Monday, 8 January 2024

Is spiritual growth on your vision board?

Is spiritual growth on your vision board? Learn why and how to more like Jesus this year. In a world focused on career, fitness, and personal achievements, we often overlook the importance of becoming more like Jesus. However, deepening your spiritual life can have a positive impact on every aspect of your existence. Imagine embodying qualities like compassion, patience, and wisdom in your daily interactions. Envision experiencing peace and purpose no matter what circumstances you face. Learn why and how to more like Jesus this year.

Trevor H Lund is the founder of Live LIGHT Academy at https://livelight.ca and the Content Creator at https://revtrev.com Subscribe and set notifications on https://revtrev.com/tv for past videos and live casts and https://revtrev.com/radio to subscribe to his podcast wherever you listen.

Spiritual Growth

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Do you have a vision board for 2024?

Do you know what a vision board is?

A vision board is a tool used by coaches to help you have a visual reminder of your intentions. Vision boards help you clarify your goals and stay on point.

I use them as a tool to seek out what God wants me to do —I want his thoughts not my dreams— and stay motivate to keep in step with what He’s already revealed to me.

A vision board is a collection of images or objects or text or quotes arranged in a way to help you focus your goals or vision. This board can be physical or digital.

Not to digress…

Have you heard of Pinterest Fails? It’s when someone finds something beautiful on Pinterest and tries to recreate it and then shares both pictures with #nailedit

Here’s what I mean…

nailed it
nailed it
nailed it

With that in mind… Here’s an example an example of how to do a vision board right:

Vision board

Isn’t that beautiful and motivating?

Here’s my first attempt for 2024, that I’m calling “Organic”:

nailed it
#nailedit

Now I wasn’t going to let that motivate me for the rest of 2024. I had already asked God about what word He has for me for the next season and what verse he wants me to meditate on. And I got really motivated to remember it…So here’s my professionally printed Vision Board I’m going with…

vision board

I’m not saying “You need to have a vision board for 2024”.

I am asking you, are you prepared to become more and more like Jesus in 2024?

Are you prepared to become more and more like Jesus in 2024?

Why is that a great question?

It’s a great question, with a caveat. The caveat is…

We’re not looking for SMART goals to become more spiritual. SMART goals stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-Bound.

Specific - more and more like Jesus…what does love look like?

Measurable - you’re not going to be able to test to make sure you have 10% more patience or kindness or less envy or less boasting

Achievable - it’s achievable for God. He WILL finish the good work started in you…and will continue his work until it finally finished on the day Christ Jesus returns…and I think there has to be spiritual growth in eternity, otherwise it could get boring after a while.

Relevant - It’s the main thing that matters to God, so it’s extremely relative.

Time-bound - not so much.

We’re not talking SMART Goals…we’re talking about God-empowered transformation.

Maybe I can explain what I’m trying to say by Peterson’s transliteration of Ephesians 4:1-5:2

Ephesians 4:1-5:2 The Message (MSG) In light of all this, here’s what I want you to do. While I’m locked up here, a prisoner for the Master, I want you to get out there and walk—better yet, run!—on the road God called you to travel. I don’t want any of you sitting around on your hands. I don’t want anyone strolling off, down some path that goes nowhere. And mark that you do this with humility and discipline—not in fits and starts, but steadily, pouring yourselves out for each other in acts of love, alert at noticing differences and quick at mending fences. You were all called to travel on the same road and in the same direction, so stay together, both outwardly and inwardly. You have one Master, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who rules over all, works through all, and is present in all. Everything you are and think and do is permeated with Oneness. But that doesn’t mean you should all look and speak and act the same. Out of the generosity of Christ, each of us is given his own gift. The text for this is, He climbed the high mountain, He captured the enemy and seized the plunder, He handed it all out in gifts to the people. Is it not true that the One who climbed up also climbed down, down to the valley of earth? And the One who climbed down is the One who climbed back up, up to highest heaven. He handed out gifts above and below, filled heaven with his gifts, filled earth with his gifts. He handed out gifts of apostle, prophet, evangelist, and pastor-teacher to train Christ’s followers in skilled servant work, working within Christ’s body, the church, until we’re all moving rhythmically and easily with each other, efficient and graceful in response to God’s Son, fully mature adults, fully developed within and without, fully alive like Christ. No prolonged infancies among us, please. We’ll not tolerate babes in the woods, small children who are easy prey for predators. God wants us to grow up, to know the whole truth and tell it in love—like Christ in everything. We take our lead from Christ, who is the source of everything we do. He keeps us in step with each other. His very breath and blood flow through us, nourishing us so that we will grow up healthy in God, robust in love. And so I insist—and God backs me up on this—that there be no going along with the crowd, the empty-headed, mindless crowd. They’ve refused for so long to deal with God that they’ve lost touch not only with God but with reality itself. They can’t think straight anymore. Feeling no pain, they let themselves go in sexual obsession, addicted to every sort of perversion. But that’s no life for you. You learned Christ! My assumption is that you have paid careful attention to him, been well instructed in the truth precisely as we have it in Jesus. Since, then, we do not have the excuse of ignorance, everything—and I do mean everything—connected with that old way of life has to go. It’s rotten through and through. Get rid of it! And then take on an entirely new way of life—a God-fashioned life, a life renewed from the inside and working itself into your conduct as God accurately reproduces his character in you. What this adds up to, then, is this: no more lies, no more pretence. Tell your neighbour the truth. In Christ’s body we’re all connected to each other, after all. When you lie to others, you end up lying to yourself. Go ahead and be angry. You do well to be angry—but don’t use your anger as fuel for revenge. And don’t stay angry. Don’t go to bed angry. Don’t give the Devil that kind of foothold in your life. Did you use to make ends meet by stealing? Well, no more! Get an honest job so that you can help others who can’t work. Watch the way you talk. Let nothing foul or dirty come out of your mouth. Say only what helps, each word a gift. Don’t grieve God. Don’t break his heart. His Holy Spirit, moving and breathing in you, is the most intimate part of your life, making you fit for himself. Don’t take such a gift for granted. Make a clean break with all cutting, backbiting, profane talk. Be gentle with one another, sensitive. Forgive one another as quickly and thoroughly as God in Christ forgave you. Watch what God does, and then you do it, like children who learn proper behavior from their parents. Mostly what God does is love you. Keep company with him and learn a life of love. Observe how Christ loved us. His love was not cautious but extravagant. He didn’t love in order to get something from us but to give everything of himself to us. Love like that.

Can I pray?

Is spiritual growth on your vision board?

Do you intend to become more and more like Christ this year?

There are 5 things you never want to forget about spiritual growth.

5 Things You Never Want to forget about Spiritual Growth

  1. Spiritual growth is a choice.
  2. Spiritual growth takes discipline.
  3. Spiritual growth requires community.
  4. Spiritual growth changes everything.
  5. Spiritual growth happens with habits.

Let’s unpack that shall we?

1. Spiritual growth is a choice

Our passage says in Ephesians 4:1-2

I want you to get out there and walk—better yet, run!—on the road God called you to travel. I don’t want any of you sitting around on your hands. I don’t want anyone strolling off, down some path that goes nowhere.

Spiritual growth is a choice. It’s possible to grow in the wrong direction…

a. The hearts of some grow dull – cf. Mt 13:15

b. The love of many grow cold – cf. Mt 24:12

c. There is the danger of growing weary in doing good – cf. Ga 6:9; 2 Th 3:13

d. There is possibility of growing corrupt according to deceitful lusts – cf. Ep 4:22

e. There are those who grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived – cf. 2 Ti 3:13

Joshua told the people:

Joshua 24:15 New International Version (NIV)

if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.

For some of us that’s a daily choice, until it becomes a habit.

For others of us there is a circumstance or problem that brings that choice to the forefront again.

But if we’re not growing, we’re backsliding. There is no stagnation in spirituality. We’re always moving towards God’s will for us or away from God’s will for us.

Are you ready to choose to grow more and more like Christ?

Am I ready to choose to become more like Jesus?

Never forget – spiritual growth is a choice

2. Spiritual growth takes discipline

Our passage says in Ephesians 4:3

And mark that you do this with humility and discipline—not in fits and starts, but steadily, pouring yourselves out for each other in acts of love, alert at noticing differences and quick at mending fences.

1. Jesus said eternal life takes work – cf. Jn 6:27

2. Paul wrote that he was pressing on towards the goal to win the prize– cf. Ph 2:12; 3:13-14

3. Peter wrote that we needed to keep adding to faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. - cf. 2 Pe 1:5-11

But don’t forget…

WE ARE NOT ALONE IN OUR EFFORTS…

While we work out our salvation, God is at work in us – cf. Ph 2:12-13

He strengthens us by His Spirit in our inner being – cf. Ep 3:16

He empowers us with unimaginable power that is within us – cf. Ep 3:20

He provides the armour to stand strong in the power of His might – cf. Ep 6:10-11

We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us – cf. Ph 4:13

God will complete the good work He started – cf. Ph 1:6

Spiritual growth takes discipline…but God is on our side.

We struggle with all His power working within us.

Am I ready to work with Holy Spirit to become more like Jesus?

Never forget – spiritual growth is a choice, it takes discipline and…

3. Spiritual growth requires community

Our passage says in Ephesians 4:4

You were all called to travel on the same road and in the same direction, so stay together, both outwardly and inwardly. You have one Master, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who rules over all, works through all, and is present in all. Everything you are and think and do is permeated with Oneness.

a. Together we get our meaning Romans 12:5

The Message (MSG) In this way we are like the various parts of a human body. Each part gets its meaning from the body as a whole, not the other way around. The body we’re talking about is Christ’s body of chosen people. Each of us finds our meaning and function as a part of his body. But as a chopped-off finger or cut-off toe we wouldn’t amount to much, would we? So since we find ourselves fashioned into all these excellently formed and marvellously functioning parts in Christ’s body, let’s just go ahead and be what we were made to be, without enviously or pridefully comparing ourselves with each other, or trying to be something we aren’t.

b.Together we spur each other on. Hebrews 10:25

The Message (MSG) So let’s do it—full of belief, confident that we’re presentable inside and out. Let’s keep a firm grip on the promises that keep us going. He always keeps his word. Let’s see how inventive we can be in encouraging love and helping out, not avoiding worshiping together as some do but spurring each other on, especially as we see the big Day approaching.

c. Together we are encouraged 1 Thessalonians 5:11

The Message (MSG) So speak encouraging words to one another. Build up hope so you’ll all be together in this, no one left out, no one left behind. I know you’re already doing this; just keep on doing it.

d. Together we’re healed James 5:16

The Message (MSG) Make this your common practice: Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you can live together whole and healed.

e. Together we meet our need to contribute 1 Peter 4:10

The Message (MSG) Everything in the world is about to be wrapped up, so take nothing for granted. Stay wide-awake in prayer. Most of all, love each other as if your life depended on it. Love makes up for practically anything. Be quick to give a meal to the hungry, a bed to the homeless—cheerfully. Be generous with the different things God gave you, passing them around so all get in on it: if words, let it be God’s words; if help, let it be God’s hearty help. That way, God’s bright presence will be evident in everything through Jesus, and he’ll get all the credit as the One mighty in everything—encores to the end of time. Oh, yes!

f. Together we grow Ephesians 4:2

The Message (MSG) I want you to get out there and walk—better yet, run!—on the road God called you to travel. I don’t want any of you sitting around on your hands. I don’t want anyone strolling off, down some path that goes nowhere. And mark that you do this with humility and discipline—not in fits and starts, but steadily, pouring yourselves out for each other in acts of love, alert at noticing differences and quick at mending fences.

We need each other for spiritual growth.

Am I willing to grow with others to become more and more like Jesus?

Never forget – spiritual growth is a choice, it takes discipline, requires community and…

4. Spiritual growth changes everything

Our passage says in Ephesians 4:23-24

…everything—and I do mean everything—connected with that old way of life has to go. It’s rotten through and through. Get rid of it! And then take on an entirely new way of life—a God-fashioned life, a life renewed from the inside and working itself into your conduct as God accurately reproduces his character in you.

As we grow spiritually, everything changes. Let’s go through what we just read…

a. Spiritual growth changes our thoughts Eph 4:17

Let there be no going along with the crowd, the empty-headed, mindless crowd. They’ve refused for so long to deal with God that they’ve lost touch not only with God but with reality itself. They can’t think straight anymore. Feeling no pain, they let themselves go in sexual obsession, addicted to every sort of perversion. But that’s no life for you.

b. Spiritual growth changes our attitudes Eph 4:25

What this adds up to, then, is this: no more lies, no more pretense. Tell your neighbor the truth. In Christ’s body we’re all connected to each other, after all. When you lie to others, you end up lying to yourself.

c. Spiritual growth changes our actions Eph 4:26

Go ahead and be angry. You do well to be angry—but don’t use your anger as fuel for revenge. And don’t stay angry. Don’t go to bed angry. Don’t give the Devil that kind of foothold in your life.

d. Spiritual growth changes our words Eph 4:29

Watch the way you talk. Let nothing foul or dirty come out of your mouth. Say only what helps, each word a gift.

e.Spiritual growth changes our reactions Eph 4:30

Don’t grieve God. Don’t break his heart. His Holy Spirit, moving and breathing in you, is the most intimate part of your life, making you fit for himself. Don’t take such a gift for granted.

f. Spiritual growth changes our desires Eph 5:1

Watch what God does, and then you do it, like children who learn proper behavior from their parents. Mostly what God does is love you. Keep company with him and learn a life of love. Observe how Christ loved us.

g. Spiritual growth changes our relationships Eph 5:2

Observe how Christ loved us. His love was not cautious but extravagant. He didn’t love in order to get something from us but to give everything of himself to us. Love like that.

Spiritual growth changes everything. Some things change in an instant. Some times we need to live up to what we’ve already attained. The theological term for this is sanctification.

Am I becoming more and more like Jesus?

Never forget – spiritual growth is a choice, it takes discipline, requires community , it changes everything and…

5. Spiritual growth happens with habits 1 Timothy 4:7-8

MSG Stay clear of silly stories that get dressed up as religion. Exercise daily in God—no spiritual flabbiness, please! Workouts in the gymnasium are useful, but a disciplined life in God is far more so, making you fit both today and forever. You can count on this.

Sow a thought and you reap an action; sow an act and you reap a habit; sow a habit and you reap a character; sow a character and you reap a destiny. – Ralph Waldo Emerson

So what habits/disciplines/rhythms help you grow spiritually? Here’s some examples:

Thought – I want to grow spiritually

Action –

A. Bible Reading… 1 Peter 2:1-3

The Message (MSG) So clean house! Make a clean sweep of malice and pretense, envy and hurtful talk. You’ve had a taste of God. Now, like infants at the breast, drink deep of God’s pure kindness. Then you’ll grow up mature and whole in God.

B. Prayer… Romans 12:12

The Message (MSG) Don’t burn out; keep yourselves fueled and aflame. Be alert servants of the Master, cheerfully expectant. Don’t quit in hard times; pray all the harder. Help needy Christians; be inventive in hospitality.

C. Singing… James 5:13

The Message (MSG) Are you hurting? Pray. Do you feel great? Sing. Are you sick? Call the church leaders together to pray and anoint you with oil in the name of the Master. Believing-prayer will heal you, and Jesus will put you on your feet. And if you’ve sinned, you’ll be forgiven—healed inside and out.

D. Praying in the Holy Spirit Jude 1:20

The Message (MSG) But you, dear friends, carefully build yourselves up in this most holy faith by praying in the Holy Spirit, staying right at the center of God’s love, keeping your arms open and outstretched, ready for the mercy of our Master, Jesus Christ. This is the unending life, the real life!

E. Meeting together… Hebrews 10:25

The Message (MSG) So let’s do it—full of belief, confident that we’re presentable inside and out. Let’s keep a firm grip on the promises that keep us going. He always keeps his word. Let’s see how inventive we can be in encouraging love and helping out, not avoiding worshiping together as some do but spurring each other on, especially as we see the big Day approaching.

If you don’t like “habits” think of them as rhythms.

Do I make space for the disciples for spiritual growth?

  1. Spiritual growth is a choice – I can grow to become more like Christ or I can let my love grow cold
  2. Spiritual growth takes discipline – but don’t forget it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.
  3. Spiritual growth requires community – so let’s see how inventive we can be in encouraging love and good deeds.
  4. Spiritual growth changes everything – so embrace a God-fashioned life, a life renewed from the inside and working itself into your conduct as God accurately reproduces his character in you.
  5. Spiritual growth happens with habits – What habits are you going to make room for in your life so you can grow up mature and whole in God?

Seriously, what habits do I need to make room for so how do I grow?

That’s a great question, I’m so glad you asked it.

Pathway to Spiritual Growth and Maturity

Two Foundation Stones

1. Spiritual Maturity is to become more and more like Jesus 2 Corinthians 3:18

2. The Father has given us everything we need for life and godliness. 2 Peter 1:3 and will empower you to accomplish every good work prompted by your faith 2 Thessalonians 1:11

THIS IS NOT TO BE DONE ON YOUR OWN STRENGTH

It is a partnership with Holy Spirit.

The Pathway to Spiritual Maturity requires GROWTH.

GROWTH

G - God’s Word - 2 Timothy 3:16-17

R - Real Relationships - Ephesians 4:11-16

O - Overlook Offence - 2 Peter 1:5-8

W - Worship and Prayer - Philippians 4:6-7

T - Treat Hardship As Discipline - Hebrews 12:7-11

H - Hold to His Rhythms - Matthew 11:28-30

Let’s unpack this quickly…

G - God’s Word 2 Timothy 3:16-17

NLT All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.

God’s Word is His spoken word. His spoken Word will always line up with His written Word. His written word is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.

It is not an option. It’s not His opinion. It’s not to prove my opinion. It is your life. Let the word of God read you. Let is show you what is true and make you realize what is wrong in your life.

When you start letting the word read you instead of reading it to check off a box or find a loophole, you are starting to mature. - Trevor Lund

Have I been letting the Word read me?

R - Real Relationships Ephesians 4:11-16

NLT Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ. This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ. Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won’t be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth. Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church. He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.

To mature we need real relationships. We need people of wisdom to speak into our lives. We need newly planted to remind us how good and exciting God’s grace is. The is no Jew or Greek, male or female, slave or free in Christ. We belong to each other when a belong to him.

When you start learning to listen more than you speak and start thinking more before you open your mouth, you are starting to mature. - Trevor Lund

Do I have people of wisdom speaking into my life?

O - Overlook Offence 2 Peter 1:5-8

In view of all this, make every effort to respond to God’s promises. Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence, and moral excellence with knowledge,  and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with patient endurance, and patient endurance with godliness,  and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love for everyone. The more you grow like this, the more productive and useful you will be in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Offenses will come.

Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you. Ephesians 4:31-32

When you start treating people how you'd like to be treated, and not treating them like they deserve, you are starting to mature. - Trevor Lund

Have I been growing less and less offendable?

W - Worship and Prayer Philippians 4:6-7

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

Worship and prayer are tools for us to exchange our problems for His peace. Gratitude plays a huge role in both of these.

We become what we worship Psalm 115:8 (referring to idols) If you want to become more and more like Christ, in your heart, set apart Christ as Lord. Worship God as God.

When you start wanting peace and stop thinking you always need to be busy, you are starting to mature. - Trevor Lund

Have I been exchanging my problems for God’s peace?

T - Treat hardship as Discipline Hebrews 12:7-11

As you endure this divine discipline, remember that God is treating you as his own children. Who ever heard of a child who is never disciplined by its father? If God doesn’t discipline you as he does all of his children, it means that you are illegitimate and are not really his children at all. Since we respected our earthly fathers who disciplined us, shouldn’t we submit even more to the discipline of the Father of our spirits, and live forever? For our earthly fathers disciplined us for a few years, doing the best they knew how. But God’s discipline is always good for us, so that we might share in his holiness. No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way.

5 things I’m committed to: I (will)…

S - Stop giving God credit for the works of the one who comes to steal, kill and destroy. - John 10:10

T - Treat all hardship as discipline knowing He is a Good Father and is working all things together for good. - Hebrews 12:7-11

A - Agree to cast all my cares upon him, because He cares for me. - 1 Peter 5:7

N - Never forget that the God of all hope fills me with all peace and joy as I trust in Him, so that I can overflow with hope by the power of Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13

D - Don’t worry about anything, but pray about everything and thank Him in all things, knowing that’s His will for me. - Philippians 4:6-7

Physical maturity is bound to time. Emotional maturity is bound to forgiveness. Spiritual maturity is bound to obedience. - Trevor Lund

In your heart, set apart Christ as Lord. You are not your own, you’ve been bought with a price, you belong to God.

Colossians 2:6-7 And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him.  Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.
When you look for God’s leading more than you look for His approval, you are starting to mature. - Trevor Lund

Have I been treating hardship as discipline?

H - Hold to His Rhythms Matthew 11:28-30

MSG “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”

An hour a day, to let God have His say.

A Sabbath each week, it's His joy that I seek.

A rhythm each month, so He keeps the trump.

I seek Him each quarter, to keep my steps in His order.

One week every year, to keep on drawing near.

Daily Writing, Journal, Bible reading, praying, thanksgiving, laughing

Rhythms I intentionally work in: Remembering, Rest, Reflection, Connection, Dwelling, Abiding, Curiosity, Listening, Margin, Otherness, Awareness, Mindfulness…

Rhythms for Spiritual Growth

His rhythms keep us in step with Holy Spirit. They slow us to pause and see what He’s doing. It’s all about creating space to recognize the God of all creation is already there. It’s being intentional about how you show your love and appreciation to God. He’ll tell you how to solve situations and show you what love looks like. Since you’re in relationship with God, BE in relational with God.

When you start being more concerned about loving right than you are about being proven right, you are starting to mature. - Trevor Lund

Have I been moving the unforced rhythms of grace?

Are you ready to become more and more like Jesus in 2024?

Remember Spiritual GROWTH

G - God’s Word - 2 Timothy 3:16-17

R - Real Relationships - Ephesians 4:11-16

O - Overlook Offence - 2 Peter 1:5-8

W - Worship and Prayer - Philippians 4:6-7

T - Treat Hardship As Discipline - Hebrews 12:7-11

H - Hold to His Rhythms - Matthew 11:28-30

Challenge

What has Holy Spirit been prompting you about?

Is there some area of GROWTH that you’ve been neglecting?

What are you going to commit to this week? What can you add to your vision board this year?

My goal is to become more and more like Jesus. I’m not there yet. You’re not there yet. Paul wasn’t there yet.

Philippians 3:12 I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me.

Will you press on towards the goal to win the prize for which God has called you heavenward in Christ Jesus?

Can I pray for you?

listen to Is spiritual Growth on your vision board

Friday, 22 December 2023

Live LIGHT LOOP for Friday, December 22, 2023

The Live LIGHT LOOP celebrates all things Live LIGHT - including the books, and courses, and resources, and community and coaching that can be found on https://livelight.ca/

Trevor Lund is the founder of Live LIGHT Academy at https://livelight.ca and the Content Creator at https://revtrev.com Check out https://revtrev.com/tv for past videos and live casts and https://revtrev.com/radio to subscribe to his podcast wherever you listen.

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I’m Trevor Lund the Content Creator at https://RevTrev.com and the Founder of Live LIGHT Academy on https://LiveLIGHT.ca. You can connect with me easily any time or anywhere by going to https://TrevorLund.com.

What about you?

You were created to walk with God in the garden in the cool of the day. Sin came into the world and you bore the consequences. Jesus came and reversed the curse and took your place and invited you to take His yoke that is easy and burden that is light. You are a child of God creation longs to be revealed. You are a living light. Don’t conform but be transformed, so you can have peace and joy and hope at all times and in every situation.

How I can help

Live LIGHT Academy has books and courses and resources and community and coaching to help you not conform but be transformed so you can have peace and hope and joy at all times and in every situation. Don’t miss all the books available at https://revtrev.link/books

What Am I working on?

4th draft of Live LIGHT Gratitude Reflections - 70 days to help you give thanks at all times and in every situation. Sign up as a beta reader at https://revtrev.link/books

Live LIGHT Gratitude Reflection

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  • YIELD to Jesus as Lord
  • How to have Faith for the Long Haul

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Wednesday, 20 December 2023

YIELD to Jesus As LORD

In a world that often promotes self-reliance and independence, the concept of surrendering to a higher authority may seem counterintuitive. However, there is incredible freedom and joy and hope in submitting to the lordship of Jesus Christ. Imagine releasing the burdens of life and embracing the peace that surpasses all human understanding. Learn how as we explore why and how we can YIELD to Jesus as Lord.

I’m Trevor Lund, content creator for RevTrev.com and the founder of Live LIGHT Academy on LiveLIGHT.ca This is the Live LIGHT LIVECast.

Yeild

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In your heart, have you set apart Christ as Lord? (see 1 Peter 3:15)

Your heart is the seat of your emotions, yes…but it’s also the seat of your decision and your actions

  • Is Christ Lord of your attitude? (emotion)
  • Is Christ Lord of your answer? (decision)
  • Is Christ Lord of your actions? (will)

Does he need to be? Look at these verses

Is Christ Lord of your attitude? (emotion)

Philippians 2:5-8 (NLT) You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross.
Ephesians 4:22-23 (NLT) throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life which is corrupted by lust and deception. Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes.
1 Peter 4:1-2 (NLT) So then, since Christ suffered physical pain, you must arm yourselves with the same attitude he had, and be ready to suffer, too. For if you have suffered physically for Christ, you have finished with sin. You won’t spend the rest of your lives chasing your own desires, but you will be anxious to do the will of God.
Romans 8:6 (NLT) So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace.

Is Christ Lord of your emotions? Emotions are good. Emotions show us what we actually believe. Jesus needs to be Lord of our emotions.

Is Christ Lord of your answer? (Decision)

1 Peter 3:9-10 NLT Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and he will grant you his blessing. For the Scriptures say, “If you want to enjoy life and see many happy days, keep your tongue from speaking evil and your lips from telling lies.
Proverbs 15:1 NLT A gentle answer deflects anger, but harsh words make tempers flare.

Is he Lord of your Answer? It’s a decision you need to make probably several times a day.

Is Christ Lord of your actions? (will)

James 4:17 (NLT) Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it.
Psalm 84:11 (NLT) For the Lord God is our sun and our shield. He gives us grace and glory. The Lord will withhold no good thing from those who do what is right.
1 Peter 3:11-16 (NLT) Turn away from evil and do good. Search for peace, and work to maintain it. The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right, and his ears are open to their prayers. But the Lord turns his face against those who do evil.” Now, who will want to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you suffer for doing what is right, God will reward you for it. So don’t worry or be afraid of their threats. Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it. But do this in a gentle and respectful way. Keep your conscience clear. Then if people speak against you, they will be ashamed when they see what a good life you live because you belong to Christ.

This is not a “one and done” kind of thing and we don’t make Jesus the Lord of our life. What we do is that we agree with Him that He is Lord. “He is Lord of all and He is Lord of my life.”

How do you live that out in the day-to-day of everyday?

That’s a great question, I’m so glad you asked. That’s why I developed the YEILD to Jesus as Lord Tool.

YIELD to Jesus as Lord

Jesus needs to be Lord of my actions, answers, attitude …my will, my decision, my emotions - Jesus needs to be Lord of my whole heart.

YIELD to Jesus as Lord Tool

Y - Yoke yourself to Him - 1 Peter 3:15-16

E - Enjoy bowing now - Philippians 2:9-11

I - Imitate Jesus - Colossians 2:6-7

L - Learn to let Holy Spirit help you - 1 Corinthians 12:3

D - Declare He is Lord - Romans 10:9-10

Let’s unpack this...

Y - Yoke yourself to Him

1 Peter 3:15-16 (NIV84) - “In your heart, set apart, Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,

Remember His yoke is easy and his burden is light.

Am I carrying His yoke that is easy and burden that is light?

E - Enjoy bowing now

Philippians 2:9-11 (NLT) - "Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth, and under the earth, and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves…

Every knee will bow. It’s a joy and celebration to bow now.

Do I allow His leading in my life?

I - Imitate Jesus

Colossians 2:6-7 (NLT) - "And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him. Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness."

When your faith grows strong, you overflow with gratitude.

The more faith you have, the more gratitude you have. The more gratitude you have, the more trust you have. The more trust you have the more hope and joy you have. The more joy you have the more you consider it all joy whenever you face trouble of any kind because you have faith to trust he is good and working all things together for the good.

Does my gratitude for Him bubble up with me?

L - Learn to let Holy Spirit help you

1 Corinthians 12:3 (NLT) - "So I want you to know that no one speaking by the Spirit of God will curse Jesus, and no one can say Jesus is Lord, except by the Holy Spirit."

He empowers you to accomplish every good work prompted by faith. Of course he’s going to empower you to say “Jesus is Lord” to the glory of God the Father.

Do I keep in step with Holy Spirit?

D - Declare He is Lord

Romans 10:9-10 (NLT) - "If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved."

He is not Lord because you declare he is Lord. He’s Lord and you agree with what that means for your life. He’s in the driver seat of your life. You are not. You go when he says go. You wait when he says wait. You love how he tells you to love. (It’s sacrificial, it will cost you everything).

Do I live to declare Jesus is Lord?

Do you yield to Jesus as Lord? Is He Lord of your actions, your answers and your attitude?

Challenge

The challenge it to think about the last thing you suspect Holy Spirit was challenging you about, that you made an excuse not to obey.

Was it ask for forgiveness or maybe to forgive? Maybe it was a nudging to talk to someone in front of you in a line or text a friend who’s been on your heart. Perhaps you wanted to encourage someone or felt you needed to confront but didn’t know how to do it in love?

Give space to allow Holy Spirit to bring it to your conscience thoughts, whatever He shows you, step out and obey it knowing He empowers you to accomplish every good work prompted in faith.

Do it understanding Christ is Lord of your actions, your attitude and your answers. Do whatever you do in love.

And let me know how it goes.

Next Steps

Since we need to have Jesus as Lord of our whole heart, maybe we need to understand how to live the way He wants with our whole heart?

Live LIGHT with your Whole Heart

Do you know there are seven things the Bible specially says we are to do with our whole heart? One of them is to do everything we do with it. Do you know how to live with your whole heart? If you want to get rid of cognitive avoidance, cognitive dissonance and toxic behaviour, you need to get this course. Learn why and how you can live with your whole heart today!

Pre-sale for the course

http://revtrev.link/heart

Carpe Vitae!

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YEILD

Monday, 18 December 2023

How to Have Faith For the Long Haul

Are you tired of feeling like your faith is a short-lived flame that flickers out as soon as adversity strikes? Do you want to have the kind of unwavering faith that cannot only weather any storm but increase and grow through any storm? We’re looking at strategies to have faith for the long haul. We're talking about endurance – Biblical patience over time - the ability to grow deeper in your faith when everything around you seems to be falling apart.

Trevor H Lund is the founder of Live LIGHT Academy at https://livelight.ca and the Content Creator at https://revtrev.com Check out https://revtrev.com/tv for past videos and live casts and https://revtrev.com/radio to subscribe to his podcast wherever you listen.

Faith

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When I studied for this message I was a bit surprised what I found out about endurance and faith.

I expected to find endurance for faith in the tough times of life and yes, that is there. But faith is a lifelong journey, not a one-time event. Faith is only faith when it endures.

Very often, by way of encouraging people to endure through the very present and brutal realities of life, the authors of the Bible (and Holy Spirit) point to our future reality and say things like:

Romans 5:3-5 We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.
James 1:2-4 Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.
2 Timothy 2:10-12 So I am willing to endure anything if it will bring salvation and eternal glory in Christ Jesus to those God has chosen. This is a trustworthy saying: If we die with him, we will also live with him If we endure hardship, we will reign with him. If we deny him, he will deny us.

The Bible encourages us to endure the current reality of life, however brutal, but its main focus is that we develop endurance so we can endure to the end. Coming through present suffering helps us to endure to end. Coming through present trails is the only way we can develop endurance so we can endure to the end.

So today we’re going to talk about

How to have faith for the long haul.

Let’s pray.

Jesus told us that in this world we will have trouble (John 16:33) and although Christ has promised to always be with us and to take heart because he has overcome the world, He has also promised to return and make everything right. We need to be ready (Matthew 25:1-13) and we need to long for his appearing. (2 Timothy 4:6-8)

Jesus clearly states that no one will know the exact time of his return (Matthew 24:36). We should remain in a state of anticipation and readiness (Matthew 24:44). God, the Father, has given Jesus authority to judge (John 5:25-30) all of the nations of the earth (Daniel 7:13). Jesus will reward each person for what they have done. The godly will inherit eternal life, and will rule with Christ forever (Revelation 3:21). Those who deny Him will be cast into the lake of fire, called the second death (Revelation 20:14-15).

The problem with enduring to the end

We know he said he was coming soon (Revelation 22:20) 2,000 years ago. This has been a problem since the first generation of the church. People we so sure they were going to see Jesus come back again in their lifetime, that it worried them when people started to die. Paul had to tell them to not worry, because the dead in Christ will rise first. Peter wrote to the churches in Asia minor:

2 Peter 3:8-10 NLT But you must not forget this one thing, dear friends: A day is like a thousand years to the Lord, and a thousand years is like a day. The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent. But the day of the Lord will come as unexpectedly as a thief. Then the heavens will pass away with a terrible noise, and the very elements themselves will disappear in fire, and the earth and everything on it will be found to deserve judgment.

So we, like every Christian for 2,000 years, need to know how to endure for the long haul because faith is a lifelong journey, not a one-time event. Faith is only faith when it endures.

Does this really matter?

2 Corinthians 13:5 Examine yourselves to see if your faith is genuine. Test yourselves. Surely you know that Jesus Christ is among you; if not, you have failed the test of genuine faith.

Christ is with you and you’ll one day be with him. Literally. In a body like he has. The question you need to answer is Will you endure to the end, will you be READY when he comes?

Now, you knew this was coming. We’ve danced around and poked in and out of Hebrews 11 for a couple of months now. Today I want us to see the context and realize what it was originally meant for. The first readers understood that Hebrews 11 was encouragement for them to have faith for the long haul.

Read Hebrews 11 NLT

Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see. Through their faith, the people in days of old earned a good reputation. By faith we understand that the entire universe was formed at God’s command, that what we now see did not come from anything that can be seen. It was by faith that Abel brought a more acceptable offering to God than Cain did. Abel’s offering gave evidence that he was a righteous man, and God showed his approval of his gifts. Although Abel is long dead, he still speaks to us by his example of faith. It was by faith that Enoch was taken up to heaven without dying—“he disappeared, because God took him.” For before he was taken up, he was known as a person who pleased God. And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him. It was by faith that Noah built a large boat to save his family from the flood. He obeyed God, who warned him about things that had never happened before. By his faith Noah condemned the rest of the world, and he received the righteousness that comes by faith. It was by faith that Abraham obeyed when God called him to leave home and go to another land that God would give him as his inheritance. He went without knowing where he was going. And even when he reached the land God promised him, he lived there by faith—for he was like a foreigner, living in tents. And so did Isaac and Jacob, who inherited the same promise. Abraham was confidently looking forward to a city with eternal foundations, a city designed and built by God. It was by faith that even Sarah was able to have a child, though she was barren and was too old. She believed that God would keep his promise. And so a whole nation came from this one man who was as good as dead—a nation with so many people that, like the stars in the sky and the sand on the seashore, there is no way to count them. All these people died still believing what God had promised them. They did not receive what was promised, but they saw it all from a distance and welcomed it. They agreed that they were foreigners and nomads here on earth. Obviously people who say such things are looking forward to a country they can call their own. If they had longed for the country they came from, they could have gone back. But they were looking for a better place, a heavenly homeland. That is why God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them. It was by faith that Abraham offered Isaac as a sacrifice when God was testing him. Abraham, who had received God’s promises, was ready to sacrifice his only son, Isaac, even though God had told him, “Isaac is the son through whom your descendants will be counted.” Abraham reasoned that if Isaac died, God was able to bring him back to life again. And in a sense, Abraham did receive his son back from the dead. It was by faith that Isaac promised blessings for the future to his sons, Jacob and Esau. It was by faith that Jacob, when he was old and dying, blessed each of Joseph’s sons and bowed in worship as he leaned on his staff. It was by faith that Joseph, when he was about to die, said confidently that the people of Israel would leave Egypt. He even commanded them to take his bones with them when they left. It was by faith that Moses’ parents hid him for three months when he was born. They saw that God had given them an unusual child, and they were not afraid to disobey the king’s command. It was by faith that Moses, when he grew up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. He chose to share the oppression of God’s people instead of enjoying the fleeting pleasures of sin. He thought it was better to suffer for the sake of Christ than to own the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking ahead to his great reward. It was by faith that Moses left the land of Egypt, not fearing the king’s anger. He kept right on going because he kept his eyes on the one who is invisible. It was by faith that Moses commanded the people of Israel to keep the Passover and to sprinkle blood on the doorposts so that the angel of death would not kill their firstborn sons. It was by faith that the people of Israel went right through the Red Sea as though they were on dry ground. But when the Egyptians tried to follow, they were all drowned. It was by faith that the people of Israel marched around Jericho for seven days, and the walls came crashing down. It was by faith that Rahab the prostitute was not destroyed with the people in her city who refused to obey God. For she had given a friendly welcome to the spies. How much more do I need to say? It would take too long to recount the stories of the faith of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and all the prophets. By faith these people overthrew kingdoms, ruled with justice, and received what God had promised them. They shut the mouths of lions, quenched the flames of fire, and escaped death by the edge of the sword. Their weakness was turned to strength. They became strong in battle and put whole armies to flight. Women received their loved ones back again from death. But others were tortured, refusing to turn from God in order to be set free. They placed their hope in a better life after the resurrection. Some were jeered at, and their backs were cut open with whips. Others were chained in prisons. Some died by stoning, some were sawed in half, and others were killed with the sword. Some went about wearing skins of sheep and goats, destitute and oppressed and mistreated. They were too good for this world, wandering over deserts and mountains, hiding in caves and holes in the ground. All these people earned a good reputation because of their faith, yet none of them received all that God had promised. For God had something better in mind for us, so that they would not reach perfection without us.

The first readers understood that Hebrews 11 was encouragement for them to have faith for the long haul. Does this encourage you to have faith for the long haul? What about this part?

They did not receive what was promised, but they saw it all from a distance and welcomed it. They agreed that they were foreigners and nomads here on earth. Obviously people who say such things are looking forward to a country they can call their own. If they had longed for the country they came from, they could have gone back. But they were looking for a better place, a heavenly homeland.

Our Present Condition

The world we live in is a fallen world that has yet to be redeemed. The people around us are fallen and are either being redeemed or have yet to be redeemed. This perishable body must put on the imperishable and our mortal bodies will take on immortality (1 Corinthians 15:53) but right now, we wait with all of creation.

With all of creation, we groan as in childbirth, waiting for the children of God to be revealed (Romans 8:19-26). We are the children of God but he has not yet shown us what we will be like when Christ appears. But we do know that we will be like him, for we will see him as he really is (1 John 3:2).

So whether we die in Christ and be with him today in paradise or we’re here on earth when trumpet sounds and the dead in Christ are raised and we who are alive rise up to meet him in the air (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18) - we need to know how to have faith for the long haul.

Not just endure to the bitter end, but to continually build our faith and add goodness and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, endurance; and to endurance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection phileo ; and to phileo, agapeo love. (2 Peter 1:5-7)

Faith is a lifelong journey, not a one-time event. Faith is only faith when it endures.

Imagine what it would be like to …

…have trouble come and not being able to stop yourself from laughing at the works of the one who comes to kill, steal and destroy because you know you know your God is good and working all things together for good. That this problem will lead to endurance and endurance will lead to forever being with the Father who loves you.

It’s ridiculously awesome! Everything the enemy means for evil, God will turn around for good.

Solution to have Faith for the Long Haul

How can we be ready for Christ to return? How can we have faith for the long haul?

That’s a great question, I’m so glad you asked.

This is a tool of tools. There are a lot of verses that you need to check out the context for. I’m going to give you homework today. Look up these verses and meditate on them. Ask Holy Spirit how to make them part of your walk.

Will I be READY Tool?

R- Repent of your sins and turn to God Acts 3:19

E- EXPECT instead of having expectations Matthew 24:42

A - Always WALK in the light 1 Thessalonians 5:4-5

D - Don’t Forget to STAND 2 Chronicles 20:17

Y - YIELD to Jesus as Lord 1 Peter 3:15

This is how you live READY to meet your God. Whether the next breath you take is the last one you take on this earth or you’re here when the trumpet is called and the dead in Christ rise, you need to be READY.

Repent of your sins and turn to God

Acts 3:19 (NLT) - "Now repent of your sins and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped away."

God has given us the tools of Confession and Repentance and the grace to supernaturally use them. Confession and Repentance bring you into His Kingdom AND enable you to seek first his kingdom and righteousness once you’re in the Kingdom.

Confession is agreeing with God that what you did or didn’t do is sin. We tell God we agree with him that what we did or withheld from doing is sin. Or we can confess that Jesus is Lord and confess our need for Christ to be in the driver’s seat of our life.

Repentance is not doing what God calls sin or withholding from doing that God calls good. It’s changing our mind and going in the opposite direction.

Do you need to confess that Jesus is Lord? Do you need to confess your sins since salvation?

1 John 1:8-9 If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth. But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.

Do I need to confess and repent of anything?

Repent of your sins and turn to God

EXPECT instead of having expectations

Matthew 24:42 - "Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come."

Do you know the difference between being expectant and having expectations?

Expectations have real or imagine deadlines or standards.

Expectancy is focused on God being good and in a good mood.

EXPECT God will be Good Tool

EXPECT

E - Employ testimony - Revelation 12:11

X - X-change your problems for His peace - 1 Peter 5:6-7

P - Patiently wait - Psalm 27:14

E - Enjoy Gratitude - 1 Thessalonians 5:18

C - Commit everything to God - Psalm 37:5-6

T - Tune into Purity - 1 John 3:2-3

Let’s unpack this...

E - Employ Testimony

Revelation 12:11(NLT) “And they have defeated him by the blood of the Lamb and by their testimony. And they did not love their lives so much that they were afraid to die.

Testimony reinforces thoughts and behaviours. It can reinforce bad thoughts or good thoughts. When we testify about anything that isn’t true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable or excellent and worthy of praise. We agree with the enemy and invite him to do it again.

But when we testify about what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable and excellent and worthy of praise we invite God to do it again. The testimony of Jesus is the Spirit of prophecy. (Revelation 19:10) which might be a reason the more we talk about the good things of God, more good things we have to be thankful for.

If you want to expect God to be good and true to his word you need use employ good testimony. Expectancy comes from positive Testimony.

X-change your problems for His peace

1 Peter 5:6-7 (NLT) "So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honour. Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.”

You don’t ignore the reality of your situation, you take everything to God in prayer, and don’t leave his presence until you once again have his peace.

P - Patiently wait

Psalm 27:14 (NLT) "Wait patiently for the LORD. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the LORD."

Patience is not a passive toleration of things we don’t like. Patience defined in James 1:2-4 as “Independent, unyielding, defiant perseverance in the face of aggressive misfortune “

E - Enjoy Gratitude

1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NLT) Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.

We can be thankful IN all circumstances, it’s a choice, a decision of our will. We can only we thankful FOR all circumstances (Ephesians 5:18-20) as a byproduct of being continually filled with Holy Spirit. If you want to be expectant and endure to the end, you have to choose to be thankful in all circumstances and choose to be continually filled with Holy Spirit so that you can give thanks for all circumstances.

C - Commit everything to God

Psalm 37:5-6 (NLT) "Commit everything you do to the LORD. Trust him, and he will help you. He will make your innocence radiate like the dawn, and the justice of your cause will shine like the noonday sun."

We cannot expect good things from God if we do not trust him to be good and in a good mood. Let God know that you know when you are upset with him and giving him credit for the works of the one who comes to steal, kill and destroy. He knows when you don’t trust him. You know you don’t trust him if you don’t feel his peace.

T - Tune into Purity

1 John 3:2-3 (NLT) - “Dear friends, we are already God’s children, but he has not yet shown us what we will be like when Christ appears. But we do know that we will be like him, for we will see him as he really is. And all who have this eager expectation will keep themselves pure, just as he is pure.”

When we eagerly expect Christ to come back we naturally throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles (Hebrews 12:1). We do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is (Ephesians 5:17). We are made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work. (2 Timothy 2:21) When we eagerly expect, we keep ourselves pure, just as he is pure.

Do I EXPECT or do I have expectations?

R- Repent of your sins and turn to God

E- EXPECT instead of having expectations

A - Always WALK in The Light

Always WALK in the Light Tool

1 Thessalonians 5:4-5 - "But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. You are all children of the light and children of the day."

W -Welcome those God wants you to help - Matthew 25:40

A - Awaken to Holiness - Hebrews 12:14-15

L - Love your neighbour as yourself - Mark 12:31

K - Know why you meet together - Hebrews 10:24-25

Let’s unpack this...

W -Welcome those God wants you to help

Matthew 25:40 - "The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’"

Do I do what I can for who God wants me to bless?

A - Awaken to holiness

Hebrews 12:14-15 - " Work at living in peace with everyone, and work at living a holy life, for those who are not holy will not see the Lord. Look after each other so that none of you fails to receive the grace of God. Watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble you, corrupting many.'"

Do I work at living a holy life?

L - Love your neighbour as yourself

Mark 12:31 NLT - "The second is equally important: 'Love your neighbour as yourself.' No other commandment is greater than these.

Do I love my neighbour as myself?

K - Know why you meet together

Hebrews 10:24-25 NLT - “Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.”

Do I WALK in the light as He is in the light?

R- Repent of your sins and turn to God

E- EXPECT instead of having expectations

A - Always WALK in The Light

D - Don’t Forget to STAND

2 Chronicles 20:17 But you will not even need to fight. Take your positions; then stand still and watch the Lord’s victory. He is with you, O people of Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid or discouraged. Go out against them tomorrow, for the Lord is with you!”

Take up your position and STAND Tool

S - Stop giving God credit for the works of the one who comes to steal, kill and destroy. - John 10:10

T- Treat all hardship as discipline knowing He is a good Father and will work all things together for good. - Hebrews 12:7-11

A - Agree to cast all your cares upon him, because he cares for you. - 1 Peter 5:7

N- Never forget that the God of all hope fills you with all peace and joy as you trust in him, so that you can overflow with hope by the power of Holy Spirit. - Romans 15:13

D - Don’t worry about anything, but pray about everything and thank him in all things, knowing that’s his will for you. - Philippians 4:6-7

Do I STAND to see the deliverance of the Lord?

R- Repent of your sins and turn to God

E- EXPECT instead of having expectations

A - Always WALK in The Light

D - Don’t Forget to STAND

YIELD to Jesus as Lord

Jesus needs to be Lord of my,,, actions, answers, attitude …my will, my decision, my emotions - Jesus needs to be Lord of my whole heart.

YIELD to Jesus as Lord Tool

Y - Yoke yourself to Him - 1 Peter 3:15-16

E - Enjoy bowing now - Philippians 2:9-11

I - Imitate Jesus - Colossians 2:6-7

L - Learn to let Holy Spirit help you - 1 Corinthians 12:3

D - Declare He is Lord - Romans 10:9-10

Let’s unpack this...

Y - Yoke yourself to Him

1 Peter 3:15-16 (NIV84) - “In your heart, set apart, Christ as Lord .Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,

His yoke is easy and his burden is light.

E - Enjoy bowing now

Philippians 2:9-11 (NLT) - "Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth, and under the earth, and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves…

Every knee will bow. It’s a joy and celebration to bow now.

I - Imitate Jesus

Colossians 2:6-7 (NLT) - "And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him. Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness."

When your faith grows strong, you overflow with gratitude.

The more faith you have, the more gratitude you have. The more gratitude you have, the more trust you have. The more trust you have the more hope and joy you have. The more joy you have the more you consider it all joy whenever you face trouble of any kind because you have faith to trust he is good and working all things together for the good.

L - Learn to let Holy Spirit help you

1 Corinthians 12:3 (NLT) - "So I want you to know that no one speaking by the Spirit of God will curse Jesus, and no one can say Jesus is Lord, except by the Holy Spirit."

He empowers you to accomplish every good work prompted by faith. Of course he’s going to empower you to say “Jesus is Lord” to the glory of God the Father.

Gentleman, sometimes Holy Spirit sounds a lot like your mom or your wife giving constructive criticism. We are to honour one another so when we honour those closest to us, we honour God.

D - Declare He is Lord

Romans 10:9-10 (NLT) - "If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved."

He is not Lord because you declare he is Lord. He’s Lord and you agree with what that means for your life. He’s in the driver seat of your life. You are not. You go when he says go. You wait when he says wait. You love how he tells you to love. (It’s sacrificial, it will cost you everything).

Do I yield to Jesus as Lord? Is he Lord of my actions, my answers and my attitude?

Conclusion

Faith is a lifelong journey, not a one-time event. Faith is only faith when it endures.

Will you be READY?

R- Repent of your sins and turn to God Acts 3:19

E- EXPECT instead of having expectations Matthew 24:42

A - Always WALK in The Light 1 Thessalonians 5:4-5

D - Don’t Forget to STAND 2 Chronicles 20:17

Y - YIELD to Jesus as Lord 1 Peter 3:15

Challenge

Will you continue to add endurance to your faith?

I Find Strength in Gratitude to Stand Firm in Faith

I wake up each morning with a heart full of gratitude, for the Lord has blessed me abundantly beyond what I deserve. I find strength when I cultivate a heart of thanksgiving so that I can be more and more firm in my faith. Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things unseen. Faith comes by hearing the good news of Christ Jesus.

I choose to not give God credit for the works of the one who comes to steal, kill and destroy. I treat all hardship as discipline knowing he will work all things together for good. I cast all my cares on him because he cares for me. I am never lacking in zeal, but keep I keep my spiritual fervour serving the Lord. I am joyful in hope, patient in affliction and faithful in prayer. I don’t worry about anything, but I pray about everything and thank him in all things, knowing that’s his will for me.

I know how to turn my hurt into hope. I trust in the Lord with all my heart and don’t lean on my own understanding, in all my ways I acknowledge him and he makes my path straight. The God of all hope fills me with peace and joy as I trust in him, so that I overflow with hope by the power of Holy Spirit.

I know how to renew my strength. As I wait on the Lord, he renews my strength. Sometimes I rise up on wings as eagles, sometimes I run and do not grow weary, sometimes I walk and do not faint. I am confident I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living, so I am strong and take heart and wait for the Lord. I am still and know he is God.

I know how to exchange my problems for his peace. I enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise. I tell him what I need, I thank him for what he’s done. Because he cares for me, I cast my cares on him. I don’t fear because he is with me. I am not dismayed because he is God. He strengthens me and helps me and upholds me with his righteous right hand.

Today, I know gratitude is a powerful force that strengthens my faith for the long haul of life. It allows me to appreciate God's blessings, to trust he works all things together for the good, and find peace amidst life's challenges. With a heart filled with gratitude, I can stand firm in my faith and face the reality of my day-to-day of everyday with all the grace, hope and joy he provides.

Can I pray?

fatih