Having a Kingdom Attitude 1

Today we switch gears just a bit, but we are not going away from the subject of stress. Let's take a look at the Beatitudes in Matthew 5:1-12. Here we see Jesus teaching His disciples about what it truly means to be a Christian. In fact, when you read these verses, you get a sense of what it means to not only be a Christian on this earth, but also the attitude of everyone who calls heaven their home. It is this attitude and these characteristics that not only reflect Christ but will also give us victory in a stressed filled life.

The first blessing has to do with a "poor spirit". The word blessed can mean happy, but more applicable it means "approved by God". Approved by God are those who recognize that spiritually they are bankrupt and need outside help. The word for "poor" in the Greek is ptochos which means completely depended on another for survival. So, the ones who make it to heaven are those who realize that their self-righteousness will give them hell, but the
righteousness of the perfect God/man will give them heaven. Life is more stressful when we try to make it to heaven on our own good deeds. The Pharisees carried this same attitude in Luke 18:9-14. They loved to look at their own works and boast of the fact that they were so good, and yet Jesus condemned their self-righteousness. It was the publican, the sinner, who recognized his position before God as unworthy, and yet humbled himself before God to accept God's mercy and salvation. If I seek to get to heaven by my good works, it will only stress me out each day when I see how little I have done and how much I still have to do. Are you relying on your good works to get you to heaven? What a stressful situation to fine yourself in. All men need to realize how short we miss the mark on our own, and make the decision to humble their hearts and accept the perfect work and righteousness of Jesus Christ. This attitude also applies to we who are Christians, let us daily search our hearts to make sure that we remove all pride that will hinder fellowship with our God. This life is not about us, it is all about bring glory, honor, and power to Jesus Christ in everything we say and do! It is only when we carry this attitude of "poor of spirit" that we truly will live as Christ intended for us to live. Until next time, keep walking close with Christ.

Forgiveness, Oh What A Feeling 5

It is one thing to be forgiven by God, or to struggle with forgiving that family member, friend or even enemy. But have you ever thought about the stress people carry all the time on their shoulders when they do not forgive themselves? Are you one of these people? If we could look to one person in Scripture, who shows us what it means to walk joyfully in this world while not letting his past defeat him or stress him out, that man would be the Apostle Paul. This was a man who persecuted, hurt, and killed followers of Christ. He described himself as the "chief of all sinners." How could this man live in victory when he thought about his past actions? This same question must be asked of us as well - How can I forgive myself?

Well, good news, bad news - (Bad news) It is impossible to forgive yourself on your own, your guilty conscience and pride will not allow it (1 John 3:20). (Good news) A Christian can only forgive themselves when they embrace God's grace, mercy and strength. Let me break down these thoughts a little further. Paul could forgive himself when he realized the power of God's grace (1 Cor. 15:9-10). God's grace gives us a new position, new purpose, and new power. God did something for us that we could not do on our own, and with that work of grace, we can boldly walk in victory from that sinful past. We also see that Paul could forgive himself when he accepted God's mercy (1 Tim. 1:13-17). You see, God's mercy is offered to all unbelievers, whether one accepts it or not. When He died on the cross, mercy was offered for all sin. Now there is a time coming when His mercy toward the wicked will end; but until then, today is a day to receive God's mercy.
But it does not end there, God's mercy continues to flow upon His children. God is so patient with us. God is continuing forgiving us. God is sovereign, what more could we ask for. Oh, friend, you need not walk under the burden of your past sins, you can walk in victory at the cross. And no matter what your past looks like, His forgiveness is sufficient. Go ahead, forgive yourself as He as forgiven you. Until next time, walk closely with Christ.

Forgiveness, Oh What a Feeling 4

The fourth person that we as Christians must learn to forgive may be the hardest and most absurd in the eyes of the world - our enemies. In Luke 6:27 we have this command from the lips of Jesus, "Love your enemies." This seems like the most impossible task a man has been called to do, and truth be told, it is impossible if one is not walking close with Christ. Having enemies is a part of being a Christian (Matt. 5:10-12), forgiving those enemies is a super-natural task. Let me share with you this truth: When God's children forgive their enemies they display God's supernatural strength and legitimize their heavenly relationship.

As we look at Luke 6:27-30, we see several lessons Christ is teaching His disciples by commanding them to love those who hate them. First, when you love your enemies you love the second mile (6:27-30). When someone hits you or takes something from you because of your faith in Christ, we are commanded to let them do so as a testimony of God's strength living in us. Oh friend, this is very difficult, but it can be done only by God's power. The lesson Jesus is teaching is for His children not to hold tightly to material possessions, but hold tightly to Christ and the path of righteousness. If you lose both body and possessions for the sake of Christ, then God approves you (Matt. 5:10-12). Second, by loving your enemies you are living the Golden Rule. Two years ago, the Amish community showed the world what it meant to live the Golden Rule (6:31-34). When their children were executed by a lone gunman, the Amish community rallied around his family to help meet some financial needs they had. Anyone can love their friends, but only a heavenly relationship could love one's enemies. Third, loving our enemies legitimizes our heavenly relationship (6:35). When we endure the persecution and harm from our enemies, there is promised of a real reward and a real relationship. God will truly reward those who forgive the unlovely, and this act is a true sign of being a legitimate and faithful son or daughter of our heavenly Father. When we live this way, not only does our stress levels go down, but also we are living a Biblical theology that believes in a God who sees all and will reward the faithful, and He will be the final Judge. Well, until next time, keep walking close to Christ.

Forgiveness, Oh What A Feeling 3

A forgiven heart relieves stress. This statement is true especially when we have experienced the forgiveness that God offers to us. God's forgiveness is our example by which we are to follow. And we are to carry a forgiving heart into every relationship we have, including our family and friends. Today, let me speak for a moment about forgiving your friends. Our example comes from the Bible in the book of Job. Remember Job, he had it all plus God, and yet in a span of moments he lost all his wealth, family, and health. His friends show up to grieve with him, and for a week they do the best thing possible, they say nothing. But after the horror of the moment has passed, the three friends begin to "educate" Job about the reason he finds himself in such a terrible situation - "Job you must have done something very bad, very sinful!"

In every relationship you will learn that the object that produces most of our stress is the tongue. In fact, in this very story we see that God gave Satan permission to bring all these calamities upon Job, and yet the real pain and suffering did not come from the hands of Satan but rather from the tongues of these three 'friends'. From this story we learn to speak in every relationship, including our friends. First, always speak words that can be proven (Job 32:3b). The correction of the three friends seemed plausible, but the reality was they were wrong in their assumption of Job's situation. Second, always speak words that show mercy (Job 32:3). Job was called a hypocrite, a wicked man, and even ignorant by his friends, what would his enemies has said? Job replies that had roles been reversed, he would have encouraged and comforted them with his mouth (Job 16:1-ff). Third, always speak words based on truthful wisdom (Job 42:7-8). The three friends spoke from their own intelligent, but when God comes on the scene he tells them they they have spoken from a foolish heart. They boasted that they were speaking for God, but God did not agree with their words. From this lesson, we can clearly learn how to greatly relieve our stress when we watch what and how we speak to others. Always remember, "Since our words can do more harm than Satan's personal attack, let wisdom, truth, and mercy guide your words." Until next time, walk closely with Christ.

Forgiveness, Oh What A Feeling 2

We saw last time that God's Word is clear that when one accepts God's forgiveness for sin, a burden is lifted, and a once troubled life becomes less stressful; especially when thinking about God's eternal salvation, unconditional forgiveness, and heaven, the home for the child of God. Yet, in this life we daily struggle between the choice of forgiving or unforgiving. Should I forgive my father for what he did to me as a child? Should I forgive the school bully? What about forgiving the co-worker who lied about me in order to take my promotion? Life is filled with opportunities to either forgive or to choose to carry an unforgiving heart; and these moments make their selves known in every relationship we have. Today I will speak about forgiving family members.

Our example in Scripture is Joseph. In Genesis 45:4-8 & 50:15-21, we see what it truly means to forgive. Joseph, a man who had plenty of reason to hate his family and even seek revenge for the way his brothers treated him in his teenage years. Imaged being hated, plotted against, beaten and threatened, and finally sold into slavery by your own flesh and blood. Now image years later, having those same family members at your mercy, how would you respond. Well, a Christian is called to forgive as Christ forgave our wicked acts toward Him. If you have been hurt by a family member, the question is "How do I truly know that I have forgiven ______?" The answer is seen from the life of Joseph. Seventeen years have passed been Genesis 45 and 50, the only difference is that their father Jacob, is dead. The brothers are scared to death that Joseph will now seek revenge, and yet he does not, why, because he truly forgave them from his heart over 17 years ago. Notice these 4 points about forgiveness (these apply to any relationship). You know you truly have forgiven when: First, you react with sorrow when your loved ones hurt (50:15-17). Second, you refuse to play God and take revenge (50:19). Third, you recognize God's purpose for your life in all the pain (50:20). Fourth, you respond with compassion toward those who hurt you (50:21). If you can answer in the affirmative on all four, then you have truly forgiven that one who who truly brought hurt upon you. Notice, you will not completely forget the pain and hurt, but in only God's strength you can overcome it. God has promised to use the event to make you stronger for His glory. Yes, it takes time, but when you choose forgiveness, in time you will be able to see that God was in it all, and that promise alone relieves stress. Well, until next time keep walking close to Christ.

Forgiveness, Oh What a Feeling 1

I have entitled my blog, "Walking with God relieves stress". This statement is so truth. When we walk close with God, what do we have to fear? One lesson that I have learned over time is as His child, when I walk hand in hand with God, there is one lesson He keeps teaching me, and that is the lesson of forgiveness. If you think about it, when one truly begins their walk with God, the walk begins with forgiveness. There was a time in which I recognized that in my self I was not good but rather an "enemy" to a holy, just, and perfect God (Rom. 5:10). How does an enemy of God get unto heaven? How does one clothed in sinful flesh stand in the presence of a holy God? Well, I cannot stand on my own merit before a holy, just, and perfect God! I must walk on my knees in humility, and humble myself before His presence and cry out for His mercy and forgiveness of my sin. Then and only then can I be made whole through His perfect love and forgiveness. Forgiveness meets all humanity at the foot of the cross.

Since my decision to follow Christ, He has freely forgiven me of my sins, and now the burden of sin has been released, and I walk in victory - talk about relieving horrible stress. Yet, the journey does not end there, for our walk is filled with moments, before God and man, in which we will need to seek forgiveness. King David writes in Psalms 32:1-7 of his own personal experience with sin, and the difference between an unforgiven and forgiven heart. Let me note four brief points: First, forgiven sin produces true happiness (32:1-2). Second, unconfessed sin produces great sorrow (32:3-4). Third, confessed sin produces instant relief (32:5-6). Fourth, forgiven sin produces true happiness (32:1-2,7). I can sum up those four points with one sentence: "Immediate confession of our sin to God is a vital part of maintaining a joyful and victorious Christian life." In other words, when we daily seek God's forgiveness from sin that is in our lives, His forgiveness bring instant joy and happiness that in turn will produce a "less stressed life!" Who in this world would not want to feel this way? Until next time, keep walking close to Christ.

Stress Has a Useful Purpose (Part 3)

I will conclude this part with the promise found in Scripture, that for the Christian stress can be of great profit. George Sweeting states, "A Christians is like a teabag, he is not worth much until he has been through some hot water." Maybe we can apply that to the Church as well. In James 1:9-12, we see the author encouraging the Church to continue through the stressful season of life in order to receive a great reward. James mentions that there is a profit for the poor man. The profit is the fact that God thinks highly of those who are poor. This does not mean that being poor is an guarantee of heaven, but rather knowing that most Christians at this time were enduring poverty, they were to realize that poverty was only temporary, and in reality they were truly rich from knowing Christ. James also writes to the rich man and admonishes him to walk in humility, because all wealth can vanish in a moment; both poverty and prosperity are temporary. The real reward is the final reward, only given to those who are children of the King.

Stress is very profitable. Yes, we may not see it today, but the real reward will come at the end of this life; and so we are commanded to hold our ground in this battle to the very end. In the end, we will receive the "crown of life", which speaks of eternal life in heaven. Still, until our departure we need to remember the words of the Apostle Paul when he states, "Whatever state I find myself, I will be content. " This is the best attitude to carry if we are going to overcome any stressful situation. If we will see every stressful situation (ones not of our own making) as an instrument by God to make us more mature for His service, than our body, mind, and spirit will be content to run this race to the very end. Until then, let me suggest some help tips if you are feeling stressed out: 1) Take time off. 2) Have a sense of humor. 3) Spend more time with God. 4) Don't isolate yourself, get with people like you. 5) Exercise, help your body. Until next time, keep walking close to Christ.