The No Bully Zone from "His Kindness Year Round"

The concept of bullying has probably been around since the beginning of creation.  You can find many sibling rivalries in the Bible and numerous instances of aggravating and annoying and provoking (including murdering) others.

In today’s society, the topic of bullying is, unfortunately, very common.  I am relieved to know the subject is being brought forth publicly, rather than having innocent sufferers deal with the issues alone.  We usually associate bullying with kids or teenagers or young adults.  But bullying does not discriminate with age.  Bullies range from small tots to the elderly.  Yep, bullies can be older, more ‘mature’ adults also.  Think about that; you may realize you even know a few of them. 

And the worst bully of all is satan.  He, by far, tops the list of the most evil. 

But our God is wonderful!  He does so much for us.  We can’t even imagine the magnitude of all His goodness and mercy and grace!  God leads us.  He reassures and encourages us.  He sends the Holy Spirit to comfort us and calm us in rough waters.  His love is beyond what any human love ever could be!  He has a remarkable plan for each one of us!

John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.”

Romans 5:5 “God has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with His love.”

The bully.  He wants to rush us and create chaos.  He intends to frighten, worry and cause anxiety.  His desire is to confuse and discourage.  He enjoys pushing us around, condemning and belittling us.  He wants us to live with guilt.  The devil’s goal is to make us feel (our soulish part -- mind, will and emotions) all the things that Christ died on the cross so we would not have to experience.  He delights in trying to steal our peace and joy.  He is the ultimate annoyer, nuisance and bully. 

But ya know what?  We have authority over him!

Ephesians 6:11 “Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies and tricks of the devil.”

James 4:7 “Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”

1 Peter 5:8 “Be careful!  Watch out for attacks from the devil, your great enemy.”

Be aware, and stand firm against the bully.

Prayerfully, your sister in Him,

Robin

Care to spare a bit of kindness, anyone? from "His Kindness Year Round"

I was riding past a parking lot and saw a gentleman walking from his car to a building. He held his head high as he walked and entered the door.  Before going into the facility, he passed a group of teenagers standing very close by. He never glanced their way and appeared not to speak.  I find this very interesting, as the building was a church and the man, the minister.

How well do we rate on the scale of friendliness, especially and including those we don't know? Ever offer a simple smile or hello or brief conversation or compliment to those you come across in the grocery store or mall or a restaurant?  Do you ever go out of your way to let a server or manager or business employee know of exceptional service or appreciation?  Or taken a step further, do you take an occasional opportunity to do a kind deed for those you don't know – or those you do know, and go the extra step to show gratitude or an extension of kindness to brighten a person's day?  Do you know how to say "Please" and "Thank You"?  Are you a giver or receiver only? As in a recent conversation with a sister, you never know when a smile or simple gesture can make some one's day. 

James 2:19-20 “You say you have faith, for you believe that there is one God.  Good for you!  Even the demons believe this, and they tremble in terror.  How foolish!  Can’t you see that faith without good deeds is useless?”

And one step further, do you ever look down upon people who may not look like you or dress like you or speak like you or act like you?

Ever recall references to Jesus sticking His head in the air to those lesser than He, the Messiah? (It doesn't take long to think on that question.) 

James 2:1-4 “My dear brothers and sisters, how can you claim to have faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ if you favor some people over others?  For example, suppose someone comes into your meeting dressed in fancy clothes and expensive jewelry, and another comes in who is poorly and dressed in dirty clothes.  If you give special attention and a good seat to the rich person, but you say to the poor one, “You can stand over there, or else sit on the floor” – well, doesn’t this discrimination show that your judgments are guided by evil motives?”

A brother in Christ shared his personal devotion with me several weeks ago about the abundant references of God's kindness and love and deeds to the not-so-popular, common man.  

We don't compare with His kindness or love, but do you consider yours adequate or lacking? The third annual "Be Extra Kind to Someone Day” (stay tuned!) will be arriving after Christmas. In the meantime, and I don't simply mean during the upcoming holidays, see how randomly kind you can be.  We all need to be blessed, and to also give blessings to others.  

Your sister in Him,

Robin

He is my Solid Rock from "His Kindness Year Round"

Sometimes when we exercise, we need encouragement to be successful.  As I’m exercising my faith, instructed by the Holy Spirit, I’m paying attention to God’s hand of guidance. We can hear God’s voice speak through the Holy Spirit.  We can go to His Word, the writings or teachings of others or songs which abide by His Word. 

Although I listen to a great deal of contemporary Christian music, this old hymn has been speaking, as I hum throughout the day . . . . .

My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness;
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly lean on Jesus’ name.

Refrain:
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand,
All other ground is sinking sand.

When darkness veils His lovely face,
I rest on His unchanging grace;
In every high and stormy gale,
My anchor holds within the veil.

His oath, His covenant, His blood
Support me in the whelming flood;
When all around my soul gives way,
He then is all my hope and stay.

When He shall come with trumpet sound,
Oh, may I then in Him be found;
Dressed in His righteousness alone,
Faultless to stand before the throne.

Psalm 18:30-32 "God's way is perfect.  All the Lord's promises prove true.  He is a shield for all who look to Him for protection.  For Who is God except the Lord?  Who but our God is a solid rock?  God arms me with strength, and He makes my way perfect."

Luke 6:47-49 "I will show you what it's like when someone comes to Me, listens to My teaching, and then follows it.  It is like a person building a house who digs deep and lays the foundation on solid rock.  When the flood waters rise and break against that house, it stands firm because it is well built.  But anyone who hears and doesn't obey is like a person who builds a house without a foundation.  When the floods sweep down against that house, it will collapse into a heap of ruins." 

Stand firm on The Solid Rock!

Prayerfully, your sister in Him,

Robin

All; everything; the whole; the entirety! from "His Kindness Year Round"

Romans 8:28 “And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them.”

I cannot count the number of times this verse has popped in front of me the past few weeks, including in a Christian novel. We all know there is no such thing as coincidence.  Obviously, it’s from the Father.

“And we know that God causes . . . . “.  Hallelujah!  God causes.  He causes greatness for those who abide in His will with obedience and who desire a relationship with Him.  Our Lord doesn’t cause suffering or illness or tragedies in our lives.  God sent His one and only Son to die to save, heal, deliver, and wholly restore us.  So God causes . . . . .

“. . . . . .everything to work together for the good . . . . “.  “Good”, also defined as superior, fine, excellent, worthy, enjoyable, pleasant. In other words – for your benefit and not against your well being.  Goodness is planned for you.  Are we going to have trials?  You betcha.  We’re still on earth.  We’re still human.  Satan still exists.  Didn’t Jesus have trials?  But the Lord God Almighty will always be with us during every trial.  And God will cause everything to work together for the good . . .

“ . . . . of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them.” 

Do you love Him?  Do you show Him your love by the life you lead?  Are you abiding in His plan and not your own?

Life’s daily trials may feel very difficult and fatiguing.  Satan will try to ensure that.  But God does cause everything to work together for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose for them.  And we know what God says, God does.  He is Truth. 

Exercise your faith.  Believe so you can receive.  It’s the Father’s plan for you.  Be a part of that plan.

As I’m closing this post, I see a card by my computer showing Ecclesiastes 3:11a “Yet God has made everything beautiful for it’s own time.” See and be God’s beauty today and accept the blessings and goodness He has for you, according to His plan. 

Prayerfully, your sister in Him,

Robin

Standing on His promises! from "His Kindness Year Round"

I, along with many, remember the events of twelve years ago.  As faith sincerely is so essential in our relationship with God, I have found myself humming this old hymn a great deal recently. 

Standing on the promises of Christ my King,

through eternal ages let his praises ring;

glory in the highest, I will shout and sing,

standing on the promises of God.

Refrain:

            Standing, standing,

            standing on the promises of Christ my Savior;

            standing, standing,

            I'm standing on the promises of God.

Standing on the promises that cannot fail,

when the howling storms of doubt and fear assail,

by the living Word of God I shall prevail,

standing on the promises of God.

Standing on the promises of Christ the Lord,

bound to him eternally by love's strong cord,

overcoming daily with the Spirit's sword,

standing on the promises of God.

             

Standing on the promises I cannot fall,

listening every moment to the Spirit's call,

resting in my Savior as my all in all,

standing on the promises of God.

Exercise your faith today by standing on His promises.

Psalm 18:30 "God's way is perfect.  All the Lord's promises prove true.  He is a shield for all who look to Him for protection."

Romans 15:4 "Such things were written in the Scriptures long ago to teach us.  And the Scriptures give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God's promises to be fulfilled."

2 Corinthians 1:19-20 "For Jesus Christ, the Son of God, does not waver between "Yes" and "No."  He is the One whom Silas, Timothy and I preached to you, and as God's ultimate "Yes", He always does what He says.  For all of God's promises have been fulfilled in Christ with a resounding "Yes!"  And through Christ, our "Amen" ascends to God for His glory."

Hebrews 10:23 "Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep His promise."

Prayerfully, your sister in Him,

Robin

Times are changing from "His Kindness Year Round"

I wrote these words for my personal journal, but feel the nudge to share.

Hebrews 10:23 “Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep His promise.”

Events ranging from local to worldwide have, and will continue, to change and develop rapidly.   We, as Christians, need to realize these actions are part of God's warnings predicted in His true and Holy Word, the Bible. 

Current times are meant to prepare us and not to worry or frighten us. 

A sister reminded me we need to focus on the Word and not the world.  Be aware of what is occurring, but let your thoughts dwell on Jesus.

Psalm 91:11 “For He will order His angels to protect you wherever you go.”

The end of time is nearing.   Read 2 Timothy 3:1-10 about the last days.  We, as Christians, should prepare ourselves for these times.  If we haven't done so already, ensure friends, family, neighbors, co-workers, and those we don’t know are ready for judgment.  Read Revelation. 

Revelation 1:3 “God blesses the one who reads the words of this prophecy to the church, and He blesses all who listen to its message and obey what it says, for the time is near.”

It's not a time to be afraid.  Each day that passes is one day closer to being with our Savior.  Eternity is forever, and there is no comparison to life on earth and life in eternity.  This is a glorious thought!

  

As the darkness of the world increases, the Light, Jesus, increases.   It's not a period to be sad or fret, but to prepare and ensure others are also prepared for His return. It’s time, brothers and sisters in Christ, to unite for His Kingdom, and invite others to join us.

Faith and fear cannot occupy the same place at the same time.  Exercise your faith. 

It’s a time to pray for those around you and those in other nations.  Pray for Christians.  Pray for non-Christians.  Pray for those persecuted. 

Daily trials may not be easy, but spending eternity with the Lord will be more than worth it.  I intend not to alarm, but to remind that the words of the prophets are coming to pass. Get ready!

Hebrews 10:34-39 “You suffered along with those who were thrown in jail, and when all you owned was taken from you, you accepted it with joy.  You knew there were better things waiting for you that will last forever.  So do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord.  Remember the great reward it brings you!  Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s will.  Then you will receive all that He has promised.  **‘For in just a little while, the Coming One will come and not delay.  And my righteous ones will live by faith.  But I will take no pleasure in anyone who turns away.’  But we are not like those who turn away from God to their own destruction.  We are the faithful ones, whose souls will be saved.”  (**As prophesied in Habakkuk 2:3-4.)

Your sister in our Lord,

Robin

Still exercising my faith from "His Kindness Year Round"

It's been two years since the Holy Spirit shared with me the phrase, "exercise your faith". Exercising my faith has not been a one time event, but an ongoing process. As time passes, I learn more and more the importance of faith and belief in the Word and the key role exercising faith plays in our lives.

To help enforce the value of our genuine faith, I want to share an analogy from a pastor and a reminder of a dear sister in Christ.  

When you go to the faucet and turn on the hot water, you do not immediately receive or feel hot water.  Do you worry about it, fret whether you will soon feel the hot water?  Or before you even turn the water on, do you have anxiety about whether the water will become hot?  Or before getting out of bed in the morning, do you question if there will even be any hot water in the house at all? The answer to these questions are all 'probably not'.  We turn on the hot water, understanding we may not immediately feel the heat, but knowing soon the warm water will be felt on our hands.  We don't worry about whether the cold water will become hot.   

That's how faith works.  When we believe a promise of the Lord in faith, we may not immediately feel or see the outcome, or manifestation, but we believe. We first have faith that the true promise of our Heavenly Father will manifest. We don't fret if our request in His plan will become reality in the natural, because we truly know it is occurring, often before we see or feel the results. 

As a sister reminded me, we have to believe and trust by faith first to ensure our souls (mind, will and emotions) and our bodies experience the seeing, the feeling, and the realization of God's promises fulfilled.  It has to start with our faith in what the Word says. Believe in the promises our Father has already made to us.  

 

Hebrews 10:23 "Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep His promise."

 

Expect.  Believe.  Receive.  

 

1 John 5:14-15 "And we are confident that He hears us whenever we ask for anything that pleases Him.  And since we know He hears us when we make our requests, we also know that He will give us what we ask for."

 

Prayerfully, exercising my faith, your sister in Him,

 

Robin