God | Enough Tribulations Peace & Deliverance Ministries

Tag Archive: God

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

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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God’s Compassion Never Fails

Filed under: Inspirational — 2 Comments

March 19, 2014

When life’s troubles hit you like a tidal wave, you must remember that God’s Compassion never fails (Lamentations 3:22).

God can give you the hope you need….. feeling hopeless reminds you that you are helpless without God.

Tags: compassion, deliverance, energy, God, grace, helpless, hope, joy, life, mercy, peace, rebuild, troubles

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Are You Thankful For God’s Miracle?

Filed under: Inspirational — 4 Comments

March 14, 2014

“One of them came back to Jesus, shouting, ‘Glory to God, I’m healed!’ He fell flat on the ground in front of Jesus, face downward in the dust, thanking Him for what He had done. . . . Jesus asked, ‘Didn’t I heal ten men? Where are the nine?’” Luke 17:15–17

I have often thought of how exciting it will be when we get to heaven and our eyes will be opened to see all the miracles God did for us — most of which we were unaware of. However, we will also come to realize how many times we rationalized away many of the miracles— just like the nine lepers who were healed.

The cartoon character Charlie Brown gave several possibilities as to why the nine lepers never returned to Jesus to give thanks. Keep in mind that these are only possibilities, but they reveal a lot about human nature. One man waited to see if the cure was real. – One waited to see if it would last. – One said he would see Jesus later. – One decided that he had never really had leprosy. – One said he would have gotten well anyway. – One gave the glory to the priests. – One said, “Oh, well, Jesus didn’t really do anything.” – One said, “Any rabbi could have done it.” – One said, “I was already much improved.”

Think about it. Are we thanking God for all He has done and is doing for us? Or are we, like the lepers, rationalizing away God’s miracles? Father, would You please give us an attitude of gratitude — every day?

Thank You! Amen.

Tags: angels, Evangelism, glory, God, Healing, Heaven, Jesus, Lord, Miracle, possibilities, Praise, prayer, thankful

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Have You Been Fighting A Losing Battle?

Filed under: Inspirational — 6 Comments

March 7, 2014

When you have done what you can, God will do what you can’t.

Tags: comfort, courage, deliverance, faith, fight, God, joy, lose, peace, prayer, strength, success, winner

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May God Give You…

Filed under: Inspirational — 4 Comments

March 1, 2014

May God Give You . . .

For Every Storm, ‘A Rainbow,’

For Every Tear, ‘A Smile’,

For Every Care, ‘A Promise’,

And ‘A Blessing’ in Each Trial.

For Every Problem Life Sends,

A ‘Faithful Friend’ to Share,

For Every Sigh, A ‘Sweet Song’,

And An ‘Answer for Every Prayer’. Amen!

Grace to You and Peace from God Our Father and the LORD Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 1:2).

Tags: Amen, blessings, faithful, friend, God, grace, Jesus Christ, life, peace, prayer, problem, rainbow, song

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Are You Ready For God’s Blessings?

Filed under: Inspirational — 2 Comments

February 16, 2014

“And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted” (Matthew 23:12). This Scripture speaks for itself. To be abased means to humble or bring down to a lower status. To be exalted means to raise or elevate to a higher status.

If you humble yourself, then the Lord will elevate you, by blessing you. On the other hand, if you are too exalted, then you will be brought down or humbled to a lower status. God needs a humble heart to work with, as He does not appreciate a proud and boastful person.

If you’re abundantly blessed, God does not want you to boast about it and try to draw attention to yourself. He instead wants to get His glory by your sincere testimony about how He has brought you through the most devastating time of your life. I want to share this inspirational song with you:

A lot of folks want to feel important, highly regarded and praised, and so they want people to address them by their title, they show off their flashy cars, their big houses, and their money. However, the Scripture highlights that, “God resists the proud, but gives grace unto the humble” (James 4:6). If He blesses you, He wants you to be a blessing to others, instead of a boaster to others. Don’t get it twisted; He wants you to be happy, appreciative and thankful, yet humble.

I once heard of a young man who was very friendly. He used to walk pass his neighbors everyday and say hello to all of them. However, one day he got a brand new car, and since then, he didn’t even offer his neighbors a ride, or say hello again. One day while driving, he had an accident and lost his car. He was now back to his old method of transportation – his feet.

I am not sure how this young man felt after he was reverted to his old status. But one thing I have learned; it always pays to be humble, because in life, nothing is guaranteed. You can go right back to square one in a split second. In light of this, when you humble yourself before the Lord, and He sees your humbleness, He will begin to pour out His blessings upon your life.

God bless you all!

Tags: blessings, boastful, fame, God, God's glory, grace, happiness, Jesus, joy, money, peace, rich, status

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Falling In Love Again With God

Filed under: Inspirational — 2 Comments

February 13, 2014

What does it really mean to love the Lord with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength? Are you longing for the Lord to do a great thing in your life and in your heart?

As the world celebrates Valentine’s Day, it’s wonderful to show your love and appreciation to those around you, but it’s even greater to fall in love all over with God again.

In Psalms 63:1-4, David had that thirst for the Lord. He wanted that oneness with God, and to share his love with Him. He said, “O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirst for thee, my flesh long for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is; To see thy power and thy glory, so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary. Because thy loving kindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee.Thus will I bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy name.”

In order to see God’s power and glory, you must have that closeness with Him. I know you don’t share certain special things and secrets with people you are not close to, do you? It’s the same for God. When you pour out your love to Him, and thirst for Him; He will show you His power and glory. However, He said, “If you love me, keep my commandments (John 14:15).” So to love God, is not only to love Him with your lips, but to show Him, by seeking Him with all your heart, soul, mind and strength.

God bless you all!

Tags: Anointing, Break-Ups, glory, God, heart, Intimate, Lord, love, Mind and Body, peace, soul, strength, Valentine's Day

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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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What Type of Personality and Attitude Do You Have?

Filed under: Inspirational — 5 Comments

January 19, 2014

Reflecting on the above quote, I am drawn to the distinction between a person’s personality and their attitude. A person’s personality is who they are, and their attitude depends on who others are.

Now, what type of personality do you have? Do you have a pleasant personality, or do you have an unpleasant personality?

When people do not treat you the way you think they should, or say things that hurt your feelings, what type of attitude do you display?

I ask these questions, because a lot of people walk around with an unpleasant personality and display a grumpy attitude. A person’s personality and attitude can turn others away from them. They might not know it, but if they are always grumpy, unappreciative, mean, and demanding, they will not even entertain the Angels of God around them.

A great personality and attitude draws even the Spirit of God closer to you. The Scripture states, “For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace” (1 Corinthians 14:33).

While you are being confused and walking around with an unpleasant personality and a bad attitude, which turns the Spirit of God away from you, the devil is plotting to destroy you. Therefore, having a pleasant personality and displaying a great attitude will enable you to feel a sense of peace and the presence of God around you.

My prayer for you today: Lord, some people will always be who they are, so please help me to maintain a pleasant personality and a great attitude, despite who others are and how they might treat me. In Jesus’ name, Amen!