be encouraged ...

The first thing I want to say is that I am sorry that you are sad. I think about all of us who are serving the LORD and many are facing significant challenges in one way or another. Further, there is always the natural instinct to desire that ‘sweet spot’ where all things just seem to work – yet it seems to be eluding many of us. With that said, please accept the following in love …

As I read my Esther workbook (by Beth Moore) this week, it was talking about when individuals get caught up in ‘people-snares’, when they allow someone to become such an object of their attention that they are unable to enjoy even the good things that are happening in their lives. They become preoccupied and eventually become mastered by their thoughts and the circumstance.

Yet, as I read the workbook and the author asked us to think about someone like that in our own lives, I couldn’t think of a person (presently). I know I’ve been guilty of it in the past – but I could not think of any recent ‘people’ examples.

I could, however, think of plenty of situations that I have allowed to consume my thoughts. The concerns begin every morning – after lingering as the last thoughts at night many an evening.

But, I know I have to make a choice. I have to choose to focus on God and the truth of His Word instead of looking at my circumstances. I have to make a conscious decision to walk by faith and not by sight. (II Corinthians 5:7)

It is not easy. But we were never promised nor assured that it would be an easy life.

For all intents and purposes, it is much easier to do what is wrong than to try to live right. What’s more, it can even be enjoyable – for a while. But the servant of God has to make a choice. Moses made that choice, refusing to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, ‘because he preferred to share the oppression [suffer the hardships] and bear the shame of the people of God rather than to have the fleeting enjoyment of a sinful life.’ (Hebrews 11:25 AMP)

Now, the true believer does not have a desire to return to the sinful life – but they do still have questions why those who walk in that lifestyle appear to be blessed and even rewarded for their behaviors. But that is not for us to determine. God is just and merciful. And often we are looking at the wrong result anyway.

I know in my own life, that I have been guilty, on a few occasions, of expressing my frustration with the lack of fruit in my life – yet I am bearing the fruit that matters: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, faithfulness, longsuffering, righteousness.

The wages of sin is spiritual death – even if it fattens your wallet and gets you the admiration of many for a season. The reward of righteousness is life – even if it causes you to struggle and face hardships that you could never have imagined. It, too, is for a season.

IT WILL NOT BE THIS WAY ALWAYS!

Yet, even if it is this way until we leave this people-planet … we do not do it for rewards. HE is our exceedingly great reward! We live this life we live because we have the Holy Spirit in us which draws us to do what is pleasing to the Father – whether we ever yield a tangible result or not.

There was a lesson in my Esther workbook that I must continually focus upon. You see, Esther faced a situation where she was tasked with doing the right thing and she came to the conclusion, ‘If I perish, then I perish.’ (Esther 4:16)

As believers, we all have take a lesson from Esther and fill in the blanks. If ________________, then ___________________.

• If I never get a job, then I will still serve Him. He still promotes and sets down. (Psalm 75:7)
• If I lose my home, then I still have Him, can still serve Him and still know that He is working all things together for my good … according to His purpose (Romans 8:28)
• If the publisher never calls back and the book never gets published, then I still was obedient and did what God asked me to do. And we know obedience to God is always better. (Romans 6:16)
• If they tell me that my youngest son’s back is not healed and needs a brace (or worse, surgery), then God is still the Healer. (Exodus 15:26)
• If my oldest son does not get a room on campus, then God is still Jehovah-Jireh, the Provider, my God who supplies all my needs. (Philippians 4:19)

My experiences do not in any way diminish or nullify the truth of who He is.

When frustrations mount, we have to speak His Word, the words of life – otherwise we will go crazy!

I know this doesn’t provide an immediate remedy to any of the problems that we all are facing. It doesn’t change your issues and make everything perfect. It doesn’t miraculously end my friend’s struggle with her third bout of cancer. It doesn’t keep loved ones from passing away and doesn’t bring back ones that have already left us.

But, it does anchor us in our faith and to the LORD our God.

If you look through Scripture, we are commanded:
• Be of good cheer! (Matthew 14:27)
• Do not fear … (Genesis 15:1)
• Be strong and courageous … (Joshua 1)
• Do not grow weary in well doing … (Galatians 6:9)

They are not suggestions or even encouragements – they are commands, they are imperatives.
• COMMAND - a : of, relating to, or constituting the grammatical mood that expresses the will to influence the behavior of another
• IMPERATIVE - 1 : to direct authoritatively : ORDER 2 : to exercise a dominating influence over : have command of

They are commands because our Commander knew there would be moments when we, in the midst of the war, would not know what to do. Therefore, He commanded us through His Word … He charges us.

Yet we still have to make a decision that we will get in line and obey the command – like a good soldier.

There are many young U.S. soldiers that signed-up for the Army while times were calm. The benefits appealed to them and even though they knew hard work would be required they felt the benefits outweighed the drawbacks – that is until wars broke out.

Once directly confronted with the thoughts that this commitment might cost them dearly, they had to reevaluate and really think about whether it was worth it.
• If I never make it home to use my education grants – is it worth it?
• If I only benefit from the free medical because my legs have been blown off – can I handle it?
• If I never use my VA-Loan because I die on the battlefield – can I face that possibility?

Many decide ‘No’ and if they make it to the end of their contract – they get out.
However, there are countless others, who having been physically burned by war and emotionally burned by the toll that separation and situations take on their families – still decide to reenlist.

They have determined that there is nothing they would rather do than to serve – no matter what it costs.

Now, as Christian soldiers, we must remember that we enlisted … we were not drafted. Further, we enlisted with the understanding that it was an eternal contract. And that contract was signed in blood – Jesus’ blood!

COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS TODAY!

If you are forced to live among people who willfully disregard the principles of God – be glad that you are there to set an example so someone may realize that he/she does not have to be given over to a debase mind and unrighteous behaviors.

If your workplace is full of frustrations and disappointments – praise the LORD that you have a job and be thankful that God entrusted that place to your care – that, perhaps a few may come to the saving knowledge of Christ because of your presence there.

Bless the LORD and forget not all His benefits. (Psalm 103:2)

Fix your mind and your speech on the positive and not the negative. There is a reason why God told us to speak to one another in Psalms and Hymns and Spiritual Songs. (Eph. 5:19-20)

Finally, my sisters and brothers …

'whatever is true, whatever is worthy of reverence and is honorable and seemly, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely and lovable, whatever is kind and winsome and gracious, if there is any virtue and excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think on and weigh and take account of these things [fix your minds on them].’ (Philippians 4:8 AMP)

'I'd say you'll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized. Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies.’ (Philippians 4:8 MSG)

DO NOT LOSE FOCUS OF THE GOAL!!!!!