“God is in Control”
DISCUSSION : We must acknowledge that God is in control, during the good times and the bad. It’s up to us to give God the glory during the good times and to allow God to help in the bad times. Do we pat ourselves on the back while turning our backs on God when times are good; Giving ourselves more credit than we…
“Ebbs and Flows”
DISCUSSION : We’ve each experienced some of the happiest moments in life: marriage, birth of a child, a good doctors report, a loved one returning from war, promotions, financial success, and the list goes on. However, we’ve each also endured tough times; loss of a loved one, loss of a job, financial setback, family or friend going to war, etc. What Solomon is saying here is that in our lifetime, we will experience both good times…
“God’s Desire for us is Peace”
: God sent Jesus, “The Prince of Peace” to show us the way. He guides our feet in the way of peace. (Luke 1:79) We have peace with God through Christ. (Romans 5:1) We are responsible for helping produce peace and we are blessed for doing so. (Matthew 5:9) The Bible tells us that we are to allow Christ to dwell in us…
“Be Content”
: Unfortunately, peace through contentment is rare. It is so human to focus on what we don’t have. The world says to put all your time, energy and money into material possessions, physical appearance, and your intellect. God commands that we spiritually feed and groom the inner person. Proverbs 14:30 tells us, “A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots…
“Be Forgiving”
: This is a requirement made by God, in order for us to be forgiven by Him. In Matthew 6:14-15 Jesus tells us, “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” Forgiveness may be especially hard when the other person does not ask for…
“Go the Second Mile”
: Jesus, the Prince of Peace, tells us in Matthew 5:41 –“And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain.” Going the second mile requires unselfishness and meekness. (“Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.” Philippians 2:4). Peace is promised to the meek. Psalm 37:11 says, “But the meek shall inherit…
“Do Good”
: If we use all our opportunities to do good, we will become more like Jesus while enjoying the rewarding, good feeling of helping others. We should do all the good we can, by all the means we can, in all the ways we can, in all the places we can, at all the times we can, to all the people we can as long as we can. Doing good will develop an inner peace which, comes…
“Seek Peace and Ensue It”
: Our constantly changing world is controlled by a constant and un changing God. His love and purpose for us never changes. No matter how chaotic the world around us may become, we can move through it with an inner calm or peace, with the assurance “that all things work together for the good of those that love the Lord.” (Romans 8:28) We need to develop an inner calm like that promised in Philippians 4:6-7. …
Humility Test
James 4:6 says, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble” (ESV). God recognized the humble, and according to James, will extend grace to them, probably because the humble tend to extend forgiveness to others. Humility is often misunderstood and even viewed as a weakness. But it is the exact opposite. By practicing humility, we position ourselves to receive God’s grace and become everything He’s called us to be. Humble people are the happiest people.…
“Humility in Leadership”
Perhaps the most helpful and effective characteristic of a good leader is Humility. We have all seen Tyrants in the work place, and we have most likely seen humble leaders as well. In fact, it is so important that the Bible lists this as a qualification to be an Elder of the Lord’s church. Titus 1:7 states that an elder must be “not self-willed, not quick tempered”. As a leader on the job, in our businesses, or at home,…
“Compassion”
Eckart Tolle is credited with saying “If you had not suffered as you have, there would be no depth to you as human beings. No Humility, No compassion”. We all know that when we suffer from something in our lives, we develop a special compassion for those who have suffered the same thing. It is awesome to see when someone uses a negative event in their life, to help others. I know of a family who lost their…
“Pride”
“Pride and arrogance and the way of evil and perverted speech I hate.” (Proverbs 8:13b) “Everyone who is arrogant in heart is an abomination to the Lord. Be assured, he will not go unpunished.” (Proverbs 16:5) These verses really gripped me. God hates it when we are proud. Why does God hate pride ? God hates it because it comes from inside of the heart. A proud man thinks of himself as higher than someone else. Are…