Saturday 16 June 2012

Source of my strength

'Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful'
(Psalm 1:1)

This scripture has recently helped me to get over an obstacle that I've had in my life, because it has taught me a lesson; although I've seen it so many times before I only just really understood it's meaning. As Christians we should not look for ungodly counsel; by this I mean advice and counsel that is not according to God's word. It may have been good advice but let's remember the devil can sugar-coat anything. Instead of looking to friends/associates sources for counsel, I should and need to be looking to Jesus and if I am 'confiding' in others, it should be fellow Christians who will share with me wisdom from the word of God. Because ultimately if it's not God's word than who's 'word' am I following.... Because the only example or lifestyle we should be modelling our own lives after is Christ.

There's so many other reasons and scriptures that I could quote and say to back up the fact that as Christians we should be seeking Godly counsel. Hopefully, below are some relevant ones. 

 'And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.' 
(Romans 12:2) 

 'But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.' 
(2 Corinthians 3:18) 

 ^^^^^ these are just some of those cool scriptures that let me know that I, little ole me, can have the mind of Christ!!! Seriously, that is the perfect mind, how can I not want to, and not strive to, have the perfect mind. Instead, should I be trying to think positive yet ungodly things about life's circumstances and following counsel that is going to lead me to develop a more worldly mindset?

 Besides 'If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.' 
(John 15:18, 19) 

 'Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.' 
(1 John 2:15-17) 

 'We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one.' 
(1 John 5:19) 

 'I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.' (John 17:15-17) 

 In conclusion,  as Christians, we shouldn't completely isolate ourselves and shut our ears to ungodly advice if we receive it and from unbelievers, but we should not rely on it so much and let it sink deep into our hearts so that we are living by that word or quote or advice instead of God's word. Even considering the next part of this verse 'nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seats of the scornful' - its a verse worth studying and considering, because we need to decrease our dependency on the world and increase our dependency on Christ. 

I have decided that I would rather be sanctified and renewed in my mind by the truth in the word of God than by the truth in the world which lies under the sway of the devil. So from now on, my only councillor will be Christ who died so that I might live, who knows my every need and thought even before I say it, who knows my heart more than I do myself, who is closer to me than my very next heartbeat. I will seek godly wisdom, from the truth in the word of God when I face any shape or form of a battle in my mind, for my counselling. 

 (Jesus to Judas when asked 'Lord, how is it that you will manifest Yourself to us, and not to the world? - it actually says NOT to the world) 'But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. 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 14:26, 27)

Lastly, remember what it says in Proverbs:
'A fool vents all his feelings, But a wise man holds them back'
(Proverbs 29:11)

I hope you've been encouraged reading this, and know that there is One who knows every situation you may go through and will never give you more than you can bear. Just put your trust in Him and cast your burdens unto Him, because He is the #1 counsellor, provider, comforter, source of strength, the only one who can fill your emptiness, my emptiness, everyone's emptiness. In Christ, we are complete!
:)

Wednesday 13 June 2012

why do I have a blogger?

I don't know how this works....but I decided to create a blog because I saw my friends blog and I thought that's really cool so let me make one for myself. My purpose for this blog is to share the gospel message to as many people as I can and hopefully encourage people on their journey, and with all these new mediums because of technology that mean we can connect with almost anyone, we can all reach a lot more people with the gospel message, which is like...the purpose.

For many years now, I have had a really negative state of mind and that has affected my self perception and esteem, but I have learnt many lessons and now I am tring to live more Christlike. So, because I enjoy talking and encouraging people having learnt many life lessons, I want to ensure that everybody who reads my blogs (or posts in blogs) or personally associates with me, has a right state of mind and if I can encourage them to adopt one then I will do so, because the commandment God gives us is to 'love one another' and real love is selfless in that it helps others. It helps and comforts the hurting people, listens to and accompanies the lonely, feeds the poor ...etc, provides for those nobody provides for and ultimately real love is not selfish in any shape or form.

So this is my blog! I hope it inspires or encourages somebody...