How can I face the trials in my life with courage?

1 Samuel 17:12-54

Any time God requires us to face trials and tribulations, He always provides the courage to meet the demand. David was a man of great courage—not merely human courage, but courage rooted in the sovereignty of God.

In 1 Samuel 17, we see God’s supernatural strength in action in the life of David. Defeat is never a viable option for the person of courage.As David faced Goliath, he never considered defeat an option. People of courage refuse to look for ways of escape. They set their gaze on advancement and victory. Never go into battle entertaining thoughts of defeat; you will lose every time. Men and women of courage know their success lies with our unshakable God.

Courageous people recall past victories and God’s faithfulness. At times David had faced enemies just as vicious as Goliath. In the moments before the battle, David recalled how God had strengthened him in the past to kill both a lion and a bear. He expected the same sort of help to strengthen him against Goliath.

Courage is a result of having the right attitude. David realized he could not win in his own strength. He knew God had to be with him or he would suffer defeat.

Courageous people look to God and trust His guidance. David’s brothers mocked him. Saul doubted him. Goliath made fun of him. But their negative talk did not affect David. Every time God calls you to follow Him, expect opposition, even from surprising sources.

Genuine courage is not chilled by inner fears or outward difficulties. The person of courage isn’t interested in those who refuse to believe God. Take time to study God’s Word and apply His principles to your life. You can always face your enemies head on when you stand on the promises of God’s Word.

A courageous person applies resources at hand in creative ways.David chose five smooth stones and a slingshot as his weapons instead of the bulky armor of Saul. He faced Goliath clothed in the strong faith of the living God. And mere men cannot penetrate or defeat God-centered faith!

A person with the attribute of courage confronts an opponent with confidence that God will ultimately give him success if he obeys Him. When we face life’s trials as David did, by faith, we become men and women of courage—and the victory is always ours.

Acceptance by Grace

Introduction: In almost every aspect of life, others evaluate us by our performance. Are we successful in our careers, fit, and attractive? How much wealth do we possess? It's easy to believe God judges us in a similar way–based on our behavior. Although Christians recognize that salvation is by grace, many nonetheless strive for God's acceptance, never sure they have His love.

Personal assessment: For the next two questions, honestly describe your first reaction rather than what you know is the correct answer.

• Do you ever think God must be displeased, impatient, or disappointed with you? Explain.
  
  
• What would you have to do to be sure of His acceptance?

A. The Bible teaches that as believers in Jesus, we are completely accepted. If we belong to Christ, we share in His holiness. How can that be? Scripture teaches that through Adam's rebellion against God, all of humanity was corrupted, inheriting the disease of sin. But when the Savior died on the cross, He made a way for everyone who believes in Him to become holy:

"Adam's one sin brings condemnation for everyone, but Christ's one act of righteousness brings a right relationship with God and new life for everyone. Because one person disobeyed God, many became sinners. But because one other person obeyed God, many will be made righteous" (Rom. 5:18-19 NLT).

• As believers, how do we obtain righteousness (Rom. 3:21-24)?
  
  
• Dictionary.com defines justify as "to declare innocent or guiltless; absolve; acquit." On what basis do we have peace with God (Rom. 5:1-2)?
  
  
• You are innocent and guiltless in the Lord's sight. Describe how that makes you feel.
  
  
• Why is it possible to be confident that God's love isn't conditional upon our behavior (Rom. 5:4-8)?

B. God accepts us by grace, not based on performance.

In the first century, some Jewish Christians believed that good works were necessary to earn salvation and make us Christ-like. However,Ephesians 2:8-9 teaches that salvation is by faith alone—good works cannot save us (Eph. 2:10; James 2:26) but rather, they should result from our trust in the Savior. We become godly over time by surrendering to the Holy Spirit—not because we follow the Law of Moses or any other set of rules.

Read Galatians 3:1-14.

• How did the Galatians first receive the Spirit (v. 1-4)?
  
  
• What was required for them to experience His power (v. 2-5)?
  
  
• How did Abraham obtain righteousness (v. 6)?
  
  
• The Jews are physical descendants (sons) of Abraham. Who are his spiritual descendants (v.7-9)?
  
  
• Why is trying to earn righteousness or justification by observing the law a futile endeavor (v. 10)?
  
  
• For what purpose did Christ free believers (Gal. 5:1-2)?

One practice under Jewish law was circumcision. This ordinance was an outward sign of inward devotion to God. For the first-century Jew, being uncircumcised was nearly synonymous with unrighteousness. As the mostly Jewish early church received more and more Gentile converts, some false apostles taught that newcomers must be physically circumcised to gain God's acceptance.

• What was the implication of requiring Gentile Christians to be circumcised (Gal. 5:3)?
  
  
• What really matters, according to Paul (Gal. 5: 5-6)?
  
  

We typically use the term "falling from grace" to mean losing favor with God because of sin.

• Read Galatians 5:4. In context, what do you think Paul meant by "falling from grace"?

In his Notes on the New Testament, Albert Barnes writes, "Christ will be ‘a whole Savior,' or none. This passage, therefore, cannot be [used] to prove that any true Christian has in fact fallen away from grace, unless it proves also that man may be justified by the deeds of the law, contrary to the repeated declarations of Paul himself."

C. Believers live in confidence and freedom because of grace.

The controversy over circumcision is no longer at the forefront of Christian debate. However, legalism—the idea that believers are justified by what they do––still cripples much of today's church. Some people fear losing their salvation over each sin they commit. More common is the idea that we must meet the Father's standards in order to receive His love and affection. Sometimes legalistic believers have the impression that God feels disgusted when they fall short.

• Do you strive to measure up to rigid standards or follow particular rules of Christian living? If so, how do you feel when you fail?
  
  
• Read Romans 8:1-2 and describe why you are free.
  
  
• How would your life change if you were to take this study's concepts to heart?

Closing: Since the time of Abraham, God has purposed that salvation be only by faith, not works. If you are in Christ, rest assured that He accepts you. When sin interrupts fellowship with the Father, He wants to restore His disobedient follower but never ceases to accept the believer as His beloved child.

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank You for the gift of righteousness through Your Son. I'm grateful that I no longer have to perform to win Your acceptance. Help me use my freedom to serve You and others. In Jesus' name. Amen.

GOD is LOVE

1 CORINTHIANS 4-8

*LOVE IS PATIENT. When you really love someone, you accept that person just as he/she is. Real love allows you to be patient with weaknesses and flaws.

*LOVE IS KIND. Love is positive and lifts people up, never pulls them down. Love sees the needs of others and does what it can to meet those needs.

*LOVE IS NOT JEALOUS. Love gives, it doesn't take. It allows the one you love the freedom to have friends and interests apart frow u. Its n0t possesive.

*LOVE IS NOT BOASTFUL. It allows you to center on the other person and not on yourself.

*LOVE IS NOT PROUD. Love keeps you from being full of yourself and keeps you humble. You realize that person is a gift from God, not somebody you have earned.

*LOVE IS NOT RUDE. Love respects others.

*LOVE DOES NOT DEMAND ON ITS OWN WAY. Love thinks about others first. Real love accept changes.

*LOVE IS NOT IRRITABLE. It's n0t t00 sensitive or t0uchy.

*LOVE KEEPS NO RECORD OF WHEN IT HAS BEEN WRONGED. Love is able to forgive. It doesn't dwell on love failures.

*LOVE IS NEVER GLAD ABOUT INJUSTICE. Real love doesn't find pleasure in the pain or wickedness of other people.

*LOVE REJOICES WITH TRUTH. Real love is based on thruths and honesty. Love tells the truth even thou its not always pretty.

*LOVE NEVER GIVES UP. Love is loyal no matter what the cost. It will always stand by the person loved, no matter what happen.

*LOVE NEVER LOSES FAITH. Love is willing to trust. When you really love someone, you'll believe in her, even when she can't believe in herself.

*LOVE IS ALWAYS HOPEFUL. It always expect the best. Real love is positive, not negative..

*LOVE ENDURES. It survives all things. Love is protective and continues to love even if that love is not returned.

_this are the real thing.. If you love someone, you should see this evidence. Real love can grow and mature if its really there. INFATUATION cant produce the acti0ns and attitudes of love. No matter how intense the feelings, it's n0t really l0ve.

_the Bible says that "GOD IS LOVE"(1 John 4:8)

_to really know love and be able to love, we must know God.

Why is Jesus' death on the cross necessary for my salvation?

“How could God ever forgive me? You don’t know what I’ve done.”

“How could I have done such an awful thing? I can never forgive myself.”

As a pastor, these are similar to questions I hear from people who have never fully understood God’s forgiveness. When we do not realize how the Lord’s mercy applies to our daily lives, the result is bondage, which stifles our ability to love and accept others. It also chokes the abundant life that Christ promised to those of us who believe.

Forgiveness is “the act of setting someone free from an obligation resulting from a wrong done against you.” For example, a debt is forgiven when you free the offender of his responsibility to pay back what he owes you. True forgiveness, then, involves three elements, all of which are necessary: an injury, a debt resulting from the injury, and acancellation of the debt.

In God’s economy, sin creates a deficit; that is, something is taken or demanded from the sinner. What He ultimately requires of the transgressor is death:

The Lord God commanded the man, saying, “From any tree of the garden you may eat freely; but from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat from it you will surely die” (Gen. 2:16-17).

The result of their sin was that death came into the world—not only physical death but also eternal separation from God (Rev. 20:15).

Why did God not immediately snuff out the lives of Adam and Eve? Why does He not do the same for all sinners? The answer is simple yet life-changing in its profundity: There is something God desires more than retribution for the disrespect shown Him—He wants fellowship with us.

He cared enough about Adam and Eve to slay an animal and make garments of skin to cover their nakedness and hide their shame (Gen. 3:17). This was the beginning of the sacrificial system that restored the fellowship between God and His people.

God was willing to move quickly to reinstate fellowship with Adam and Eve, and He will do the same for us today. In light of His mercy, shouldn’t we likewise extend forgiveness to those who have wronged us?

God doesn’t look at sins on a case-by-case basis to determine whether He will grant forgiveness. During Old Testament times, any person could receive atonement for transgressions simply by following prescribed steps. Similarly, to anyone desiring forgiveness today, it is freely available through Christ’s death on the cross:

“In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace which He lavished on us” (Eph. 1:7-8).

Notice that forgiveness is “according to the riches of His grace.” Scripture is clear that forgiveness is a gift, available for the asking (1 John 1:9).The details of what we have done, why we did it, and how many times we did it are irrelevant.

Are there sins from your past that continue to hang over you like a cloud? Do you doubt that God hears you because of sinful choices you’ve made? Do you feel that your potential for the kingdom of God has been destroyed?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, you have not yet come to grips with God’s solution to your sin. You are still holding on to a way of thinking that can keep you in bondage for the rest of your days on earth. You have set yourself up for a defeated life in which you will never reach your potential in the kingdom of God.

God wants you to be free. And because He does, He sacrificed what was dearest to Him. I encourage you to meditate on the concepts in this article. Ask God to sink them deep into your heart so they become the grid through which you interpret the experiences of life. When you can see yourself as a forgiven child, you will be able to enjoy fellowship with the Father, which was made possible by the death of His Son. Then you can begin to fulfill His marvelous calling on your life.

How do I accept Jesus as my Savior

Do you want to know God?

Do you yearn to experience the Lord’s comforting presence, power, and wisdom? That’s good, because God loves you and wants to have a personal relationship with you forever.

The problem is . . .

. . . one thing separates you from a relationship with God—sin. You and I sin whenever we fail to live by the Lord’s holy standard. In fact, Romans 3:23: “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”

Furthermore, Romans 6:23 explains that the penalty for sin is death—separation from God in hell forever. No matter how hard we try, we cannot save ourselves or get rid of our sins. We can’t earn our way to heaven by being good, going to church, or being baptized (Eph. 2:8-9).

Understanding how helpless we are because of our sins, God sent His only Son, Jesus, to save us.

Jesus Christ lived a perfect, sinless life, and then died on the cross to pay the penalty for our sins (Rom. 5:8). Three days later, He rose from the dead—showing that He had triumphed over sin and death once and for all.

So how can you know God?

It all starts with accepting Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior.Jesus Christ provides a relationship with the Father and eternal life through His death on the cross and resurrection (Rom. 5:10).

Romans 10:9 promises, “If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” If you have not yet begun your personal relationship with God, understand that the One who created you and loves you no matter who you are or what you’ve done. He wants you to experience the profound depth of His care.

Therefore, tell God that you are willing to trust Him for salvation.You can tell Him in your own words or use this simple prayer:

Lord Jesus, I ask You to forgive my sins and save me from eternal separation from God. By faith, I accept Your work and death on the cross as sufficient payment for my sins. Thank You for providing the way for me to know You and to have a relationship with my heavenly Father. Through faith in You, I have eternal life. Thank You also for hearing my prayers and loving me unconditionally. Please give me the strength, wisdom, and determination to walk in the center of Your will. In Jesus’ name, amen.

If you have just prayed this prayer—congratulations!