Keep The spirit Up!

 

Day by day I am more realized that the spirit plays an important role in our lives. I am more realized that no matter how smart we are and how high our expertise, without having a great spirit we couldn’t do so much things. We also often think that high intelligence and high education is something absolutely needed to reach a success. However, actually this fact is not entirely true. I have met many business comrades who didn’t have very high education but they could reach a great success. A few days ago once again I met a new business friend. What makes me surprised and amazed is, she is younger than me and you know, she told me that she just graduated from senior high school but she has been successful in the business world and successful develop some companies. “The biggest asset that I have is praise to the Lord almighty, He gives me a big spirit and I always try to keep my fire of spirit never dimmed. Indeed, I am always surrounded by many smart, skilled, and experienced people in their respective fields who always support me. But if I myself don’t have a great spirit to achieve what I want, so I will get nothing. If we have spirit, then we will be doing many things. By keep the spirit up, I could learn many things and it could make me remain stand firm especially when I have face the hard times” She said without any overbearing impression.

I am not saying that I am disagreeing with education, intellectuality, and intelligence. I know both of them are important too. But what I want to convey is we don’t have to forget the factor of spirit in our lives. High intelligence and education is not an assurance that we could successfully reach what we want if not accompanied by high spirit to try reach what we expect. As my new business friends said that she always tried to make her fire of spirit never dimmed, it means we should always have a spirit in live our life. God also really love and appreciate if we are as His children have a great spirit.

I remembered a God’s word in 2 Chronicles 15. At that time, Asa, a king who led the Nation of Judah wanted to make reformation. Before he did, he visited by Azarya the son of Oded who apparently was given a special mandate directly from God to the king Asa. One of God’s messages it turned out is about the spirit,

But you, be strong and do not lose courage, for there is reward for your work.

(Chronicles 15:7 NASB)

Let’s pay attention to the word “For your work shall be rewarded” This is God’s promise to those have a great spirit and strong mental. Thankfully king Asa heard the message and he successfully did thorough reformation to the nation of Judah. The Bible noted the significant outcome of his effort.

There was no more war until the thirty-fifth year of Asa’s reign. (2 Chronicles 15:19 NIV)

Now, I love to take another bible figure as an example. Let’s briefly take a look to the story of Caleb. Caleb was one of twelve people who were given the task by Moses to spy out the Promise Land, Canaan. At the time, Caleb was 40 years old and we all know the end of the story. The Israelites successfully entered the Promise Land 45 years later and Caleb was 85 year old. There is one Caleb’s remark that can describe how great his spirit although his age was already quite old,

I am still as strong today as the day Moses sent me out; I’m just as vigorous to go out to battle now as I was then. (Joshua 14:11 NIV)

Here we can see although Caleb’s age was been quite old but he still had a great spirit to assist Moses brought The Israelites went into the Promise Land. What a great example that by always has a great spirit will be able to reach a great success and give us a great outcome. Caleb didn’t become downhearted at all even though he should to wait for 45 years.

My beloved readers, we all know that our lives are not always filled by convenience and comfort. There are times we are in a situation which is fraught with difficulties, suffering and troubles. But Solomon said:

The strong spirit of a man sustains him in bodily pain or trouble… (Proverbs 18:14 AMP)

Spirit is able to give us strength to endure sufferings and heavy burden. But what we can do if we don’t have spirit? People who have broken spirit tend to be difficult to get up. The longer it is allowed, the harder to recover.  We have to know that the spirit is like a fuel that will drive us remains step forward. Whatever work that we do, whether it is large or small if we do will vigorously we can finish it all with the best results. I personally have experienced it. Without a great spirit, I couldn’t be able to run a big responsibility on my shoulder in working.  Don’t ever dream to achieve something big if not accompanied by a great spirit. Problems may come and hit us repeatedly, but if we have a high morale to face it all, it will give a big difference in obtaining the final outcome. We have to always remember that God has promised always be with us whatever we go. As He said:

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9 NIV)

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. (Isaiah 43:2 NIV)

 He also has declared that He is the Faithful God,

Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments.

(Deuteronomy 7:9 NIV)

And because God is faithful, it means He never leaves us, He promised:

“Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5 NIV)

God wants us to always live in His plan, where He will guide and accompany us in every step of our lives to reap what has been provided by Him. So, if we already know how beautiful God’s promises to us, why should we be downhearted in facing of various problems, sufferings and trials? We should to always have a great spirit to face any problems and trials just because it all will strengthen us to remain endure passing through the hard times.

My dear friends, this evening allow me to encourage all of us to continue keep the fire of our spirit not going to be dimmed. Let the fire stay burning and flared. Whatever problems we face today, let’s face and finish it with a great spirit. There is no reason at all for us to not keep the spirit up. When we face so many hard problems people around us might stay away from us or even leave us, but please remember one thing that we are not alone. We have God who always be with us, loves us, and give us strength.

I can do all this through him who gives me strength. (Philippians 4:13 NIV)

 Fully trust in His promises because He said:

The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise… (2Peter 3:9a NIV)

 Feel His kindness, love, inclusion and continue to hold it with faith. It will make our heart still have a true joy, happiness, and the cheerful lives. From there we will be able to remain upbeat and positive, full of enthusiasm in doing what we want to achieve and in resolving all of our problems. Spirit drives us to get a great achievement. Keep our spirit up! Amen.

A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. (Proverbs 17:22 NIV)

 

Karina – Living by faith

Image source: imghoot.com

Strong as a Lion

 

I really love one of the animated movies which titled “Lion King”. Yesterday evening once again I watched its movie. In this movie we can see a lion named “Simba” fought against Hyena group. Until finally Simba proudly stand up to be a king! In the real world, lion dubbed as king of the jungle. Why? Here are the reasons; Lion has incredible ability to fight, powerful, predatory, brave, and even a lion be able to climb a tree. This makes lion tougher than tiger. Lion has a very famous style which is when the lion pounced on their enemy’s nape. It is believed could knock down and kills the enemies in a very short time. There is so many another reasons why lion called as king of the jungle.

But there is another thing from a lion that couldn’t be ruled out and this noted in the bible. Lion is a strong animal even strongest than other animals because lion never give up easily from anything. Lion is an unyielding animal.

a lion, mighty among beasts, who retreats before nothing (Proverb 30:30)

However, the bible pay attention even not on the lion’s fighting ability but rather to the mental ability to face many challenges.

So now, what is the relation between us as Christians with the lion? Ok here’s a bit explanation about it. Lion could be a good example or illustration for us how supposed we behave as God’s children when we face so many life’s challenges. We should being like lion. Strong, never easy to give up, had a mental hardiness, and not easily discouraged. But in fact, many of us as Christians do not have it all. We are oftentimes become very weak and vulnerable buffeted by storm of life, easy to waver when hit by many problems. Even not a little of us had give up before truly facing the challenges.

Actually, as Christians we have been equipped by God with various abilities and talents and we can use it to overcome many problems. Not only that, we are have been equipped with God’s Spirit who dwells within us.

Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.” So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir. (Galatians 4:6-7)

These verses firmly stated that we are the son and no longer become a slave, and God’s Spirit lived in us. Verily, with all that we have we are not supposed to be a vulnerable and weak person. We should to be a tough person. God created us as winner, even more than a winner. Not a loser!

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us (Romans 8:37)

Let us briefly look at the story of David when facing Goliath’s challenge. At that time, David was still very young.  His job is only as a shepherd. Not like his brothers who accustomed and trained on the battlefield. But, facing a giant which equipped with powerful and complete weapon makes the soldiers fear. Then what happened to David? Whether David scared too? Absolutely no! David fully aware of who really he is. He also knows as to what God created his identity. Here’s his response to Goliath’s challenge…

David asked the men standing near him, “What will be done for the man who kills this Philistine and removes this disgrace from Israel? Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God?” (1 Samuel 17:26)

David was not afraid at all because he really knows where is God will stand. David knows God will standing in the row where he is. And the fact, successfully, David beat Goliath who wear armor and complete weapon. Unbelievable! Goliath defeated only with a traditional weapon. Stone and a slingshot! This is David’s attitude who illustrates a lion’s attitude which not easily to give up when facing many challenges, whatever it is.

In the book of Revelation Jesus was said to be the lion of Judah who come from the line of David.

Then one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals.”(Revelation 5:5)

Jesus as the Lion of Judah has proven His true strength as the King of king and never steps back from His tasks in this world as the Lord commanded to Him. And finally His tasks completed on the Cross. Just for our save sake!

My dear reader, once again God created us to be like a lion, to be like genuine the Lion of Judah. We were created not to be a loser but conqueror, even more than a conqueror!  We were created as His eldest Child. We have equipped with various skill and abilities to be performed with a figure like a lion. And not only that, because God be with us who always ready carry us to the each level of success, no matter how difficult the situation that we face today.

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. (Romans 8:28)

I will end this post with a few questions. How do we dare to face the life’s challenges today? Do we have the courage like David who has an attitude like a lion who never give up? Or we still in the category who could give up easily? Where is our position now?  Become a winner or loser?  This evening I would like to encourage you to contemplate this one:

What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? (Romans 8:31)

 I am not saying that as Christians we will definitely free from problems and obstacles. There are always obstacles and challenges in our lives. But with God, with a resounding, we will be able to overcome any problems and obstacles. As the verse above said, if God is for us, who can be against us? My dear friends, Do not ever give up, keep endure and struggling, to be a winner not a loser. Be strong as strong as lion. Have a winning mentality like a lion. Are we ready? Amen.  strong as a lion.

Karina – Living by Faith.

Photo credit: Google Images

Enduring Within Temptation

There are so many things that could be my inspiration to write an article or a short devotional. This evening my post was inspired by one of my friend who asked me to pray his problem.  He has a problem with temptation.  But perhaps for some reason he did not tells the details of what kind of temptation that he faced. Now I would like to write a bit of my thought about this matter.

 No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are temptedhe will also provide a way out so that you can endure it. (1 Corinthians 10:13)

As a human we are born with a sinful nature from the fall of Adam. In our daily lives we will be faced with any temptation which could bring us into the sin. One important thing that we have to realize is temptation not come from God.  It comes from Satan! Satan brought it into our life. As we know Satan always works hard, continuing to try with many ways to make our fait fall. Moreover, temptation came from the flesh (Old sinful nature) and from the world who would like nothing more than to see a Christian be disobedient.

God really know that we will be tempted. For example, in the garden of Gethsemane shortly before Jesus was arrested, we are witnessing picture of how human are so susceptible controlled by fleshly. Many times Jesus found His disciples so hard to still be awake even for only one hour. Then Jesus said:  “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”(Matthew 26:41) But, what a blessing! Not only know, but God also provides us a means of escape. He will not allow the devil to put any more temptation on us than we can handle. The spirit within us can help us from falling into sin. We need to use caution in what we allow in our lives that could be a source of temptation. So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. (Galatians 5:16-17)

It is important for us to be on guard in our lives for our own protection. Sin is disobedience and God hates sin. We have to choice of whether to take the means of escape or to allow the sin to enter into our life. When we find that we are tempted by something immediately consider our means to run away from the temptation. For simple examples, if it is something we are watching on television, we can turn of the television off or we can change to the other channel which couldn’t bring us to be tempted.  If we have problem with gambling, don’t go to places that provides a means of gambling. For those that are tempted by alcohol, please do not spend time in a club or bar.  I said to my friend the point is not only how many friends who praying for him but the truly point is we should take measures to protect us and keep our distance from everything that could bring temptation. This is about how we endure to face any kind of temptation. We need to remain accountable to God for our actions.

My dear lovely readers, I am totally realized that it is not as easy as turning the palm of our hand. But God gave us the advice to be able to overcome our flesh: “But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life” (Jude 1:20-21) Establish ourselves with a solid foundation, on the basis of faith, praying in the Holy Spirit and continue to diligently maintain ourselves. God knows our primarily problem. Even though our spirits are born again, but our fleshly desires is also not less powerful and trained to always tend to return us to the passions and desires which would dropped us back into sin. We are awarded a Counselor; the Holy Spirit can guide our spirits to be in power within us than our flesh.

Let the spirit ruling in our lives. Pray in the Spirit. It was a powerful weapon to overcome the desires of the flesh. Pray in the Spirit will always be able to strengthen our spirits, continue to establish ourselves until we are able to overcome our weaknesses and conquer all flesh. Even the prayer in the Spirit also able to convey so many things that an unspoken.  In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. (Romans 8:26)

Is there a sin that seems to have a strong hold in our life? Think about the ways in which we could make changes to reduce the possibility of being tempted by that sin. Go to God in prayer today asking forgiveness for any sin we have committed while asking him to help us to keep from all temptation. Also ask to God to us to build a firm foundation. Spend time with Him and with His word. A good Spiritual foundation can give us the tools to keep us from temptation and sin. Amen.

 “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” (Matthew 26:41)

Karina

Photo credit: Mount of Temptation at Jericho.palestinephilgrimage.org.uk

Many thanks to sister in Christ Shelly  http://sssorem.wordpress.com for your lovely sugestion on my post.

He’s Still Faithful

Christ – the solid Rock, the Tower of refuge,
The Haven of restful calm,
Still reaches out in the worst of times
With a soothing, healing balm.

He’s the peace that passes understanding
That this world cannot give;
The joy unspeakable and full of glory…
The abundant life we live.

He’s the undergirding Strength in fiery trials,
Giving grace to endure;
The Anchor planted deep within our souls,
Holding safe and secure.

He is still our loving Shepherd and Friend
When our dreams fall apart;
And He’s Still Faithful to all who heed His call…
Surrendering their heart.

“I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous
forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.”( Psalm 37:25)
“…the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil.” (II Thessalonians 3:3)

© Connie C. Bratcher

Prayers For Healing

My Dear Lord in Heaven,

Now You see our precious child that You really love and care. He is your gift from Heaven. He is Your wonderful blessing for us. He is our endlessly inspiration.

My Lord, right now I handed his presence to Your warm embrace.  He longs You soothe the pain and suffering. He longs You hold the weak hand in Your loving arms and shows that You really care so much.

You know what he feels and You know what he suffered. He needs strength to endure from all of his pain. Touch him with Your infinite strength. Lift all the tears and pain; change into a smile of happiness. Guard his ​​sleep with Your heavenly angels.

My Lord in Heaven, I handed him to You. Teach me to comprehend everything which happens to us, especially to my precious gift. I know You have a plans behind all of this and I believe Your plans is very best among the best. Strengthen us with your strength so that we can through it all. Give us wisdom to face this trial.

Let us see the light of hope, love and peace poured upon us and let my precious child feel Your presence, feel Your mercy and mightiness, feel Your warm touching. Let he see that Your never leave him and will says “My Father in Heaven, I really love you. You always be with me” And in his weaknesses let Him says “Praise the Lord! You are really love me”

Lord, Thank you for your abundant blessing. Thank you for Your love and care. Amen.

Worship the LORD your God, and his blessing will be on your food and water. I will take away sickness from among you.(Exodus 23:25)

With deeply touched heart, I dedicate this prayer to my dear friend, Nodz

Karina

 

God Always Be With Us

There are so many great stories in the Bible. From it stories we can take lessons and learn about the many valuable things in our Christian life. These stories can also strengthen our faith when weakened. Today I read a chapter about story of Joseph. This story is one of my favorite stories in the bible and I would like to share something to all of you.

When I finished reading this story, I see three important and interesting things from Joseph’s story. in his life, He had these three things. I made an abbreviation from these three things becomes “3P”. The first “P” is stands for Pit.  We all know that Joseph was his father’s favorite son because he was the son of his father’s old age. Joseph’s father gave him a coat of many colors and this made his brothers jealous of Joseph and they hated him. Because this reason, Joseph’s brothers take and cast him into a pit. (Genesis 37:24). This is the beginning of Joseph’s suffering.

The 2^nd “P” is stands for Prison.  Because the act of Potiphar’s wife, Joseph’s master was took him and put him in prison. (Genesis 39: 19-20).Here, Joseph faced a temptation from Potiphar’s wife. But because God always with Joseph, he refused and said: “my master does not concern himself with anything in the house; everything he owns he has entrusted to my care. No one is greater in this house than I am. My master has withheld nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. How then could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?” (Genesis 39: 8-9)

The Last “P” is stands for Palace! We all know that later on he was blessed even more by being put into place as the highest authority in the land other than Pharaoh.” The plan seemed good to Pharaoh and to all his officials.  So Pharaoh asked them, “Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since God has made all this known to you, there is no one so discerning and wise as you. You shall be in charge of my palace, and all my people are to submit to your orders. Only with respect to the throne will I be greater than you.”(Genesis 41:39-40).

After I read complete of this story, there is a question in my mind, how Joseph can endure everything that happened on him. Joseph had two very unpleasant things. Not only endure in empty pit, Joseph had to endure was false accusations. When Potiphar’s wife couldn’t get Joseph to do what she wanted, she falsely accused him of trying to attack her. Because this case Joseph was put into the prison.

I read more carefully of this story, and I found the answer of my question. The answer is God always with Joseph! When we read this story from the beginning, there are so many verses that show God’s presence in his life. I tried to take some of them. First, In Genesis 39:2. “The Lord was with Joseph so that he prospered, and he lived in the house of his Egyptian master.” in verse 5: “From the time he put him in charge of his household and of all that he owned, the Lord blessed the household of the Egyptian because of Joseph. The blessing of the Lord was on everything Potiphar had, both in the house and in the field.”

Not only that, when Joseph was in prison God still with him. ^“ the Lord was with him; he showed him kindness and granted him favor in the eyes of the prison warden.” (Genesis 39:21) and in the verse 23: “The warden paid no attention to anything under Joseph’s care, because the Lord was with Joseph and gave him success in whatever he did.”

God is always with Joseph in every circumstance, that’s why Joseph was enduring to face many sufferings. He passed three important things in his life; Pit, Prison, and finally Palace! I think, if God is not always with Joseph, maybe he could not go through all his suffering. Joseph is a very blessed man and God gave him success in whatever he did.

My dear friends, what about us? Maybe this time we are living in a difficult situation, maybe we’re in financial trouble, work, business or other kind of “pit”. With all due respect, I ask all of you to always remember that God always be with us and God always bless us in the midst of our problems. Even when we are way down there seemingly all alone and our heart is heavy and our tears are flowing. Joseph’s story is one of many examples that God always be with us in every circumstances. We only need to believe, obey, follow his commands and surrender our entire problem to God. As God promise to us:

“If you fully obey the Lord your God and carefully follow all his commands I give you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations on earth. All these blessings will come on you and accompany you if you obey the Lord your God: You will be blessed in the city and blessed in the country.” (Deuteronomy 28:1-3)

 Karina