How does God view your failures? – Part 3

How does God view your failures? – Part 3

I have failed numerous times in life; more times than I care to count, but when I was younger I did not put much thought, if any of what God thought about it. That being said, I did care what others thought about me… Nevertheless, since I have had a more “aware” presence of God in my life, there have been times where I have or have been tempted to blame or accuse God for my failures. But as of late I have noticed something. Every time I have failed there has been a positive or blessing, almost immediately after that failure. What a gracious God we serve! This week I will talk about our failures using the Bible as the go to reference book of choice.

Last, God has given us a spirit of a sound mind, of love and of power (2 Timothy 1:7 KJV). He says that much will happen to us in this life, but “not a hair on our head will perish” (Luke 21:18). Stand firm and you will win the crown of life (Luke 21:19). We serve a God of love, of compassion, of mercy, of patience, and of CREATION! He does not want us to loose, He desires us to WIN! We need to take up our cross daily, Jesus Christ the victorious ONE! He is with us every moment of everyday. Do not doubt this, it is the truth! Keep Christ in your mind and on your heart. He will lead you on the straight path to your “final destination” (Philippians 3:20).

Darrell

Seven Steps to Freedom

How does God view your failures? – Part 2

How does God view your failures? – Part 2

I have failed numerous times in life; more times than I care to count, but when I was younger I did not put much thought, if any of what God thought about it. That being said, I did care what others thought about me… Nevertheless, since I have had a more “aware” presence of God in my life, there have been times where I have or have been tempted to blame or accuse God for my failures. But as of late I have noticed something. Every time I have failed there has been a positive or blessing, almost immediately after that failure. What a gracious God we serve! This week I will talk about our failures using the Bible as the go to reference book of choice…cont’d.

We live in an age, even from when Christ manifested Himself as the Son of God in the flesh, that is referred to as the “latter days” or last days, etc. (Isaiah 2:2-4, Micah 4:1-3, 1 Peter 1:20, 2 Tim. 3:1). It has been taking place for almost 2 millennia now and continues. The world is experiencing an increase in knowledge and transportation methods are becoming ever faster in information, goods and people, all of which was spoken of to happen in the “end-times” (Daniel 12:4). With this ever present “noise” we need to take time to reflect and take a break (Psalm 27:14). Converse with God and come to peace with whom you are and where you sit in the “greater” picture (Psalm 46:10). Our failures are not held against us, they happen and God brings good out of them (Romans 8:28). Keep this in mind while you think about your life, what has happened and how you may be able to change your “thorn in the flesh” into an encourager rather than a discourager… (2 Cor. 12:7-10).

More to come…

Darrell

Seven Steps to Freedom

How does God view your failures? – Part 1

How does God view your failures? – Part 1

I have failed numerous times in life; more times than I care to count, but when I was younger I did not put much thought, if any of what God thought about it. That being said, I did care what others thought about me… Nevertheless, since I have had a more “aware” presence of God in my life, there have been times where I have or have been tempted to blame or accuse God for my failures. But as of late I have noticed something. Every time I have failed there has been a positive or blessing, almost immediately after that failure. What a gracious God we serve! This week I will talk about our failures using the Bible as the go to reference book of choice.

Jesus Christ never promised any of His followers that this life would be without trials (John 16:33). Actually, He said the exact opposite… He said that this life would have trials, tribulations and challenges (Matthew 10). He said that families would not always get along, that people would take advantage of each other, that there would be selfishness and that some of His followers would even be delivered up to be killed for their testimony of the gospel (Luke 21:16, 2 Peter 3:3, Jude 1:18)! At first thought, this may not sound like a God that anyone would like to follow, but to understand God and His purposes is to understand that this world and all that is in it are passing away (1 Cor. 7:31, 1 John 2:17). To understand God is to understand that this world is not our “final destination” (Philippians 3:20)!

More to come…

Darrell

Seven Steps to Freedom

Were you created to be very good? – Part 3

Were you created to be very good? – Part 3

The earliest memory of life that I have is when I was probably around 2 or 3 and I remember that I was supposed to be “afraid”. Not of anything tangible but just afraid. Of course the Bible does say that the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom (Proverbs 9:10). But what if we could live without fear? What would life be like then? I imagine similar to what life was like in the garden before Adam and Eve chose to disobey God. This week I will talk about the idea of being created to be “very good”, using the Bible as the go to reference book of choice…cont’d.

When we have fully accepted Christ in our lives, we know that we are no longer our own, and likely realize we never were (1 Cor. 6:19). Our spirits are in an intertwined and intimate relationship with our Creator’s. The Bible says our spirit is one with His (1 Cor. 6:17). As Ecclesiastes says, “the body goes to the earth and the spirit goes back to God who gave it” (Eccl. 12:7). The point is that we do have a spirit in us that is divine. Our flesh is temporary, but our spirit will live if we give it to God to nourish (Luke 12:5, 1 Thess. 5:23). As God breathed life into Adam, so again, will he breathe life into us if we believe (Genesis 2:7, 2 Timothy 3:16, Rev. 11:11, Rev. 21:6)!

Darrell

Seven Steps to Freedom

Were you created to be very good? – Part 2

Were you created to be very good? – Part 2

The earliest memory of life that I have is when I was probably around 2 or 3 and I remember that I was supposed to be “afraid”. Not of anything tangible but just afraid. Of course the Bible does say that the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom (Proverbs 9:10). But what if we could live without fear? What would life be like then? I imagine similar to what life was like in the garden before Adam and Eve chose to disobey God. This week I will talk about the idea of being created to be “very good”, using the Bible as the go to reference book of choice…cont’d.

After the fall and flood came the “law” and although spiritual and good cannot save us (Romans 7:12). It is through grace we are saved by faith and this is a gift (Ephesians 2:8)! It is the faith that we have a God who gave us His Son to die on the cross for our transgressions and was raised again to give us hope (1 Peter 1:3). Not only hope that He lives again, but that we also can live with Him, even after our physical death here on earth (John 14:3)!

More to come…

Darrell

Seven Steps to Freedom

Were you created to be very good? – Part 1

Were you created to be very good? – Part 1

The earliest memory of life that I have is when I was probably around 2 or 3 and I remember that I was supposed to be “afraid”. Not of anything tangible but just afraid. Of course the Bible does say that the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom (Proverbs 9:10). But what if we could live without fear? What would life be like then? I imagine similar to what life was like in the garden before Adam and Eve chose to disobey God. This week I will talk about the idea of being created to be “very good”, using the Bible as the go to reference book of choice.

Adam and Eve are our earthly ancestors from the beginning. They were without shame and were told to be fruitful and multiply on the earth. And have dominion over it. And this was all before they fell for the cunning influence of the serpent (Genesis 1:26-31, Genesis 2:25, Genesis 3:1-7). They were created and seen as “very good” in the eyes and mind of God (Genesis 1:31). They were made in His likeness… Is this not a wonderful thought? So the question is, can we find that same state of being in this life, if only even temporarily, to get a taste of “heaven” on earth to understand what we were actually created to be like? There is no doubt in my mind. As I know I have experienced it…

More to come…

Darrell

Seven Steps to Freedom

Self Control, Control of Others, Faith – Part 3

Self Control, Control of Others, Faith – What does the Bible say about it? – Part 3

Control can be a daunting issue for any of us. If we have children we desire to have “control” over their behaviour to a degree. We may desire to have control over our own lives and relationships with others, through decisions, plans, etc. And if we are leaders in any type of organization, we may desire some control over what takes place in them. But how much control do we all really have or need for that matter? This week I will talk about control using the Bible as the go to reference book of choice…cont’d.

Last, the key is to give up control in a sense, to submit to God and place your trust in Him (James 4:7). As I had mentioned earlier this takes time to learn to trust God and develop your relationship with Him, but with it comes the peace of God, as we know that He ultimately has good plans for us (Romans 8:28). Proverbs 16:32 says, “Better a patient person than a warrior, one with self-control than one who takes a city.” In Jesus, “There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” (Galatians 3:28). He says, “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” (Matthew 11:29). 2 Timothy 1:7 says, “For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.”. And Peter admonishes in 1 Peter 1:13, “Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming.”. So I ask, Who is in control of your life?

Darrell

Seven Steps to Freedom

Self Control, Control of Others, Faith – Part 2

Self Control, Control of Others, Faith – What does the Bible say about it? – Part 2

Control can be a daunting issue for any of us. If we have children we desire to have “control” over their behaviour to a degree. We may desire to have control over our own lives and relationships with others, through decisions, plans, etc. And if we are leaders in any type of organization, we may desire some control over what takes place in them. But how much control do we all really have or need for that matter? This week I will talk about control using the Bible as the go to reference book of choice…cont’d.

Next, the Bible does talk about God asking us to have self-control (1 Peter 4:7, Titus 1:8, Galatians 5:23, etc.). This can come in many forms, as our bodies have different areas of control, including listening, speaking, thinking and body movements. So when God is asking us to have self-control, He is asking us to “bridle” our mouths, cleanse our minds, listen to godly counsel and submit our bodies to His body (James 1:26, Romans 12:2, Proverbs 11:14, Ephesians 5:21). This can all sound a little overwhelming at first, but the key is to persevere (Romans 5:3, 4). Paul was candid about his struggles with self-control, he said, “I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do.” (Romans 7:15). Regarding the pulls of the flesh in respect to marriage, Paul suggests that if we can control ourselves it is good, but if not we ought to be married rather than “burn with passion”, because a God ordained marriage is not a sin (1 Corinthians 7:5, 9, 28; Hebrews 13:4). Nevertheless, just like learning to play a musical instrument, learning a new language or training for a sport takes practice and a life time to develop and “perfect” the skill, so does following God!

More to come…

Darrell

Seven Steps to Freedom

Self Control, Control of Others, Faith – Part 1

Self Control, Control of Others, Faith – What does the Bible say about it? – Part 1

Control can be a daunting issue for any of us. If we have children we desire to have “control” over their behaviour to a degree. We may desire to have control over our own lives and relationships with others, through decisions, plans, etc. And if we are leaders in any type of organization, we may desire some control over what takes place in them. But how much control do we all really have or need for that matter? This week I will talk about control using the Bible as the go to reference book of choice.

Without going too far I will point to a verse in the Old Testament that caught my attention a few years ago. The verse says, “LORD, I know that people’s lives are not their own; it is not for them to direct their steps.” (Jeremiah 10:23). There are various places in the Bible that talk about our lives not being our own, and that all things are God’s and all things come from God (1 Chronicles 29:11, Psalm 24:1, James 1:17). This is the key; we need to understand who is really in control in order to appreciate any control that we think we may have, and make sure we give credit where credit is due! To God be the glory!

More to come…

Darrell

Seven Steps to Freedom

Murder, Death and Suicide – Part 4

Murder, Death and Suicide – What does the Bible say about it? – Part 4

All are affected by death, all ages and all demographics. As the Bible says, “We are all pronounced once to die” (Hebrews 9:27). I have been affected by death and suicidal thoughts…, especially during some of the most trying times in life, as a growing adolescent and into my young adulthood. And these thoughts are not unique to this generation, as the Bible says, “There is nothing new under the sun” (Ecclesiastes 1:9). So what are we to do about these types of thoughts and the topic of death in general? This week I will discuss the topic of death, using the Bible as the go to reference book of choice…cont’d.

Last, there are various reasons’ why we might want to quicken our leave from this world, and one of them could be because of our guilt from sins we have committed or possibly, from something we feel ashamed of that someone else has done to us. Two things can be said about this; first, God knows your thoughts, and everything that has happened to you in your life, intimately (Psalm 139:2). And two, God loves you! He is always with you, waiting with “open arms” to forgive, and/or heal and comfort you (Deuteronomy 30:19, Jeremiah 29:11, John 10:10). He is our protector and comforter (Isaiah 41:10). If you are struggling with some past or present experience and need help, go to Him in prayer first, submitting all of your cares, troubles and worries to Him and ask Him for His Holy Spirit to heal, protect and make His home in you and when or if needed, for somebody here on earth to open up to for the human side of God’s divine healing touch! And last give God the glory and praise and thanksgiving for the life He has given you to experience in all of His glory (Genesis 1:27, 1 Thess. 5:18)!

Darrell

Seven Steps to Freedom