Inspirational | Enough Tribulations Peace & Deliverance Ministries

Category: Inspirational

What Brings You Peace?

Filed under: Inspirational — Leave a comment

March 6, 2012

I recalled going to the ATM machine with my son who was about 10 years old at the time. I took my ATM card, and inserted it into the machine. In a few seconds, the machine spat out some money. As I retrieved the money from the small tray, my son made an unusual request. He said, “Mom, can you give me one of those cards? I laughed, and said to him, “Honey if I hadn’t put money in the bank, I couldn’t have withdrawn it.” He was unaware of the facts that it was not that easy to get money.

I was once thinking in that aspect when I was much younger too. I thought if I could get all the goodies and toys in the world, I would be at peace. Even today, some adults still think the same way. They think that they will be at peace when they get a new car, a new job, get married, have a child, get a degree, or lots of money in the bank, or when their husband stop acting up, or their wife stop acting up, or when they get this or when they get that.

The time to be at peace is now, and peace begins within you. Getting peace is not a destination, it’s a journey. You can’t wait to be at peace when you get all you desire, because there’s always going to be something else. Money and material things might cause you to be at peace for a while, but what happens when you lose that job, get a divorce, lose your house, lose your car, or whatever you possess?

Peace has to be intrinsically designed. You have to find that peace from deep within, so when all those material things are not there anymore, you still can feel a sense of peace. This is why it is important to build your peace not around those temporary things of the world, but around “The Prince of Peace.” He is the comforter. In John 14:27 Jesus reminded us, “My peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you; not as this world gives you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” Notice that Jesus made it clear that the peace He will give to you is not like the world gives you. He already knows that the peace of this world will not last.

Therefore, you have to know what brings you peace. Is it the temporary peace of this world, or the everlasting peace that Jesus gives?

Tags: Activism and Peace Work, God, Jesus, Let Not Your Heart Be Troubled, Middle East, peace, Prince of Peace, United States

Comment

Giving Up

Filed under: Inspirational — 2 Comments

February 24, 2012

Wednesday, February 22, 2012 began what many people call Lent; a ritual whereby many people give up something for a period of time in anticipation of a celebration of new beginnings.

Here are some things you might consider giving up:

– Winning an argument

– Talking negatively about others

– Lamenting missed opportunities

– Resentment toward someone

– Anxiety about the future

– Focusing on your perceived weaknesses

– Listening to negative news

– Repeating gossip

Lent is not about giving up something that you enjoy in an effort to somehow please God. You’re to give up something that’s holding you back. The benefit of such a practice as Lent is that you give yourself time to create new habits which will enhance your soul’s expression.

Tags: Calendar, Carnival, Christianity, Easter, giving, God, Lent, Religion and Spirituality, Ritual, up

Comment

Why Do I Feel Discouraged?

Filed under: Inspirational — 2 Comments

February 16, 2012

Sometimes the storms of life are raging so rough, and the heart easily gets discouraged. However, as the song writer sings:

“No matter what storm clouds may rock this ship of mine, the light of my Savior will lead me safely through the night. Though my ship may be rocky and my sails may be torn I shall rest in the eye of the storm.”

Sometimes the bills are mounting, and the tribulations seem like they won’t go away, but in Matthew 6:31-34 Jesus reminded you:

³¹Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?

³²(For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.

³³But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

³⁴Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.

Jesus is clearly encouraging you that tomorrow has so much worries of itself, and it is already sufficient, so stop worrying about it, as you have too much on your plate. But instead leave tomorrow in His hands, and seek Him, and His Kingdom first, and everything shall be given unto you. So when the storms of life begin to rage, and you begin to feel discouraged, remember that Jesus is a provider and a deliverer!

Tags: discouraged, Gentile, God, God the Father, Jesu, Matthew, Matthew 6:31–32, Religion & Spirituality, Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof

Comment

Are You Burden with Distress?

Filed under: Inspirational — Leave a comment

February 7, 2012

Sometimes the cares of life get so overwhelming that you do not know where to start. However if you do not know where you have ended, then you cannot know where to start. You have to have a clear mind in trying to refocus, and taking charge of the situations. Life will always ditches dirt on you, but your attitude plays an important role in the way you react to the dirt. You have to sift through what is most important in those dirt that life ditches you. Once you can gain focus on what’s most important, then you can begin to eliminate the things that you know that you cannot change, find strength and courage to change the ones you can, and ask God to help you to accept the ones you cannot change.

Beyond every dark cloud, there’s a silver lining, and at the end of every tunnel, there’s a light. Just remember that the storm does not continue to rage, but after it has taken it’s course, it will settle to a calm. Rest assured that there’s one person who will be riding out the storm with you, even if you feel like you are alone. If you are burden with distress, there’s a source who will bear that burden with you. You can find peace amidst the tribulations. Jesus said in Matthew 11:28 “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”

Tags: burden, Christianity, distress, Evangelism, God, Gospel of Matthew, Jesus, Matthew, New International Version, Religion and Spirituality

Comment

Encouragement in Time of Tribulations

Filed under: Inspirational — Leave a comment

January 21, 2012

You say: “It’s impossible” God says: All things are possible (Luke 18:27)

You say: “I’m too tired” God says: I will give you rest (Matthew 11:28-30) Those who hope in the Lord will renew their Strength. (Isaiah 40:31)

You say: “Nobody really loves me” God says: I love you (John 3:16 & John 13:34)

You say: “I can’t go on” God says: My grace is sufficient (II Corinthians 12:9 & Psalms 91:15)

You say: “I can’t figure things out” God says: I will direct your steps (Proverbs 3:5-6)

You say: “I can’t do it” God says: You can do all things (Philippians 4:13)

You say: “I’m not able” God says: I am able (II Corinthians 9:8)

You say: “It’s not worth it” God says: It will be worth it (Roman 8:28)

You say: “I can’t forgive myself” God says: I FORGIVE YOU (I John 1:9& Romans 8:1)

You say: “I can’t manage” God says: I will supply all your needs (Philippians 4:19) You say: “I’m afraid” God says: I have not given you a spirit of fear (II Timothy 1:7)

You say: “I’m always worried and frustrated” God says: Cast all your cares on ME (1Peter 5:7)

You say: “I don’t have enough faith” God says: I’ve given everyone a measure of faith (Romans 12:3)

You say: “I’m not smart enough” God says: I give you wisdom (I Corinthians 1:30)

You say: “I feel all alone” God says: I will never leave you or forsake you (Hebrews13:5)

Tags: encouragement, Epistle to the Philippians, First Epistle of John, God, Gospel of Matthew, John, John 3:16, Psalms, Second Epistle to the Corinthians, tribulations

Comment

Thoughts to Ponder

Filed under: Inspirational — Leave a comment

January 18, 2012

Do more than exist – LIVE
Do more than touch – FEEL
Do more than look – OBSERVE
Do more than read – ABSORB
Do more than hear – LISTEN
Do more than listen – UNDERSTAND
Do more than think – REFLECT
Do more than just talk – SAY SOMETHING

Tags: Arts, Christian Ponder, Languages, Minnesota Vikings, ponder, Programming, Programs, Relationships, thoughts, to, United States

Comment

Don’t Lose Focus

Filed under: Inspirational — Leave a comment

January 10, 2012

After reading New York Times Best Selling author, John Maxwell’s book, “How Successful People Think,” I am more convinced to engage in focus thinking. In chapter 2, the topic, “Focus Thinking” explains that, “Knowledge is power only if man knows what facts not to bother with. Focus thinking removes distraction and mental clutter so that you can concentrate on an issue, and think with clarity. The earlier you learn to give up something in order to focus on what has the greatest impact, the sooner you can dedicate yourself to excellence in what matters most.”

So many times you missed the mark to get your goals accomplished, meet some objectives, or to even realize your dreams, because you allow petty people to prevent you from fulfilling your purpose, and reaching your true potentials in life. Sometime ago I went out with my husband and daughter to eat at a Chinese Restaurant, and as I finished my meal, I was given a fortune cookie by my server. Out of curiosity, I opened it to read what it says, and it read, “Life is too short to spend it hating someone.” So many times you waste your precious time on petty people who stand as the devil’s distractors in your life to cause you tribulations. However, these people obviously are not focused on the big picture, and if you allow them to distract you, you too will lose focus on the big picture, which is Jesus.

Tags: Books, Christianity, don't, focus, Jesu, lose, New York Times Best Selling, Religion and Spirituality, Shopping, The New York Times Best Seller list, United States

Comment

Seeking God’s Hidden Face

Filed under: Inspirational — 1 Comment

January 1, 2012

Have you ever felt like God has been hiding from you? Have you ever felt broken and alone?

I am sure many of us have felt this way at some points in our lives. You may have tried to come into God’s presence, and it seems He was nowhere to be found. You wondered when your tribulations would end.

Your feelings can be resonated with the Psalmist David when he wrote Psalms 13:1, “How long wilt thou forget me, O Lord? Forever? How long wilt thou hide thy face from me?”As David pondered, he directed the question: “How long wilt thou forget me O Lord?” He went on to answer the rhetorical question himself before even waiting on God to acknowledge the question. David answered, and said, “Forever?” However, notice that David answered the question with another question to God, still waiting on God’s answer. David had somehow been through some tough and trying times in his life. At the time when he needed God the most, God seemed to be hiding. Or was God really hiding?

In Psalms 51:17, David recognized that God had not given up on him, even after he had committed the ultimate sin of adultery and murder. We know the story in 2 Samuel 11 where David committed the ultimate sin of adultery with Uriah’s wife, and to have her for himself, he sent Uriah to battle and placed him at the forefront of the war, where the enemy could overthrow him.

Uriah died as a result of this. After he was killed, David took unto himself Uriah’s wife. God had been very displeased with him for this act, and threatened to raise up evil against David. After David realized the horrible sin he had committed, and how it displeased the Lord, he penned Psalms 51 asking God to have mercy upon him.

In verse 17, he stated, “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.” This verse in a sense answered David’s questions to God in Psalms 13, when he asked God how long will He forgot him. David realized that God does not despise a broken heart person who is seeking His face.

Sometimes your heart is broken, and you are so depressed and devastated, that you can’t even pray. There might be something that had happened in your life, something so horrible, that you feel that God did not care enough to prevent it, and you feel angry, broken and bitter. Nonetheless, God has a way of working out the worst of situations in your life, and that’s why no matter what you go through, you should always have the faith to know that He means you good, and that He won’t harm you, according to Jeremiah 29:11, (NIV) “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

If you believe in Him, and you understand His love for you, then you will know that no matter what may have happened in your life, your future will be secured. Therefore, no matter how broken and bitter you may feel, God is always there with open arms to receive you. Knowing this, you can rest assured that your broken heart have a way home, straight into the open arms of God.

When tribulations attack you, you should know that it will all turn out for the better. You might not see it now, but then, that’s where faith comes in. In Romans 8:28, (NIV) “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.” With this Scripture in mind, you can know that your tribulations will turn out for the better.

When you look back on Psalms 51, you can ask yourself: “What better sacrifice can God get from me than a broken spirit?” When your spirit is broken, God can reach you better. His words can connect with you on a more intimate level. When you are fine and everything is going great, you tend not to spend too much time reading the bible, praying, fasting, and seeking God’s hidden face.