THRIVING NO MATTER WHAT HITS YOU

By Rick Warren Your biggest temptation in the midst of crisis is to be impulsive. You’re typically not thinking rationally. You’re thinking emotionally. You want to make a quick decision. But it’s more important to make the right decision than a fast decision. (Emphasis) A wrong decision is wrong no matter how quickly you make it. So step back, take a deep breath, calm down, and talk to God. (Emphasis) Daniel did this when the king asked him to interpret a dream (after ordering the killing of the first few people who tried). The Bible says, “Daniel went at once to see the king and requested more time to tell the king what the dream meant” (Daniel 2:16 NLT). I don’t know if I could have done this as a teenager. Daniel went immediately to this powerful king and asked for more time. Daniel didn’t procrastinate, but he didn’t make a rash decision either. He gives us a great model for dealing with a high-pressure situation. Talk It Over 
* Have you ever acted rashly when asked to do something really tough? How did that work out? 
* Why is it so easy to procrastinate when you’re in a tough situation? 
* Who in your life needs to be reminded that taking your time in tough situations is important? Personal Note: Paraphrase: Daniel 2:19-23 Daniel, the young prisoner, was summoned by King Nebuchadnezzar to his court. The king told Daniel about his dream that bothered him. The interpretation of that dream would mean life and death for Daniel, his friends and to the wise men of Babylon. So he asked the king to give him time before he could tell the king the meaning of his dream. That night, Daniel prayed fervently to God asking for His wisdom about the meaning of the king's dream. Through a vision, God revealed to Daniel the mystery behind the king's dream. After receiving the revelation of the meaning of that dream, Daniel praised and thanked God. “Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever;
    wisdom and power are his. He changes times and seasons;
    he deposes kings and raises up others.
He gives wisdom to the wise
    and knowledge to the discerning. He reveals deep and hidden things;
    he knows what lies in darkness,
    and light dwells with him. I thank and praise you, God of my ancestors:
    You have given me wisdom and power,
you have made known to me what we asked of you,
    you have made known to us the dream of the king.” Source: Bible Gateway

Leviticus 19:9-10

'When you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not wholly reap the corners of your field, nor shall you gather the gleanings of your harvest. And you shall not glean your vineyard, nor shall you gather every grape of your vineyard; you shall leave them for the poor and the stranger: I am the Lord your God." - Leviticus 19:9-10 (NKJV)

Psalm 143:8 -lovingkindness

"Cause me to hear Your lovingkindness in the morning. Cause me to know the way in which I should walk, for I lift up my soul to you." Ps.143:8

Thankful for the Truth?

The Sabbath is a good time to reflect on an important question: Are you thankful for the Truth? If you are a long-time member or if you grew up in the Church, it is easy to take the Truth for granted! Yet, Jesus said that no one can come to a real understanding of the Truth unless they are called and their minds have been opened (John 6:44). 

The capacity to understand the plan of God, the purpose of life and the true way of life is a gift that God is making available to only a few at this time (1 Corinthians 1:26-27). These precious truths are a mystery to the world (1 Corinthians 2:7-8) because Satan—“the god of this age”—has blinded the eyes of most people (2 Corinthians 4:3-4).  Jesus stressed that it is a great privilege to be given an understanding of the Truth (Matthew 13:10-17).

The Apostle Paul said that to be called out of darkness into the light of the Truth is something for which we should be extremely thankful (Ephesians 5:8-20). Paul also mentions that when people reject or let go of truth that can be understood, they then embrace faulty ideas generated by human reason—and that brings serious consequences (Romans 1:18-32).

Let’s never forget to be thankful for the opportunity to understand the Truth of God that “endures to all generations” (Psalm 100:1-5).

Luke 9:23

Jesus said, "If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow me." Luke 9:23.

Real Philadelphia Christians

The Scriptures reveal that Philadelphian Christians are dedicated to carrying out Jesus’ instructions to preach the Gospel (Mark 16:15), warn the world (Matthew 24) and prepare a people to reign with Christ in the Kingdom of God (Luke 1:17).  

 

However, as the name “Philadelphia” means “brotherly love,” true Philadelphians will also strive to follow Jesus’ admonition to “love one another” (John 15:12-17). They understand that showing unselfish, outgoing concern for others (versus sitting in judgment of others) is one of the distinguishing marks of a real Philadelphia Christian (John 13:34-35). 

 

As we see the world becoming more selfish, crass, dis-united and brutal (2 Timothy 3:1-5), let’s all look for ways to show real “brotherly love” toward others. In this, the world will recognize real Philadelphia Christians as Jesus’ true disciples.

 

Romans 11:33

O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!Romans 11:33

The Most Important Quality

Most of God’s people understand the importance of keeping the commandments, the Sabbath, the Holy Days and the dietary laws. They also understand the importance of government, tithing, faith and watching for the fulfillment of prophecy. Yet sometimes, in our zeal to obey the laws of God, we can overlook something else that is even more important—and that is the need to develop and exercise Godly Love.

We are told in the Scriptures that without Godly Love, all these other things will amount to nothing (1 Corinthians 13:1-3). Here, the biblical word for love (agape) refers to an unselfish outgoing concern for others.

In 1 Corinthians 13, the Apostle Paul states that Godly Love does not seek its own way; it is calm and not easily provoked, nor does it jump to conclusions or assign motives or sit in judgment of others.

Instead, Godly Love is gracious and forgiving. It is positive and focuses on what is right and true. It never fails or falters. Godly Love is the most important fruit of God’s Spirit that we must nourish and cultivate if we hope to become like our Father and our Elder Brother Jesus Christ.

God is love (1 John 4:8, 16). And we have been created to become like Him (1 John 3:1-3).

Let’s make that our goal. Let’s ask God to help us learn to love Him and learn to love others as He does, so we can develop this most important quality—of Godly Love.

Pride vs. Humility

Bible prophecies reveal that in the last days people will be proud, boastful, haughty and headstrong (2 Timothy 3:1-5), and that scoffers will ridicule the idea that a real God inspired the Scriptures (2 Peter 3:3-5).

Many scoffers are unaware of what God reveals in His Word about pride and humility. The Bible states that “pride goes before a fall” (Proverbs 16:18), and that humility is a prerequisite for honor in God’s sight (Proverbs 15:33; 29:23).

God says that He looks on the humble (Isaiah 66:2), that He dwells with the humble (Isaiah 57:15), that He raises up the humble (Psalm 147:6) and that He gives grace [unmerited pardon] to the humble (Proverbs 3:34).  Jesus said, “blessed” are the humble (Matthew 5:5). Peter urged Christians to “be clothed with humility” (1 Peter 5:5).

The Scriptures reveal that God used Moses because he was humble (Numbers 12:3), and that Jesus Christ was exalted because He humbled himself by dying on “the cross” for our sins (Philippians 2:8-9).

While many today doubt that God exists or wonder what His will is, the Bible clearly explains what God is looking for in each of us—"to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God" (Micah 6:8).

The Dynamics of Friendship

The Scriptures reveal that if we want to have friends, we must learn to be friendly and that true friends are supportive during difficult times (Proverbs 17:17; 18:24). 

 

Friends are people in whom we can confide and share important thoughts and concerns (John 15:15). 

 

Real friends may not always agree with us, and sometimes they will tell us things about ourselves, our plans and actions that we need to hear, but may not want to hear (Proverbs 27:6, 17). 

 

The Bible cautions that we should choose our friends carefully because we are influenced by the company we keep (Proverbs 12:26).  

 

Abraham chose to be a friend of God by obeying His instructions to leave his former way of life (Genesis 12:1-4; James 2:23). 

 

Abraham understood that friendship with the world and its ways would alienate him from God (James 4:4).  

 

Jesus told His disciples, “You are My friends if you do whatever I command you” (John 15:14).  

 

Let’s seek to be a “friend” of God by following His instructions and be true friends to those who will not influence us in the wrong direction.