“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.”

Though many of us know that we should love each other, the weight of this instruction is often held lightly. If we truly understood what was at stake if we did not keep this command, it would likely motivate us all the more to learn how Jesus actually loved His disciples.

Jesus was patient when His disciples didn't understand Him. He explained simple truth again and again when they failed. Though He was honest, He was never obnoxious nor did He treat them like they were worthless. Rather, He sought their good even unto the sacrificing of His soul. This is the kind of love we are called to have toward one another.

Trials are a big part of our daily life, but some are much bigger than others. When difficult situations arise that have a great impact on our lives they have a tendency to become the focus of minds.  It is as if we get a magnifying glass and repetitively scrutinize our problems. Here in this whirlwind of thoughts, fear creeps in and worry takes over. In this moment, spiritual wisdom and discernment quickly fade to carnal / natural reasoning. We can be sure that when our hearts are no longer at rest our thoughts are not coming from God. It is at times like these that we must follow the example of the apostle Paul: “Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal” (2 Corinthians 4:16-18). When we face great trials we must fix our eyes on what is unseen. This is the life of faith to which we have been called! It is the core essence of Christianity to not see the world through carnal / natural eyes, but to look into heaven and discover the perspective of the God who loves us. This is how our Lord was able to walk in the Spirit while He was being brutally mocked, beaten, and killed. His eyes were not fixed on His trials, but on the eternal glory that His father was accomplishing (Hebrews 12:2). Likewise, we too can share in Christ's power by simply setting our minds on things above.

"I trust in thy word" (Ps. 119:42).

Just in proportion in which we believe that God will do just what He has said, is our faith strong or weak. Faith has nothing to do with feelings, or with impressions, with improbabilities, or with outward appearances. If we desire to couple them with faith, then we are no longer resting on the Word of God because faith needs nothing of the kind. Faith rests on the naked Word of God. When we take Him at His Word, the heart is at peace. ]]> godlychristianministries@gmail.com (George Mueller) Short'n Sweet Wed, 22 Dec 2010 06:00:00 +0000 http://www.godlychristianministries.com/cm/index.php/articles-sp-2690/35-shortn-sweet/66-which-lusts-will-you-live-by http://www.godlychristianministries.com/cm/index.php/articles-sp-2690/35-shortn-sweet/66-which-lusts-will-you-live-by

"...that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which being corrupted according to..."

DECEITFUL LUSTS

"I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims hold yourselves away from..."

CARNAL LUSTS

...But flee from

YOUTHFUL LUSTS ]]> godlychristianministries@gmail.com (Alan Martin) Short'n Sweet Tue, 09 Nov 2010 06:00:00 +0000