Q: “YOUR STILL HERE”!!! The devil may have knocked you down, “but” your “STILL HERE”..People may have walked out on you, laughed at you, betrayed you, “but” your STILL HERE ..You may have went threw the toughest trial, “but” your “STILL HERE”…Declare on this facebook page that you are “STILL HERE!
A: The trials of life, whether caused by our own actions or the actions of others are not something to be downcast over. We should be thankful in that they not only turn our focus to the Lord and His sufficient grace, but also confirm the scriptures we hold so dear. Jesus said, "In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world (Jn 16:33)." When we have trouble it is not so much Satan attacking us, but the byproduct of living in a fallen world. In fact, we as Christians were never promised immunity to the problems of this world, but told that we have overcome the world in Christ (1 Jn 5:5).
It is the sufficiency we have in Christ that led Paul to exclaim, "I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances (Phil 4:11)" and that regardless of his circumstances he said he could "do everything through him who gives me strength (Phil 4:13)." Saints, God has not promised us a life of comfort, free from the trials of life. He promised us that He would never leave us or forsake us in the midst of those trials. Therefore, as Peter said, "do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you (1 Ptr 4:12)."
You are "STILL HERE" because God is not finished using you to glorify Himself through you. When life has you down be thankful that it is not a reflection of God's view of you, but an opportunity for Him to continue to reveal His faithfulness to you. After all, "GOD, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, IS FAITHFUL (1 Cor 1:9)." Rejoice in the truth and be blessed by it. Amen.
Q: What does it mean to"delight" yourself in the Lord?
A: To delight yourself in the Lord is to find complete joy and satisfaction in what God has already given you and blessed you with through your faith in Jesus Christ. God created mankind with the need for, amongst other things, unconditional love and total acceptance. He did so in a way that only He is capable of fulfilling those needs. That is why He "has given us everything we need for life and godliness (2 Ptr 1:3") and "has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ (Eph 1:3)." To attempt to get the desires of our heart met outside of a relationship with our God can only lead to sin. Unfortunately, much of Christianity encourages sin with what is taught.
On one hand many Christians are taught that these desires are sinful and must be avoided through submission to biblical commands or church doctrine. This only leads to more sin as one quickly realizes their inability to meet these obligations. On the other hand many Christians are told that God wants to meet these needs by blessing their flesh with the things of the world. This only keeps a person focused on indulging the insatiable flesh with physical and material gain which will never meet those needs. When a Christian realizes what God has given them as an inheritance through their faith in Christ they will have a complete 180 degree turnaround. They will engage the world with what they have to offer it, the Gospel of Jesus Christ, rather than with what they hope to get from it that it cannot provide. Be blessed.
Q: "I found my soul mate". Is that a true statement?...How does God want us to choose our mate?
A: Depending on your perspective I don't see any biblical foundation for there being soul mates. If by such a term we mean that there is only one person out there for us to find to be our mate, I disagree. However, the dictionary definition of a soul mate is "one of two persons compatible with each other in disposition, point of view, or sensitivity." If we use this definition for soul mate we clearly see that it can be fulfilled by any two people who have the same "disposition, point of view, or sensitivity."
There are many people who believe that there is only one particular individual with whom we are to spend our lives. However, this seems to leave everything up to fate or destiny. This is a belief more closely associated with paganism than the Bible. It can lead to people falsely trying to justify their belief that everyone has a soul mate that God has prepared for them. Therefore, you better figure out which one it is, or you'll mess up every other marriage for certain by skewing the marriage pool. This could lead to a lot of unnecessary frustration for those involved. God has given us free will to choose who to be with, or who not to be with, in a relationship.
After the creation of Adam, God said that he was "free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil (Genesis 2:16-17)." God only told Adam where not to eat, but he was free to eat whatever else he desired to satisfy his appetite. We see this same principle applied by God when He instructs Christians on the relationships we should be involved in. God says that we should not be "unequally yoked" with unbelievers (2 Corinthians 6:14). This definitely applies when it comes to deciding who you want to marry. Again, we don't see God specifically telling us what individual to be with, but, from where to choose that individual. Be blessed.
Q: "Fear not"....When fear tries to present itself, how should we(Christians) fight fear?
A: The Bible says, "There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love (1 Jn 4:18)." If you are living in fear it is because you are not trusting God. And you are not trusting God because you lack knowledge. Many Christians believe that the burden for living the Christian life is on their shoulders. And to attempt to live that life they must put themselves under some sort of law to do so. The byproduct will be fear and worry as you realize you will never be obedient or repentant enough to please God. Thus, you will live in fear that your sins separate you from God and that He does not love you.
You will always live in fear that you're not truly a Christian and are in danger of God's wrath. You can't receive the love of God, approach Him in confidence or grow in your faith when you believe that it is up to you to bridge the gap between you and Him. This leads to anger at God which leads to disillusionment and, ultimately, to more sin in your life. When you don't believe you are unconditionally loved and totally accepted by God you have no choice, but to turn to the world to look for it. And all the world offers is a poor substitute that can only be received through sin.
"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 (Rom 8:15)." If you are living in fear it is because you are believing something wrong about God. You are His child. You are totally forgiven and accepted by Him. He indwells you forever. There is nothing to fear in that. The sooner you believe it, the sooner you will stop living in fear. Be blessed.
Q: How do you know you are walking in "faith" and not "worry"?
A: It is the difference between resting and working. Faith is your response to the truth that has been revealed to you. The evidence of which is living a life of trust and dependence on the Lord. Worry is not believing God and what He has revealed to you. It is expecting something from God He did not promise to give. Another definition of worry is "to move with effort." In other words, one sign you are worrying is that you are "working" for what you already have received through faith.
The Bible says a Christian is already Holy (Heb 10:10). Faith says to live as who you are in Christ. Worry says live a sinless life of trying to be like God. The Bible says you have forgiveness of sins (Eph. 1:7). Faith says thank you for the forgiveness you already have and that when you sin to approach God to find mercy in your time of need (Heb 4:16). Worry says you're not forgiven and you need to seek more forgiveness through meaningless and worthless sacrifices like asking God to forgive you, keeping short accounts, answering altar calls, repeating the Lord's Prayer, etc. The Bible says you have been given everything you need for life and godliness (2 Ptr 1:3) and that you have been blessed with every spiritual blessing in Christ (Eph. 1:3). Faith says to live a life of discovering what you already have in Christ. Worry says live a life of focused on your flesh and continually seeking material blessings and avoiding curses through obedience and repentance.
"We live by faith, not by sight (2 Cor. 5:7)." Do you want to live a life of faith or a life of worry. The righteous live by faith in what what they have. Those that worry are living by sight, focused on their life circumstances, and not trusting God. How are you living? Be blessed.
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