Do Nothing Out Of Selfish Ambition Or Vain Conceit.- True Christianity Is Hardwork.

Philippians 2: 1 – 18

Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, ² then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. ³ Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, ⁴ not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

⁵ In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:

⁶ Who, being in very nature^[a] God,
    did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
⁷ rather, he made himself nothing
    by taking the very nature^[b] of a servant,
    being made in human likeness.
⁸ And being found in appearance as a man,
    he humbled himself
    by becoming obedient to death—
        even death on a cross!

⁹ Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
    and gave him the name that is above every name,
¹⁰ that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
    in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
¹¹ and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,
    to the glory of God the Father.

Do Everything Without Grumbling

¹² Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, ¹³ for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.

¹⁴ Do everything without grumbling or arguing, ¹⁵ so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.”^[c] Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky ¹⁶ as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain. ¹⁷ But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. ¹⁸ So you too should be glad and rejoice with me.

Stay Blessed. God Loves You. 🙂

Good Judgment Wins Favour – Wisdom Calls.

Proverbs 13

A wise son heeds his father’s instruction,
    but a mocker does not respond to rebukes.

² From the fruit of their lips people enjoy good things,
    but the unfaithful have an appetite for violence.

³ Those who guard their lips preserve their lives,
    but those who speak rashly will come to ruin.

⁴ A sluggard’s appetite is never filled,
    but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied.

⁵ The righteous hate what is false,
    but the wicked make themselves obnoxious
    and bring shame on themselves.

⁶ Righteousness guards the person of integrity,
    but wickedness overthrows the sinner.

⁷ One person pretends to be rich, yet has nothing;
    another pretends to be poor, yet has great wealth.

⁸ A person’s riches may ransom their life,
    but the poor cannot respond to threatening rebukes.

⁹ The light of the righteous shines brightly,
    but the lamp of the wicked is snuffed out.

¹⁰ Where there is strife, there is pride,
    but wisdom is found in those who take advice.

¹¹ Dishonest money dwindles away,
    but whoever gathers money little by little makes it grow.

¹² Hope deferred makes the heart sick,
    but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.

¹³ Whoever scorns instruction will pay for it,
    but whoever respects a command is rewarded.

¹⁴ The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life,
    turning a person from the snares of death.

¹⁵ Good judgment wins favour,
    but the way of the unfaithful leads to their destruction.^[a]

¹⁶ All who are prudent act with^[b] knowledge,
    but fools expose their folly.

¹⁷ A wicked messenger falls into trouble,
    but a trustworthy envoy brings healing.

¹⁸ Whoever disregards discipline comes to poverty and shame,
    but whoever heeds correction is honoured.

¹⁹ A longing fulfilled is sweet to the soul,
    but fools detest turning from evil.

²⁰ Walk with the wise and become wise,
    for a companion of fools suffers harm.

²¹ Trouble pursues the sinner,
    but the righteous are rewarded with good things.

²² A good person leaves an inheritance for their children’s children,
    but a sinner’s wealth is stored up for the righteous.

²³ An unploughed field produces food for the poor,
    but injustice sweeps it away.

²⁴ Whoever spares the rod hates their children,
    but the one who loves their children is careful to discipline them.

²⁵ The righteous eat to their hearts’ content,
    but the stomach of the wicked goes hungry.

Stay Blessed. God Loves You. 🙂

Depression Part 2: All About The Truth…

YOU ARE LOVED

John 3:16

¹⁶ For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

1 Peter 5:7

⁷ Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

DO NOT LET FEAR ROB OF WHAT´S YOURS – JOY

John 10:10

¹⁰ The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

2 Timothy 1:7

⁷ For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

Nehemiah 8:10

¹⁰ Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the Lord is your strength.

YOUR LIFE HAS A PURPOSE

John 15:4-5

⁴ Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.

⁵ “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.

Jeremiah 29:11

¹¹ For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Ecclesiastes 3:1

 To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:

LIFE CAN GET BETTER

Ecclesiastes 7:10

Do not say, “Why were the old days better than these?” For it is not wise to ask such questions.

Isaiah 43:19

¹⁹ See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness
    and streams in the wasteland.

BE ANXIOUS FOR NOTHING

Philippians 4:6-7

⁶ Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; ⁷ and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

¹⁶ Rejoice always, ¹⁷ pray without ceasing, ¹⁸ in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

YOU CAN BE HAPPY.

Luke 12:15

¹⁵ And He said to them, “Take heed and beware of ^[a]covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.”

Hebrews 13:5

⁵ Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

NO ONE IS TOO FAR GONE TO BE SAVED

Isaiah 59:1

Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear:

Mark 10:27

Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.”

CHANGING YOUR WORDS CAN CHANGE YOUR LIFE

Proverbs 18:21

Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit.

Matthew 21:22

²² And whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.”

Mark 11:23

²³ “Truly^[a] I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them.

John 14:13-14

¹³ And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. ¹⁴ If you ^[a]ask anything in My name, I will do it.

IT´S NOT THE END UNTIL GOD SAYS SO.

Matthew 10:29-31

²⁹ Are not two sparrows sold for a ^[a]copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will. ³⁰ But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. ³¹ Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.

Luke 12:25-31

²⁵ Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life^[a]? ²⁶ Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?

²⁷ “Consider how the wild flowers grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. ²⁸ If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you—you of little faith! ²⁹ And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. ³⁰ For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. ³¹ But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.

GOD STILL SAVES

Romans 10:13

¹³ For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Hebrews 3:15

¹⁵ As has just been said:

“Today, if you hear his voice,
    do not harden your hearts
    as you did in the rebellion.”

To be continued…

Stay blessed. God loves you.

Depression Part 1: Victory Over Depression…

Depression and suicide are claiming more lives faster than expected. There are many people that are depressed and are quiet about it which is so sad. Child of the Most High God, silence is not the solution and pre- mature death is not your potion. Speaking with the right people will do a whole lot of difference in your life. A human being is a community being by default, God that created the heavens and earth said it is not good for MAN TO BE ALONE(Genesis 2:18). If the creator that designed every human being said so, then it is so! I have watched depression robe lives of people I know and their mental health destroyed of many. Regardless of your age, depression is real.

Oxford dictionary definition:

Depression : feelings of severe despondency and dejection. (misery, sadness, unhappiness, sorrow, gloom, low spirits..etc)

Depression is an illness. It is real. Diseases do not know religion. Even christians do get depressed. Yes, please! They do because they are human beings.

1. If you are thinking: People will laugh at me.

We serve a God that is the doctor of all doctors but He also allows doctors to exist because we are co-creators. Friend if you are depressed, ashamed of it, do not want people to know but you are suffering in silence. You need to find help ASAP and it is not something to be ashamed of. That´s why is it written in the Holy Bible, ” By your stripes, we are healed(1 Peter 2:24,Isaiah 53:5). If illnesses where something to be ashamed of then why did Jesus spend a whole great part of his ministry healing?

“You are robbing yourself of what is your potion”- Healing

2. If you are thinking: What is the point of getting help?

As a Child Of God. You have an appointed purpose specifically assigned to you, to accomplish in the body of Christ(Jeremiah 29:11). You are alive because you have an appointment to do for the GLORY of GOD. Your contribution to His Kingdom. The point of getting help is your not created to be an island too. Man needs man(Genesis 2:18). If you are sick, you need professional help both from the doctors who have been called to that area of expertise and the leaders of the church to pray for you. Both go hand in hand, working together for your good.

James 5:14-16

¹⁴ Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord:¹⁵ And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. ¹⁶Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

3. If you are thinking: Self medication is enough.

Think for a minute, imagine depression like a tree. It is standing within you firmly with deep roots. Just because you can cut off the branches and shade the leaves today, does not mean they won´t grow back tomorrow. That is what your doing.

Cutting yourself secretly until blood flows is not the solution. Self prescription won´t cut it. Alcohol will wear off and reality will be ready to greet you once you open your eyes. Faking the smile all day around the crowd will end when you get home and look in the mirror. Buying everything fancy might work for a while but how long will it take before you find out there is a difference between what you need and what you want? Involving in sexual immorality from partner to partner will not fill that empty void. Trying to make so many friends and trust none, will depress you the more. Suicide is not the solution either, believe it or not hell is real. Are you really ready to meet your maker when you reflect on your daily life? It is painful but true, you can not run from you! Deal with the issue now! Make up your mind. Today is a gift, take action now! Your life is too precious to go by with out joy.

John 10:10

¹⁰ The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

4. If you are thinking: I do not have time for this, I am too busy.

Well, you have got one life. And one life only! Everything else you think right now is more important than your health will not matter when you lose the ability to do it all. Be it work or people. Work will end when you lose the ability to do it. People often walk away at times in life when others are ill. If they love you, they should encourage you to seek help.

Proverbs 17:17

¹⁷ A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.

5. If you are thinking: I have gotten all the help I can. But still, I have seen no improvements.

I testify to the goodness of God. God is faithful. Give it all to Him. Have faith and hope in the LORD. Cast your cares upon the LORD, for He cares for you(1 Peter 5:7). Believe in God for there is nothing impossible for Him(Luke 1:37). Pray for strength during this trying time as you wait upon the LORD. Isaiah 40:31 -But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

Yes, healing might take time but that does not mean it´s not coming. Even though healing does not come, the peace of God will be with you to help you get through this trying time. Pray for the peace of the LORD that surpasses all human understanding. (Philippians 4:7)

1 Thessalonians 5:17-18

¹⁷ Pray without ceasing.

¹⁸ In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

To be continued.. God love you.

Find Favour In The Eyes Of God…

In our everyday life we ought to hold on to mercy and truth. For it is written:

Proverbs 3:3-5

Let not mercy and truth forsake you;
Bind them around your neck,
Write them on the tablet of your heart,

⁴ And so find favor and ^[a]high esteem
In the sight of God and man.

⁵ Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;

The world has its own standards of how to acquire favour. As believers in Christ Jesus, we have been given instructions and guidance on how to find favour with God and man. It has been stated as holding on to mercy and truth, bind them around our neck and write them on the tablet of our hearts. As we choose to do what is right we need to trust in the Lord, for many are the plans of man but God has the final word on how things have to be.

Stay blessed. God Loves You.

I Know It All: Come To Me – Says The Lord…

I know, they hurt you ; I was there. Come to me, I will heal your wounds. (Jeremiah 30:17)

I know, they despised you ; I was there. Come to me, I despise no one. (Job 36:5)

I know, they said you will never be healed; I was there. Come to me, by my stripes, you will be healed. (1 Peter 2:24,Isaiah 53:5)

I know, they killed your loved one ; I was there. Come to me, I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. (John 14:18)

I know, they lied about you; I was there. Come to me, I am your defender. I will make the truth known. (John 3:21)

I know, they abused and called you vulgar names; I was there. Come to me, I know your name. Your name is LOVED!(John 3:16)

I know, they rewarded you evil for good; I was there. Come to me, I will reward you. (Galatians 6:9)

I know, they molested you; I was there. Come to me, I am just. I am a restorer. I am a healer. (Jeremiah 30:17)

I know, they betrayed you; I was there. Come to me, I am trustworthy. I am faithful. (Psalm 145:13)

I know, they bullied you; I was there. Come to me, I will defend you. I will be your shield and fortress. (Psalm 35)

I know, they called you ugly; I was there. Come to me, I created you in my image. You are fearfully and wonderfully made. (Genesis 1:26-27, Psalm 139:14)

I know, they disowned you; I was there. Come to me, I am your Father. You are my child. I will never forget you. (Isaiah 49:15)

I know, they said you will be nothing life; I was there. Come to me, I know the plans I have for you. Plans to prosper you and not for disaster. (Jeremiah 29:11)

I know, they said you are alone and no one loves you; I was there. Come to me, for I will never leave you nor forsake you. (Hebrews 13:5)

³ The eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and the good. (Proverbs 15:3)

Stay blessed! God loves you!