Being satisfied in all circumstances – Part 1

Being satisfied in all circumstances – What does that involve? – Part 1

The challenge of being content in all circumstance may be a lifelong challenge, but it is possible. God would not ask us to be content, if it were not possible. As I have mentioned before, the challenge is being content in the “worst” of circumstances. When you learn how to rejoice in suffering you have made it! This week I will talk about how to be satisfied in all circumstance, using the Bible as the go to reference book of choice.

First, Philippians 4:8 is a perfect prescription for developing a mind that is satisfied regardless of who you are with, what your circumstances are or where you are at physically or spiritually. It says, “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”

More to come…

Darrell

Seven Steps to Freedom

Time, Eternity and Life – Part 3

Time, Eternity and Life – What do we have time for in our lives? – Part 3

The concept of time is easy enough to understand in this world. We have years that are marked by revolving around the sun, seasons that are marked by the change in weather and months, days, hours, minutes and seconds that are kept through calendars, the moon and various other time keeping devices. But what about the greater concept of time in respect to our daily lives in living out our lives here on earth and eternity? How ought we to experience and appreciate the time we are given here on earth as short as it can seem to be? This week I will talk about time using the Bible as the go to reference book of choice…cont’d.

Last, as far as our lives go, we ought to be giving our time up to the Saviour to control. It is a daily battle to become less concerned with ourselves and more with the desires of our Creator, God. We can do this by spending time with Him daily in His Holy Scriptures, through prayer and quiet time and through praise, worship and fellowship with other believers. Psalm 22:3 says, “But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel.” (KJV). Is this not a wonderful truth, God inhabits our praises! We can speak and think God thoughts! The key is to allow the Holy Spirit to indwell and work through us, along with the saving power of Jesus Christ, nothing can stop you from His love and His plans for you (Romans 8:38, 39)!

Darrell

Seven Steps to Freedom

Time, Eternity and Life – Part 2

Time, Eternity and Life – What do we have time for in our lives? – Part 2

The concept of time is easy enough to understand in this world. We have years that are marked by revolving around the sun, seasons that are marked by the change in weather and months, days, hours, minutes and seconds that are kept through calendars, the moon and various other time keeping devices. But what about the greater concept of time in respect to our daily lives in living out our lives here on earth and eternity? How ought we to experience and appreciate the time we are given here on earth as short as it can seem to be? This week I will talk about time using the Bible as the go to reference book of choice…cont’d.

Next, according to the Bible the way we view time seems to be quite different than the way God see’s time. The most interesting verse is in Isaiah 57:15, where it says, He is “…one who inhabits eternity,…” (KJV). There are a couple other verses in the Bible that talk about God’s view of time, one of them being that “A thousand years in your sight are like a day that has just gone by, or like a watch in the night.” (Psalm 90:4). The point is, that how we spend time here on earth, especially the times we do not necessarily want to remember, are like a distant memory to God (1 Corinthians 13:5).

More to come…

Darrell

Seven Steps to Freedom

Time, Eternity and Life – Part 1

Time, Eternity and Life – What do we have time for in our lives? – Part 1

The concept of time is easy enough to understand in this world. We have years that are marked by revolving around the sun, seasons that are marked by the change in weather and months, days, hours, minutes and seconds that are kept through calendars, the moon and various other time keeping devices. But what about the greater concept of time in respect to our daily lives in living out our lives here on earth and eternity? How ought we to experience and appreciate the time we are given here on earth as short as it can seem to be? This week I will talk about time using the Bible as the go to reference book of choice…cont’d.

First, let’s talk about time according to the Bible. The first mention of time was at the beginning of creation. God had a seven day timeline for His creation here on earth. And on the seventh day He rested, not only for Himself, but for His creation as well and made it Holy (Genesis 2:2, 3). This is the first indication that God is a worker, but also rests and gives rest (Mark 2:27)!

More to come…

Darrell

Seven Steps to Freedom

Evil, Sin and Redemption – Part 3

Evil, Sin and Redemption – How do we remove evil from the earth? – Part 3

It is amazing, the closer God draws me to Him and His ways, the more obvious and blatant evil has become to me, not only in this world, but in my life and personal circumstances as well. It is no small fall that man has had from what we were created to be before we chose to eat from the fruits of knowledge of good and evil (Genesis 2:17). But can we get back to this state of “very good”? That is the question. This week I will talk about the topic of “removing” evil from this earth using the Bible as the go to reference book of choice…cont’d.

Last, the one prayer that Jesus suggested was written in a couple of the books of the New Testament. Amongst the things Jesus suggested we pray for was; “thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” (Matt. 6:10 KJV). This is the key, we need to be seeking out God’s Kingdom, pressing towards the goal daily to experience it and find it (Matt. 7:7). There are multiple promises that God’s Kingdom would be established here on earth, and its seeds have already been planted in you and I through the Holy Spirit and Jesus’ testimony almost 2000 years ago. All we need to do is be patient, pray and give praise to God in our daily lives to experience His peace and prepare for His coming in all His glory!

Darrell

Seven Steps to Freedom

Evil, Sin and Redemption – Part 2

Evil, Sin and Redemption – How do we remove evil from the earth? – Part 2

It is amazing, the closer God draws me to Him and His ways, the more obvious and blatant evil has become to me, not only in this world, but in my life and personal circumstances as well. It is no small fall that man has had from what we were created to be before we chose to eat from the fruits of knowledge of good and evil (Genesis 2:17). But can we get back to this state of “very good”? That is the question. This week I will talk about the topic of “removing” evil from this earth using the Bible as the go to reference book of choice…cont’d.

Next, Ghandi had some encouraging words during his life time. He said, “Be the change you would like to see in the world”. This is the key; I have often heard that “If you are not part of the solution you are part of the problem”. We need to constantly be looking at ourselves and reassessing our actions and habits we have in our daily lives, asking God to help us change any that are not producing the fruits that are pleasing to Him! This of course takes faith and requires that we start a relationship with our Creator in the first place. But once that is started you are off to the races!

More to come…

Darrell

Seven Steps to Freedom

Evil, Sin and Redemption – Part 1

Evil, Sin and Redemption – How do we remove evil from the earth? – Part 1

It is amazing, the closer God draws me to Him and His ways, the more obvious and blatant evil has become to me, not only in this world, but in my life and personal circumstances as well. It is no small fall that man has had from what we were created to be before we chose to eat from the fruits of knowledge of good and evil (Genesis 2:17). But can we get back to this state of “very good”? That is the question. This week I will talk about the topic of “removing” evil from this earth using the Bible as the go to reference book of choice.

It was not long ago I was worshipping God and an idea came to mind that this would be the way that evil would be cast from the earth. It seems like such a simple task to worship God, but it is a daily task and it can be done second by second wherever we are. One of the greatest forms of worship is undoubtedly gratitude, giving thanks, praising God! The challenge may lay in giving thanks in ALL circumstances, but once we learn to give thanks when we are in the very pit that we never asked or imagined we could ever get ourselves into then you have undoubtedly found Jesus Christ there (Proverbs 15:3, Psalm 34:18)!

More to come…

Darrell

Seven Steps to Freedom

Doormats, Pushovers, and Kindness – Part 3

Doormats, Pushovers, and Kindness – What do these three things have in common? – Part 3

There have been times in my life where it has been said that I have been too nice. Is that even a possibility really? I have heard that you should not be a doormat. But doormats say “Welcome”, what is wrong with that? And people may say you should not be a pushover or let people walk all over you, but what does the Bible say about all of this? This week we will talk about what this all means using the Bible as the go to reference book of choice….cont’d.

Last, the problem today maybe, and I know it has been in my own life, the hardening of hearts. When we meet obstacles and trials, without knowing someone “Higher” is watching over us, we start to put up walls and barriers of defence that we think will protect us in the long run. The problem lays in the fact that sometimes those barriers stop us from seeing or allowing more good things into our lives as well. This is where putting our trust in Christ and God for protection comes in. Allowing those walls to fall and building back up on a proper foundation, in Christ, will guarantee an eternal reward!

Darrell

Seven Steps to Freedom

Doormats, Pushovers, and Kindness – Part 2

Doormats, Pushovers, and Kindness – What do these three things have in common? – Part 2

There have been times in my life where it has been said that I have been too nice. Is that even a possibility really? I have heard that you should not be a doormat. But doormats say “Welcome”, what is wrong with that? And people may say you should not be a pushover or let people walk all over you, but what does the Bible say about all of this? This week we will talk about what this all means using the Bible as the go to reference book of choice….cont’d.

Speaking of doormats in particular, let us think a little more about what a doormat is all about. As mentioned earlier doormats often say “Welcome”, which is always a good thing. And doormats are used to clean our feet before we enter a house. That is exactly what Jesus did for us, He washed feet during His ministry and in a spiritual sense He cleansed us of our sins by taking them on Himself at the cross! Last, doormats are usually cushy, is that not a good thing? That is what God is all about loving us, keeping us, protecting us and cushioning us when we fall. So next time you think about or see a doormat, give thanks to God for it and think about what Jesus did for you and me!

More to come…

Darrell

Seven Steps to Freedom

Doormats, Pushovers, and Kindness – Part 1

Doormats, Pushovers, and Kindness – What do these three things have in common? – Part 1

There have been times in my life where it has been said that I have been too nice. Is that even a possibility really? I have heard that you should not be a doormat. But doormats say “Welcome”, what is wrong with that? And people may say you should not be a pushover or let people walk all over you, but what does the Bible say about all of this? This week we will talk about what this all means using the Bible as the go to reference book of choice.

First, Jesus may be considered a pushover to some, sure, for the poor, sick, blind, lame, deaf and dumb. But when it came to hypocrisy there was not much He was willing to budge for. He stood up against the system the religious hierarchy had in His days and some of the leaders even followed Him! So if you think being a pushover is a bad thing, it may not be, just make sure you are moving for the right reasons! That being said, eventually He submitted Himself completely to God and ultimately the authorities of His day to die on the cross for us!

More to come…

Darrell

Seven Steps to Freedom