Minute with the Master

Spiritual Life

Worry Not

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Today’s question is, “Why does God not want us to worry about life?”

In Matthew 6, Jesus said, “do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear…your heavenly Father knows that you need them…Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” (NIV)

My dear friend,
We have a God who knows we have troubles in this world.
We have a God who cares about our daily needs.
We have a God who wants us to have faith in His ability to provide for us.

All He wants us to do is, “seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you.” (HCSB)

Trust in Him and see your needs met. And think on these words that Jesus asked in Luke 12.25: “Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?” (NLT)

Wisdom

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Today’s question is: What is the difference between worldly wisdom and Godly wisdom?

Wisdom is the quality of being prudent and sensible. It is also the ability to apply knowledge, experience and insight. In the Bible, wisdom is linked to the way we live and run our lives.

James 3:13-15 says, “Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good conduct, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts…Such wisdom does not come from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, and demonic” (Berean Study Bible).

By contrast, “the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere” (NIV). God’s wisdom brings peace to a conflict situation.

May we operate in our spiritual self and not the carnal self. Operating in the carnal self gives Satan an entry into our lives.

Peace

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Today’s question is, “How do we experience peace when we are in the midst of an unsettling situation?”

Jesus said in John 14:27, “My peace I give to you.” And this peace is what we received when we were born again.

Galatians 5 mentions peace is a fruit of the Spirit. But for us to experience this inner peace we need to renew our mind as said in Romans 12:2. That is why we need to align our thinking to what God’s word says, and this involves faith: faith in His Word and His promises. He has said, “He will never leave you nor forsake you” and “He will supply all your needs according to His riches in Christ Jesus.”

Take Him at His word and stand on it. That is the way you experience peace my friend.

Unbelief

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Today’s question is, “Are you struggling with unbelief?”

You’ve known God: followed Him all your life, or just started following, and now you are in a crisis situation and you are wondering if God still remembers you or cares about you.

My dear friend, let me assure you one thing: God still loves you and cares for you. He hasn’t changed. He is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. His plans for you haven’t changed. He has plans for you, hopeful plans for your future.

You need to work on your unbelief. Sometimes, we react like Thomas who said, “Unless I see Him I will not believe.”

Jesus replied, “Because you have seen me, you have believed: blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

Paul says in 1 Thessalonians 2:13, “When we receive it as God’s word, our Belief causes us to work in us.”

So, friend, believe Him, and begin to see results. Don’t waver in your belief. Receive and hold onto His word. Jesus said in Mark 9:23, “Everything is possible for one who believes.”

Discouragement

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Today’s question is, “How can I overcome my discouragement and depression?”

David asked God, “Lord, why have you forsaken me?”
Jeremiah said, “Lord, you have deceived me.”
Elijah prayed, “Lord, take my life.”

My dear friend are you going through these thoughts as well? I may not fully understand the intensity of your pain, but can I offer you some help? Try tiding over this hump with God’s help.

Firstly, reach out to God. Don’t run away from Him. Psalm 46:1 says, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”

Secondly, listen to life giving messages and music. Romans 10:17 says, “Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”

Thirdly, believe God’s word. Take him at His word. You may feel God is not hearing you or you may feel far removed from Him, but in Hebrews 13:5 God says, I will never leave you nor forsake you.” He is with you; He hasn’t left you. So, believe and receive God’s help.

Rejection

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Today’s question is: “What is rejection and how do we cope with it?”

Rejection is being pushed away and not being accepted or wanted.

You can feel rejected when your ideas are dismissed in a group or when you don’t get admitted to the college of your choice or when your spouse responds rudely.

Rejection leads to emotional pain.

Now how can we handle rejection Biblically? For one, Jesus was rejected when He was here on the earth so he is able to understand your pain.

Isaiah 53:3 (NIV) says, “He was despised and rejected of mankind…and familiar with pain.”

Secondly, when you feel unwanted or unaccepted take refuge in the truth as said in Romans 15:7, “Christ has accepted you…”

So, my dear friend, the God who said, “I will never leave you, nor forsake you” is always by your side. He will not reject you!

Grief

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Today’s question is: “What is grief and how can we overcome it?”

Grief is the normal and natural emotional reaction to loss. And grief is real pain; It hits the very core of your being. It tears you apart.

So what can you do to heal? Because it is real pain, accept the pain and allow yourself time to heal.

Now what does the Bible say about grief? My dear friend, God understands your pain. Psalm 34:18 says, “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted.” So pray through your pain as the psalmist did in Psalm 119:28, “My soul is weary with sorrow: strengthen me according to your word…”

Also, take strength in Isaiah 53:4 which says, “He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows.” This means Jesus paid for your pain. He has taken it on the cross for you. Give it to Him.

Self-Centeredness

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Today’s question is: What is self-centeredness and how can we overcome it?

Self-centeredness is seeing ourselves as being in the center of everything. This causes us to react to others, to get hurt by others, and to blame others.

This self-centeredness, or focusing on ourselves alone, can be a problem at both ends of the spectrum–either when we think too highly of ourselves or when we think too little of ourselves. In either situation we are placing the focus on ourselves and not on God and others.

Now, how do we overcome self-centeredness?
For one, we need to shift our focus from ourselves to others.

Secondly, we need to die to ourselves and place Christ at the center of our lives instead. Galatians 2:20 reads like this, “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.”

A similar thought is expressed in Matthew 16:24, where we are told to deny ourselves as Christ followers.

When we begin to focus on Him, His plans, and His agenda for our lives, it is easy to deflect the hurts that others inflict on us–either intentionally or unintentionally. We can then move from being self-centered to Christ-centered

Prayer

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Today’s question is, “What is prayer and what should we pray for?”

Prayer is connecting with God.
Prayer shows our dependency on Him.
Prayer reveals our faith in God’s ability to move things in our favor.
Prayer is seeing God as the source of wisdom and power.
Prayer is allowing the God of this universe access into our lives.
Prayer brings light into a dark situation.

In 1 Timothy 2:1-4, Paul gives us this instruction, “First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.”

So my dear friends we see we are instructed to pray for our government. And this is in fact for our own good, that we may live a peaceful and quiet life.

May we find time this week to pray for our leaders.

Excellent Spirit

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Today’s question is: “What is having an excellent spirit and how can we develop and display this at our work?”

In Daniel chapter 6, we read this about Daniel. Daniel was preferred above the presidents and princes, because an excellent spirit was in him. (Dan 6:3, KJV) The same is mentioned in Daniel 5:12 (KJV), “An excellent spirit..found in Daniel.”

An excellent spirit can be developed when we work as unto the Lord. Colossians 3:23 (NIV) says, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord…”

An excellent spirit is developed when we work not just to please man. Ephesians 6:6 (HCSB) says, “Don’t work only while being watched, in order to please men…”

An excellent spirit is displayed when we work with sincere heart and good attitude. (Ephesians 6:5,7)

My dear friend, Even if things look unfair or hard right now, be encouraged because the Bible says, “You will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward.” (Col 3:3)

Healing

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Today’s question is, “Do we believe God can heal us?”

With all the Gospels recording that Jesus healed the sick who came to Him or who He came in contact with, why then are we losing faith in God’s ability to heal?

Maybe we have prayed hard for someone, or even for ourselves, and have not seen results so have given up our hope in God. Or we think God is punishing us for some sin in our lives. Or that He is trying to teach us a lesson.

My dear friends, as we search the scriptures we see a God who wants us well.
In Matthew chapter 15, when a Canaanite woman came to Jesus pleading that he would heal her daughter, Jesus says, “Healing is the children’s bread.”
When we believe in Jesus, we become His children. As said in Galatians 3.26, “In Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith.” (NIV)

 
So my dear friend, one of the benefits, or rights, of you being His child is healing.
So, never doubt, it is God’s will for you to be well.
He takes no pleasure in your being sick.
Hold on to this truth without wavering and you will begin to see breakthrough.

His desire is for us to be in good health. In 3 John 1:2, we read the blessing, “Dear friend, I pray that you may prosper in every way and be in good health physically just as you are spiritually.” (HCSB)

We should not allow our personal, or others’, experience limit the truth of God’s word.
We who believe in God should use the Bible as the plumb line for truth. Not what we see around us.

Peace

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Today’s question is, “How can I have peace when everything around me and within me is in turmoil?”

Jesus said in John 14:27, “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you.…Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” Yes, Jesus is the source of peace.

In John 16:33, Jesus said, “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace.” Real peace is possible only in Christ. It is not found in others or things around us.

And we can enjoy this peace by trusting in Him and not allowing our hearts to be troubled. In Isaiah 26:3, we read, “You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!” (NLT)

Yes, my dear friend,
We need to trust Him with what’s happening in our life.
We need to have our thoughts focused on Him.