SMS Winter 2022-23

GOD

Glory to God in the highest, in the name of our precious Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Sundie Morning Sistas Magazine The Quality of Your Mind

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The SMS Magazine ministers to the very heart of your reality with life-changing articles that encourage and uplift your spirit through the Word of God!

roverbsÊ4:5-7(NLT)ÊtellsÊus,Ê“5 Get wisdom; develop good judgment. Don't forget my words or turn away from them. 6 Don't turn your back on wisdom, for she will protect you. Love her, and she will guard you. 7 Getting wisdom is the wisest thing you can do! And whatever else you do, develop good judgment.” ThisÊpassageÊgivesÊusÊprofoundÊknowledgeÊaboutÊGod’sÊexpectationsÊandÊrequirementsÊregardingÊ theÊstateÊofÊourÊminds.ÊHeÊcommandsÊusÊtoÊobtainÊwisdomÊfromÊHisÊWord.ÊHeÊalsoÊcommandsÊusÊnotÊtoÊturnÊourÊ backsÊonÊitÊbecauseÊwisdomÊisÊtheÊmostÊimportantÊthing.Ê

It’sÊnotÊenoughÊtoÊacquireÊknowledge,ÊbecauseÊknowledgeÊwithoutÊunderstandingÊwillÊneverÊyieldÊ wisdom.ÊWeÊmustÊobtainÊwisdomÊaboutÊGod’sÊWord,ÊandÊthenÊpursueÊanÊunderstandingÊaboutÊhowÊbestÊtoÊuseÊtheÊwisdomÊ we’veÊobtained.ÊAsÊweÊjourneyÊthroughÊlife,ÊmostÊofÊusÊrealizeÊjustÊhowÊimportantÊthisÊis.ÊGod’sÊWordÊisÊtheÊbreadÊofÊlife.ÊIt’sÊ foodÊforÊourÊminds,Êhearts,ÊandÊsouls.ÊDigestingÊtheÊwisdomÊofÊtheÊWordÊmakesÊusÊspirituallyÊstrongÊandÊempowersÊusÊtoÊliveÊ ourÊbestÊlife,ÊbutÊsadlyÊmanyÊofÊusÊareÊnotÊdoingÊthis.

WeÊareÊlivingÊinÊunprecedentedÊperilÊinÊourÊworld,ÊandÊweÊneedÊtoÊunderstandÊthatÊourÊmindsÊareÊbeingÊbombardedÊ withÊunprecedentedÊdarkness.ÊThere’sÊtremendousÊpressureÊinÊlifeÊtoday,ÊandÊmanyÊofÊGod’sÊpeopleÊareÊtremblingÊinÊfearÊratherÊ thanÊclingingÊtoÊGodÊinÊfaith.ÊItÊshouldÊbeÊnoÊsurpriseÊtoÊusÊthatÊtheÊrootÊofÊthisÊisÊaÊpoorÊdietÊofÊGod’sÊWord.ÊTheÊApostleÊPaulÊ instructedÊbelieversÊinÊ2ThessaloniansÊ2:15(NLT),Ê“With all these things in mind, dear brothers and sisters, stand firm and keep a strong grip on the teaching we passed on to you both in person and by letter.” ThisÊissue,Ê“The Quality of Your Mind”,Ê isÊallÊaboutÊstandingÊfirmÊandÊkeepingÊaÊstrongÊgripÊonÊGod’sÊtruth.Ê

OurÊmindsÊareÊtheÊbattlegroundÊofÊfaith.ÊTheÊnourishmentÊthatÊkeepsÊourÊmindsÊsaturatedÊinÊfaith,Êcourage,Êsharpness,Ê andÊspiritualÊstrengthÊisÊaÊhealthyÊdietÊofÊGod’sÊWord.ÊHeÊwarnsÊusÊinÊProverbsÊ4:23ÊtoÊstandÊguardÊoverÊourÊheartsÊandÊmindsÊ soÊthatÊweÊdon’tÊallowÊanythingÊagainstÊourÊfaithÊinÊHimÊtoÊcomeÊin.ÊWeÊprayÊthisÊissueÊofÊtheÊSundieÊMorningÊSistasÊMagazineÊ willÊhelpÊyouÊtoÊdoÊjustÊthat.ÊWeÊbelieveÊitÊwillÊencourageÊandÊteachÊyouÊtoÊcontinuallyÊarmÊyourÊmindÊandÊheartÊwithÊGod’sÊ Word.ÊHisÊtruthÊisÊtheÊonlyÊwayÊtoÊstandÊfirmlyÊinÊtheÊfaithÊofÊJesusÊChrist,ÊandÊthisÊisÊwhatÊourÊHeavenlyÊFatherÊwants.ÊHeÊ desiresÊourÊmindsÊandÊheartsÊtoÊbeÊsaturatedÊwithÊHisÊWord,ÊsoÊthatÊweÊcanÊwalkÊinÊtheÊvictoryÊofÊChristÊcontinually.Ê

LovinglyÊInÊChrist, ReverendÊFranÊMack, PresidentÊandÊFounder,ÊSMS

ostÊofÊusÊspendÊ ourÊentireÊlivesÊ tryingÊtoÊwrapÊ ourÊheadsÊ aroundÊtheÊ realityÊthatÊGodÊhasÊmadeÊusÊ powerfulÊovercomersÊthroughÊ JesusÊChrist.ÊIÊbelieveÊthisÊisÊoneÊ ofÊtheÊgreatestÊdesiresÊofÊourÊ Father’sÊheart,ÊthatÊweÊwouldÊ believeÊhowÊpowerfulÊandÊlovingÊ HeÊhasÊmadeÊus.ÊJesusÊChristÊsaidÊ inÊMatthewÊ16:19(ESV),Ê“I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” JesusÊChristÊspokeÊtheseÊ wordsÊtoÊhisÊdisciplesÊthatÊwereÊ livingÊduringÊtheÊtimeÊofÊhisÊ sojournÊonÊearth.ÊThisÊmeansÊthatÊ heÊisÊspeakingÊthemÊdirectlyÊtoÊ us,ÊGod’sÊsonsÊandÊdaughters.ÊWeÊ areÊplacedÊonÊthisÊearthÊtoÊcarryÊ forthÊtheÊministryÊthatÊJesusÊ ChristÊbegan,ÊandÊtoÊdoÊthis,ÊourÊ HeavenlyÊFatherÊhasÊgivenÊusÊtheÊ privilegeÊandÊresponsibilityÊtoÊ walkÊwithÊtheÊsameÊpowerÊandÊ authorityÊasÊJesusÊChrist.Ê

InÊJohnÊ10:10(NKJV)Ê

JesusÊChristÊdeclared,Ê“The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” OurÊLordÊandÊ SaviorÊmadeÊaÊmoreÊthanÊ abundantÊlifeÊavailableÊtoÊeveryÊ humanÊbeing,ÊbutÊasÊweÊlookÊ aroundÊinÊourÊcurrentÊ environment,ÊmanyÊpeopleÊareÊ notÊlivingÊanÊabundantÊlife,ÊandÊ thisÊincludesÊmanyÊbelievers.ÊWeÊ mustÊaskÊourselvesÊwhyÊthisÊis.Ê JesusÊChristÊgivesÊusÊtheÊanswerÊ toÊthisÊquestionÊinÊaÊpieceÊofÊ knowledgeÊheÊspokeÊinÊJohnÊ8:32 (NLT).ÊHeÊsaid,Ê“And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

TheÊEnglishÊword,Ê“free” isÊ translatedÊfromÊtheÊGreekÊword,Ê “eleuthero",ÊwhichÊmeansÊtoÊ makeÊfreeÊandÊtoÊbeÊsetÊfreeÊfromÊ theÊdominionÊofÊsin.ÊThisÊ includesÊtheÊbondageÊofÊ oppressionÊinÊourÊminds,Êhearts,Ê andÊsouls.ÊThroughÊJesusÊChrist,Ê weÊareÊsetÊfreeÊfromÊtheÊ entanglementsÊofÊpoverty,Ê sickness,ÊandÊdisease.ÊWeÊareÊsetÊ freeÊfromÊbadÊrelationships,Ê financialÊstruggle,ÊandÊotherÊ issuesÊthatÊcanÊkeepÊusÊfromÊ progressingÊinÊfaith.ÊJesusÊChristÊ tookÊcareÊofÊallÊthisÊonÊtheÊCrossÊ ofÊCalvary.ÊRomansÊ6:23ÊtellsÊusÊ thatÊtheÊwagesÊofÊsinÊisÊdeath,ÊbutÊ JesusÊChristÊpaidÊinÊfullÊtheÊpriceÊ ofÊourÊsin.ÊHeÊtookÊourÊplace,ÊandÊ nowÊweÊareÊfreeÊtoÊliveÊanÊ abundantÊlifeÊinÊhim.ÊThisÊisÊaÊ foundationalÊtruth,ÊandÊweÊ believeÊitÊinÊtheÊdepthsÊofÊourÊ hearts.Ê

GenesisÊ1:26ÊtellsÊusÊthatÊ GodÊmadeÊusÊinÊHisÊimage.ÊHeÊisÊ triune,ÊFather,ÊSon,ÊandÊHolyÊ Spirit,ÊandÊHeÊcreatedÊusÊtoÊbeÊ spirit,Êsoul,ÊandÊbody.Ê 1ThessaloniansÊ5:23(NLT)Êsays,Ê “Now may the God of peace make you holy in every way, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ comes again.” ByÊGod’sÊdivineÊdesign,Ê weÊareÊthree-partÊbeings,ÊandÊ God’sÊinstructionÊtoÊusÊisÊtoÊkeepÊ allÊthreeÊpartsÊofÊourÊbeingÊholyÊ inÊeveryÊway.ÊOnÊourÊown,ÊweÊ can’tÊdoÊthis,ÊbutÊthroughÊChrist,Ê GodÊhasÊgivenÊusÊaÊHelper,ÊandÊ HeÊcomesÊtoÊliveÊinsideÊusÊwhenÊ weÊacceptÊJesusÊChristÊasÊourÊ personalÊLordÊandÊSavior.Ê

OurÊHelperÊisÊtheÊpersonÊ ofÊtheÊHolyÊSpirit.ÊTheÊsacrificeÊ andÊresurrectionÊofÊJesusÊChristÊ madeÊitÊpossibleÊforÊourÊhumanÊ spiritsÊtoÊbeÊrecreated.Ê

2CorinthiansÊ5:17(NLT)Êdeclares,

“This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” OurÊ humanÊspiritsÊwereÊonceÊdeadÊtoÊ God,ÊbutÊbecauseÊofÊChrist,ÊourÊ humanÊspiritsÊcomeÊaliveÊonceÊ weÊacceptÊhimÊasÊLordÊandÊHeadÊ ofÊourÊlives.ÊWeÊbecomeÊbornÊ againÊofÊGod’sÊSpirit,ÊandÊtheÊ HolyÊSpiritÊcomesÊtoÊliveÊinsideÊ ourÊhumanÊspirit.Ê

TheÊHolyÊSpiritÊisÊalsoÊ ourÊTeacher.ÊHeÊhelpsÊusÊtoÊ understandÊGod’sÊWord,ÊandÊheÊ helpsÊusÊnavigateÊtheÊrockyÊ terrainÊofÊlifeÊonÊearth.ÊIt’sÊ knowingÊGod’sÊtruthÊthatÊallowsÊ usÊtoÊliveÊinÊtheÊvictoryÊofÊ Christ,ÊbutÊtheÊworldÊorÊsocietyÊ doesn’tÊseeÊitÊthisÊway.ÊTheÊ worldÊisÊfilledÊwithÊcynicismÊ andÊarrogance,ÊandÊthisÊcanÊ paralyzeÊaÊperson’sÊlife.ÊWeÊ mustÊbeÊveryÊcarefulÊnotÊtoÊ allowÊnegativityÊtoÊgobbleÊupÊ ourÊhope,Êfaith,ÊandÊjoy.ÊTheÊ wayÊtoÊpreventÊthisÊisÊtoÊsubmitÊ toÊtheÊHolyÊSpirit’sÊguidance.ÊÊ

A RENEWED MIND

IS THE MIND OF CHRIST

odÊtellsÊusÊinÊRomansÊ12:2(ESV), “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” TheÊworldÊmassÊproducesÊnegativityÊandÊturnsÊit’sÊ backÊonÊGod’sÊWord,ÊbutÊtheÊkeyÊtoÊdeliveranceÊisÊinÊRomansÊ 12:2.ÊIt’sÊtoÊrenewÊourÊminds,ÊandÊthisÊmeansÊweÊmustÊchangeÊtheÊ wayÊweÊthinkÊandÊleaveÊtheÊnegativityÊbehind.Ê

EphesiansÊ4:22(NIV)Êsays, “You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires;” JesusÊChristÊshowedÊusÊtheÊ wayÊtoÊhaveÊtheÊkindÊofÊrelationshipÊwithÊHeavenlyÊFatherÊthatÊHeÊ desires.ÊGodÊmadeÊitÊpossibleÊthroughÊChristÊforÊusÊtoÊbeÊsavedÊ fromÊaÊlifeÊofÊdarknessÊandÊdespair.ÊOurÊspiritsÊhaveÊbeenÊmadeÊ brandÊnewÊandÊtheÊpersonÊweÊusedÊtoÊbeÊdoesn’tÊexistÊanymore.Ê GodÊhasÊgivenÊusÊnewness,ÊandÊHeÊcommandsÊusÊtoÊputÊoffÊtheÊ waysÊofÊourÊoldÊselves.Ê

AllÊtheÊnegativeÊhabitÊpatternsÊthatÊweÊhaveÊlearnedÊ throughÊtheÊworld’sÊsystemsÊhaveÊtoÊbeÊunlearned.ÊGodÊtellsÊusÊinÊ EphesiansÊ4:23(NIV),Ê“be made new in the attitude of your minds;” WeÊmustÊbeÊclearÊthatÊJesusÊChristÊhasÊgivenÊusÊnewness.Ê WeÊhaveÊhisÊSpiritÊlivingÊinsideÊus,ÊandÊweÊmustÊchangeÊourÊ mindsÊbyÊrenewingÊthemÊtoÊwhatÊGodÊsaysÊinÊHisÊWord.ÊTheÊ HolyÊSpiritÊdidÊnotÊcomeÊinsideÊusÊandÊstartÊthrowingÊallÊtheÊbadÊ thoughtsÊandÊfeelingsÊout.ÊNo.ÊGodÊhasÊgivenÊusÊfree-willÊchoice,Ê andÊHeÊwillÊnotÊwithdraw,Êviolate,ÊorÊoverstepÊtheÊgiftÊHe’sÊgivenÊ us.ÊOurÊmindsÊareÊourÊresponsibility,ÊandÊweÊneedÊtoÊchangeÊthemÊ soÊthatÊtheyÊequalÊtheÊnewnessÊwe’veÊreceivedÊthroughÊJesusÊ Christ.Ê

GodÊhasÊmadeÊitÊpossibleÊforÊChristÊtoÊbeÊinÊus,ÊbutÊit’sÊupÊ toÊusÊtoÊmakeÊsureÊweÊareÊinÊChrist.ÊEphesiansÊ4:24(NIV)ÊtellsÊus,Ê “and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.” ThisÊcommandmentÊfromÊ GodÊisÊregardingÊourÊinnerÊreality.ÊIt’sÊaboutÊtheÊpartsÊofÊ usÊthatÊnoÊoneÊcanÊsee,ÊtheÊmind,Êheart,ÊandÊsoul.ÊTheseÊ determineÊwhoÊandÊwhatÊweÊvalue,ÊandÊtheyÊdetermineÊ theÊlifeÊwe’reÊgoingÊtoÊlive.Ê

“We live from the inside out, which means that when our hearts and minds are aligned with God’s Word, it can transform our outer reality.”

WeÊliveÊfromÊtheÊinsideÊout,Ê whichÊmeansÊthatÊwhenÊourÊheartsÊ andÊmindsÊareÊalignedÊwithÊGod’sÊ Word,ÊitÊcanÊtransformÊourÊouterÊ reality.ÊGodÊdesignedÊlifeÊtoÊcooperateÊperfectlyÊwithÊHisÊWord,Ê andÊwhenÊweÊcooperateÊwithÊHisÊ Word,ÊlifeÊcooperatesÊwithÊus.Ê OurÊHeavenlyÊFatherÊdidn’tÊmakeÊ thisÊcomplicated.ÊHeÊhasÊempoweredÊusÊtoÊtransformÊourÊmindsÊ andÊheartsÊsoÊthatÊtheyÊduplicateÊ theÊmindÊandÊheartÊofÊChrist.ÊGodÊ tellsÊusÊinÊRomansÊ12:2ÊthatÊweÊ shouldÊnotÊallowÊourselvesÊtoÊbeÊ conformedÊtoÊtheÊworldÊandÊitsÊ standards,ÊbecauseÊtheÊworldÊandÊ itsÊstandardsÊallowÊsatanÊtoÊstealÊ theÊblessingsÊthatÊHeÊwantsÊtoÊ giveÊus.ÊOurÊHeavenlyÊFatherÊ warnsÊusÊinÊProverbsÊ4:23(NLT)Ê toÊ“Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.” ToÊguardÊourÊheartsÊ isÊtoÊrenewÊourÊmindsÊtoÊGod’sÊ Word.ÊIt’sÊtoÊkeepÊtheÊworld’sÊ negativityÊoutÊofÊourÊheartsÊandÊ mindsÊsoÊthatÊweÊdoÊnotÊfallÊpreyÊ toÊtheÊdevil’sÊtricksÊandÊplotsÊ againstÊus.Ê

SoÊmanyÊofÊusÊmissÊthis.Ê TheÊworldÊteachesÊusÊthatÊotherÊ people,Êthings,ÊandÊcircumstancesÊ controlÊourÊexistences.ÊJesusÊ ChristÊtaughtÊusÊinÊJohnÊ8:12 (NLT),Ê“I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won't have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.” OurÊpreciousÊLordÊandÊ SaviorÊisÊtheÊtrueÊlight,ÊandÊallÊ whoÊloveÊhimÊliveÊinÊhisÊlight.ÊWeÊ areÊinÊthisÊworldÊtoÊcarryÊforthÊhisÊ ministryÊofÊloveÊandÊlife,ÊsoÊweÊ areÊinÊtheÊworldÊbutÊnotÊofÊtheÊ world.Ê

1JohnÊ2:15(ESV)Êsays,Ê “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” WeÊmustÊ

notÊloveÊimmoralityÊorÊanythingÊ elseÊthatÊGodÊdoesÊnotÊlove,ÊbecauseÊweÊbelongÊtoÊHim.ÊWeÊareÊ HisÊchildren,ÊandÊweÊareÊmembersÊ ofÊHisÊKingdom.ÊJesusÊtoldÊtheÊ disciplesÊinÊJohnÊ15:19ÊthatÊifÊtheyÊ wereÊaÊpartÊofÊthisÊdarkÊworld,ÊtheÊ worldÊwouldÊloveÊthemÊbecauseÊ theyÊwouldÊbeÊoneÊofÊthem,ÊbutÊ becauseÊwe,ÊasÊdisciplesÊofÊChrist,Ê areÊnotÊaÊpartÊofÊtheÊworld,ÊtheÊ worldÊwantsÊnothingÊtoÊdoÊwithÊ us.ÊIÊdon’tÊknowÊaboutÊyou,ÊbutÊ I’mÊjustÊfineÊwithÊthis.ÊWeÊshouldÊ allÊbeÊsoÊthankfulÊthatÊGodÊhasÊsetÊ usÊapartÊasÊHisÊveryÊown.ÊHeÊwillÊ keepÊusÊinÊHisÊprotectionÊandÊcareÊ ifÊweÊareÊfaithfulÊtoÊkeepÊHisÊ Word.Ê

TheÊworldÊlooksÊtoÊenslaveÊusÊbyÊmakingÊusÊthinkÊandÊ respondÊtoÊitÊcontinuously.ÊIt’sÊnotÊ newsÊthatÊtheÊdevilÊisÊbusy,ÊcausingÊallÊkindsÊofÊevil,Êwickedness,Ê andÊmayhemÊinÊtheÊworld.ÊIfÊ we’reÊeasilyÊdistractedÊbyÊallÊthis,Ê weÊwillÊfallÊpreyÊtoÊtheÊenemy’sÊ planÊtoÊkeepÊusÊfromÊfocusingÊonÊ ourÊrelationshipÊwithÊGod.ÊWeÊ mustÊprayÊforÊdiscernmentÊandÊ wisdomÊsoÊthatÊweÊrecognizeÊ what’sÊhappening.ÊOurÊHeavenlyÊ FatherÊcommandsÊusÊtoÊremainÊ focusedÊonÊHisÊWordÊandÊhaveÊ faithÊinÊHimÊsoÊweÊcanÊliveÊfree.Ê GodÊteachesÊusÊtoÊstepÊoutsideÊtheÊ worldÊsystemÊandÊtoÊrememberÊ whoÊHeÊhasÊmadeÊusÊinÊChrist.Ê WeÊareÊcalledÊtoÊliveÊaÊspiritualÊ life,ÊwhichÊagainÊmeansÊweÊareÊinÊ theÊworld,ÊbutÊweÊareÊnotÊofÊtheÊ world.Ê

GodÊtellsÊusÊinÊGalatiansÊ 5:1(MSG), “Christ has set us free to live a free life. So take your stand! Never again let anyone put a harness of slavery on you.” WeÊareÊhereÊtoÊhaveÊaÊ relationshipÊwithÊGodÊ throughÊJesusÊChristÊ

andÊtoÊliveÊthroughÊhim.ÊOurÊlivesÊ doÊnotÊbelongÊtoÊus,ÊtheyÊbelongÊ toÊGod.ÊHeÊhasÊsetÊusÊfreeÊthroughÊ JesusÊChristÊtoÊliveÊaÊbountifulÊ andÊblessedÊexistence,ÊandÊweÊ shouldÊkeepÊourÊheadsÊalwaysÊinÊ theÊhigherÊplaceÊofÊHisÊloveÊandÊ light.ÊTheÊworldÊisÊenslavedÊbyÊ satanÊandÊdoesn’tÊknowÊit.Ê2CorinthiansÊ4:4ÊtellsÊusÊthatÊsatanÊisÊ theÊgodÊofÊthisÊworldÊandÊhasÊ blindedÊtheÊmindsÊofÊpeopleÊsoÊ thatÊtheyÊwillÊnotÊbelieveÊandÊhaveÊ faithÊinÊGod.ÊOurÊHeavenlyÊFatherÊ wantsÊusÊtoÊwakeÊupÊandÊrecognizeÊthatÊtheÊmindÊisÊtheÊbattlefieldÊofÊlife.ÊIt’sÊtheÊplaceÊwhereÊ weÊeitherÊdecideÊtoÊhaveÊfaithÊinÊ HimÊandÊtoÊbeÊfreeÊthroughÊChrist,Ê orÊweÊcanÊdecideÊtoÊremainÊasleep.Ê TheÊchoiceÊisÊupÊtoÊus.Ê

1TimothyÊ2:4(ESV)ÊtellsÊ usÊthatÊGodÊ“desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” ThisÊisÊaÊ two-prongedÊplan,ÊfirstÊtoÊgiveÊusÊ salvationÊthroughÊJesusÊChristÊsoÊ thatÊweÊareÊbornÊofÊGod’sÊSpirit,Ê andÊtoÊfreeÊourÊmindsÊsoÊthatÊweÊ canÊrejoiceÊandÊliveÊinÊtheÊfullÊ knowledgeÊofÊHisÊ truth.ÊWeÊmustÊrenewÊ ourÊmindsÊtoÊGod’sÊ WordÊsoÊthatÊweÊknowÊ whoÊweÊare,ÊwhereÊweÊ are,ÊandÊwhatÊwe’reÊ supposedÊtoÊbeÊdoing.Ê WeÊwereÊcreatedÊtoÊbeÊ likeÊChrist,ÊtoÊhaveÊhisÊ mindÊandÊexerciseÊhisÊ power,Êauthority,ÊandÊ loveÊinÊtheÊearth.ÊThisÊ isÊtheÊWillÊofÊGodÊforÊ us,ÊandÊHe’sÊgivenÊusÊ everythingÊweÊneedÊtoÊ liveÊitÊabundantlyÊinÊ Christ.Ê

LEAVE A NEGATIVE ATTITUDE BEHIND

owÊmanyÊofÊusÊreallyÊbelieveÊthatÊ GodÊwantsÊeveryÊlivingÊindividualÊ toÊbeÊhappyÊandÊwhole?ÊIt’sÊtrue!Ê GodÊwantsÊtheÊabsoluteÊbestÊforÊ allÊofÊus,ÊandÊHeÊtellsÊusÊthisÊinÊHisÊWord.ÊHeÊtellsÊ usÊinÊJohnÊ10:10ÊthatÊHeÊsentÊHisÊSon,ÊJesusÊChrist,Ê toÊtheÊearthÊtoÊmakeÊaÊmoreÊthanÊabundantÊlifeÊ availableÊtoÊeveryone.ÊHeÊsentÊJesusÊChristÊtoÊshowÊ usÊtheÊpathÊtoÊjoyÊeverlasting.ÊThisÊisÊtremendouslyÊ GoodÊNews!ÊBut,Êagain,ÊhowÊmanyÊofÊusÊareÊtrulyÊ experiencingÊtheÊhappiness,Êwholeness,ÊandÊ abundantÊlifeÊthatÊChristÊmadeÊavailableÊtoÊusÊall?Ê TheÊrealityÊisÊthatÊsomeÊofÊusÊhaveÊbeenÊonÊthisÊ ChristianÊjourneyÊaÊveryÊlongÊtime,ÊbutÊwe’reÊnotÊ joyful.ÊWe’reÊsad,ÊandÊweÊdon’tÊfeelÊasÊthoughÊ there’sÊanythingÊweÊcanÊdoÊaboutÊthis.ÊNotÊtrue!Ê WeÊcanÊbeÊtransformed,ÊandÊthisÊisÊwhatÊourÊ

individual,ÊthatÊtheyÊwillÊbeÊtransformedÊbyÊtheÊ powerÊofÊHisÊWord! GenesisÊ1:27-28ÊTheÊMessageÊ(MSG)ÊtellsÊus,Ê “God created human beings; he created them godlike, reflecting God’s nature. He created them male and female. God blessed them: “Prosper! Reproduce! Fill Earth! Take charge!” ThisÊisÊ God’sÊWord,ÊandÊthisÊisÊalsoÊGod’sÊWill.ÊHisÊWillÊ isÊforÊusÊtoÊprosper,ÊtoÊbeÊproductive,Êexpand,ÊandÊ haveÊdominionÊandÊauthorityÊoverÊourÊlives.ÊWeÊ wereÊnotÊcreatedÊtoÊbeÊweakÊandÊeffective.ÊGodÊ createdÊusÊtoÊthriveÊandÊbeÊfulfilledÊthroughÊourÊ relationshipÊwithÊHim.ÊHeÊisÊtheÊSupplierÊandÊ SourceÊofÊallÊgoodÊthings,ÊandÊHisÊWillÊisÊtoÊshareÊ withÊusÊthroughÊHisÊlove,Êpower,ÊandÊstrength.Ê WeÊareÊdestinedÊtoÊexpand,Êincrease,ÊandÊ continuallyÊflourishÊthroughÊtheÊ‘Godlike nature’ reÊtoÊtakeÊcharge,ÊandÊ thisÊmeansÊthatÊnoÊcircumstance,Ê condition,ÊorÊsituationÊshouldÊ ruleÊus.ÊWeÊareÊempoweredÊ byÊGodÊtoÊadjustÊourÊmindsÊ andÊheartsÊtoÊtheÊpointÊthatÊ theyÊareÊonÊboardÊwithÊHisÊ power.ÊAndÊifÊwe’reÊnotÊ thinkingÊtheseÊkindsÊofÊ levelÊthoughtsÊaboutÊ sÊdeliverance,Êhealing,Ê andÊpowerÊoverÊourÊlives,Ê reÊthinking,Êfeeling,Ê andÊrespondingÊtoÊourÊlivesÊwithÊ levelÊattitudeÊofÊdoubtÊ andÊinsecurity.ÊGodÊcommandsÊusÊ toÊimmediatelyÊchangeÊthis.ÊHeÊ tellsÊusÊinÊEphesiansÊ4:23(NIV)Ê be made new in the attitude of your minds.”

“The Quality of Your Mind”

GodÊisÊnotÊgoingÊtoÊcomeÊinsideÊourÊ heads,ÊthrowÊoutÊallÊtheÊbadÊthoughtsÊandÊattitudes,ÊandÊreplaceÊthemÊwithÊnewÊones.ÊHeÊholdsÊ usÊresponsibleÊforÊdoingÊthis.ÊHe’sÊgivenÊusÊfreewillÊchoice.ÊHe’sÊempoweredÊusÊtoÊreign,ÊtoÊtakeÊ dominionÊandÊauthorityÊoverÊourÊlivesÊthroughÊ JesusÊChrist;Êtherefore,ÊweÊmustÊtakeÊtheÊinitiativeÊ andÊstackÊourÊnegativeÊthoughtsÊandÊattitudesÊ againstÊtheÊmindÊandÊattitudeÊofÊChrist.ÊIfÊwe’reÊ notÊthinkingÊandÊactingÊlikeÊhim,ÊandÊifÊwe’reÊnotÊ takingÊauthorityÊoverÊourÊlivesÊbyÊhavingÊfaithÊinÊ God’sÊWord,ÊWEÊMUSTÊCHANGE. TheÊgoalÊthatÊGodÊhasÊsetÊforÊallÊhumanÊ beingsÊisÊtoÊbeÊtheÊveryÊimageÊofÊHisÊSon,ÊJesusÊ Christ.ÊTherefore,ÊtoÊunderstandÊGod’sÊWillÊandÊ planÊforÊus,ÊweÊneedÊtoÊknowÊasÊmuchÊasÊweÊcanÊ aboutÊwhoÊourÊLordÊandÊSaviorÊis.ÊColossiansÊ 1:15-20Ê(NIV)ÊhelpsÊusÊtremendously.ÊItÊtellsÊus,Ê “15 The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. 17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. 19 For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.”

ColossiansÊ1:15-20ÊgivesÊusÊtheÊimageÊofÊ Christ,ÊandÊwhenÊGodÊlooksÊatÊus,ÊHeÊdoesn’tÊseeÊ theÊmistakesÊwe’veÊmadeÊorÊallÊourÊbaggage,ÊGodÊ seesÊtheÊChristÊinÊus!ÊHeÊseesÊwhoÊHeÊcreatedÊusÊ toÊbeÊinÊChrist,ÊandÊweÊmustÊbeginÊtoÊseeÊourselvesÊthisÊwayÊasÊwell.ÊHeÊcreatedÊusÊtoÊbeÊlikeÊ HisÊonlyÊbegottenÊSon,ÊandÊtherefore,ÊweÊareÊempoweredÊtoÊriseÊtoÊthisÊlevelÊofÊlove,Êgiving,Êsharing,ÊandÊliving.ÊRomansÊ8:29(NIV)Êdeclares,Ê “For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.” ChristÊisÊourÊidentity.ÊHe’sÊourÊBigÊ Brother,ÊandÊweÊshouldÊbeÊlivingÊbyÊhisÊexample.Ê ThisÊmeansÊwe’reÊtoÊloveÊourselvesÊandÊothersÊ throughÊChrist,ÊandÊweÊareÊtoÊloveÊGodÊwithÊallÊ ourÊminds,Êhearts,Êsouls,ÊandÊstrength.ÊÊ

GodÊhasÊcalledÊusÊtoÊliveÊinÊChrist,ÊandÊHeÊ gaveÊhimÊupÊasÊaÊsacrificeÊforÊtheÊsinsÊofÊusÊall.Ê ThroughÊChrist,ÊGodÊhasÊgivenÊusÊallÊthings,ÊsoÊ theÊquestionÊweÊmustÊaskÊourselvesÊisÊhowÊweÊ haveÊchosenÊtoÊrespondÊtoÊwhatÊweÊhaveÊreceived.Ê ManyÊareÊresponding,ÊnotÊbyÊseekingÊGodÊforÊallÊ thingsÊandÊallowingÊHimÊtoÊdirectÊtheirÊpath,ÊbutÊ byÊimposingÊtheirÊownÊplansÊforÊtheirÊlives.ÊWhenÊ thingsÊdoÊnotÊworkÊoutÊwithÊourÊplans,ÊourÊtypicalÊ responseÊisÊtoÊthenÊblameÊGod,ÊabsolveÊourselvesÊ ofÊresponsibility,ÊandÊhaveÊaÊnegativeÊattitudeÊ aboutÊlife.ÊWhatÊweÊfailÊtoÊrealizeÊisÊthatÊhavingÊaÊ negativeÊattitudeÊcausesÊusÊtoÊfurtherÊregress.Ê

AÊnegativeÊattitudeÊisÊusuallyÊrootedÊinÊ doubt,Êunbelief,ÊandÊfear,ÊandÊmanyÊofÊusÊareÊ respondingÊtoÊlifeÊthisÊway.ÊWeÊmakeÊseveralÊ excusesÊforÊaÊnegativeÊattitude,ÊlikeÊ“It’s just the way I am”, “I don’t like being disappointed” orÊ “I been hurt before, so I don’t trust anyone or anything”. WhenÊweÊthinkÊlikeÊthis,Êwe’reÊ allowingÊdisappointmentÊandÊdoubtÊtoÊhaveÊaÊ frontÊrowÊseatÊinÊourÊdecisionsÊandÊchoices.ÊWeÊ thinkÊwe’reÊplayingÊitÊsafeÊwhenÊweÊthinkÊ somethingÊwon’tÊworkÊoutÊbeforeÊweÊevenÊtry,ÊbutÊ there’sÊnoÊpowerÊinÊthinkingÊlikeÊthat.Ê

GodÊcommandsÊusÊinÊRomansÊ12:2ÊnotÊtoÊconformÊtoÊtheÊnegativeÊandÊdivisiveÊattitudesÊofÊtheÊ world.ÊWeÊmustÊnotÊallowÊtheÊ world’sÊculturesÊandÊtraditionsÊtoÊ moldÊourÊpersonality.ÊWe’veÊbeenÊ calledÊtoÊaÊhigherÊlife,ÊaÊlifeÊofÊloveÊ andÊlight.ÊWeÊmustÊbeÊtransformedÊ byÊrenewingÊourÊmindsÊtoÊwhatÊGODÊ says,ÊnotÊbyÊwhatÊtheÊworldÊthinksÊorÊ howÊitÊoperates.ÊWeÊmustÊstripÊoffÊ theÊoldÊattitudesÊandÊhabitsÊandÊputÊ onÊaÊChrist-likeÊattitudeÊandÊmindset,Ê becauseÊthisÊisÊlivingÊbyÊtheÊSpiritÊ andÊlivingÊbyÊGod’sÊtruth.Ê LivingÊlikeÊChristÊisÊlivingÊ ourÊtruth!ÊGodÊcommandsÊusÊtoÊbuildÊ

ourÊlivesÊonÊaÊstrongÊfoundation,ÊandÊ JesusÊChristÊisÊthatÊstrongÊfoundation.ÊPhilippiansÊ4:13ÊtellsÊusÊthatÊweÊ canÊdoÊALLÊthingsÊthroughÊChristÊ whoÊgivesÊusÊstrength.ÊOurÊattitudesÊ andÊthoughtsÊshouldÊalwaysÊlineÊupÊ withÊwhoÊGodÊhasÊmadeÊusÊthroughÊ Christ.ÊWeÊareÊspiritualÊbeingsÊlivingÊ aÊhumanÊexperience,ÊnotÊtheÊotherÊ wayÊaround.ÊRecognizeÊthatÊspiritualÊ beingsÊbornÊofÊGod’sÊSpiritÊliveÊbyÊ faith,ÊnotÊfear.ÊWeÊbelieveÊthatÊ throughÊourÊfaith,ÊallÊthingsÊareÊpossibleÊwithÊGodÊbecauseÊthisÊisÊwhatÊ HisÊWordÊtellsÊusÊinÊMarkÊ9:23.Ê BreakingÊdownÊaÊnegativeÊattitudeÊ requiresÊusÊtoÊseeÊitÊforÊwhatÊitÊis.ÊAÊ

negativeÊattitudeÊisÊanÊenemyÊofÊ God’sÊtruth,ÊandÊtherefore,ÊitÊisÊanÊ enemyÊofÊourÊfaithÊinÊHim.ÊThisÊ mindsetÊmustÊbeÊconfrontedÊandÊ kickedÊtoÊtheÊcurb.ÊInÊitsÊplaceÊ shouldÊbeÊaÊgreaterÊdesireÊtoÊliveÊforÊ God.ÊWhenÊthisÊisÊourÊmotivationÊ everyÊday,ÊweÊwillÊfindÊthatÊlifeÊisÊ muchÊsweeter.ÊWeÊmustÊthinkÊandÊ speakÊtheÊrealityÊofÊwhoÊweÊareÊinÊ Christ!ÊWeÊareÊGod’sÊchildrenÊofÊ loveÊandÊlight,ÊandÊweÊmustÊbeÊcommittedÊtoÊthinkÊthoughtsÊofÊGod’sÊ excellence,Êpurity,ÊandÊtruth.ÊWhenÊ weÊdo,ÊHisÊgoodnessÊwillÊsurelyÊ manifestÊinÊourÊlives.Ê

HAVE AN ATTITUDE LIKE CHRIST

omeoneÊonceÊsaidÊthatÊ“feeling good is everything.” It’sÊaÊprettyÊ significantÊstatement,ÊbutÊwe’llÊ missÊtheÊtrueÊessenceÊofÊfeelingÊ goodÊifÊweÊdon’tÊunpackÊthisÊstatementÊaÊbit.ÊMostÊofÊusÊrelateÊtheÊstateÊofÊfeelingÊgoodÊ toÊtheÊqualityÊofÊaÊhappyÊemotionalÊstate.ÊIfÊallÊisÊwellÊ inÊourÊlives,ÊandÊwe’reÊcontent,ÊmostÊofÊusÊfeelÊprettyÊ

good,ÊbutÊallÊofÊthisÊisÊcontingentÊonÊconditions.ÊInÊ otherÊwords,ÊmanyÊofÊusÊbaseÊourÊhappinessÊorÊcontentmentÊinÊlifeÊonÊexternalÊfactors.ÊIfÊweÊgetÊupÊinÊ theÊmorning,ÊandÊthingsÊareÊnotÊgoodÊinÊourÊworlds,Ê orÊsomethingÊgoesÊwrongÊinÊourÊrelationships,ÊworkÊ life,ÊorÊfinances,ÊmanyÊofÊusÊallowÊtheseÊsituationsÊtoÊ impactÊhowÊweÊfeel.ÊWeÊallowÊexternalÊconditionsÊtoÊ dictateÊourÊinternalÊcondition.ÊWhenÊIÊrelayedÊthisÊtoÊ aÊfriend,ÊsheÊsaidÊtoÊme,Ê“But isn’t that how it’s supposed to be?”

TheÊlongÊandÊshortÊofÊitÊisÊ“No”, that’sÊnotÊhowÊit’sÊsupposedÊtoÊbe.ÊIt’sÊ backwards.ÊWeÊliveÊfromÊtheÊinsideÊout,Ê notÊtheÊotherÊwayÊaround.ÊWe’reÊnotÊcreatedÊtoÊliveÊthroughÊourÊemotions,ÊbecauseÊ weÊcouldÊbeÊupÊoneÊdayÊandÊdownÊtheÊnextÊ livingÊthatÊway.ÊWeÊareÊcreatedÊtoÊliveÊ throughÊtheÊloveÊofÊJesusÊChrist,ÊbecauseÊ everythingÊthatÊexistÊisÊunderÊhim,ÊandÊ thereÊisÊnoÊgreaterÊpowerÊthanÊtheÊloveÊheÊ givesÊus.ÊTheÊApostleÊPaulÊsaidÊinÊGalatiansÊ2:20(NLT), “My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” ThisÊisÊaÊgameÊchanger.ÊOurÊgoalÊisÊnotÊtoÊ liveÊbasedÊonÊtheÊcircumstancesÊandÊconditionsÊweÊface,ÊbutÊtoÊliveÊinÊChrist.ÊThisÊ meansÊweÊareÊtoÊhaveÊanÊattitudeÊlikeÊ ChristÊandÊliveÊthroughÊhisÊpower,ÊbecauseÊ hisÊloveÊisÊtheÊgreatestÊpowerÊthatÊexists!Ê ManyÊofÊusÊallowÊourÊemotionsÊtoÊ dictateÊtheÊqualityÊofÊourÊlives.ÊThisÊmeansÊ thatÊweÊareÊplacingÊourÊentireÊexistenceÊ underÊtheÊgovernmentÊofÊourÊemotionsÊandÊ feelings.ÊThisÊisÊnotÊtheÊwayÊtoÊlive.ÊJesusÊ ChristÊtellsÊusÊinÊJohnÊ10:10ÊthatÊheÊcameÊ toÊtheÊearthÊtoÊgiveÊusÊaÊmoreÊthanÊabundantÊlife.ÊThisÊisÊaÊlifeÊwhereÊweÊareÊlivingÊ withÊHolyÊSpiritÊpower,ÊandÊthereforeÊlivingÊaÊlifeÊofÊlove.ÊLoveÊisÊexceedinglyÊ moreÊthanÊaÊfeeling.ÊLoveÊisÊaÊcommitmentÊ toÊhonorÊGodÊthroughÊJesusÊChristÊwithÊ ourÊwholeÊlives.ÊEmotionsÊandÊfeelingsÊareÊ instructiveÊandÊaddÊflavorÊtoÊourÊfulfillmentÊinÊlife,ÊbutÊtheyÊhaveÊnowhereÊnearÊ theÊcapacityÊrequiredÊtoÊcontainÊtheÊpowerÊ andÊauthorityÊofÊChrist.ÊWeÊmustÊunderstandÊthis.Ê

JesusÊChristÊhasÊaÊbeautifulÊattitude,ÊandÊitÊ wasÊonÊfullÊdisplayÊwhenÊheÊwalkedÊtheÊ earth.ÊPeopleÊlivingÊduringÊthatÊtimeÊwereÊ justÊasÊruthless,Êinsensitive,Êmanipulative,Ê andÊmeanÊasÊfolksÊareÊtoday,ÊbutÊJesusÊ

ChristÊdidÊnotÊallowÊthisÊtoÊalterÊhisÊattitude.ÊHeÊlivedÊinÊperfectÊharmonyÊandÊfellowshipÊwithÊtheÊFather,ÊandÊheÊmadeÊitÊ possibleÊforÊusÊtoÊdoÊthisÊtoo.ÊHisÊattitudeÊ wasÊexpressedÊthroughÊhisÊgiving,Êsharing,Ê compassion,ÊpowerÊandÊtruth.ÊHeÊupliftedÊ peopleÊtoÊthinkÊlikeÊhimÊandÊtoÊhaveÊcompleteÊfaithÊinÊGodÊjustÊasÊheÊdid.Ê

JesusÊChristÊisÊtheÊlivingÊWordÊofÊ God,ÊandÊGod’sÊWordÊmakesÊusÊwhole.Ê OurÊbeliefÊinÊGod’sÊWord,ÊandÊourÊobedienceÊtoÊit,ÊisÊtheÊfoundationÊforÊqualityÊliving.ÊWeÊcannotÊlookÊtoÊemotionsÊandÊfeelingsÊtoÊtellÊusÊwhoÊorÊhowÊweÊare.ÊWeÊ haveÊaÊsureÊandÊsteadyÊfoundationÊinÊtheÊ personÊofÊJesusÊChrist,ÊandÊthisÊisÊtheÊfoundationÊweÊmustÊstandÊonÊunwaveringly.Ê ColossiansÊ3:1-4(NLT)Êsays,Ê“1 Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God's right hand. 2 Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. 3 For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 And when Christ, who is your life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory. ”

AÊpersonÊmightÊask,Ê“Well what am I supposed to do? I have too many problems and issues coming at me all at once. Am I supposed to just turn a blind eye and not worry about these things? What happens if my life is wrecked?” AÊ wreckedÊlifeÊisÊaÊlifeÊwithoutÊfaithÊinÊGod,Ê andÊmanyÊofÊusÊareÊinÊthisÊpredicamentÊtoday.ÊGodÊoffersÊusÊaÊsolutionÊthroughÊtheÊ personÊofÊJesusÊChrist.ÊToÊacceptÊthisÊsolutionÊmeansÊthatÊthereÊmustÊbeÊaÊparadigmÊ shiftÊinÊourÊmindsÊandÊhearts.ÊWeÊmustÊ changeÊtheÊwayÊweÊthink.Ê

"10 God’s purpose in all this was to use the church to display his wisdom in its rich variety to all the unseen rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. 11 This was his eternal plan, which he carried out through Christ Jesus our Lord. 12 Because of Christ and our faith in him, we can now come boldly and confidently into God’s presence."

Ephesians 3:10-12(NLT)

InÊorderÊtoÊunderstandÊmoreÊclearlyÊthisÊ mentalÊandÊemotionalÊshiftÊthatÊfaithÊinÊGodÊ requiresÊofÊus,ÊweÊneedÊtoÊthinkÊaboutÊsomeÊofÊ theÊthingsÊweÊautomaticallyÊacceptÊtoday.ÊWeÊ acceptÊtheÊpromisesÊofÊotherÊpeopleÊandÊinstitutionsÊsimplyÊbecauseÊeveryoneÊelseÊdoes.ÊWeÊ putÊanÊincredibleÊamountÊofÊtrustÊinÊtheÊbanks,Ê andÊmostÊofÊusÊhaveÊnoÊproblemÊtrustingÊthatÊ theÊmoneyÊweÊputÊinÊtheÊbankÊwillÊstillÊbeÊthereÊ whenÊweÊneedÊit.ÊEvenÊbeforeÊtheÊmoneyÊisÊinÊ ourÊhands,ÊweÊtrustÊthatÊourÊemployersÊwillÊpayÊ usÊforÊtheÊworkÊweÊdoÊeachÊweek.ÊWeÊtrustÊthatÊ money,ÊnotÊfaithÊinÊGod,ÊisÊourÊticketÊtoÊsupportÊandÊwell-being.Ê

WeÊdon’tÊevenÊgiveÊtheseÊthingsÊaÊsecondÊthought.ÊWeÊtrustÊthemÊutterlyÊandÊcompletelyÊbecauseÊtheÊworldÊhasÊtoldÊusÊthatÊthisÊ isÊtheÊwayÊtoÊgo.ÊGodÊtellsÊusÊinÊRomansÊ12:2 (NLT),Ê“2 Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” We’veÊbeenÊprogrammedÊtoÊthinkÊlikeÊ everyoneÊelse.ÊGodÊcommandsÊusÊtoÊdisconnectÊ fromÊthatÊprogrammingÊandÊtoÊrenewÊourÊ mindsÊtoÊHisÊWord.ÊThenÊweÊwillÊliveÊpowerfullyÊbecauseÊweÊwillÊthinkÊtheÊsameÊwayÊthatÊ ChristÊthinks.Ê

We’veÊbeenÊtrainedÊtoÊfearÊpovertyÊandÊ toÊhaveÊfaithÊinÊtheÊworld’sÊinstitutions.ÊWeÊ placeÊmoreÊfaithÊinÊthemÊthanÊweÊdoÊinÊGod,Ê andÊHeÊisÊtheÊCreatorÊofÊall.ÊThisÊisÊanÊunacceptableÊwayÊtoÊlive.ÊWeÊcanÊchangeÊthis,ÊandÊ weÊshould.ÊHaveÊfaithÊinÊGodÊandÊrenewÊyourÊ mindÊsoÊthatÊyourÊattitudeÊexpressesÊthis.Ê

GenesisÊ2:7(NLT)ÊtellsÊus, “Then the LORD God formed the man from the dust of the ground. He breathed the breath of life into the man's nostrils, and the man became a living person.” GodÊisÊtheÊGiverÊofÊlife.ÊRomansÊ8:28ÊtellsÊusÊthatÊforÊ thoseÊwhoÊloveÊHimÊandÊareÊcalledÊaccordingÊtoÊHisÊpurpose,ÊHeÊmakesÊ allÊthingsÊworkÊtogetherÊforÊourÊ good.ÊLivingÊforÊGodÊthroughÊtheÊ exampleÊthatÊJesusÊChristÊsetÊisÊtheÊ highestÊqualityÊofÊlifeÊanyoneÊcanÊ achieve.ÊChristÊhasÊgivenÊusÊtheÊkeyÊ toÊGod’sÊkingdom,ÊandÊwhenÊweÊ think,Êlive,ÊandÊgiveÊlikeÊhim,ÊweÊ willÊopenÊtheÊdoorÊtoÊaÊlifeÊfilledÊ withÊhisÊblessingsÊandÊlove.Ê●

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guyÊfriendÊofÊmine,ÊDamian,Ê wasÊventingÊtoÊmeÊaboutÊaÊ womanÊheÊhadÊbeenÊdating.Ê HeÊsaidÊthatÊheÊ‘cut her off’,ÊandÊtheÊreasonÊ heÊgaveÊforÊterminatingÊtheirÊrelationshipÊisÊ thatÊsheÊwasÊ“doing too much”,ÊasÊheÊputÊit.Ê WhenÊaÊmanÊsaysÊthis,ÊitÊcanÊmeanÊaÊwholeÊ lotÊofÊthingsÊinÊhisÊmind,ÊbutÊfromÊourÊcon-

versationÊaboutÊit,ÊIÊunderstoodÊhimÊtoÊmeanÊ thatÊtheyÊwereÊnotÊonÊtheÊsameÊpageÊaboutÊ theÊdirectionÊofÊtheirÊrelationship.ÊSheÊwantedÊsomethingÊmuchÊmoreÊseriousÊthanÊwhatÊ heÊwasÊreadyÊfor.ÊNeitherÊofÊthemÊhadÊbeenÊ upfrontÊandÊhonestÊaboutÊtheirÊexpectations,Ê soÊthereÊwasÊaÊlotÊofÊfrustration,Êdisappointment,ÊandÊangerÊinÊtheirÊrelationship.Ê

DamianÊenjoysÊhisÊspace,ÊandÊalthoughÊheÊ didn’tÊkeepÊthisÊaÊsecret,ÊheÊwasn’tÊallÊthatÊgreatÊatÊ definingÊexactlyÊwhatÊthisÊmeantÊforÊhim.ÊHisÊexgirlfriendÊtookÊitÊveryÊlightly,ÊandÊasÊtheÊrelationshipÊcontinued,ÊitÊslippedÊtoÊtheÊbackÊofÊherÊmind.Ê SheÊinsertedÊherselfÊintoÊhisÊlifeÊinÊwaysÊheÊfoundÊ intrusive,ÊbutÊbecauseÊheÊfeltÊsheÊwasÊtakingÊcareÊofÊ hisÊphysicalÊneeds,ÊheÊallowedÊherÊtoÊcontinue.Ê ConstantlyÊblowingÊupÊhisÊphone,ÊsheÊexpectedÊhimÊ toÊpickÊupÊeveryÊtimeÊandÊstayÊinÊcloseÊcontact.Ê WhenÊheÊfellÊshort,Êshe’dÊaccuseÊhimÊofÊcheating.Ê HeÊbecameÊincreasinglyÊnon-committal,ÊandÊtheÊ finalÊstrawÊcameÊwhenÊsheÊbeganÊexpressingÊherÊ disappointmentÊthroughÊtantrums.ÊAtÊtheÊendÊofÊ tellingÊmeÊallÊthis,ÊheÊmadeÊtheÊstatement,Ê“Oh well, on to the next one.”

TheseÊkindsÊofÊattitudesÊandÊbehaviorsÊplayÊ outÊinÊrelationshipsÊallÊtheÊtime,ÊbutÊweÊshouldn’tÊ forÊoneÊsecondÊthinkÊthisÊisÊwhatÊGodÊdesires.ÊIt’sÊ notÊwhyÊHe’sÊgivenÊusÊtheÊgiftÊofÊrelatingÊtoÊoneÊ another,ÊandÊitÊdoesn’tÊmeetÊHisÊrequirementÊofÊ howÊweÊshouldÊtreat,Êhonor,ÊandÊrespectÊoneÊanother.ÊDamianÊwasÊreadyÊtoÊmoveÊtoÊtheÊnextÊwoman,Ê butÊIÊdon’tÊthinkÊheÊhadÊanyÊintentionÊofÊchangingÊ hisÊbehavior,ÊandÊitÊdidn’tÊappearÊheÊhadÊlearnedÊ anythingÊfromÊhisÊlastÊrelationship.ÊIÊaskedÊhim,Ê “So, what’s your purpose for moving to the next one? Is it to marry or just to take up time?”

IÊwasÊsaddenedÊbyÊhisÊresponse.ÊHeÊsaid,Ê “Marriage isn’t important anymore.” TheÊmindand-heart-setÊbehindÊthisÊkindÊofÊthinkingÊhasÊbecomeÊentrenchedÊbecauseÊsatanÊhadÊblindedÊtheÊ mindsÊofÊsoÊmany.ÊIfÊaÊmanÊfeelsÊthisÊwayÊaboutÊ marriage,ÊwhatÊdoesÊitÊtellÊyouÊaboutÊhowÊheÊultimatelyÊfeelsÊaboutÊwomen?ÊMarriageÊisÊGod'sÊinstitution.ÊHeÊcreatedÊitÊforÊHisÊpurpose.ÊHeÊwasÊtheÊ OneÊwhoÊbroughtÊEveÊtoÊAdam,ÊandÊweÊhaveÊnoÊ otherÊchoiceÊbutÊtoÊunderstandÊthatÊHeÊisÊtheÊOneÊ whoÊputÊthemÊtogether.ÊGodÊdoesn’tÊdoÊthingsÊjustÊ toÊbeÊdoingÊthem.ÊEverythingÊHeÊdoesÊisÊcarriedÊoutÊ inÊHisÊlove,Êpurpose,ÊandÊplan.ÊEverythingÊGodÊ doesÊisÊbeneficialÊandÊfundamentallyÊwise,ÊandÊifÊ HeÊsetÊitÊinÊmotion,ÊweÊhadÊbestÊbelieveÊthatÊitÊisÊ important.Ê

GodÊsetsÊpatternsÊforÊusÊtoÊfollow.ÊWeÊareÊ notÊtheÊleaders.ÊHeÊisÊtheÊLeader.ÊWeÊfollowÊHimÊ throughÊJesusÊChrist,ÊandÊthatÊwillÊalwaysÊandÊforeverÊbeÊtheÊprecedent.ÊOurÊHeavenlyÊFatherÊhasÊ shownÊusÊHisÊloveÊthroughÊJesusÊChrist.ÊOurÊRedeemerÊsaidÊinÊJohnÊ15:13(NLT), “There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” JesusÊChristÊgaveÊhisÊlifeÊonÊtheÊcrossÊbe-

causeÊthisÊwasÊpartÊofÊhisÊmissionÊforÊcomingÊtoÊtheÊ earth.ÊGodÊsentÊhimÊhereÊtoÊbeÊanÊofferingÊforÊourÊ sin,ÊandÊtoÊredeemÊusÊfromÊdarkness.ÊJohnÊ3:16ÊtellsÊ usÊthatÊGodÊlovedÊtheÊentireÊworldÊsoÊmuchÊthatÊHeÊ gaveÊHisÊonlyÊbegottenÊSon.ÊHeÊdidÊthisÊsoÊthatÊweÊ wouldÊnotÊperishÊbutÊhaveÊeverlastingÊlife.Ê

HeavenlyÊFatherÊhasÊshownÊusÊthatÊloveÊrequiresÊsacrifice.ÊGod’sÊloveÊisÊtheÊkindÊthatÊbindsÊaÊ relationshipÊtogetherÊwithÊstrongÊglue.ÊIfÊaÊmanÊletsÊ youÊknowÊstraightÊoutÊtheÊgateÊthatÊheÊwillÊnotÊloveÊ youÊthisÊway,ÊthatÊhe’sÊnotÊcapableÊofÊevenÊunderstandingÊsacrifice,ÊwalkÊaway.ÊInÊEphesiansÊ5:25 (NLT),ÊGodÊcommands,Ê“For husbands, this means love your wives, just as Christ loved the church. He gave up his life for her.” AÊboyfriendÊisÊnotÊaÊhusband,ÊbutÊweÊshouldÊhaveÊenoughÊwisdomÊtoÊdiscernÊifÊhe’dÊmakeÊaÊgoodÊone.ÊTheÊbarometerÊforÊ measuringÊwhetherÊheÊwillÊorÊwon’tÊisÊhisÊmotivationÊtoÊsacrificeÊjustÊaboutÊanythingÊforÊyourÊwellbeing.ÊAsÊHisÊbelovedÊdaughter,ÊGodÊseesÊyouÊasÊ worthyÊofÊthis,ÊandÊthisÊisÊhowÊyouÊmustÊseeÊyourself.■Ê

Hannah’sÊexampleÊisÊrecordedÊinÊ theÊOldÊTestamentÊBookÊofÊ1Samuel.ÊInÊtheÊfirstÊchapter,ÊweÊlearnÊaÊ greatÊdealÊaboutÊherÊstruggleÊ andÊhowÊsheÊhandledÊdevastatingÊdisappointment.Ê SheÊwasÊmarriedÊtoÊaÊmanÊthatÊhadÊtwoÊwives,ÊandÊ thisÊwasÊnotÊanÊoptimumÊsituationÊforÊanyÊwomanÊ livingÊthenÊorÊnow.ÊManyÊpeopleÊhaveÊincorrectlyÊ believedÊthatÊGodÊwasÊokayÊwithÊtheÊpolygamousÊ marriagesÊthatÊoccurredÊinÊOldÊTestamentÊdays,ÊbutÊ thisÊisÊnotÊtrue.ÊGod’sÊWillÊisÊthatÊaÊmanÊwillÊhaveÊ onlyÊoneÊwifeÊandÊaÊwomanÊwillÊhaveÊonlyÊoneÊhusband.ÊInÊTitusÊ1:6(ESV),ÊHeÊlaysÊoutÊHisÊstandardÊ forÊaÊmanÊinÊaÊpositionÊofÊGodlyÊleadership.ÊHeÊsaidÊ thisÊpersonÊmustÊbeÊ“above reproach, the husband of one wife.” HannahÊwasn’tÊmarriedÊtoÊaÊmanÊlikeÊ this,ÊandÊasÊweÊreadÊaboutÊherÊlife,Êwe’llÊseeÊhowÊ sheÊwasÊblessedÊdespiteÊtheÊobstaclesÊsheÊfaced.Ê

RegardingÊtheÊfirstÊmarriedÊcouple,ÊGenesisÊ 2ÊtellsÊusÊthatÊGodÊputÊAdamÊtoÊsleepÊandÊremovedÊ aÊribÊfromÊAdam’sÊbodyÊandÊmadeÊhisÊwife,ÊEve.Ê GenesisÊ2:24(NLT)ÊtellsÊus,Ê“This explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.” We’reÊtoÊ haveÊonenessÊwithÊoneÊperson,ÊandÊthisÊisÊtheÊpersonÊGodÊsendsÊus.ÊElkanahÊwasÊaÊLevite,ÊandÊheÊ wasÊHannah’sÊhusband.ÊHe,ÊlikeÊmanyÊotherÊmenÊ livingÊduringÊhisÊtime,ÊviolatedÊGod’sÊWordÊinÊ GenesisÊ2:24ÊandÊthoughtÊnothingÊofÊit.ÊWeÊshouldÊ beÊmindfulÊofÊhowÊfastÊandÊdeepÊsinÊhadÊpenetratedÊ evenÊtheÊmindsÊofÊGod’sÊpeople.ÊLikeÊmanyÊlivingÊ today,ÊtheyÊmadeÊtheÊunacceptableÊaÊwayÊofÊlife.Ê HannahÊwasÊinÊaÊtoughÊspotÊindeed.ÊBecauseÊ ofÊAdam’sÊandÊEve’sÊsin,ÊsatanÊlandedÊaÊcurseÊonÊ theÊunityÊofÊmarriageÊandÊitÊbroughtÊdivisionÊandÊ inequalityÊamongÊmenÊandÊwomen.ÊDuringÊearlyÊ biblicalÊdays,ÊwivesÊwereÊconsideredÊtoÊbeÊaÊman’sÊ property.ÊAÊwifeÊwasÊobligatedÊtoÊperformÊherÊwifelyÊduties,ÊandÊherÊprincipleÊdutyÊwasÊtoÊproduceÊanÊ heirÊforÊherÊhusband.ÊIfÊsheÊwasÊunableÊtoÊconceive,Ê sheÊwasÊconsideredÊdamagedÊbyÊherÊhusband,ÊhisÊ family,ÊandÊtheÊcommunityÊatÊlarge.ÊShouldÊheÊhaveÊ wantedÊit,ÊnotÊgivingÊhimÊanÊheirÊwasÊlegalÊgroundsÊ forÊdivorce.Ê

ElkanahÊdidn’tÊpursueÊaÊdivorce.ÊHeÊlovedÊ HannahÊandÊtriedÊtoÊbeÊgoodÊtoÊher,ÊbutÊthisÊdidn’tÊ squashÊherÊinsecurityÊaboutÊbeingÊmarriedÊtoÊaÊmanÊ thatÊdidn’tÊthinkÊsheÊaloneÊwasÊenough.ÊHeÊhadÊtoÊ haveÊanother,ÊPeninnah,ÊandÊsheÊdidn’tÊappearÊtoÊ haveÊanyÊproblemsÊinÊtheÊbaby-makingÊdepartment.Ê SheÊridiculedÊHannahÊmiserablyÊandÊprovokedÊherÊ

soÊmuchÊthatÊHannah’sÊdisappointmentÊconsumedÊ her,ÊandÊsheÊlostÊherÊappetite.Ê

AsÊweÊcanÊwellÊimagine,ÊthisÊthingÊwasÊ heavyÊonÊHannah’sÊheart.ÊSheÊcriedÊsoÊmuchÊbecauseÊsheÊwantedÊtoÊpleaseÊherÊhusband.ÊBackÊthen,Ê aÊwoman’sÊworthÊwasÊdefinedÊbyÊherÊabilityÊtoÊproduceÊanÊheir,ÊandÊHannahÊdesperatelyÊwantedÊtoÊbeÊ lookedÊuponÊasÊaÊworthyÊwoman.ÊHavingÊaÊchildÊ wasÊallÊsheÊthoughtÊabout,ÊbutÊitÊwasn’tÊhappening,Ê andÊtheÊdisappointmentÊbrokeÊherÊheart.Ê

1SamuelÊ1:10(NLT)Êsays,Ê“Hannah was in deep anguish, crying bitterly as she prayed to the LORD.” Oh,ÊcanÊweÊrelate.ÊWhetherÊit’sÊissuesÊinÊ ourÊsignificantÊrelationships,ÊourÊjobs,Êfinances,ÊorÊ attacksÊagainstÊourÊtotalÊwell-being,ÊdisappointmentsÊcanÊoverwhelmÊus.ÊTheyÊusuallyÊoccurÊatÊanÊ unsuspectingÊtime,ÊwhenÊourÊguardsÊareÊdownÊandÊ we’reÊthinkingÊeverythingÊisÊhunkyÊdory.ÊDisappointmentsÊcanÊmakeÊusÊfeelÊextremelyÊvulnerable,Ê andÊourÊdoubtsÊandÊinsecuritiesÊbeginÊtoÊrearÊtheirÊ uglyÊheads.ÊWeÊmightÊfeelÊaloneÊandÊwithoutÊaÊsolution,ÊbutÊHannah’sÊexampleÊteachesÊusÊthatÊthisÊisÊ neverÊtheÊcase.Ê

UnderstandÊthis,ÊGodÊmadeÊsureÊthatÊwe,ÊasÊ futureÊreadersÊofÊHisÊWord,ÊwouldÊunderstandÊthatÊ HannahÊwasÊballingÊherÊeyesÊoutÊbecauseÊofÊherÊdesire.ÊSheÊknewÊsheÊcouldn’tÊgoÊtoÊherÊhusband,ÊtoÊ herÊmomÊorÊdad,ÊorÊtoÊherÊfriends.ÊHannahÊknewÊ exactlyÊwhoÊtoÊgoÊto,ÊandÊsheÊteachesÊusÊthatÊwhenÊ ourÊbacksÊareÊagainstÊtheÊwall,ÊourÊGodÊseesÊus,ÊandÊ HeÊwillÊcomeÊtoÊourÊaid.Ê

Remember,Êwe’reÊtalkingÊaboutÊmakingÊaÊ deadÊwombÊalive.ÊWe’reÊtalkingÊaboutÊhopeÊwhereÊ thereÊdidn’tÊseemÊtoÊtheÊaverageÊpersonÊtoÊbeÊany.Ê HannahÊcouldn’tÊgoÊtoÊaÊhospital.ÊThereÊwereÊnoÊ fertilityÊdrugsÊorÊinvitroÊtechnology.ÊHannah’sÊonlyÊ choiceÊwasÊtoÊbelieveÊandÊtrustÊthatÊGodÊwouldÊ workÊinÊherÊfavorÊandÊthatÊisÊexactlyÊwhatÊHeÊdid.Ê HannahÊandÊElkanahÊwereÊSamuel’sÊparents,ÊandÊSamuelÊwasÊaÊwonderfulÊprophet.ÊHisÊ mother,ÊHannah,ÊvowedÊtoÊGodÊthatÊifÊHeÊwouldÊ blessÊherÊwithÊaÊson,ÊsheÊwouldÊdedicateÊtheÊlifeÊofÊ thatÊsonÊinÊserviceÊtoÊourÊHeavenlyÊFather.ÊGodÊacceptedÊherÊvowÊandÊhonoredÊitÊbecauseÊHannahÊwasÊ faithful.ÊThisÊisÊanÊextremelyÊconsequentialÊkeyÊforÊ allÊbelievers.ÊAsÊGod’sÊchildrenÊofÊlight,ÊweÊhaveÊaÊ dutyÊandÊresponsibilityÊtoÊbeÊfaithfulÊtoÊHIMÊandÊtoÊ respondÊtoÊHisÊpromisesÊinÊaÊwayÊthatÊbacksÊourÊ faith.ÊSometimesÊweÊforgetÊthis.ÊWeÊrespondÊtoÊ HimÊwithÊscatteredÊthoughtsÊandÊfeelingsÊofÊinsecurity.ÊHisÊgraceÊallowsÊthisÊforÊaÊtime,ÊbutÊHeÊexpectsÊ usÊtoÊgrowÊupÊandÊbeÊspirituallyÊmature.Ê

“Handling Devastating Disappointment” Conclusion

TheÊApostleÊPaulÊsaidÊinÊ1CorinthiansÊ13:11(NLT), “When I was a child, I spoke and thought and reasoned as a child. But when I grew up, I put away childish things.” OurÊresponseÊmustÊforeverÊandÊalwaysÊbeÊoneÊofÊfaithÊandÊgratitudeÊtoÊGod.ÊHannahÊ understoodÊtheÊprinciplesÊofÊfaithÊandÊgratitude,ÊandÊ sheÊofferedÊGodÊaÊgiftÊsheÊbelievedÊtoÊbeÊequalÊtoÊtheÊ blessing.ÊBeÊclearÊthatÊitÊwasn’tÊtheÊvowÊthatÊmovedÊ God,ÊitÊwasÊHannah’sÊheart.Ê

2ChroniclesÊ16:9ÊtellsÊusÊthatÊtheÊLordÊ searchesÊtheÊwholeÊearthÊtoÊgiveÊstrengthÊtoÊthoseÊ thatÊhaveÊheartsÊthatÊareÊfullyÊcommittedÊtoÊHim.ÊAÊ fullyÊcommittedÊheartÊisÊaÊmagnetÊforÊGod’sÊpower,Ê andÊtheÊmixÊofÊHannah’sÊdesireÊandÊwillingnessÊtoÊ reverenceÊHimÊaboveÊallÊelseÊrevealedÊtheÊheartÊthatÊ

GodÊwasÊsearchingÊfor.Ê

SomeÊofÊusÊhaveÊaÊdesperateÊdesire,ÊandÊitÊisÊ aÊdeepÊlongingÊinÊourÊhearts.ÊWeÊcanÊbeÊsureÊthatÊ GodÊknowsÊexactlyÊwhatÊthatÊlongingÊis.ÊHe’sÊawareÊ thatÊwe’veÊenduredÊdevastatingÊdisappointment,ÊandÊ HeÊwantsÊusÊtoÊknowÊthatÊHeÊisÊourÊSource,ÊandÊweÊ mustÊseekÊHimÊjustÊasÊHannahÊdid.ÊWeÊalsoÊmustÊ understandÊthat,Êyes,ÊtheÊpurityÊandÊstrengthÊofÊourÊ desire,ÊasÊwellÊasÊourÊcommitmentÊtoÊneverÊplaceÊitÊ aboveÊourÊfaithÊinÊGod,ÊisÊgoingÊtoÊbeÊtestedÊbyÊtheÊ devil.Ê

HannahÊanguishedÊoverÊthisÊtesting.ÊPeninnah’sÊridicule,ÊyearsÊofÊenduringÊtheÊrumorsÊofÊothers,ÊandÊfeelingÊlikeÊaÊdisappointmentÊherself,ÊsheÊ wentÊthroughÊallÊofÊthisÊandÊmore,ÊbutÊHannahÊdidÊ notÊgiveÊup.ÊIfÊsheÊwereÊaliveÊtoday,ÊI’mÊsureÊsheÊ wouldÊtestifyÊthatÊherÊfaithÊinÊGodÊwasÊtestedÊandÊ purifiedÊbyÊtheÊfire.ÊHerÊfaithÊcameÊoutÊasÊpureÊgold,Ê andÊweÊshouldÊbeÊableÊtoÊsayÊtheÊsame.■

ByÊFranÊMack

God’sÊloveÊisÊdifferentÊfromÊtheÊwayÊmostÊofÊusÊdefineÊlove.ÊWeÊhaveÊaÊveryÊlimitedÊdefinitionÊofÊit,ÊbutÊthereÊareÊnoÊlimitationsÊinÊGod’sÊlove.ÊIt’sÊinfinite,Êunconditional,ÊandÊHisÊloveÊwillÊneverÊdisappoint.ÊWeÊknowÊfromÊtheÊOldÊTestamentÊ BookÊofÊGenesisÊthatÊGod’sÊloveÊcreates.ÊItÊproducesÊthingsÊandÊmakesÊthemÊbetter.ÊFromÊthisÊweÊcanÊdeduceÊthatÊGod’sÊ loveÊcorrects,Êreproves,ÊandÊmakesÊourÊlivesÊinfinitelyÊbetter.ÊHeÊinstructsÊusÊinÊHisÊWordÊtoÊputÊonÊHisÊkindÊofÊlove,ÊandÊ thisÊcommandmentÊoughtÊtoÊchangeÊtheÊwayÊweÊprayÊandÊwhatÊweÊprayÊfor.Ê

Pray to Express Love Through Faith

EveryÊborn-againÊ ChristianÊhasÊtheÊloveÊofÊGodÊinsideÊ them,ÊbecauseÊtheyÊhaveÊtheÊspiritÊofÊ Christ.ÊButÊit’sÊaÊknownÊfactÊthatÊ evenÊthoughÊsomeÊofÊusÊhaveÊaccessÊ toÊtheÊgreatestÊloveÊavailableÊinÊallÊ ofÊeternity,ÊmanyÊofÊusÊareÊnotÊexpressingÊthisÊloveÊinÊfaith.ÊLoveÊisÊaÊ commitment,ÊandÊsometimesÊourÊ commitmentÊtoÊloveÊothersÊdespiteÊ theirÊfaultsÊisÊnotÊwhatÊitÊneedsÊtoÊ be.ÊGodÊhasÊgivenÊusÊtheÊcapacityÊtoÊ loveÊothersÊlikeÊJesusÊChrist.ÊPrayÊ thatÊHeÊwillÊopenÊyourÊeyesÊtoÊtheÊ manyÊopportunitiesÊHeÊhasÊplacedÊinÊ yourÊeverydayÊenvironmentÊtoÊexpressÊHisÊloveÊthroughÊyourÊfaith.Ê

Pray for Spiritual Maturity

JesusÊChristÊsaidÊinÊMatthewÊ11:29Ê (NIV),Ê“Take my yoke upon you and learn from me.” SomeÊofÊtheÊbehaviorsÊandÊemotionsÊthatÊyouÊandÊIÊ associateÊwithÊloveÊmayÊbeÊaÊlittleÊ offÊbase.ÊAndÊifÊtheyÊare,ÊweÊmustÊ kindlyÊtakeÊaÊseatÊandÊallowÊJesusÊ ChristÊtoÊteachÊus.ÊThisÊtakesÊhumility Spiritual maturity is loving someoneÊwithÊwell-formedÊloveÊinÊ ChristÊregardlessÊofÊwhetherÊtheyÊ loveÊyouÊback.ÊPrayÊthatÊyouÊgrowÊ inÊtheÊhumilityÊandÊunderstandingÊ thatÊisÊrequiredÊtoÊgrowÊandÊmatureÊ inÊGod’sÊlove.

Pray to Live a Life of Love

JesusÊChristÊcommandsÊusÊinÊMarkÊ 12:30(NLT),Ê“And you must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.” ThisÊmeansÊ thatÊweÊareÊtoÊloveÊGodÊwithÊallÊthatÊ weÊare,ÊthenÊHisÊloveÊwillÊhaveÊfullÊ reignÊinÊourÊlives.ÊGodÊcreatedÊusÊtoÊ beÊconduitsÊofÊHisÊlove,ÊandÊweÊdoÊ thisÊbyÊlivingÊthroughÊtheÊexampleÊ ofÊJesusÊChrist.ÊRememberÊthatÊothersÊareÊwatchingÊhowÊyouÊliveÊandÊ love.ÊPrayÊthatÊGod’sÊloveÊinfiltratesÊ everyÊaspectÊofÊyourÊbeing,ÊsoÊthatÊ youÊwillÊcontinuallyÊleaveÊaÊlastingÊ testimonyÊofÊHisÊgoodness.Ê●

henÊlifeÊpresentsÊdifficultÊ challenges,ÊsometimesÊitÊfeelsÊ likeÊtheÊbottomÊhasÊcollapsedÊ beneathÊus.ÊWeÊneedÊreassuranceÊ thatÊeverythingÊisÊgoingÊtoÊbeÊokay,Ê andÊourÊHeavenlyÊFatherÊgivesÊusÊ thisÊassurance.ÊHe'sÊtheÊOneÊthatÊholdsÊourÊ futures,ÊandÊHeÊoffersÊtheÊcomfortÊandÊpeaceÊthatÊ willÊsupportÊtheÊveryÊcoreÊofÊourÊbeings.Ê PhilippiansÊ4:6-7(NLT)Êsays,"6 Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 7 Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus." GodÊisÊtheÊ onlyÊOneÊthatÊcanÊbringÊusÊcomfortÊandÊpeace.ÊHeÊ isÊtheÊSourceÊofÊallÊgoodÊthings,ÊandÊHeÊdesiresÊ thatÊweÊbringÊourÊproblemsÊtoÊHim,ÊbecauseÊHeÊ caresÊforÊus,ÊandÊHeÊisÊalwaysÊwillingÊtoÊhelpÊus.Ê

John 14:27(NLT): 27 "I am leaving you with a gift peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don't be troubled or afraid.

John 16:33(NLT): 33 I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world."

2Thessalonians 3:16(NLT): 16 Now may the Lord of peace himself give you his peace at all times and in every situation. The Lord be with you all.

Isaiah 26:3(NLT): 3 You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!

Colossian 3:15(NLT): 15 And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.

Roman 5:1(NLT): 1 Therefore, since we have been made right in God's sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us.

Roman 8:6(NLT): 6 So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace.

2Corinthians 13:11(NLT): 11 Dear brothers and sisters, I close my letter with these last words: Be joyful. Grow to maturity. Encourage each other. Live in harmony and peace. Then the God of love and peace will be with you.

anyÊofÊGod’sÊchildrenÊareÊplaguedÊbyÊ theÊconsequencesÊofÊbadÊchoicesÊandÊ decisions.ÊWhetherÊit’sÊgettingÊinvolvedÊwithÊtheÊwrongÊperson,ÊmakingÊpoorÊfinancialÊdecisionsÊorÊtheÊ falloutÊfromÊhavingÊaÊbadÊattitude,ÊtheÊwrongÊchoicesÊ inÊlifeÊcanÊsetÊusÊback,ÊbutÊaÊbadÊattitudeÊwillÊkeepÊusÊ stuck.ÊThisÊoneÊisÊaÊhardÊpillÊtoÊswallowÊforÊmanyÊofÊ God’sÊchildren,ÊbutÊit’sÊtrue. GalatiansÊ6:7ÊtellsÊusÊ notÊtoÊbeÊdeceived,ÊbecauseÊGodÊisÊalwaysÊonÊpointÊ

andÊalwaysÊonÊtheÊcase;ÊHeÊmakesÊsureÊthatÊwhateverÊ weÊsow,Êthat’sÊwhatÊwe’reÊgoingÊtoÊreap. ThisÊmeansÊ thatÊwhateverÊweÊputÊoutÊthere,Êit’sÊcomingÊbackÊtoÊ us.ÊRatherÊthanÊsowingÊaÊgoodÊcropÊbyÊplantingÊ goodnessÊintoÊthisÊearthlyÊenvironment,ÊaÊbadÊattitudeÊcausesÊusÊtoÊcultivateÊaÊcycleÊofÊnegativeÊconsequences.ÊItÊcanÊbeÊaÊviciousÊnegativeÊcycleÊhurlingÊ backÊtoÊusÊoutcomesÊthatÊmirrorÊtheÊsameÊbadÊattitudeÊ weÊputÊoutÊthere.ÊWeÊcanÊstopÊthis,ÊandÊweÊshould.Ê

GodÊcommandsÊusÊinÊEphesiansÊ4:31 (NLT),Ê“Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior.” GodÊtellsÊusÊtoÊgetÊridÊofÊtheseÊheaviesÊbecauseÊtheyÊweighÊusÊdownÊandÊkeepÊusÊfromÊ livingÊtheÊmoreÊthanÊabundantÊlifeÊthatÊJesusÊChristÊ madeÊavailable.ÊBitterness,Êrage,Êanger,ÊharshÊ words,ÊandÊslanderÊareÊatÊtheÊrootÊofÊaÊbadÊattitude,Ê andÊtheyÊcomeÊfromÊourÊhearts.ÊÊ

ProverbsÊ4:23-24(NLT)ÊtellsÊus,Ê“23 Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life. 24 Avoid all perverse talk; stay away from corrupt speech.” MostÊofÊusÊfailÊtoÊ gaugeÊtheÊmagnitudeÊofÊthisÊwisdom.ÊWeÊfailÊtoÊrealizeÊthatÊwithÊeverythingÊweÊdo,Êthink,ÊandÊsay,ÊweÊ areÊeitherÊaddingÊorÊsubtractingÊfromÊtheÊfoundationÊ ofÊourÊlives.ÊIfÊweÊputÊitÊoutÊthere,ÊthereÊisÊnoÊpossibleÊwayÊthatÊit’sÊnotÊcomingÊbackÊtoÊus.ÊSo,ÊweÊneedÊ toÊbeÊincrediblyÊobservantÊregardingÊhowÊandÊwhatÊ weÊexpress.Ê

GodÊdoesÊnotÊcontrolÊourÊactions.ÊHeÊhasÊ givenÊusÊfree-will,ÊandÊitÊisÊupÊtoÊusÊtoÊchooseÊhowÊ weÊbehave.ÊHeÊhasÊempoweredÊusÊwithÊeverythingÊ weÊneedÊtoÊguardÊourÊhearts,ÊandÊitÊisÊourÊresponsibilityÊtoÊmakeÊsureÊweÊgetÊridÊofÊtheÊtoxinsÊthatÊholdÊ usÊback.Ê

InÊLukeÊ6:38(NLT),ÊJesusÊChristÊtaught,Ê “Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back.” JesusÊisÊinstructingÊusÊaboutÊGod’sÊ lawÊofÊgivingÊandÊreceiving.ÊGivingÊbeginsÊaÊboomerangÊofÊgoodness.ÊThisÊisÊtheÊwayÊGodÊcreatedÊtheÊ universeÊtoÊ functionÊandÊ there’sÊabsolutelyÊnothingÊ weÊcanÊdoÊ aboutÊit.Ê WhenÊweÊ giveÊandÊpourÊ intoÊtheÊlivesÊ ofÊothersÊwithÊ theÊloveÊofÊ Christ,ÊthatÊ loveÊisÊgoingÊ toÊbeÊreturnedÊ toÊus,ÊandÊitÊ willÊbeÊreturnedÊtoÊusÊ pressedÊdown,Ê

shakenÊtogether,ÊandÊrunningÊover;ÊinÊotherÊwords,Ê itÊwillÊcomeÊbackÊtoÊusÊinÊgreaterÊproportionÊthanÊitÊ wasÊgiven.ÊAnotherÊtruthÊthatÊweÊmustÊalsoÊknowÊ aboutÊthisÊlawÊisÊthatÊitÊworksÊtheÊexactÊsameÊwayÊ whenÊweÊgiveÊoutÊtheÊbadÊstuff likeÊnegativeÊattitudes,ÊslanderousÊandÊhurtfulÊwords,ÊandÊmaliciousÊ deeds.ÊJustÊlikeÊtheÊgoodÊstuff,ÊtheÊbadÊstuffÊwillÊ comeÊbackÊtoÊusÊinÊgreaterÊquantityÊthanÊitÊwasÊinitiallyÊgiven.Ê

RelationshipsÊshouldÊbeÊreciprocalÊinÊnature.Ê AsÊweÊloveÊtheÊpersonÊthatÊisÊdearÊtoÊusÊwithÊtheÊ loveÊofÊChristÊinÊourÊhearts,ÊtheyÊshouldÊbeÊgivingÊ thisÊbackÊtoÊus.ÊHowever,ÊsometimesÊthere’sÊsuchÊaÊ heavyÊaccumulationÊofÊnegativityÊthatÊneitherÊpersonÊgivesÊtheÊotherÊaÊchance.ÊTheÊpartnersÊdon’tÊ knowÊhowÊtoÊhitÊtheÊpauseÊbuttonÊonÊtoxicÊroutines,Ê andÊthisÊmeansÊthatÊneitherÊareÊallowingÊChristÊtoÊ leadÊandÊguideÊthem.ÊWhenÊaÊcoupleÊdoesÊnotÊplaceÊ ChristÊinÊhisÊrightfulÊplaceÊasÊheadÊofÊtheÊrelationship,ÊtheÊtwoÊcannotÊbeÊbondedÊinÊtheÊunityÊofÊhisÊ peaceÊandÊblessings.ÊÊ

JesusÊChristÊcommandsÊusÊinÊ1CorinthiansÊ 11:1ÊtoÊbeÊimitatorsÊofÊhisÊexample.Ê1PeterÊ2:22Ê tellsÊusÊthatÊGodÊcalledÊusÊforÊtheÊpurposeÊofÊdoingÊ good,ÊevenÊifÊitÊmeansÊweÊhaveÊtoÊbeÊuncomfortable,ÊorÊthatÊweÊcan’tÊhaveÊtheÊlastÊword.ÊGodÊtellsÊusÊ thatÊChristÊisÊourÊexampleÊandÊweÊmustÊfollowÊinÊ hisÊsteps.ÊInÊEphesiansÊ5:25(NLT),ÊHeÊcommands,Ê “For husbands, this means love your wives, just as Christ loved the church. He gave up his life for her.” GodÊisÊcommandingÊtheÊhusbandÊtoÊbeginÊaÊ lovingÊcycleÊofÊgivingÊandÊreceivingÊbyÊlovingÊhisÊ wifeÊjustÊasÊChristÊlovesÊusÊallÊandÊgaveÊhisÊlifeÊasÊaÊ sacrificeÊforÊourÊsins.Ê

Admittedly,ÊmanyÊmenÊdoÊnotÊholdÊthemselvesÊtoÊGod’sÊstandard.ÊOftenÊitÊisÊbecauseÊtheyÊ don’tÊknowÊit.ÊThisÊisÊwhyÊitÊisÊsoÊimportantÊtoÊgetÊ God’sÊgreenlightÊbeforeÊweÊmarryÊsomeone.ÊIfÊtheyÊ don’tÊhonorÊGodÊthroughÊHisÊstandardsÊandÊhaveÊaÊ desireÊtoÊcreateÊaÊlovingÊrelationshipÊthatÊisÊfullÊofÊ God’sÊpeace,ÊtheyÊcouldÊpotentiallyÊreapÊhavocÊonÊ yourÊexistence.ÊPrayÊoftenÊandÊ stayÊcloseÊtoÊGodÊwhenÊitÊ comesÊtoÊchoosingÊtheÊrightÊ personÊforÊyourÊlife.ÊPrayÊandÊ askÊtheÊFatherÊforÊsomeoneÊ thatÊhasÊaÊlovingÊattitudeÊandÊ makeÊabsolutelyÊsureÊyouÊ haveÊoneÊyourself.■Ê

Kim Times, Minister, Writer, and Editor

tÊitÊfunnyÊthatÊweÊhaveÊallÊthisÊincredtechnology to make our lives simplerÊandÊgiveÊusÊmoreÊtime,ÊyetÊweÊareÊ busierÊthanÊever?ÊForÊmanyÊofÊus,Êtwenty-fourÊhoursÊinÊaÊdayÊjustÊdoesn’tÊ seemÊtoÊbeÊenoughÊtoÊgetÊallÊtheÊ stuffÊdoneÊthatÊweÊneedÊto.ÊWe’reÊconstantlyÊonÊtheÊ grind,ÊandÊmanyÊofÊusÊareÊfeelingÊdepleted.ÊWe’reÊ tired,ÊbutÊweÊdon’tÊfeelÊweÊhaveÊanyÊotherÊchoiceÊbutÊ toÊkeepÊpushingÊourselvesÊtoÊexhaustion.ÊWe’reÊdoingÊwhatÊeveryoneÊelseÊisÊdoing,ÊandÊthisÊisn’tÊwhatÊ GodÊwantsÊforÊus.ÊHeÊwantsÊusÊtoÊbeÊintimatelyÊfamiliarÊwithÊtheÊlifeÊHeÊhasÊcalledÊusÊtoÊlive.ÊThisÊisÊanÊ abundantÊlife,ÊandÊweÊneedÊtoÊknowÊwhatÊitÊisÊsoÊthatÊ weÊcanÊachieveÊit.Ê

JesusÊChristÊtellsÊusÊinÊJohnÊ10:10ÊthatÊheÊ cameÊtoÊtheÊearthÊsoÊthatÊbelieversÊinÊhimÊmightÊhaveÊ lifeÊandÊhaveÊitÊmoreÊabundantly.ÊWeÊneedÊtoÊbeÊ shakenÊintoÊawarenessÊofÊtheÊoverwhelmingÊworkÊ thatÊGodÊhasÊaccomplishedÊforÊusÊthroughÊJesusÊ Christ.ÊTooÊmanyÊofÊGod’sÊpeopleÊhaveÊignoredÊtheÊ authorityÊandÊpowerÊthatÊHeÊhasÊgivenÊusÊthroughÊourÊ SaviorÊandÊRedeemer.ÊWeÊforgetÊaboutÊtheÊpotencyÊ ofÊfaithÊandÊtheÊawesomeÊrealityÊofÊourÊpurposeÊinÊ God’sÊplan.ÊSomehow,ÊweÊallowÊourÊwalkÊinÊtheÊ LordÊtoÊslipÊtoÊsecond,Êthird,ÊorÊfourthÊplace.ÊWhenÊ thisÊhappens,ÊourÊlivesÊbecomeÊalmostÊunrecognizableÊtoÊus,ÊandÊweÊbeginÊtoÊliveÊbeneathÊourÊprivilege.Ê WeÊmustÊmakeÊroomÊinÊourÊheartsÊandÊmindsÊ forÊtheÊlifeÊthatÊJesusÊChristÊlived,ÊbecauseÊthisÊpowerfulÊlifeÊthatÊisÊfullÊofÊloveÊandÊlightÊisÊwhatÊGodÊhasÊ madeÊavailableÊthroughÊChristÊforÊallÊofÊus.ÊGod’sÊ WordÊtellsÊusÊaboutÊtheÊlifeÊofÊJesusÊChrist.ÊHeÊ walkedÊwithÊHolyÊSpiritÊpower!ÊHeÊhealedÊpeople.Ê HeÊgaveÊsightÊtoÊtheÊblind,ÊhearingÊtoÊtheÊdeaf,ÊandÊ deliveredÊthoseÊthatÊwereÊpossessedÊbyÊdemons.ÊHeÊ fedÊoverÊfiveÊthousandÊpeopleÊwithÊtwoÊfishÊandÊfiveÊ

loavesÊofÊbread.ÊJesusÊChristÊdidÊallÊtheseÊthingsÊandÊ muchÊmoreÊbecauseÊheÊhadÊfaithÊthatÊGodÊwasÊwithÊ himÊeveryÊstepÊofÊtheÊway.ÊInÊJohnÊ8:29(KJV),ÊJesusÊ said,Ê“And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him.”

InÊJohnÊ6:38(KJV),ÊheÊsaid,Ê“For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.” JesusÊChristÊprayedÊcontinually It was the first thing he did each morning He walkedÊwithÊGodÊandÊlivedÊbyÊGod’sÊWord.ÊInÊMatthewÊ4:1-11,ÊwhenÊheÊwasÊtemptedÊbyÊtheÊdevil,ÊJesusÊChristÊdidn’tÊrollÊoffÊaÊbunchÊofÊwordsÊofÊhisÊ own.ÊWithÊeveryÊtemptation,ÊheÊrespondedÊwith,Ê“It is written...” HisÊresponseÊtoÊeveryÊsituationÊwasÊtoÊ believeÊwhatÊGodÊsaysÊinÊHisÊWord,ÊandÊheÊwasÊneverÊdisappointed,ÊbecauseÊGod’sÊWordÊisÊtrueÊandÊ powerful!ÊOurÊMasterÊJesusÊdidn’tÊcomeÊtoÊearthÊtoÊ doÊhisÊownÊwill.ÊHeÊdelightedÊinÊdoingÊtheÊFather’sÊ Will,ÊandÊweÊmustÊdoÊtheÊsame.Ê

TheÊkeyÊtoÊlivingÊaÊmoreÊthanÊabundantÊlifeÊ isÊtoÊdoÊGod’sÊWill.ÊWell,ÊwhatÊisÊGod’sÊWill?Ê God’sÊWillÊisÊGod’sÊWord.ÊLivingÊbyÊGod’sÊWordÊisÊ theÊkeyÊtoÊpower,ÊbutÊmostÊpeopleÊdoÊnotÊseeÊthingsÊ thisÊway.ÊTheyÊbelieveÊtheyÊknowÊbetterÊthanÊGod,Ê andÊdoÊnotÊconsultÊHimÊaboutÊHisÊplanÊandÊpurposeÊ forÊtheirÊlives.ÊInÊJeremiahÊ2:11,Ê13(NLT),ÊGod’sÊ peopleÊlivingÊinÊOldÊTestamentÊtimesÊhadÊstrayedÊ awayÊfromÊfollowingÊHisÊWord.ÊHeÊsaidÊtoÊthem,Ê “11 Has any nation ever traded its gods for new ones, even though they are not gods at all? Yet my people have exchanged their glorious God. 13 “For my people have done two evil things: They have abandoned me the fountain of living water. And they have dug for themselves cracked cisterns that can hold no water at all!” HeÊsaidÊthatÊtheÊheavensÊ wereÊshockedÊbyÊthisÊhorrendousÊbetrayalÊbyÊthoseÊ HeÊhadÊsoÊrichlyÊblessed.Ê

InÊJeremiahÊ2,ÊGodÊisÊnotÊspeakingÊtoÊthoseÊ thatÊwereÊoutsideÊHisÊfold.ÊHeÊisÊspeakingÊtoÊthoseÊ HeÊhadÊchosenÊtoÊserveÊHim.ÊHeÊmadeÊaÊcovenantÊ withÊAbrahamÊandÊsaidÊtoÊhimÊinÊGenesisÊ17:8 (NLT),Ê“And I will give the entire land of Canaan, where you now live as a foreigner, to you and your descendants. It will be their possession forever, and I will be their God.” OurÊHeavenlyÊFatherÊkeptÊHisÊ endÊofÊthisÊcovenant,ÊbutÊHisÊpeopleÊdidÊnot.Ê

GodÊisÊtheÊfountainÊofÊlivingÊwater.ÊHeÊhasÊ unlimitedÊandÊunendingÊsupply,ÊbutÊHisÊpeopleÊ choseÊtoÊforsakeÊHimÊforÊcisterns forÊbottlesÊwithÊ cracksÊinÊthem.ÊTheseÊcrackedÊcisternsÊthatÊpeopleÊ choseÊinsteadÊofÊGodÊwereÊinfinitelyÊlessÊthanÊfoundations.ÊTheyÊwereÊmereÊcontainersÊwithÊcracks,ÊsoÊ theÊwater theÊnecessityÊofÊlifeÊthatÊtheyÊsoÊdesperatelyÊneeded continuallyÊleakedÊoutÊofÊtheseÊ crackedÊcisterns.ÊSo,ÊthoseÊwhoÊchoseÊthoseÊcrackedÊ

bottlesÊwereÊinÊperpetualÊlackÊandÊdismay.ÊGodÊ doesn’tÊwantÊthisÊforÊanyÊofÊus.ÊHeÊwantsÊusÊtoÊhaveÊ theÊmaximumÊsupplyÊofÊHisÊgoodness.ÊWhenÊyouÊ andÊIÊfindÊourselvesÊunexcitedÊaboutÊlifeÊandÊsimplyÊ goingÊthroughÊtheÊmotions,Êit’sÊaÊprettyÊgoodÊindicationÊthatÊwe’veÊswappedÊoutÊtheÊgoodnessÊofÊGodÊ forÊaÊbrokenÊcistern.ÊInsteadÊofÊgoingÊtoÊtheÊSourceÊ ofÊunendingÊsupply,Êwe’reÊlookingÊtoÊourselvesÊorÊ otherÊpeopleÊforÊsomethingÊthatÊneitherÊweÊnorÊthemÊ canÊprovide.Ê

GodÊsaidÊinÊHoseaÊ4:6(NLT),Ê“My people are being destroyed because they don’t know me.” Again,ÊGodÊisÊtalkingÊaboutÊus,ÊHisÊpeople.ÊThoseÊ livingÊinÊOldÊTestamentÊtimesÊrefusedÊtoÊknowÊHimÊ throughÊHisÊWord.ÊWeÊshouldÊneverÊallowÊthisÊtoÊbeÊ saidÊofÊthoseÊofÊusÊthatÊhaveÊreceivedÊtheÊLordÊJesusÊ ChristÊintoÊourÊhearts.ÊToday,ÊweÊhaveÊnoÊexcuse.Ê God’sÊWordÊisÊnearerÊtoÊusÊthanÊourÊownÊhands.ÊWeÊ canÊreadÊitÊthroughÊcellÊphonesÊandÊcomputers.ÊIt’sÊ availableÊthroughÊjustÊaboutÊeveryÊformÊofÊmedia,Ê yetÊmanyÊofÊusÊwillÊnotÊstudyÊGod’sÊWord.ÊWeÊhaveÊ lotsÊofÊknowledgeÊaboutÊourÊjobs,Êsports,ÊourÊrecreations,ÊandÊtheÊlatestÊonÊsocialÊmedia,ÊbutÊwhenÊitÊ comesÊtoÊtheÊexampleÊofÊChrist,Êwe’reÊnotÊnearlyÊasÊ well-versed.ÊThisÊisÊserious,ÊbecauseÊGodÊmakesÊitÊ plainÊthatÊwhatÊweÊdon’tÊknowÊaboutÊHimÊandÊHisÊ WordÊcanÊseverelyÊharmÊusÊorÊtakeÊusÊout!ÊÊ

OurÊHeavenlyÊFatherÊcreatedÊusÊtoÊbeÊHisÊ childrenÊofÊloveÊandÊlight.ÊByÊthis,ÊweÊshouldÊknowÊ thatÊanÊabundantÊlifeÊisn’tÊallÊaboutÊprosperityÊandÊ riches.ÊAnÊabundantÊlifeÊisÊoneÊwhereÊweÊhaveÊ enoughÊknowledgeÊaboutÊJesusÊChristÊtoÊliveÊpowerfullyÊthroughÊHisÊexample.Ê1ThessaloniansÊ5:5 (NLT)ÊtellsÊus,Ê“For you are all children of the light and of the day; we don't belong to darkness and night.” AsÊGod’sÊpeople,ÊweÊareÊtheÊlightsÊofÊtheÊ

world!ÊThisÊmeansÊthatÊweÊhelpÊilluminateÊtheÊlightÊofÊ ChristÊtoÊothers.ÊGod’sÊWillÊisÊthatÊweÊoperateÊoutÊofÊ HisÊoverflow,ÊoutÊofÊHisÊfountainÊofÊlivingÊwaters,ÊsoÊ weÊcanÊthenÊgiveÊtoÊothersÊwhatÊweÊhaveÊsoÊfreelyÊreceivedÊourselves.ÊAsÊweÊkeepÊonÊgivingÊtoÊothersÊoutÊofÊ God’sÊlove,ÊthatÊsameÊloveÊcontinuallyÊinfusesÊusÊwithÊ more.ÊThere’sÊnoÊgreaterÊwayÊtoÊliveÊthanÊthis!

LivingÊthroughÊtheÊloveÊofÊChristÊisÊwhatÊitÊ trulyÊmeansÊtoÊliveÊanÊabundantÊlife.ÊIt’sÊnotÊtoÊhoardÊ God’sÊgoodiesÊforÊourselves.ÊIfÊweÊdoÊthis,Êwe’llÊimplodeÊfromÊtheÊinsideÊout.ÊGod’sÊWillÊisÊforÊusÊtoÊcontinuouslyÊexpandÊandÊincreaseÊinÊtheÊabundanceÊofÊ spiritualÊgoodiesÊfromÊJesusÊChrist.ÊGodÊtellsÊusÊinÊ 2PeterÊ1:4-7ÊthatÊHeÊhasÊempoweredÊusÊtoÊshareÊinÊHISÊ divineÊnature,ÊandÊwe’reÊtoÊshareÊitÊwithÊothers.ÊIfÊweÊ doÊthis,ÊweÊwillÊescapeÊtheÊworld’sÊcorruption.ÊAndÊthisÊ corruptionÊisÊcausedÊbyÊhumanÊdesires,ÊbyÊlustÊandÊ greed.ÊLet’sÊnotÊbeÊthatÊway.ÊHeÊtellsÊusÊtoÊmakeÊeveryÊ effortÊtoÊrespondÊtoÊtheÊgoodnessÊandÊbrillianceÊofÊHisÊ

Loving Zahra’s Gifts

ahraÊisÊanÊincrediblyÊtalentedÊ person.ÊWhenÊIÊheardÊaboutÊ her,ÊIÊthoughtÊofÊDorcas,ÊalsoÊ calledÊTabitha,ÊinÊActsÊ9.Ê DorcasÊwasÊaÊwonderfulÊ womanÊbeliever,ÊyetÊweÊhearÊsoÊlittleÊofÊ herÊrecordÊbeingÊtaughtÊtoday.ÊActsÊ9:36 (NLT)ÊtellsÊus,Ê“She was always doing kind things for others and helping the poor. ” ZahraÊisÊtheÊsame.ÊShe’sÊaÊworkerÊ bee,ÊalwaysÊtakingÊnothingÊandÊturningÊitÊ intoÊsomethingÊcreativeÊandÊuseful.ÊSheÊ lovesÊturningÊtrashÊtoÊtreasureÊandÊisÊalwaysÊgivingÊherÊfriendsÊlittleÊtokensÊofÊ bothÊherÊtalentÊandÊappreciationÊforÊtheirÊ friendship.ÊHerÊgesturesÊareÊsmall,ÊbutÊ veryÊlovingÊandÊspecial.ÊIt’sÊaÊshameÊthatÊ mostÊdoÊnotÊviewÊherÊorÊherÊgiftsÊasÊtheÊ blessingsÊtheyÊareÊintendedÊtoÊbe.

WeÊoverlookÊtheÊsmallÊthings,Ê andÊthisÊcausesÊusÊtoÊmissÊoutÊinÊaÊgreatÊ way.ÊMostÊofÊusÊareÊfarÊtooÊfocusedÊonÊ whatÊsocietyÊsaysÊshouldÊbeÊmeaningfulÊ andÊgrand,ÊandÊweÊlookÊdownÊonÊthingsÊ thatÊareÊoutsideÊofÊsocietalÊstandards.ÊIÊ haveÊfriendsÊandÊrelativesÊthatÊonlyÊwearÊ designerÊandÊtopÊnameÊbrands.ÊTheyÊcallÊ themselvesÊ‘sneaker heads’ andÊ ‘designer name fanatics.’ TheyÊmakeÊnoÊ excusesÊforÊspendingÊaboveÊtheirÊmeansÊ toÊacquireÊtheseÊexpensiveÊwears.ÊThisÊisÊ theÊlotÊwhereÊtheyÊcastÊtheirÊexpectationÊ andÊstandard,ÊasÊifÊtheÊbrandÊcanÊaddÊtoÊ themÊmoreÊthanÊitÊtakesÊaway.Ê

byÊFranÊMack

promises.ÊWeÊareÊtoÊsupplementÊourÊfaithÊwithÊaÊgenerousÊprovisionÊofÊmoralÊexcellence,Êknowledge,Êselfcontrol,Êpatience,ÊGodliness,ÊandÊloveÊforÊeveryone.Ê LivingÊtheÊmoreÊthanÊabundantÊlifeÊthatÊJesusÊ ChristÊmadeÊavailableÊisÊoneÊinÊwhichÊweÊareÊthankfulÊ forÊhisÊlife,Êsacrifice,ÊandÊresurrectionÊeveryÊday.ÊAndÊ notÊjustÊthis,ÊweÊareÊdemonstratingÊtheÊloveÊandÊpowerÊ ofÊChristÊinÊeverythingÊthatÊweÊdo.ÊHeavenlyÊFatherÊ tellsÊusÊinÊ2PeterÊ1:8(NLT)ÊthatÊ“The more you grow like this, the more productive and useful you will be in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” WeÊareÊtoÊ workÊhardÊtoÊproveÊthatÊwe’reÊreallyÊamongÊGod’sÊ calledÊandÊchosenÊones.ÊIfÊweÊstickÊtoÊGod’sÊscript,Ê we’llÊneverÊfallÊaway.ÊWeÊliveÊabundantlyÊthroughÊ God’sÊWord,ÊandÊasÊ2PeterÊ1:11Êsays,Êwe’llÊhaveÊaÊ grandÊentranceÊintoÊtheÊeternalÊKingdomÊofÊourÊpowerfulÊLordÊandÊSavior,ÊJesusÊChrist!Ê■

ManyÊofÊusÊhaveÊoverlookedÊtheÊ Zahra’sÊinÊourÊlives.ÊWeÊtakeÊtheirÊgiftsÊ forÊgranted,ÊandÊtherefore,ÊweÊneedÊtoÊaskÊ ourselvesÊifÊwe’veÊtakenÊGod’sÊgiftsÊforÊ grantedÊasÊwell.ÊHaveÊweÊusedÊwhatÊHe’sÊ givenÊusÊtoÊbeÊaÊblessingÊtoÊothers?ÊHaveÊ weÊallowedÊtheÊworldÊtoÊshapeÊandÊmoldÊ howÊweÊthink,ÊorÊareÊweÊrenewingÊourÊ mindsÊtoÊwhatÊGodÊsaysÊinÊHisÊWord?Ê AreÊweÊtryingÊtoÊmeasureÊupÊtoÊwhatÊ societyÊthinksÊisÊtheÊbest,ÊorÊdoÊweÊtrustÊ thatÊsubmittingÊourselvesÊinÊholyÊandÊ GodlyÊreverenceÊtoÊChristÊisÊtheÊbest?Ê AreÊweÊbuildingÊourÊlivesÊonÊtheÊfoundationÊthatÊChristÊprovided?ÊBecauseÊourÊ soleÊpurposeÊforÊbeingÊonÊthisÊearthÊisÊtoÊ realizeÊwithÊallÊhisÊlightÊandÊlovelinessÊ thatÊonlyÊtheÊfoundationÊofÊChristÊwillÊ stand.Ê

InÊJohnÊ10:9,ÊourÊblessedÊRedeemerÊdeclaredÊtheÊrealityÊofÊhisÊidentityÊ andÊtoldÊus,Ê“Yes, I am the gate. Those who come in through me will be saved. They will come and go freely and will find good pastures.” ThereÊisÊbutÊoneÊ door,ÊandÊourÊMasterÊJesusÊisÊit.ÊWeÊliveÊ inÊaÊcultureÊwhereÊmostÊdoÊnotÊbelieveÊ this,Êtherefore,ÊtheyÊhaveÊrefusedÊtoÊhonorÊorÊalignÊthemselvesÊwithÊGod’sÊpurpose.ÊTheyÊareÊblindedÊandÊhaveÊnotÊfullyÊ acknowledgedÊtheÊmagnificenceÊofÊ Christ.ÊTheyÊareÊmissingÊtheÊsmallÊthings,Ê

andÊthereforeÊrobbingÊthemselvesÊofÊtheÊ bigÊthingsÊtoo.Ê

ManyÊofÊusÊareÊaskingÊGodÊforÊaÊ changeÊinÊourÊcircumstances,ÊbutÊwhatÊisÊ reallyÊneededÊisÊaÊchangeÊinÊourÊmindsÊ andÊhearts.ÊWeÊneedÊtoÊwakeÊupÊandÊseeÊ theÊsmallÊthingsÊasÊwe’veÊneverÊseenÊ themÊbefore,ÊbecauseÊtheÊsmallÊthingsÊ oftenÊmakeÊtheÊgreatestÊimpactÊinÊourÊ lives.ÊWeÊneedÊnewÊeyesÊandÊaÊfreshÊvisionÊsoÊthatÊweÊcanÊseeÊtheÊloveÊinÊthoseÊ weÊhaveÊoftenÊoverlooked.ÊForÊmanyÊofÊ us,ÊthisÊisÊwhatÊisÊmissing,ÊandÊweÊmustÊ seekÊGodÊtoÊfindÊit.ÊIfÊweÊgenuinelyÊdesireÊtoÊrespondÊtoÊHimÊinÊloveÊandÊfaith,Ê HeÊwillÊhonorÊourÊprayersÊtoÊseeÊthingsÊasÊ HeÊseesÊthem.ÊHeÊwillÊdeepenÊtheÊwellÊofÊ ourÊgratitude,ÊsoÊthatÊweÊcanÊheedÊHisÊ requirementÊtoÊbeÊthankfulÊforÊallÊthatÊHeÊ isÊandÊallÊthatÊHeÊhasÊdoneÊinÊourÊlives.Ê WeÊallÊhaveÊreceivedÊaÊspecialÊgiftÊorÊ abilityÊthatÊGodÊordainedÊforÊtheÊupliftingÊ ofÊHisÊKingdom.ÊWeÊmustÊhonorÊandÊuseÊ thisÊgift,ÊandÊhonorÊtheÊspiritualÊgiftsÊofÊ othersÊasÊwell.■

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