Good times ahead

So we’re not giving up. How could we! Even though on the outside it often looks like things are falling apart on us, on the inside, where God is making new life, not a day goes by without his unfolding grace. These hard times are small potatoes compared to the coming good times, the lavish celebration prepared for us. There’s far more here than meets the eye. The things we see now are here today, gone tomorrow. But the things we can’t see now will last forever.

-2 Corinthians 4:16-18 MSG

If we can realize that our hard times are all part of God's plans for us -blessings in disguise and all of them worth every second - then life will be a lot less complicated and stressful, and hard times are all they are - simply, hard times.  For when we hold steadfast in Christ hard times are not a big deal because we know they lead to some God-blessed, amazing, good times ahead.   

Praise God!!!

https://wearetrulyhappy.wordpress.com/2015/09/22/defeated-disheartened-hopeless-lost-low-self-esteem-who-said-so-think-very-carefully-again-please/

Our personal Victory parade.

https://glorychristianfellowship.files.wordpress.com/2016/04/we-have-the-victory-through-christ-jesus.jpg

"In the Messiah, in Christ, God leads us from place to place in one perpetual victory parade..." 

-2 Corinthians 14-16 MSG

The advisements of God’s Word

“Keep your eyes open, hold tight to your convictions, give it all you got, be resolute, and love without stopping.” 

-1 Corinthians 16:13-14 

We can’t go wrong when it comes to doing what the Word of God says to do, which kind of makes me wonder why so many of us would rather live wrong and stay miserable?!!  I think we could make life a whole lot better if we would just listen to the all the advisements that the Word has to offer us... ???
That’s my thought though. What’s yours?

Stand your ground

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“… stand your ground… don’t hold back.  Throw yourselves into the work of the Master, confident that nothing you do for him is a waste of time or effort.”  

-1 Corinthians 15:58 MSG

Stand for Christ! 

Don’t let fear of the world hold you back!

The work you do for the Lord now, uncaring to what the world says or thinks, is only the beginning of greatness for you!  Just wait until He comes to get you... WOW… !!  It is then, my friend, that your prayers and blessings will come to fruition in so many different ways that you won’t know where to begin!!

Challenge for believers in Christ

“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me."

-Matthew25:40 (NIV)

Challenge for all believers in Christ:

Make a point to go out of your way to do at least one nice thing for someone that you normally wouldn't (words, gifts, actions, etc.).

I beleive as we do this, life as we know it now, will become more and more blessed every day.

Be prepared

“…The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them…

…But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived.

The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut…

Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour…”

-Matthew 25: 3, 7, 10, 13 NIV

Ready or not, Jesus is coming back. 

Definitely be on the ready side!!

https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwiMsaPu5IfXAhUT84MKHTo6DjYQjRwIBw&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DssQIkzgP2GY&psig=AOvVaw3AxGlNwB07lrHQSCwelCJ3&ust=1508883925880228

God isn't far away

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Blessed is the one who waits upon the Lord

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VERSE MEANING - INTERPRETATION

Bitterness destroys the soul.

"... and many people died from the waters that had become bitter."  

 - Revelation 8:10 NIV

https://i.pinimg.com/236x/68/97/7a/68977a273f2404c17f1fb66f9bd9eb4e--the-long-goodbye-bitterness.jpg

Bitterness destroys the soul which eventually spreads to the flesh.

Open and closed doors

“What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open… See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut…” Revelation 3:7-8 NIV

When you follow Christ and let him take the lead in your life, no gates of hell can keep your God-waiting blessings from you.

Faithful to the end

“… Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life.”

Revelation 2:10 NIV

Be faithful to Christ to the very end, and the very end will become your glorious new beginning.

KING OF KING AND LORD OF LORDS

Hallelujah!

For our Lord Almighty reigns.

Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory...

KING OF KING

AND

LORD OF LORDS

Rev 19:6,16

AMEN!!! Praise and glory all be to Jesus

A life of love

"Go after a life of love as if your life depended on it - because it does..." 

1 Corinthians 14:1-3 MSG

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Love prevails! Love wins!

Love prevails

Love wins

What love does

Love puts up with anything.

Trusts God always.

Always looks for the best.

Never looks back.

Always, always, keeps pressing forward.

And, Love never, ever, gives up on love.

Adapted from 1 Corinthians 13:3-7

Love tells the truth

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Love does not manipulate

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Love is not anger

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Love does not strut, boast, or brag

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Love is not jealous

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Love cares

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Love never gives up

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Our Courage, our Comforter

“… scared out of their wits.  Jesus was quick to comfort them:  “Courage!  It’s me.  Don’t be afraid…” 

Matthew 14:24-26, 27 MSG

Once you accept the courage and comfort of Jesus you will become fearless and bold in this crazy world in which we live.

He hears those that call on him

“God’s there, listening for all who pray, for all who pray and mean it.  He does what is best for those who fear him – hears them call out, and saves them.  God sticks by those who love him, but it’s all over for those who don’t.” 

Psalm 145:17-20 MSG

When we truly and deeply love, hope in, yearn for, and pray with all sincerity to Jesus, there is nothing that will stop him from saving us in our times of fear, distress, and even in our times of sin.

God loves you so much

When we seek God...

“…Then the righteous [those who seek the will of God] will shine forth [radiating the new life] like the sun in the kingdom of their Father…”

Matthew 13:43 AMP

When we seek God, we shine with his glory for all the world to see.

I'm bankrupt without love

"... So, no matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I'm bankrupt without love.

Love never gives up.
Love cares more for others than for self.
Love doesn’t want what it doesn’t have.
Love doesn’t strut,
Doesn’t have a swelled head,
Doesn’t force itself on others,
Isn’t always “me first,”
Doesn’t fly off the handle,
Doesn’t keep score of the sins of others,
Doesn’t revel when others grovel,
Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth,
Puts up with anything,
Trusts God always,
Always looks for the best,
Never looks back,
But keeps going to the end."

1 Corinthians 13:3-7 MSG

Examine your motives - test your heart.

Before any decision is made, word or accusation is spoken, remember to, 

Examine your motives, test your heart  (1 Corinthians 11:23-26 MSG; Jeremiah 17:10 ), because keeping your mouth closed and focusing your attention on God is the best decision you can make at the moment.  Otherwise, and many of us have learned this the hard way, you may say or do something you truly regret.

Self-confidence vs. God-confidence

“Forget about self-confidence; it’s useless.  Cultivate God-confidence.”

1 Corinthians 10:11-12 MSG

Self-confidence caused the Israelites to be on a 40-year journey to their destination, instead of a journey that should only have taken them 11 days.  Whereas, God-confidence caused David to kill a world-renowned giant in one shot!  Therefore, whatever you think you can do in your own might, is nothing, absolutely nothing, compared to what can do in His might.  So place all of your confidence in him, take it all out of yourself; rely on his strength, not your own, and the heavy world in which you live will become a world in which living becomes easy and light, free and filling, full of peace.

Know-it-alls

“We never really know enough until we recognize that God alone knows it all.”

1 Corinthians 8:13 MSG

Being a know-it-all gets nowhere in life, as there is no know-it-all but one – God Almighty.  

Therefore, before you tell others what to do, how to think, where to go and what areas of life to partake, remember this:  You are not God, so refrain from acting as such.

Let people see God through you

“… since the Master honors you with a body, honor him with your body!...”

“…let people see God in and through your body.”

1 Corinthians 6:16-20

The way we treat ourselves, inside and out, is the same way that people will see us and treat us in return; whatever energy we use on ourselves, is the same energy that will be used, by others, toward us.  Therefore, begin to treat yourself and act in accordance with God and His Word, because you are his sacred temple and you are here to live out your life, gleaming with His Light, for all the world to see.

Welcome to a New Year - a NEW YOU 2018

The Holy Spirit confirms this: 

I'll forever wipe the slate clean of their sins.  

Therefore, we can now - without hesitation - walk right up to God.  So, friends, let's do it - full of belief, confident that we're presentable inside and out!

-Paraphrased from Hebrews 10 MSG

Goodbye old, hello new!  

It's a new year, a new year. Forget what lies behind (Phil 3:13) and move forward with the life that Jesus has died to give you.  You are forgiven, you are redeemed, you are made clean, and, most of all, you are God's precious child - made in His likeness for greatness!  

So, GO and be GREAT!  

Jesus died so you can do so.