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Thankfulness depends on what is in your heart, not what is in your hand.

July 31, 2015

Most people have no trouble finding things to complain about: traffic is slow, gas is too expensive, the weather is bad, prices are too high. Yet in every single situation, that same person also has a lot to be thankful for: he can drive, has a car, has a shelter to be protected from the weather, and has the money to purchase necessary items.

Your circumstances may not be all that great, but wherever you are it is God’s will that you give thanks in everything (1 Thessalonians 5:18). As a Christian, that is possible because no matter what your circumstances are, you can always thank God for deliverance through Christ (see 2 Corinthians 2:14; Romans 7:24-25).

Indeed, the Israelites knew that thanksgiving was so important that part of the official duty of the tribe of Levi was to thank God: They were also to stand every morning to thank and praise the Lord (1 Chronicles 23:30). They had heart of thankfulness and were instructed to be thankful regardless of what happened that day.

The psalmist wrote: Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name (Psalm 100:4). Notice that we can’t even enter God’s gates unless we’re thankful.

It certainly is possible to live giving thanks to God the Father for everything (Ephesians 5:20), because thankfulness depends on what is in your heart, not what is in your hand.

Contributed: Christ Notes

Tags: Christ, Christian, complain, deliverance, God, heart, Lord, money, possibilities, Praise, problems, thankful, Worship

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You need both blessings and difficulties, because one without the other is neither.

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May 16, 2015

People who live in affluence for all of life (such as many people in North America and Western Europe) can easily become so accustomed to wealth, blessings, and prosperity that they can easily forget what blessings they actually have. However, if those possessions are taken away, those people will certainly look at life with a new perspective, realizing how much they really had.

You don’t realize how much you have until you don’t have it anymore.

God knows the importance of balance; that is, the importance of having both blessings and difficulties. There are several scriptures that speak about this balance. For example in 1 Peter 4:13, we are told: Rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. Notice how we participate both in suffering and in joy.

Similarly, in 2 Corinthians 1:7, Paul wrote this to the church in Corinth: And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort. They experienced both suffering and comfort.

Don’t become too comfortable with what you have, because when you forget that the things you have are a blessing from God and when you start to assume that they are guaranteed possessions, it is quite possible that God will take them away from you in order to teach you that you need both blessings and difficulties, because one without the other is neither.

Contributed: Christ Notes

Tags: blessings, difficulties, God, grateful, money, peace, Poor, possession, prayer, thankful, trials, tribulations, Wealth

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Are you so hungry to own more money that your money owns you?

Filed under: Inspirational — 2 Comments

September 7, 2014

In Matthew 13:44-46, Jesus says, “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.”

Jesus tells about two men, both of whom sold everything for the kingdom of heaven. To those men, God’s eternal kingdom was so valuable that they were willing to give up everything they had in order to invest in it.

That’s exactly the same attitude God wants us to have toward wealth. Money is an excellent servant but a terrible master. Unfortunately, many people in society are mastered by their money, unable to control their greed.

Yet God is more important than all these things in the world. He requires that we be willing to sell all for Him.

Mark 10:17-22 tells the story of a rich man’s encounter with Jesus: As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. “Good teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”

“Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good — except God alone. You know the commandments: ‘Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, do not defraud, honor your father and mother.'”

“Teacher,” he declared, “all these I have kept since I was a boy.” Jesus looked at him and loved him. “One thing you lack,” he said. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” At this the man’s face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth.

He owned great wealth, but really his wealth owned him. Remember that where your treasure is, there your heart will be also (Matthew 6:21).

This man’s heart was so attached to his money that his money owned him. His attitude is very different from that of the two men, who sold everything for the kingdom of heaven.

If, like this man, you become so hungry to own more money, be aware that really your money will own you.

Contributed Christ Notes

Tags: Christ, commandments, greed, Heaven, hell, inherit, Jesus, Kingdom of God, love, money, rich, success, treasure, Wealth

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It’s Only A Test!

Filed under: Inspirational — 2 Comments

July 26, 2014

Are you going through the roughest time in your life right now? If so, how are you coping? Are you about to give up? Are you thinking that God has forgotten your struggles? Are you thinking that you will never overcome these tribulations? Have you been spiritually attacked? Are you being deceived by the enemy? Have you lost something or someone precious? Are you dealing with a sickness that has no cure by the doctors? Are you waiting on God to connect you with your partner in marriage? Have you been trying to get pregnant, but has been unfruitful in your effort? Have you been financially depressed? Have you been attacked by the ones who you think should have your back?

God told me to tell you that it’s only a test! How can you be promoted from one grade to the next, without having to undergo any test? Take for example, in the natural world, where you have been in grade 6, and should move to grade 7. Would you just get to grade 7 without enduring a test? NO!

God is getting ready to promote you in your finances, your ministry, your career, your educational status, your singleness, your barrenness, your loveless life, your health, and all that’s on your wish list. But you have to pass your test. It’s only when you have completed this test, you will be rewarded. Bear in mind, that if you fail the test, you will have to retake it. You have got to press! If you do not press, you won’t see the glory of the Lord! The race is not to the swift, but to those who will endure to the end (Ecclesiastes 9:11).

The woman with the issue of blood pressed in to receive her healing. She had faith to continue to endure throughout all that she had been through. Without faith, it’s impossible to please God, and if you can’t please Him, He can’t reward you (Hebrews 11:6).

When God restores, He gives you the biggest, the best, and the greatest! So come on, it’s not time to throw in the towel. Wherever you are right now, it’s time to muster every ounce of strength in your body, so that you can make it to the finish line. It just take a little more of your effort, even though you think all your strength has been exhausted. His grace is sufficient, as His strength is made perfect in weakness ( 2 Corinthians 12:9).

When you think enough is just enough, you have one more test to overcome, in order for God to advance you to the next level. If you are getting overly exhausted, and you believe it’s just too difficult to get past this level, I would personally love to pray for you. Please email me at info@enoughtribulations.com, so I can personally minister and pray for you.

Grace and peace to you.

Minister Gertrude Ferguson

Tags: Bible, blessings, Christianity, deliverance, depression, encouragement, Evangelism, faith, glory, God, happiness, Healing, Miracle, money, victory

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Whose Kingdom Are You Advancing?

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July 5, 2014

“Only one life, ’twill soon be past. Only what’s done for Christ will last” (C.T. Studd).

The above quote depicts the important mission one has in fulfilling their God-given purpose(s), while yet alive on this earth.

God has created you with a purpose in mind, and that purpose should be fulfilled, in order to bring Him glory and advance His Kingdom. Nonetheless, there are people today who are busy trying to obtain fame and fortune, while putting God’s agenda on the back burner.

Although this maybe so, when all is said and done, if your fame and fortune cannot make a difference in the lives of others, in order to bring them to Christ, then it’s a wasted effort. This is so, because you are only advancing your Kingdom, instead of God’s Kingdom, in order to bring attention to yourself, have people praise and hold you in high regard, and receiving all the privileges associated with fame and fortune.

Don’t get this all twisted, God wants you to be successful, however, He wants you to put His agenda first, by seeking Him first and advancing His Kingdom. In so doing, He will reward you, by giving you the desires of your heart (Matthew 6:33). When you advance God’s Kingdom instead of yours, this will bring about a lasting effect. Most importantly, you will bring people to Christ and build up His Kingdom. Furthermore, long after you are gone, people will be inspired by how you have lived your life and the differences you have made in the lives of others.

God and His business should be first priority in your life. In so doing, whatever you do, you will do it unto the glory of God. By and large, He will be pleased with your effort in putting Him first, and you will begin to see how well things start to progress in your life and your affairs.

Tags: Christ, Evangelism, fame and fortune, God, God's Kingdom, mission, money, opportunity, privilege, purpose, Souls for Christ, status, success

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Love Unexpressed Is Not Love At All

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June 25, 2014

In John 13:34-35, Jesus instructed us—His followers—to love others: “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” As Christians, learning to walk in love should be a very high priority.

Unfortunately, we often love others only superficially—that is, we talk love, but don’t live love. James 2:15-16 addresses this problem: “Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, ‘Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,’ but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?”

If you say that you love someone, but don’t express it by what you do, then that “love” is worthless. Indeed, it isn’t even real love.

Likewise, 1 John 3:17-18 asks, “If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.” Here again, we are instructed to love with actions—not just with our mouth.

Follow the instructions of Jesus: love one another. However, remember that real love must be accompanied by actions, because love unexpressed is not love at all.

Contributed – Christ Notes

Tags: assistance, blessings, Christians, compassion, financial help, generous, God, goods, help, Jesus, kind, love, money

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Nothing steals your joy like thinking, “I will enjoy my life when …”

Filed under: Inspirational — 6 Comments

June 13, 2014

It’s very tempting to think that happiness will come to me once I get something: “I would be happy if I just had a bigger house, another car, a better job, more money, a different wife, a nicer family, a new TV….” But such thoughts are very deceptive.

In truth, all those things we want actually make us miserable; we fight and quarrel about what we want, and then we’re upset when we don’t get it (see James 4:1-4). Don’t get caught up in things that you want or need. Instead, you should not worry about getting what you need; rest assured your heavenly Father will take care of what you need (see Matthew 6:30-32).

It’s foolish to make your enjoyment of life hinge upon anything. There will always be one more thing for you to acquire before you can “enjoy life.” The more you have, the more you have to worry about, which makes life that much harder to enjoy.

Instead of expecting possessions or circumstances to give you joy, seek the only source of everlasting joy—Jesus. Jesus says he came to Earth “so that [you] may have the full measure of my joy within [you]” (John 17:13). Similarly, Jesus said, “I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete” (John 15:11).

Jesus offers to make our joy complete and to give us the full measure of his joy. Since Jesus is wholly God, His joy is complete and whole joy. That Jesus offers us such joy is astonishing.

Therefore, find your joy in God for in his presence is fullness of joy (see Psalm 16:11). Don’t let your joy depend on getting all the things you want because there will always be more things that you don’t have, and therefore there will always be more things that will prevent you from enjoying life. Let Jesus be your joy, rather than waiting to enjoy life “when….”

Contributed
Christ Notes

Tags: Christianity, God, happiness, Heaven, Jesus, joy, love, marriage, money, opportunity, peace, vacation, Wealth

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Are You Ready For God’s Blessings?

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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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I’m Homeless and Hungry; Please Help Me!

Filed under: Inspirational — 15 Comments

January 4, 2014

What if you see a sign which reads, “I’m Homeless and Hungry; Please Help Me!” What would you do?

This week a story caught my attention of a man who posed as a homeless and hungry person, in order to give away money to people who stopped to help him. See video below:

As I reflected on this week’s story, I am reminded of 1 Corinthians 13:2, “And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.”

See the break-down of the criteria from the Scripture below:

Gift of prophecy
Understand all mysteries
Knowledge
Faith
Charity

Needless to say, I am blown away by the last criterion on the list. If one has such a wonderful gift of prophecy, in order to foresee and foretell things that will happen in the future, and can also interpret and relay the mysteries of God, which some people are oblivious of, and knowledge, which spans beyond comprehension, as well as faith so strong that it moves mountains, but have not charity, you have nothing. Charity means the voluntary giving of help, typically in the form of money, to those in need.

I am almost sure that this man who pretended to be homeless and hungry must have met so many rejections on the street, as opposed to the few who stopped to help. However, Paul instructed us to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how He said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35).

As we approach the holiday seasons, there are many people who are less fortunate and maybe in dire needs. Seek your abundant blessings through giving, by helping someone.

Pay it forward!

God bless you all!

Tags: blessings, Charity, Christmas, faith, Financial Blessings, God, help, Homeless and Hungry, Jesus, money, Needy, Poor, Prophecy, Thanksgiving

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Does Fame and Fortune Brings You Happiness?

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June 23, 2013

They say a picture is worth a thousand words. I decided to share this picture with you, to illustrate that in life, it’s not the amount of money you have, the position you occupy, or the fact that you have it all, that brings you true happiness and peace.

You can have all these things, and still be miserable. You do not have to be rich and famous to be happy. It’s the little things that count, such as the thought of having the persons you love and care about by your side, which can definitely give you that motivation to go on.

Having it all, does not prove true happiness and peace in itself. Happiness simply means, being thankful to the Lord for all you have!

“I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through Him who gives me strength.” (Philippians 4:11-13) NIV