Adversity: Character Building

It is written, “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God has prepared for them that love him” (Corinthians 2:9).

In the darkest and most uncertainty of times, I’ve learned to trust God alone, and sometimes those lessons were learned while fighting back tears. However, the lesson I learned was this: Adversity is the place God not only builds our character but also, our testimony. Adversity it is the place where we are being prepared to bring soul’s closer to Christ. For those of you fighting back tears (or drowning in them) to be faithful to the call, never forget this: Jesus is preparing you for Kingdom Business. Trust Him, your faith is not in vain.

3 Ways to Overcome the Difficulties in Adversity:

1. Remember past victories. The bible is full of historical accounts that outline great victories. The life of Abraham, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Elisha, Esther, Job, Paul… the list goes on. Pick one and mediate on it! One of the most unvalued character traits that each of these conquering men and woman of God had was “Longsuffering.” In mediating on scripture, closely note the level of patience, trust and obedience that was involved, key behaviors in becoming longsuffering. Additionally, recall past victories in your own life. Mediate too, on what you have previously conquered through the power of the Holy Spirit.

2. Trust God, Trust God… TRUST GOD! Through prayer and submission to the Word, Trust GOD! Trust Him when you can’t trace Him. Trust Him when you don’t understand Him. Trust God! The bible says in Proverbs 3:5-6, “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy path.” Jesus knows both the beginning and the ending of a thing. Trust God, He is building your character for the next level of purpose.

3. Serve: the broken hearted, widow and fatherless. Regardless if you serve your community, or in a local church, serving builds a level of humility within that cannot be easily replaced. I recommend serving outside the norm: visit someone in the hospital, offer to do an elderly person’s household chores, volunteer at a domestic violence shelter, offer to read comforting scriptures at your local Veterans office… take the focus of you. Serve!

Dear Heavenly Father, Loving and Merciful One. Give us strength that we may accomplish Your will. In Jesus name we pray.

“Everyone has a divine purpose; my hope is through the Power of God, you walk boldly in yours!” ~ With Love, Minister Angela

Remember, God loves you! Trust Him!

 

A few things:

• If you’ve never accepted Jesus Christ as your personal Savior, you can today!
• Connect with me on Instagram, Twitter or Facebook
• If you’re not part of a local church, it is extremely important that you seek God in leading you to an anointed place of worship. One of the enemy’s greatest and most powerful weapons is to have you separated from the assembly.
•  If you live in Lancaster, CA I want to invite you to join us for prayer on Tuesday evenings at Lancaster City Library.
• Find my devotional book, “Sent by Jesus: The Father sent Jesus, and Jesus sent you,”  evangelistic appeal, holiday or birthday gifts and more at www.sentbyjesus.bigcartel.com

 

Image via: tobyisnotacat | pixby

Lowly Spirit

“Blessed are the poor in spirit,
    for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn,
    for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek,
    for they will inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
    for they will be filled.
Blessed are the merciful,
    for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart,
    for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers,
    for they will be called children of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
    for theirs is the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 5:3-10).

The beatitude, a divine paradox, in conclusion exhort three traits that lead to eternal promise; poor in spirit, pure in heart and those who are persecuted for righteousness sake. Humility and longsuffering are two virtues that connect us directly to the power of Christ and eternity, yet they’re often overlooked responses when modern day believers are exposed to adversity.

Humility is defined as a modest or low view of one’s own importance while longsuffering can be described as having or showing patience in spite of trouble, especially those caused by other people.

Oftentimes, we want to blame our insufficiency in controlling our own temperament on the negligence in someone else, or outside influences uttering words like: because they… since you did… if they hadn’t… well, if you/they stopped.. she/he should… it was… However, the bible says in Romans 14:12, “each of us will give an account of ourselves to God.” We will be accountable for ourselves: our behavior, our words, our actions, even our thoughts.

In this overwhelming, emotionally unstable culture, consumed with arrogance, pride and disrespect also known as “do me”, “speak my mind”, and “clap backs” mentality,  many people have no personal accountability with their own behavior or, simply being humble (lowly in spirit), let alone loving. Such negative behavior is not only counterproductive but also completely opposite to the Fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness gentleness and self-control. You cannot say that you’re of God when you do not carry the fruit of God. We must continually examine ourselves.

Never forget, eternal inheritance is not based on how well we know God, the time we spend reading our bible, our ability to quote scripture, or how often we attend church. Eternity is based on well Jesus knows us AND competing the will of the Father – submitting to what Jesus has commanded both scripturally and provisionally ( Romans 10:9, Luke 10:27, John 14:6, Matthew 7:21). Eternity is based on His grace and our deeds. That is why we called to be doers of the word and not hearers only (James 1:22). 

“Blessed are the poor in spirit,
    for theirs is the kingdom of heaven…

Blessed are the pure in heart,
    for they will see God…

Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
    for theirs is the kingdom of heaven”

Beloved, don’t allow unchecked emotions to separate you from eternity. No one is worth your salvation! With meekness, continue to seek and depend on the Word of the Lord, in Him only do we have strength, in Him we can met the standard.

He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith.

Prayer:

Dear Heavenly Father, Loving and Faithful Savior. O Jesus, remind us continually of the behaviors to abide in Your presence. Redirect our path from eternal judgment, oh LORD we depend on and love You!

“Everyone has a divine purpose; my hope is through the Power of God, you walk boldly in yours!” ~ With Love, Minister Angela

Remember, God loves you! Trust Him!

 

A few things:

• If you’ve never accepted Jesus Christ as your personal Savior, you can today!
• Connect with me on Instagram, Twitter or Facebook
• If you’re not part of a local church, it is extremely important that you seek God in leading you to an anointed place of worship. One of the enemy’s greatest and most powerful weapons is to have you separated from the assembly.
•  If you live in Lancaster, CA I want to invite you to join us for prayer on Tuesday evenings at Lancaster City Library.
• Find my devotional book, “Sent by Jesus: The Father sent Jesus, and Jesus sent you,”  evangelistic appeal, holiday or birthday gifts and more at www.sentbyjesus.bigcartel.com

 

Divine Forgiveness

“If anyone of the common people sins unintentionally by doing something against any of the commandments of the Lord in anything which ought not to be done, and is guilty, or if his sin which he has committed comes to his knowledge, then he shall bring as his offering … the priest shall make atonement for him, and it shall be forgiven him” (Leviticus 4:27-28, 31).

In the first few chapters of Leviticus, scripture said Aaron the Priest, and his sons who ministered as Priest made an atonement for those who sinned unintentionally or, in ignorance. In such case, the individual sin was forgiven completely. Similarly, Apostle Paul said in 1 Timothy 1:13, he obtained mercy from blasphemy, as a persecutor and insolent (arrogant) man because he did it ignorantly in unbelief.

Forgiveness is a sacred gift from the Father, an extension of His grace and love for us.  As gracious as it is, the reality is this: His forgiveness is received through repentance; turning from sin as a result of sincere regret or remorse. The Blood cost too much! Turn… The bible said the grace of Jesus Christ is sufficient, that it is made perfect in your weakness – once we repent, He remembers our sin no more. (2 Corinthians 12:9, Hebrews 8:12).

Beloved, there is nothing that can separate you from God when you seek forgiveness through repentance! Not abortion, not lying, not stealing, not fornication, not cheating, not greed, not abuse… NOTHING! Once we repent, and turn, JESUS REMEMBERS OUR SIN NO MORE!!!

“If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land” (2 Chronicles 7:14).

Beloved, Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever more, try Him. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith.

Prayer:

Dear Heavenly Father, Loving and Faithful Savior. O Jesus forgive us, against You and only You have we sinned and done evil in Your sight. O Holy Spirit guide us so that we may dwell closer with You.

O Jesus, I pray that this lesson brings forth clarity and assists in building Your kingdom. In Jesus’ name, I pray.

“Everyone has a divine purpose; my hope is through the Power of God, you walk boldly in yours!” ~ With Love, Minister Angela

Remember, God loves you! Trust Him!

 

A few things:

• If you’ve never accepted Jesus Christ as your personal Savior, you can today!
• Connect with me on Instagram, Twitter or Facebook
• If you’re not part of a local church, it is extremely important that you seek God in leading you to an anointed place of worship. One of the enemy’s greatest and most powerful weapons is to have you separated from the assembly.
•  If you live in Lancaster, CA I want to invite you to join us for prayer on Tuesday evenings at Lancaster City Library.
• Find my devotional book, “Sent by Jesus: The Father sent Jesus, and Jesus sent you,”  evangelistic appeal, gifts and more at www.sentbyjesus.bigcartel.com