Do you ever question the time and effort you put into things and people? That's the devil knocking at your heart and conscience, saying 'it's not worth it'. Life, along with its joys and highlights, also contains difficulties. Frustrations occur, illnesses come, and our health fails with time. Our bodies feel the signs that life on earth is not perfect and that we are not meant to be in this body for eternity. Psalm 73:26 "My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." God encourages us to love, interact with and fellowship with our fellow man.
"In Psalm 73, the psalmist Asaph laments the unfairness he sees in the wicked prospering, seeming to have no struggles, and being free of care. Asaph’s heart failed within him as he couldn’t understand God’s ways. Many today also become frustrated at God for allowing good things to happen to bad people. But they must, like the psalmist, realize that their perspective is off. When Asaph “entered the sanctuary of God; then [he] understood their final destiny”. While some people appear to prosper without God, there are consequences for the wicked: eternal life in hell and earthly costs, too. Having an eternal perspective gives us hope even when “my heart may fail” in disappointment or frustration." [gotquestions.org]
"Our flesh will fail; each of us will have to face death. Yet the believer has hope for eternity. Christian hope is rooted in the salvation and eternal life available through Christ. This hope does not disappoint because nothing can take our salvation and hope away, regardless of life’s circumstances." [gotquestions.org]
John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."
Romans 5:5 "And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us."
As for myself, I can get easily discouraged by people. I can understand how non-believers see those who claim to be Christians as hypocrites. Many people's talk and walk don't match up. I support some in their talents, but yet I often get a snub in normal life. I'm so thankful that my hope is founded in Jesus and not in people or this life here on Earth. Wicked ways touch all of us, but we must choose to love anyway. The devil seeks to divide and destroy our relationships, but with the love, like Jesus' in our lives, we can overcome. My favorite verse of encouragement...
2 Corinthians 4:16-18 "So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For ithis light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal."
You have a very good short sermon here. Yes, the world is too worldly. Many put too much "worship" into sports, or other activities, yet never giving the Lord even a few minutes a day. Yet many of these same people will say they know the Lord and say they are Christians, but they do not have a relationship with the Lord. He is the only one that will never leave you or forsake you, doesn't lie to you or deceive you and always keeps His promises. He says to "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding". Many today are trusting only in self--they are missing so much now and eventually, unless their focus changes, will miss heaven. Another great blog and encouraging to those who trust in the Lord.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Mom
Martha Santiago Freeman
ReplyDeleteI can definitely relate, Angie. So many, many countless times I've felt relationships be very one-sided, as in I was the one pursuing or have felt cold-shouldered by others. You are so right though, I'm so glad that our worth is not determined by people's opinions of us - whether it's in our heads (which in my case, it usually is!) or they have just outright said so. Love you, friend. Thank you for bringing this up. It's got me thinking about how I may unintentionally be coming off to others.
Thank you so much for this. I’ve had a couple of family things I’ve had to work through this past week and this blog helped me to see my focus was off. I need to look at Jesus and lean on Him. Thank you friend for your help even though you didn’t know I needed it. ❤️
ReplyDeleteThis is so good, and from the comments, it obviously speaks to others. I'm sending this on over to my niece. She could really use the encouragement--and prayer-- right now.
ReplyDelete