How To Live In Moderation As A Christian

Moderation may mean different things depending on to what we are referring. Some think of modesty in dress, how not to dress in overly-embellished and revealing attire. Others prefer modesty in environment, choosing simplicity in living rather than ostentatious decor. 

There is also modesty in attitude towards life's ups and downs. I am learning to develop modesty in experiencing life's blessings and challenges. The Holy Spirit is leading me to not be overly excited about blessings nor excessively concerned about challenges. I know that His desire for me is to remain on an even keel no matter what each day brings. 

While I can always be thankful for God's blessings that flow, I am not to be so caught up in receiving from Him that I forget that the devil as a roaring lion walks about seeking whom he may devour. I Peter 5:8 I am not to be so excited about any accomplishment that I forget to put on God's whole armor. Ephesians 6:10-17 

When difficulties surface, I can feel concerned but I am not to sink down into the dumps and feel defeated. I am not to forget that all things work together for good to those who love God. Romans 8:28 I am not to be so distressed that I forget that if God is for me, how can anyone succeed against me? Romans 8:31 

Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say rejoice. Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. Be careful for nothing but in everything, by prayer and supplication, let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God that surpasses all understanding shall keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.  Philippians 4:4-8

The 1st part of that scripture passage can pertain to being peaceful during blessings. The 2nd part can pertain to being peaceful during tribulations. When we let our moderate attitudes and lifestyles be seem by others, and when we do not worry about anything but go to God with all requests, we will live on an even keel. We will be even-tempered and at peace. 

So, whatever moderation means to you, the essence is the same. It is behavior that reflects self-control, high self-esteem, respect for self and others, moderation in all things, peacefulness and self-confidence. It is a holiness that is not contrived by our flesh to repel others. It is a holiness and righteousness that is a shining reflection of our transforming relationship with a loving God.

Did Abraham Laugh At God?

I give Brother Prince credit as the only teacher I've ever heard (through years and years of listening regularly to many) who shared that Abraham also laughed. Other teachers only share that Sarah laughed. Abraham laughed at first and even in God's face. The Bible tells us that he fell onto the ground laughing, and God said to him, You will TOO have a child. Read it for yourself. Genesis 17:17

Read something else in the Bible other than your fav scriptures everyday. You don't grow in Christ through reading the same scriptures. Read the entire bible so that you can be transformed and strengthened. The Holy Spirit that lives in you will help you to rightly divide the Word of Truth and discern all of the scriptures, if you indeed know that you love God and are called according to his purposes.

While some like to push it forward that Sarah laughed while omitting that Abraham did also, I think it is worse that Abraham fell on the ground laughing, while he was communing with God. I've waited for so long to hear a minister give Abraham his due detraction for laughing at the promise of God. Brother Prince is not afraid to tell the truth. God bless him and his entire family and ministry more and more!

Hope That Makes No Sense (But Works) | Joseph Prince Ministries

Aging And Faith

Age brings change, no doubt, but it is said that we automatically accept that certain things will happen when we grow older, that we accept them as a given. Much of it is all in the minds, say psychologists. Some say we get what we expect. Others insist that we can't stop the hands of the clock nor advancing time, or its effects on our bodies and minds.

Well, I believe both. I believe that if we replace, with positive words, the words about what we feel is unavoidably negative, it can effect change. Though it won't change the inevitable, it can counteract it for a time and make life more hopeful and enjoyable.

I do believe that because of fear, resignation and lack of vision, we accept situations, conditions, disabilities and sicknesses that we might not have had to suffer. Essentially, we can also create them with our consistently hopeless thoughts and words. When they pertain to health, doctors call them psychosomatic illnesses. When they pertain to situations in our lives, I call them creating what we repetitively fear. These are facts to seriously consider.  

It is better to work on building our positive, God-inspired attitudes everyday and to turn our thinking and speaking habits to what the Word of God declares. Our thoughts and words will then line up to produce a hopeful, healthy future for our remaining time here on earth. It's not easy for our depressing ways of thinking and speaking to change, but it is possible. 

Jesus said,

In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world. John 16:33

If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes. Mark 9:23

In Proverbs we are told,

Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit. Proverbs 18:21

And in Matthew,

But those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and they defile a man. Matthew 15:18

Obey God And Prosper

We often think about having all that we need and perfection in the New Heaven and the New Earth. Why try so hard to build up a much better life now? We're all going to leave this earth anyway, so why try to do so much better in this dark and dying world? If it's all prepared for us later, what can we expect here? Are we entitled to prosper and do very well here in this earth?  I read in the Bible that the blessings of the Lord are not only for the world to come, but for this world as well. Luke 18:29-30 

One reason to reach out and claim all that God provides here is that we can inspire others to follow Christ when our lives visibly improve. A second reason is that we feel more like worshipping and praising God when we see improvement in our lives. Thirdly, we can leave a better legacy for our children. 

Another important reason is that how we learn to access and utilize God's provision today will have a direct bearing on our positions and rewards in the New Life in Eternity. This is because as we grow closer to God here and learn to relate and receive from him, we are increased spiritually. God always grows us spiritually as he blesses us materially, physically and mentally. Our acquiring here also stores up riches in Heaven.

Christian author and pastor Joseph Prince said God's desire is for us to realize health and provision. Like The Widow and The Syrian in the Bible, we will have to let The Provider into our innermost abodes and do as we are told to realize the miracles of provision and healing that we are entitled to today.

The Words Of Your Mouth

That Tongue! The power of life and death. Choose life. Choose to speak positive words. Choose to speak the scriptures. Choose life. Choose to be quiet. Choose to speak faith. Choose life. Choose to cut it short. Choose to shut up. Choose life. It's the difference between positive and negative words. 

That tongue of yours can create or it can destroy. It can build up or tear down. It can heal or it can hurt. Your tongue can do what it does to others but mostly, it is doing its thing to you.

Negative quotes. Negative statements. Negative clichés. See them for what they are. Negative pronouncements that bring things to pass. Those depressing things that your mouth says creates what it says. Whether you know it or understand it or accept it, your words create. They bring things to pass. 

Whether idle words or words spoken on purpose, those words, fragments and sentences create stuff. What does this mean? It means that your words are valuable because you are valuable. You have the power to create life or death. You have a wealth of power. The power of life and death is in your tongue. 

Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit. Proverbs 18:21