Even though we don't like being discouraged, oftentimes we expect it to happen to us. Some have been through so many disappointments that they find it is easier not to expect anything good, so that they don't suffer when things don’t go right. But the Bible teaches us to strive to be like Jesus Christ, to follow His perfect pattern of faith and behavior. Nowhere in the Bible do we read that Jesus woke up upset, that He was having a bad day, or that He expected something bad to happen. If it would have been so, He could not have always comforted the broken-hearted, healed the sick, raised the dead, nor given the teachings He did. And Jesus didn't just help people occasionally, or when He was having a good day. People were constantly coming to Him wherever He was, and He took the time and helped them.
Matthew 4:24 Then His fame went throughout all Syria; and they brought to Him all sick people who were afflicted with various diseases and torments, and those who were demon-possessed, epileptics, and paralytics; and He healed them. Scholars who have carefully studied the four Gospels say that of the 3 1/2 years of the Lord's ministry, we only have information of about 50 days. If from such a few days, we learn about so many miracles of the Lord, how many did He really do in total? Especially since many times large crowds of sick people came to Him and He healed them all. The truth is that Jesus' life was full of healing miracles. Jesus could not be discouraged or depressed. He is the God of all comfort and hope! Discouragement is most often the result of our unrealistic expectations. When we imagine that someone or something must be a certain way, or that a certain situation will be resolved as we wish, without a biblical basis, and without the Lord having spoken something specific to us, we are prone to discouragement. When faced with reality, we are discouraged. But if we choose not to give time to negative feelings and pray to the Lord to show us what we should do, we can quickly free ourselves from discouragement and learn to be more realistic about the future. It is mainly up to us to start our day right. If we make rigid plans that we believe cannot be changed, we may face many disappointments. Those around us also have their own plans and most of the time they involve us as well. As a result, we often end up doing what they want and very little of what we had wanted. If we let this trouble us, or make us angry, we have little chance of having a good day. But if we choose to see the good side of what has intervened and changed the course of our day, we can still have peace and even get done some of what we have planned to do. Let's choose to be thankful from the time we wake up, so that we start our day well. By doing so we can have the hope and joy that come from believing that the Lord is doing something good for us. If we don't expect good things to happen to us, it is more than likely that they won’t. Why? Because the enemy is just waiting for us to believe his lies and be discouraged, so he can accomplish his evil plans. Unfortunately, some Christians are so pessimistic that the devil and his minions that are assigned to torment them, can take days off. Why? Because the pessimists keep themselves in the pit of hopelessness and depression by their own will and choices. When it is hard for us to rejoice, it is time to analyze our hearts. Why are we sad, what is stressing us, what is the cause? What direction is our life going? Are we still in God's plan, on the narrow path that leads to heaven, or have we strayed from the right direction? What do we build upon the foundation of faith that we have in Jesus Christ? Gold, silver, precious stones, or wood, hay, and straw? Whenever our thoughts, motives, decisions, and reactions are opposed to the fruit of the Holy Spirit, we know that our hearts are not right with God. Then we must analyze what we feed our hearts with. If whatever we read, watch, or think about is of demonic origin, we have given the enemy access into our lives. The Bible calls Satan, "the prince of the power of the air," in Ephesians 2:2, and we should not be surprised that he has so much influence through television programs, Internet, publications, applications, or social media such as TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, etc. When we realize that what we are chasing is polluting our hearts, keeping us discouraged, and causing us to sin, it is time to do some true "house-cleaning." We must remove from our lives everything that is not pleasing to God. Let's stop saying, "God why do you allow this in my life?" This question does us no good because it is wrong in itself. We have free will and we are the ones who open the door to the enemy through our actions and the choices we make. God wants to help us change and get rid of what hurts us, but we must want to change and ask God for help. Only then, the Lord will light the fire of purification and help us to become free and happy. Let us remember the three young Hebrews from the book of Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego (Daniel 3). Because they refused to worship Nebuchadnezzar’s golden statue, they were thrown into the fiery furnace. Did God stop the fire? No. The furious king even demanded that the fire be seven times hotter than normal. He had his mightiest soldiers bind the faithful young men and thrown into the fire that was so hot that those who threw them in were burned alive. As most of us know, the king even saw the three Hebrews walking free from any bonds and unharmed together with a fourth man, "and the form of the fourth was like the Son of God!" (Daniel 3:25). Even though the Lord did not stop Nebuchadnezzar from throwing them into the fiery furnace, He was with them in the fire, protected them from its effects and they were loosed from their bonds completely unharmed. And all those present "saw these men on whose bodies the fire had no power; the hair of their head was not singed nor were their garments affected, and the smell of fire was not on them." (Daniel 3:27). Jesus was with them in the fire. He does the same for us when we trust in Him and live according to His will. When God is truly Lord over our lives, He is Lord over the fires we go through, and if we allow Him, He will do what is best for us, no matter how hot the fires may get. Fiery trials expose our motivations and true colors. The devil knows that at the slightest pressure he can coerce us to show the truth of how real our faith truly is. Trials reveal the truth of who we really believe the Lord is and if we are really living for Him or not. And if the trials make us lose our confidence that the Lord loves us, is with us and will do what is best for us, we will end up being discouraged, unhappy, frustrated, or depressed and some might even forsake the Lord. But we can learn from our mistakes and choose to truly believe and live out our faith that the Lord is in the fire with us and will see us through. Let us not forget that it is up to us to make the right choices, study the Word of God desiring to know Him and spend as much time as possible in His presence, so that we become more like Him. Only by doing so will we be able to live the abundant life that Jesus wants us to live (John 10:10b) and overcome discouragement with true godly encouragement. Here are some verses that teach us to rejoice. If we meditate on them, we can make the right choices and be happier. Psalms 32:11 Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, you righteous; and shout for joy, all you upright in heart! Psalms 33:1 Rejoice in the Lord, o you righteous! For praise from the upright is beautiful. Psalms 68:4 Sing to God, sing praises to His name; extol Him who rides on the clouds, by His name Yah, and rejoice before Him. Psalms 97:12 Rejoice in the Lord, you righteous, and give thanks at the remembrance of His holy name. Isaiah 44:23a Sing, O heavens, for the Lord has done it! Shout, you lower parts of the earth; break forth into singing, you mountains, o forest, and every tree in it! ... Isaiah 49:13 Sing, O heavens! Be joyful, O earth! And break out in singing, O mountains! For the Lord has comforted His people and will have mercy on His afflicted. Romans 12:12 Rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; Philippians 3:1a Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord… Philippians 4:4-9 Rejoice in the Lord always. Again, I will say, rejoice! Carmen Pușcaș
0 Comments
|
BLOG BY DATE
GOD IS ALWAYS GOOD 11/22/2024 OUR WORDS MATTER 10/24/2024 LIGHT AND DARKNESS DO NOT MIX 9/24/24 WARS AND RUMORS OF WARS 8/22/2024 JOY IN HARD TIMES 7/23/2024 LET US LIVE IN THE LIGHT OF JESUS 6/25/2024 THE DISCOURAGEMENT TRAP 5/24/2024 KNOWING AND COUNTERING THE UNSEEN ENEMY 4/27/2024 JESUS, THE ONLY ONE WHO COULD SAVE US 03/23/2024 WHO ARE WE LIKE IN TIMES OF TESTING? 02/27/2024 THE TRUE SOURCE OF PEACE 1/22/2024 REFLECTION AND ANTICIPATION 01/01/2024 THE PEACE THAT HAS COME THROUGH JESUS CHRIST 12/15/2023 THE ESSENCE OF BEING CHRISTLIKE 11/22/2023 HEIRS OF GOD 10/24/2023 RETURNING TO OUR FIRST LOVE 9/28/2023 HOW MUCH OF THE BIBLE IS ENOUGH? 8/28/2023 THE HEART OF GOD 7/24/23 THE IMPORTANCE OF FORGIVENESS 6/22/2023 THE LAMP OF THE BODY IS THE EYE 5/19/2023 IT IS TIME TO REIGN IN LIFE 4/25/2023 CAN WE REST PEACEFULLY? 3/25/2023 GOD'S BEST FOR US 2/28/2023 BLESSINGS AND PROSPERITY 1/21/2023 THE BEST CHRISTIAN PERSPECTIVE 12/30/2022 DO YOU HEAR THE BELLS? 12/15/2022 IMPORTANT BENEFITS OF THE BIBLE 11/28/2022 THANKSGIVING THOUGHTS 11/22/2022 THE ABUNDANCE OF THE HEART 10/22/2022 THE ABUNDANT LIFE 9/18/2022 I WOULD HAVE PULLED JOSEPH OUT 08/12/2022 THE LORD IS MY REFUGE 06/27/22 PRAISE THE LORD AT ALL TIMES 5/16/2022 WINNER OR LOSER? 2/18/22 IN CHANGING TIMES 2/22/22 SELAH 1/1/22 THE BIRTH OF OUR SAVIOR, CHRIST THE LORD 12/14/21 VICTORY IN HARD TIMES 11/10/2021 HOW MUCH DO WE UNDERSTAND OTHERS? 10/8/2021 "LOVE THE LORD THY GOD WITH ALL THY HEART, AND ALL THY SOUL, AND ALL THY MIND" 9/10/21 CONSTANTS AND VARIABLES 8/19/21 CAN WE HAVE GOD'S BEST? 7/23/2021 HOW DO WE HANDLE SUFFERING? 6/17/2021 WHEN THE ANSWER TO PRAYER DOES NOT COME AS REQUESTED 05/06/21 IT IS EASY NOT TO SIN WHEN THINGS ARE GOING OUR WAY! 4/8/21 THE BLAME GAME 3/19/21 GOD HELPS US TO SUCCEED 2/15/2021 THE PEACE OF GOD WITH US 1/26/2021 REJOICING IN DIFFICULT CIRCUMSTANCES 01/05/2021 COME UNTO ME 12/8/2020 THANKFULNESS 11/22/2020 WHAT IS LIFE? 10/30/2020 DRAW NEAR TO GOD AND HE WILL DRAW NEAR TO YOU 9/18/2020 WE FIND "THE REST" WE NEED IN THE LORD! 8/13/2020 WITH GOD, WE CAN FILTER WHAT WE RECEIVE? 7/24/2020 THE ANCHOR HOLDS 7/9/2020 TODAY "I CHOOSE" JOY 6/23/2020 OUR EMOTIONS IN TROUBLED TIMES 5/26/2020 BIRTH PAINS OF A ONE WORLD GOVERNMENT 5/12/2020 TEST ALL THINGS 4/22/2020 PERFECT PEACE 3/31/2020 IS THE COVID-19 VIRUS A SIGN OF THE END TIMES 3/22/2020 KEEPING OUR PEACE AND JOY 3/15/2020 GOD SENDS HIS ANGELS TO HELP US! 2/28/2020 GOD KNOWS! 1/14/2020 WHEN JESUS CAME! 12/23/2019 CHAINS OF SMOKE 11/11/19 FALL IS IN THE AIR 9/29/19 WHY IS IT SO CHALLENGING TO REMAIN CONSTANTLY VICTORIOUS IN OUR CHRISTIAN WALK? 7/18/2019 LITTLE THINGS 7/1/2019 IT MIGHT BE THE RIGHT TIME FOR SOMETHING TO CHANGE 5/16/2019 FULLNESS OF JOY 3/6/2019 HAVE YOU EVER BEEN UNEQUALLY YOKED? 2/1/2019 LIFE AND LIFE MORE ABUNDANTLY 1/14/2018 FIGHTING THE GOOD FIGHT 12/4/2018 THE PRODIGAL SON 10/11/2018 WE ARE SAVED BY GRACE 9/19/2018 JESUS DID NOT FALL INTO TEMPTATION 7/16/2018 GOD'S LOVE IS IMMEASURABLE! 6/6/2018 THE DEVIL HAS NO POWER OVER CHRISTIANS 5/18/2018 THEN THEIR EYES WERE OPENED 3/26/2018 ENDURANCE! 02/15/18 HEALING IS GOD'S WILL 1/27/2018 THE ANOINTING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT 12/19/2017 OUR REJOICING IN THE LORD IS OUR STRENGTH 12/6/2017 THE SEAL OF THE HOLY SPIRIT 9/18/2017 IS BAPTISM BY WATER A COMMAND OR NOT? 8/26/2017 HEALTHY FEAR - UNHEALTHY FEAR 6/25/2017 WHAT DO WE TRUST IN? 6/13/2017 BE WATCHFUL, AND STRENGTHEN THE THINGS WHICH REMAIN 4/19/2017 GOD IS ON OUR SIDE! 4/11/2017 AWESOME GRACE 2/26/2017 WHO PAID MORE? 2/6/2017 "IT IS HARD FOR YOU TO KICK AGAINST THE GOADS" 1/29/2017 JESUS SET ME FREE... AGAIN! 1/10/2017 NO ONE IS ABLE STEAL US FROM GOD'S HAND 12/15/2016 LIVING TO PLEASE GOD! 12/7/2016 WHY DO WE HIDE GOD'S WORD IN OUR HEARTS? 11/9/2016 TRULY BELIEVING - ELIMINATING DOUBT 10/14/2016 HOW DO WE KNOW THAT THE OLD TESTAMENT PROMISES ARE VALID FOR THE GENTILES TOO? 10/14/2016 CHOOSING FAITH INSTEAD OF DOUBT 10/12/2016 THE WAR BETWEEN GOD AND SATAN WITH MAN IN THE MIDDLE 10/7/2016 LORD GOD IS MY REFUGE! 10/6/2016 GOD'S PROVISION FOR THE AGED 9/17/2016 DOES IT MATTER HOW WE LIVE? 9/7/2016 THE THORN IN PAUL'S SIDE 8/26/2016 WALKING ON THE WATER 8/25/2016 WHATEVER IS TRUE... 8/6/2016 LIFE WITH JESUS IS WONDERFUL! 7/29/2016 WHY PRAY? 7/14/2016 PRAYER IS COMMUNICATION WITH GOD 7/13/2016 FLESH OR SPIRIT? 6/7/2016 THE POWER OF GOD'S WORD 5/23/2016 GOD'S WILL FOR MANKIND 3/30/2016 THE TRUE MEANING OF FOLLOWING CHRIST 2/13/2016 WE NEED THE PRESENCE OF GOD 1/29/2016 THE PRICE OF SEPARATING FROM GOD 1/21/2016 THE IMPORTANCE OF TRULY "KNOWING" GOD 12/5/2015 HAPPY OR SAD 11/23/2015 JESUS IS THE TRUTH 9/3/2015 FREE IN JESUS 8/22/2015 GROWING IN THE LORD 8/11/2015 ASK AND IT SHALL BE GIVEN TO YOU 8/11/2015 CHRIST IN US THE HOPE OF GLORY 8/7/2015 BLOG BY TOPIC
BIBLE - THE WORD OF GOD ASK AND IT SHALL BE GIVEN TO YOU 8/11/2015 GOD'S PROVISION FOR THE AGED 9/17/2016 HOW DO WE KNOW THAT THE OLD TESTAMENT PROMISES ARE VALID FOR THE GENTILES TOO? 10/14/2016 HOW MUCH OF THE BIBLE IS ENOUGH? 8/28/2023 IMPORTANT BENEFITS OF THE BIBLE 11/28/2022 THE POWER OF GOD'S WORD 5/23/2016 THEN THEIR EYES WERE OPENED 3/26/2018 WHY DO WE HIDE GOD'S WORD IN OUR HEARTS? 11/9/2016 CHRISTIAN LIVING BE WATCHFUL, AND STRENGTHEN THE THINGS WHICH REMAIN 4/19/2017 BLESSINGS AND PROSPERITY 1/21/2023 CAN WE CHOOSE WHAT WE RECEIVE? 7/24/2020 CAN WE HAVE GOD'S BEST? 7/23/2021 CHAINS OF SMOKE 11/11/19 DOES IT MATTER HOW WE LIVE? 9/7/2016 DRAW NEAR TO GOD AND HE WILL DRAW NEAR TO YOU 9/18/2020 ENDURANCE! 2/15/2018 THE ESSENCE OF BEING CHRISTLIKE 11/22/2023 FLESH OR SPIRIT? 6/7/2016 FREE IN JESUS 8/22/2015 GOD'S WILL FOR MANKIND 3/30/2016 GROWING IN THE LORD 8/11/2015 HAPPY OR SAD 11/23/2015 HEALING IS GOD'S WILL 1/27/2018 HEALTHY FEAR - UNHEALTHY FEAR 6/25/2017 IS BAPTISM BY WATER A COMMAND OR NOT:? 26/82017 "IT IS HARD FOR YOU TO KICK AGAINST THE GOADS" 1/29/2017 IT MIGHT BE THE RIGHT TIME FOR SOMETHING TO CHANGE 5/16/2019 IT IS TIME TO REIGN IN LIFE 4/25/2023 THE LAMP OF THE BODY IS THE EYE 5/19/2023 LIFE WITH JESUS IS WONDERFUL! 7/29/2016 LIVING TO PLEASE GOD! 12/7/2019 LITTLE THINGS 7/1/2019 LORD GOD IS MY REFUGE! 10/6/2016 "LOVE THE LORD THY GOD WITH ALL THY HEART, AND ALL THY SOUL, AND ALL THY MIND" 9/10/21 NO ONE IS ABLE STEAL US FROM GOD'S HAND 12/15/2016 OUR WORDS MATTER 10/24/2024 REJOICING IN DIFFICULT CIRCUMSTANCES 01/05/21 RETURNING TO OUR FIRST LOVE 9/28/2023 TEST ALL THINGS 22/04/2020 THANKFULNESS 11/22/2020 THE ABUNDANT LIFE 9/18/2022 THE ANOINTING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT 12/19/2017 THE DEVIL HAS NO POWER OVER CHRISTIANS 5/18/2018 THE PRICE OF SEPARATING FROM GOD 1/21/2016 THE PRODIGAL SON 10/11/2018 THE THORN IN PAUL'S SIDE 8/26/2016 THE TRUE MEANING OF FOLLOWING CHRIST 2/13/2016 THE WAR BETWEEN GOD AND SATAN WITH MAN IN THE MIDDLE 10/7/2016 THEN THEIR EYES WERE OPENED 3/26/2018 WHATEVER IS TRUE... 8/6/2016 CHRISTMAS DO YOU HEAR THE BELLS? 12/15/2022 THE BIRTH OF OUR SAVIOR, CHRIST THE LORD 12/14/21 THE PEACE THAT HAS COME THROUGH JESUS CHRIST 12/15/2023 FAITH & TRUST SELAH 1/1/22 CHOOSING FAITH INSTEAD OF DOUBT 10/12/2016 THE DEVIL HAS NO POWER OVER CHRISTIANS 5/18/2018 THE LORD IS MY REFUGE 06/27/22 TRULY BELIEVING - ELIMINATING DOUBT 10/14/2016 WALKING ON THE WATER 8/25/2016 WHAT DO WE TRUST IN? 6/13/2017 FORGIVENESS JESUS, THE ONLY ONE WHO COULD SAVE US 03/23/2024 THE IMPORTANCE OF FORGIVENESS 6/22/2023 GOD: THE FATHER, SON & HOLY SPIRIT CHRIST IN US THE HOPE OF GLORY 8/7/2015 COME UNTO ME 12/8/2020 GOD IS ALWAYS GOOD 11/22/2024 GOD IS ON OUR SIDE! 4/11/2017 GOD'S LOVE IS IMMEASURABLE! 6/6/2018 GOD'S WILL FOR MANKIND 3/30/2016 HEALING IS GOD'S WILL 1/27/2018 JESUS DID NOT FALL INTO TEMPTATION 7/16/2018 JESUS IS THE TRUTH 9/3/2015 THE ANOINTING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT 12/19/2017 THE HEART OF GOD 7/24/23 THE IMPORTANCE OF TRULY "KNOWING" GOD 12/5/2015 THE SEAL OF THE HOLY SPIRIT 9/18/2017 WE NEED THE PRESENCE OF GOD 1/29/2016 GRACE AWESOME GRACE 2/26/2017 JESUS SET ME FREE... AGAIN! 1/10/2017 WHO PAID MORE? 2/6/2017 WE ARE SAVED BY GRACE 9/19/2018 HEALING GOD'S BEST FOR US 2/28/2023 HEALING IS GOD'S WILL! 01/27/2018 JOY, HAPPINESS FULLNESS OF JOY 3/6/2019 JOY IN HARD TIMES 7/23/2024 TODAY "I CHOOSE" JOY 6/23/2020 LOVE OF GOD FULLNESS OF JOY 3/6/2019 GOD'S LOVE IS IMMEASURABLE! 6/6/2018 MISCELLANEOUS FALL IS IN THE AIR 9/29/19 HAVE YOU EVER BEEN UNEQUALLY YOKED? 2/1/2019 HEIRS OF GOD 10/24/2023 HOW MUCH DO WE UNDERSTAND OTHERS? 10/8/2021 IMPORTANT BENEFITS OF THE BIBLE 11/28/2022 IS COVID-19 A SIGN OF THE END TIMES 3/22/2020 LIGHT AND DARKNESS DO NOT MIX 9/24/24 THANKSGIVING THOUGHTS 11/22/2022 THE ABUNDANCE OF THE HEART 10/22/2022 THE ANCHOR HOLDS 7/9/2020 THE BLAME GAME 3/19/21 WHAT IS LIFE? 10/30/2020 WHEN JESUS CAME! 12/23/2019 PEACE CAN WE REST PEACEFULLY? 3/25/2023 KEEPING OUR PEACE AND JOY 3/15/2020 PERFECT PEACE 3/31/2020 PRAISE THE LORD AT ALL TIMES 5/16/2022 THE PEACE OF GOD WITH US 1/26/21 THE TRUE SOURCE OF PEACE 1/22/2024 PRAISE AND WORSHIP PRAISE THE LORD AT ALL TIMES 5/16/2022 REJOICING IN DIFFICULT CIRCUMSTANCES 01/05/21 PRAYER PRAYER IS COMMUNICATION WITH GOD 7/13/2016 WHEN THE ANSWER TO PRAYER DOES NOT COME AS REQUESTED 05/06/21 WHY PRAY? 7/14/2016 RAPTURE WARS AND RUMORS OF WARS 8/22/2024 SALVATION THE IMPORTANCE OF FORGIVENESS 6/22/2023 SELF-EXAMINATION WHO ARE WE LIKE IN TIMES OF TESTING? 02/27/2024 STRENGTH AND PERSEVERANCE BE WATCHFUL AND STRENGTHEN THE THINGS WHICH REMAIN 04/19/2017 CHAINS OF SMOKE 11/11/19 CONSTANTS AND VARIABLES 8/19/21 DO YOU HEAR THE BELLS? 12/15/2022 ENDURANCE! 02/15/2018 GOD HELPS US TO SUCCEED 2/15/2021 I WOULD HAVE PULLED JOSEPH OUT 08/12/2022 IN CHANGING TIMES 2/22/22 JESUS DID NOT FALL INTO TEMPTATION 7/16/2018 KNOWING AND COUNTERING THE UNSEEN ENEMY 4/27/2024 LET US LIVE IN THE LIGHT OF JESUS 6/25/2024 THE BEST CHRISTIAN PERSPECTIVE 12/30/2022 THE DEVIL HAS NO POWER OVER CHRISTIANS 5/18/2018 THE DISCOURAGEMENT TRAP 5/24/2024 TODAY "I CHOOSE" JOY 6/23/2020 WE FIND "THE REST" WE NEED IN THE LORD! 8/13/2020 VICTORY IN HARD TIMES 11/10/2021 WARS AND RUMORS OF WARS 8/22/2024 WINNER OR LOSER? 2/18/22 TESTIMONY, DREAMS, ETC. JESUS SET ME FREE... AGAIN! 1/10/2017 Archives
November 2024
Categories |