Truth

“Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.  Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace.” Ephesians 6:13-15 (The Holy Bible, ESV, 2016)


Truth holds everything else together.  It is an indispensible part of our armor that protects us in spiritual warfare. Truth does not change just because we do not accept it.  Lies from the world around us can put us in a place of defeat, despair, and feeling a lack of worth.  We need the truth that God willingly reveals to us.

John 17:17 says, “Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.” (The Holy Bible, ESV, 2016)  At the fall, we lost fellowship with God and lost sight of the truth.  We chose to follow our own way instead of God’s way.  God wants to redeem us, not just for eternity, but for today as well.  He wants us to choose to live for Him and yield to His way of life. 

“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (The Holy Bible, ESV, 2016)  We need to become familiar with God’s Word to learn truth.  God makes His Word come alive and changes our worldview and lives through the Holy Spirit.  We need to regularly let God reveal truth through His Word.


“When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.”  John 16:13 (The Holy Bible, ESV, 2016)


“these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God.  For who knows a person's thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.  Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God.”  1 Corinthians 2:10-12 (The Holy Bible, ESV, 2016)


We have the Holy Spirit living within us once we ask God to forgive us through Christ and invite Him into our lives.  God’s Spirit helps us understand His Word, convicts, helps us apply truth to our lives, and helps us realize who God is and who we are in relationship to God.


“It is through the work of the Spirit that we gain the ability to know God and the truth that can give us the capacity to walk in victory in our day-to-day lives.  Please note that we gain the ability to know God.  The Holy Spirit never forces us to know God or be restored by His truth.  But it is through the work of the Spirit that we are given the opportunity to exchange our viewpoint on a matter with God’s” (Evans, Victory in Spiritual Warfare, 2011)


There are many worldviews we are exposed to in our lifetime.  Truth cannot be found through just any path.  God has revealed truth to us.  He does not force us to change.  We choose each day whether or not we will allow God to be in charge.


“The truth is an objective standard of reality that stands outside our experiences and above our opinions.  That standard of truth is the Word of God.  The belt of truth is becoming more and more important because we live in a world that no longer accepts objective truth. … Truth today is totally relative, and ‘tolerance’ is the current buzzword.  That’s why you’ll hear people say, ‘What’s true for you is not necessarily true for me.’” (Evans, 1998)

“Truth is the great sanctifier. … (1) The truth about God.  Every attribute you behold engages your love, quickens your trust, makes you wish to serve Him.  (2) The truth about Christ, His work, love, humanity, Godhead, intercession, etc., is all quickening.  (3) The truth about man.  Oh, if we could have it, and see man in God’s light- something lovable in the worst, something saveable in the lowest- how it would take away our despair, engage our service, quicken our love.  Every error of life springs from an error of thought.  A lie is the root of all evil.”  R. Glover

We need to know the truth about God- who He is, what He has done for us, and how to be in relationship with Him.  2 Peter 1:3 says, “His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence,” (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, 2016)  We cannot do anything to earn our salvation or God's love.  Jesus has done it all for us, and we are part of God's family through Christ.  There is nothing that we can do that can separate us from His love.  It is important to know who we are through Christ and what that means.  Pastor Omar Zook speaks to this.

"Self-worth is not an issue of giftedness, talent, intelligence or beauty.  Self-worth is an identity issue.  Your sense of personal worth comes from knowing who you are: a child of God.” (Anderson, 1990)


“To be in Christ is to have a new identity.  Second Corinthians 5:17 declares: ‘Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!’  The only way to succeed in living the Christian life is to see yourself for who you really are in Christ. “ (Stewart, 1992)  “No person can consistently behave in a way that’s inconsistent with the way he perceives himself.  If you think you’re a no-good bum, you’ll probably live like a no-good bum.  But if you see yourself as a child of God who is spiritually alive in Christ, you’ll begin to live in victory and freedom as He lived.    Next to a knowledge of God, a knowledge of who you are is by far the most important truth you can possess.” (Anderson, 1990)


“Satan’s deception is reflected in the title we often give to ourselves: sinners saved by grace.  Yes, we were sinners, and we are saved by grace.  But we’re not sinners now.  That’s not our scriptural identity any longer.  We’re saints who occasionally sin.”  (Stewart, 1992)

It is important to realize that everything changes when we become a child of God.  We are living from a place of victory through Christ.  We are loved and forgiven and have a relationship with God.  When working with other Christians who are struggling in life, we need to help them realize who they are in Christ.  The truth is a powerful weapon.


“Generally speaking, our society isn’t one that takes strong, firm stands on truth.  Even the church, sadly, too often fails to hold clear views on right living and God-honoring choices.  Many people who call themselves Christians today don’t have a strong core belief system to govern their lives. They don’t frame their decisions around the truth of God’s Word, aren’t stable and sturdy in their convictions, are too easily injured and wounded by others, and buckle under pressure rather than standing tough and persevering.” (Shirer, 2018)

Our struggle is not against people, and we are not fighting in our own strength.  It is important to recognize lies and replace them with God's truth.  As we learn more about God and His plans, we can develop a biblical worldview.  Knowing who we are in Christ should change how we view ourselves, others, and how we look at life.  


2 Corinthians 10:3-5 encourages, “For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, (The Holy Bible, ESV, 2016)

Works Cited

Anderson, N. T. (1990). Victory Over the Darkness. Ventura, CA: Regal Books.

Babler, J. (2014). Biblical Crisis Counseling: Not if But When. John Babler.

Evans, T. (1998). The Battle is the Lord's. Chicago: Moody Press.

Evans, T. (2011). Victory in Spiritual Warfare. Eugene, OR: Harvet House Publishers.

Shirer, P. (2018). The Armor of God. Nashville: Lifeway Press.

Stewart, E. e. (1992). Breaking Through to Spiritual Maturity. Gospel Light.

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. (2016). Crossway Bibles.

We are in a Battle

2 Corinthians 10:3-5 tells us, “For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,” (The Holy Bible:English Standard Version, 2016) 

There is a war we are involved in.  We cannot ignore it, and we cannot fight through our own strength.  God gives us His Spirit and His resources which are enough to overcome.  “A fortress or stronghold is a mind-set that holds you hostage.  It makes you believe that you are hopelessly locked in a situation, that you are powerless to change.” (Evans, 1998)  The devil does not want you to realize that God has already won the war, and He enables us to win the remaining battles.  This requires dependence on God.

“See, you are not responsible for every thought that flashes into your mind. ... But you are responsible for what you do with it once it is there.  Our job is to recognize and dismiss evil thoughts.” (Evans, 1998)  What types of thoughts does Satan use against you?  Does he say you have no value?  You can’t do what God has laid on your heart to do?  You can’t gain victory over sin in your life?  What you are doing isn’t really sin even though the Bible says it is?  Change in another’s heart is not possible?  Someone is beyond hope?  There is no hope for change in your life?  You have to earn His love?  God will not take care of you?  You have to solve problems all by yourself?  No one cares?  God cannot provide someone to help with the work that needs to be done?  Our battles are not identical, but they are shared by many.  We need to know the truth found in God’s Word and apply it to our lives.  We need to claim His promises and know that we are His beloved child.  Grace is freely given and available to us and others. God has made a way for us to be victorious in our walk with Him.

We are in a war, but our enemies are not people.  It is a spiritual battle.  Christ has already won the victory, so we are fighting from a place of victory.  Ephesians 6:10-13 explains, “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.  Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.  For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.  Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.” (The Holy Bible:English Standard Version, 2016)

“You can’t beat Satan in your own authority, because you don’t have any.  The key is that you have been raised and seated with Christ.  Satan knows he can handle you, but he knows he can’t handle Christ.

“The devil’s strategy is to keep you from living your life in the power of Christ, claiming the authority that is yours because you are under His blood.” (Evans, 1998)


One of the important ways we do warfare is through prayer.  “Listen to me carefully: Prayer is the mechanism that brings down the power of heaven into your experience.  It is the divinely authorized method that activates your spiritual armor and makes it effective.  … I believe I can say it as bluntly as this: Unless prayer is a vital and thriving part of your life, you will never achieve spiritual victory.” (Shirer, 2018)

Ephesians 6:18 says, “praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication.  To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,”. (The Holy Bible:English Standard Version, 2016)

I think Satan tries to keep us from praying.  He distracts with good things we can do, time we can waste, stray thoughts, and just not realizing that prayer really makes a difference.  Persistence in prayer is also important.  Prayer breaks through the forces of evil to allow God to work with us.  It is inviting Him into the problems we are facing.  It is important to hold others up in prayer too.

Pastor Thom Keller of Calvary Chapel in Lebanon PA has some powerful things to say on this in the following video.

Do you pray before, during, and after ministry opportunities?  Do you pray for your co-workers?  Do you pray for the needs in the lives of those you are helping?  Do you pray for God To help you with the battles you are facing in your own personal life? Do you remember that God is bigger than anything Satan can throw at you?  Praying you will be victorious in what you are facing this month.

Works Cited

Evans, T. (1998). The Battle is the Lord's. Chicago: Moody Press.

Shirer, P. (2018). The Armor of God. Nashville: LifeWay Press.

The Holy Bible:English Standard Version. (2016). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

Working Together as the Body of Christ

God has taken a diverse group of people and formed them into one body.  We are more than a team or a family, we are joined together in Christ to form His church.  Romans 12:5 says, “so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another”(ESV).  

“Salvation automatically makes God our Father and every other believer our brother or sister in the household of God.  Together, we are ‘heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ’ (Rom. 8:17 KJV).  Christians cannot live unto ourselves and still function as God purposed when He saved them.” (Blackaby & Blackaby, 2002)

“In God’s family we will receive strength, encouragement, and much-needed fellowship.  We will grow in wisdom and maturity as we benefit from those who have walked with God for many years.  We will find security in the family’s watch care over our life and respond to its comfort and accountability.  More than anything else, God our Father manifests His presence in special ways when two or three are gathered together (Matt. 18:20).” (Blackaby & Blackaby, 2002)


Helen Keller said, “Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.” God does design us to work together in community and that is how we accomplish the most.  However, we are never working alone, because He is working through us.  Blackaby tells a story about a warrior whose sword is feared.  When the king has a messenger bring him the sword, he finds nothing out of the ordinary about the sword.  The messenger then explains, “If I had brought you the hand that wields the sword, you would fully understand the fear.” (Blackaby & Blackaby, 2002)  We are the sword, and God is the power behind us.


“Do you understand that the hand of God through the Holy Spirit wields a Christian’s life?  We may be common, ordinary in the eyes of men.  But when a Christian is filled with the Holy Spirit, God can bring down strongholds through our lives.  When a church is filled with the Holy Spirit, God can turn a world upside down.  The key is never our abilities, but the power of the Holy Spirit working in and through us to accomplish the will of the Father.” (Blackaby & Blackaby, 2002)

Phillip Allen, Youth Pastor at Cross Roads Church explains the importance of working together in the discipleship process.

As the church, we have a joint mission of glorifying God.  As a group, we have a vision of what God wants us to do to accomplish this.  We are willing to sacrifice some personal goals and opinions to meet a greater goal.  We do not exist to pursue our own personal fame or gain a list of accomplishments.  We want to see the whole team develop their abilities and use their gifts.  1 Cor. 12:26 reminds us, “If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together.”  We are in this together, and we should care about each individual in the body.



 It is not about getting the credit for projects or building up our self-esteem.  It is not all about us.  The goal is to glorify God.  “The Lord’s original design called for all the gifts to function together, in harmony and with mutual respect.  Every gift is necessary to accomplish what He desires with His people.  No one of us alone will possess all the gifts, but altogether, we do.” (Cordeiro, 2004)


 “Few things are more beautiful to God than seeing His people serve and work together in a united rhythm.  It is like a symphony to His ears.” (Cordeiro, 2004)


As humans, we have a tendency toward selfishness and pride.  The world tells us to look out for number one and do your own thing.  The Bible tells us in Romans 14:19, “So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding.”  Examples of this kind of living are given in Col. 3:12-13, “Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.”


This means living in submission to the Holy Spirit.  “Being filled with the Spirit is the key to a unified body.  Look at the contrast between the works of the flesh and the fruit of the Spirit: ‘But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness, self-control. … Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.  If we live by the Spirit, we must also follow the Spirit’ (Gal. 5:22-25).  Here is the true source of unity in the body.” (Blackaby & Blackaby, 2002)



We are to “live in harmony with one another.  Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly.   Never be wise in your own sight” (Romans 12:16 ESV).   “When we are walking in fellowship with God, He gives us the ability to walk in fellowship with all of His people.” (Blackaby & Blackaby, 2002)   The result of seeing our unity will be that people are drawn to Christ.  John 17: 21 tells us the desire Jesus had for his followers, “that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me” (ESV).

One of our goals as a group is found in Romans 15:5-6.  “May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Works Cited

Blackaby, H. T., & Blackaby, M. D. (2002). Experiencing God Together. Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.

Cordeiro, W. (2004). Doing Church as a Team. Ventura: Regal.

Being Flexible

As Christians, we are all part of one body.  When one member is struggling or hurt, it affects the whole body.  We should be in relationship with other Christians and respond to them in love.  Love sometimes requires us to just listen, to pray, to confront, to advise, or to encourage.  We need to care enough to be involved in the lives of others, and to then react in love.  Philippians 2:3-4 exhorts, “Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.  Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” (ESV)

Sometimes, we need to have difficult conversations with another believer.  Our first step needs to be to take the matter to God.  Make sure God wants you to proceed and how He wants you to approach the matter.  Have prayer backup without gossiping or sharing any details.  Make sure you are not the problem in the situation.  Be sensitive to why they are choosing to do what they are doing, and see them as God does-full of potential and loved.  Always speak out of love.  Check your motives and heart before ever going to the other person. (Tindle, n.d.)

When giving advice, make sure you listen first.  Proverbs 18:13 says, “If one gives an answer before he hears, it is his folly and shame.” (ESV) Don’t presume you know what is in their heart, but hear what they have to say.  There may be things about the decision they are making that you did not know or have not considered.  Proverbs 18:2 warns us, “A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion.” (ESV) You need to make sure you understand what is involved before you give advice.  Pray before, during, and after your conversation. Allow the Holy Spirit to talk to you and help you see truth.  Make sure you give positive input before and after advice.  Encourage with what you see that they are doing positively or what you value about them.  Don’t take it personally if your advice is rejected.  “God is the One who changes the hearts and minds.  Your responsibility is to deposit the seed of truth and trust the Lord of the harvest to bring the increase.” (McDowell, 2013)  Continue praying for the Lord’s will in the situation.

Seeking advice is wise.  Proverbs 11:14 shares the wise statement, “Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in abundance of counselors there is safety.”  Once the advice is evaluated, it can give us a different way of looking at things, provide valuable insights, or help us see something we may have missed.  Proverbs 12:15 reminds us, “The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice.” (ESV)

Taking advice can be humbling.  Pride must not be allowed to get in the way.  It is not easy to stay flexible and willing to change.  Of course, it helps if we respect the advisor and know they are speaking from a place of love and wisdom.  Before following advice, make sure it aligns with scriptural teaching and seek God for His will in the situation.

Dave Hyatt, Pastor for Local and Global Outreach at Hershey Free Church discusses being flexible, being able to take advice, and how to give advice in this video.

Works Cited

McDowell, C. (2013, June 27). 10 Commandments of Giving Godly Advice. Retrieved from What Christians Want to Know: www.whatchristianswanttoknow.com

Tindle, M. (n.d.). 6 Ways To Be Smarter About Difficult Conversations. Retrieved from edamove: http://edamove.com/6-ways-to-be-smarter-about-difficult-conversations

Cleaning and Mending Your Nets

Fishing with nets in NC

“One of the most important skills of fishermen was making and mending nets. Made of linen, …, these nets had to be carefully cleaned and dried each day or they would quickly rot and wear out. The majority of a fisherman's life probably was spent mending nets (Luke 5:2). Net weights, small pieces of stone with holes drilled in them, were fastened to the bottom of the nets. This too took time.” (Laan, 2019)  Nets were necessary for catching fish.  Caring for them was an important part of being a fisherman.  To be equipped to be fishers of men, we need to take the time to grow and repair weak points in our lives.  We need to deal with the sins and bad attitudes that creep into our lives.  We need to be willing and ready for God to use us. Without time in God's Word and prayer, we will not be anchored to truth.  We do not want to pulled along by the current of the world away from God's truth.

If nets are not washed:

1. Dead fish, mud, and seaweed from off the bottom of the lake or sea get caught in the nets.  If not cleaned, rats would feed on the dead debris and chew on the nets, making big holes in them. (Mattoon)  When we allow sin to remain unconfessed or unnoticed by us, we open our lives to attack by Satan.  Sometimes we expose our hearts and minds to junk on T.V. or in movies or books that introduce sinful thought patterns.  If left unchecked, these grow into serious problem areas.


 2. If the net is not washed, the cord of the net will eventually rot and weaken the net, making it unreliable, ineffective, and useless. (Mattoon)  We need the washing of God’s Word and the Holy Spirit.  Without care, our lives start to fall apart.  Time spent with other Christians with whom we have accountability is also important.  We are a team who support, challenge and encourage one another.

3. If the net is not cleaned, it will make the work of the fishermen much more difficult.  Debris hinders the ease of the movement of the net. (Mattoon)  We cannot be effective to go and minister to others if we are not right with God.


4. The net will frighten the fish if it is not clean. Fish can see a dirty net, even from a long distance. Because of its low location, the Sea of Galilee did not have a lot of movement and tidal flow to stir up the water. There was not a large amount of silt in this sea. The water was usually very clear, making it easier for the fish to see the nets and the boats. This is why most of the fishing was done at night in this region. (Mattoon)  People around us notice when something is wrong in our lives.  Why would they want to listen to someone who appears as a hypocrite or who has no difference in their life from the rest of the world?


Ephesians 4:8, 11-12 says,” Therefore it says, ‘When he ascended on high he led a host of captives, and he gave gifts to men.’… And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ.”


The Greek word “equipping” (katartismos) comes from the verb “to mend” as used in Mark 1:19 where James and John are mending their nets. “They were equipping their nets to fulfill the purpose for which they had been created: to catch fish!  In a similar way, hearing the Word of God will often ‘mend’ you.  Its truths will impact you in such a way that God brings wholeness and healing to a hurting area of your life or to your relationships.  Through reading God’s Word, you become increasingly equipped for the purposes to which God has called you.  Its messages challenge you, reminding you of who you are, and call you to boldly use the gifts He has given you.” (Cordeiro, 2004)  Church, Bible studies, small groups, mentors, and retreats such as PTDEV week help us have insights, conviction, and give us a chance to refocus on truth and God's mission for our lives.

“Why does a fisherman mend his torn nets?  To throw them back in the sea to catch more fish!” (Cordeiro, 2004)  We want to have a life lived for Christ.  It is not enough to have one successful experience.  We should be ready for whatever opportunity God opens up for us.


‎The wise and experienced fisherman would regard net mending time not as down time but as a cost of doing business, as necessary as maintaining his boat, sail, or oars. If his net broke while fishing, it could not only allow his catch to escape, it could endanger his boat as the sudden release of weight could make the boat rock wildly. (Myers, 2012)  It is easy to fall into the trap of believing that the only important time is when we are serving and ministering to others.  Our main purpose is to know and worship God.  Our relationship with Him is of ultimate importance.  It is not time wasted, but a vital part of our lives.  It is what keeps us steady, safe, and healthy.  Time with other Christians is important too.  Proverbs 27:17 reminds us, "Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another."  Encouragement, support, and correction from other Christians helps prepare us to be better at the job God has called us to do.

2 Cor. 7:1, “Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God.” (ESV)  We need to be in the Word and in fellowship with God daily.  It is so easy to allow good things in our life to push out necessary time with God.  If we are not renewing our hearts, we will start to fall apart.  We will not be ready to fulfill God’s purposes for our lives.  As you plan vacation time, don't leave time with God out.  Part of being restored physically and emotionally involves being restored spiritually.

2 Tim. 2:15, “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.” (ESV)   This is an ongoing job that requires some effort on our part.  We need to be alert to the needs in our hearts and lives.  We should be growing in our understanding of God’s Word and allow the Holy Spirit to convict and guide us.


2 Tim. 2:21-25, “Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work.  So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.  Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels.  And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth.” (ESV)

Works Cited

Cordeiro, W. (2004). Doing Church as a Team. Ventura: Regal.

Laan, R. V. (2019). Focus on the Family. Retrieved from http://www.thatthewroldmayknow.com/they-left-their-nets-behind

Mattoon, D. R. (n.d.). Treasures From Luke, Volume 1. Wordsearch.

Myers, R. (2012). Images From the Temple Dictionary of the Bible. Faithlife.

Morehead City, NC

Perseverence

Fishermen on the Sea of Galilee never knew when a violent storm would suddenly form.  Being a Christian does not guarantee us a storm free life.  In fact, we are told to expect trials. James 1:2-4 ESV says, "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.  And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."   We see multiple examples in the Bible of Christians who suffered (2 Cor. 11:23-28, Hebrews 11:36-38).

We persevere in many circumstances.  It may be that you are not seeing the results in ministry you wish to see.  It is hard to remember that God is the one who will bring results, not us.  Success is faithfulness and may be very different from what we expected.  It can be hard to feel unappreciated or unnoticed in your ministry.  We often try to get praise from man instead of praise from God.   There are times where it is easy to focus on the world around us and not on Jesus.  You may have prayers that are unanswered that you have prayed over multiple years.  Perseverance is not fun.  It is not easy.  We are not alone, and we have a hope that keeps us going no matter what.

 God knows your needs.  He gave us desires, and He understands our frustrations with waiting to see good things happen. He does not want us to disconnect from our feelings and desires, but to be willing to sacrifice now for the future God has promised.  God wants us to have joy in the midst of persecution.  God does not want us to lose heart.  We are exhorted in Galatians 6:9 ESV, "And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up."  Listen to Bryan Hart from One Harbor Church in NC as he addresses this subject.

"These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth....But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one.  Therefor God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city."  Hebrews 11:13, 16 ESV

Charles Stanley wrote in A Touch of His Peace "Know this: As there is calm in the eye of the storm, so there can be calm in the midst of your problem, because Jesus is at the center of your life.  He is not asleep.  He is not immune to your pain, for he himself has suffered the deep pain of the human lot.
"He is on board with you and capable of demonstrating his magnificent deity to you in a myriad of ways.  This is the truth that brings peace to your soul and calm to your emotions.  This is the anchor that holds you in place when everything else seems to pull you loose from your moorings."

"But according to his promise we are waiting for a new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells." 2 Peter 3:13 ESV

Being Present

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Psalm 46:1 (ESV)


“’teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.’” Matthew 28:20 (ESV)


God is our example of being present with someone, because He is present with us
Jesus came to this earth to experience life with people.  He is now present with us when we invite Him into our lives.
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Luke 9:10-11 is one example of Jesus and his presence with others.  “On their return the apostles told him all that they had done. And he took them and withdrew apart to a town called Bethsaida.  When the crowds learned it, they followed him, and he welcomed them and spoke to them of the kingdom of God and cured those who had need of healing.” (ESV)

Jesus welcomed others, brought healing to their lives, and made time for others.  He listened, dealt with their real heart issues, and He asked questions that revealed the real issues they were dealing with in their lives.  He was not in a hurry, even though He knew his time was short.

Bellevue Christian Counseling explains that being present with another person involves:

• Slowing down to really be in a situation. Our age is one of extreme busyness—we are maxed out, exhausted, and constantly multi-tasking.

• Paying attention. This means noticing details and nuances, and asking careful questions for clarification.

• Focusing on the interaction. This is a deliberate, careful listening and involvement.

• Patience. When listening to another, check whether you are creating your response while the other person is speaking. Are you waiting for them to finish speaking so that you can get your thoughts out?

• Empathy. A dictionary definition of empathy is a “vicarious identification with or experiencing of the actions, feelings, or attitudes of another.” Sympathy is extending compassion to another in difficulty, while empathy knows what it is like to be in the other’s shoes. (Bellevue Christian Counseling, 2019)

Deb Hinkel, Director for Spiritual Formation and Family Ministry at Hershey Free Church gives some important thoughts on being present in this video.

“A great way to develop these characteristics in our lives is by noting how they are exemplified in the character of Jesus. His empathy for us humans was clear—the apostle Paul says in Galatians 2 that Christ 'emptied himself” and became a man. He walked in our shoes and knows everything we feel, having been one of us. He slowed down, stopped, and listened carefully to people with intention and deliberation – witness his interaction with the Samaritan woman (John 4:7-42).

"While we can develop skills that help us to be present, we should note that one of the names of Jesus is Emmanuel, which means God-with-us. Jesus did not just model being truly present, he also promised to be with us always – to be present with us. Jesus, Emmanuel, is the most present person who ever lived. As we emulate Christ in our treatment of others both inside and outside the counseling setting, the cues we take come from his character. A Christian counselor is called to ‘be with’ the client as Christ is with us. We sit with clients in their crisis points, being present and accompanying them through desperate times and places.

"At the same time Christ is literally present with us, as he was in the first century. The only difference is that we cannot see him, but we do sense him and talk with him.

"If God-With-Us, Emmanuel, shows up, fully present in our everyday life, then we too can and should show up and be fully present to others as well.”

(Bellevue Christian Counseling, 2019)

Are you fully present when talking to others?  Are you fully present when you attend church?  Do you listen to others and ask questions to draw them out?  Do you share the hope found in Christ when the opportunity arises?  Do you talk more than you listen?  Can you empathize with others?

Bellevue Christian Counseling. (2019). Retrieved from https://bellevuechristiancounseling.com/articles/being-present-how-does-this-relate-to-christian-counseling