them. Paul saw being in prison as an opportunity to glorify the Lord because his chains were in Christ, not the prison. 

I know if I was in prison, I would not be a happy camper. However Paul had an entirely different attitude. Paul rejoiced in the work Jesus was doing through his circumstances instead of being discouraged over what he was going through. Paul set his eyes upward on the Lord and outward on other people, not inward and self pity. Paul took the attitude “for me to live is Christ, to die is gain…” (Philippians 1:21) and counted all things he lost as rubbish for the knowledge of Christ. (See Philippians 3:8) Because Paul’s chains were in Christ, he trusted the Lord through the trials he faced and the Lord used him greatly. This brought Paul great joy.

“so that it has become evident to the whole palace guard, and to all the rest, that my chains are in Christ  Philippians 1:13 NKJV

“and most of the brethren in the Lord, having become confident by my chains, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.

Philippians 1:14 NKJV

“…Christ is preached; in this I rejoice, yes, I rejoice.”

Philippians 1:18b NKJV

When one chooses living for Christ regardless of the circumstances, God will use their life for His good purposes. God’s purposes are always good. Whatever situation we are going through, it is only temporary and God will work it for good. Another wonderful thing, one may rejoice through the situation which they face because many lives may be changed. The hurting may be comforted. The lost may come to know the Lord. God will use us to advance His kingdom if we are a willing vessels trusting the Lord while having faith that He knows what He is doing.

When I choose living for Christ, advancing the Gospel and glorifying Christ becomes my main mission in life. I can live to advance my wealth, fame, popularity, have more fun, or live a more comfortable life, all of which is only temporary. One day, all the earthly things I build will all come to an end. But the treasure I store up in heaven will last forever. What is going to be my main mission in life? Remember Jesus said, “I have come to give life, and to give it more abundantly.” (See John 10:10) If I choose developing the attitude of Paul’s, how can I fail in life? Jesus will be with me. It is not by my strength I succeed, it is by God’s strength and Jesus working through me that I succeed. Through Christ, I have an abundant life, regardless of the circumstances I may face in life.

In The Time of Need

The name of the LORD is a strong tower;

The righteous run to it and are safe. 

(Proverbs 18:10NKJV)

I want the rest of my life to be smooth sailing, so to speak. I hate problems; I do not want any trials or tribulations in my life. None, not one, zero, zip, nada! But we all know life has its ups and downs. We all have our struggles. Some situations are more troublesome than others. One minute we might be thinking, “All is well,” then the next minute life is turned upside down. All that it takes is a slip in the bath tub or some criminal entering your home and life is not the same.

While I do not like the idea of terrible things happening, I believe one should predetermine how we should respond in the event of something does go wrong. For example, learn to administer first aid. At work, we have an emergency evacuation plan in the event of an emergency. Throughout the world, we have fire and rescue teams to come to the aid of people in need. Here in America we dial 911 in the event of an emergency for the proper people to respond to our needs.

While it is wise to prepare as mentioned above, there is only so much these things can do to help. We must also know who our strong tower is. We need to know: “the Lord will deliver me from every evil work and preserve me for His heavenly kingdom. To Him be glory forever and ever. Amen!” (2 Timothy 4:18 NKJV) No matter how unbearable this situation is that we may be facing, we know the Lord will bring us through it. He will not drop the ball. This thing will come to an end. No matter what we are facing, nothing can separate us form the love of God or remove our home in heaven awaiting us. All my brothers and sisters in Christ, let’s be predetermined to run to the Lord the next time, and every time something goes wrong in our lives. We must remember there is protection under the shadow of His wing. (See Psalm 91).

Am I Asleep?





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32 Then they came to a place which was named Gethsemane; and He said to His disciples, “Sit here while I pray.” 33 And He took Peter, James, and John with Him, and He began to be troubled and deeply distressed. 34 Then He said to them, “My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch.”
35 He went a little farther, and fell on the ground, and prayed that if it were possible, the hour might pass from Him. 36 And He said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible for You. Take this cup away from Me; nevertheless, not what I will, but what You will.”
37 Then He came and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, “Simon, are you sleeping? Could you not watch one hour? 38 Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
39 Again He went away and prayed, and spoke the same words. 40 And when He returned, He found them asleep again, for their eyes were heavy; and they did not know what to answer Him.
41 Then He came the third time and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? It is enough! The hour has come; behold, the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners. 42 Rise, let us be going. See, My betrayer is at hand.” (Mark 14:32-42 NKJV)

 43 Then an angel appeared to Him from heaven, strengthening Him. 44 And being in agony, He prayed more earnestly. Then His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground. (Luke 22:43-44 NKJV)

In the above passages Jesus longed for His disciples to stand watch and pray. He knew what lie ahead and He was deeply distressed, even to the point His sweat became like great drops of blood. The angles ministered to Him and he was deep in prayer with the Father, yet He desired His disciples to stand watch and pray. What happened? Three times Jesus found them sleeping.

There are many times we need our brothers and sisters in the Lord to stand with us and pray for us. During our darkest hours, it is most comforting to know someone is there. Jesus being God desired it, how much more do we need it? As Jesus cried out to the Father, so should we. However, God did not intend for us go through our trials alone. He works through us to help and comfort others.

A question we should all ask of ourselves, “is someone I know going through a trying time and reaching out, yet I am asleep?”

Another question, “are we hurting and too proud to make someone aware?”

Always Too Soon

Last Saturday I attended a memorial service for the wife of a good friend of mine. Then this morning an elderly man who was close to my girlfriend when home to be with the Lord. In addition to this, his wife is very sick and may very well be on her last days. To top it off, my girlfriend was also in a car wreck today. Thanks be to Jesus she if ok. She is a little banged up, but will be fine. However, her car is most likely totaled.




One thing the pastor said in the memorial service which made so much since. It went something like this: “If you could choose how long would you live, what would it be, 200 years or what? But who would want to live in this body to be 200 years old. The thing is, no matter how long we live, death is always too soon.”



Death is always hard to deal with. Then we have other trials and tribulations we go through in life. This life can be very hard at times; we may feel overwhelmed and emotionally drained.

Here are the verses the Lord gave me today:

1 “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me.

2 In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.

3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.

4 And where I go you know, and the way you know.”

5 Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?”

6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. (John 14:1-6 NKJV)



None of us want to cut our lives short by any means, but it is so refreshing and reassuring to know when that day comes we have a mansion awaiting us in a kingdom where there is no more death. Let’s keep looking up and moving forward living our lives with the expectation of that day coming.

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