Saturday, January 31, 2015

No Pain, No Gain!

Physical fitness trainers will teach you improved fitness is often accompanied by some type of physical pain.  As you begin to develop and work out your various muscles, you will often feel muscle soreness.  This type of muscle soreness is most frequently associated with the start of a new exercise program, changes in your exercise routine, or a dramatic increase in the duration or intensity of your exercise routine.  While it may seem alarming at first, like you may have injured yourself; it is simply a normal physiological response.  Your muscles are healing and becoming stronger with each workout, providing for greater stamina and strength.

As believers in Christ, we often experience pain as part of our spiritual growth.  This pain can be the result of a new experience, challenges or trigger taking us back to a previous pain or hurt.  We can find ourselves torn down by this pain, disenchanted and even discouraged.  But if we take the time to draw nearer to our heavenly father, this pain can be part of our spiritual growth.  He can use this pain to strengthen our relationship with Him, to make us spiritually stronger.

Christ doesn't promise us there will be no pain, but he does assure us that our faith will see us through the pain, enabling us to overcome it through His love and peace.  The pain of the past or the present becomes an opportunity for us to adapt and develop spiritually providing greater stamina and strength in our walk with Christ!  Just a little advice 2 go!

Scriptural Insights:
Psalm 18:2 The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.

Psalm 34:18 The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.

1 Peter 5:9-10   Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace,who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.

Quotes to remember:
I am not a theologian or a scholar, but I am very aware of the fact that pain is necessary to all of us. In my own life, I think I can honestly say that out of the deepest pain has come the strongest conviction of the presence of God and the love of God.  ~ Elizabeth Elliot

God never allows pain without a purpose in the lives of His children. He never allows Satan, nor circumstances, nor any ill-intending person to afflict us unless He uses that affliction for our good. God never wastes pain. He always causes it to work together for our ultimate good, the good of conforming us more to the likeness of His Son (see Romans 8:28-29).  ~ Jerry Bridges

Pain removes the veil; it plants the flag of truth within the fortress of a rebel soul.  ~ C.S. Lewis

Sunday, January 4, 2015

2015-New Beginnings In Christ!

2 Corinthians 5:17King James Version (KJV)

17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
This is one of my favorite verses because it reminds me of God's willingness to renew me, to make me whole.  His forgiveness is neverending; his willingness to make me a new creation everlasting.  He is a god of chances, willing to give you as many chances as you need to get it right.  His mercy endureth forever.  Blame is not the issue, as He is not a god of blame.  In Him, there is no condemnation and thus we must move from self condemnation to receiving his forgiveness.  His forgiveness is the key that enables us to open the door leading to renewal, enlightenment, and the newness of a fresh path towards the destiny He has for us.  

A new year is about new beginnings, a fresh start down the path God has established for us.  Be resolved to becoming a new creation in Christ, to letting go of the old things and letting them pass away, and to believing that all things will be made new.  Begin your transformation by the renewing of your mind in Christ.  Make your new year's resolution about a new spiritual diet; one in which you are committed to nourishing yoursself daily with His word, committing it not only to your memory but to how you live every day of your life!  Then you will begin your journey towards becoming the new creation God has intended you to be!  Take a step of faith and God will ensure he carries you the rest of the way!  Just a little advice to go!