Mindset For Success

So tremendous, however, were the revelations that God gave me that, in order to prevent my becoming absurdly conceited, I was given a physical handicap—one of Satan's angels—to harass me and effectually stop any conceit. Three times I begged the Lord for it to leave me, but his reply has been, "My grace is enough for you: for where there is weakness, my power is shown the more completely." Therefore, I have cheerfully made up my mind to be proud of my weaknesses because they mean a deeper experience of the power of Christ. I can even enjoy weaknesses, suffering, privations, persecutions, and difficulties, for Christ's sake. For my very weakness makes me strong in him. - 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 (Phillips) Why would a person who had fully committed to building Christ's church during his time on this earth have to experience this type of suffering? How does my response to suffering compare to Paul's? And going a little farther, he fell on his face and prayed, sayin

Of course, you get no credit for being patient if you are beaten for doing wrong; but if you do right and suffer for it and are patient beneath the blows, God is well pleased. This suffering is all part of the work God has given you. Christ, who suffered for you, is your example. Follow in his steps: He never sinned, never told a lie, never answered back when insulted; when he suffered, he did not threaten to get even; he left his case in the hands of God, who always judges fairly. - 1 Peter 2:20-23 (Living Bible) Because we live in a fallen world, suffering will be a part of our lives, as it was in the life of Christ while on this earth. We may also face suffering as a consequence of sin in our lives or as a result of executing God's will in a world that hates the message of Jesus Christ. The Bible is clear that Christians will, at times, have to endure unfair treatment in the pursuit of Christlikeness. "If the world hates you, know that it had hated me before it hated you. I

Be humble then before God. But resist the devil, and you'll find he'll run away from you. Come close to God, and he will come close to you. Realize that you have sinned, and get your hands clean again. Realize that you have been disloyal, and get your hearts made true once more. As you come close to God, you should be deeply sorry; you should be grieved; you should even be in tears. Your laughter will have to become mourning, your high spirits will have to become heartfelt dejection. You will have to feel very small in the sight of God before he will set you on your feet once more. - James 4:7-8 (Phillips) Christ wants a child's heart but a grown-up's head. He wants us to be simple, single-minded, affectionate, and teachable, as good children are, but He also wants every bit of intelligence we have to be alert at its job and in first-class fighting trim. - CS Lewis With eyes wide open to the mercies of God, I beg you, my brothers, as an act of intelligent worship, to gi

Let me add this, dear brothers: You already know how to please God in your daily living, for you know the commands we gave you from the Lord Jesus himself. Now we beg you—yes, we demand of you in the name of the Lord Jesus—that you live more and more closely to that ideal. For God wants you to be holy and pure. - 1 Thessalonians 4:1-3a (Living Bible) I asked her what was so scary about unmerited free grace. She replied something like this: If I was saved by my good works -- then there would be a limit to what God could ask of me or put me through. I would be like a taxpayer with rights. I would have done my duty, and now I would deserve a certain quality of life. But if it is really true that I am a sinner saved by sheer grace -- at God's infinite cost -- then there's nothing he cannot ask of me. - Timothy Keller For this is the will of God, that you be sanctified [separated and set apart from sin]: - v 3a 1. that you abstain and back away from sexual immorality; v 3b Are my wo