#morelikejesus

[epsombiblechurch]

Belief Determines Conduct Through my Attitude of Trials

Sermon Recap

What do you do when things don’t turn out as you expected? How do you respond when faced with a difficult situation? Do you grow stronger or grow bitter? Who do you look to when things happen in your life that don’t seem fair?

We continue our study of James with the second sermon in the series. Today Pastor Ric helps us dissect James 1, verses 1-4, considering each chosen word carefully and what they mean for us as Christians. 

                                     Scripture Focus: James 1:1-4

The human experience is filled with bumps, twists, and turns, some expected- others not.  One day you are walking along smiling, and humming, listening to the birds sing, life is just great, when suddenly you trip and tumble into a hole, a pit, its dark, and cold, and lonely. That pit is not at all where you planned to spend your day, month, year, or how ever long it takes you to get out. But there is where you find yourself. Now what will you do about it? 

James tells us exactly what we should do, what we must do: 

Consider. Choose what to focus on, what you will have faith in. Trials can either strengthen your faith in God, or grow bitterness in your heart. Remember the parable of the sower in Mark 4:1-20. We are the soil, and Jesus is the seed. Which type of soil are you?

Know. Know that the testing of your faith produces endurance. All Christians will endure trials, age old trials spun to a uniqueness that is only for you.  For a Christian trials are not to test whether you have faith but rather, to grow and strengthen your faith. Like a school teacher God tests our faith with a loving dedication. Faith is a belief system, the object of our trust.  Are you placing faith in something, or someone, other than God? 

 Let. And let the endurance have its full effect, so that you be mature and complete, lacking nothing. Feel the full impact of the trial, and let it shape you. Do not run from it, hid from it, or make excuses for it.  Feel the pain, heartaches, and hurt.  Let it redefine you. Let trials produce within you a character more Godly than you previously imagined was possible. 

God works in your life through trials. Trials are often painful, there are times when we cant wrap our heads around why God would have us endure something so hard.  Be strong in your faith, knowing that what you are experiencing is ultimately good for you, and is for a greater purpose, even when its hard to see that. Let the trials you endure bring you closer to God, not further away. Remember that even Jesus did not wish to endure his painful death on the cross, He prayed HARD that God would find another way but since it was the only way, Jesus endured, as it was a necessary step on His journey to become the Savior of all. We must face our trials in that same manner, with a strong faith, and knowledge that God only gives us what we can handle.  

It is said that true growth happens on the other side of our comfort zone. Life’s trials place us outside our comfort zone in so many ways. When we are secure in our faith in the God who loves us we can endure hard things, knowing that He always has a grip on our lives and our circumstances. Our loving Father never tempts us to sin. The difference between between a test, and a temptation is our attitude about it.  How are you looking at the trials in your life? Are you letting them shape you to be more like Christ, or are you letting them harden your heart?

[troubledontlast1]

Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.- Ephesians 5:1-2 #belikejesus For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you.- John 13:15 #shareyourfaith Whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.- 1 John 2:6 #belikechrist 🔥Subscribe to my YouTube channel and podcast,👉🏾"Uplift Past Crossroads"👈🏾🔥 Befriend me on Facebook/LinkedIn = Sean Christopher Jenkins 🔥Follow👉🏾@troubledontlast 👈🏾IG/Twitter/Snap for more🔥 Turn on Post Notification - Like - Comment - Share - Save #repost @resident_intheheart_of_jesus ➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖ . . Follow: Subscribe to YouTube(in bio)👉🏾@my_daily_bible👈🏾 Subscribe to podcast(in bio)👉🏾@upliftpastcrossroads👈🏾 YouTube👉🏾@upliftwithdrj👈🏾 Fashion👉🏾@glamourmeetsgq👈🏾 . . 👤 Tag a friend who would like this page ⬇️ ➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖ #christian #christians #christianity #christianquotes #christianquotesdaily #christianquote #christianposts #christianpost #christianliving #christianlife #christianlifestyle #bemorelikejesus #bemorelikechrist #morelikejesus #morelikechrist #becomelikejesus #becomelikechrist #sharefaithnow #belight #lightoftheworld #saltandlight #lightofchrist #lightofjesus #soulwinning #soulwinner #evangelize (at Mount Juliet, Tennessee) https://www.instagram.com/p/CC9PrJMlVZ5/?igshid=1fzwhnuk6ojp1

[logankellysworld]

#morelikejesus #lesslikeme #thatstheway #thetruth #thelife #pursueoneness #marriage #family #ivethelifenwfl (at Lynn Haven, Florida) https://www.instagram.com/p/CUDCzXFlwAg/?utm_medium=tumblr

[madamemerola]

✨Angels on earth. There is something about white that makes me think of angels. I believe there are angels walking amongst on earth and I want to be an angel to someone. It starts from what you think and what you do. What is in your heart? Is it pure and filled with good things. The Bible says the heart of man is desperately wicked, who can know it. This scripture makes me somber because it is so easy to switch from being kindhearted to wicked. So not matter how good you are, guard your heart jealously so that it doesn’t store about wicked thoughts and you can truly be an angel on earth. Just like Jesus demonstrated when we walked amongst us on earth. To all those who do what is right daily even when it is difficult, thank you for setting a great example for the rest of us like Jesus. Pure hearted goals daily. My name is Madame Merola, The B.A.N.G Creator and I want to be more like Jesus. XoXo from #madamemerola #thebangcreator #photodiary #likeanangel #jesusismymentor #morelikejesus #purehearted #whiteisbeautiful #innocentheart #christianlifestyle #ignitedtogreatness #christianmentor #lightworkerlifestyle #intentionallife #abujapersonality https://www.instagram.com/p/CQoxUSSHk7C/?utm_medium=tumblr

[dhomawoo-blog]

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They're discussing Beauty on @yeiwoman ... You can find the full vid there in 3 parts along some other great posts 😊💕 #goodmorning Remember, your Bible is your mirror __________ #knowyourworth #morningmotivation #yeiwoman #inspire #encourage #empower #dhomawoo #empowerment #empoweringwomen #livelaughlearn #beyou #beauty #yourebeautiful #overcomingfear #redefine #societalnorms #overcoming #Christianstruggle #lifestruggle #morelikeJesus #mirror

[vickyua]

”We are not here to make an impression - we are here to make a difference.” 📕#annvoskamp . something I should tell myself every single day . my dear, why do you put so much effort into looking good and feeling good? . and why do you so easily forget that being good and doing good - those are the things truly worth pursuing?🖤 #notetoself #todaysprayer #inHisimage #morelikeJesus #everydaystrugglewithmyself #heartofaservant (Home) https://www.instagram.com/p/B2MW6ChoSDg/?igshid=1pvmdtqskk9wf

[snappedbydinjii]

❤️❤️❤️🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽👇🏾👇🏾👇🏾 Happy Monday! Living My Blessed Life With Contentment.... #TFOLC #LadyK #entrepreneurlife #Growing #Glowing #MoreLikeJesus #Inspiration . . . . . #jesus #god #faith #bible #christian #blessed #church #hope #worship #jesuschrist #pray #christ #prayer #life #motivation #gospel #godisgood #holyspirit #peace #truth #grace #christianity #bibleverse #praise https://www.instagram.com/p/Bs51RlshJZa/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1th1h50gv0nad

[cheldowell]

We are the #lightoftheworld!!! ☀ ▪▪▪ . . . . . . . . . . . #Amen #Scripture #verseoftheday #bibleverse #youversion #Bible #scriptureoftheday #goodmorning #morning #DaughterOfTheKing #JesusGirl #GodLovesYou #JesusLovesYou #christian #believer #Jesusismysavior #jesusistheway #potd #godislove #picoftheday #blessed #morelikeJesus #jesuscalling #hallelujah

[realfaith28]

Married couple, let's enjoy marriage. Let's have fun, less fight, prioritize prayer and encouragement and walk in the ways of God. When you do this things, you will grow in your relationship, and you will begin to look more like Jesus.

Gregg Matte 

[preacher709]

Tradition

Mark 7:13 “Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye.”

The Word of God is very definitive regarding boundaries.

It tells us of power.

Hebrews 4:12 “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and…

[epsombiblechurch]

Forgiven People Forgive

4give 4life series

In life, we sometimes are put into situations where we endure undeserved hurt. Not by our hands, but in our lap. If left unchecked the hurt will stay, heavy in our laps, holding us down, permeating itself into every area of our lives. It spreads like a poison, meant for the offender, slowly eroding the offended instead.

This is the fourth sermon in the 4give 4life series.  If this is your first time listening we encourage you to go back and listen to the previous sermons in the series to get a full understanding of the context. Today Pastor Ric teaches on the Scripture in Luke 15, including the well-known parable of the Prodigal Son, and how it can be viewed as a story in forgiveness.

                              Scripture Focus Luke 15:11-32

Forgiven people forgive. What does that mean? First, we need to understand how God forgives.  In Luke 15:11-32 the Father’s reaction toward his lost son’s return is a wonderful example of how God loves and forgives us.  It reminds us that we are never more than a step away from restored fellowship with God. He forgave us while we were still sinners. God does not give partial forgiveness; it is instant and full. God does not give conditional forgiveness; He always forgives when we come to Him in humility and confession. God does not give delayed forgiveness, He does not seek revenge for our sin when we recognize and take full  responsibility for it. Like the father in the parable, God forgives with compassion. In Psalm 136 the lines “For His mercy endures forever.” is repeated 26 times! God seeks restoration, His focus is on our hearts, not our sin. He is always ready to restore our relationship with Him. Lastly, our God forgives with celebration, He rejoices in restored fellowship!

Once you understand how you are forgiven by God, then you see how God desires for all of us to forgive others. Even when it hurts. Even when it makes your stomach flip flop and  causes anger to begin to bubble up. Even when that person isn’t sorry. Even when you can not bring yourself to pray for that person unless it’s praying for their demise. Even then.

Forgiveness is releasing the debt that someone owes you and giving it to God to handle any way he chooses. We are so afraid to do this because we feel like we are letting the offender off the hook- and we are. We are letting them off our hook and hanging them right onto God’s.

Forgiven people forgive. In the story of the Prodigal Son, one is restored, one rejoices, and one refused and rejected- which will you be?

[petitedevotions]

In couple of months later, i'll be entering the age of 30. Can't believe that It's almost the same age as Jesus when He first started His ministry (refer Luke 3 :21) Thinking back about my life till now , sometimes the fear of 'wasting my times' passed through my mind. Yet, when I read this verse "𝙏𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙚 𝙬𝙚 𝙙𝙤 𝙣𝙤𝙩 𝙡𝙤𝙨𝙚 𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙩. 𝙏𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝 𝙤𝙪𝙩𝙬𝙖𝙧𝙙𝙡𝙮 𝙬𝙚 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙬𝙖𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙖𝙬𝙖𝙮, 𝙮𝙚𝙩 𝙞𝙣𝙬𝙖𝙧𝙙𝙡𝙮 𝙬𝙚 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙗𝙚𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙧𝙚𝙣𝙚𝙬𝙚𝙙 𝙙𝙖𝙮 𝙗𝙮 𝙙𝙖𝙮." 2 𝘾𝙤𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙖𝙣𝙨 4:16 It reminded that through all the ups and down ,phase of my life, HE is with me. There's no single time wasted because the Holy Spirit always actively yielding something good in us to glorify Him, always 🍁 This verse also reminded me to be grateful instead , not put too much worry about the being a years older. Days may passed like a flash but also Renewal comes from the Lord that changes us inside out . Let us commit and present ourselves to be renewed through His Words each a day. Amen. . . . #devotional #devotions #christianlife #christianity #bible #biblejourney #lifesharing #christianprayer #morelikeJesus #agingwithgrace #christianwomen #christiandevotions #comingofage #dailyprayer #christiandevotion #lifewithJesus #biblejournal #christianjournal #2corinthians #walkwithJESUS #christianblog #devotionals #devotion #dailydevotional #dailyprayer #christiandevotions #selfreflect #wordofGod #christianitytoday #petitedevotions https://www.instagram.com/p/CTXXq0cBy44/?utm_medium=tumblr

[anitastaver]

It’s good to plan for the New Year, but God is the one who controls what will happen in 2019. #happynewyear2019 #happynewyear #tuesdaythoughts #thywillbedone #getupandmove #2019 #followHim #morelikeJesus #newyearsresolution https://www.instagram.com/p/BsFuufGAgla/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1e9mmnzxa58so

[allisonmaeb]

It took me a bit more than 100 days, but I finished this beautiful study. It's been all over social media lately... and, for good reason. @anniefdowns gives encouraging and actionable steps to becoming more like Jesus... becoming more brave. Thank you, @mrsaplanktobe , for sending this my way. I will follow your lead and send it to another that could use some uplifting and a reminder that she's already brave! #100daysofbrave #100daystobrave #anniefdowns #morelikejesus #yourealreadybrave

[charmayne100]

Music that is filled with drug/alcohol use, sex before marriage (fornication), disrespecting authority figures (parents or police), physical/verbal abuse while courting or married, profanity, etc...should not be supported by Christians. This perpetuates the Enemy's agenda, not Christ's. _ Christians who purchase this type of music most likely have a difficult time obeying God’s Will for their lives. Music goes beyond our ear gates and ENTERS into our spirits. The Enemy is fully aware of this knowledge. Why do you think secular music is so popular? It teaches us to forget about God’s instructions and do life on our own. Our FLESH is fed and pleased when it hears ungodliness. The Lord wants His people to CRUCIFY their flesh (intentionally and consistently keep it under God’s voice, alone. _ I know this post is not going to receive an abundant of likes and some followers might unfollow, but @instachristministry account is dedicated to EXPOSING the Enemy's devices so people can reach their full potential in Christ Jesus. Our daily choices make or break our connection with God. #Amen #LetItGo #NewSong #PraiseTheLord #NotJustMusic #MoreLikeJesus #TagAFriend (at Tag a Friend)

[cheldowell]

#LoveLikeJesus 💖 #WalkInLove ☆☆☆ . . . . . . . . . . #WomanofGod #GodlyWomen #WomenOfGod #JesusGirl #DaughterOfTheKing #Qotd #daughtersoftheking #women #ladies #morelikeJesus #Jesusismysavior #ILoveJesus #JesusChrist #Quote #JesusLovesMe #GodLovesMe #quoteoftheday #quotesforwomen #quotes #quotestoliveby #christian #beauty