The disturbances and confusion of the world is not a call to a monastic life, but rather a call to a higher thought life. Our victory is not found in fleeing the pressures of a secular world, but in keeping our thoughts in line with God’s thoughts in the midst of Satan’s bombardment.
Scripture says we are to “love others as we love ourselves” (Mark 12:33 author’s paraphrase). Maybe the reason some people treat others so harshly is because that’s how they feel about themselves. They don’t see themselves as good enough or worthy enough, so to them no one else is either. When we comprehend the gospel we see that God loves us! He loved us so much that He gave His own Son to die for us!
What will the future hold for us as we stand once again on the threshold of a new year? I can predict with confidence that we are more than conquerors in every situation as Romans 8:37 declares! Why expect the worst when all things are possible to those who believe, as Jesus has spoken? Why believe it will be a time of isolation, when Jesus said I will never leave you nor forsake you?
God is NOT waiting for you to make a mistake so He can put a sickness or some calamity on you. It’s the devil who walks about like a roaring lion, looking for someone he can devour (1 Peter 5:8)! He’s the one trying to pervert the Word of God with evil schemes and tricks — he’s trying to convince you that what Jesus has already done for you is not really for you!
The highest method of learning, and the least expensive, is to learn from others. The lowest method is personal experience. It will always cost you time and opportunity. One industrialist said, “It’s a shame that people learn from their own mistakes rather than from others. By the time they learn the lessons to be productive, it’s time to retire.”
As human beings we possess something very different than the rest of creation. We possess the ability to forgive. No matter what the world says, you do NOT have to remain a prisoner of hatred, fear and anger.
If you can control your thoughts, you can overcome in life. No person, spirit, or circumstance has the right or ability to control your thoughts. You are the master of your inner man! You are the captain of your soul. Learn to nurture and protect it by deciding what thoughts you will think (2 Corinthians 10:5).
If you will train yourself to develop the habit of looking for beauty in the midst of chaos, difficulty and discouragement, you can rise up out of stagnation and hopelessness and find renewed courage and hope!
When the twelve spies came back from the Promised Land, ten of them couldn’t conceive of themselves winning in a battle with giants. Why? Because they saw themselves as grasshoppers. God was for them, but they were against themselves. See yourself achieving the impossible!
What is the position we take when we have unanswered prayers? We stand firm and never quit! Elijah prayed 7 times for it to rain. He didn’t quit at the 6th time and start teaching his disciples why God doesn’t always answer. No! He persisted and received rain the 7th time! 1 Kings 18:42-44
