Despite Your Circumstances
by Charles R. Swindoll
Few people in the first century had a deeper understanding
of God’s grace than the apostle Paul.
Redeemed from a life of vicious brutality as a rigid
legalistic Pharisee, the man turned the corner, repented, and through Christ’s
empowering became a gentle soul, gracious and affirming.
Understanding. Forgiving. Approachable.
He reached the place where he was
willing not only to offer hope to the Gentiles, but to live among them, though
he himself would bleed pure Jewish blood.
No one that I know endured the level of hardship Paul did as
a good soldier of Christ.
What makes him all-the-more amazing is this: never once does
he leave a hint of complaint over being chained to a burly Roman soldier or
about the inconvenience of being confined to such cramped quarters. The man
simply would not grumble.
By God’s grace, he lived above it all. I repeat, he had
learned the secret of contentment.
The great temptation is to allow that to embitter you—to
turn you into someone who lives under a dark cloud, where doom and gloom
characterize your outlook.
Life’s hard. You live in a situation that resembles a house
arrest.
You feel chained to your past, unable to escape the
restrictive circumstances. Maybe you have lived this way so long that negative
thinking has become a habit. You can’t imagine thinking any other way.
I’ve got wonderful news: there is hope beyond your
circumstances. You can live above them.
If a man named Paul could live above his unbelievably
trying circumstances, so can you.
But Christ must
become your central focus. He, alone, can empower you and teach you to live
above the duress of adversity.
Your external circumstances may not change, but
deep within,you will.
As Christ is allowed first place in your thoughts, changes
will occur.
Those changes will be evident to your mate, your children,
your friends, and your coworkers. Instead of seeing yourself as a victim, you
will begin to realize a strength that is not your own.
The result?
You will make a difference because of the way you
respond to the circumstances that once defeated you.
Focus
on Christ, despite your circumstances. .
And settle
that sin issue.
.
“Heavenly Father,
I admit that I am a sinner and my sins have
separated me from You. I now want to turn away from my past sinful life and
begin a new life with You.
Please forgive me. I now receive your Son, Jesus
Christ as my Savior, my Master and my Lord. I believe and confess that Jesus
Christ died for my sins, was buried, and rose from the dead.
I want to receive all
that Jesus Christ has provided for me as my Savior. Your Word says, ‘Whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved’ (Romans 10:13).
I believe and confess that Jesus Christ is the
Way, the Truth, and the Life, and no man comes unto the Father, but by Him.
Lord Jesus, I pray and ask You, to come into my
heart and be Lord of my life. I thank You that you have given me eternal life,
and according to Your Word, I am born again.
Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of the
Holy Spirit that is in me now. I surrender my life to You.
Use me for Your glory.
In Jesus Name. Amen.”
Choose the
better part
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Waiting on God
in Holy Expectancy
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What Does It Mean to ‘Flow in the Spirit?’
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Choose the
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Waiting on God
in Holy Expectancy.
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What Does It Mean to ‘Flow in the Spirit?’
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“My Life
Is Yours to Control”
lyrics
With my whole heart I humbly seek You;
Now use my life, O Lord, I pray.
I yield my stubborn will completely;
May Your commandments light my way.
Now use my life, O Lord, I pray.
I yield my stubborn will completely;
May Your commandments light my way.
Chorus
My life, Lord, is Yours to control;
I give You my heart and my soul.
I'll seek Your will, never mine,
Rich treasure to find.
Give wisdom to choices I make
Along ev'ry path that I take,
So when I complete life's race
"Well done," You will say.
My life, Lord, is Yours to control;
I give You my heart and my soul.
I'll seek Your will, never mine,
Rich treasure to find.
Give wisdom to choices I make
Along ev'ry path that I take,
So when I complete life's race
"Well done," You will say.
Your Word has promised me the vict'ry,
And all I need to do is claim
Your strength to soar with wings as eagles,
To walk, to run, and not to faint.
And all I need to do is claim
Your strength to soar with wings as eagles,
To walk, to run, and not to faint.
Chorus
My life, Lord, is Yours to control;
I give You my heart and my soul.
I'll seek Your will, never mine,
Rich treasure to find.
Give wisdom to choices I make
Along ev'ry path that I take,
So when I complete life's race
"Well done," You will say.
My life, Lord, is Yours to control;
I give You my heart and my soul.
I'll seek Your will, never mine,
Rich treasure to find.
Give wisdom to choices I make
Along ev'ry path that I take,
So when I complete life's race
"Well done," You will say.
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