Have you been paying attention recently? Things look a bit discouraging for Christians at the moment and it seems like it is going to get worse. We see the mounting persecution that is taking place in the United States and if it is happening there we know it won't be long in coming everywhere else. We look at the major split that is happening within the Church as one part rises up to condemn the other part; actually calling brothers and sisters in Christ to be without salvation. It is discouraging for those of us who long for unity within the Body of Christ.
These are not things to shrug our shoulders at as they are doing a lot of damage. We are seeing those who are immature in the Word being confused, not knowing what to believe. We are seeing entire congregations leaving the solid ground of the Word and melting into the arms of the lost. We are seeing the message and influence of the Church eroded by our disunity. Everyone is building camps and flinging mud at those they call lost to the teaching of demons. How can we go forward?
Of course, none of this comes as a surprise for those who know the Word. Jesus warned us of these days, as did Paul, Peter and John. We can't say we didn't see it coming but to actually be in the midst of it, tasting the ugliness of it, is another matter. So now that it is upon us we have to make some decisions: How are we going to respond?
The first thing we have to decide is that we are going to stand for Jesus, no matter the cost. It could cost you a lot, it could cost you everything, but if you understand scripture you know that what it might cost us has no real value compared to eternity and Jesus' glory. So we listen to the Scripture that tells us how to stand:
But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. (2 Timothy 3:14-15)
From your spiritual infancy you have been raised on the Word, so stand by it. The World is going to attack it as are many within the Body because it will play out just as it is described in Scripture. In these last days a great strain will be put on our trust in the Word. We can hear the enemies whisper upon the wind, "Has God indeed said ...?" But if we do not want to be lost in this age we must make the decision to trust the Word and to stand:
All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. (v. 16-17)
But standing does not mean building walls. We are not isolationists. We were left in this world with a purpose, a mission to represent Jesus' love to the lost. Even if the lost are bent on our destruction, we are here to love them. We have good works to do even when we are being attacked:
Therefore, brethren, stand fast and hold the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or our epistle. Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and our God and Father, who has loved us and given us everlasting consolation and good hope by grace, comfort your hearts and establish you in every good word and work. (2 Thessalonians 2:15-17)
We were born to this age for a reason. We are the generation who it has been given to stand for Jesus no matter the cost. We are to shout of his love even louder as the noise of this world tries to drown us out. We are not to become distracted by the debates within the Church but instead we are to press forward in the good works we have been assigned. Jesus warned us to be found faithful in our duties upon his return and that is what we need to be determined to do. So let this reminder encourage us that, no matter how bad it gets in the coming days, there is an end coming:
For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words. (1 Thessalonians 4:16-18)
And that is what we need to do. Set it in your heart right now that your ongoing purpose is to comfort, encourage and pray for all the saints who are standing up under the pressures and persecution of our age. Sing with each other, praise Jesus with loud voices, lift up holy hands, lift up the Name that is above all names. Let us remind each other of these things as the spirit of discouragement tries to undermined us. We are not those who shrink back but instead, empowered by the Holy Spirit, emboldened by Jesus' example, and longing for the presence of Father, we press on. Stand my brothers and sisters, stand!
Showing posts with label discouragement. Show all posts
Showing posts with label discouragement. Show all posts
Sunday, April 6, 2014
Tuesday, March 11, 2014
What To Do When You Are Discouraged
It doesn't matter who you are, we all face discouraging times. Be as holy as you want to be, put on whatever face you want to put on, create a facade if you want but the truth is discouragement is real for all of us. So then the true question is not how to pretend you are not discouraged but what do you do when you are. Let's consider a man who faced a boat load of discouragement in his live; king David.
David was a man of faith and trust but the psalms he wrote give us the privilege of seeing into the reality of his heart. That reality shows that David faced all kinds of emotions but he did one thing with them all; he made the decision to trust. Now when I say he made the decision, I mean he forced his spirit to worship by making declarations that he bent his will to believe:
The Lord is my light and my salvation;
Whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the strength of my life;
Of whom shall I be afraid? (Psalm 27:1)
I am sure that as David declared this he brought back to his remembrance all the good things, all the victories, all the incredible interventions Yahweh had done for him in the past. It times of discouragement, doubts and fears we need to force ourselves to remember the personal goodness of the Lord. What has he done for us in the past? We need to remind ourselves who he is, what he does, what he has promised and that, because of who he is, we have nothing to be discouraged about. What is more important, the values of this world or those of the Kingdom?
Misplaced priorities may be the cause of some of our discouragement. Maybe we got knocked off the path of holiness because our flesh had a desire that replaced the spirit. Renew your first love and you will remember what is important to you, as David did:
One thing I have desired of the Lord,
That will I seek:
That I may dwell in the house of the Lord
All the days of my life,
To behold the beauty of the Lord,
And to inquire in His temple. (v. 4)
The Temple represented the presence of the Lord. We are that temple now as the Holy Spirit dwells in us. The presence of the Lord is what we value and we want to be aware, sensitive, to his presence. In David's great psalm of repentance his greatest concern expressed was that the Lord would cast him out of his presence. Our great desire should be to "dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life". When that is our desire and we live to permit that to be our reality, discouragement soon flees from us because it cannot take root.
Of course we can't fool ourselves into a mindset if we don't believe what we are trying to convince ourselves. If we do not believe the promises; if we forget what has been done in the past; if we don't believe that Jesus cares for us in our circumstances then we will not be able to de-root the discouragement that has laid siege upon our heart and mind:
I would have lost heart, unless I had believed
That I would see the goodness of the Lord
In the land of the living. (v.13)
Read that first line over a few times until the reality of it sinks in. David's reality was shaped by the fact that he did believe. Sometimes this world tried to overcome his belief, his trust, his knowledge and experience of the Lord but David forced himself to remember. He forced his spirit to rise up over his flesh and praise Yahweh. He forced it by making these declarations. I only gave you a small taste of those declarations here; go back and read the whole psalm. And consider how he ended it:
Wait on the Lord;
Be of good courage,
And He shall strengthen your heart;
Wait, I say, on the Lord! (V. 14)
You can decide who David is speaking to, us or himself, but consider those words. You can try to dispel discouragement with lies you tell yourself about this world. You can try to avoid the discouragement by hiding behind alcohol and drugs. You can try to distract yourself by entertainment but you are still going to be left alone with your thoughts in the middle of the night or when you wake in the morning. There is only one way to vanquish discouragement and that is by encouraging yourself in the Lord.
Wait on the Lord, says David, and be of good courage. Praise him. Declare his goodness. Declare your trust. Speak it out loud and feel the strength return to you because when you declare trust in the Lord he shall strengthen your heart. Go ahead, says David, wait on the Lord!
David was a man of faith and trust but the psalms he wrote give us the privilege of seeing into the reality of his heart. That reality shows that David faced all kinds of emotions but he did one thing with them all; he made the decision to trust. Now when I say he made the decision, I mean he forced his spirit to worship by making declarations that he bent his will to believe:
The Lord is my light and my salvation;
Whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the strength of my life;
Of whom shall I be afraid? (Psalm 27:1)
I am sure that as David declared this he brought back to his remembrance all the good things, all the victories, all the incredible interventions Yahweh had done for him in the past. It times of discouragement, doubts and fears we need to force ourselves to remember the personal goodness of the Lord. What has he done for us in the past? We need to remind ourselves who he is, what he does, what he has promised and that, because of who he is, we have nothing to be discouraged about. What is more important, the values of this world or those of the Kingdom?
Misplaced priorities may be the cause of some of our discouragement. Maybe we got knocked off the path of holiness because our flesh had a desire that replaced the spirit. Renew your first love and you will remember what is important to you, as David did:
One thing I have desired of the Lord,
That will I seek:
That I may dwell in the house of the Lord
All the days of my life,
To behold the beauty of the Lord,
And to inquire in His temple. (v. 4)
The Temple represented the presence of the Lord. We are that temple now as the Holy Spirit dwells in us. The presence of the Lord is what we value and we want to be aware, sensitive, to his presence. In David's great psalm of repentance his greatest concern expressed was that the Lord would cast him out of his presence. Our great desire should be to "dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life". When that is our desire and we live to permit that to be our reality, discouragement soon flees from us because it cannot take root.
Of course we can't fool ourselves into a mindset if we don't believe what we are trying to convince ourselves. If we do not believe the promises; if we forget what has been done in the past; if we don't believe that Jesus cares for us in our circumstances then we will not be able to de-root the discouragement that has laid siege upon our heart and mind:
I would have lost heart, unless I had believed
That I would see the goodness of the Lord
In the land of the living. (v.13)
Read that first line over a few times until the reality of it sinks in. David's reality was shaped by the fact that he did believe. Sometimes this world tried to overcome his belief, his trust, his knowledge and experience of the Lord but David forced himself to remember. He forced his spirit to rise up over his flesh and praise Yahweh. He forced it by making these declarations. I only gave you a small taste of those declarations here; go back and read the whole psalm. And consider how he ended it:
Wait on the Lord;
Be of good courage,
And He shall strengthen your heart;
Wait, I say, on the Lord! (V. 14)
You can decide who David is speaking to, us or himself, but consider those words. You can try to dispel discouragement with lies you tell yourself about this world. You can try to avoid the discouragement by hiding behind alcohol and drugs. You can try to distract yourself by entertainment but you are still going to be left alone with your thoughts in the middle of the night or when you wake in the morning. There is only one way to vanquish discouragement and that is by encouraging yourself in the Lord.
Wait on the Lord, says David, and be of good courage. Praise him. Declare his goodness. Declare your trust. Speak it out loud and feel the strength return to you because when you declare trust in the Lord he shall strengthen your heart. Go ahead, says David, wait on the Lord!
Friday, January 3, 2014
From Discouragement To Joy
As a father I understand the importance of hands-on lessons. Verbal instructions are important but they are not as effective as practical learning. It is for this reason that I allow my children to face situations that seem impossible for them. Of course it seems impossible because they have yet to learn what they are capable of doing. They are capable but they have yet to learn it. I would never allow them to be in any danger or allow anything to harm them but I have been known to let them fail at a task.
Am I a mean father? Some may think so but I hope that my children can see my love in all that I do. It is always my plan to encourage them in their failure, to try again, and I stand with them to lend them the strength and encouragement they need. Sounds ideal, if my humanity didn't get in the way. Often times frustration comes in when a child fails from lack of effort or simply because they didn't want to. This is the reason why our Heavenly Father is the perfect Father, because our failures do not frustrate him, no matter the cause.
However, we do discover many examples in the Word where God teaches practical lessons through our living, and sometimes he uses our failures as the greatest lessons. In the beginning this can be hard for us to understand and accept but the longer we know him the better we understand to trust him. If we have lived and served him long enough to have grey hair and yet still panic in places where we should trust, there is a problem with our spiritual maturity level.
The longer we spend with God the clearer certain lessons should be for us. For instance, we should easily understand that God is for us, not against us. We should also know that we can do everything through Jesus because he gives us the strength to do all things. And one question that should be answered early on in our infancy with God is this one thing:
Is anything too hard for the Lord? (Genesis 18:14, NKJV)
In fact, the passage where this is taken from is a great example. Sarah and Abraham were old but God had promised them a child. Sarah's reaction to God's promise was a mocking laughter. It was an internal laughter, something we all do, but God knows our heart and he heard the mocking. It is funny how the God of the impossible can turn our doubt, fear, anxiety into joy. A few chapters later, as Sarah has given birth, she testifies:
And Sarah said, “God has made me laugh, and all who hear will laugh with me.” (Genesis 21:6, NKJV)
A much different laughter. From mockery to joy. From sorrow to joy. From anxiety to joy. From fear to joy. Is anything too hard for the Lord? That is the question you have to answer for yourself. As a father, I just want to assure you that God has purpose in everything that you face. The enemy is not in charge and has no say over you. It is our God who is sovereign and who knows all your days before you have lived them. It is our Father who has plans to build us up and not tear us down. And it is Jesus who said to us:
“Don’t be troubled. Trust in God. Trust also in me." (John 14:1, CEB)
Let 2014 be a year of trust and spiritual growth as our Father turns all things to joy in you.
Am I a mean father? Some may think so but I hope that my children can see my love in all that I do. It is always my plan to encourage them in their failure, to try again, and I stand with them to lend them the strength and encouragement they need. Sounds ideal, if my humanity didn't get in the way. Often times frustration comes in when a child fails from lack of effort or simply because they didn't want to. This is the reason why our Heavenly Father is the perfect Father, because our failures do not frustrate him, no matter the cause.
However, we do discover many examples in the Word where God teaches practical lessons through our living, and sometimes he uses our failures as the greatest lessons. In the beginning this can be hard for us to understand and accept but the longer we know him the better we understand to trust him. If we have lived and served him long enough to have grey hair and yet still panic in places where we should trust, there is a problem with our spiritual maturity level.
The longer we spend with God the clearer certain lessons should be for us. For instance, we should easily understand that God is for us, not against us. We should also know that we can do everything through Jesus because he gives us the strength to do all things. And one question that should be answered early on in our infancy with God is this one thing:
Is anything too hard for the Lord? (Genesis 18:14, NKJV)
In fact, the passage where this is taken from is a great example. Sarah and Abraham were old but God had promised them a child. Sarah's reaction to God's promise was a mocking laughter. It was an internal laughter, something we all do, but God knows our heart and he heard the mocking. It is funny how the God of the impossible can turn our doubt, fear, anxiety into joy. A few chapters later, as Sarah has given birth, she testifies:
And Sarah said, “God has made me laugh, and all who hear will laugh with me.” (Genesis 21:6, NKJV)
A much different laughter. From mockery to joy. From sorrow to joy. From anxiety to joy. From fear to joy. Is anything too hard for the Lord? That is the question you have to answer for yourself. As a father, I just want to assure you that God has purpose in everything that you face. The enemy is not in charge and has no say over you. It is our God who is sovereign and who knows all your days before you have lived them. It is our Father who has plans to build us up and not tear us down. And it is Jesus who said to us:
“Don’t be troubled. Trust in God. Trust also in me." (John 14:1, CEB)
Let 2014 be a year of trust and spiritual growth as our Father turns all things to joy in you.
Sunday, September 1, 2013
A Word To The Discouraged Heart
Discouragement is a very powerful thing that does not always come with roots. By roots I mean legitimate causes. Sometimes we can easily see the reasons we are discouraged; our expectations are not met, things are not where we want them to be, failure even though we tried our best. Sometimes it is because of circumstances beyond our control or even caused by us. Then there are other times when there is not justifiable reason, we simple feel discouraged by things in general.
Discouragement does not belong to the children of God. I know we will face it at times but it doesn't belong to us; it is foreign. Discouragement should never be left to take root in us but should be dealt with right away. Confess your feelings. Admit that it is what you are facing. Then ask the Spirit to deal with this thing that is inside of you. Sing, shout, declare the Lordship of Jesus in all things.
The only effective way of dealing with discouragement is to go deeper with Jesus. It won't seem to be working at first and you will really have to push through to get there. I mean, you are going to have to fight. It is a battle to make your flesh submit to your spirit but you can't afford to lose this battle. Why do you think Jacob wrestled with God?
Jacob was facing a very difficult situation. He was running away from one problem only to face another that he had created a long time ago. He had wronged his brother and now he was about to come face to face with him. I am sure you have felt stuck between a rock and a hard place with no easy solution. Jacob did what most of us do in desperate times, he sought assurance from God. Perhaps for the first time in his life Jacob realized that his fast talking would not get him out of this. Filled with fear, anxiety, uncertainty, perhaps discouragement, he would not let go of God until he received his blessing.
I don't think many of us have ever been in this place with God, but we should be. We should all have to face such a time as this, when we are forced to be honest with ourselves and admit our only hope is Jesus Christ. We should all be in that place where we refuse to let go of God, because we have no other hope, until we receive his blessing, his assurance, his promises, his hope, his love.
We are in a time in history when the enemy of our soul is doing everything he can to discourage us. We will have discouragement without root and we will have discouragement with deep roots, like Jacob. Our Father's enemy will accuse us of failure. He will accuse us of what God has forgiven. He will make sure that we see the discouraging things around us and hear the discouraging reports as the Israelites did. And most of it will focus on us. What we did or did not do. Our failures. Our lose. That is how you will recognize him, by his emphasis on you, to provoke your emotions. But knowing this will not be enough to protect your heart. You are going to have to learn to wrestle.
We are warned in Scripture:
My friends, watch out! Don’t let evil thoughts or doubts make any of you turn from the living God. You must encourage one another each day. And you must keep on while there is still a time that can be called “today.” If you don’t, then sin may fool some of you and make you stubborn. We were sure about Christ when we first became his people. So let’s hold tightly to our faith until the end. (Hebrews 3:12-14)
The Scripture encourages us not to be like the Israelites who listened to discouraging reports and refused to enter into what God had promised. My friends, the end is in sight; now is not the time to give up. Now is the time to press on and we need to watch out for each other, to testify to each other, to lift each other up, to pray, encourage, and love each other.
Don't you dare give up: Don't! Jesus is coming!
Discouragement does not belong to the children of God. I know we will face it at times but it doesn't belong to us; it is foreign. Discouragement should never be left to take root in us but should be dealt with right away. Confess your feelings. Admit that it is what you are facing. Then ask the Spirit to deal with this thing that is inside of you. Sing, shout, declare the Lordship of Jesus in all things.
The only effective way of dealing with discouragement is to go deeper with Jesus. It won't seem to be working at first and you will really have to push through to get there. I mean, you are going to have to fight. It is a battle to make your flesh submit to your spirit but you can't afford to lose this battle. Why do you think Jacob wrestled with God?
Jacob was facing a very difficult situation. He was running away from one problem only to face another that he had created a long time ago. He had wronged his brother and now he was about to come face to face with him. I am sure you have felt stuck between a rock and a hard place with no easy solution. Jacob did what most of us do in desperate times, he sought assurance from God. Perhaps for the first time in his life Jacob realized that his fast talking would not get him out of this. Filled with fear, anxiety, uncertainty, perhaps discouragement, he would not let go of God until he received his blessing.
I don't think many of us have ever been in this place with God, but we should be. We should all have to face such a time as this, when we are forced to be honest with ourselves and admit our only hope is Jesus Christ. We should all be in that place where we refuse to let go of God, because we have no other hope, until we receive his blessing, his assurance, his promises, his hope, his love.
We are in a time in history when the enemy of our soul is doing everything he can to discourage us. We will have discouragement without root and we will have discouragement with deep roots, like Jacob. Our Father's enemy will accuse us of failure. He will accuse us of what God has forgiven. He will make sure that we see the discouraging things around us and hear the discouraging reports as the Israelites did. And most of it will focus on us. What we did or did not do. Our failures. Our lose. That is how you will recognize him, by his emphasis on you, to provoke your emotions. But knowing this will not be enough to protect your heart. You are going to have to learn to wrestle.
We are warned in Scripture:
My friends, watch out! Don’t let evil thoughts or doubts make any of you turn from the living God. You must encourage one another each day. And you must keep on while there is still a time that can be called “today.” If you don’t, then sin may fool some of you and make you stubborn. We were sure about Christ when we first became his people. So let’s hold tightly to our faith until the end. (Hebrews 3:12-14)
The Scripture encourages us not to be like the Israelites who listened to discouraging reports and refused to enter into what God had promised. My friends, the end is in sight; now is not the time to give up. Now is the time to press on and we need to watch out for each other, to testify to each other, to lift each other up, to pray, encourage, and love each other.
Don't you dare give up: Don't! Jesus is coming!
Monday, May 13, 2013
In The Face Of Discouragement, Dance
Discouragement comes in many different forms and for many different reasons. It can come due to finances, relationships, lost opportunities, unrealized dreams. It can result in depression, lose of sleep, irritability, lack of energy, quitting, lost focus, self-centered thinking. Discouragement can be a destroyer of worlds if we allow it to be.
Discouragement has many different triggers but we have a choice in it. We can't stop it from knocking on the door but we can decide not to invite it in. Just because it comes looking through the window does not mean we have to allow it to take up residence. Discouragement will come but we have the power over what to do with it when it does.
Discouragement will take up residence and set about in it's destructive nature when we decide to dwell on circumstances instead of faith. Because of Jesus we do not believe "what you see is what you get". Our life, hope and the actions we take are based on the promises of Jesus, our Lord and King. When we realize these promises and place our hope in them instead of the strength of man, the door becomes locked against discouragement. There may be a knock on the door but we are too busy praising our God to answer.
That is the only real and proper response to discouragement: praise. We know this as a fact because the Word tells us and we have already experienced it for ourselves:
Why am I discouraged?
Why am I restless?
I trust you!
And I will praise you again
because you help me, and you are my God. (Psalm 42:11, CEV)
It is a decision, a conscience act of faith, to turn our back on the facts of this world and say to Jesus, "I trust you". It is when we decide to turn away from the welcoming darkness of discouragement and fill our soul with the sweet praise of Jesus. It is when we choose to remember his goodness, what he has done and what he has promised to do. It is when we decide to dance instead of sit down. It is when we decide to laugh instead of cry. It is when we decide to press on instead of lie down and sleep.
Discouragement and depression are soul destroyers but Jesus is the lover of our soul. You are a child of God and have no part in discouragement. Nothing can separate you from the love of Jesus. Nothing can stop you from dwelling in him. He has given you peace and joy that no one and no thing can take from you. It is all a matter of choice and decision. Who will you choose to trust? Who will you decide to serve? Who will receive your praise today? For the sake of your peace let your choice be Jesus.
Discouragement has many different triggers but we have a choice in it. We can't stop it from knocking on the door but we can decide not to invite it in. Just because it comes looking through the window does not mean we have to allow it to take up residence. Discouragement will come but we have the power over what to do with it when it does.
Discouragement will take up residence and set about in it's destructive nature when we decide to dwell on circumstances instead of faith. Because of Jesus we do not believe "what you see is what you get". Our life, hope and the actions we take are based on the promises of Jesus, our Lord and King. When we realize these promises and place our hope in them instead of the strength of man, the door becomes locked against discouragement. There may be a knock on the door but we are too busy praising our God to answer.
That is the only real and proper response to discouragement: praise. We know this as a fact because the Word tells us and we have already experienced it for ourselves:
Why am I discouraged?
Why am I restless?
I trust you!
And I will praise you again
because you help me, and you are my God. (Psalm 42:11, CEV)
It is a decision, a conscience act of faith, to turn our back on the facts of this world and say to Jesus, "I trust you". It is when we decide to turn away from the welcoming darkness of discouragement and fill our soul with the sweet praise of Jesus. It is when we choose to remember his goodness, what he has done and what he has promised to do. It is when we decide to dance instead of sit down. It is when we decide to laugh instead of cry. It is when we decide to press on instead of lie down and sleep.
Discouragement and depression are soul destroyers but Jesus is the lover of our soul. You are a child of God and have no part in discouragement. Nothing can separate you from the love of Jesus. Nothing can stop you from dwelling in him. He has given you peace and joy that no one and no thing can take from you. It is all a matter of choice and decision. Who will you choose to trust? Who will you decide to serve? Who will receive your praise today? For the sake of your peace let your choice be Jesus.
Sunday, October 21, 2012
Weapons Against Discouragement
Discouragement is powerful, deceptive and common among God's children. We should ask ourselves why it is so common. Considering who our God is and what he has done, is doing and will do for us, discouragement should never come near our door. We should be able to hear his message to Joshua as a personal reminder to us:
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged,for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. (Joshua 1:9)
I find that we often read this as "Have I not commanded you TO be strong and courageous," but we need to read it as "Have I not commanded you? SO be strong and courageous". Joshua, it is me, the Creator of all things who has told you to do these things. Because it is me you can have boldness and confidence. Because it is me who told you to do this you are operating in my authority so be strong and courageous. If you allow yourself to be terrified or discouraged you are showing the world you have no trust and confidence that I am who I say I am.
Joshua's confidence was never found in the pitiful army that was Israel but instead in the fact that the Creator of all things was with him wherever he went. This was the same confidence Moses had. When God threatened not to go with them to the Promised Land, Moses told God he may as well kill him there on the spot because it would be useless to go without God.
I think we too easily forget who our God is and who is really in charge of this world. I think we too easily forget the promises given us and who we are in Jesus. I think we too easily forget that we were told what faith is and that it is required in order to see God. I wish you could be with me this morning as I encourage my congregation with the Word of God but I want to give you a snap shot of why discouragement comes knocking on our door and what we are to do about it. In a nutshell:
The enemy loves to discourage us with doubt and fear:
- with Eve in the garden "Surely God did not say ..."
- with mighty king Saul, who hid amongst the baggage at his inauguration
- with prophet Elijah, who hid out in a cave because he was afraid and discouraged
It's more common than we realize but we have been given tools to combat this thing that threatens to suck the life out of us.
1. Remember what God has done for you:
Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. (Romans 8:1)
2. Remember we are a new creation and we are different from this world:
Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. (Romans 8:5)
3. We are no longer controlled by what we were but instead by what we have become:
You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ. (Romans 8:9)
4. Remember that God addresses us as his children:
For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. (Romans 8:15-16)
4. We have a different perspective on this place and our lives in it. We don`t live for ourselves any more:
I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. (Romans 8:18)
5. We are never left on our own, and even when we don`t know what to say it is already being said for us:
In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God’s will. (Romans 8:26-27)
And from this foundation we have powerful scripture that should rip the victory right out of the grasp of that spirit of discouragement and send him back to the pit from which he came. Here they are. Write them down. Better yet, memorize them and use them against any dark spirits that would try to trip you up:
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28)
If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? (Romans 8:31-32)
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. (Romans 8:37)
If you really want to give discouragement a good kick in the butt pray through the entire Romans 8 and see what the Spirit does for your spirit. Sometimes facing discouragement can be a good thing as we are reminded who our God is and who we are in him. But we have a choice in discouragement. We can stay there and die under the weight of it or we can get up and remind ourselves of the glory of our God:
Why are you downcast, O my soul?
Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God,
for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God. (Psalm 42:5-6)
Choose wisely today my friend. It is not about who you are and what you are doing but instead it is all about who God is and what he is doing through you.Who has commanded you? Where is your confidence found?
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged,for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. (Joshua 1:9)
I find that we often read this as "Have I not commanded you TO be strong and courageous," but we need to read it as "Have I not commanded you? SO be strong and courageous". Joshua, it is me, the Creator of all things who has told you to do these things. Because it is me you can have boldness and confidence. Because it is me who told you to do this you are operating in my authority so be strong and courageous. If you allow yourself to be terrified or discouraged you are showing the world you have no trust and confidence that I am who I say I am.
Joshua's confidence was never found in the pitiful army that was Israel but instead in the fact that the Creator of all things was with him wherever he went. This was the same confidence Moses had. When God threatened not to go with them to the Promised Land, Moses told God he may as well kill him there on the spot because it would be useless to go without God.
I think we too easily forget who our God is and who is really in charge of this world. I think we too easily forget the promises given us and who we are in Jesus. I think we too easily forget that we were told what faith is and that it is required in order to see God. I wish you could be with me this morning as I encourage my congregation with the Word of God but I want to give you a snap shot of why discouragement comes knocking on our door and what we are to do about it. In a nutshell:
The enemy loves to discourage us with doubt and fear:
- with Eve in the garden "Surely God did not say ..."
- with mighty king Saul, who hid amongst the baggage at his inauguration
- with prophet Elijah, who hid out in a cave because he was afraid and discouraged
It's more common than we realize but we have been given tools to combat this thing that threatens to suck the life out of us.
1. Remember what God has done for you:
Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. (Romans 8:1)
2. Remember we are a new creation and we are different from this world:
Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. (Romans 8:5)
3. We are no longer controlled by what we were but instead by what we have become:
You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ. (Romans 8:9)
4. Remember that God addresses us as his children:
For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. (Romans 8:15-16)
4. We have a different perspective on this place and our lives in it. We don`t live for ourselves any more:
I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. (Romans 8:18)
5. We are never left on our own, and even when we don`t know what to say it is already being said for us:
In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God’s will. (Romans 8:26-27)
And from this foundation we have powerful scripture that should rip the victory right out of the grasp of that spirit of discouragement and send him back to the pit from which he came. Here they are. Write them down. Better yet, memorize them and use them against any dark spirits that would try to trip you up:
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28)
If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? (Romans 8:31-32)
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. (Romans 8:37)
If you really want to give discouragement a good kick in the butt pray through the entire Romans 8 and see what the Spirit does for your spirit. Sometimes facing discouragement can be a good thing as we are reminded who our God is and who we are in him. But we have a choice in discouragement. We can stay there and die under the weight of it or we can get up and remind ourselves of the glory of our God:
Why are you downcast, O my soul?
Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God,
for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God. (Psalm 42:5-6)
Choose wisely today my friend. It is not about who you are and what you are doing but instead it is all about who God is and what he is doing through you.Who has commanded you? Where is your confidence found?
Monday, September 10, 2012
Encouraging The Hopeless
It is an unfortunate fact that some Christians have as much emotional problems as those without Jesus. They suffer loneliness, depression, anger, despair, thoughts of hopelessness. When difficulties cross their path what they called faith dries up and they fold like a house of cards. There is no power, just a propped up façade.
I am not being critical because most of us have been there, but if we are going to be an encourager, a people person, then we need to know how to deal with these Christians. We need to know how to help them go from wretchedness to a powerhouse of faith. It starts by praying for them, that they would receive a revelation of who they are in Jesus, because a lot of Christians don't know. Consider three of the things Paul prayed for the Ephesians:
I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. (Ephesians 1:18-19)
Paul first prayed that God would enlighten them, give them greater understanding of the hope to which we have been called. When we realize the truth of the promises of Jesus and where our real treasures lie we realize that everything can be stripped from us in this place and we would still be rich beyond compare. If our hope is in anything in this world, be it money, possessions or friends, then it is a flimsy hope that will eventually fall apart. There is only one hope that is eternal and it is found in Jesus.
Christians without hope are Christians who have lost sight of Jesus or who have yet to receive their own personal revelation. Jesus is not someone we can know by second hand knowledge. If our hope is to remain intact in all circumstance we must have a vibrant and growing relationship with the source of our hope.
We must also pray for these struggling Christians that the promises of Jesus would become the most certain thing in their life. Their attitude must be "Jesus said it, I believe it" and they must be willing to act on those promises. They need to come to know the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints. He has given us these promises to act on so that he will be glorified in us, so the world would look at us and marvel, so that people would see him in us in all situations and circumstances. We rob Jesus of his glory when we lose hope.
We need to pray that these cowering Christians would realize the power that possesses them. I guess that must be the most tragic thing about struggling Christians. It is like a man dying of thirst because he didn't realize that the jug in the room was filled with water. The resurrection power of Jesus Christ is in us so that we would live powerful lives for his glory, so that every shadow of the enemy would be vanquished from our sight.
Jesus is not glorified in our complaining. He is not glorified when we express despair and hopelessness. He is not glorified when we give up and walk away. He is glorified when we live in the power he has filled us with. Power to defeat the enemy. Power to overcome all our circumstances. Power to live above any persecution that we may face. Power to stand our ground and defend what belongs to the King of kings. There is nothing in this world that can come against the power of Jesus in us. "The one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world." 1 John 4:4
So perhaps these are things we need to refresh ourselves in as we pray for our struggling brothers and sisters. Don't criticize them. Don't become impatient. Don't give up. Pray for them. Encourage them. Be with them. Pray for these things in their life and watch what Jesus does. Be faithful in your prayers. You are here, mighty warrior, to defend the weak, suffering and blind. Your weapon is prayer.
I am not being critical because most of us have been there, but if we are going to be an encourager, a people person, then we need to know how to deal with these Christians. We need to know how to help them go from wretchedness to a powerhouse of faith. It starts by praying for them, that they would receive a revelation of who they are in Jesus, because a lot of Christians don't know. Consider three of the things Paul prayed for the Ephesians:
I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. (Ephesians 1:18-19)
Paul first prayed that God would enlighten them, give them greater understanding of the hope to which we have been called. When we realize the truth of the promises of Jesus and where our real treasures lie we realize that everything can be stripped from us in this place and we would still be rich beyond compare. If our hope is in anything in this world, be it money, possessions or friends, then it is a flimsy hope that will eventually fall apart. There is only one hope that is eternal and it is found in Jesus.
Christians without hope are Christians who have lost sight of Jesus or who have yet to receive their own personal revelation. Jesus is not someone we can know by second hand knowledge. If our hope is to remain intact in all circumstance we must have a vibrant and growing relationship with the source of our hope.
We must also pray for these struggling Christians that the promises of Jesus would become the most certain thing in their life. Their attitude must be "Jesus said it, I believe it" and they must be willing to act on those promises. They need to come to know the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints. He has given us these promises to act on so that he will be glorified in us, so the world would look at us and marvel, so that people would see him in us in all situations and circumstances. We rob Jesus of his glory when we lose hope.
We need to pray that these cowering Christians would realize the power that possesses them. I guess that must be the most tragic thing about struggling Christians. It is like a man dying of thirst because he didn't realize that the jug in the room was filled with water. The resurrection power of Jesus Christ is in us so that we would live powerful lives for his glory, so that every shadow of the enemy would be vanquished from our sight.
Jesus is not glorified in our complaining. He is not glorified when we express despair and hopelessness. He is not glorified when we give up and walk away. He is glorified when we live in the power he has filled us with. Power to defeat the enemy. Power to overcome all our circumstances. Power to live above any persecution that we may face. Power to stand our ground and defend what belongs to the King of kings. There is nothing in this world that can come against the power of Jesus in us. "The one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world." 1 John 4:4
So perhaps these are things we need to refresh ourselves in as we pray for our struggling brothers and sisters. Don't criticize them. Don't become impatient. Don't give up. Pray for them. Encourage them. Be with them. Pray for these things in their life and watch what Jesus does. Be faithful in your prayers. You are here, mighty warrior, to defend the weak, suffering and blind. Your weapon is prayer.
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