To Walk As a Christian

For a brief effort you will receive an everlasting reward, and for a passing difficulty you will receive infinite glory.  It is ridiculous for you to expect to receive instantly what other saints have barely attained after many tears and great spiritual fatigue.  Wait patiently.  Control your behavior.  Take courage and never stop serving because of suffering or fear.

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.  Therefore, we will not fear (Psalm 46:1-2).

Peace I leave you, My peace I give to you.  Not as the world gives do I give to you.  Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid (John 14:27).

Don’t look for rhyme or reason behind your pain; it cant’ be understood. [The purpose perhaps, or even the cause of it. But pain itself is a mystery of the human mind.]

And you, do not seek [by mediating and reasoning to inquire into] what you are to eat and what you are to drink; nor be of anxious (troubled) mind [unsettled, excited, worried, and in suspense]; … your Father knows that you need them.  Only aim at and strive for and seek His kingdom, and all these things shall be supplied to you also (Luke 12:29-31).

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Philippians 4:13).

God is for us, who can be against us [and win]? God is for us, we are not alone.

“Don’t be afraid,” the prophet answered.  “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.”  And Elisha prayed: “O Lord, open his eyes so he may see.”  (2 Kings 6:16).

Not all suffering is due to sin.  Some is just a result of living in a broken world.

So then banish anxiety from your heart and cast off the troubles of your body, for youth and vigor are meaningless (Ecclesiastes 11:10).

When you face impossibilities, leave it in the hands of the Specialist.  Refuse to doubt.  Refuse to worry.  Right at the first say to God: “It’s impossible, I can’t handle it.  You are able and willing and anxious to do it.  Before I foul it up, take it – it’s Yours.”

I will remember the deeds of the Lord.  Yes, I will remember Your miracles of long ago.  I will meditate on all Your works and consider all Your mighty deeds (Psalm 77:11-12).

Do not be afraid of anything on your journey.  God will lead you by the hand, if only you are filled with love for Him rather than fear for yourself.

After Charlton Heston practiced charioting for a month, he concluded, “I think I can drive the horses and stay in the race, but I’m not sure I can win.”  To which Cecil B. DeMille said, “You just stay in the race; I’ll make sure you win.”   God tells us the same.

God prefers persistence over slothfulness.  He wants people to keep going forward; like a toddler learning to walk building muscles so one day he may run.

You are of God, little children, and have overcome them.  Because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world (1 John 4:4).

Even though the fig trees are all destroyed and there is neither blossom left nor fruit; even though the olive crops fail and fields are barren; even if flocks die and the cattle barns are empty – yet I will rejoice in the Lord!  I will be happy in God, my salvation.  For the Lord is my strength [to continue] and He will give me the speed of a deer and bring me safely over the mountains [of despair] (Habakkuk 3:17-19).

Since God is more moved by our heart than our eloquence, He responds.  That is what fathers do!  The power of prayer is in the One who hears, not the one who speaks.

The word worry comes from a word meaning “to divide.”  When we worry, we divide our energy.  Worry only compartmentalizes us and makes us unable to do what we set out to do.  If you are worried, you need to simply trust the Lord and do good.

Have faith in God (Mark 11:22).