Peace and Faith

Raymund and Denielle's Note: This is a re-post from www.powertochange.com. We hope you find as much blessing and encouragement with it as we did.

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“Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.” – Proverbs 4:23

Walking in peace, with your heart calm even when your life is not, is one of the wonderful benefits of the Christian life. God reminds us to pay attention to what is going on within our hearts and to make some intentional choices.

God can Change Everything in a Moment

Posted by Raymund and Denielle Tamayo

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In the Bible in John 2, Jesus is at the wedding celebration of some friends when the party runs out of wine.

Instead of wedding joy and bliss, this setback could have ruined the feast and damaged relationships. And as you know, you can’t make new wine fast. It takes time… a long time.

Integrity Upheld

Posted by Raymund and Denielle Tamayo

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“As for me, You uphold me in my integrity, And set me before Your face forever.” - Psalm 41:12

Joseph was a righteous man who had cultivated a reputation for godliness in his community. Then word spread across the community that Mary, the woman to whom he was engaged, was expecting a child. There would be many who would assume the worst of this apparently scandalous situation. Joseph probably experienced gossip from some, ostracism from others. Yet he was a man of integrity, aware that God knew the truth of his relationship with Mary.

Peace and Joy in God’s Presence

Posted by Raymund and Denielle Tamayo

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“You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” – Psalm 16:11

When we worship God, everything is put into perspective. Of course, it is never easy – there is always a potential problem hovering everywhere.

However, if we let ourselves focus for too long on the frustrations, problems, fears, and worries, we soon would feel overwhelmed and anxious.

Life is Senseless, Meaningless if...

Posted by Raymund Tamayo

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“Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher, vanity of vanities, all is vanity.” – Ecclesiastes 1:2

“In this world there are only two tragedies,” said Oscar Wilde. “One is not getting what one wants, and the other is getting it.” This paradoxical proverb has often proved true.

What Drives You Everyday?

Posted by Raymund Tamayo

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“Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you.” – Psalm 73:25

Most Christians would say that they do everything as an act of worship to God. The Bible actually said that as followers of Christ we should eat, drink, and do everything else for God's glory. 

However, the question is how is our hearts when we do it? Is that what we are truly doing? What drives or motivates us daily with our activities?

Training in Spiritual Discipline

Posted by Raymund Tamayo

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“But refuse profane and old wives tales, and exercise yourself rather unto godliness. For bodily exercise profits for a little while: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.” – 1 Timothy 4:7-8

Excelling in any sport means spending hours and hours in training. It doesn't matter whether you are an athlete, musician, or anyone who is trying to be great at something. 

No one achieves excellence in any field without tremendous self-discipline, hours of rigorous training, and a willingness to suffer great hardship in order to achieve the goals one has set for himself.

This is the day: Be Excellent at Work!

Posted by Raymund Tamayo

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“This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” – Psalm 118:24

Monday mornings are usually the hardest mornings to wake up to. The thought of having to go to work tends to bring anyone down. Most of us wanted to spend time with family than go to work – but we work to provide for our family, the mind argues with itself.

Focusing on Christ Drives Away Self-Pity

Posted by Raymund Tamayo

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Self-pity (a self-indulgent dwelling on your own sorrows or misfortunes) is harmful, but it is a choice. Le it go and move on. Don't trust your happiness in the companionship of other people but in Christ alone.

The Blessing of Excellence at Work

Posted by Raymund Tamayo

Photo source: preacher4truth.blogspot.com

While God requires us to work, at the same time, He leads others to pay us a fair wage for the work we do. We find a marvelous example of good compensation for excellence at work in the life of Joseph, the eleventh son of Jacob.

Faith Pleases God

Posted by Raymund Tamayo

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“But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” – Hebrews 11:6

Our relationship with God through Jesus Christ is largely determined by our faith. When we come to Him, we must believe that He exists and that He is exactly who He has revealed Himself to be in Scriptures.

Whatever God is, God does

Posted by Raymund Tamayo

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"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows." – James 1:17

It is impossible for God to act inconsistently with His character. In other words, whatever God is, God does.

I CAN RELY ON GOD

For example, I may be a patient person, but I still have impatient moments. Not God, the great “I AM” is always the same, patient and loving. I can rely on Him 100% of the time to be consistent to His character.

God Empowers Us

Posted by Raymund Tamayo

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“For God is the one who provides seed for the farmer and then bread to eat. In the same way, He will provide and increase your resources and then produce a great harvest of generosity in you.” – 2 Corinthians 9:10

God is equipping us to be successful and has empowered us to overcome in this life.

GOD GIVES US SEED TO SOW

When Jesus sent His disciples out to heal the sick, meet their needs, and share the Gospel, He told them, “Give as freely as you have received” (Matthew 10:8). In other words, God has given us everything we need to do what He’s called us to do in this life. He’s given us seed to sow in order to have an abundant harvest in our future.

Final Notes:
God has placed seed in our hands today, but in order for that seed to produce, it has to be planted. It has to be watered. It has to be fertilized. 

Let’s ask God to give us wisdom on where to plant our seed. Let’s make sure we are sowing in the right ground and tending to the seed He has given us. Remember, God has a good plan for our future. He has plans to bless us and increase us.

Create in Me a Clean Heart

Posted by Raymund Tamayo

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“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” – Psalm 51:10

We often think of our heart as our “love” organ, where in fact it is our “life” line. It is the organ which works to make blood flow within our veins, keeping us alive physically. The blood that keeps our body alive in the flesh flows through our veins, and as Christians, the royal blood of our master, Jesus, also flows through our innermost being, giving us eternal life and a changed life.

Led into Difficulty

Raymund's Note: This sermon by Dr. Paul Chappell is re-posted from www.dailyintheword.org.

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“And Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost returned from Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, Being forty days tempted of the devil. And in those days he did eat nothing: and when they were ended, he afterward hungered.” - Luke 4:1–2

There is a widespread idea today that if we are doing what we should, everything will work out wonderfully—we won’t get sick, we won’t have money trouble, and our families will enjoy peace and harmony. Yet the Bible paints a different picture. While there are blessings for obedience, the Christian life is far from being simple and painless. There are times when doing exactly what we should do leads us to difficulty and hardship. Jesus was not out of place when the devil came to tempt Him. He was exactly where the Holy Spirit had led Him.