I Called You

“I called you so often, but you wouldn’t come. I reached out to you, but you paid no attention. You ignored my advice and rejected the correction I offered.” (NLT) ( Proverbs 1:24 )

Why do people reject advice and correction from our Heavenly Father? Usually it boils down to pride. Pride insists we know better and can do better than God. We deceive ourselves into thinking God doesn’t have our best interest in mind. This is a lie! Start early at being humble and less prideful. You will gain much more wisdom over time and have a more successful and peaceful life. Listen to God’s advice.



We Need To Keep Running the Race

So then let’s also run the race that is laid out in front of us, since we have such a great cloud of witnesses surrounding us. Let’s throw off any extra baggage, get rid of the sin that trips us up, and fix our eyes on Jesus, faith’s pioneer and perfecter. He endured the cross, ignoring the shame, for the sake of the joy that was laid out in front of him, and sat down at the right side of God’s throne. Hebrews 12:1-2

Since it’s Olympic time, let’s talk about running a race. When you’re running a race, there’s only one direction that matters — forward — towards the finish line. This sounds easy enough, but as most of us know, running takes a lot of endurance and strength. It’s easy to give up. It’s hard to keep going. Faith is also this way. First, we have to let go of anything and everything that is weighing us down. Things like guilt, shame, fear, anxiety, and anger can weaken us and keep us from moving forward. Secondly, we have to get rid of sin, which is to say we have to quit engaging in behaviors that are harmful and damaging, or we may trip and fall. Lastly, we have to focus all of our attention on Jesus. He is the perfect example of a life well lived, and it is in and through him that we discover eternal life. Knowing that Jesus has gone before us and goes with us gives us the strength and endurance we need to keep running.



God Chose To Save

 

For God chose to save us through our Lord Jesus Christ, not to pour out his anger on us. ( 1 Thessalonians 5:9 )

After reading through the Old Testament people often mistake God as being quick to anger. This is further from the truth. God saved us by offering up His son as a sacrifice. He did this so that we can have a personal relationship with Him. He hears your prayers and responds to your heart with love. He showers you with blessings and brings healing to your life. Our God chose to save us out of love, not anger. If you see God as an angry God, take a closer look.



Walls

“The rich think of their wealth as a strong defense; they imagine it to be a high wall of safety.” ( Proverbs 18:11 )

Our God is someone who can be trusted in times of trouble. Wealth will come and it will go. It won’t always be there in our times of distress. With wealth comes independence, but it’s easy to believe you don’t need God. Yet God can provide much more than peace and happiness than wealth. Are you looking towards God for security, protection, and provision, or are you looking towards money to provide those walls of safety?

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Don’t Run

2 Samuel 23:11-13

Next to him was Shammah son of Agee the Hararite. When the Philistines banded together at a place where there was a field full of lentils, Israel’s troops fled from them. But Shammah took his stand in the middle of the field. He defended it and struck the Philistines down, and the Lord brought about a great victory.
 
Like Shamman, stand up to your enemy. If it be a problem realistically or spiritually. By resisting the devil he will flee. Resisting takes activity on your part. In Mark 5:34 the woman pressed through the crowed. Don’t let anything, even your enemy stop you. If you run from your enemy, your running from God. Running is saying that the enemy has more power than God. Stand strong even when your afraid. Don’t give up, don’t back down. 


Follow Me

Later, as Jesus left the town, he saw a tax collector named Levi sitting at his tax collector’s booth. “Follow me and be my disciple,” Jesus said to him. (NLT) ( Luke 5:27 )
When we choose to follow Jesus, little do we realize that we are embarking on an adventure. We will be stepping outside of our comfort zone and we are never the same again. Our Guide provides all of our needs along the way. We just need to be ready and willing when He calls us to follow wherever He leads us. If you feel led to step outside of your comfort zone, but you are hesitating, take a step of faith. Jesus will lead and provide for you.
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Every Direction

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When we arrived in Macedonia, there was no rest for us. We faced conflict from every direction, with battles on the outside and fear on the inside. But God, who encourages those who are discouraged, encouraged us by the arrival of Titus. (NLT) ( 2 Corinthians 7:5-6 )
Most people think God would make things easy for His apostles, since after all they are doing His work. Yet, he still faced conflict and so did the rest of His disciples. No one can escape conflict, even if we are doing God’s work. But God is always providing encouragement and love at just the right time to keep us pushing forward. If you are struggling today, look to see the encouragement God provides for you.


Mine Forever

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There is a great sense of comfort in this verse. God has planted Himself so deep in our hearts that we are forever His children. No matter what may happen to our bodies or how depressed we become, we can always depend on God to be our hope. Through Him we have overcome everything. If you find yourself weak, know that you have hope. He considers you to be precious and will always be there for you. Ask God to be your strength in your delicate times.


Always Be

 
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Can you find happiness wherever you are in life? If so, this is a powerful lesson that will bless you throughout life. Otherwise, we will runaway from relationships, environments, jobs, or even cities to escape unhappiness. Ultimately we never deal with our unhappiness and carry it around to the next friendship, job, or marriage. It’s helpful to recognize joy, embracing contentedness, or stop comparisons that cause you to be dissatisfied with your life. Practice identifying your joy in life.
 
 


Love and Compassion

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This son had squandered his father’s money and yet, when he returned home to his father, the father welcomed him with joy. Often we want to punish someone who does us wrong when they return to us. Yet if we keep our eye on the importance of a relationship we will do the same as this father and be filled with love and compassion. When someone returns to you for forgiveness, avoid making them feel guilty, but, instead, celebrate their return into your life!