When It Seems Too Hard to Forgive

by Ms. Rita's Minute

Matthew 6:14

“For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.”

It may seem as if it’s really impossible to forgive this time. But it’s extremely worth it. Despite how difficult it may be, it is doable. We all just need some help. We can’t do it alone. We need the supernatural help of the Lord.

We are people made of spirit, soul, and body. We have an intellect, but we also have emotions or feelings that affect our bodies. When we forgive, we release our offender of the wrong they’ve done to us and no longer hold it against them. We also release those negative emotions of anger and hurt, which translate to stress on the body.

As believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, and “members of one body,” we were “called to peace.” So, we should “let the peace of Christ rule” in our hearts (Colossians 3:15). Unforgiveness and the angst it causes do not make room for peace.

Our Wonderful Counselor (Peleh Yoetz, in Hebrew) has given us access to His Holy Spirit, who helps us to be successful in the act of forgiveness. However, forgiveness isn’t easy and in some instances feels impossible, but it is doable with the Lord’s help.

I’m reminded of two instances where I was angry and hurt in two different work situations, but because I involved God in my situation, I was able to forgive and move past the offenses. One was a supervisor who rudely disrespected me.

The one thing I didn’t do right was I refused to share the offense with him, as I didn’t want him to think I was being petty or oversensitive. Instead, I stewed in the offense, letting it replay repeatedly in my mind after I’d left the office. The Bible clearly addresses offense in Matthew 18:15-17:

“If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over. But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’  If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church; and if they refuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector.”

So I decided to actively remember what my heavenly Father says about forgiveness and do something about it. I didn’t have the feeling inside to forgive because I felt justified in my anger, and could not change the way I felt at that time. However, I wanted to forgive. Yet, I chose to forgive intellectually, since I could not do so emotionally.

I knew the truth according to the Bible, but I just didn’t want to acknowledge it right away. I wanted to dwell on what was done to me in pity. However, I really didn’t want to go to bed angry and knew I had to face him again in the office the next day.

At this point, I knew I had to take those emotions to the Lord for help to change my feelings. So, before bed that night, I prayed that I’d forgive my supervisor, but asked that God would help me to truly move past it in my heart, as I had no real feelings of forgiveness. I felt the same: mad, but with the willingness to let it go. I went to sleep that night and awoke the next morning; in all honesty, with no feelings of anger. I was amazed. Also, I never told my supervisor that I had been offended by him, though I should have. However, I figured since I had forgiven him, what was the point? Yet a kind and honest talk might have helped him in the future.

Now I’m not saying this is what happens in every case of offense, as every case is different. However, we are told to forgive, so we truly can forgive in every case. God doesn’t tell us to do anything that we are unable to do. There may be other unique ways he chooses to bring about our sincere forgiveness.

In the next instance, I was new to a work environment, and the person who helped me with my new position was very curt and unpleasant in her assistance. She was offensive in her behavior, and I was warned that every new person had to incur her wrath.

However, I need to give some credit to my local church home at the time, which was very strong in teaching biblical principles for relationships. I drew from them what I had learned in our Bible studies. I found it an interesting challenge to try out these bible truths and see what I’d get.

I was determined to show her respect and kindness, and it wasn’t long before she was my best friend at that office–to the point where she invited me for dinner with her and a few neighbors at her and her husband’s home, which I thoroughly enjoyed. Turned out she was nothing like the mean woman she tried to portray herself as, and I never had another problem with her for the duration of my time with that company.

Nevertheless, this was another time where I didn’t tell her about what she did that offended me; I just treated her the opposite of the way she treated me. Yet I’m learning to become more transparent. I later found she was actually a softy inside. Sometimes, it’s not really about us being so unliked, but the person who’s being mean that has issues and needs our compassion. No doubt they need our honesty too, but only in the right spirit.

Now, of course, there may be cases of abuse where situations are handled differently. Yet the result remains the same. We must forgive. Being led by the Holy Spirit in each case of offense may require different ways of communicating. Also, one may not necessarily want or need to continue a relationship with the offender. However, unforgiveness is not an option as the teachings of Jesus require that we forgive those who have wronged us.

We can be sure there will be many times in life when we’ll be offended by others. Yet, it has been to my benefit to take every case to the Lord in prayer for His wisdom and spiritual strength in forgiving someone. He can give you the ability to forgive, release, and have peace about the offense. Just don’t try to do it alone. Let God’s Holy Spirit help you succeed, remembering, “A person’s wisdom yields patience; it is to one’s glory to overlook an offense” (Proverbs 19:11).

Akin to Our Dad

by Ms. Rita's Minute

Genesis 1:27

“So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.”

Remarkably, we humans were created in the image of the Almighty God, our Heavenly Father. As we know, an image is a likeness of a person or thing.

And what might we gather from God’s image as the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit? That we share a tripartite existence, a commonality that unites us. We, His children, are spirit, soul, and body.

As we study the Bible, we begin to see that God has emotions and feelings just like we do. He feels joy, anger, gladness, and sadness, among other things. He has many ways about Him, and we are blessed to even know Him, not to mention be called His children and heirs. Do we realize the magnitude of such a wonder?

We were actually given the ability to be reborn of the Spirit and to receive forgiveness of all of our sins. We have been redeemed through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and we are now His.

He graciously shares His eternal life as well as the fruit of His Holy Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

Our God is love, and His image reflects it as should ours. In His Bible, we are told in 1 Corinthians 13 that: “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” This essence, or some would say commitment, called love, is unmatched.

When God created mankind, He didn’t intend for them to sin and be separated from God. Likewise, he never desired the act of rebellion from any of His angels. However, it occurred because He’s given us the will to choose.

Would we have our children love us as puppets manipulated with strings? No. We’d prefer a free will of love toward us from those we hold dear, not adoration or intimacy we’ve programmed or forced.

As we desire companionship, fellowship, love, respect, and attention, so does our Dad. Moreover, He desires to be involved in our decision-making, as we sometimes want our involvement in others’. Thankfully, He generously shares His wisdom, along with His fruit of patience and self-control, as we proceed by faith toward a blessed outcome.

Should we desire to be like anyone, it is surely our heavenly Father–living consistently, with the fruit of His Holy Spirit, being whoever we are, and doing whatever we do, with love.

Challenges in Sharing God’s Truth

by Ms. Rita's Minute

John 12:37

“Even after Jesus had performed many signs in their presence, they still would not believe him.”

This must have been a frustrating time for Jesus. People had heard about Him raising Lazarus from the dead, and a huge crowd came not only to see Jesus, but also to see Lazarus. Many Jews were going to Jesus and believing in Him, which caused the chief priests to want to kill Lazarus as well.

Later, Jesus came to Jerusalem, and people welcomed Him with palm branches and shouts of blessings. However, because of all the attention from Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead, the Pharisees talked about how things were getting out of hand, as it appeared to them that the whole world had gone after Jesus.

Jesus spoke, “Father, glorify your name.” “Then a voice came from heaven, ‘I have glorified it, and will glorify it again.’ The crowd that was there and heard it said it had thundered; others said an angel had spoken to Him.” (John 12:28-29)

At this time, “even after Jesus had performed so many signs in their presence, they still would not believe Him” (John 12:37). Yet the scriptures stated that this was to fulfill the prophet Isaiah’s word that said they could not believe because the Lord had blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts, so that they couldn’t see or understand, or He would heal them.

However, at the same time, many even among the leaders believed in Jesus, but because of the Pharisees, they would not boldly confess their faith for fear they would be put out of the synagogue. The Bible says, “for they loved human praise more than praise from God” (John 12:43).

Jesus had asked, back in John 5:44, “How can you believe since you accept glory from one another but do not seek the glory that comes from only God?” It is revealed to us in these events how we can sometimes allow others’ perceptions or truths to influence our beliefs over God’s.

In John 9, after Jesus had healed a man who had been blind from birth, the Pharisees were questioning the blind man’s parents. His parents told them to ask the man, and he’d speak for himself. The Bible tells us the blind man’s parents said this because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders, who already decided that anyone who acknowledged that Jesus was the Messiah would be put out of the synagogue.

I love how the blind man responded: “Whether He is a sinner or not, I don’t know. One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see” (John 9:25)! It’s quite simple. It was what it was, whether or not anyone else could explain or understand what had happened.

In these events, the unbelief was more about what a person wants, versus what a person knows. John 12:37 is a powerful statement about the human tendency to reject spiritual truth despite overwhelming evidence of God’s power.

As was the case with Jesus, there will be times when people will not believe what you have to say about the Bible and may even start to disrespect you personally in some way. Every person we encounter is different and has come from a different experience in life. We should pray that we would not be offended.

1 Corinthians 10:3-5 describes how the ancient Israelites experienced spiritual provisions in the wilderness, like “spiritual food” from the manna and “spiritual drink” from a rock, identifying this rock as Christ. Despite these shared spiritual experiences and privileges, God was not pleased with most of the Israelites, who were overcome by sin and perished in the desert.

Hebrews 3:12 tells us to “See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God.” The sin of unbelief is a stubborn, willful rejection of God’s truth and His saving work through Jesus Christ, rather than just intellectual doubt. Jesus, in John 12:44, stated that “Whoever believes in me does not believe in me only, but in the one who sent me.” Not to mention, “The one who looks at me is seeing the one who sent me.”

Sometimes, we as humans can be skeptical or just plain afraid. After Jesus was seized and arrested just before the time of his crucifixion, we see in Matthew 50:56, “But this has all taken place that the writings of the prophets might be fulfilled.” “Then all the disciples deserted him and fled.” Remarkably, even the Son of God, after all he had done, was abandoned by His closest friends.

Again, we should be aware that there may be times when people will be offended by the things we say or do, regarding Jesus’ teachings. Though we should be wise to be as respectful as possible when communicating with others, we should expect that not everyone will receive what God has given us to share. Some may even become angry and hateful. Yet we should never resort to foolish arguments, though a healthy exchange is not wrong. We should also be mindful that some who may even profess to be Christians may not agree with us, but whatever we speak, we should do with an attitude of love.

When others don’t appreciate the Bible, it does not take away from its validity. We should not take it personally, but bless them should they refuse our sharing. Nor should we let it stop us from communicating further with those who are open to listening.

It is a good practice to pray before sharing anything about the Lord. Then, we want to spend quality time in Bible study to know we are sharing the truth of what is actually in the Bible and not simply what someone told us. Next, we want to be in the will of God as to what to share with a particular person or people at that specific time. Further, we must depend upon the Holy Spirit and have confidence in Him to lead us in our conversations, not depending upon our own intellect alone.

Regarding the Weak

by Ms. Rita's Minute

Psalm 41:1

“Blessed are those who have regard for the weak;
    the Lord delivers them in times of trouble.“

Psalm 41:1-3 reminds us of the blessing that comes to those who consider the weak. Weak in the first verse of this passage refers to those who are poor, needy, or helpless, rather than someone who is physically frail or lacking in intellect.

God promises to deliver those who consider the poor in their time of trouble. What comfort to realize that Almighty God will provide help when we are facing trials and tribulations. We are not left alone. In delivering us, he releases us from the pain and pressure of our troubles in his way and timing.

The Lord also protects and preserves those who regard the needy. There are many events we may never realize that God protects us from, and in preserving us, this passage indicates he guards and keeps us.

When one considers the weak, they are “counted among the blessed in the land”. Being counted is taken into account or considered, which means their blessing is evident; it can be seen. Also, thankfully, God doesn’t give them over to their foes. The Hebrew word translated as foes means enemies concerning those who wish them ill and do not want deliverance from trouble for the blessed.

Finally, in this passage, we see that God sustains them on their sickbeds. This denotes to support, uphold, or provide strength to them when they are sick. He also restores them. How wonderful is that? This is the promise given regarding considering the helpless in Psalms 41:1-3.

The Bible offers a good picture of how God feels about those who are impoverished. It tells us, “Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will reward them for what they have done” (Proverbs 19:17). In addition, “The generous will themselves be blessed, for they share their food with the poor” (Proverbs 22:9). Moreover, “Those who give to the poor will lack nothing, but those who close their eyes to them receive many curses” (Proverbs 28:27).

Graciously, the Bible provides us with ample instructions on how to help the weak. We want to always choose ways that align with God’s Holy Spirit in the matter–wise and just ways that show compassion for the weak with wisdom in our procedure.

There are many methods and avenues to supply whatever help we’ve chosen to give the poor, (e.g., practical actions like sharing food or clothing or speaking up on their behalf). Key principles include being generous without showing off, treating the poor with dignity, and recognizing that aiding them is a way of serving God himself. 

Whether it be money, food, prayer, clothing, furniture, etc., God takes note and provides the benefits of one’s actions. Not to mention the joy one receives when they provide something of necessity to someone who could really use the help.

——————————

Psalm 41:1-3

“Blessed are those who have regard for the weak;
the Lord delivers them in times of trouble.
The Lord protects and preserves them—
they are counted among the blessed in the land—
 he does not give them over to the desire of their foes.
The Lord sustains them on their sickbed
 and restores them from their bed of illness.“

If You’re Happy and You Know It, Enjoy It!

by Ms. Rita's Minute

Psalm 68:3

“But may the righteous be glad and rejoice before God; may they be happy and joyful.“

If you have children, consider them for a moment. Don’t you want the best for them? Don’t you want them to be happy? Synonyms for happy are delighted, glad, satisfied, and pleased, among many others. Don’t you want this for your children or other people you love? Then why wouldn’t your Father in heaven desire this for you?

I’d like to submit to you that it makes good sense to reject any idea that suggests that God does not want you to be happy or that your happiness is not valid. God created happiness. The Bible more frequently uses terms like “blessed,” “glad,” and “joy” to describe a state of well-being and contentment that aligns with God’s will.

Happiness does not always come from the receipt of gifts, though often giving can produce happiness. We should keep in mind the generosity of our heavenly Father and how He has brought us joy in our lives. Matthew 7:11 tells us, “If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!”

Most of us can probably testify that we’ve received good gifts from the Lord without even asking. So, clearly, he is pleased to see us happy. Psalm 35:27 tells us “… the Lord delights in the well-being of his servant.” This means wonderful things for us.

No doubt there are things we might not always find enjoyable that the Lord expects us to do in obedience to Him and for our own good. These things only cause us to reap the blessings from our agreement and action. Nevertheless, when our hearts are right, but we fall short, that does not stop our Father from blessing us with happiness, without harm. I would define this to be allowing some undeserved blessing that does not bring harm to us or others. God does this all the time, if we’re honest.

Feel free to rejoice in the Lord and his kindness and lavishness toward you and your family. If you read your bible, you will find it is His way to be generous. Not to mention, He’d like us to be this way, too.

Don’t allow people to influence you with false attributes that aren’t of God’s character, but may sound good or spiritual. He came that we might have life and life more abundantly. This has to do with eternal life and God’s life now in the spirit in general. Walking by the spirit allows things to go well with us.

Aren’t you glad God wants you to be happy? The wellness of God encourages happiness. In specific terms, we may desire different things. Yet God takes care of supplying those things as well, never giving us anything that will hurt us. However, sometimes we may insist and learn lessons of desiring the wrong things, or the right things at the wrong time.

Just imagine the pleasures of heaven, and the fact that Jesus told us to pray that his Kingdom would come on earth as it is in heaven. Of course, there are many things to relate to his Kingdom rule. However, any of them would inspire happiness. So, as citizens of heaven, we should welcome the happiness of the Lord. Therefore, “Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise (James 5:13).”

True happiness comes when we pursue God and His kingdom first, so patience is necessary. But don’t think God won’t shower you with blessings in various surprises that spark happiness throughout your life. So, don’t worry, be unapologetically happy!

_________________________________

More blessings to savor:

You make known to me the path of life;  you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand. (Psalm 16:11)

Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. (Psalm 37:4)

I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. (John 15:11)

Peace Like a River in the Midst of a Storm

by Ms. Rita's Minute

Judges 6:23-24
“But the Lord said to him, ‘Peace! Do not be afraid. You are not going to die.’ So Gideon built an altar to the Lord there and called it The Lord Is Peace. …”

How are you today? Do you sense God’s peace in your soul? How are you navigating your life’s journey amidst its difficulties? There’s good news if you’re struggling, as we all do from time to time.

Our difficulties may be:
(1) spiritual – blatant attacks of deception by our spiritual enemy, the devil, whose aim is to steal, kill, and destroy;
(2) relational – struggles with offense, forgiveness, starting, keeping, or avoiding various kinds of relationships; or
(3) financial – lacking resources for necessities

We have a God, our heavenly Father, who provides not only wisdom but peace in times of trouble or struggle. He is “Jehovah Shalom”, which means “The Lord is Peace” in Hebrew. It’s one of the names of God used by Gideon in the Book of Judges. The name denotes that God provides peace and wholeness, even in the midst of turmoil and uncertainty.


Judges 6 tells a powerful story of Gideon and God’s choosing of him to do a courageous thing in the peace of God.

Be sure to read Judges 6 and 7 to find out the amazing things that transpired after Gideon built an altar to the Lord called “The Lord Is Peace”, as well as how he defeated the Midianites in Judges 7.

Here are some scriptures to meditate upon when you are facing difficulties or struggles in life:

God’s Promises of Peace:

Romans 5:1
Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

John 14:27
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.

John 16:33
I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world, you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.

Galatians 5:22-23
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

God’s Pathways to Peace:

Job 22:21
Agree with God, and be at peace; thereby, good will come to you.

Psalm 119:165
Great peace have those who love your law; nothing can make them stumble.

Isaiah 32:17
And the effect of righteousness will be peace, and the result of righteousness, quietness and trust forever.

Accept Your Calling to Peace:

Colossians 3:15
And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.

Who’s Blessed?

by Ms. Rita's Minute

Psalm 128:1-2 (NIV)

“Blessed are all who fear the Lord, who walk in obedience to him. You will eat the fruit of your labor; blessings and prosperity will be yours.”

I love this passage. It shows us who the blessed are and their reward. We may have many personal definitions of blessed, but the Hebrew word, in this context, is ašrê and indicates happiness, joy, and favor.

This is promised to all, not just some, but all who fear the Lord. Fear, as written here, is a reverential awe and respect for God, rather than a feeling of terror, leading to obedience. The blessings of obedience come from aligning one’s life with God’s will and promises.

In these blessings of obedience, we eat the fruit of our labor and receive from the work or effort of our hands. With this comes prosperity: “You shall be happy, and it shall be well with you” (Psalm 128:2 KJV). The Hebrew word for prosperity here is tov, which signifies a state of flourishing and positive outcomes resulting from one’s work.

Thankfully, we have the Bible to aid us in knowing what God’s will and ways are as we move in reverential fear of him. However, sometimes God’s will for us personally, in various practical parts of our lives, may not look like what we, or others, think it should.

That’s why it’s not wise to be hasty, but seek the Lord in prayer as to His desires for us in our decision-making. He’ll be faithful to give us the signposts to follow, so that we’ll stay on his blessed pathway. All we need to do is sincerely ask and wait for His answer, remembering the Lord sees our honor and respect for Him.

Transformation Travel

by Ms. Rita's Minute

Romans 12:2
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

Are there things about you that you know just aren’t good? You know, those things you don’t like about yourself that you know need to change, but you’ve so far been unsuccessful? Well, there’s good news for all of us!

God has given us instructions on how we can be transformed: by the renewing of our minds. This is how we change. The consistent reading of the Bible is just that powerful. It’s a process by which we persistently take in the scriptures to learn the principles and patterns of God’s love, works, and ways. We learn what he desires of us and those actions and disciplines we need to set in place in our journeys toward change.

How seriously we embrace His instructions determines the time or pace at which we experience successful change. With our various upbringings, environments, jobs, hobbies, leaders, friends, etc., the rate of change will differ. However, given the Bible, God’s Holy Spirit, our commitments, and other resources the Lord uses specifically in our lives, we will experience change.

Most of all, recognition of our need for change and the willingness to do it are huge factors in successful transformation. Not to mention, that miraculous supernatural thing God does, while “we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord” (2 Corinthians 3:18).

What’s really comforting is Philippians 1:6 assures us that we can be confident that he who began a good work in us will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. We aren’t abandoned to try to figure everything out on our own. God has given us the Holy Spirit as a helper to guide us into all the truth we need to mature in the faith.

The Holy Spirit empowers believers to resist temptation and live a life of holiness, overcoming sinful patterns and developing godly character. This includes cultivating virtues like love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control, often referred to as the “fruit of the Spirit” (Galatians 5:22-23). The Holy Spirit faithfully assists to make us more like Christ.

Our transformation involves a change of heart and mind, leading to a new identity and a desire to live according to God’s will. It’s a process of spiritual formation that is initiated and enabled by God but also requires our active participation and cooperation. 

One might simply list the things we’d like to change and then pray earnestly about those things, seeking God’s truth on the matter. He’s so creative and helps us in many unique ways to modify our behavior in order to bring about positive results. I’ve found the Lord to be a masterful teacher using many life lessons in various forms to get me to see his necessary points. Yet we are responsible to check the condition of our behaviors to assess if we are learning and doing what God says.

The Bible says, “Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test?” (2 Corinthians 13:5) We must be humble enough to submit our weaknesses to the Lord with a repentant and intentional attitude to do better by the grace of His presence within us and the strength of discipline that he provides.

Moreover, we can move bravely knowing that God has said in Hebrews 13:5 that He will never leave or forsake us and in John 14:18, he would not leave us as orphans but would come to us.

Abiding

by Ms. Rita's Minute

John 15:4
“Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.”

In John 15, we observe Jesus talking to his disciples, of which we are, too. He communicates some vital instructions that we must follow as his kingdom ambassadors.

The New International Version (NIV) of this chapter teaches us to remain in him. The King James Version (KJV) of the word “remain” is abide. Abide, per Oxford languages means to accept or act in accordance with (a rule, decision, or recommendation).

Moreover, the Greek and Hebrew translations of abide are stay (in a given place, state, relation or expectancy), be present, remain, dwell, continue, tarry, endure, cleave, sit, join, and rest.

Jesus wants us to see the importance of remaining in him, obviously indicating that it is possible to no longer remain, and possible to leave or withdraw. In the previous Chapter 14, Jesus is comforting the disciples signaling that he would be leaving and going to prepare a place for them.

The Lord then reiterates the fact that he is the only way to the Father, promising that if they loved him, they should keep his commands. Further, He would ask the Father to send the Holy Spirit to be with them forever.

Jesus highlighted some interesting points about abiding or remaining in him, with a key item being that we should remain in him, like he remains in us. The truth is, we can’t bear any fruit without him, just like a branch can’t bear fruit without its vine–it must remain attached.

(1) John 15:5, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” We should not expect to accomplish anything for the Lord successfully without the Lord’s assistance. He wants us to remain in him continuously which will enable us to be fruitful or productive.

(2) John 15:6, “If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned.” This pretty much paints a picture of being useless, as mentioned in Matthew 5:13, described as losing one’s saltiness, “no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.” It is quite detrimental, but not hard to understand as stated. We all just need to remain in Jesus.

(3) John 15:7, “If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.” Though some people find it hard to receive these generous words of the Lord, he said what he said. If his words remain in us, we can expect to receive what we ask for. Of course, if his words live in us, his will lives in us. As such, we are told to pray his will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

(4) John 15:8, “This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.” We glorify the Father when we show ourselves to be his disciples by being fruitful or productive. The fruit we bear is evidence that we belong to the Lord, not forgetting even wicked people can do good works from time to time.

However, we should consider what the Bible calls fruit in Galatians 5:23, “the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” Moreover, we are called to walk in this Spirit so as not to “gratify the desires of the flesh” (Galatians 5:16).

(5) John 15:9, “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love.” As Jesus experienced his Father’s love, now we too can experience Jesus’ love. He just wants us to continue in His love, doing what he says. He has provided his instructions to us in his Bible, and by his Spirit continues to provide his will to us. Graciously, He works within us to will and to do for his pleasure (Philippians 2:13).

(6) John 15:10, “If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love.” If we read Jesus’ instructions exactly as stated, it’s clear that we remain in his love by keeping his commands.

I think of a parent and child relationship when pondering this verse. If you are a parent, you love your child and want them to do as you’ve taught them. When they do, you are thrilled and want to reward them. The measure that they don’t, determines how you will discipline them.

At some point later, they could get to the place where they never do anything you’ve taught them and end up in the worst way because they refuse to change. At some point their state of living may get out of your hands, and they be judged with punishment or even death because of continuous wrongdoing. This would be the worst.

Nevertheless, in focusing on remaining in Jesus, we’ve obtained blessings, benefits, and spiritual gifts that include justification, peace with God, access to grace, and hope of glory, among others. We just need to be mindful of the very specific things that the Lord Jesus has spoken as truth and not define them as things we can merely rewrite to appease us for our own comfort.

Questioning Pursuit

by Ms. Rita's Minute

Matthew 6:33

“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”

As human beings we all have desires, interests, and our own personal ways of doing and being. We have our own definitions of success and how to obtain it. We seek happiness and contentment in various ways and pursue those things that we think will fulfill our souls.

However, do we ever consider what God wants us to pursue? What are His desires for each of us and what truly fulfills those personal longings we possess? I ponder this often as sometimes I can get distracted but find joy in the answers God has given.

1 Timothy 6:11 provides those things God wants us to pursue. These things are of utmost importance that spill over into everything else in our lives: “… pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness.” 2 Timothy 2:22 adds “peace” to the list. To look a little closely to each of these traits:

  1. Pursuing righteousness we seek being morally right or justifiable, decent, just, principled and virtuous among other things. As the Body of Christ, we’ve already spiritually received God’s gift of righteousness. However, our proof of repentance and living for Christ include the aforementioned characteristics.
  2. Godliness is living a life that reflects the character and will of God. We are told in 1 Timothy 6:6 that righteousness along with contentment is great gain.
  3. The Bible also teaches us in Hebrews 11:6 that faith is the confidence, or substance of things we hope for, the assurance, or evidence of things we can’t see.
  4. 1 Corinthians 13 is an entire chapter that defines the attributes of love, a wonderful state encompassing patience, kindness, and selflessness. 1 John 4:8 and 4:16 tell us that God is love.
  5. Endurance is the ability to sustain a prolonged stressful effort or activity, or to withstand hardship or adversity.
  6. We display gentleness when we are kind, tender and mild-mannered. It also involves humility, patience and empathy.
  7. When we pursue peace, we pursue harmony and tranquility; freedom from emotional distress, worry, or public disturbance.

The traits listed in 1 Timothy 6:11 are preceded by Paul’s warning on how the love of money is the root of all evil and how people so eager for it have caused themselves many griefs and wandered from the faith because of it. He encourages his son in the faith, Timothy, to flee from those things and to fight the good fight of faith.

This, of course, is also a warning to all believers in Christ. Fleeing involves running away to escape danger; to move quickly and with urgency.

There’s nothing wrong with having dreams, goals, ideas or visions for our lives, but we must keep in close contact with our Wonderful Counselor, Peleh Yoetz (in Hebrew), to make sure our desires align with his. “Grinding” to achieve success is not always healthy or safe, especially when it moves us away from God’s ideals.

We don’t want to add any more weights to our lives than that with which we already have to contend. The Lord knows the best ways for us to do anything to achieve success. We need only ask for his wisdom which he’ll provide generously without finding fault according to James 1:5.

In our pursuits of happiness, contentment or whatever it is we desire in life, keeping our focus first and foremost on heavenly goals leads to joy and fulfillment for God’s children. Steering away from distractions can sometimes prove difficult, but doable.

We have the Spirit of the living God on the inside of us and this is marvelous. Now may we continue to fight the good fight of faith in our endeavors to do his will.