A Letter From Your King

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My Precious Child,

You may not know everything about Me, but I know everything about you (Psalm 139:1). I know when you sit down and when you rise up (Psalm 139:2). I am familiar with your ways (Psalm 139:3). Even the very hairs on your head are numbered (Matt 10:29-31) for you were made in My image (Genesis 1:27). In Me you live and move and have your being (Acts 17:28) for you are My offspring (Acts 17:28).

I knew you even before you were conceived (Jeremiah 1:4-5). I chose you even before I planned creation (Ephesians 1:11-12). You were not a mistake; all your days are written in my book (Psalm 139:15-16). I determined the exact time of your birth and where you would live (Acts 17:26). You were fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14). I knit you together in you mother's womb (Psalm 139:13) and brought you forth on the day you were born (Psalm 71:6).

I have been misrepresented by those who don't know Me (John 8:41-44). I am not distant and angry, but I am the complete expression of love (1 John 4:16), and it is my desire to lavish My love on you (1 John 3:1). I offer you more than your earthly father ever could (Matthew 7:11) for I am the Perfect Father (Matthew 5:48). Every good gift that you receive comes from My hand (James 1:17) for I am your provider, and I meet all your needs (Matthew 6:31-33).

My plan for your future has always been filled with hope. (Jeremiah 29:11). Because I love you with an everlasting love (Jeremiah 31:3), My thoughts toward you are as countless as the sand on the seashore (Psalm 139:17-18) and I rejoice over you with singing (Zephaniah 3:17). I will never stop doing good to you (Jeremiah 32:40) for you are My treasured possession (Exodus 19:5). I desire to establish you with all My heart and all My soul (Jeremiah 32:41).

I want to show you great and marvelous things (Jeremiah 33:3). If you seek Me with all your heart, you will find Me (Deuteronomy 4:29). Delight in Me, and I will give you the desires of you heart (Psalm 37:4) for it is I who gave you those desires (Philippians 2:13).

I am able to do more for you than you could possibly imagine (Ephesians 3:20) for I am your greatest encourager (2 Thessalonians 2:16-17). I am also the Father who comforts you in all your troubles (2 Corinthians 1:3-4). When you are brokenhearted, I am close to you (Psalm 34:18). As a Shepherd carries a lamb, I have carried you close you My heart (Isaiah 40:11).

One day, I will wipe away every tear from your eyes (Revelation 21:3-4) and I'll take away all the pain you have suffered on this earth (Revelation 21:3-4). I am your Father, and I love you even as I love my Son, Jesus (John 17:26). He is the exact representation of My being (Hebrews 1:3). He came to demonstrate that I am for you, not against you (Romans 8:31) and to tell you that I am not counting your sins (2 Corinthians 5:18-19).

Jesus died so that you could be reconciled (2 Corinthians 5:18-19). His death was the ultimate expression of My love for you (1 John 4:10). I gave up everything I loved so that I might gain your love (Romans 8:31-32). When you received the gift of my Son, Jesus, you received Me (1 John 2:23), and nothing will ever separate you from My love again (Romans 8:38-39).

If you've strayed, come home, and I'll throw the biggest party heaven has ever seen (Luke 15:7). From the moment you received Me, I have been your Father and I will, now, always be your Father (Ephesians 3:14-15).

My question is, if you are not one of Mine, will you be My child (John 1:1-13)? If you are, will you walk with Me always and keep My commands (Deuteronomy 11:22)? Regardless, I am waiting for you (Luke 15:11-32). I always have been!

Love,

Your Dad, Almighty God

 

Father's Love Letter used by permission: Father Heart Communications © 1999-2013 www.FathersLoveLetter.com

The Word of God Magnified

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"I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name." ~Psalm 138:2

I have a high place for God's word because HE does. This, to me, is one of the most powerful verses in the Bible regarding the word of God. To fully understand the impact of David's claim in this Psalm, we have to see what the Bible says first about God's name: "...and blessed be thy glorious name, which is exalted above all blessing and praise." (Nehemiah 9:5) God's name is exalted above all blessing and praise! And yet the Psalmist proclaims that God himself has magnified his word above his name! There can be no mistaking the importance God has placed on his word.

I think Spurgeon, the Prince of Preachers, put it well:

"For thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name. The word of promise made to David was in his eyes more glorious than all else that he had seen of the Most High. Revelation excels creation in the clearness, definiteness, and fullness of its teaching. The name of the Lord in nature is not so easily read as in the Scriptures, which are a revelation in human language, specially adapted to the human mind, treating of human need, and of a Saviour who appeared in human nature to redeem humanity.

Heaven and earth shall pass away, but the divine word will not pass away, and in this respect especially it has a preeminence over every other form of manifestation. Moreover, the Lord lays all the rest of his name under tribute to his word: his wisdom, power, love, and all his other attributes combine to carry out his word. It is his word which creates, sustains, quickens, enlightens, and comforts. As a word of command it is supreme; and in the person of the incarnate Word it is set above all the works of God's hands. The sentence in the text is wonderfully full of meaning. We have collected a vast mass of literature upon it, but space will not allow us to put it all into our notes. Let us adore the Lord who has spoken to us by his word, and by his Son; and in the presence of unbelievers let us both praise his holy name and extol his holy word." 

(C. H. Spurgeon - Treasury of David commentary)

One who would accuse another of "bible idolatry" for daring to trust that the Bible is pure, inerrant, and the absolute authority for every Christian should take heed of David's words in the 138th Psalm, and the 119th as well. {Psalm 138; Psalm 119}

-Brandon

Source: AV1611.com

Wake Up Sleeping Beauty!

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The Great Physician has finished His exam of Sleeping Beauty as the emergency room falls silent, and awaits the long anticipated antidote for the deadly poison she has so foolishly consumed. The slumbering Bride is pale and gaunt, her breathing shallow and labored. She has become unresponsive. There’s no more time for talk—now is the time for action. Her life is slipping away and in a few moments her window of opportunity will close. 

This situation looks hopeless. Many have already given up, checked out, and thrown in the towel, feeling the outcome is inevitable—her healing impossible. Others have already written and published her obituary in the newspapers. Even the bookies in Vegas are betting against her. And…that is exactly what her demonic foe is banking on. Give in—give out—give up!

The only hope for the Church is spelled R-E-P-E-N-T-A-N-C-E. She must come to her senses and repent. No wonder drug or miracle elixir will help her. The cure is a volitional act of her will that will bring about a change of mind, action, and direction. She must utter seven simple heartfelt words, “Father, I (that’s you and me in case it has slipped our minds who the church really is) have sinned—please forgive me.” When that last pronoun “me” is formed on our lips, we will once again sense the intimate presence of our Prince and feel His tender lips brush against ours. This kiss will come only as the confession leaves Sleeping Beauty’s lips. If the kiss comes, revival will be the result.

The questions remains, what will she (you and I) do? Like the younger son of Jesus’ parable in Luke 15, the Church has wasted her inheritance on shiny baubles and cheap trinkets. She is bankrupt—wallowing with the pigs—fighting for another bite of garbage to sustain her. But unlike the younger son, she has not come to her senses and realized who she is and how far she has fallen.

Revival will not come until repentance consumes us. It will not happen corporately until brokenness overwhelms us individually.

Sleeping Beauty will not awaken until you and I do.

Repent therefore and return, that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord. ~Acts 3:19

Source: http://seekingthefathersheart.wordpress.com/2010/09/03/wake-up-sleeping-beauty-part-10/ 

Have a B.A.D. Day!

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While shopping at a local mall, I spotted a man with an acronym on his shirt that had B.A.D. Me, being the person that I am (curious), stopped the man and asked, "What does B.A.D. stand for?" And trust me; you'll be amazed at what his response was.     

He replied, B.A.D. stands for: "Blessed And Delivered." That thought stuck with me as I finished doing my shopping. So, I came up with a little advice for you today.

(1) When the enemy tries to attack you, just remember that you are B.A.D.!    

(2) When things don't seem to be going right on your job, just remember that you are B.A.D.!    

(3) When things are not looking good in your marriage or relationships, just remember that you are B.A.D.!    

(4) When folks scandalize your name, just remember that you are B.A.D!.    

(5) When health challenges seem to overtake your body, just remember that you are B.A.D.!    

(6) When the spirit of depression tries to overtake your mind, just remember that you are B.A.D.!    

(7) When you have more monthly expenses than money, just remember that you are B.A.D.!    

(8) When your mode of transportation is not working right, just remember that you are B.A.D.!    

(9) When the spirit of grief tries to paralyze you, just remember that you are B.A.D.!    

(10) And when you wake up in the morning to a brand new day, just shout to the heavens…Hallelujah! I AM B.A.D.!!!!!!!!!    

YOU ARE "BLESSED AND DELIVERED"!!  So Have a B.A.D. Day!

Source: Facebook 

 

Let My Ways Unfold

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By Eileen Fisher

 

I keep hearing the Lord say, "I know some of you are too weary to come to where I am. That's why I remind you I AM with you always. Even in your weariness when you cannot come to Me, I AM with you. The only thing that changes is your awareness. The awareness that I AM with you. Allow Me to open your eyes, the eyes of your spirit man, so you can see Me working even when you do not see the physical manifestation. Know in the spirit I AM working. Know that I do not sleep, I do not become weary with My own, I do not worry over My own. I war for My own."

"I would offer Myself to you as your warrior, as the man of war. The man of war, who takes on the battle that has caused fatigue and strife all around you. It has not been of My Spirit, but it has been of another to distract you to pull you away and to pull you down to where you are weary in body, mind, soul and spirit. The enemy tries to place between you and Me a curtain of worry, fear, doubt, unbelief and despair. I tore the curtain once and I am tearing it down again. The curtain I desire to tear down is how you think, how you receive, how you respond. I say, do not receive in your soul, but receive unhindered in your spirit. Your spirit bears witness to truth. Your soul becomes distracted with wants and needs. Have I not said, 'Worship Me in spirit and in truth'? Keep your spirit free."

"Chose not to walk in the low mindset to where you would try to bring Me, instead chose to walk lowly with humility knowing that you serve and you dwell with an almighty God. Come to know Me as a warrior. Warring over MY own, protecting My own, plans in place for MY own. Man can throw up blueprints, man can throw up barriers, plans, assignments, but My Spirit can come with the wind and the fire and destroy every weapon that comes against you. You must pull down your thoughts. You must lift up your spirit. When you lean to your own understanding you become weak, but when you pray with My Spirit and rest in My Spirit in stillness, you gain strength. Know I am a God of strength and that I strengthen My own. Even if now you have chosen isolation, I have not chosen this for you. I have chosen fellowship, this is why I have sent My Blood upon the earth, so you could partake in fellowship with Me, spirit to Spirit."

"Ask Me for My ways and then expect My ways. Be not afraid of the word 'wait'. Be not afraid of the word 'no'. Be not afraid of the word 'occupy'. Know this is Me telling you I am aligning things in the spirit, and you must wait until My alignment is established. I do not want you out of line. I want to be the plumb line of love that is Heaven sent, Heaven dropped, Heaven marked to where you will not miss the mark. I am causing you and calling you to separate unto Me. Yes, I say come away, My beloved. I've said, 'Come away with Me.' Allow Me to be your beloved. Allow Me to be your friend, your counselor, your teacher, your guide. Know through Me all things are possible. Wait upon My timing and let My ways unfold."

Balancing the Christian Life: Video Games, TV, Movies, Sports, Music, iPhones, iPads, Facebook, Etc.

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This article addresses mainly video games, but the litmus test contained within applies to many other forms of entertainment that can distract our attention from knowing and loving God and serving His people (Video Games, TV, Movies, Sports, Music, iPhones, iPads, Facebook, Etc.).  

 

Princess Warriors (and Prince Warriors) cannot allow worldly pursuits to dominate our thoughts and time. We are at war. The enemy is prowling. Satan does not take time off from trying to destroy us. We must be vigilant and watchful over our hearts and minds and what we allow into them. Every soldier must rest, but we must rest in Christ. He must never leave our thoughts and we must honor Him in all that we do. Only what we do for our King will be able to stand the test of time and will be rewarded greatly. 

 

When we make Christ our priority and live for Him we are storing up treasures in heaven. We are laying hold of something precious and priceless. But, when we pursue the world and what it has to offer...when we are following after that shiny bright "thing" off in the distance, we will be horrified when we see that it was only a broken mirror and realize that we missed the true and real treasure.

 

This article is not to condemn (for I have been convicted as well), but to equip...to help you and I become all that we can be for the One who saved us and loves us more than we know. 

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Question: "Should a Christian play video games?"

Answer: Completed nearly 2000 years ago, God’s Word does not explicitly teach whether or not a Christian should play video games. But the Bible’s principles still apply today regarding the best use of our time. When God shows us that a specific activity is controlling our lives, we should break away from it for a time. This “fast” could be from food, movies, sports, TV, music, video games, anything that distracts our attention from knowing and loving God and serving His people. While some of these things may not be bad in and of themselves, they become idols if they distract us from our first love (Colossians 3:5; Revelation 2:4). Below are some principles to consider, whether the question is regarding video games, TV, movies, sports, or any other earthly pursuit.

1. Will video games edify or merely entertain me? To edify means to build up. Will playing video games build up your love for God, knowledge of Him, and ministry to others? “‘Everything is permissible’—but not everything is beneficial. ‘Everything is permissible’—but not everything is constructive” (1 Corinthians 10:23-24; Romans 14:19). When God gives us relaxation time, we should find uplifting activities to enjoy. Do we choose permissible over praiseworthy activities? When we have a choice between good, better, and best, we should choose the best (Galatians 5:13-17).

2. Will playing video games obey self-will or God’s will? God’s will for His children can be summed up in His greatest commandment: “’Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself’” (Luke 10:27). Our will has been polluted by sin. Because we have been saved from our selfish desires, we should surrender our will (Philippians 3:7-9). God’s will transforms our will (Psalm 143:10). Progressively, His desires for us become our deepest desires as well.

Many people believe the will of God is boring and humiliating. They picture a monk in a lonely monastery or a resentful church janitor. On the contrary, people who follow God’s will for their lives are the most joyful, adventurous people ever. Reading biographies of history’s heroes such Hudson Taylor, Amy Carmichael, Corrie Ten Boom, and George Mueller will verify that. Certainly, these saints faced difficulty from the world, their own flesh, and the devil. They may not have had much of this world’s possessions, but God accomplished great works through them. At first, His will seems impossible and too holy to be any fun, but God will give us the power to perform it and the desires to delight in it. “I delight to do Your will, O my God” (Psalm 40:8a; see Hebrews 13:21).

3. Does the video game glorify God? Some video games glorify violence, lewdness, and dumb decisions (e.g., “I’m out of the race, so I’ll just wreck my car”). As Christians, our activities should bring glory to God (1 Corinthians 10:31) and help us to grow in the knowledge and grace of Christ.

4. Will playing video games result in good works? “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10; see also Titus 2:11-14 and 1 Peter 2:15). Laziness and selfishness violate God’s purpose for us—to do good works to others (1 Corinthians 15:58; see also Galatians 6:9-10).

5. Will playing video games exhibit self-control? Many people have said that video games can become an addiction or an obsession. There is no room in the Christian life for such things. Paul compares the Christian life to an athlete disciplining his body so he may win the prize. Christians have a greater motivation to live a set-apart life of self-control—eternal reward in heaven (1 Corinthians 9:25-27).

6. Will playing video games redeem the time? You will give account for how you use your limited minutes. Spending hours at a time playing a video game can hardly be called a good use of time. “Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is” (Ephesians 5:15-17). “Live for the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human passions but for the will of God” (1 Peter 4:2; see also Colossians 4:5, James 4:14, and 1 Peter 1:14-22).

7. Does it pass the test of Philippians 4:8? “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things” (Philippians 4:8). When you play video games, is your mind focused on godly or secular things?

8. Will playing video games fit in with my life purpose? Paul wrote that in the final days people would be “…lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God” (2 Timothy 3:4). Western culture fits that description. We love to play. Non-Christians become addicted to entertainment such as movies, sports, and music because they do not have a purpose higher than to enjoy life before death. These amusements cannot truly satisfy (Ecclesiastes 2:1). When Christians become addicted to the same things as non-Christians, can we truly say that we are exhibiting the new life “in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe” (Philippians 2:15)? Or do we prove to others that we are really no different than they are and that Christ has not made a significant difference in our lives?

Paul considered knowing, loving, and obeying God to be his highest priority. “I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ....I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,” (Philippians 3:7-10). Will playing video games be showing my love for God or my love for the things of the world? (1 John 2:15-17).

9. Will playing video games give me an eternal focus? Christians have hope of eternal rewards in heaven if they are faithful on earth (see Matthew 6:19-21 and 1 Corinthians 3:11-16). If we focus on living for eternity rather than the passing pleasures of earth, we will have surrendered resources, time, and hearts for ministry (Colossians 3:1-2; 23-24). If our possessions or activities cause us to lose our eternal rewards, of what worth are they (Luke 12:33-37)? Christians often try to serve both God and their own desires. But Jesus clearly stated, “No one can serve two masters” (Matthew 6:24). God gives us joy through times of work and rest (Ecclesiastes 5:19; Matthew 11:28-29; Colossians 3:23-24). We must find that balance between labor and recreation. When we do set aside time for relaxation as Jesus did (Mark 6:31), we should choose an edifying activity.

The question is not “Can I play video games?” but “Would video games be the best choice?” Will this edify me, show love to my neighbor, and glorify God? We are to pursue praiseworthy activities, not simply permissible ones. However He leads you, passionately follow Him above all else. Prepare for eternity. Every sacrifice will seem insignificant when we meet Jesus.

Recommended Resources: Logos Bible Software and Balancing the Christian Life by Charles Ryrie. 

For Christian reviews of current games, we recommend - http://www.christiananswers.net/spotlight/games/.

While he is not the author of every article on GotQuestions.org, for citation purposes, you may reference our CEO, S. Michael Houdmann.

Read more: http://www.gotquestions.org/Christian-video-games.html#ixzz2Ws6i61vT

Other Resource: http://www.pluggedin.com/  

Plugged In is a Focus on the Family publication designed to shine a light on the world of popular entertainment while giving families the essential tools they need to understand, navigate and impact the culture in which they live. Through our reviews, articles and discussions, we hope to spark intellectual thought, spiritual growth and a desire to follow the command of Colossians 2:8: "See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ."

When a Princess Feels Like a Pauper

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By Carol Van Atta

Precious Princess Warriors, it feels so good to be sharing my heart again, at last. For someone who spends a majority of her life encouraging others, I have allowed myself to be overcome by discouragement, fear, and my faith has been lackluster (to say the least). Granted, I've experienced physical illness, injury, pain, loss, hard stuff -- difficult life stuff. But Paul reminds us we can find contentment in any situation with Christ as our King.    

I have spent the last year, it seems, maybe longer, going up and down, allowing the waves of life to pull me under when I know there is a strong hand always open for me to reach for, a hand more than able to pull me from the depths. Sure, there were times I felt on top of the world, but those times were short lived, and I continued to allow my fickle feelings to toss me to and fro in the waves, becoming like the person the Bible calls -- double minded. 

Thankfully, my foundation is stronger than I thought. God is bigger than I remembered. And His Word never fails to revive the heart. He has called me to encourage others through both the written and spoken word. He has given me a purpose to challenge other princess warriors to be all they can be in Christ ... one step (and a prayer) at a time. I haven't been doing a very good job of that. And I was again reminded...

When we fail to move in the purpose he has given us, as I have, lately, things become pretty bleak. We can go through our days, "doing" our daily lives, not doing anything horribly wrong, but not really pressing to do what's right. But, as you may know, God isn't a big fan of fence straddling or middle of the road living. He wants every part of us -- body, mind, spirit. Luke warm love and living isn't enough for Him, nor is it enough for His Princess Warriors. It certainly wasn't enough for me. 

Far too often, we believe that in order to stray from God's best we have to do the absolute worst. Some atrocious sin that causes hell to cheer. It's easy to forget that losing our faith on some level and living a life of mediocrity can reap as much havoc as one blatant act of sin. Both keep us from our princess purposes. The enemy wants us to feel separate from God. He doesn't care if we drown in our own self pity or if we go out with a big bang. All he cares is that we fail to fulfill our calling. One less warrior fighting the good fight gives him reason to gloat. Because he knows when we are broken, it breaks God's heart. 

Aren't you glad that failure is an event or series of events and not a person? That's right. Failure is an event, not a person. You. Me. Our Christian brothers and sisters. We are not failures in Christ. We may fail to do something or not do something, but we are still loved and forgiven. If we're still breathing, we can move forward and upward, choosing again to embrace God's best and trust in Him for everything. We can stop straddling the fence and leap into the arms of the One who promises to catch us. 

Maybe you too have experienced lukewarm faith and have drifted from your princess purpose. Maybe you don't "feel" good enough. Or maybe you've wasted precious days, weeks, months, even years, letting the waves of doubt and fear rock your life, keeping you from reaching solid shore. 

Are you still breathing? 

Then you can reach for God and let Him lift you from the swirling surf.    

After all, Princess Warriors, we have work to do! Good work for our King. Please, don't waste time looking back, bemoaning your mistakes. Move forward. Push on. As Stormie Omartian says: He provides just enough light for the step you're on. We just need to get steppin. Ready, set, step!

Source: http://www.princesswarriorsreignreal.blogspot.com/

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From The Princess Warrior:
 
Princess Warriors keep it real!! If we don't admit our own faults, then we are setting other women up to fail...for NO ONE is perfect, except our King. We all have our struggles. We all, sometimes, "mess up". We all fail. But, we must remember that even though we have a crown, we are still wrapped in a robe of flesh. We're gonna trip up and we're gonna make mistakes. However, a true Princess Warrior will get back up, dust herself off, adjust her crown, pick her Sword up, and get back in the battle. Some circumstances keep us down longer than others, but your King is fighting for you and He WILL lift you back up in due time!

And while you are on the sidelines of life, God is still working. He has promised to mold you and shape you into the image of His Son, our Prince. Admitting that we are weak and in need of HIS power releases the very thing that we need. He is waiting to help you back up. All you have to do is grab His hand! He will do the rest! 

 

David Encouraged Himself in the Lord His God

David encouraged himself in the Lord his God. ~1 Samuel 30:6

David and his men arrived home to discover the army of Amalek had burned the city and had taken their wives and children captive. They wept until they could weep no more. The loss was overwhelming.

In their grief and frustration the men blamed David and spoke of stoning him... but David encouraged himself in the Lord his God. Under God's direction, David then led a victorious march against the Amalekites and recovered their wives and children without a single loss; but we want to give attention to David's method of encouragement.

You may have waited for someone to come and encourage you in your night of trouble, but no one has come. So you may ask, "How can I encourage myself?" First, consider that God is still on the throne and he is your God.

There was no friend at hand to encourage David; his own men had turned against him. But when it appeared everything was lost, he turned to God for his help. He saw God as his God. He did not consider God to be at such a distance that he would not come to his rescue.

Second, remember that daybreak may be just ahead. David and his men experienced the anguish of believing their families probably had been killed, but they were all recovered safely. The old adage goes, "The darkest time of the night is just before dawn," and dawn may soon be breaking for you.

Further, you can encourage yourself by remembering that our trials are for a good purpose. The trials themselves are burdensome and distasteful but the end is good as God teaches you more of your weakness and more of His strength.

Source: Facebook 

See Also: http://theprincesswarriorministries.blogspot.com/2011/11/strengthen-yourself-in-lord.html 

 

Healing Damaged Emotions – Victory Over Rejection

There is an epidemic of hurt feelings among people. It is amazing to watch a conversation where one person is talking and there are three listening. One out of the three are offended by the talker while the other two are not. How can this happen? There are a bunch of hurting people out there. Hurt people tend to hurt other people. Hurt people, those who have much bitterness, fear, and spiritual darkness inside of them, tend to read into other people's words that should have never been read into. In other words, hurt people are simply waiting to get hurt by words that were never meant to bring injury. Better said, they are itching for a fight. A hurt person filters conversations through a dark lens that cannot capture light or love. Therefore, their hurt or darkness continues to feed on itself and grow darker and colder no matter who they encounter. The answer? The light and love of Jesus Christ who has the power to send that fear, darkness, and misery straight to the bottom of hell where it came from. (copied from Facebook)

Rejection can come in many forms and from many situations.  You can be rejected:

-By a spouse or boyfriend/girlfriend - adultery, not keeping you safe, lost trust, beatings, being demeaned

-By a parent or parental figure - making fun of, being demeaned, disapproving, putting others things ahead of the child, rules without a relationship

-By classmates - being made fun of, poor, learning disability, just not smart enough, not pretty

-By Christians at church - judgmental, shunning, gossiping, slandering

-By fellow employees - misunderstandings, jealousy, dog eat dog

-By a best friend - betrayal, jealousy

Healing Damaged Emotions (Part 4) – Victory Over Rejection

Before you go any further......Watch Victory Over Rejection video.

Key Scripture: Romans 8:31-39

I. Introduction: People can live in bondage to rejection and not even know it. It causes us to believe lies about ourselves and undermines our relationships with the Lord. Even though God says He is for us and nothing can separate us from Him (Rom. 8:31-39), past experiences can make us feel differently. It’s impossible to avoid feeling rejection’s sting, so we must deal with it by acknowledging its presence, discovering its source, and letting the Lord help us overcome it.

II. The Nature of Rejection. It is a painful emotion that is created when someone refuses us, and it has many negative outcomes:

A. It creates a feeling of being excluded or unwanted. We can feel unworthy or like we don’t fit in.  

B. It is a form of control. Those who refuse to accept us can influence what we do and think.  

C. It leads to self-rejection. We become critical of ourselves and lose self-respect.  

D. It can become a syndrome. Those who have never dealt with their feelings act in ways that cause others to reject them.

III. What are the characteristics of a person suffering from rejection? People who are consciously or unconsciously enslaved by rejection will:

A. Have a critical spirit toward themselves and others. People with low self-esteem often try to bring other people down.  

B. Experience difficulty in loving others. If people don’t love themselves, they’re not equipped to love others.  

C. Have feelings of inferiority. Rejection makes people believe they never fit in or measure up.  

D. Be overly attentive to appearance. Hurting people try to dress in ways that will help them feel accepted.  

E. Be prone to perfectionism. To avoid failure, some people won’t try tasks they cannot do perfectly. This also leads to procrastination.

F. Live in a state of floating anger. An attitude of anger permeates their lives and leads them to find fault with others.

G. Display an attitude of superiority. An arrogant demeanor is really just a cover-up for feelings of inferiority.

H. Be overly sensitive. Those who struggle with feelings of rejection are easily hurt and prone to misinterpreting comments as being unkind.

I. Resist being loved. People who don’t feel worthy have difficulty accepting affection.

J. Be suspicious. Some people become suspicious of anyone who tries to befriend them because they believe there must be an ulterior motive.

K. Become aloof. To avoid rejection, some people become loners.

L. Fall into depression. When people feel unworthy, they naturally are sad and discouraged.

M. Be cheated out of life. People who can’t overcome the emotional effects of rejection miss God’s best blessings.

N. Have a materialistic focus. To feel wanted, some people gather possessions only to find they never satisfy.

O. Miss God’s plan for their lives. Feelings of rejection cheat people of all the Lord wants to do in and through them.

P. Adopt sinful practices. When people can’t accept themselves, they sometimes turn to drugs, drinking, or sex in a search of relief.

IV. Reasons for Feeling Rejected. The underlying cause of this painful emotion is a person’s opinion of himself, which is brought about by hurtful experiences such as:

A. Physical defects. Not liking how he looks can make a person feel undesirable or unlovable.

B. Past emotional hurts. When a person is hurt, the damaging effects always linger.

C. The death of a loved one. Some people interpret loss as rejection because they feel alone. In their eyes, God has turned His back on them.

D. Divorce. This is a very painful experience because both spouses and children are affected and are left feeling discarded.

E. Childhood experiences. Words of criticism and rejection stick in a child’s memory and shape his view of himself. He will spend a lifetime trying to validate his worth.

V. How can we overcome feelings of rejection? These negative feelings must be dealt with if we are to be truly complete. There are three essential elements that comprise a healthy attitude, and the Lord supplies them all. Through Him, we gain:

A. A sense of belonging. Those who are a part of the body of Christ belong to God’s family (Rom. 8:16). Once we fix this truth in our hearts, we’ll feel secure no matter what.

B. A feeling of worthiness. Jesus considered us so valuable that He was willing to die in our place (John 3:16).

C. A sense of competence. When we accepted Christ as our Savior, the Holy Spirit came to live inside us. One of His jobs is to enable us to accomplish whatever God calls us to do (Phil. 4:13).

VI. Conclusion: There is no need to go through life handicapped by past experiences. The first step to gaining victory over rejection comes when you choose to believe the Lord and find your acceptance in Him. Begin by asking the Lord’s forgiveness for allowing hurtful emotions to hinder you. The next step is to deal with your offenses toward others and ask for their forgiveness because true healing demands that you address both sides of rejection. After that, it all boils down to a choice between believing what God says or what others say about you. 

Source: http://www.intouch.org/broadcast/video-archives/content/topic/victory_over_rejection_video

See Also:

http://www.intouch.org/you/article-archive/content?topic=responding_to_rejection_article

and

http://www.intouch.org/Content/27938/LP120205.pdf