Ephesians 4:2, “Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love.”
Humble. Gentle. Patient. Forgiving. These are words that don’t exactly go along with today’s culture. Responding to people with humility, gentleness, patience and forgiveness may even be viewed by some as a sign of weakness. But it’s actually quite the opposite. These attributes are part of who God is, and when we extend them to others, we are extending His love to them.
Photo by: Matthias Zomer
Extending genuine love to people is very powerful, because it will help them to see the hope that is found in Jesus. Through Jesus, we have been forgiven of so much. He has pardoned our sins and given us the privilege to be heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ (Romans 8:17). When we are angry and upset, forgiving someone may not be what we want to do, but as children of God, it’s what we are called to do. When He calls us to a task, He will equip us with the grace we need to accomplish it.
We as children of God are set apart by a special calling to be humble, gentle, patient, and forgiving. It’s all part of the new nature we have in Christ. What a joy it is to rise above circumstances and walk in the ways of the Lord. The Holy Spirit living in us will empower us to represent the Lord Jesus in all we do. We are truly blessed.
Proverbs 19:3 NLT, “People ruin their lives by their own foolishness and then are angry at the LORD.”
When I read this verse, I immediately thought of my own life and the many times I have made sinful choices that caused me heartache and pain. But instead of taking responsibility for my sinful choices, I questioned God’s love for me or felt that He was being unfair. I can even recall times when I knew the Holy Spirit was cautioning me to avoid certain things or certain people, but I still chose to follow my own worldly desires and ended up regretting it.
Photo by: Kat Jayne
Although sin can seem pleasing for a period of time, it eventually leads to ruin and death (James 1:15). There is no set timing on how long it can take for that ruin to come. It can happen quickly, or it can seem as if someone is persisting for an extended period of time with no repercussions to their actions, and then it all catches up with them. I can’t tell you how many times I have given God thanks for watching over me and delivering me from my foolishness. I’m thankful for the opportunity I had to repent and receive salvation through Jesus Christ. Even today, I’m thankful He forgives me when I sin and fall short.
If we believe what God says, we have to learn to trust His instructions. What he instructs us to do, is for our own good. When He tells us to refrain from certain actions, it’s because He in all of His wisdom knows and understands all things. He knows the dangers of sin, that is why He sacrificed His son Jesus. As Christians, I pray that our hearts will remain sensitive to God’s Spirit and obedient to His Word. We are living in perilous times, but I like what David said in Psalm 31:15 NIV, “My times are in your hands; deliver me from the hands of my enemies, from those who pursue me.”
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Our times are in God’s hands, we need not live in fear. However we do need to seek God, and choose His ways above our own to avoid unnecessary foolishness. There is a lot we may not understand, but God said we don’t have to understand everything (Proverbs 3:5-6). We need to abide in Jesus and trust Him to take care of us as we rest in His loving arms. His ways and thoughts are higher than our own (Isaiah 55:9), so He knows what is best for us.
Matthew 11:28 NLT, “Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.”
I woke up this morning with “rest” on my mind. I feel very thankful that as Christians we can find rest in Jesus. Life has its share of ups and downs, but through prayer we can always entrust our lives and the lives of our loved ones to Jesus. We are free to cast every concern we have upon Him (1 Peter 5:7).
I read a post by Crystal at Devotions of Grace called, “Who Needs Rest?”. It was very encouraging, reminding us that God will take care of us, and that it’s a good thing to rest in Him.
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Today is a special day, 23 years ago my daughter was born. Although she’s away working in Spain, I’m thankful that as her mother I am able to pray for her and know that God will always take care of her. As parents we don’t have to worry about our children, we can rest in Jesus. Our job is to raise them, but once they grow up and go their own way, we should continue to pray for them and trust God to work in their lives.
My daughter Shalenah
I hope and pray that you will find rest in Jesus and give all you cares to Him. He is attentive to our prayers. No request is too big or too small. He will exchange your worries for His peace and joy, just trust Him.
Thank you to the following bloggers for acknowledging my blog and nominating me for the Barnabas Award. I am thankful for you and your blogs.
Stephanie@CloserWithStephanie, thankyoufor sharing the truth of God’s Word. Your writings are very heartfelt and honest and encourage me to keep trusting God.
Jacquie@ Joy Cottage, thank you because I always feel the love and joy of the Lord through your poetry and writings. Your posts overflow with encouragement and help me to stay close to Christ.
Yonnie@YonnieInHisCare, thank you for your inspiring and encouraging poems that make me feel more aware of God’s creation. Your words paint a picture of the many beautiful things in life that surround us.
Matt @ Jesusluvsall, thank you for sharing about the many ways that Jesus shows up in daily life. Your stories of triumph through chronic illness, and helping refugees and immigrants encourage me by showing me God’s love in action.
The Way the Barnabas Award Works
1)Thank the person who nominated you and share their blog.
2)Think of five bloggers that encourage and inspire you and nominate them.
3)List 5 things about yourself
4)Lastly, ask your nominees 5 questions. Why 5? Because it is the number that signifies grace.
5 Things About Me
1. I’m not a big coffee drinker, but when I do drink it I like Vanilla creamer and sugar.
2. I accepted Christ when I was nine.
3. My favorite fruit is pineapple.
4. I went to the top of the St Louis Arch once.
5. I have 3 nephews and 1 niece.
Stephanie’s Questions to me…
1. If there was only one thing readers could take away from your blog, as a life lesson, what would it be? To keep trusting in Jesus one day at a time.
2. Where would you want to vacation, and why? Italy. It seems like a beautiful place. My little sister Bukola lives in Italy and recently wrote a helpful post 5 Things You Should Keep In Mind When Visiting Italy.
3. What is your favorite food? Pizza and French fries.
4. What is the craziest goal you want to achieve, and what do you think it will take to reach it? I worked for a couple of property management companies and always thought it would be nice to own an apartment building and give people “affordable housing” that doesn’t take all their paycheck. It would take more knowledge about real estate investing.
5. In what ways do you want to be closer to Christ? I want to continue to grow in the knowledge of His Word and obedience to His Word because that will make me closer to Him and keep my life purposeful.
Jacquie’s and Matt’s Questions to me…
Who in your life is your biggest encourager? The Lord, and my close friends/family.
How do you see yourself as being an encouragement to others? By sharing positive things with them and letting them know the good things I see in them when I have opportunities to.
When was the last time someone gave you words of encouragement? Today.
When you are down, what encourages you to get back up and keep pressing on? Meditating on the word, prayer, and talking to someone I’m close to.
Who was your greatest encourager when you first accepted Christ? Mom and my Sunday school teacher.
Yonnie’s Questions to me…
Share a time when you felt, as if you were alone and why? I spent a lot of time alone during my time living in Florida but I never felt lonely. I enjoyed that time growing closer to the Lord.
How do you encourage and embrace a strangers? Greeting them with a smile and speaking to them.
When you are down, what encourages you to get back up and keep pressing on?Meditating on the word, prayer, and talking to someone I’m close to.
Name two ways you encourage others? By taking time out to listen to them or talk to them. Giving them a genuine compliment when I see something that needs to be complimented.
Who was your greatest encourager when you first accepted Christ? Mom and my Sunday school teacher.
Genesis 18:13-14, “13 Then the Lord said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh and say, ‘Will I really have a child, now that I am old?’ 14 Is anything too hard for the Lord? I will return to you at the appointed time next year, and Sarah will have a son.”
Thankful Thought: Thank you Lord that nothing is too hard for you, with you all things are possible. I thank you that you are not limited by my physical or intellectual capabilities. Your timing for me is perfect, and your purpose for me will prevail.
Prayer of Thanksgiving
Heavenly Father,
I praise you that I am fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14). My body is a temple of your Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19), thank you for abiding within me. You use the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and weak things to shame the strong, I praise you my Lord (1 Corinthians 1:27). Thank you that you can do more than I can ask or imagine according to your power that is at work within me (Ephesians 3:20). With you all things are possible, when I believe. (Mark 9:23). Thank you Lord.
In the name of Jesus. Amen.
Thank you for praying with me over the last five days. May praise and thanksgiving to our Lord continually be on your lips. May His joy and love overflow in your life as you serve Him with all of your heart!
1 Thessalonians 5:18 NIV, “give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
Thankful Thought: I am thankful that even in my darkest hour, God is still God. When I am hurting, His comfort sustains me. Thank you Lord for giving me strength.
Prayer of Thanksgiving
Heavenly Father,
Thank you that through your grace we are able to be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, and faithful in prayer (Romans 12:12). Thank you for opening our eyes to see, that the secret to true contentment in any situation we face, is knowing that we can do all things through Jesus Christ who gives us strength (Philippians 4:12-13). Regardless of our circumstances, you are faithful to us and we thank you (Lamentations 3:22-23). In our weakness your strength is made perfect. When we are weak, thank you for being strong (2 Corinthians 12:9). We praise you for your love that endures through all things (1 Corinthians 13:7).
Colossians 3:17 NLT, “And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.”
Thankful Thought: What a joy it is to represent Jesus Christ in all we do and say, with a thankful heart.
Prayer of Thanksgiving:
Heavenly Father,
We thank you that through your Son Jesus, we are able to be your representatives, your ambassadors that help share your salvation with the world (2 Corinthians 5:19-20). Thank you for filling our hearts with your love so that in all we say and do your light will shine through us (Matthew 5:15-16). Thank you for working in our lives and teaching us to see and understand the wonderful truths in your word (Psalm 119:18). We give you praise for how great you are, and thank you for your wonderful deeds (Psalm 75:1)!
Drawing Closer to Christ 