For these next few sessions we will be exposed to an intimate HEALTHY RELATIONSHIP with Jesus and His Father. We will learn about HIS LOVE, JOY AND PEACE - and will make a CHOICE to "find rest in our souls", and we spend time in PRAYER - seeking the HOLY SPIRIT'S "intercession".
"In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know how we ought PRAY, but the SPIRIT HIMSELF INTERCEDES FOR US without wordless groans." Romans 8:26 (NIV)
"But the HOLY SPIRIT produces this kind of FRUIT in our lives: LOVE, JOY, PEACE, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control. There is no law against these things." Galatians 5:22&23 (NLT)
9. CHOOSE LOVE
Read Matthew 22:36-3640, John 15:9-17
"Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all you soul and with all your mind." This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: "LOVE YOUR NEIGHOUR AS YOURSELF." All the Law and the prophets hang on these two commandments." Matthew 22:36-40 (NLT)
"God's top priority can be summed up in one word: LOVE! When we don't love ourselves, we don't love others. Worshipping God, serving God, loving God and leading others are all bi products of being LOVED BY HIM." Chip Judd
Yesterday, Mark and I spent time with the family: our son, daughter in law and our grand daughters. We played a "question and answer" game, given to them by their psychologists. One of the questions was: "What was one of the things you LOVE most about your family?" Although we all love each other a lot, we still found it hard to put into words - my son especially. Why? At the moment he struggles with LOVING HIMSELF!
How do we overcome the fear of rejection? Most importantly we need to accept the unconditional love of JESUS and HIS FATHER.
"I HAVE LOVED YOU, even as the Father LOVED ME. Remain in MY LOVE. When you obey my commandments, you remain in MY LOVE, just as I obey in My Father's commandments and remain in HIS LOVE.....This is my commandment: LOVE EACH OTHER AS I HAVE LOVED YOU." John 15:9,10&12 (NLT)
"Comparison is also the root of rejection. And it is very hard to LOVE when we feel inferior." Chip Judd.
I remember growing up I struggled with this a lot:
* Losing my mum.
* Failing Year 12.
*Losing jobs.
*Comparing myself with my sisters.
* Not having friends at school.
*Not being accepted into Bible College.
*Losing my sisters.
Yet, over the years, I discovered, that giving those failure to the Lord, and trying hard to EMBRACE GROWTH and to CHANGE MY PAIN, I was able to LEARN HOW TO LOVE.
I LOVED LEARNING! I LOVED BY BIBLE READING! I LOVED MY LORD!
I LOVED MY FAMILY! I LOVED MY TEACHING! I LOVED MY WRITING!
"We can only LEARN TO LOVE when when RECEVE GOD'S LOVE. It is most important to LOOK TO JESUS FIRST IN YOUR LIFE, and to develop a HEALTHY RELATIONSHIP with HIM. LOVE is the theme of HIS HEART and should be the same FOR OURS! When we learn to receive GOD'S LOVE we are empowered to LOVE OURSELVES and LOVE OTHERS. When we learn to CONNECT WITH JESUS AND OUR FATHER GOD, we will also ENJOY BEING OURSELVES!" Chip Judd
10. CHOOSE JOY
Read John 15:1-17
"I have told you these things so that you will be filled with JOY. Yes, YOUR JOY WILL OVERFLOW." John 15: 12 (NLT)
"I invite Jesus to be the JOY of my circumstances. If I fail, I seek the Lord's GRACE; if I succeed, I GIVE THANKS. When my day is done I will rest my head on m pillow
and REST." Max Lucado
This is something I have learnt over the years. I remember that going to Church was one of my favourite things, because everyone would always come to me an encourage me because I LOVED TO SMILE! I think I go that from my Dad. A few years later I had an operation, where they they took my "smile away", and it was really hard for me. It took me a while to get that JOY back, but I realized I didn't need it on my face, but it was within, from Jesus.
"The intense pleasure you give me surpasses the GLADNESS of harvest time, even more when the harvesters gaze upon the ripened grain when new wine overflows." Psalm 4:7 (NCV)
Everyday, circumstances and frustrations can get in our way, and can easily STEAL OUR JOY. But we need to let these challenges strengthen us , and to let us lose our FOCUS ON OUR JOY and faith. Let JESUS be the first person in our life and HIS WORD be His first PLACE in our hearts.
"We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who iniatiates and perfects our faith. Because of the JOY awaiting Him, He endured the cross, disregarding the shame. Now He is seatted at the place of honour at the right hand of God." Hebrews 12:2 (NCV)
"REJOICE IN THE LORD, ALWAYS! Again, I will say, REJOICE." Philippians 4:4 (NKJV)
11. CHOOSE PEACE
Read John 14:25-31
"PEACE I leave with you, MY PEACE I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." John 14:27 (NKJV)
Since we are filled with God's Spirit, one of our main fruits is PEACE. JESUS' PEACE is one of our most precious gifts.
"Make it a priority in your life, to LIVE IN PEACE." Max Lucado
"Live in harmony with one another. Do your part to LIVE IN PEACE with everyone as much as possible." Romans 12:16-18 (NCV)
"We can't refuse to let negative emotions steal your PEACE." Charles Swindoll
Going back to our game yesterday with the family. My son, was asked another question: "This time it was about the best joyful and peaceful time in his life". Again, he found this hard to answer. If you let the devil overwhelm you with anxiety, you will lose your JOY AND PEACE. You cannot hear JESUS' VOICE.
"Be anxious for nothing, but everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the PEACE OF GOD, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts anbd minds through Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6&7 (NKJV)
It was a good thing that Aaron and Emily wanted to go to the Church Prayer Meeting last night. They came home - feeling a lot better. Satan hates it when we seek Jesus. We need to find a place, so we can rest in HIS PEACE.
When Jesus and the disciples were out on the boat in the "storms of life", Jesus said "PEACE BE STILL". The wind and the waves were immediately calm.
"We've got to have PEACE in our lives and relationships. We need to believe and TRUST in God and His SON JESUS in every situation in life. Let your life be in His hands." Charles Swindoll
Jesus wants us today to enter into HIS FATHER'S REST. Make a decision today to do just that!!
12. REST FOR YOUR SOUL - PRAYER
Read Matthew 11:28-30
"Then Jesus said to them: "Come to me, all you who are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am gentle and humble at heart, and you will find rest for your soul. For my yoke is easy to bear and the burden I give you is light." Matthew 11:28-30 (NLT)''
Jesus went away to a quiet place to REST. He spent time in PRAYER, and then LOVE, JOY AND PEACE flowed from His Heart. You too need to do this, so that POWER AND STRENGTH can fill you as you start the new week.
"Jesus promised that when we come to Him we will find REST FOR OUR SOULS. Jesus paid a great price for us, so that we would receive HIS GRACE. It wasn't easy, and He knew it wouldn't be easy for us. LEARING AND GROWING is a process, and relationships with Christ develop when their are challenges, and when we are in A PLACE OF REST." Chip Judd
"THE HOLY BIBLE - NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION" - 2011, Biblica.
"THE HOLY BIBLE - NEW LIVING TRANSLATION" - 2015, Tyndale House Foundation
"THE HOLY BIBLE - NEW CENTURY VERSION" - 2005, Thomas Nelson
Rudd, Chip, "Healthy Relationships - The Power of Love, Making Good Choices, Resy for Your Soul", 2019, Messenger International.
Lucado, Max, "Let the Journey Begin - Finding God's Best for Your Life" , 2015, Thomas Nelson
Swindoll, Charles, "Simple Faith", 1999, Zondervan Publishing House
"Rejoice in the Lord Always/This is the Day", 2022, "Good News Guys" (Performers), You Tube
"Be Still My Soul - In You I Rest", 2013, Kari Robe (Composer/Performer), Sparrow Records/Emi Christian Music
No comments:
Post a Comment