By: Undre Griggs, Jr The statement is as strong as it is simple. When you believe you are not well equipped for the trials in your life: “be of good cheer, I have overcome the world”. When you lose a friend, a job, a family member: “be of good cheer, I have overcome the world”. When you believe you cannot forgive because you cannot forget: “be of good cheer, I have overcome the world”. When you feel alone and feel like no one is there to help: “be of good cheer, I have overcome the world”. When you feel the world is getting worse and almost too much to bear: “be of good cheer, I have overcome the world”. John 16:31-33 (NKJV): Jesus answered them, “Do you now believe? Indeed the hour is coming, yes, has now come, that you will be scattered, each to his own, and will leave Me alone. And yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me. These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” Jesus is speaking to His disciples and understands the trials/tribulations that they are going to endure in His name. He speaks on the fact that they will be scattered and fearful; but He reminds them they will always have Jehovah as long as they reside in Christ. Jesus goes on to explain He is teaching His disciples this lesson so they may have peace through turmoil. Knowing what we know about the life/death of the Apostles, how powerful must the peace of residing in Christ be? If the Apostles can find peace during persecution (beaten, stoned, whipped, imprisoned, crucified, etc.), then surely we can find peace in our lives. While overwhelming and downright depressing at times; “be of good cheer, I have overcome the world”.
By Undre Griggs, Jr. Psalms 55:22 (ESV): "Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never permit righteous to be moved.” According to Strong’s Concordance, the Hebrew word for “moved” can be translated as; bring down, fall, or falter. God is promising us, if we do not allow ourselves to be moved off the path of righteousness, he will sustain us. When your righteousness causes others to persecute you, you cannot allow that pain to consume you. You cannot allow any burden to remain on your shoulders, because in time, it could change the essence of who you are for the worst. You have to trust in the Lord and put that burden on Him. If God is sustaining you; why be concerned? Psalms 56:3-4: When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can flesh do to me? One reason bad things happen to the righteous is to produce steadfastness. Steadfastness or endurance is required for us to be complete and perfect in the Lord. James 1:2-4: Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. And once you are perfect and complete, everything you endured for a time will be well worth it when you receive a reward that will last a lifetime. James 1:12: Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.
by Undre Griggs, Jr. As friends: we provide shelter when our brethren are without cover; food when we can’t afford it; we visit each other when we miss a service; we lift each other up when we stumble; we forgive each other when we are wronged; and we are willing to sacrifice our own interests for their betterment. Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 (ESV): Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken. Proverbs 27:17 (NKJV): As iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend. Of the many responsibilities we have to each other, we also have the responsibility to sharpen each other’s character. Much like the need of iron to sharpen iron, there is the need of one human to make another human better. Humans have a consciousness that only another human can understand. The words in which we communicate, the way our minds reason, and the joy/pain life brings can only be understood by another human. As a child, we are appreciative of everything a person is willing to teach us. We need someone to teach us how to eat, walk, talk, use the bathroom, and read. As an adult, we can lose our willingness to learn and the humility to be taught. That will only hurt us in the end because the only way we can learn and sharpen our character is by another person telling us. Proverbs 1:5 (ESV): Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance,
by Undre Griggs, Jr We have all been there at some point in our lives. We are faced with a decision and for one reason or another; we don’t make a judgment. We start to think, rethink, and think some more and as a result, nothing happens. God is there to help us make decisions. God wants us to be decisive, confident, and reliant upon Him. He is there for us when we are in need and there is not a question God does not know the answer to. Ask God for guidance in your decision-making. Proverbs 3:5-6, NKJV: “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” Be humble. Psalm 25:9, NKJV: “The humble He guides in justice, and the humble He teaches His way.” When God guides your path, He will stay with you. Psalm 37:23, NKJV: “The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, and He delights in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down; for the Lord upholds him with His hand.” Plan for the task at hand. Luke 14:28-30, NKJV: “For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it— lest, after he has laid the foundation, and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish’?" Make sure you have the facts and hear both sides of the matter. Proverbs 18:17, NIV: "In a lawsuit the first to speak seems right, until someone comes forward and cross-examines." Always pray. Luke 6:12-13, NIV: "One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God. When morning came, he called his disciples to him and chose twelve of them, whom he also designated apostles:"
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Dean Road
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