Christ | Enough Tribulations Peace & Deliverance Ministries

Tag Archive: Christ

Do You Have A Healthy Heart?

June 5, 2014

It’s not only the type of food that you eat or lack of exercise that can make your heart unhealthy.

Your heart can be unhealthy, because it abhors or houses hate in it. If you love God, then you should love others as well. If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen (1 John 4:20).

I agree that people, including your own families, friends, or spouse can hurt and hate you in the worst way, but you do not have to return the compliment. You can show them the love of Christ, so that they know there is something different about you. Showing them love does not mean that you have to allow people to walk all over you, or that you have to be in a relationship of any sort with them, if that relationship is negative and toxic. However, you can still maintain peace and love when you see or talk to them.

Hate in one’s heart can cause a lot of different tension and stress. Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all offenses (Proverbs 10:12). On the other hand, love makes your heart more healthier. Anyone who does not love, does not know God, because God is love (1 John 4:8).

By and large, try to maintain a healthy heart, by eliminating any hate that may be in there; because hate causes too much hurt in one’s heart.

Tags: Christ, family, friends, God, hate, healthy, heart, heartattack, heartdiseases, love, marriage, peace, relationship

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Are You Totally Independent?

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May 21, 2014

I know almost all adults might answer ‘yes,’ to this question, especially if they have moved away from their parents’ home, and are working and taking care of themselves. However, independence appeals to all ages. It means “freedom from the control, influence, support, and aid of others.”

In reading a devotion by Bill Chowder, he too stated that, “It’s not surprising that teenagers talked about gaining their independence.” However, as I delved deep into this devotion, he spoke of a craving for dependence, which is a spiritual recognition and acceptance of our deep spiritual dependence on the One who gives life. Jesus stated, “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing” (John 15:5).

In this dangerous and troubled world, you need the vine to sustain all your spiritual nutrients, or else you will be spiritually malnourished. If you are spiritually malnourished, you won’t be able to withstand the enemy and all the chaos and calamity that he throws at you.

By and large, when you think that you are independent, think about the one who you have to depend on – Jesus.

Tags: Bible, calamity, chaos, Christ, deliverance, dependence, independence, Jesus, joy, life, peace, Satan, trouble, Word of God, world

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The storms of life won’t harm you if you have deep roots in God.

Filed under: Inspirational — 1 Comment

May 2, 2014

In Matthew 13:3-6, Jesus told this parable: “A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root.” One point Jesus makes in this parable is that people without deep roots in God will fall away from faith whenever persecution or trials come on account of the word (see Matthew 13:20-21).

Similarly, Jesus encourages his followers to build their house (i.e. their life) on “the rock” (see Matthew 7:24-27). Even though the wind and storms beat against that house, it did not crumble because it was founded on the rock. If you have deep roots in God, your life will be built on the Rock—Christ. As one hymn says, “On Christ alone I stand, all else is sinking sand.”

It is no surprise, then, that Paul encourages believers to be rooted and built up in Christ, strengthened in the faith (Colossians 2:6-7). If you are strengthened in faith, then you won’t crack under the pressure of difficult situations because you will be able to dig deeply into the word of God on which you are firmly grounded. Unfortunately, too many Christians have a cracked foundation.

Make it a priority to have deep roots in God so that you will not wither under the heat of life. Invest time into reading and memorizing God’s word, praying, and communing with God. Be rooted in God.

Contributed Christ Notes

Tags: Bible, Christ, Christianity, deliverance, faith, God, grace and mercy, Jesus, peace, persecution, prayer, trials and tribulations, Word of God

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Christianity Is A Hard Task

Filed under: Inspirational — 4 Comments

March 26, 2014

Q: I am a young man battling with my Christian faith. Growing up, I was the only one in my household who had a difficulty converting to Christianity as I did not want to conform to the morals and standards of the Christian journey because I found that life boring. However, I began attending church regularly in my late teens. I found myself getting closer to God, especially through my exciting Sunday school classes. The classes were engaging and fruitful. The teacher was the main reason the class was so real to me and uplifting. He portrayed Christ-like qualities, and knew how to express and share the joy he found in the Lord. He went the extra mile to guide me and helped with my decision to be baptized. I was now on the right path, ready to fulfill God’s purpose for me. I believe God placed him in my life. He was an excellent example to how to follow Christ.

I moved to a different parish because of my job, and while there, I found it difficult to find a church. I kept in touch with my old Sunday school teacher, especially when my Christian journey got rough. It is a rough journey. I am trying hard to keep the faith, but that changed one night.

While on vacation, I went out with my non-Christian friends. I had a few drinks too many, and we ended up at a strip club. I felt guilty the entire time I was there and wanted to leave. But when I decided that this place was not for me, I noticed a familiar face in a corner of the strip club. To my amazement, it was my old Sunday school teacher! I immediately walked over to him where I pushed away one of the women. I didn’t have the strength to utter any words. He quickly grabbed my hand and took me outside, trying to formulate some kind of explanation, but failed. He was the one person I could count on to make sure I was doing what was right in the Lord. Now, I am lost and confused and I do not know who I can trust or believe in. How do I find my way back to Christ?

A: The arm of flesh will fail you, so you dare not trust your own. Your Sunday school teacher is not perfect, just like you. He struggles with temptations similar to your struggles. In fact, it is part of human nature to struggle with temptation for the rest of one’s life. Failure to meet the standards of God does not mean one is not a Christian. It means one has fallen short of the Glory of God. Sometimes, we even rebel against God’s will. God is always willing to forgive our failures and sins. God wants erring human beings to be sorry for their wrong actions and pledge to do better.

PUT CONFIDENCE IN GOD

Your confidence should not be in any preacher or Sunday school, but in God. You will need the support of others in the Christian journey. You need to engage in spiritual exercises of meditation, reading of the Bible, prayer and alms-giving. This will make you stronger to continue the Christian walk.

Don’t condemn your Sunday school teacher because you saw him at the strip club. It is better to try to understand him and encourage him to walk the straight and narrow path.

All the best on your spiritual journey.

Courtesy of the Editor (Jamaica Gleaner)

Tags: baptized, Bible, Christ, Christianity, confidence, faith, God, Lord, mediation, strength, struggles, Sunday School, vacation

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Your Grace And Mercy Brought Me Through

Filed under: Inspirational — 2 Comments

February 9, 2014

Have you ever felt like you can’t make it through whatever situation you are facing in your life? You may feel distraught and broken, and your strength might have begun to deteriorate; however, this is the time when you will need some supernatural strength to help you make it through. You have to depend on God’s grace and mercy to help you along the way.

The Apostle Paul knew that even if he could not overcome all the obstacles and tribulations in his life, that God’s grace is sufficient to keep him. In his letter to the Corinthians, he told them, “And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.” (2 Corinthians 12:9-10)

Therefore, you have to take comfort in the fact that you too can take pleasure in your troubles, as if you depend on God’s grace, and not your own strength to take you through your tribulations, you will be strong, even at your weakest moment.

Tags: Apostle Paul, Christ, Christianity, Divine grace, God, Jesu, Religion and Spirituality, Second Epistle to the Corinthians

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You Can See God’s Love

Filed under: Inspirational — 1 Comment

February 8, 2014

As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love (John 15:9).

Tags: Beauty, Christ, Christian, creation, creator, God's love, Holy Bible, Holy Spirit, Jesus, joy, Lord, peace, Repentence

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Hymn Titles by Occupation

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November 24, 2013

Do you know your (specific) hymn(s)? When you go to Church this weekend be sure to smile as you go through your Hymnals!

Dentist’s Hymn………………………….Crown Him with Many Crowns

Weatherman’s Hymn…………………There Shall Be Showers of Blessings

Contractor’s Hymn……………………The Church Has One Foundation

The Tailor’s Hymn……………………..Holy, Holy, Holy

The Golfer’s Hymn…………………….There’s a Green Hill Far Away

The Politician’s Hymn………………..Standing on the Promises

Optometrist’s Hymn…………………..Open My Eyes That I Might See

The IRS Agent’s Hymn………………..I Surrender All

The Gossip’s Hymn…………………….Pass It On

The Electrician’s Hymn……………….Send The Light

The Shopper’s Hymn…………………..Sweet Bye and Bye

The Realtor’s Hymn……………………..I’ve Got a Mansion Just over the Hilltop

The Massage Therapists Hymn…….He Touched Me

The Doctor’s Hymn……………………….The Great Physician

AND for those who speed on the highway – a few hymns:

45mph……………….God Will Take Care of You

65mph……………….Nearer My God To Thee

85mph……………….This World Is Not My Home

95mph………………..Lord, I’m Coming Home

100mph………………Precious Memories

Tags: blessings, Christ, God, healer, Holy, hymn, Jesus, Lord, physician, Praise and Worship, prayer, salvation, singer

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Enjoy the Fruit of Your Labor

Filed under: Inspirational — 9 Comments

November 16, 2013

“You will eat the fruit of your labor: blessings and prosperity will be yours” (Psalms 128:2).

Now you have worked hard, developed ideas, plans, creativity and innovation, along with your faith in God to accomplish your long desired dreams. However, ever since God has begun to bless and prosper you, there might be people around you who have become envious, jealous and hateful of your blessings and prosperity. Regardless, you have all right to eat and enjoy the fruit of your labor.

While you were going through your trials and tribulations, only a few genuine people may have stood by your side when you needed them the most. Other than that, no one might have seen your blood, sweat and tears; but now they see the fruit of your labor and have become hateful. I will share a few lines of one of my favorite poems by Thomasine Robinson:

“You See My Glory, But You Don’t Know My Story
I’ve been through trials and tribulations seen and unseen
I’ve cried myself to sleep, but I held on to my dream
My dream to rise to the top, Knowing with God, I can’t be stopped.“

No one can prevent God from blessing you, unless you give them permission. With that being said, ignore the haters and enjoy the fruit of your labor!