Showing posts with label Perseverance. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Perseverance. Show all posts

Monday, April 29, 2013

God is Jealous and Ready to Dim the Lights -- FOR YOU

Hey loves,

It's me. I know, I'm alive still I just don't take the time to write as much as I should! Okay, blogging business: Today I heard a lot of suffering from friends and my friends' friends ... Then there was me complaining about classes. Oh, which, FOR THE RECORD is something I'm blessed with and take for granted and complain about way, way too often. The suffering that others are experiencing, such as this girl who found out she has cancer and her response is that "Cancer Doesn't Scare God" (that is faith for you!). You can read her blog here: http://kaylanicole42.blogspot.com/2013/04/cancer-doesnt-scare-god.html?showComment=1367298721501#c3588273405938604299

Not only that, but I have known a lot in my own life that are suffering. Life is tough and life is rough. A lot of times we are told, "Just think, people out there have it way worse than you!" which is more than likely to be true. But even then, what if you really did have the worst life on earth with everything evil thrown at you? What then? Job from the Bible simply trusted in Him. I think in America we get so caught up in the mundane things that we let life fly past us before we even have a chance to blink. Today, I told myself I would enjoy every moment and make the most of every opportunity. I failed. Haha. I guess I shouldn't laugh because it's not really that funny. I let stupid classes at Las Positas get in the way of a good day! Life is what you let Christ make it! We like to think of ourselves as first. We are number one. We are so high and mighty and have every right to be entitled to everything (cozy home, wealth, laughter, health, friends, etc. you name it) but this is exactly when the "reality check" should go off in your head. Everyone feels they are worthy and deserve "it" -- whatever it may be -- just because they worked hard, prayed hard, lived hard. That's HUMAN. But that isn't realistic, is it? Just because you did all the dishes doesn't mean you get a big thank you and chocolates and a standing ovation, does it? When life is going all wrong, we can't snap our fingers and make it perfect, can we? Oh, that's right, because we aren't GOD. Yeah, our mistake ... We are not number one. We are not high and mighty. We don't deserve it. You think jealousy is a bad trait? Well, Christ has every right to be jealous because He yearns for us to give up our identity and find it in Him. Stop whining and being jealous about something that's not even yours! God deserves all the glory yesterday, today, and tomorrow.

The reality is that struggles make us tougher and His love make us stronger. Let that light shine, ladies and gentlemen. This show isn't for you. Your life isn't for you; it's for God. Life has always been about Him. Let's get over ourselves and our problems that seem so terrible. If God brought you to it, He will bring you through it. By "through it," I'm not even saying you will like the answer. In fact, you could quite possibly hate it. One day, though, we will see His glory and all of it will fade away. The unpaid bills, the oil that needs to be changed in your car, the Starbucks drink that was messed up, being late for work, finding out terrible news ... LEAVE IT at the CROSS. Do it. I dare you to actually leave it behind and give it up to Him. Stop worrying and start thanking.

Anyways, just some thoughts. Sometimes, God dims the light in our lives to make Himself brighter. Not because He needs to, but because we have our sunglasses on all the time that prevent us from seeing the big picture. New post is coming soon hopefully, I have been wanting to write about it lately. Let me know your thoughts and thanks for reading. See ya next time (except not really ;)

Monday, June 6, 2011

He is Greater

Heyyyyy so it's been a while since I've written. Sorry. Again. Haha. I said I was going to write more often because I discovered people actually read this (why didn't you tell me earlier?! ;) so anyway I apologize for not keeping up with this! Anyway, this post is about a God who is greater than everything. Let me repeat that: Greater than EVERYTHING. Have you ever really sat down and let that sink in?

Age
God is greater than your age. Have you ever felt called to do something, but felt as if you were too young to accomplish the task? Well, so have a lot of people in the past, such as Jeremiah. He tells the Lord, "Alas, Lord GOD! Behold, I do not know how to speak, because I am a youth" (Jer. 1:6). How many times have I told Him that and how many times as He responded, "Do not say, ‘I am a youth,’ because everywhere I send you, you shall go, and all that I command you, you shall speak. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you” (Jer. 1:7-8). If He calls you to do something, you better do it! And I don't mean on your own time, for only God knows how long our days on earth are anyway. Do what you can while you're here and God will use you to glorify Himself, faults and all. In another instance, maybe it's not your own lack of confidence, but others' lack of confidence for you. 1 Timothy 4:12 says not to let that get to you: "Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity" (1 Tim. 4:12). We need to be living, breathing examples of the living, breathing word of God. Make sense? If you are a youth -- or have been a youth -- you'll realize just how difficult it is to be an example of Christ in speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity. In today's society, you see a lack of all these things. That's why we have to show we are different (in a good way!) in the way we present ourselves (to Christians and non-Christians alike).

Storm
Have you ever told God, "I really don't think I can handle this" or tell Him that He's really given you more than you can handle? Instead of telling God how big your storm is, tell your storm how big God is! He is greater than whatever you're facing currently. Everyone has a storm in their lives. Big and small; minuscule or furious. Today I read Psalm 93:3-5, which for whatever reason made me think it'd be a great basis for a song! Haha. Yeah, I'm cool. Anyway, it says, "The floods have lifted up, O LORD, the floods have lifted up their voice; the floods lift up their waves. The LORD on high is mightier than the noise of many waters, than the mighty waves of the sea. Your testimonies are very sure; holiness adorns Your house, O LORD, forever" (Psalm 93:3-5). God is greater than the noise, the height, and the power of whatever you're facing. If God is for you, what could ever be against you?

Yourself
I think I'm doing this for myself more than anyone else. I take the blame easily -- maybe too easily? -- and sometimes I take it harder than I should. I just have to realize that He is GREATER. In Genesis 1:6, God says He made the "greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night." Have you ever thought about how God is the greater light of us and we are the lesser light? No matter how bad we are, God shines brighter than us or our problems.

God, thank you for being greater than my own heart and knowing everything (1 John 3:20). Help me to become more like you and gain the abundance of peace you have for me, which lasts until the moon is no more (Psalm 72:7). You have done sooo much for me. "I sing with joy because of what you have done" and let it be so for the rest of my life, even if I'm not as consistent as I should be in thanking You (Psalm 92:4). Let me "become complete" with You (2 Cor. 13:11). Much love to you Padre <3 I'm working on it ...

Sunday, May 15, 2011

Thursday Thoughts and the 30 Hour Famine

I promised I'd write more regularly! :) First, I'll start with some thoughts I had on Thursday. Every Thursday I drive about 2 hours at least. Thus, I have a lot of time to think haha. My thoughts in this post will consist of why good people die, a misfit army, and then my 30 hour famine (that I didn't do alone of course haha).

1) Why do good people die?
One of the most trying, difficult question a Christian must face. Non-believes consistently ask this question and Christians consistently don't have an answer. I don't have the answer. Honestly, the question is valid and isn't easy to respond to. Of course, whoever said the answers were supposed to be easy? While I was driving, I was thinking of how sad (obviously) it is when someone dies. For some reason, this deceased person always seems to have the most potential to change the world. Or they seemed to be one of the best people you ever knew or came across. Something makes them stand out from the world as superior to the others and all you can say to yourself sometimes is, "Why them?" Out of all people, they had so much life to live. Even the not-so-great people still could've turned their lives around and you ask yourself, "Why so soon?" But as I was driving, I realized something. We mourn about good people dying. There isn't anything wrong with that. Yet, at the same time, the GREATEST man that ever walked this earth died for us -- but Christians and non-Christians alike don't mourn about it. I'm not saying we don't care about His death -- we do. I'm also not saying we need to walk around in black, crying our eyeballs out of our sockets. Instead, I'm saying if we truly cared, we would be devastated. If we cared, we would rejoice in Christ's resurrection every single day. If we cared, we would tell the world about Him. If we cared, life's circumstances wouldn't get us down. If we cared, we could change the world. If we cared, we could stand up from the hilltops and proclaim Jesus like nobody has before. Let the lost ones in this world inspire you.

2) Misfit Army
Don't laugh. I find my tag clever ... Actually, that phrase, "Misfit Army," kept pounding in my head. Usually, that means I'm supposed to take action on a recurring idea. A lot of times, for me, it means to write about it. Basically, I was just admiring God. He is so anti-world. It's great! Haha. I was in awe. Well, I still am I guess ... God uses the weakest to be His strongest. Some of the most broken, messed up people are the people God uses for His glory the most. For example, take a girl who has done drugs, cut herself, gotten pregnant out of wedlock, nearly commits suicide, but finds Jesus instead. Those types of people have a fire like I've never seen for Jesus. Not only do I love that, but I love that Jesus uses the weakest to lead -- by the world's standard -- the "strongest." Can you imagine a chief officer placing his weakest men in the front? Weird strategy, right? Why would someone place a guy with a missing arm in the front row? Exactly; it makes no sense. Yet who uses that strategy and EXCELS? Jesus. And it only works with Him ...

3) 30 Hour Famine
Food never tasted so good after that famine (which, for the record, I actually went 31 hours! ;) For me, it showed how selfish I am. I was SO excited to eat ... and it was only 30 hours. Usually, I can't go 30 minutes without eating. And I whined and complained because I'm a weenie. So for me, yes, it was an accomplishment. I shouldn't have complained and focused more on what matters. So what matters? People around the world who go much longer than 30 minutes from eating. In fact, it kills men, women, and children alike everyday. What do I do? Sit on my couch and eat Goldfish. COOL. I'm a great Christian :P I think what I'm trying to say is ... after the famine, I realize how much time I waste thinking of myself.

I'm not in the Misfit Army -- I'm misfit FOR the army. I suppose that makes me the perfect candidate for You, doesn't it? Lord, train me to be worthy of your army of love that proclaims not ourselves,  "but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake. For God, who said, 'Let light shine out of darkness,' has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ" (1 Cor 4:5-6).

Where do we keep our treasure? In "jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us" (1 Cor. 4:7).
And this is how the army stands: "We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but no driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies [...] So death is at work in us, but life in you [...] For it is all for your sake, so that s grace extends to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God. So we do not lose heart [...] For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal" (1 Cor. 4:8-10, 12, 15-18).

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

A City Not Forsaken (Isaiah 62:12)

Hey everyone! I am really sorry for not writing lately; it's been over a month! Life has just been crazy. I'll try to get back into writing more often. For those of you that said you missed it, thank you! I wasn't even aware some of you were reading it :) To be honest, I started writing this blog because 1) I wanted to and fnally got around to it. 2) Because I felt led to start a blog. Now I realize that my writing was some of your weekly dose of Jesus outside of Sunday. So I apologize for dropping the ball ............ totally not living up to my purpose. But hey, I tend to do a pretty crappy job of living up to my purpose in general :) anyway ... BLOG POST. So I just recently came across this the other day. It's Isaiah 60:18-20 ...
"Violence shall no more be heard in your land, devastation or destruction within your borders; you shall call your walls Salvation, and your gates Praise. No longer will you need the sun to shine by day, nor the moon to give its light by night; but the LORD will be your everlasting light, and your God will be your glory. Your sun will never set, nor your moon withdraw itself; for the LORD will be your everlasting light, and your days of mourning shall be ended."
Ah, I love that. It's really just a beautiful and true description. Yet, I'm not going to lie. This past month has been all over the place; a lot of highs and a lot of lows. While I'm not saying it's wrong to feel sad or happy, I also realize that life's circumstances are some of the last things that should effect me. I mean, 1 Cor 13:11 says I am to "rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you." What more could I ask for?

Let me break this down: I have JESUS inside of me. He died because He loves me. He thinks it's the best thing that happened to Him! He loves me enough to rejoice in my joy and mourn with my sadness. He's there all the time and sometimes ... I ignore Him. I pretend like He's not even there. That's what I have to give back. There are days where I go my entire day without even a quick thank you to my Saviour. If your best friend is with you, do you completely ignore them? No. Does that make me a sinner? Yeah, I most definitely am for a lot of reasons. That's just one of them.
What I love about Jesus is His never ending love and grace for me. I am nothing without Him, though for some reason, I like to think I am worth something WITHOUT Him in the picture. But then, that day comes, where everything goes awry. I reach rock bottom and realize I truly am nothing and I need the One who is EVERYTHING. And what does He whisper while I lay in bed wishing to change things? "Daughter, my grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Thus, boast gladly in your weakness that My power may rest upon you. Be content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when you are weak, then you are strong" (2 Cor. 12:9-10). Why He chose to save me I'll never quite fathom.

He my "hero" and my King who stooped down to rescue me -- a little slave in the millions of faces. He spotted me in the midst of the crowd, looked at me straight in the eye and said, "I want you." He adopted me into His family and made me His own. He tells me everyday that He loves me with the beauty of His creation and little blessings in the day. He cleaned me and made me new. He even calls me His heir. What King does that? What person in their right mind would do that? Who is this God ... He even devotes His time and life to me. As Galatians 4:1-7 says, "I mean that the heir, as long as he is a child, is no different from a slave, though he is the owner of everything, but he is under guardians and managers until the date set by his father. In the same way we also, when we were children, were enslaved to the elementary principles of the world. But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as songs. And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, 'Abba! Father!' So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God." My Jesus saved me from the "prince of the power of the air" and made me the princess of all that was and is good in this life (Eph. 2:2). In the richness of His mercy, grace, and love, He made me alive in Him and He placed me right next to Him (Eph. 2:1-10). Gah ... idk how to express my gratitude. No amount of feelings could really return all He has done for me. And you. And your ancestors and your children and your children's children. He loves so well.

So ... yeah, life's not perfect. I have to get over that just like everybody else on this planet. At least I know I'm just making a stop for gas before I get home, throw my arms around my Daddy's neck, and tell Him that I've missed him. Isaiah 64:8 sums up what I'm trying to say well I think:

"[N]o eye has seen a God besides you, who acts for those who wait for him. You meet him who joyfully works righteousness, those who remember you in your ways. Behold, you were angry, and we sinned; in our sins we have been a long time, and shall we be saved? We have all become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment. We all fade like a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away. There is no one who calls upon your name, who rouses himself to take hold of you; for you have hidden your face from us, and have made us melt in the hand of our iniquities. But now, O LORD, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are our potter; we are all the work of your hand."

Mold me into the person I'm meant to be. Help me forget my desires and make Your desires my desires. Keep my focus on You that everything else can fall into place, even if it's not in the place I want them to be. I love you and I can't wait to spend eternity in the heavenly realm where I am not forsaken, but loved. Who are we as Christians? "Sought Out, A City Not Forsaken" (Isaiah 62:12). Don't let me forget ...

Thursday, April 7, 2011

Dear Beloved [Suffering]

Dear Beloved,
I opened your letter the moment it arrived. I have so much to say, yet until I return, you will have to review my other letters, along with this one.

In your latest letter, you wrote that you have forgotten what happiness is; that your soul lacks peace (Lam. 3:17). You also mentioned lack of endurance, and even wrote that your hope in Me has perished (Lam. 3:18). It grieves Me to see you suffer like this (Lam. 3:33). Child, do not fear (Lam. 3:57).

If you only take one thing away from My letter, remember that I will always be with you, through the highs and lows; I will never leave nor forsake you ... EVER (Josh. 1:5). I will always love you, so please don't fear nor be dismayed in this short time (Deut. 31:8).

I want to remind you of a few things. You're mine (Isaiah 43:1). You are precious in my eyes (Isaiah 43:4). My steadfast love and mercies will never cease for you (Lam. 3:22). They are new every morning (Lam. 3:23)! I'm always good to those who seek and wait for Me (Lam. 3:25). I love that you simply thank Me for My letters and wait quietly (Lam. 3:26). Oh, how I love you, that despite the troubles at such a young age that you bear so well (Lam. 3:27)! I will not cast you off forever (Lam. 3:31). I know I am causing you grief now, but I will have compassion according to the abundance of My steadfast love (Lam. 3:32).

One thing you must always keep in mind is why you suffer. I know it feels unbearable for you right now. But until I come back, you must help me do what you can, where you are. The enemy will be upon you, and you will suffer for My sake (Phil. 1:29). In fact, you experienced it the moment you joined my cause. But when these trials come your way, consider it pure joy, for it is simply a test for your faith in Me and my cause, producing steadfastness (James 1:3). Don't fight the trial, but fight for Me, and allow the trial to have its full effect, so you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing in Me (James 1:4). How beautiful are My little ones like you, who bring good news, publish peace, publish salvation, bring good news of happiness, while proclaiming, "My God reigns!" (Isaiah 52:7).

Please, don't doubt Me, for though the grass withers and the flowers fade, I stand unwavering above them all (Isaiah 40:8). I am not like a shadow due to change -- that is you (James 1:17; 4:14). Are my letters not proof of how I am living? Does My creation fail to impress you? Does My love, which reaches to the heavens, not show? Does my faithfulness, which reaches to the skies, not show itself as well? [Psalm 57:10]Your doubt tosses you around like a wave of the sea (James 1:6). You don't have to be tossed around. I can be your stronghold, life, and salvation (Psalm 27:1). What are you but clay in My hands? [Jer. 18:6] I will be a Rock for you, who leads and guides you for My sake (Psalm 31:3). I will never change (Hebrews 13:8).

I know you are afflicted in every way (2 Cor. 4:8). But why do you cry? Does a King not exist within your very soul? Has your counselor perished? [Micah 4:9] Of course not. How can I give you up, hand you over, or treat you badly? My heart recoils within me; My compassion grows warm and tender for you (Hosea 11:8). I lead you with with cords of kindness, bands of love, and ease your hardships (Hosea 11:4). And you know what? You aren't crushed. You're alive, surviving, and soon to be thriving. You're perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed (2 Cor. 4:8-9). Yes, death is at work in you in every way, but with Me, you have life (2 Cor. 4:10). And who knows? Maybe I will reward you here on earth through this tribulation (Joel 2:14).

Even without a reward, did you know glory comes through tribulations? Tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. My hope will never disappoint you, because I poured my love into your heart by giving you the Holy Spirit (Romans 5:3-5). However, you still ask, "God, where are you?" You must realize I will do what pleases Me, not you (Psalm 115:2-3). Keep in mind that I am not excluding you. I know you intimately ... I know when you sit, when you rise, your thoughts -- all your ways (Psalm 139:1-3). Do I not know what's best for both of us? Just know that I am King and I am sovereign (Psalm 74:12).

I am coming for you soon, I promise (Rev. 1:7). At the end of the day, after all your trials, you will receive the crown of life, because you love Me (James 1:12). I'll never forget you [Isaiah 49:15] and I love you (John 3:16).

Whatever you do, loved one, don't lose heart (2 Cor. 4:16). For a joyful heart is good medicine (Proverbs 17:22). You will survive, even if you feel like you're wasting away. I renew you day by day (2 Cor. 4:16). I know life seems tough now, but this light, momentary affliction prepares you for eternal glory beyond all comparison -- life with ME (2 Cor. 4:17). Is that not worth more than all the earth? Just remember to look at the things unseen; for the things seen are temporary, but the things unseen are eternal (2 Cor. 4:18).

Love,
Your Father, Beloved, Sustainer, Rock, Creator, Lover, etc. :)

[P.S. Check out this song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-U-hOMunpWo I thought it fit well with this post.]

Saturday, February 19, 2011

Stop Worrying; Start Waiting

Ugh ... if you know me at all, you know I absolutely HATE waiting!!!!! Most of time time I can be patient, other times I'm terrible it. I've been praying for patience, and trust me, He's given me way too much practice at it lately. Christ has been showing me -- slowly but surely -- how to wait righteously.

First, know that everything is in His timing. For, as Isaiah 60:22 says, "At the right time, I, the Lord, will make it happen." or in other translation, He will "hasten" it in His timing. That's encouraging. Many times, I'm impatient, and force things to happen. But God's got it all under control; I have to trust in that. He doesn't want us to set our hearts on things, but instead to stop worrying (Luke 12:29).

Second, know that waiting means something different to God. To us, waiting is when we're ready for things to happen. For God, waiting is when He's ready for things to happen. As Psalm 27:14 says, "Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!" He says "wait for the Lord" TWICE so people like you and me will actually get the message ;)

Third, waiting righteously means being content with Him. When we're impatient, like I am all the time, then we're demanding like a little kid without candy on Halloween for our treats. But honestly, doesn't God know when we have too many treats? Doesn't He know the best time to give us chocolate? He will comfort and love us; we are not forsaken or desolate, but His delight (Isaiah 62:4). He doesn't want us to gratify our desires (Romans 13:14). Instead, He wants us to put off the darkness of the old self and put on the armor of light: Jesus (Romans 13:12).

I guess what I'm trying to say can be summed up in one verse in chapter 12 of Romans, which says, "Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be consistent in prayer" (vs. 12). At least God's blessed with me friends who tell me to quit worrying, because I always need a reminder. I guess I'll conclude with a favorite verse of mine ... "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own" (Matthew 6:34). Love Him! He's truly the best. He can take what He wants from me; it means nothing now. He can take everything from me; it means nothing now!

Saturday, February 5, 2011

Perseverance and Enemies

Here is something I wrote (and posted on Facebook) June 11th, 2010. Sorry I haven't written the past two days -- life has just been busy! But as I sat, in the safety of my house on this lazy (!) Saturday morning, eating my cinnamon roll and egg, along with a cup of coffee in hand, I realized something: One man died so that millions could live. Christ died for my soul, and MILLIONS of others because we are His friend. Jesus tells us so, in John 15:13, "Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends." No love is greater than Christ's, who died for us. Who are we that He would be mindful of us? It is a privilege to be remembered -- the best we can do, is to remember Him and His law: to love. For with God's love, I can enter His house; "in reverance I bow down toward your holy temple" (Psalm 5:7). With that said, you can read what I wrote last summer below:

Perseverance and enemies are closely linked.

At first, I was like "wowwww those two go together?!" but when I thought about it, it's really just common knowledge. When our enemies test us and push us to our limits, we have to persevere through what they put us through, right?
To be honest, I'm not really a person with too many of what you might call "enemies" but I've learned a lot about perseverance.
Anyways, I had my little epiphamy on June 4th, 2010 about this ... at least I think that was the date ........ but whatever, it doesn't matter :P here are my thoughts from that evening:

I looked at some verses and I believe You want us always to treat our enemies with kindness and respect, no matter how much we may dislike them.

In Galatians 6:7, it says that "whatever one sows, that will he also reap." Thus, your enemies are sowing or creating in themselves what you despise in them. While it's easy to get frustrated, God calls us not to "grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap ... let us do good to everyone" (Galatians 6:9-10). In other words, if we treat others well, then we should "always [be] abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain" (1 Cor. 15:58).

Another piece of advice we can take comes from the book of Philippians. Paul says that we must forget what lies behind and strain forward for what lies ahead because Jesus is our goal. If we just fight the good fight, finish the face and keep up the faith, then surely no enemy can stand in the way (2 Tim. 4-7).

The first thing we can do regarding an "enemy" is to not regard him as an enemy. Instead, we should "warn him as our brother" (2 Thess. 3:13). Second, we should try to help stir our enemy to love and good works. How? As Hebrew 10:25 says, by "not neglecting to meet together ... but encouraging one another." Lastly (and thirdly), don't get tired!!!! Persevere. For you can do all things through Christ who strengthens you. So keep in mind these three goals as you face trials, bumps, and enemies in the road of life:

1) They're not my enemy! (Tell yourself that until you say it in your SLEEP.)
2) Make an effort. (Attempt to reconcile things with someone -- no matter what the circumstance or who the person is. Don't run away from the problem -- meet it head on.)
3) Don't get weary. (Remember, true friends are good for those times :) :) :)

Hope this helped you like this helped me =)
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Truth. I wrote that last summer, and it still stands. God is truth. God is love. God is my best friend. He's the best at everything: The most loving, the most faithful, the most lovely, the most pure, the most powerful, the most .... everything good and perfect. So when I come across enemies, I pray that He gives me the love He has for us; the patience to let Him deal with His child like He has patience with me. In other words, my job is to love. His job is to judge. God, Your "love is better than life," may I love like You in everything to bring You glory (Psalm 63:3). For Your love reaches to the heavens and your faithfulness reaches to the skies! [Psalm 57:10] Now that's a caring God.