Setbacks Nag; Success Whispers!

Transformation is a buzzword in our world today.  We are enchanted with it.  We see everything around us morphing.  Life requires change.  If you are not changing, you are dying. 

For those following Christ, this is welcomed and widely encouraged.   Romans 12:1-2 calls for “the renewing of the mind.”  Paul in Ephesians 4:22 told us to change our clothes—“put off the old and put on the new.”  “Put to death whatever belongs to your earthly nature.” Col. 3:5.  But in Galatians 3:3 he reminds us this is a work of the Spirit—not human effort.  “After beginning with the Spirit are you now trying to attain your goal (of spiritual maturity) by human effort?”  Going back to rules, disciplines, and following the law (or even the Ten Commandments) does not lead to freedom, rather it continues to provoke the flesh.

So, if transformation is important, how does transformation happen?  What is the means in which the Spirit does this? 

The way the Spirit transforms us is through our eyes and ears.  To our eyes he says, “Fix your eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of your faith.”   To our ears, he whispers in a “still small voice” calling us away from the bad to pursue the good.  This is the way transformation occurs.   And there is a bonus, our hearts do not condemn us when we look forward.  By looking at Christ, we don’t look backwards—to our setbacks and sins.  It is that obvious.

Ever had the experience of sinning?  Sure.  What did it do to you?  Did it make you want to sin more?  Sin is like that.  How do we overcome sin, temptation and the flesh?  We don’t look back.  We look forward.  Setbacks scream at us; righteousness whispers “look ahead.”  Sin nags; success in the Christian life speaks softly—‘this is the way, walk in it.”

If you haven’t noticed, one sinful experience has the effect of outweighing one positive act of righteousness.  A gallon of bad stuff weighs more than a gallon of good stuff.

Here is my theory about transformation.  You can do all the spiritual disciplines you want (it may not hurt) but if you want to live like a noble son or daughter of the most High God, then you have to keep looking ahead and not focus on what happened behind you. 

One sin has the power to defeat one positive act of righteousness.  In fact, one sin defeats two positive acts of righteousness.  It may take three positives to offset one negative. 

If you focus on your sin or setback, it paralyzes you.  Your soul is like a boat with a hole in it.  The bad gushes in and the good jumps ship.  Look at the good before the bad sinks you.  Plug holes. 

Here are a few words of wisdom.  Think more about the good.  Live with the good in front of you.  Thank more.  Live more.  Love more.  Cheer more.  Do good.  Don’t be defeated by the bad.  Eliminate the negative.  Throw out the bad and the good comes back. 

Focus on the goal.  You are falling behind if you don’t.  The good will whisper you to your goal.  Learn from your setbacks.  Freedom energizes, setbacks drain.

The pursuit of righteousness is fueled by acts of righteousness, not looking at our sins.  Pursue what is good.  Proverbs 21:21 “He who pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity and honor.”   1 Tim. 6:22 “But you man of God, flee from this (the bad in life) and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love and goodness.” Pursuing the good mean stop focusing on our setbacks and shortcomings.  These latter things only trap us in our past.  Listen to whispers!

Focusing on the goal,

Jim

Faith - God's GPS

And we're back from Thanksgiving break.  Hope you all had a good holiday!  Today we have some more words from Cumberland County Prison...

Inmate Insights from "Donnie"

Above all things, Jesus should be our main focus, even during the storm of life when trials come our
way. The book of Matthew chapter 14 illustrates a complete understanding of when Jesus walked on
water and one of his disciples, Peter, was bold and stepped out on faith despite the raging storms that
surrounded him. Jesus gave peter basic instructions to keep his focus on him, but as he continued he
took his eye off of Jesus and began worrying about the water under him as well as the storm and began
to sink. As he began to sink he cried out to Jesus “save me” and Jesus saved him. Jesus then asked
Peter, “Why do you doubt and have little faith?”

In clear understanding this story represents the trails of life of a believer when things try and get in the
way or distract us from following Jesus but we must endure and always remember who he is and what
he can do for us in our everyday life if we walk accordingly to his specific instructions that he gives us
through the Bible.

One thing that prevents us as believers is the temptation of Satan and his evil angels. They want to
pervert the word of God through lack of knowledge and understanding. Our flesh is attracted to things
that aren’t of God and can lead us down the wrong broad path to eternal damnation. Jesus gives us a
way out in every aspect to resist the temptation by the renewing of your mind found in Romans 12:2.
We must resist the old self once made a new creation through baptism of the Holy Spirit, so that it
becomes our guideline, or guidance to be more like Christ and to no longer be conformed to this worldly
way of living out life.

The Holy Spirit interacts as a navigational system found in motor vehicles, trucks, etc. towards God but as we veer off the pathway of righteousness, God gives us an alternate route, but it still leads us to salvation through disappointments as well as trials to eventually get the hand of it. We then began to understand what road or things will lead us to our destination (Christ) or to take another route which will get you lost, and without the Holy Spirit dwelling inside you life’s temptations will leave you lost fulfilling nothing other than things of the flesh that will eventually pass away. So put God first above all things and let the Holy Spirit direct your path.

I once heard a story of a guy, while incarcerated, who encountered negative feedback from people
2 months before his release date. He wondered why, but little did he know Satan seen that God was
about to use this man later on in life through Prison Ministry and as a ex-con, how you would listen more
to people who have endured the same pain as you behind bars. Today, let God use you through your
rough experiences in life to bring more backsliders or non believers back to Christ through being an
example of trusting Jesus to give Glory to God.


--
grace, peace + hope-Jesse

Out of Steam?

Sometimes is feels like we get all excited about something for a short period of time and then fizzle out.  Like this whole revolution thing.  Let me assure you, that as far as I am concerned this is just getting started.  I know there are many of you out there who share this idea.

Where are you?

Let us hear from you.  This is not about me.  This is not the Bear Show.  I'm blogging and writing because I have the time and this comes relatively easy to me.  Your story should be heard as well.  Tell us what you are doing.  Not as bragging, but a way to share what God is doing in you.  How he is transforming your life, and how that could be effecting others.

The Church is a community.  A body of believers.  Let's build that body up any way we can.  Some of you may be in other parts of Pennsylvania, or the other side of the country.  Some may even be on the other side of an ocean or two.  We can have community through the web.


Let us encourage one another!

For me today, I will say this.  Temptations.  They jump out at me all the time.  Some are new.  Some are old.  Habits, addictions, attitudes.  Things I thought I had walked away from.  I'd be lying if I said it was getting easier to turn them away.  To not give into them.  And they come everyday.  To buy more stuff that I don't really need.  To go to that website.  To get angry and lash out, or say hurtful things.

It's not easy to refuse them.  But the more I get to know Jesus.  The more time I spend learning the Father's voice.  The easier it is to run to him.  To cling to his words, the Word, and in doing so not give in to the temptations.  It is him who protects.  He is the Shield of Faith that puts out the fiery arrows of the enemy!

Please hear what I'm saying there.  It's not about me.  This is about God's work.  What he does in us when we draw closer to him.  And I for one have a very long way to go.  But his promises are true.  He is good.  He did give us the Comforter to help us and guide us.

When we run out of steam, it's because we're trying to fight sin with our own strength.  And that is like trying to out run a speeding train.  It's impossible.  But with God, all things are possible.  He is our strength.  Our deliverer.  Philippians 4 (12-14)

I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. Even so, you have done well to share with me in my present difficulty.

It doesn't matter if we have everything we need in life, or nothing.  Jesus is who we need more than anything.  And a supportive body of believers doesn't hurt either.  Paul says he knows how to survive, to carry on, but he encourages the Philippians for helping in his difficulty.

So, today, if God is doing something in/through you.  Share it.  With a humble heart to encourage us.  If you are struggling, or going through a difficulty, Share it.  At the very least (which isn't the least at all) we can pray for each other.

Have a day, be a blessing to those around you.

grace, peace + hope
-Bear