Tag: WISDOM

NOT ALL ROSES ARE ROSY – TAKE HEED

Caution: “Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall. 1 Corinthians 10:12, [ESV].

You may have gone through some phases of life’s journey, or you are in that phase right now, ready to advance, but are grappling with it. You are itching to hear from someone to call or waiting for that angel to knock on the door. It is easy to assume that every open door with a larger paycheck or a wonderful title is a green light for your search.

James states and affirms that God is the source of all good things: “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights.” [James 1:17, ESV]

So here is the inducement. You have two options: you may see or hear a call, and when it comes in, it could be a make-or-break opportunity, as stated above. To put it simply, the outcome could either be a guaranteed success or a cause for total ruin. Take heed. Listen to the voice of the Spirit of the Lord.

A distress call can turn into a nightmare. But be assured that your faith will certainly “advance you beyond these dreary ‘ifs, ‘” and you would never abide in the wilderness of doubts and fears.”Be shrewd.

As Christians, our lives should be filled with Spiritual wisdom. Lack of discernment will break you. We should not be full of ourselves to ignore the warning. “Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall”, [1 Corinthians 10:12, ESV]. Every rose has its thorn; be cautious of every bouquet of roses you receive.

With such caution, we as Christians continue to falter and forget that the Lord God is the source of all power, which includes the power to be wealthy, healthy, and at peace, not a life of a bouquet of thorny roses. It is by the grace and Spirit of the Lord, but not by our might or our own wisdom.

So here, we have the Scripture emphasizing in Proverbs 10, that: wealth that comes as a blessing from God brings unadulterated peace, permanence and joy: “The blessing of the Lord brings wealth, without painful toil for it” [emphasis, “he adds no sorrow with it”, [Proverbs 10:22, ESV]].

Here are some of the many suppositions we do as Christians, and so sometimes we miss the mark. We do not realize until we are trapped, and through that mistake, we wake up. It’s a correction that occurs later due to a lack of wisdom or spiritual immaturity, and when we ultimately fail to cultivate either in our lives, it brings us back to spiritual consciousness. Hence, the Lord himself relieves us from such thorny roses crushing us from all fronts, notwithstanding our failure to hear his voice.

“Many times we fail to take a deeper look at our history with the Lord, but the Lord always reveals a much more humbling truth to us. See, the foundation of every single blessing is entirely God’s grace, and he does not give because we are qualified.”

“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights.”[James 1:17, ESV]

“The Lord God gives because he is good. His abundant mercy and unconditional love are the source of everything we have. It is never about our performance. It is always about his character – his grace.”

This is the Lord’s promise from the book of Proverbs: that when you surrender control and seek the Lord’s guidance with FAITH, he will actively direct your life in the right direction. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths”, [Proverbs 3:5-6, ESV]

Have you ever had an opportunity knock on your door like a DoorDash that looked like a dream come true, only for it to slowly turn into a nightmare?

For example, following the money tree and titles: We often jump at these chances because they offer big promises, security and success, but we rarely stop to look at the “hidden costs” attached to the contract. In the end, the thorns from the bouquet show their ugly, sharp knives.

The scripture from 1st Timothy Chapter 6 proves the point: “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.” [1 Timothy 6:10, ESV].

Remember that not every “increase” is a blessing, and not every DoorDash brings in the right package because the only right package is from God.
A true blessing from the Father is not thorny roses, but it is distinguished by the fact that it does not come with the heavy, crushing sorrow of a compromised life.

We should tread carefully and be discerning. Sometimes saying “NO” to a great opportunity so they can say “YES” to God is found in a believer who has developed the discernment of the Spirit.

Let’s pray to God for wisdom to recognize what ruins and the courage to walk away from anything that would cost us our peace, our family life and destruction. Keep the Faith and Hope alive.

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WISDOM QUOTES IN TOUGH TIMES


WISDOM QUOTES IN TOUGH TIMES WITH SCRIPTURES

They say that “Tough times create strong people”. The saying suggests that it’s a situation of survival through strength. Everyone is a casualty and your survival depends on determination, discipline and incorruptible mindset to adapt to the harsh reality of the current situation in the environment. It requires mental courage with unique qualities through Christ Jesus and remember that God is calling you at this time to encounter him in your suffering.

I have seen other friends gone through tough times but to some the bend on the road ended their journey. Some continued beyond the bend and became strong men who in turn created good times for others.

I am a living testimony of what it means to live in hard times at my age. Others may share with me similar issues. It could be personal, it could be spiritual, it could be family, it could be a geo-political and socio- economic chaos.  In any case, yes, I learned, I survived, and became a strong man and my experience in my hard times also created good times for others.

I won but not with my might, or my wisdom or my strength or my degrees and academic qualifications on the walls, but through my Christian belief through prayers with my eyes and heart gazed at the Cross my Lord Jesus Christ was lifted on, crucified died and was taken off, buried and resurrected the third day for me so that I can also believe strongly in him and testify to his glory that his death was worthy for me in every situation of my life.

The phrase “tough times create strong people” is often attributed to Michael Hopf: “Hard times create strong men, strong men create good times, good times create weak men, and weak men create hard times”. 

As Christians the scripture forewarns us to take heed lest we fall. When you fall you go through “suffering” (that is hard times).  But our “suffering and trials”, when faced with our Christian faith, can build perseverance, character, and hope to create stronger Christians. So “hard times” is to the world of unbelievers  – as “suffering” is to the Christian.   

Sufferings are hard times, as hard times are to suffering if it is interchangeable. Here are several Bible verses that support the idea that going through hardship can build strength and maturity:

It is our weaknesses in Christ that sends us into Suffering and it is through our Suffering that we become strong and tough in our Christian relationship with the Lord as the world around us in society.

These Are Some Takeaway Key Verses On How To Generate Strength Through Trials As Christians:  

Romans 5:3-4 – This passage notes that suffering produces perseverance, character, and hope.

James 1:2-4 – This verse encourages believers to find joy in trials, as they test faith and develop perseverance, leading to maturity.

2 Corinthians 12:9-10 – Here, the apostle Paul speaks of God’s power being made perfect in weakness, finding strength in Christ during difficulties.

Isaiah 40:31 – This scripture promises renewed strength for those who trust in the Lord.

Philippians 4:13 – This well-known verse states that strength comes through Christ to face any situation.

Deuteronomy 31:6 – Advises to be strong and courageous, as God is with you.

John 16:33 – States that in the world there will be trouble, but to take heart because Christ has overcome the world.

1 Peter 5:10 – Mentions that after suffering, God will restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.

In Christ your weakness is your advantage to depend on the Lord to deliver you through “suffering.” Have Faith in Christ and keep your Hope alive always.

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