Character

True test of character 

 What happens when someone says something to try and discredit you? What happens when people spread rumors and lies about you? Also what if these lies, if believed, have serious consequences, like loosing your job or a relationship? What is your reaction to that?



I can say when that has happened to me, I've wanted to rush to my own defense!
Although that seems like a justified and logical thing to do, that action can bury you in a deeper mess.

As a Christian I believe all the answers on how to deal with difficult situations are in the Bible. In this case I have always looked at King David. In David’s youth, King Saul grew extremely jealous of David. King Saul let that jealousy and bitterness grow in his heart to the point where he tried pinning David to a wall with his spear!! Now the logical thing to do would be to pick up the spear and throw it back. So that’s what made David’s reaction to the whole situation very curious. Instead of taking the “logical” course of action he did just the opposite, he refused to touch King Saul. Even though he would have been justified in defending himself, David chose to let God to handle the situation. He chose to trust in God no matter how bad the situation got and he didn't try splitting the kingdom when he left.

You may think “We have to be bold when facing situations, we can’t just run from our problems!” I don’t suggest you run from your problems, I suggest you trust God. Because anyone can stand up to someone if given the proper motivation, but it takes true boldness to trust God to work on your behalf.

Ask God how to handle the situation, He will always answer and give you a plan of action. Never act out of fear or pride, that is a fools course of action. King David was delivered from Saul and given the kingdom in his youth. Then in David’s old age Absalom threatened to take that kingdom from him. David determined not to throw a single spear, he could have easily quelled that rebellion, but he did not. Once more he left it in God’s hands, and once more God delivered him. David didn't let pride or fear handle the situation, but rather he humbled himself and fully relied on God, even though it was an extremely hard thing to do.

So humble yourself and trust in the Lord. You will not be disappointed or put to shame.

                           

As a young adult pastor....

For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. (Romans 8:19 KJV)

God has been revealing more and more to me as my relationship with Him grows and prospers. This is not unusual seeing as we should be moving from faith to faith

. As a young adult pastor it’s important that I move from faith to faith and glory to glory. I need to prosper in my releationship with God so I have something to give out to others. The lost and dying depend on us to take our relationship with God seriously and to make His name known to them.

Each and everyone of us are called out and set aside to do something for the kingdom of God. You have a purpose, no matter who you are, God wants to use you! I used to ask myself “Is what I’m doing really helping anyone?” “Am I really accomplishing anything for the kingdom?” I can say with assurance now YES! No matter what lies satan tries telling me I can always be assured I’m manifesting God in what I do.

How can I be sure of this? Simple, being successful in kingdom work is not based on what you do. It’s based on your willingness to listen and obey the Holy Spirit. it’s not based on works it’s based on obedience. So no matter what God has called you to don’t lightly esteem it, or think its not important! Don’t compare it to what other people are doing. But instead measure your success on if you are listening and being obedient.

Focus

Focus 

 Recently, I did not get a job that I really wanted.
 I thought that I had a really good shot. The interview went well. I know people in the office, all of whom endorsed me, and I am more than qualified for the position. Put all of that together with God’s favor and I thought I had the job.

 While I was waiting to find out whether or not I got the job, I kept telling God that regardless of the outcome, I would praise and glorify Him.

 Well, now my own words are being tested.

 I have had to remind myself over and over again that God is my supply and through Him all things are possible. I know these things to be true, but to recognize them repeatedly reminds me that a job is a natural, material thing is irrelevant when it comes to the things of God.

 Over the weekend I watched the movie Facing the Giants.

 In that movie God does some pretty miraculous things through a high school football coach. The coach was able to tab into God’s favor by making two decisions.

 The first decision he made was to give God his best effort regardless of what he was doing. He was no longer working to keep his job. He was not working so that he could pay the bills. He was working, and more importantly living to glorify God. Everything he did was to praise God. 

The second decision he made was to not allow natural results to effect how he praised God. He told his players that they would praise God when they won and praise God when they lost. This attitude spread to the teenagers that he was coaching. They began to see their efforts in life as more meaningful because they were serving a hire purpose, and as a result they started to see God’s blessing in their lives.

In the movie, God tested the coach’s resolve. Not everything would go the way the coach wanted them to, but the blessing came when he stuck to his guns, put his emotions under, and continued to give God his best.
He was tempted along the way by Satan, but he, like Jesus, was determined to do his Father’s work.

 What I take aware from this is that the job I wanted is not as important as giving God the glory and continuing to do my best at my current job. Regardless of where I am working, I am ultimately working for God. I will continue to praise God for the fact that I have a full-time job and he continues to provide resources to provide for my family. I recognize that absolutely nothing is impossible to God, and he is able to do anything regardless of the natural circumstances.

 Isaiah 26:3 says “Thou wilt keep [him] in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.”

 This passage tells us that if we keep our focus on God, He will keep us in perfect peace. I believe this is telling us that if God and His kingdom remains our first priority, He will guard us from anything that would hinder our peace by providing our needs to the point that natural circumstances are inconsequential.

Mathew 6:31 tells us that we are not to worry about necessities because He has already provided them for us. If we start looking to the natural for these things, we may get them, but then we will start giving the natural credit for them. God wants us to rely on Him. By relying on Him, we eliminate any chance of failure and disappointment, and we able to continually glorify Him.

Christian Carlisle

What Do People See When They Look At You?

Genesis 39:3 And his master saw that the LORD was with him, and that the LORD made all that he did to prosper in his hand. Potiphar could actually see the Lord was with Joseph. Joseph was just a slave but the Lord was with him. Joseph exhibited the outward manisfestion of God's blessing because the Bible says "LORD made all that he did to prosper in his hand". The Bible goes on to say - Genesis 39:4-6 And Joseph found grace in his sight, and he served him: and he made him overseer over his house, and all that he had he put into his hand. And it came to pass from the time that he had made him overseer in his house, and over all that he had, that the LORD blessed the Egyptian's house for Joseph's sake; and the blessing of the LORD was upon all that he had in the house, and in the field. And he left all that he had in Joseph's hand; and he knew not ought he had, save the bread which he did eat. And Joseph was a goodly person, and well favoured. Do people see the Lord in us? Do we exhibit the traits of Joseph? Remember he was just a slave but Potiphar saw something special in Joseph. People today, like Potiphar, are looking for Christians that are true and who actually manifest the blessing of God. They are more than willing to put us in charge. Joseph's main focus was God and this evidently led to him becoming 2nd in charge. Let's be like Joseph and show the world the God we serve!

Written By: Mike Mosier