Daily Living

I Can’t Go Back: Standing in the Faith

Posted by Roderick on March 26, 2012
Posted in: Daily Living. Leave a Comment

Photo by MSO Clip Art

Life is filled with many obstacles. This is just a proven fact. Aside from the difficulties that life can bring, maintaining a vibrant, walk with Christ can seem more like a burden than a blessing.

If we are brutally honest with ourselves, we can attest to feeling like it had been better not to have known Christ because knowledge of Him brings responsibilities with never ending spiritual warfare. However, in light of these things, we still have to have as our statement of faith, “I Can’t Go Back!”

And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God. Luke 9:62 (KJV)

Though times can get hard, people can misunderstand you, and God can seem unresponsive to you, going back to world and its lusts is simply not an option. Remember, salvation has promise in the life to come and also in this one.

We have to take Peter’s stance when Christ asked them would they leave Him also. Peter said where can we go, you have the words of eternal life.

In Christ, there is life and if we do not ever get what we want in this life, in the life to come there is everlasting joy, peace, and health. This is the HOPE of our salvation.

Spiritual R and R: Maintaining Consistency in Your Christian Walk

Posted by Roderick on February 14, 2012
Posted in: Daily Living, Christian Walk, Bible Study. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , . Leave a Comment

Image by MSO Clipart

A common expression is, “It is Time for some R & R.” We understand that the R’s in this statement refer to rest and relaxation. Anyone who has an active and busy life, know that without rest and relaxation, burnout may not be far away. The same holds true for the Christian life and experience.

As we struggle to maintain faith in desparate situations, maintain love when other hurt and reject us, and maintain balanced and fruitful relationships with Christ and others, if we do not have some type of R and R  in place, we will not be able to remain consistent in our Christian walk. In this post, I want to offer a little spiritual R and R that we need to retain a fruitful and lively walk with Christ.

1. Remember – David said in the Psalms, “Bless the Lord, oh my soul, and forget not all his benefits (Psalm 103:2 KJV).” Life’s difficulties can come hard, fast, and without warning. Time may arise where the gravity of the situation may cause one to wonder whether Christ will be with them and deliver them. If in the middle of difficult times, we pause to remember previous times where Christ proved faithful, it will help us to maintain consistency.

2. Raise – Isaiah declared, “They raise their voices, they shout for joy (Isaiah 24:14 NASB)” This prophetic declaration is made after revealing future calamities, that in the middle of it, those who know God would lift up their voices in praises. As we see the troubled times we are in,  the Christian can become troubled and concerned with the cares of life and their personal futures. However, as we raise our voices to Christ in praise, prayer, and worship, it will bring a refreshing to our lives, giving us peace and strength to endure.

Well, there you have it, a little R and R every Christian can use when life and circumstances become wearisome and woe-some. Take a little time and experience some spiritual R and R.

Faith in Uncertain Times: Three Keys to Perseverance

Posted by Roderick on January 9, 2012
Posted in: Bible Study, Christian Walk, Daily Living. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , . 1 comment

Image by MSO Clipart

The classic hymn begins, “Time is filled with swift transition, naught of earth unmoved can stand.” It reveals that life comes with prospects of change which even seemingly sure things can be affected. In biblical language, the writer of Ecclesiastes writes, “…time and chance (unpredictable events) happeneth to all (Ecclesiastes 9:11). Though Christ has promised to never leave us nor forsake us, Christians are not exempt from the unpredictable, unfavorable, and unfortunate occurrences of life. How are we then to maintain faith when uncertain times arise? Here are three keys (among others) to perseverance.

1. Draw close to Christ in prayer. Consistency in prayer will keep your relationship with Christ vibrate and lively in spite of negative conditions. It will provide a time of rest and refreshing as you all His presence to supply the needed grace and comfort for perseverance. Prayer will help you to avoid feelings of anger and bitterness with life and towards Christ.

2. Develop patience and hope through the scriptures. The scriptures are an excellent source of encouragement. When you read of how others who served Christ were allowed to suffer, it helps you not to feel as if you are being mistreated by the Savior. Through the scriptures, you can read of how He helped His followers and gave them strength to endure their difficulties. This can provide the necessary foundation for developing patience and hope which is a requirement to perseverance.

3. Share with others whom you trust. Some Christians experience faith “breakdowns” because they feel no one cares, no one understands what they are facing, and no one is there for them. Loneliness and isolation can solidify causing the strength to persevere to be absent. Some try to handle things on their own for various reasons; such as, personal ego, embarrassment, and past hurts. However, if one allows others in the community of faith to help bear their burdens of difficulties through prayer and godly counsel, it will be easier to endure uncertain times through the cumulative support of others.

Difficulties, hardships, sometimes unfair treatment, and uncertain times will come. However, the Christian will be able to come through with faith in tact as he maintains faith in Christ and draw strength and support from the community of faith.