When we develop friendships, we intend for them to last. But since two fallen human beings are involved, occasional hurt feelings and unmet expectations are likely. If one or both people simply ignore the offense, the relationship can be damaged.

Repairing a troubled friendship requires humility to admit our faults, effort to fix the problem, and time. But the reward is a renewed connection with a valued companion. The process of saving a friendship begins when you acknowledge that damage exists. This takes place the moment you say, "I feel something isn't right in our relationship. I'd like for us to find and fix the problem."

It's helpful to work together to assess how the trouble began. Perhaps it resulted from a misunderstanding, an unresolved conflict, or one person's busyness. After recognizing the problem, apologize for your part in it. Taking responsibility and saying "I'm sorry" shows your love and commitment to the friendship. Remember that an essential aspect of apologizing is refusing to justify wrong actions or blame others.

An apology must be followed up with amends. Ask your friend what specific action you both can take to rebuild the relationship. Then commit to follow his or her suggestion while occasionally asking, "How am I doing?"

Rather than waiting until their relationship is in trouble, wise friends will go through these steps as soon as they're aware of having hurt a loved one. Preventative care can soothe minor scrapes before they become serious wounds.

Posted by Prophecies Of Revelation at 2:56 PM CDT

Share This Post

Permalink

"Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled" (Matthew 5:6, KJV)

Do you hunger and thirst after righteousness, for the fullness and power of the Holy Spirit in your life? If so, you can claim that fullness and power right now by faith.

"The great difference between present - day Christianity and that of which we read in these letters (New Testament epistles)," declared J.B. Phillips in his introduction to the Letters to Young churches, "is that to us it is primarily a performance; to them it was a real experience. We are apt to reduce the Christian religion to a code, or, at best, a rule of heart and life. To these men it is quite plainly the invasion of their lives by a new quality of life altogether. They do not hesitate to describe this as Christ living in them."

The disciples were used of God to change the course of history. As Christian homemakers, students, businessmen and professionals, we have that same potential and privilege today.

The amazing fact that Jesus Christ lives in us and expresses His love through us is one of the most important truths in the Word of God. The standards of the Christian life are so high and so impossible to achieve, according to the Word of God, that only one person has been able to succeed. That person is Jesus Christ.

When we receive Christ into our lives, we experience a new birth and are also indwelt by the Holy Spirit. From that point on, everything we need - including wisdom, love, power - to be men and women of God and fruitful witnesses for Christ is available to us simply by faith, by claiming this power in accordance with God's promise.

"Dear Lord, create within me a hunger and thirst after righteousness that is greater than my hunger and thirst for meat and drink for my physical body. By faith I claim the supernatural power of the Holy Spirit to enable me to live a victorious, fruitful life to the glory of God and to share this good news of the Spirit - filled life with everyone who will listen."

Posted by Prophecies Of Revelation at 12:07 PM CDT

Share This Post

Permalink

Every person will face God on judgment day. Whenever that topic comes up, I am usually asked something like, "What about remote African tribes that will never hear about Jesus?" The concerned questioner is really wondering, How could a loving Lord send an ignorant person to hell? In other words, How can it be fair to condemn those who have never heard the gospel?

To understand how God judges, we should recognize two truths about Him. First, He's not limited. While whole groups still have no Scripture in their language, God always reaches individuals whose hearts are open to knowing Him. Men like Abraham and Moses had no spiritual training or Scriptures, and the Lord spoke to them.

Second, God reveals Himself to all people, whether or not they have access to the Bible. He demonstrates His power and attributes through creation. He also programs our conscience to understand the basic distinctions between right and wrong.

For those blessed to hear the gospel at some point, Jesus Christ is the greatest revelation of God in their life. When people stand before the Father, He'll judge them on three criteria from the amount of truth that each has been exposed, to how many opportunities there were to accept the truth and share it with others; and what was done with those opportunities. The believer's responsibility is to reach as many as possible with the gospel so that no one need ask, "What about those who've never heard of Jesus?"

Posted by Prophecies Of Revelation at 9:17 AM CDT

Share This Post

Permalink

In many countries, the gospel can't be shared freely. Repressive governments and religions stop Christians from telling others about Jesus. However, God is mightier than oppression. Where human messengers can't carry the good news, the Lord is revealing Himself to those whose hearts are open.

First Timothy chapter two says God wants everyone to come to a saving knowledge of Him. Romans chapter 1 shows He is holy and just, but He can't overlook man's sinful condition, which renders all guilty and without excuse. He will not admit people into heaven unless they've acknowledged their need for a Savior.

But, our Father is also fair and merciful. He makes His presence known to every person so each one may choose to recognize His sovereignty. The Lord does this by revealing Himself to all mankind in two ways: through conscience and creation.

First, He has imbedded His basic moral guidelines in the human conscience. In other words, at some point in life, every sane person has an innate sense that certain actions are right and others are wrong.

Second, the Creator displays His power and divine nature through what He has made. The complexity, variety, order, and beauty of the world all point to an intelligent Designer. We can't pinpoint every method the Lord uses to reveal Himself. Yet we can be sure nothing will stop Him from reaching out to people who follow conscience and creation to the logical conclusion... the existence of a loving, sovereign God.

Posted by Prophecies Of Revelation at 1:54 PM CDT

Share This Post

Permalink

"For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority." (Colossians 2:9, 10)

All the attributes of Christ, as God and man, are at our disposal. All the fullness of the Godhead, whatever that marvelous term may comprehend, is ours to make us complete. He cannot endow us with the attributes of Deity; but He has done all that can be done, for He has made even His divine power and Godhead subservient to our salvation. His omnipotence, omniscience, omnipresence, immutability and infallibility, are all combined for our defense.

Arise, believer, and behold the Lord Jesus yoking the whole of His divine Godhead to the chariot of salvation! How vast His grace, how firm His faithfulness, how unswerving His immutability, how infinite His power, how limitless His knowledge! All these are by the Lord Jesus made the pillars of the temple of salvation; and all, without diminution of their infinity, are covenanted to us as our perpetual inheritance. The fathomless love of the Saviour's heart is every drop of it ours; every sinew in the arm of might, every jewel in the crown of majesty, the immensity of divine knowledge, and the sternness of divine justice, all are ours, and shall be employed for us. The whole of Christ, in His adorable character as the Son of God, is by Himself made over to us most richly to enjoy.

His wisdom is our direction, His knowledge our instruction, His power our protection, His justice our surety, His love our comfort, His mercy our solace, and His immutability our trust. He makes no reserve, but opens the recesses of the Mount of God and bids us dig in its mines for the hidden treasures. "All, all, all are yours," saith He, "be ye satisfied with favor and full of the goodness of the Lord." Oh! how sweet thus to behold Jesus, and to call upon Him with the certain confidence that in seeking the interposition of His love or power, we are but asking for that which He has already faithfully promised.

Which of God's glorious attributes will you hold fast to today?

Charles Spurgeon

Posted by Prophecies Of Revelation at 12:19 PM CDT

Share This Post

Permalink

The moment a person receives Christ as Savior, he or she enters a battle. The Enemy is determined to destroy believers' testimonies. But God has supplied a mighty weapon to those who serve Him... His Son's strength flowing through their life.

Christ's power is supreme. Satan, with all his demonic force, can't throw anything our way to match Jesus' supernatural strength. Even so, temptations and trials expose weaknesses when most would prefer to appear strong. That is one reason human nature rebels against hardship and tries to avoid it.

God wants Christian soldiers to be armed with the Savior's might so they can confront life's difficulties. 2 Corinthians 12 says he promises us strength only when we set down pride and accept that we are too weak for battle. And Jesus' power is available to every believer right now. It's a gift from the Commander so that His followers can endure conflicts victoriously.

The world encourages keeping up the appearance of handling one's own problems. So, Christian soldiers' marching orders probably seem quite strange to onlookers. But, arrogance does not bring blessing; rather, it causes confusion, distance from the Lord, and ultimately failure. If we want to be victorious, then we must not follow the worldly strategy of facing the Enemy alone.

Until our life is over or Jesus Christ returns, we are locked in a battle with Satan. But God has given us a powerful weapon. When we are totally dependent upon the Lord for His strength, we are filled with supernatural energy and endurance.

Posted by Prophecies Of Revelation at 10:32 AM CDT

Share This Post

Permalink

As we mature spiritually, we become more solidly rooted in the confidence that God is faithful. But sometimes doubt will creep in and wither our trust. In order not to lose ground, we must act decisively to reduce misgivings. Here are three steps we should take:

First, recall God's past faithfulness, and remember His promises. When we devote time to thanking Him for His intervention in prior situations, we are reminded of His love and provision. Meditating on promises from Scripture also reassures us that He will continue to meet every need. For example, Psalm 41:12 says the Father is always present with His children, And John chapter 16 says His Holy Spirit was given to us for strength and direction.

Next, water your growing faith with God's Word. When you ask for scriptural guidance, the Lord will direct you to passages that relate to your situation and offer needed emotional and spiritual assurance. Spend time meditating on those verses, prayerfully considering how to apply the message to your circumstances.

And lastly, choose to believe God and His promises. He has proven Himself faithful from the first moment of creation to the present. We are wise to place our confidence in Him.

Developing a sturdy, well-rooted faith requires we cooperate with the Lord. Our human nature complicates matters by making us vulnerable to doubt. But when we choose to trust God, uncertainty cannot shrink our faith.

Posted by Prophecies Of Revelation at 2:46 AM CDT

Share This Post

Permalink

Paul's approach to his problem, found in 2 Corinthians 1, still works today: "We would not trust in ourselves, but in God who raises the dead... and will deliver us". The strength that we need during trials is available through Jesus Christ, whose supernatural energy flows through every believer's mind, body, and spirit.

How does this happen? John 14:17 says when someone receives Jesus as Savior, His Spirit comes to live inside the new believer. As a result of this "indwelling," the power that Christ demonstrated while on earth prevails in those who now call upon Him for aid. However, for us to access His supernatural strength, we must trust His promise to supply what we need when we need it. As long as we attempt to muddle through using our own abilities, we will prevent His Spirit from unleashing divine help.

Jesus Christ's power is unleashed in our life when we acknowledge our helplessness. The effect is immediate. As soon as we surrender to the Lord, His might is working inside us so we can endure hardship while maintaining our joy and peace.

Posted by Prophecies Of Revelation at 11:02 AM CDT

Share This Post

Permalink

The Bible warns against "wavering faith." This is the attitude of someone who goes from feeling certain that God will answer a prayer to merely hoping that He might or becoming convinced He won't. Of course, since we're human, we all experience periods of doubt. But what Scripture warns against is a lifestyle of spiritual disbelief.

Wavering can have many causes. For instance, one might fail to see God at work in a situation. Or he might worry that trusting Jesus in that predicament conflicts with human reasoning. Another believer, focusing on circumstances rather than the Lord, may allow feelings to overcome faith.

A person, who is "driven and tossed by the wind", may lose confidence in God and find his spiritual growth stunted. He can become a "double-minded man" because even as he prays, he tends to jump ahead of the Lord's timing to manipulate a situation for his own desired outcome. When a Christian pays attention to his doubts in this way, he'll often make costly, wrong decisions. After all the maneuvering, he will frequently end up dissatisfied with the results and bothered by his lack of peace. Even worse, his faith may diminish.

Wavering is dangerous, so believers must develop confidence in the Lord. In Mark 11:24, Jesus says, "All things for which you pray and ask, believe that you have received them, and they will be granted you." The closest we get to perfect faith while on earth is the ability to trust that what we ask in God's will is as good as done.

Charles Stanley

Posted by Prophecies Of Revelation at 9:14 AM CDT

Share This Post

Permalink

Then Jesus said, "Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke fits perfectly, and the burden I give you is light." (Matthew 11:28-30, NLT)

Jesus might have asked: "Aren't you tired and burned-out on all that religious stuff? Look, come walk with me, and I'll help you recover your life -- your real purpose -- and even though it will require some hard, very hard work, you'll be energized by it because you'll be living life to its fullest. You'll be doing exactly what my Father created you to do, and more importantly, you'll be exactly who I want you to be."

In taking on the Jesus-yoke, he is asking us to join the school of Christ. In ancient times, when a student studied under a specific teacher, it would be said that the student took on the teacher's yoke; the student was yoked to the master.

Within that context, consider these words from Jesus: "Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke fits perfectly, and the burden I give you is light." (Matthew 11:29-30, NLT)

Jesus says, by walking with him, we'll learn how to walk with God. We don't learn from afar; we learn from a caring and committed teacher-student relationship -- caring and committed on both sides.

The Christian walk is not a lesson in how to run off doing things for Jesus while we ignore him. Our Christ-walk is a journey with Jesus, where he is very personal and specific about our growth and spiritual maturity.

What does this mean?

  Are you tired? -- Jesus will teach you how to find rest in God, not a rest absent of stress, but the rest that results from believing in God's faithfulness. Ask God to show you what blocks you from believing fully in his faithfulness, and then ask him to break those blockages down.

  Are you confused? -- Join Jesus at his school of Christ, and watch him, listen to him, ask him to renew your purpose.

  Ask to be teachable -- Tell Jesus you want to be yoked to him, and that you want to learn from him. Ask him to keep your heart teachable.

The word "religion" originally meant re-connection with God. How does Jesus provide the ultimate reconnection with God?

Posted by Prophecies Of Revelation at 7:56 AM CDT

Share This Post

Permalink

"We must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God." (Acts 14:22)

God's people have their trials. It was never designed by God, when He chose His people, that they should be an untried people. They were chosen in the furnace of affliction; they were never chosen to worldly peace and earthly joy. Freedom from sickness and the pains of mortality was never promised them; but when their Lord drew up the charter of privileges, He included chastisements amongst the things to which they should inevitably be heirs. Trials are a part of our lot; they were predestinated for us in Christ's last legacy.

So surely as the stars are fashioned by his hands, and their orbits fixed by Him, so surely are our trials allotted to us: He has ordained their season and their place, their intensity and the effect they shall have upon us. Good men must never expect to escape troubles; if they do, they will be disappointed, for none of their predecessors have been without them. Mark the patience of Job; remember Abraham, for he had his trials, and by his faith under them, he became the "Father of the faithful." Note well the biographies of all the patriarchs, prophets, apostles, and martyrs, and you shall discover none of those whom God made vessels of mercy, who were not made to pass through the fire of affliction.

It is ordained of old that the cross of trouble should be engraved on every vessel of mercy, as the royal mark whereby the King's vessels of honour are distinguished. But although tribulation is thus the path of God's children, they have the comfort of knowing that their Master has traversed it before them; they have His presence and sympathy to cheer them, His grace to support them, and His example to teach them how to endure; and when they reach "the kingdom," it will more than make amends for the "much tribulation" through which they passed to enter it.

Even when we don't know why we are facing trials, how should we respond to them, in the way God wants us to?

Charles Spurgeon

Posted by Prophecies Of Revelation at 10:35 AM CDT

Share This Post

Permalink