Encouragement

Some words of encouragements...

First of all, great victories prepare for great testings. The fact that we have had a great victory does not mean we will never be tested again; rather, it means we will be better equipped for the next test. 

Second, the bitter pool was in God's programme. he had a purpose in bringing His people there. It was He who led them there, and this is often true in our lives. The bitter pool is part of God's programme. He has a purpose.

Third, the question is not whether we will experience testing, but only how we will respond to the testing. 

Fourth, in this case at the bitter pool, there were two alternative responses; the people grumbled, Moses prayed. The people who grumbled got nothing; the man who prayed got the answer.

The next principle is: to Moses' prayer of faith. God in turn responded with a new revelation of Himself. That was God's purpose: to bring His people to the place where they could receive the revelation that He had for them. I have summed that up in the little phrase, "Man's disappointments are God's appointments."

Taken from Life's Bitter Pool by Derek Prince, page 19 & 20

PERSISTENCE AND PATIENCE

 In Touch March 2012

What to do when you feel like giving up?

What to do when you feel like giving up? – Summary from Rick Warner’s Sermon, The Courage to Keep Going” 

1.                    
Tell God exactly how you feel and put your trust in Him.

We will go thru 4 emotions cycle in any incident happening to us –

[angry  (Why has this happened to us?)

grief – (feeling depressed)

shock – (cannot believe this has happened to us)

fear – (fear of consequences of what has happened)]

2.                   Accept help from others

We shouldn’t withdraw from crisis and refuse to accept assistance from our family members, relatives or friends. Even though we give up on God, our close members can believe for us and /or provide whether is physical or emotional support.

3.                   Stop asking “Why”

Because it only prolong our pains. We don’t need an explanation but God’s strength and comfort to see us through pain. We cannot always understand “Why”, only God’s knows everything.

4.                   Trust God in things I do not understand

We need to remind ourselves that God is a good and loving God, and is all powerful. He notices every detail of your life, He is in control, He has a plan for your life and that He will protect us.

5.                   Refused to become bitter

Grief is good and healthy but bitterness will kill us.  At a certain stage, we will need to move on and let go to avoid resentment.

6.           Face the future with courage – Be brave to Face the society and the world again with a positive mindset. Keep going no matter what happens.

Blessed are the gentle (meek/humble) for they shall inherit the earth

Who are the gentle (meek/humble)?

The poor in spirit and those who mourn (Matthew 5: 3 & 4).  
Those who ARE spiritually poor and mourn most greviously their sins, realize how much they need God. They are removed from pride in themselves,(humbled). They know that without the Holy Spirit aiding, they are unable to meet God’s laws and the Beatitudes. It is the first step towards His rule. What power this is to the meek to be under the rule of the great Omnipotent Omniscient and Omnipresent God?! If all are under Christ’s feet and Christ is in this meek man, then all belong to him. There is no lack and he can truly say “The Lord is my shepherd, there is nothing I lack”

[Until it hits us that we are vile sinners, until we are humbled, we will not take that step to move away from self idolization, self rule and into God’s rule, into the Kingdom of the Son that he loves (Colossians 1: 13)].

  

Philippians 2:3 practitioners. (a) Doing nothing from rivalry or conceit (b) In humility counting others more significant that themselves (c) Looking NOT ONLY in their own interest but the interest of others (d) Being like Christ Jesus- though He was in the form of God, did not count equality with God as something to be grasped but made Himself nothing taking the form of a servant. He came as human and humbled himself in obedience to the point of death on the cross (should we not as His sheep follow suit?).

Those who not only stay the angry blow but is in such a state that they do not feel or think of retaliating. What freedom meekness brings?! What power?! He is so absent from pride (he feels that there is nothing in himself to boast about) he does not retaliate but is able to calmly move on.

Those who are not always watching themselves and are worried about themselves or care what others say. Again what freedom, what power?! He is not defensive.

Those who are without self pity. He is already humbled. There is no room in him to say or think “Oh how unkind they are to me” “Oh I am having such a hard time” As John Bunyan said “ He that is down need fear no fall”

Those who are constantly amazed that other men and God can think well of him or think him worth loving and saving.

He that is patient and long suffering. He empathizes with others whom he recognizes are also not perfect, are sinners, lost and require saving.

Those who are ready to listen and who have a teachable spirit. He is humbled and therefore is open to be taught. How blessed he is?! He is ready to be led by our Lord. Truly he will inherit the earth.