Christian Fellowship Community Group
A safe place for Christians who Love Jesus Christ to meet and ask for prayer and share scriptures from the bible. We value the posting of Christian music, poems, stories and also personal testimonies. Please let us know your needs, concerns and have some fun getting to know each other. We treat each other with respect.
Why do Christians live a defeatest life when they don't have to? Seems like a simple question, but it's not because every Christian have different problems. Coming out of some rough times spiritually, myself, I can for one tell you what it's like to feel alone, in despair, and angry.
Thank God recent sermons pointed out that living defeated lives is fruitless for ourselves. God saved us! He loves us! His Son, Jesus paid the price for each one of our sins! He would have paid this ultimate sacrifice if it was just you he was doing it for. Why? Because His love is SO strong that although we can't humanly comprehend it, He did this so that we may live eternally.
So, why are we living defeatest lives when we know the victory's been won? Haven't we won already? Because of Christ, we need to live our lives also in victory. Bad things can happen in this lifetime. But keep in mind that Christ knows that the ending will be the best of all! Romans 8:28 tells us this: "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."
Notice, Scripture didn't say that in some things or only in good things, but in ALL THINGS. That simply means everything--good or bad! God works these things for the future good. He turns everything good--even if we can't see it right away! Please don't forget that verse!
Don't feel defeated. Live with a purpose, with a plan! Live with passion for the ministry He gives you. God bless you and remember He loves you!
Thank God recent sermons pointed out that living defeated lives is fruitless for ourselves. God saved us! He loves us! His Son, Jesus paid the price for each one of our sins! He would have paid this ultimate sacrifice if it was just you he was doing it for. Why? Because His love is SO strong that although we can't humanly comprehend it, He did this so that we may live eternally.
So, why are we living defeatest lives when we know the victory's been won? Haven't we won already? Because of Christ, we need to live our lives also in victory. Bad things can happen in this lifetime. But keep in mind that Christ knows that the ending will be the best of all! Romans 8:28 tells us this: "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."
Notice, Scripture didn't say that in some things or only in good things, but in ALL THINGS. That simply means everything--good or bad! God works these things for the future good. He turns everything good--even if we can't see it right away! Please don't forget that verse!
Don't feel defeated. Live with a purpose, with a plan! Live with passion for the ministry He gives you. God bless you and remember He loves you!
Turn to Romans 12:1-2 for the practical application. We are to be transformed. How?
1. offer ourselves are living sacrifices - that means everything we think, say and do must be of God.
2. renew our minds (not being conformed to this world)
3. Know God's will. How do we know this? Well, obviously we read the word, and do not act contrary to it. But if we offer our lives as a living sacrifice and renew our minds, then we will have to draw closer to God.
It is God that works in us. If we are not close to him, then all the Bible reading and sacrifice and worship in the world is just going to be "works" - the outward appearance. God does the transforming. The word transform is the passive voice, and that means it is something that comes from outside ourselves. It is the Holy Spirit working in our hearts that helps us overcome the defeatist life.
As for our purpose - to become transformed into mature Christians, and reflect the glory of God, as we are changed into His image. 2 Cor. 3:18 " "And we, who with unveiled faces reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit."
"For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life: But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raises the dead: Who delivered us from so great a death, and does deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us"
2Cr 1:8-10
"For, when we were come into Macedonia, our flesh had no rest, but we were troubled on every side; without were fightings, within were fears." 2 Cor 7:5
So Paul wants them to know that he was "pressed out of measure, above strength", that he "despaired even of life". The world has also learned this very thing in their idea of "recovery". They believe that to some degree and especially for honesty's sakes they should "embrase the valleys". No, I'm not saying we should despair as the world despairs when someone dies. But in counseling methods such as A.A. N.A. C.A. etc. they don't disown the pain, but try to learn from it, maybe even like Paul did.
The earthen vessel must be broken to release the precious spikenard fragrance throughout the house. It definitely doesn't feel nice while it's happening. Read Job, Lamentations, or the experience of Isaiah 53. How about Psalm 22? It's real. Real pain. Real blood. Real discouragement before the victory comes. Otherwise you haven't been shaken, broken, blended, homogenized and refined. God is like James Bond. He will have his Christians shaken and not just "slightly stirred".
"And it shall come to pass at that time, that I will search Jerusalem with candles, and punish the men that are settled on their lees: that say in their heart, The LORD will not do good, neither will he do evil. Therefore their goods shall become a booty, and their houses a desolation: they shall also build houses, but not inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, but not drink the wine thereof." Zep 1:12,13