“The credit belongs to those who are actually in the arena, who strive valiantly; who know the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, and spend themselves in a worthy cause; who at best know the triumph of high achievement; and who, at worst, if they fail, fail while daring greatly, so that their place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat.”
7At that time Hanani the seer came to Asa king of Judah and said to him: “Because you relied on the king of Aram and not on the Lord your God, the army of the king of Aram has escaped from your hand. 8Were not the Cushitesb and Libyans a mighty army with great numbers of chariots and horsemenc ? Yet when you relied on the Lord, he delivered them into your hand. 9For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him. You have done a foolish thing, and from now on you will be at war.”(16:7-9)
JOHN 14
6Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7If you really know me, you will knowb my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.”
8Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.”
9Jesus answered: “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?10Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you I do not speak on my own authority. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. 11Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the works themselves. 12Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. 13And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.
Jesus Promises the Holy Spirit
15“If you love me, keep my commands. 16And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— 17the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will bec in you. 18I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. 19Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. 20On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. 21Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.”
JOURNAL
Input equals output...While Asa was seeking God and obeying him...he was successful at all the things that God wanted him to do. He was blessed and was in step with God. However once he stopped seeking God...everything fell apart. Jesus basically tells the disciples the same thing and promises that if we would seek him then we will get both he and God with the spirit living within us.
As a result we have nothing to fear and can face any task or any problem. The problem often happens when we define success by means that are other than simply following God. The problem happens when goals and dreams and their ultimate achievement become more important than relationship and obedience. It can lead to fear, and ultimately shrinking back and not fully giving our best. Because our best often is not good enough, to meet the world's definition or expectations of success. All I have to do is look at Jesus' life to realize that the world's definition is often contrary to God's.
Therefore the most important action I can take is to tackle the day with God in my heart and trust that whatever the outcome, God will make it good. My best will be good enough, no matter if it doesn't measure up in the world's opinion. Giving my best is my ultimate form of worship. But the key is to truly give my best...
2 CORINTHIANS 9:6-8
As a result we have nothing to fear and can face any task or any problem. The problem often happens when we define success by means that are other than simply following God. The problem happens when goals and dreams and their ultimate achievement become more important than relationship and obedience. It can lead to fear, and ultimately shrinking back and not fully giving our best. Because our best often is not good enough, to meet the world's definition or expectations of success. All I have to do is look at Jesus' life to realize that the world's definition is often contrary to God's.
Therefore the most important action I can take is to tackle the day with God in my heart and trust that whatever the outcome, God will make it good. My best will be good enough, no matter if it doesn't measure up in the world's opinion. Giving my best is my ultimate form of worship. But the key is to truly give my best...
6Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 7Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.
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