Ahh, the American dream. Many folks are learning just how hard it is to hold on to their homes these days. Hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, earthquakes, fires, etcetera, have caused many to become homeless over night. These folks had nice homes, jobs, cars, etcetera, and suddenly it’s all gone. Some will get these things back again. Others won’t be as fortunate.
But there is a home that is eternal. A home that is unaffected by what we call natural disasters. These homes have no rent or mortgages. There’s no costs for utilities. No homeowner’s insurance. No yearly taxes to pay. These homes are built by God for His children. And He has many of them.
John 14:2-3 KJV “In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. [3] And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.”
As you read the next few passages try not to just read them, meditate on what they’re saying. They’re talking about your home child of God. A home that you will never lose. A home that you will never have taken away.
Philippians 3:20 NIV “But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ.”
Revelation 3:12 BBE “Him who overcomes I will make a pillar in the house of my God, and he will go out no more: and I will put on him the name of my God, and the name of the town of my God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from my God, and my new name.”
Matthew 6:19-20 BBE “Make no store of wealth for yourselves on earth, where it may be turned to dust by worms and weather, and where thieves may come in by force and take it away. 20 But make a store for yourselves in heaven, where it will not be turned to dust and where thieves do not come in to take it away.”
Matthew 19:29 NLT “And everyone who has given up houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or property, for my sake, will receive a hundred times as much in return and will inherit eternal life.”
The apostle Peter knew from experience that the Christian life was one of a sojourner, a pilgrim. He knew that nowhere here on earth is really our home. Which is why he wrote:
1 Peter 2:11-12 ESV “Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.”
This next passage applies to Peter and all who have gone home to rest in the Lord.
Hebrews 11:13-16 “All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance, admitting that they were foreigners and strangers on earth. [14] People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. [15] If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. [16] Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.”
It’s almost time to go to our true home y’all. Hang in there. 😉
Psalm 6:6-7 NIV “I am worn out from my groaning. All night long I flood my bed with weeping and drench my couch with tears. [7] My eyes grow weak with sorrow; they fail because of all my foes.”
Psalm 42:3 NIV “My tears have been my food day and night, while people say to me all day long, “Where is your God?” ‘
Psalm 119:136 KJV “Rivers of waters run down mine eyes, because they keep not thy law.”
Psalm 42:5 NIV “Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.”
When I first became a believer God gave me a friend and mentor who was in my life a very short time. He was an older gentleman who I believe was an angel from God. He once said, “David was a crying man. Whenever it gets so rough you feel like you can’t take anymore, just cry out to God like David did and say, “Oh Lord!” ‘ I didn’t understand what he was talking about back then but over the years I have been learning.
Sometimes the pressure feels so great you don’t know what to do or say. But that’s when it’s high time to do what my dear friend told me to do: cry out to God! Have a good old cry to him. Don’t worry about what to say. Just cry out, “Oh Lord.”
Romans 8:26-27 ESV “Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.”
Haven’t you been hurt so much that it’s too deep for words to explain? When we groan and cry to God in these moments we are praying in the Holy Spirit. And the Spirit intercedes for us in ways our words can never express. God still hears us because He knows the mind of the Spirit who is interceding for us. This I believe is one the most powerful forms of prayer. Because when praying like this a person is crying out from the depths of his/her soul. And the Spirit who is interceding for us is way more powerful than our minds, or any words that we could ever think to say.
I am not saying we shouldn’t pray with our minds, or in intelligible words we understand. I’m simply saying that we should pray in the Holy Spirit too.
1 Corinthians 14:15 ESV “What am I to do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will pray with my mind also; I will sing praise with my spirit, but I will sing with my mind also.”
My friend I told you about was teaching me how to pray in the Holy Spirit, not just with my mind. He knew there were turbulent times ahead for me and this was something I needed to know. In fact when we first met he told me, “You don’t pray in the Holy Spirit yet.” I didn’t know what he was talking about but he was right. He told me many other things about myself that no one else could have known but God. I look so forward to meeting him again. 😉
I hope this short piece encourages you in what to do when times get so tough you feel like you’re gonna pop. God; our Father, 🙂 has unlimited power, and He willingly shares it with all who humbly come to him.
James 4:6 NIV “But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.”
2 Corinthians 12:7-10 NLT “Even though I have received such wonderful revelations from God. So to keep me from becoming proud, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from becoming proud. [8] Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. [9] Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. [10] That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
Isaiah 40:30-31 NIV “Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; [31] but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”
Psalm 34:17 NIV “The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles.”
Yes, David too was a crying man. But he was also a man after God’s own heart. (Acts 13:22)
Philippians 4:12-13 KJV “I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. [13] I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”
What powerful words! They are inspired words of God spoken through a man who really knew what he was saying. The apostle Paul experienced the best of times and the worse of them. But through them all he maintained his faith. That’s not as easy a task as some might think. It is a constant battle.
True Faith is not a possession of all people. (2 Thessalonians 3:2) Jesus Himself prophesied many would turn away from the faith. (Matthew 24:10 1 Timothy 4:1) And He encouraged many to believe and hold on to what they have. (Revelation 3:11) What makes people like Paul stay true to the faith despite going through the harshest persecution? They desire God more than anything else. They don’t put any other gods before Him, including themselves.
People like Job, Jeremiah, folks like David, Daniel, Deborah, and the best example Jesus Christ, valued their relationships with God more than anything else. Studying their lives shows us how to win the fight for the faith.
1 Timothy 6:12 KJV “Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.”
Jude 1:3 KJV “Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.”
“I CAN DO ALL THINGS?”
So often we hear people use the phrase, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” They are quoting Philippians 4:13. But many don’t know what verse 12 says. Verse 12 gives us the context of what verse 13 means. Paul by the Holy Spirit was saying that whether he was having it good or bad, whether well fed or hungry, he knew how to serve God acceptably in both circumstances. Not all people will serve God if they are hungry or in need. But a person with true faith will.
Are we willing to do and go through, “All Things,” for the name of Christ? Do not even true friends go through the good and bad times together? Isn’t this the test of a good marriage? Human nature teaches us that folks are willing to suffer for whatever they want. The question is, how much do we want God? Do we really believe in Him? Do we believe His word?
As we hold on to our Faith in our Lord and Savior ALL THE TIME, THROUGH BOTH GOOD AND BAD TIMES, we too will be able to truthfully say like Paul, ‘I can do ALL THINGS through Christ who strengthens me.’ Jesus gives us the secret to success in the next passage:
Matthew 7:24-27 NIV “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. [25] The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. [26] But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. [27] The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”
Did you catch the secret to success? Yes, we must hear Jesus’ words and put them into practice. That means we must study His words. They’re found in the Bible from Genesis to Revelation. The person who diligently studies God’s word and genuinely puts them into practice will have a healthy faith. He/She too will be able to say like the apostle Paul, ‘I can do all things through christ who strengthens me.’ “I KNOW BOTH HOW TO BE ABASED, AND I KNOW HOW TO ABOUND.”
We must fight through distractions to do God’s will. We must use what the Lord has given us to gain even more for the glory of the King, and His kingdom. (Luke 19:11-27) What crazy times we’re in. What discipline the soldier of Christ needs to keep from being bamboozled by the Devil, and do his/her job.
Remember, our enemy is an expert at deceiving people. We must not lower our guard but keep strict watch over ourselves, and our doctrine. (1 Timothy 4:16) I was just reading in Revelation chapter 20 how at the end of the thousand year reign of Christ the Devil is let loose out of his prison where he had been bound for a thousand years. He then goes out and deceives the world again! The numbers that follow him are like the sands on the sea. He influences them to attack God’s faithful people. Then God suddenly makes fire rain down from heaven and destroys them all. Satan is then thrown into the lake of fire where the beast and false prophet had already been. There they will be tormented forever and ever, amen!
It’s good to know that Satan and all evil has an appointed time to end. But what also struck me when I read Revelation chapter 20 was that this devil will be able to mislead the whole world again! It made me think of how we can’t take anything for granted in this Spiritual Warfare we fight right now. We can’t lower our guard for a minute. Do not underestimate the power of evil. Don’t underestimate the Devil. Don’t become one of his many casualties.
2 Corinthians 13:5 KJV “Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?”
KEEP YOUR EYES ON JESUS
Look at all the distractions thrown at us everyday. Only don’t watch them too closely. Keep your eyes fixed on Jesus Christ. Remember, when Peter began to focus on the storm (the distraction) he bagan to sink? But when his eyes were fixed on Jesus he could walk on water. (Matthew 14:22-33) There’s a lesson for us here. If we focus too much on our storms we’ll sink. The challenge is to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus through all of our storms. Then we too will be empowered to do the miraculous; yes, even walk on water.
Hebrews 12:1-3 NIV “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, [2] FIXING OUR EYES ON JESUS, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. [3] CONSIDER HIM who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”
Concerning distractions the apostle Paul was inspired by the Holy Spirit to write:
1 Corinthians 7:29-31 KJV “But this I say, brethren, the time is short: it remaineth, that both they that have wives be as though they had none; [30] And they that weep, as though they wept not; and they that rejoice, as though they rejoiced not; and they that buy, as though they possessed not; [31] And they that use this world, as not abusing it: for the fashion of this world passeth away.”
To some that may sound a bit extreme. But we get the point: “THE TIME IS SHORT!” Therefore, normal things like your spouse, your family, mourning (grieving), rejoicing (being happy), buying stuff, doing business, etcetera, should not take center stage. Because if they do Satan will out maneuver us. A person can grieve so much that they become overwhelmed and defeated by depression. Or seek to be so happy that they no longer care about the needs and sufferings of others. You can make your spouse or family your God. Or make gaining a mate your main objective. Even our stuff can become idols and cause us to lose the race. What Paul was saying by the power of the Holy Spirit is, ‘Don’t let that happen. Be single minded in serving the Lord. This world will pass away like last year’s fashion. Don’t become old news with it.’
We know the Lord, and are getting to know him better. God Loves Us! I’ll say it again: GOD LOVES US! You know and are known by the most important person in the universe! More than that HE IS YOUR FATHER! WOW! HE’S OUR FATHER! Let’s take a moment to reflect, meditate, and rejoice over the fact that GOD IS OUR FATHER!
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I know there’s some crazy stuff going on in the world today family of believers. But through it all we are still more than conquerors because GOD IS OUR FATHER! Our sadness because of what’s going on in the world doesn’t change that. Our personal difficulties don’t change that either.
Romans 8:28-39 NIV And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. [29] For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. [30] And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified. [31] What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? [32] He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? [33] Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. [34] Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. [35] Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? [36] As it is written: “For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” [37] No, IN ALL THESE THINGS WE ARE MORE THAN CONQUERORS through him who loved us. [38] For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, [39] neither height nor depth, NOR ANYTHING ELSE IN ALL CREATION, WILL BE ABLE TO SEPARATE US FROM THE LOVE OF GOD THAT IS IN CHRIST JESUS OUR LORD.
Matthew 19:29 KJV And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake, SHALL RECEIVE AN HUNDREDFOLD, AND SHALL INHERIT EVERLASTING LIFE.
Dear family of God it’s clear to see from these verses how much God loves us. Now the question is: Do we love Him? The scriptures show how easy it is to answer that question:
1 John 3:10 NIV This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not God’s child, nor is anyone who does not love their brother and sister.
1 John 3:17 NIV If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person?
1 John 4:20-21 NIV Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. [21] And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister.
Colossians 3:13 NIV Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
Daniel 7:25–28 NIV [25] He will speak against the Most High and oppress his holy people and try to change the set times and the laws. The holy people will be delivered into his hands for a time, times and half a time. [26] “ ‘But the court will sit, and his power will be taken away and completely destroyed forever. [27] Then the sovereignty, power and greatness of all the kingdoms under heaven will be handed over to the holy people of the Most High. His kingdom will be an everlasting kingdom, and all rulers will worship and obey him.’ [28] “This is the end of the matter. I, Daniel, was deeply troubled by my thoughts, and my face turned pale, but I kept the matter to myself.”
What must happen regarding the oppression of God’s people must take place. “BUT,” the Heavenly Court will be seated, then judgment handed down on the evil king who harassed the people of God! His kingdom will be destroyed forever! Amen! “Then the sovereignty, power and greatness of all the kingdoms under heaven will be handed over to the holy people of the Most High. His kingdom will be an everlasting kingdom, and all rulers will worship and obey him.’” Oh what a great existence we will have for all eternity!
Before this eternal bliss comes we must go through trials just as Job, Jeremiah, Jesus, and many others have. And just as they proved faithful and showed the way to victory, God’s true children today will prove faithful, and be victorious:
Revelation 15:1–4 NIV [1] I saw in heaven another great and marvelous sign: seven angels with the seven last plagues—last, because with them God’s wrath is completed. [2] And I saw what looked like a sea of glass glowing with fire and, standing beside the sea, those who had been victorious over the beast and its image and over the number of its name. They held harps given them by God [3] and sang the song of God’s servant Moses and of the Lamb: “Great and marvelous are your deeds, Lord God Almighty. Just and true are your ways, King of the nations. [4] Who will not fear you, Lord, and bring glory to your name? For you alone are holy. All nations will come and worship before you, for your righteous acts have been revealed.”
Yes! God’s people will be forever victorious! But things will seem to get worse before they get better:
Daniel 11:33–35 NIV [33] “Those who are wise will instruct many, though for a time they will fall by the sword or be burned or captured or plundered. [34] When they fall, they will receive a little help, and many who are not sincere will join them. [35] Some of the wise will stumble, so that they may be refined, purified and made spotless until the time of the end, for it will still come at the appointed time.
Daniel 12:9–10 NIV [9] He replied, “Go your way, Daniel, because the words are rolled up and sealed until the time of the end. [10] Many will be purified, made spotless and refined, but the wicked will continue to be wicked. None of the wicked will understand, but those who are wise will understand.
Just as wickedness will increase in the time of the end, (Matthew 24:12–13) the purification and refinement of God’s Holy people will also increase. It will appear that evil is winning, but In reality God is:
Revelation 19:20 NIV [20] But the beast was captured, and with it the false prophet who had performed the signs on its behalf. With these signs he had deluded those who had received the mark of the beast and worshiped its image. The two of them were thrown alive into the fiery lake of burning sulfur.
Revelation 18:19–20 NIV [19] They will throw dust on their heads, and with weeping and mourning cry out: “ ‘Woe! Woe to you, great city, where all who had ships on the sea became rich through her wealth! In one hour she has been brought to ruin!’ [20] “Rejoice over her, you heavens! Rejoice, you people of God! Rejoice, apostles and prophets! For God has judged her with the judgment she imposed on you.”
Ecclesiastes 7:8 NIV [8] The end of a matter is better than its beginning, and patience is better than pride.
There are people who think being a Christian means you never sin, make mistakes, or get afraid; that life will be smooth sailing. But What Does God Say?
“These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 KJV
“For all of us make many mistakes. If someone does not make any mistakes when he speaks, he is perfect and able to control his whole body.” James 3:2
“So the trouble is not with the law, for it is spiritual and good. The trouble is with me, for I am all too human, a slave to sin. I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate. But if I know that what I am doing is wrong, this shows that I agree that the law is good. So I am not the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it. And I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. I want to do what is right, but I can’t. I want to do what is good, but I don’t. I don’t want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway. But if I do what I don’t want to do, I am not really the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it. I have discovered this principle of life-that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong. I love God’s law with all my heart. But there is another power within me that is at war with my mind. This power makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me. Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death? Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord. So you see how it is: In my mind I really want to obey God’s law, but because of my sinful nature I am a slave to sin.” Romans 7:14-25 NLT
“You must realize, however, that in the last days difficult times will come.” 2 Timothy 3:1 ISV
“But when I am afraid, I will put my trust in you.” Psalm 56:3 NLT
“When a gentle south wind began to blow, they saw their opportunity; so they weighed anchor and sailed along the shore of Crete. Before very long, a wind of hurricane force, called the Northeaster, swept down from the island. The ship was caught by the storm and could not head into the wind; so we gave way to it and were driven along. As we passed to the lee of a small island called Cauda, we were hardly able to make the lifeboat secure, so the men hoisted it aboard. Then they passed ropes under the ship itself to hold it together. Because they were afraid they would run aground on the sandbars of Syrtis, they lowered the sea anchor and let the ship be driven along. We took such a violent battering from the storm that the next day they began to throw the cargo overboard. On the third day, they threw the ship’s tackle overboard with their own hands. When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days and the storm continued raging, we finally gave up all hope of being saved.” Acts 27:13-20 NIV
“We think you ought to know, dear brothers and sisters, about the trouble we went through in the province of Asia. We were crushed and overwhelmed beyond our ability to endure, and we thought we would never live through it. In fact, we expected to die. But as a result, we stopped relying on ourselves and learned to rely only on God, who raises the dead. And he did rescue us from mortal danger, and he will rescue us again. We have placed our confidence in him, and he will continue to rescue us.” 2 Corinthians 1:8-10 NLT
“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.” Matthew 7:24-27 NIV
ENCOURAGEMENT
“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.” Romans 3:23-24 NIV
“There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.” Romans 8:1-2 KJV
“Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivereth him out of them all.” Psalm 34:19 KJV
“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7 NLT
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10 NIV
“What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: “For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:31-39 NIV
“And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; AND LET THEM BE FOR SIGNS, and for seasons, and for days, and years.” Genesis 1:14 KJV
“And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. AND THEN shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.” Luke 21:25-28 KJV
Do we not see these signs going on today? Including the signs in the sky with the sun and moon? It means Jesus is about to reveal Himself to the whole world. And our (believers) redemption is so near! Jesus also said when these things begin to happen, “then look up,” which means to lift one’s body and soul up; to be elated, and exalted, to confidently rise up! 😀😁😂
“What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?” Mark 8:36 NIV
A lot of folks are losing their jobs today. Some folks have lost or are losing their jobs because they are Christians. That’s what this article is about. The first thing I’d like to say is congratulations! That’s right. Because you lost your job, not your faith, not your God. You didn’t lose your soul. You can get another job. But who can get another soul if they lose it?
YOU STILL HAVE WHAT MATTERS MOST
“Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday. A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you. You will only observe with your eyes and see the punishment of the wicked. If you say, “The Lord is my refuge,” and you make the Most High your dwelling, no harm will overtake you, no disaster will come near your tent. For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone. You will tread on the lion and the cobra; you will trample the great lion and the serpent. “Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call on me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.” Psalm 91:1-16 NIV
WOW! Wasn’t it comforting as you read the awesome protection we have in our Father? The first step to overcoming unemployment is to trust God. Not just getting another job. The same God who gave you your last job will safely bring you to your next occupation as you trust in Him. But if we panic and don’t seek His will in this, we’re asking for trouble.
DON’T PANIC
To illustrate: I recently became unemployed due to my faith. As I began looking for work I got a job offer from a company that was new at doing something I had done for 20 years. I was excited at first. But the job just didn’t come near enough to make a living so I had to turn it down and keep looking. A week later the CEO called me with what seemed like a better offer. I accepted, and requested this new offer in writing (an offer letter). When I got the email I received what he called, “A Compensation Package.” In it there was some very tricky language stating bonuses or commissions paid on a previous check can be deducted on a future check, “For any reason,” he deemed necessary. Basically, I could think I’m getting paid one thing and wind up with a lot less. Of course I was done with these guys after that. But what if I was desperate thinking, “I can’t get another job?” What if I decided not to trust the Lord and instead trust this evil CEO who’s clearly a crook? That would be panicking. And I would pay for it probably sooner than later.
“A shrewd person sees danger and hides himself, but the naive keep right on going and suffer for it.” Proverbs 22:3 NET
Merriam Webster’s Definition of the word, “Panic,” is:
“A state or feeling of extreme fear that makes someone unable to act or think normally”
“A situation that causes many people to become afraid and to rush to do something”
Panicking is from Satan. How do we know this? Because God’s word says:
“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” 2 Timothy 1:7 KJV
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10 NIV
So when you feel panicky know who’s trying to influence you, and shake him off! Our Father doesn’t make us panic. He gives us the spirit of Power, of Love, and of a Sound Mind.
A TIP THAT WORKS
It’s interesting how all sorts of crazy thoughts come into our minds when we lose a job. Everything from feelings of worthlessness, loneliness, depression, etcetera. I’m sure you know who puts these thoughts into our heads? That’s right, Satan. Hence we must fight back.
“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” Ephesians 6:12 KJV
I would like to share with you a tip that works for me and helps keep the negativity out. I recently started doing this while job searching and it works. Before I send out a single resume I first pray to God and watch an encouraging short video or two. I go on YouTube and do a search like, “Christians out of work,” or “God still loves me though I lost my job,” etcetera. Just type in the search bar whatever you’re feeling. After watching an encouraging video or two I then start sifting through jobs and send out my resume. Starting the day with some positive Biblical encouragement makes the process so much easier. Whether you watch a video first or just read your Bible this will give you a positive outlook as you start your day and job search. Remember, God is in control of everything. He knows what we need even before we ask Him. He knows where our next job will be. So lets trust Him, that’s the key. Do not panic.
In conclusion I wonna leave you with the words of our Master Jesus:
“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Matthew 6:25-34 NIV
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