Trust God

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Hold Steady

Hold Steady By Pastor Kris BelfilsWhat do you do in times of trouble? When life’s storms come, do you get moved easily?

There are times in your life when everything you attempt to do will seem to go wrong. Your faith may be strong and your commitment deep, yet adversity will come knocking on your door. These are the times we need to “Hold Steady” and not waver.

The Apostle Paul experienced much hardship and trouble in his life. He even was a prisoner for many years. It amazes me his faith and “Hold Steady” attitude in spite of all that he went through.

2 Cor. 4:8 – 10 NLT
“We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed. Through suffering, our bodies continue to share in the death of Jesus so that the life of Jesus may also be seen in our bodies.”

This passage of scripture tells us that we will experience trouble, but we won’t be crushed. It tells us that we will be perplexed (full of difficulty or confusion or bewilderment – Dictionary), but won’t fall into despair. We might be hunted down by the enemy but we will never be abandoned by God. We might get knocked down, but never will it destroy us. All this is for God’s glory and for Him to be seen in us!

We will experience trouble in our life. If we were a ship the trouble would be the storm and the wind and waves trying to get us off course and shipwreck us.

Steady As She Goes

Have you ever heard the phrase: “Steady as she goes?“ It is an instruction from the captain to the helmsman of a ship, to keep the ship heading steadily on the same course regardless of gusts of wind or cross-currents. Anything to be navigated, or guided by hand, is a “she” in vernacular. You don’t want to bump into anything, or tip over, and if you are standing in or on it, you want to keep it steady so you do not lose your balance. This is what God is saying to us: “Steady as she goes!” It is a reminder to “Hold Steady” in spite of our fears, concerns, or even the facts we face from day to day.

What brings turbulence in our life? Maybe it is unexpected news of a health issue? Maybe your turbulence is experiencing financial or relational hardship. Have you been rejected lately? Turbulence comes in all forms and it always does the same thing; It rocks our world.

What is your reaction when your world is rocked? Do you cry? Get angry? Lash out to those you love? Speak a bad report from your mouth? Give up? We need to learn how to “Hold Steady” in our response to any storm we may face. You might say, “It is easier said then done Pastor Kris!” I understand that reaction but God wants us to mature and be stable even when our world is rocking.

So what do we do in times of trouble? I have come up with a few tools that have helped me to Hold Steady and I pray they encourage and help you too.

How to Hold Steady in Times of Trouble

1. Cry out to God!

Too often our first reaction when a hardship comes is to doubt any good will come from it. We tend to try and figure it out on our own. if only our first response would be to take it to God. Crying out to God for help is the best thing we can do. He is the One Who has all the answers. We only see what is in front of us. God sees the whole picture.

Psalm 77 NKJV
“I cried out to God with my voice – To God with my voice; And He gave ear to me. In the day of my trouble I sought the Lord; My hand was stretched out in the night without ceasing; My soul refused to be comforted.”

Open up your heart and receive the comfort of the Lord as you cry out to Him. He sees and hears you. He won’t turn a deaf ear to you. No, He will run to you and bring comfort even in the middle of the storm.

I learned how to cry out to God the hard way. It was through many mistakes I made in my life and I was left with walking through the consequences. I hated where I was at. But I found the secret place of prayer that I would cry out to the Lord all my emotions, all my concerns and fears. I would tell Him how I felt and ask Him to help me get out of the mess I was in. God never got me out of my mess, but He did make beauty from it. It is in the walking through of hardship that we learn how to really trust the Lord.

Are there things in your life that you are trying to avoid? Maybe your trouble doesn’t have to do with anybody but you. Why do we tend to walk around the Elephant in our living Room? We walk around issues in our life that have tripped us up for years. You know you have issues when you deflect things off of yourself and onto others. Have you ever done that? Someone, in love, is trying to confront you and you don’t want to deal with it so you deflect it and turn it back on them or someone else. Of course it is never your fault, right? But this only makes things worse. It prevents you from being free from bondage that has kept you captive for years. It is time to cry out to God and release all of it and allow God to set you free once and for all. Then you can actually see a bigger picture of other people who need what you have: FREEDOM!

2. Trust God.

Trusting in God use to take courage in my past. I never really saw how trustworthy God was until He was all I had left. To be truthful, God allows us to get down to nothing so He becomes our everything. Take the whole world, but give me Jesus! Take all my longings, but give me Jesus. Take all my hopes and desires but give me Jesus!

Trust Jesus, and you are saved. Trust self, and you are lost.

― Charles H. Spurgeon

This is truth! When we trust ourselves for anything, especially the trouble times we may be facing, we will be disappointed. We can lead ourselves down a wrong path thinking we are absolutely right when we are 100% wrong. Why would God put in His Word verse after verse about trusting and leaning not on our own understanding? It is because we will always go to that “default” when trying to figure something out. Our knowledge is limited, but God’s wisdom is never ending.

Trusting God is faith. It is faith in action. It is believing God is a god of His Word and that He will never fail. We have to have faith to believe in God. It is the same thing when it comes to trusting Him. Allow your faith to arise and find a place of trust with God.

Proverbs 3:5 – 6 Amp
“Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind and do not rely on your own insight or understanding. In all your ways know, recognize, and acknowledge Him, and He will direct and make straight and plain your paths.”

Trust is like a staff you can lean on as you journey uphill with God. If you are trusting in God consistently, the staff will bear as much of your weight as needed. Lean on, trust, and be confident in God with all your heart and mind. Don’t allow your reasoning to get in the way of God’s loving wisdom.

God asks us to trust Him even in deep darkness when He gives just enough light for the step you are on. Are you holding God’s hand? You should! That way you will never misstep. Learn how to trust God moment by moment. Don’t take your entire life at once. Just this moment, and then the next. Trying to imagine what will happen in a day, week, month, or year is futile. We know God will be there with us, but for today, we trust Him right now!

Be very present of God’s presence in your life. Stay in His presence. It is the best protection over self-pity and depression. God’s presence is Who He is. You can trust that!

Psalm 62:8 Amp
“Trust in, lean on, rely on, and have confidence in Him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts before Him. God is a refuge for us (a fortress and a high tower). Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]!”

Put your confidence in God and not your abilities, your circumstances, or even your relationships.

Psalm 61:2 NKJV
“From the end of the earth I will cry to You, When my heart is overwhelmed; Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.”

When our hearts are overwhelmed we cry out to God and He will lead us to Him and help us in our trouble. There is no better plan then that.

Psalm 32:10 NLT
“Many sorrows come to the wicked, but unfailing love surrounds those who trust the Lord.”

How many of you want love to surround you? Trust in the Lord and follow His ways. There is blessing in being obedient to God and His Word! Don’t be deceived and think you can do your own thing and still have God’s blessings. It doesn’t work that way. Disobedience brings curses, judgement, distraction, and death. It is not worth it. Trusting God means you obey His word and believe it. You believe Him. His heart is for you and not against you.

I have written extensively on trusting God in my book: “The Garbage Man Always Comes On Fridays” if you would like to do further study on this topic.

3. Pray

What comes to mind when you think of the word, “prayer?” I think for some, it might mean drudgery or a hassle. Others might think why do it, as it never works. Still others might be excited for the opportunity to spend time with God.

When we work, we work; but when we pray, God works!

It’s an honor to be able to speak to God. We don’t have to go through a priest or a saint or any other intermediary. We don’t have to follow any prescribed rituals. We don’t have to wait for an appointment. Anywhere, anytime, under any circumstances, we can “approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need” (Hebrews 4:16).

“Prayer does not fit us for the greater work; prayer is the greater work.”

― Oswald Chambers

Prayer is our key to unlock God’s resources and blessing. Instead of fretting over our circumstances, prayer allows us to take action. We pray and bring all our concerns, all the good and the bad to the God Who has all the answers for all our needs.

Matt 11:28-30 The Message
“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me-watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”

I love this paraphrase of these verses. It doesn’t matter where you are, or what you have done, you can come to God and get rest and recover from all that is going on in your life.

If I was to plug in a lamp in front of you and turn it on, it would light up the room. But if I had the lamp, and it wasn’t plugged into any power source, the lamp does not do what it was created to do: Shine! To me, prayer is my life-line, my constant connection with my power source. If we are not connected continually to God we will be weak and not work, and just like the lamp with no power, we will not function, nor will we shine for God’s glory.

We could spend much time on the subject of prayer, and in the future I will, but for now, realize it is an easy thing to pray and spend time with God. If you are down, prayer can help bring your focus where it should be: off your circumstances and onto a powerful God who loves you. He created the heavens, the planets, the universe, and He created you too! Connect to your power-source!

4. Praise

Praise is a weapon! It is a sustainer! Praising God in the midst of a storm can open doors and bring deliverance! Did you hear about the ten year old boy who was kidnapped this past week from his own driveway? He bent down to pick up some money and someone grabbed him and put him in the back seat of a car and took off. The boy started singing the song: Every Praise. His kidnapper told him to shut up and swore at him numerous times but Willie wouldn’t keep quiet, he kept on praising His God in the middle of his storm. For three hours his kidnapper drove around until finally he couldn’t take the praise any longer and opened the car door and threw him out and said to not tell anyone what happened. As of now they are still looking for his kidnapper. What a powerful story of how praise brought deliverance!

Song: Every Praise

Praise gets the attention off of our circumstance and onto our God! It seems such an opposite thing to do of praising instead of fretting, yet it is powerful. God always has a plan in the middle of our storm. Our faith, in the middle of the storm, is so important for our survival. We must believe God will rescue us and either change the situation, or change us.

Paul and Silas knew first hand what praise will do in times of trouble. They were on their way to the place of prayer and met a slave girl who was demon possessed and could foretell the future. She brought her owners much wealth by her fortunetelling. She kept following Paul and Silas shouting loudly, “These men are the servants of the Most High God! They announce to you the way of salvation” For many days she followed and shouted this to the point Paul said to the evil spirit within her to come out in the name of Jesus Christ and the spirit left her. Her owners were very angry and dragged Paul and Silas before the authorities in the marketplace and accused them of being Jews and throwing the city into great confusion and that they encourage the practice of customs unlawful for Romans to observe. A large crowd joined the attack and the rulers tore Paul and Silas’ clothes and commanded that they be beaten with rods and thrown into the deepest part of the prison.

Acts 16:25 – 26 Amp
“But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were loosed.”

Their praise and joy broke every chain off of them and set all the prisoners free! Amazing how praise is for God yet it benefits the participator to the point of deliverance! Do you see this? Praise opens doors, brings freedom, and what once held us captive no longer has a hold on us!

5. Embrace the trouble.

As with any woman who is pregnant with their first child, my body experienced many changes. I knew how my body was without being pregnant, frankly I enjoyed it. As I started to experience and see my body change, I grew to resent it. I felt like someone was taking over my body. I remember complaining to my mom about having morning sickness and feeling ill all the time. I would tell her my woes and she gently said to me, “Honey, allow your body to be pregnant and stop fighting it.” It really helped me to embrace all aspects of my pregnancy, where as before I would fight and complain about it. It made for a better pregnancy and I am sure my husband was relieved and benefitted from my new outlook too.

When we are starting to experience hardship don’t look at it as a bad thing. Change your perspective and see it differently.

Though your troubles may seem heavy and endless, they are actually light and momentary compared to the eternal Glory they are achieving for you! Trust God to open a door of hope in the middle of your trouble.

2 Cor. 4:17
“Our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.”

This is a timely word for any troubled heart. We will receive an eternal glory from any trouble we experience and that glory far outweighs any momentary trouble.

Sometimes God allows us to go through wilderness experiences to remove anything from our past that we are not to take with us. God calls us out of the world’s noise to commune with Him. Spiritual deserts become fertile soil for God’s work in the human spirit. Here is where God shapes, molds, and makes us. Often the desert or trouble is a place of solitude, suffering, and self-denial but it brings much growth. It is the pain required before true healing takes place.

Deep agape love can be developed only in the school of suffering. We need to get to the place that we are not afraid to suffer. Most people want to get to know Jesus in His resurrection, but it is in knowing Him in suffering that our flesh is overthrown! Suffering on the cross came before the resurrection. Without suffering there is no glory. As we experience trouble and turbulence we will experience our own forms of suffering body, soul, and spirit.

1 Peter 4:12 – 13 NKJV
“Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.”

When God’s glory is revealed in you, that is the victory! When our flesh doesn’t win, we are victorious! I have said it before, but when our flesh wins, we lose. If your flesh screams, “I want out” and you obey it, the outcome of your actions will not ever be good. You might think you have won, but in reality you have lost so much in Jesus. We decrease so that He can increase in us. The more we do this, the more God can use us. It is hard for God to use rigid things, but very easy for God to use broken things.

Embrace the wilderness as a banqueting table, as a chamber where the Lord wants to speak with you. Embrace it with great faith and vigor. Embracing trouble is not getting what you want and still be okay with it. Can you still love God when He tells you, No? Can you worship Him in the middle of that NO? This is truly dying to self and loving God even if none of His blessings were promised to you. You might say, “Pastor Kris that seems so unfair!” Of course it is unfair. Who said life was fair anyhow? Probably someone who didn’t want to face himself and any issue that was keeping them in bondage. To be free you need to let go. Let go of your control. Let go of your will. Let go of what you want the outcome to be.

Let us be people who Hold Steady in the good times and the bad. Allow God to develop you into a ship that is steady and balanced in all seasons of life. Cry out to Him and trust that He will guide you moment by moment. Learn how to worship Him even when the answer He gives you is; NO! He is worthy!

From one “steady as she goes” vessel to another,

Pastor Kris Belfils
http://www.krisbelfils.com
http://www.hopefellowshipspokane.com
http://www.krisbelfils.wordpress.com

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How To Deal With Doors Of Distractions

How to deal with Doors of DistractionAs I mentioned my first message on Doors of Distractions; “What’s Behind Door #1, Door #2, or Door #103” that “Many are called, but few are chosen” (Matthew 20:16b). God has a purpose for each of us that He wants us to fulfill. In fact the biggest and most precious thing is our relationship with God. We should be growing in Christ daily and the devil wants to distract you from it.

There are so many things that demand our time and energy. Some things can’t be avoided like going to work or caring for a loved one, but most of the distractions we face CAN be avoided if we would just deal with them properly.

In this message we will look at some distractions and how to deal with them.

1 Corinthians 16:9 ESV

“For a wide door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.”

Many adversaries! Many things that will try and distract or even prevent you from walking through that door of opportunity to distract you from effective work and growth!

Let’s look at some possible distractions and how to deal with them.

1. Self-Control

Just say, “no” and have self-control to get back on focus with your life. Be determined to accomplish what you know God wants you to accomplish. There might be times when you have to say no to a friend or loved one. It’s okay.

Sometimes we need some alone time and just close and lock the door, turn off the TV, phones, electronic devices, and just hide away with God and spend time with Him. We may need to do that with other things in our life to get things done too.

Twenty years ago cell phones were only for the rich, and even then they were only to call out and receive calls. There was no such thing as a “smartphone.” Just smart people who knew how to use the phone, LOL. If you wanted to get a hold of somebody you either had to call them on a land line or wait until you saw them the next day at school or work and discuss what was needed. It’s okay to have self-control with our phones. The only time you shouldn’t turn off your phone is when you know your parents or your boss need to get ahold of you. (Smile)

Proverbs 25:28
“Like a city whose walls are broken through is a person who lacks self-control.”

Galatians 5:22-24
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires.”

We need self-control in all areas of our life. Self-control is our friend that keeps on track.  Self-control will help us not get distracted in our call and to obtain the prize God has waiting for us.

2. Guard your heart.

2014 will be a season for you to set a watch and guard your heart. (Bill Burns “A Year of Prophetic Alignment and Divine Fulfillment” Jan. 17th, 2014)

The Bible refers often to the “Door of your heart.” We ask Jesus in our hearts as Lord and Savior and then what? The door of your heart gives access to virtually everything. That is why we read that Jesus is knocking at your door.

Rev. 3:20 NKJV

“ Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.”

I like that; “If any one hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.” This is what happens when we ask Jesus in our hearts to be Lord of our life. We are not only saved from eternal damnation, we have the King of kings living inside of us and we taste and see that He is so good. We commune with Him because we have allowed Him access to our lives. You see asking Christ in your heart is just the beginning. Then the relationship starts and the communing and growing in Him begins.

Psalm 141:3 – 4 NIV

“Set a guard over my mouth, O LORD; keep watch over the door of my lips. Let not my heart be drawn to what is evil, to take part in wicked deeds with men who are evildoers; let me not eat of their delicacies.”

I did a message about guarding your heart on my blog. It was under the title; “Revival of our Hearts.” You can read it in its entirety at www.KrisBelfils.wordpress.com

Proverbs 4:23 (Amplified Bible)

“Keep and guard your heart with all vigilance and above all that you guard, for out of it flow the springs of life.”

Some guards to place in front of your heart from “Revival of the Heart” https://krisbelfils.wordpress.com/?s=revival+of+the+heart:

Don’t give your heart away so easily.

Fix your eyes on Jesus!

Listen to what you are saying.

What are you feeding your heart?

Exercise to strengthen your heart.

Don’t lose heart.

Don’t Harden Your heart.

(From Revival of our Hearts by Pastor Kris Belfils)

Sometimes we need to guard our hearts of getting too involved with other people and their problems. There is only one Savior, and that is Jesus Christ. We can get distracted by trying to save everybody we meet.

We waste a lot of energy by trying to solve the world’s problems and neglect our own. Sometimes we think, “I need to do this ministry, or be with that person!” Yes, there are many times we need to reach out to others but not to the exhaustion of yourself. Even Jesus hid away and spent time with God. One thing is so true; there is only one Jesus and we are not Him.

Sometimes we tend to sacrifice instead of obey what God wants us to do in our life. God is looking for obedience. As we get our priorities straight, we will be less distracted in life and be more affective for God’s kingdom and to others as well.

3. Trust God.

Trust God to answer your prayers and concerns.

Trust God that He has a plan to work out circumstances and relationships.

Trust God that His word is true and that He will fight for you.

Trusting God helps prevent the distraction of trying to figure things out on our own. This brings peace.

Proverbs 3:5 – 6 NKJV

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.”

We can trust God in all things. Trying to figure things out on your own is a huge distraction thief. Right in the middle of building your tower you can have something come up that can prevent the construction from happening. Don’t worry, don’t fret, just take it to God and trust that He will show you what to do. Don’t waste valuable time trying to reason or work it out. When you ask God for direction, trust He will give it to you. When He does, be obedient to His direction and keep on keeping on.

4. Self-Sabotage.

I have talked about “Self-inflicted Imprisonment” and how we can put ourselves in a prison by how we think of ourselves and others. This can prevent us from growing in Christ, fulfilling our call, and isolate us from true friendships and fellowship. Be aware of sabotaging yourself. We can be one of the biggest distractions to our success. The way we think and reason can create chaos. Too many rabbit trails can derail your efforts.

We can sabotage ourselves by thinking wrong thoughts or lies. What are you thinking about yourself? Most of the time we think negative thoughts about ourself. We might think we will never measure up so why even try. Remind yourself that you are a new creation and the old self has passed away and the fresh and new has come. Jesus set you free. You don’t have to walk in bondage any longer.

Refuse to allow self-sabotage to distract you in your life with Christ.

5. Self-Pity.

Self-pity will absolutely stop your progress from moving forward. Avoid it all all cost. Feeling sorry for ourself doesn’t get things done. It only puts you in a pit of no hope. Self-pity is a form of pride. Being in self-pity places the focus totally on you instead of what you are called to do.

Your self-pity can prevent you from reaching out to others and then, what you were suppose to do for them, never happens. Self-pity is a vision robber. You will never accomplish your dreams because self-pity skews your view. if you sit around always feeling sorry for yourself. What a lonely place to live on the corner of poor me and what about me!

Matthew 16:24-25 ESV

“Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.”

We are to deny ourself. In other words, deny what your flesh wants. Deny wishing you had more or was prettier, or that no body cares about you. These thoughts are all lies and they prevent us from truly following Christ.

Dead people don’t have rights (Gal. 2:20). We don’t even have a right to feel sorry for ourself. Remember what Jesus did for you and paid the ultimate price for your salvation. Let’s not ignore it by feeling sorry for ourself. We are a new creation and we have hope, and joy, and peace, and so much more! There is no time to wallow in self-pity when God has called us to greater things. Self-pity brings you down and depression will always be present. Be determined to keep your focus on good things and what your purpose is, Amen!

I saw this prophetic word and felt it very appropriate for this Door series message and specifically this point of self-pity.

“Refuse to allow discouragement to undermine your sense of well-being and effective life experience.  Stay balanced by not giving your emotional reactions too much weight or attention.  In your evaluation, there are steps you can take to improve your current situation, but there are also things that are beyond your control.  Do what you can and trust Me with the rest, says the Lord.”

by MARSHA BURNS

6. Perfectionism and a People Pleaser.

Thinking we are less-then will put us on a hamster wheel of trying to be perfect. If you are a perfectionist chances are you have to have all your ducks in a row, you have to always be perfect in your endeavors or you won’t try anything because you might fail. There is peace knowing in our weakness God is strong.

2 Corinthians 12:9 NKJV

“And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” 

This verse should liberate any perfectionist! God’s grace is always sufficient for you in any circumstance, any challenge, any endeavor you may face. It is okay to not be perfect because then it gives God the chance to shine and be strong in your life. If you try to shine all the time you are actually taking God’s glory from him.

Paul boasted all the more in his infirmities (physical or mental weakness). God wants to be strong in you and in all that you face. We tie His hands when we try to do things our way with the mentality of always needing to be perfect. We will make mistakes. It is a fact of life. When a perfectionist makes a mistake, it is very difficult for them to live with, thus they have a hard time coping with their life. Self-hatred is usually present because they hate themselves for making the mistake.

Listen, God doesn’t want us to live like this. That is why He sent His Son to take away the pressure of always being perfect. Lean on Christ’s salvation He has died to give you and allow yourself to relax and just be you; an imperfect vessel saved by God’s grace!

Being a people pleaser is a close relative to being a perfectionist. Approval addiction is running ramped in the world today. I know as I was an Approval addict most of my younger life. If someone didn’t approve of what I did or say, I would change it so they would approve of me. I didn’t want to do anything wrong. I didn’t want people to think bad of me. This lead to a life of turmoil and stress. Every time I would try and get man’s approval and didn’t achieve it, it would feed my self-hatred. I always thought there was something wrong with me and that I never measured up. God showed me through some mistakes in my life that no matter how hard I tried to win people’s approval there will still be people who disapprove of me. Why? Because people always look at the outward appearance and judge what they think you are. God never does this. He always looks at  your heart. It was freeing to know that God knew me better then I knew myself. Because of my frustration of always having someone disapprove of me I got to the place where I really didn’t care what people thought of me or my actions. If God approved, that is what was real, not my addiction of wanting people to like me and approve of what I did. This whole process God brought me through birthed the song I wrote: “Cross of Grace.” The bridge of the song states: “My self-worth is in Your cross. It’s where I belong. I’ve found my home. I’m not alone you are near. I have found my place behind your cross of grace.”

If you are an approval addict there is hope. You have to let go of what you think you want people to think of you. We have to let go of what you think people are thinking of you. When God approves of you, and He does, that is all that matters. Now, I am not saying to go out and do what ever you please. For one thing God wouldn’t approve of you then.  What it does mean is that you are free to be yourself. God made you and He is pleased with His creation. It doesn’t matter what others think of you because God doesn’t make mistakes in His creation.

Rest in knowing you are God’s and He is yours.

Do yourself a favor and be aware of Distraction Thieves and guard against them from now on. Be wise to the distractions from the devil, from others, and from yourself. Relax and enjoy your life God has given you. No one can enjoy your day or your life, only you can. Stay focused, love the Lord, and be thankful for all that God has blessed you with.

Don’t get distracted running to Door #1, Door #2, or Door #103. Really know if the door you are in front of is what God wants you to walk through. Ask yourself, “Is this a distraction or is this something God wants me to do?” This will save time, energy, and possibly our sanity! We always have many choices behind different doors. God is not a game show host of “Let’s make a deal” behind different doors. No, He always directs His children in the path they are to take.

From one focused child of God to another,

Pastor Kris Belfils

www.KrisBelfils.com

www.HopeFellowshipSpokane.com

www.KrisBelfils.wordpress.com

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Fruit of the Spirit – RECAP

Fruit of the Spirit RecapGal. 5:22 NKJV

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.”

What fruit are you producing? Fruit that looks good on the outside but is really bad on the inside? Fruit that is immature or not ripe? Fruit that is good? People will come and “pick” your fruit.

Immature (not ripe) fruit is thinking you are a wonderful person when in reality you walk immaturely in Christ and expect others to like your fruit. Immature fruit is walking around ignoring issues in your life and expecting good results. It is thinking everyone else is wrong and you are right.

We can really do a world of hurt for others if we don’t take care of any issues in our own life. Issues like; pride, complaining, gossip, un-forgiveness, and so much more, if not dealt with, will produce bitter, unripe, even toxic fruit.

If you want to live like Christ, and have given your heart to Him, there will be times of correction and rebuking. If you are like me, you know in your “knower” that you need to be corrected so that you produce the fruit of the spirit.

God chose us before we were even born. He had a purpose for our lives and that is to bear good fruit.

John 15:16 NASB

“You did not choose Me, but I chose you, and appointed you, that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain.”

Love

Love, as a fruit of the Spirit, is a verb. It’s not a feeling, and much like faith, if only expressed in words, it’s essentially meaningless. Though we like to hear the words “I love you” they mean nothing if not accompanied by loving action. Remember actions speak louder then words. Show your love to people with your actions.

1 Jn 4:7 – 8, 16

“Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. … So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.”

This simplifies the idea of abiding if we see it as abiding in love because God is love.

Love is from God, we don’t have this kind of love if we don’t know God. If we are abiding in love, keeping it always in the forefront of all our interactions and choices, we are abiding in God.

All that Jesus did was motivated by love. His love for the Father, and His love for others.

This selfless, humble love that washes feet, seeks to build others up, is foreign to the human nature and our culture, but by the example of Christ we can practice this kind of love, and through the power of the Holy Spirit we can achieve this kind of love.

1 Cor. 13: 4

“Love is patient and kind…”

This is the character of God. Patient and kind. Life is hard and we all need a place where we can lick our wounds, be ourselves, rest, and feel safe and cared for. That is what love is supposed to do.

Love makes us feel safe and soothed rather than pressured to perform, or live up to some standard. Love comforts us when we are struggling. Jesus said he will give us rest and peace. We all need to ask ourselves, do the people I love feel soothed by me? Can my loved ones completely let down their guard around me? Are they emotionally safe?

There will be times to love those who are hard to love. Loving people with the love God has given us makes it easy to love others.

1 Cor 13: 7

“Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.”

God bears with us, he believes in us, he hopes with us, and he endures our constant disobedience and wandering away from him.

Has God forgiven you of much? Then you should love Him much, and in turn, we should love others much. It is hard to produce any of the fruit of the spirit without love. Love binds all the fruit together.

Joy

Joy is deeper then happiness. Happiness deals with what is happening. Happiness depends on circumstance. Genuine joy, on the other hand does not depend on what’s happening. Joy is an inner sense of well-being that has nothing to do with circumstance. Joy is an inside Job.

God wants to produce the fruit of joy in all of us. Often it comes with trials and struggles. James says to “count it all joy” when we experience trials. Jesus went to the cross with joy. Joy is an inner strength. It is a knowing that God is with you and you can walk through anything that you face because you are not alone.

Too often people try to find false joy. They acquire things thinking that will give them joy (Ron’s uncle). Sometimes people think they have joy when their surroundings and needs are all met. Our surroundings change daily. Other times people place their joy in relationships. This is a big false joy.  People will come and go. They will let you down. They are unstable, but God is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

There are so many lasting things that bring true joy; our salvation, having a grateful heart, and trusting in God are just a few things.

Church remember: Pain, sorrow, trials, and tribulations, are temporary, but Joy is ETERNAL. Happiness is Outside, But Joy is Inside

Allow the fruit of Joy to grow inside of you. Walk in this promise daily. The Joy of the Lord is your strength! (Nehemiah 8:10)

Peace

Isaiah 26:3 Amplified Bible

“You will guard him and keep him in perfect and constant peace whose mind [both its inclination and its character] is stayed on You, because he commits himself to You, leans on You, and hopes confidently in You.”

This is how to keep yourself in perfect peace:

  1. Keep your mind stayed on God
  2. Commit yourself to God
  3. Lean on God and hope confidently in Him

Proverbs 3:5 – 6 Amplified Bible

“Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind and do not rely on your own insight or understanding. In all your ways know, recognize, and acknowledge Him, and He will direct and make straight and plain your paths.”

Trying to reason everything out will take your peace away. We will have unanswered questions. Ask God to help you stop reasoning and begin to live by faith, leaning on and trusting in Him and not on your own understanding.

Peace, when your in the Kingdom, is not the absence of conflict, rather its the assurance that in the midst of conflict, the Father has things under control. Learn to have peace with people and peace with yourself.

1 Peter 3:10 – 11 Amplified Bible

“For let him who wants to enjoy life and see good days [good – whether apparent or not] keep his tongue free from evil and his lips from guile (treachery, deceit). Let him turn away from wickedness and shun it, and let him do right. Let him search for peace (harmony; undisturbedness from fears, agitating passions, and moral conflicts) and seek it eagerly. [Do not merely desire peaceful relations with God, with your fellowmen, and with yourself, but pursue, go after them!]”

Patience

Patience is not an ability to wait. Patience is a fruit of the Spirit that manifests while we are waiting. If patience doesn’t manifest in times of waiting, then we see the fruit of impatience.

It doesn’t matter why you are impatient. What matters is how you deal with it. Impatience is a counterfeit fruit. It can look like it is productive, but in reality, it only produces stress and turmoil for you and others. Impatience is very selfish. It only cares about itself.

James 1:4 Amplified Bible

“But let endurance and steadfastness and patience have full play and do a thorough work, so that you may be [people] perfectly and fully developed [with no defects], lacking in nothing.”

We should rejoice in difficult situations, knowing that through them God tests our faith to bring out patience. Trials do eventually produce patience, but first they bring all kinds of junk to the surface such as pride, anger, rebellion, self-pity, and complaining. We need to face and deal with these ungodly traits before patience can come forth.

Waiting destroys pride. If God gave us everything the minute we wanted it, we would be so proud and haughty, we’d think it was us. We would expect our way always. God makes us wait because He is testing us.

Colossians 3:12 NASB tells us to “put on patience.” That tells me that patience is something that I have to do on purpose. Just because I don’t feel patient doesn’t mean I have to be impatient. We must put on patience.

We can’t expect our clothes to come on our bodies all by themselves. We have to put them on. Likewise, it is the same with patience. We have to choose, to purpose to walk with patience everyday.

Kindness 

Kindness is the quality of being kind. Kindness is being friendly and warm-hearted. It is truly caring about others. It is treating fellow human beings with respect and being beneficial or an asset in someone’s life.

~Pastor Kris Belfils

Kindness goes a long way! People respond positively to kindness. You will win people over with kindness. Love and kindness always go together. Love and Kindness is the opposite of selfishness.

Jesus was motivated by love and kindness. He had compassion on people and moved to heal them. Jesus always receives us and he never rejects us. This character trait is something we need to have in our life. When we show kindness people see we are real and approachable. Kindness builds the Kingdom of God.

Proverbs 20:28 CEB

“Kindness and faithfulness protect the king; he supports his throne by kindness.” 

This shows that if we allow kindness and faithfulness into our lives we will be protected and supported. It is a good foundation to stand on instead of building on a weak foundation of sandy efforts, works, and manipulation.

We are fortified when we are friendly and generous. When we are approachable instead of being an island unto ourselves. People will be strengthened around you and feel secure.

Listen to people. Hear about their life. Don’t be so quick to interrupt and share your needs or something about yourself. People want to know you care about them. Listening is showing kindness.

Kindness costs us something. It costs us our flesh. We die to what we might want to say and change it to be what God wants us to say. We realize what we are thinking will possibly hurt or hinder someone and let it go, and in turn, we say things that build up. This is kindness.

1 Thess. 5:15 Amplified Bible

“See that none of you repays another with evil for evil, but always aim to show kindness and seek to do good to one another and to everybody.”

Goodness

The Greek meaning for goodness is: “Uprightness of heart and life, goodness, kindness” (Thayer Greek Definitions).

Goodness is the action that kindness brings. Goodness is what God is. God is Good. God can’t be anything else but good. Because He is good, he is waiting and looking for people to be good too.

Isaiah 30:18a Amplified Bible

“And therefore the Lord [earnestly] waits [expecting, looking, and longing] to be gracious to you; and therefore He lifts Himself up, that He may have mercy on you and show loving-kindness to you.”

Being gracious is being good. This is what God is constantly doing everyday.

Psalm 23:6 NKJV

“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.”

Only goodness and mercy shall follow you all the days of your life. Only! Nothing bad, nothing negative.

Exodus 33:18 – 19 Amplified Bible

“And Moses said, I beseech You, show me Your glory. And God said, I will make all My goodness pass before you, and I will proclaim My name, The Lord, before you; for I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy and loving-kindness on whom I will show mercy and loving-kindness.”

Moses asked to see God’s glory. God said he will make all His goodness pass before him. God’s glory is His goodness. That is such an awesome thought that Moses saw all of God’s goodness pass before him. God’s goodness, His glory, goes before us. When we show goodness we literally are showing God’s glory. We shine when we are good.

Each time you have an opportunity; be good to somebody. Don’t let one occasion pass you by to be good to somebody. If you want to be good to somebody, all you’ve got to do is listen to them.

Forgiving someone is being good to them, and yourself. Forgive people when they don’t deserve it. Before someone stops offending you, you can forgive them.

Remember whenever you are good to someone you shine God’s glory everywhere you go. This takes the pride out of us. We realize we are doing it for God and not our own glory. Shine for the King wherever you go by being good to others.

Faithfulness

A faithful person knows what God has put in their heart, and even though many times they feel like quitting, they don’t give up.

A faithful person is committed to doing whatever God tells them to do no matter what it costs them personally. If you start something, finish it!

A faithful person sees something all the way through to the end. There are so many divorces and so much job-hopping and church-hopping in society today because many people don’t understand what commitment means.

A faithful person understands that no matter where they may go to church they won’t like everything that happens. Stay where God has placed you. The way we grow is to stay planted in one place.

A faithful person arrives at their commitments early or at least on time. A foolish person is constantly late.

A faithful person is someone we can depend on – someone who shows up where they say they will be at the time they say they will be there, someone whom you can count on to do something they say they will do for you. Be a faithful person! Your reputation depends on it!

Too often we start out to do the right thing and then when we don’t get the right response we change and backtrack and do something else.

Galatians 6:9 KJV

“And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.”

Your faithfulness and stability benefits others. It helps build the Kingdom of God. It brings security in the hearts who are close to you. They know they can count on you.

God never gives up on us, and we should never give up. We especially shouldn’t be the kind of people that give up on something because it is hard.

Don’t expect to be promoted if you are unfaithful. Don’t expect to be promoted if you do what you want to do and not what you committed to do. Bosses, Pastors, Authority figures are looking for faithful people. Being faithful is doing the right thing over and over and over and over and over again.

Gentleness (Humility and meekness)

The word “Gentle” in the Noah Webster’s 1828 American Dictionary of the English Language: “Mild; meek; soft; bland; not rough, harsh or severe; as a gentle nature, temper or disposition; a tame; peaceable, not wild, turbulent or refractory, soothing, treating with mildness, not violent.”

Are you a gentle person? How do you respond when someone rubs you the wrong way? Are you rough, harsh, or wild in your response or are you meek, humble, and peaceable?

Phil. 4:5 NIV

“Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.”

This fruit of gentleness should be seen by the world, Christian and non-Christians alike should see you as a gentle person. Gentleness preserves us and brings peace.

Meekness is not weakness. Meekness requires great strength. What about Jesus? Scripture tells us that he was “led as a lamb to the slaughter” yet cleansed the temple with a whip! Jesus didn’t have to go to the cross. He said, “Don’t you know I can call on a legion of angles and they would deliver me.” But He humbled Himself under the mighty hand of God because He knew that was what God wanted Him to do and what was going to be best for everybody else.

Jesus didn’t use His power to get out of something but humbled Himself to go through something that He thought God wanted Him to go through. It would be like if somebody really did me dirty and it made me mad and I knew I had the ability to get them back but I refused to do that because I knew it wasn’t what God wanted me to do. That’s meekness. When you have the ability to do something but you won’t do it because you don’t believe that is what God wants you to do. Amen!

If you have the authority or ability to get even or hurt the other person who spoke badly about you this is what you need to do: Forgive, pray, and bless (FPB) and allow God to take care of the situation.

Self-Control

1 Timothy 1:7 Amplified Bible

“For God did not give us a spirit of timidity (of cowardice, of craven and cringing and fawning fear), but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of calm and well-balanced mind and discipline and self-control.”

The Holy Spirit is not going to ZAP you with self-control, no, it has to be worked out in us. We have to learn to take it as our own and walk in it. It is virtually impossible to show forth the other eight fruit of the Spirit unless we walk in self-control.

How can we remain peaceful in the middle of an upsetting situation unless we exercise self-control?

Self-control allows us to be patient when we feel impatient. You don’t wait to feel patience, but choose to be patient.

How about faithfulness? People commit to do something when they’re in the height of emotions, and then when all the emotional stuff is over, they don’t feel like doing what they said they would do.

How about humility? How can I exercise humility without self-control? You can’t. Remember the “50 Fruits of Pride” we looked at when we were looking at Gentleness?

It takes a willing heart and courage to look at ourselves and see the areas we need to change in, but it is so worth the change. God can trust us with more. Our lives are more organized and blessed. We are not being lead by our emotions.

As we abide in the Vine, we will produce much fruit.

I challenge you to decide right now that you will live the remainder of your life giving glory to God in everything you do. As you make that decision and carry it out in your life, you will find your life to be exceptional beyond anything you could ever have imagined.

Love, joy, peace, faithfulness, kindness, patience, goodness, gentleness, and self-control are the elements that make our lives exceptional; they are a reward in themselves. We were born to display them, and we will never be like Christ or be fulfilled without them.

Pastor Kris Belfils

www.krisbelfils.com

www.hopefellowshipspokane.com

www.krisbelfils.wordpress.com

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Demolish Old Mindsets – 2013 – A New Year For A New You (Part 3)

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What kind of mindset are you bringing into your new year? We can be defeated just by having a bad mindset. God has more for your life then defeat! Our outlook on life, ourselves, and others can make or break a successful year. Sometimes we carry old mindsets that have no life. Do you have an old mindset?

Old Mindsets will say, “This is how we did it in the past and we have to do it this way now.” New Mindsets will “Forget what happened in the past, and do not dwell on events from long ago…” (Isaiah 43:18 GWT) It goes on to say, “I am going to do something new. It is already happening. Don’t you recognize it?” This verse tells us to forget what happened in the past. Forget how things were done. Forget any stigma connected with it. Embrace, and let it become a part of you, the new!

Constantly last year in 2012, and this new year of 2013, I have had to let go of some old mindsets I’ve been carrying because they just wouldn’t work with the new God was bringing me into. How I viewed things, especially myself and ministry, stifled me and put God in a box. After some major events that took place the beginning of last year, I found my old mindsets wouldn’t work in the new I was walking in.

This message has two parts. First, we will learn how to demolish any old mindset we may be living in, and then in Part 2, we will learn how to put on the new mind and new mindsets God has for us.

How do we demolish old mindsets?

1.  Close your mind off from what you think should happen.

If we are too focused on what has happened before and expecting the same thing to happen, we will miss the new God has for us. We might have a pre-conceived idea of how God works, but really, God works in mysterious ways. His ways are not our ways. We have to be open to new things.

Isaiah 43:18 – 19 (CEV) “Forget what happened long ago! Don’t think about the past. I am creating something new. There it is! Do you see it? I have put roads in the deserts, streams in thirsty lands.”

Roads in the deserts and streams in thirsty lands. In the natural, the desert is a wasteland. There are usually no streams, and hardly any roads. But this verse wants us to open our minds and thoughts to something that is not natural. Streams in the desert are opposites. They are two extreme things. Yet, This is what God is doing in our lives, ministry, finances, family, and much more.

We can limit God just by having an old mindset. I was given a plaque/picture for Christmas from a close friend. It is beautiful. It has a Zebra background (I collect Zebra items) and looked very African. There was a verse written on it that says:  “I can do all things through Christ Who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13) It was a reminder of what God has placed in my heart and the vision He has given me. Christ is Whom I do things through, and He gives me strength to accomplish what He has placed in my heart. My old mindset would have said, “Well, this is what I know, and I guess I will keep doing what I have been doing.” God wanted me to close my mind and thoughts on the old way of thinking, so I could put on the new mindset to pursue the new.

We have to abolish the old way of thinking. God is the same yesterday, today, and forever, yet He never does the same miracle the same way He did before. There is always a new way.

When the new way is coming forth, and you think it might not be of God, take a second look and ask God if it is from Him or not. He will show you if you are truly open to His answer. Check and see if you have closed off the new way of looking at things. Don’t be caught up in how things were, or how you think things should be. Get caught up in God and sensitive to His leading. Then, you won’t miss out on the new God is bringing.

2.  Relax if things don’t go according to plan.

Sometimes things don’t go according to plan. Often times this is God trying to show you there is a better or different way of doing things. We can get all stressed and frustrated over trying to accomplish something and find out the way to accomplish it, or even if you should accomplish it, didn’t work. God sees the whole picture, we don’t. Our finite minds will think something should go a certain way, but God’s infinite wisdom knows all and has a plan. God has used the most foolish things to confound the wise. Be willing to let go of your way of thinking in order to receive new revelation and insight in a situation.

I have seen people get all upset just because things don’t go according to what they thought should happen. Then, out of their frustration, they criticize what IS happening and not only miss out on what God is doing, they also cause strife and division in the body of Christ. Usually these people are very verbal with their criticisms. They are thinking they are “right,” when in reality they are totally wrong, and missing it.

Proverbs 3:5 – 6 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.”

Our own understanding can often deceive us. What we “think” should happen. What we “reason” to happen. Yes, facts are facts, and if you are basing your understanding on that alone, you are limiting God. You see, God is a God of miracles. A place where facts alone can not explain. If we take the God-factor out of an equation, we will end up with less then what could really happen.

3.  Listen to God’s voice in everything you do, and everywhere you go.

Lately I have heard on the Radio or seen in print my favorite passage of scripture in the Bible, Proverbs 3:5 – 6. I know God is telling me to just trust Him and to not rely on the way I think or to get worried at what I see. God has a way of talking to us, we just need to be open to his voice. In this case, His voice was broadcast through the radio two different times in one day, with also reading the above passage in an article I read. It was also the “verse of the day” on my Bible app on my phone. Can God use modern technology to speak to His people? He sure can! He will use any and everything to help us with our every day life. In point 2 we looked Proverbs 3:5 – 6, now I want to look at in a different translation.

Proverbs 3:5 – 6 (The Message) “Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don’t try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for GOD’S voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he’s the one who will keep you on track.”

“Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go…” If we are constantly listening to Gods voice and direction, the new mindset will automatically be put on you. You won’t be surprised at the direction God is taking you. In fact, you will be so consumed in what God is doing you won’t be distracted by the old mindset. Listening to God’s constant voice demolishes old mindsets.

There have been times God will wake me up from a dream and as I am waking up I hear a phrase or a statement. I use to ignore these times, but I have learned to tune my spiritual ear into God’s frequency and be open to His voice in what every way He wants to bring it.

One way to really know it is God’s voice is to ask the question: “Does it line up with God’s Word?” If it doesn’t then quickly ignore it and move on in your life. If it does line up with His word, take head and look at what you just read or heard and ask God for discernment and direction. He will give it to us. He is good at this.

When we hear God’s voice we need to head it and not rebel. Usually God will confirm His word several times to let you know He is telling you something. Don’t be stubborn and ignore it or even do the opposite of what He is asking of you.

Hebrews 3:15 (GNT) “This is what the scripture says: ‘If you hear God’s voice today, do not be stubborn, as your ancestors were when they rebelled against God.”

Let us be a people who are quick to obey God and His word!

4.  Don’t fight change.

I am one who enjoys change. Actually, anything new I totally love. A new home, a new car, new clothes, new job, all of that is enjoyable to me. I rearrange my living room and my office at church often. When things seem to get stale, I have to change it. It fuels me. Staleness can cause you to become complacent. We get comfortable in our pursuit of God and what we do for Him. Contentment and complacency are two different things.

Contentment:  “a state of happiness and satisfaction” (Oxford American Dictionary)

Complacency: “self-satisfaction especially when accompanied by unawareness of actual dangers or deficiencies; a feeling of being satisfied with how things are and not wanting to try to make them better (Webster).”

We should all be content, yet, most people get confused and actually get complacent instead. Complacency is “Self-satisfaction” it is inward-satisfaction. We get satisfied with our efforts and stop pursuing God.

I have seen older people with the mindset, “I already did my time, now I can just relax!” This is an old mindset. As long as their is breath in you, pursue God and what He wants you to do in this life! Don’t allow inward-satisfaction to take the place of contentment.

Complacency shuts your eyes to the new God is doing. Complacency turns a blind eye to injustice. Complacency is extremely selfish. This is opposite of God’s character. God always gives his time and love to others. He never sleeps. He is older then time itself. If we want to be more like Him, then we have to up-root complacency from our lives. Don’t entertain thoughts of giving up, or retiring from God’s call.

I know of a wonderful lady who was the piano player of a church I was the Worship Pastor at. She was 65 years old but loved the contemporary Christian praise and worship. It fueled her. She couldn’t wait for me to place a new song in front of her so she could learn it. I have seen other piano players her same age fight me when I would pic a new song for them to learn. In fact, they couldn’t even play it as they had the old way of playing in their minds and it prevented them from even trying to play the piano in a new way. The lady who was open to change had a huge impact on the members of the worship team and they loved her dearly. She spoke into their lives often and they were eager to hear what she had to say. The lady who was not open to change, was often critical in most areas of life, and the worship team members literally hated it when she would be scheduled to play the piano. She didn’t speak into the lives of anyone, and often would be the first one to leave a practice.  Tell me, which one would you rather be?

I was reading a book, “Charged To Change,” by Pastor Abba Godwin (Abuja, Nigeria, Word Alive Revival Ministries). He states, “Tradition is a pothole in the highway of acceleration.” I believe it. Doing things the same way, and not looking for the new God is doing, will prevent you from arriving at your destiny. In Nigeria, the streets and roads are so bad. They have huge potholes, and sometimes the paved street is broken and gone all together. This is such an eye opener as to how tradition and religious mindsets can detour us from our prophetic destinations.

5.  Don’t stop believing.

The enemy wants you to give up on the dream God has placed in side of you. You  might have been waiting for this dream to come to pass twenty or more years ago. I am sure the dream is bigger then you. If it is, that is a true sign that it is from God. If it was the size of something you could fulfill on your own, then God wouldn’t get the glory, you would.

Don’t allow setback or hardship to prevent you from believing the God-given dream will be fulfilled. God has His time-frame. He knows everything. Again, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your paths” (Prov. 3:5 – 6). This is a promise.

Bring the dream before God in prayer. Remind Him (although He always remembers) and remind yourself of the dream. Pour your heart out to God and express your desire and His dream He has placed in your heart. Ask Him for the grace to finish the race to see the fulfillment of that dream. Remind yourself, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13). Stir up faith in your spirit. Let faith arise in your heart again. Look back and remind yourself of all the things God has done in your life. He is faithful! Don’t allow the tool the devil uses; “Discouragement” to become a part of you. Shake it off and press onward! God has big plans for you.

It is up to us to demolish any old mindsets we may have. Ask God to show you them and be determined to get rid of them. Once we get rid of the old, there is room for the new.

Next week, Part 2: “How To Put On The New Mindset?” Get ready to be changed by the power of God! He has GREAT plans for you this year and beyond. Do you part and let go of any old thinking patterns that hinder you from reaching your full potential and all that God has for you.

Your sister in Christ,

Pastor Kris Belfils
http://www.hopefellowshipspokane.com
http://www.krisbelfils.com
http://www.krisbelfils.wordpress.com

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God Working Within To Sustain Without (A Fresh Look At The Holy Spirit)

Have you had trouble lately maintaining your day to day Christian life? Has the worries and cares of this world weighed you down to the point you can’t see where to go or what to do? Maybe you find your self weak in areas of your life and wish those weaknesses would go away.

Whatever the situation, God wants to strengthen you and touch your inward parts to help you not only maintain your daily life, but to live above the circumstances you find yourself in.

Paul was in prison when he wrote a good portion of the New Testament. He was more concerned with the church and their condition then his own surroundings. He wanted to encourage them and pray for them.

Paul had to find something to help him maintain his daily life while he was in prison. He found it, and conveyed that truth in his writings.

Eph 3:16 – 21 (HCSB)
“I pray that He may grant you, according to the riches of His glory, be strengthened with power the inner man through His Spirit in, and that the Messiah may dwell in your hearts through faith. I pray that you, being rooted and firmly established in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the length and width, height and depth of God’s love, and to know the Messiah’s love that surpasses knowledge, so you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Now to Him who is able to do above and beyond all that we ask or think–according to the power that works in you– to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.”



1. “[I pray] that He may grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power in the inner man through His Spirit, ” (Eph 3:16)

“Strengthened with power through His Spirit…”

Have we let the Holy Spirit have His way in us completely? I believe it is a process of learning and growing with Him that brings us to a place of totally allowing the Holy Spirit to have His way in us.

The Holy Spirit is our Comforter. He is our friend, and our Counselor. The Holy Spirit can do more in us (if we let Him) then a Counselor can here on earth.

The Holy Spirit knows every aspect of our past, present and future. He knows us intimately. He knows our personality, character, and what we think even before we think it.

Amplified Bible
“May He grant you out of the rich treasury of His glory to be strengthened and reinforced with mighty powerin the inner man by the [Holy] Spirit [Himself indwelling your innermost being and personality]. (Eph. 3:16)

What does it mean to have the Holy Spirit indwell your innermost being? What does it mean to be strengthened and reinforced with mighty power in the inner man by the Holy Spirit?

It means to not allow our flesh to be in control. It is a realization that we are crucified with Christ and we no longer live, but Christ lives in us! (Gal. 2:20)

We have to come to a place where we want to please God more then our flesh! We can’t be filled with the Holy Spirit if we are full of our self. We have to decrease. We have to die to flesh. It is submitting to the Holy Spirit’s voice even when we want to do the opposite. 

ACTS 2 (Pentecost)

The second chapter of Acts shows the infilling power at work in the Disciples and those present in the upper room. It was promised in Acts 1:4 – 8.

Acts 1:8 (NKJV)

“But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

They stayed in prayer, and were united and obedient, waiting together for this promise of the Holy Spirit. They had never experienced what they were about to experience before. All they knew was to wait for “the promise of the Father” (Acts 1:4).

Acts 2:1 – 4 (NKJV)

“When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then they appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.”

They were all filled with the Holy Spirit. They were consumed and empowered by the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit wants to consume us daily. Do you spend time in the presence of the Lord daily?

Allowing the Holy Spirit to have His way in our hearts is part of letting the Holy Spirit indwell our innermost being, our “inner man.” This brings strength to maintain our daily life.

“…strengthened and reinforced with mighty powerin the inner man…” (Eph. 3:16) (Amplified Bible)

The Inner Man – Inner = eso ¯ in the Greek which means inside, or within. Inner man is also known as inward parts:
Inward parts – qereb – (BDB Hebrew and Greek Lexicon)
As seat of thought and emotion
As faculty of thought and emotion
Within self – heart, more than heart, it becomes your entire being.

Here are a few verses which speak of “inward parts:”



Psalm 139:13 “For You did form my inward parts; You did knit me together in my mother’s womb.”


Job 38:36 ” Who hath put wisdom in the inward parts? or who hath given understanding to the heart?


Psalm 51:6 “Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom.


Proverbs 20:27 “The spirit of man is the candle of the LORD, searching all the inward parts of the belly.


Jeremiah 31:33 “But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.

Hearts in Jeremiah 31:33 is translated from the Hebrew as; “leb” or “lebeb” – mind, will, understanding, midst (of things), thinking, memory, determination, conscience; as seat of appetites, as seat of emotions, as seat of courage!

Inward parts and heart do go hand in hand in the Bible, but more than the heart, it becomes a part of your entire being.

In other words, getting back to the original scripture;strengthened and reinforced with mighty powerin the inner man by the [Holy] Spirit [Himself indwelling your innermost being and personality]. (Amplified Bible)

God wants to strengthen us with His Holy Spirit, to totally indwell our inward parts, our inner being, mind, will, understanding, appetites, emotions, and everything we are, with His Holy Spirit. This will help us to maintain our daily life and help us to follow after Christ. It will help us to not be tossed and turned with every little breeze that comes our way that is contrary to what we think should happen.

Strength from the Spirit of God in the inner man; strength in the soul; the strength of faith to serve God, and to do our duty.

Where Christ’s spirit dwells, He dwells.

2. “I pray that you, being rooted and firmly established in love…” (Eph. 3:16b)

Love should be our motivating force behind all that we do.

There was a song out in the eighty’s by Lori and Harry Browning called, “Lord, Teach us to love You.” It was a prayer asking God to teach us to love Him with the Love He has given us. Then it turned the love towards others and asked God to teach us to love others with the love He has given us.

John 13:34 – 35 (Message)

“Let me give you a new command: Love one another. In the same way I loved you, you love one another. This is how everyone will recognize that you are my disciples – when you see the love you have for each other.”

This way of looking at love and reaching out to others will help us to love each other unconditionally. Our motto should be: “Loving like Jesus loves me!”

Also, with this love, we can look at Christ’s love and how intense it is for us.

3. “…may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the length and width, height and depth of God’s love, and to know the Messiah’s love that surpasses knowledge, so you may be filled with all the fullness of God.” (Eph. 3:18 – 19)

The Message Bible reads…
“I ask him to strengthen you by his Spirit–not a brute strength but a glorious inner strength— that Christ will live in you as you open the door and invite him in. And I ask him that with both feet planted firmly on love, you’ll be able to take in with all Christians the extravagant dimensions of Christ’s love.“

There are so many dimensions to Christ’s love towards us. We have not even touched the surface of how much He loves us.

Our knowledge can’t comprehend His love for us.

What extent are His dimensions?

“…what is the length and width, height and depth of God’s love, and to know the Messiah’s love that surpasses knowledge, so you may be filled with all the fullness of God.”

The breadth (wide) shows its extent to all nations and ranks;
The length (long) continues from everlasting to everlasting;
The depth, (deep) its saving those who are sunk into the depths of sin and misery;
The height, (high) its raising them up to heavenly happiness and glory.

God will go to great lengths to rescue us. He will reach down into the farthest depths to show us how much He loves us and for us to experience that love as we sense His presence.

He will reach down to our inner man, our inward parts, where we live and have our being, and will give us revelations of who He is and how much love He has for us.


Have you ever felt God’s love?


The Message reads…
Reach out and experience the breadth! Test its length! Plumb the depths! Rise to the heights! Live full lives, full in the fullness of God.

That love is there for us to live full lives.

You can live without things.
You can live without position or recognition,
You can live without a lot of things, but for one to truly live, we can’t live without love. We will die prematurely without someone to love and someone to love us.

It is true that people who are ill will recover faster when their loved ones are close by; talking to them and encouraging them to live.

How much more we can live with the knowledge of God’s love for us.

God wants us to experience His love to know the fullness of who He is.

Fullness, not lack.

The Amplified Bible reads…
“…that you may be filled [through all your being] unto all the fullness of God [may have the richest measure of the divine Presence, and become a body wholly filled and flooded with God Himself]!” (Eph. 3:19b)

…all the fullness of God!

It is hard to comprehend the love of God towards us. Why would He love us after what we’ve done? Why would He lavish His love on us when we deserve judgment?

It is hard to comprehend His mercy and grace.


Mercy: Not getting what we deserve
Grace: Getting what we don’t deserve

This is what Christ did on the cross for all of us. Love was crucified. This love is there for the taking. Do you believe it? Do you want it? It is already there for you.

He is the lover of our soul.


4. “Now to Him who is able to do above and beyond all that we ask or think–according to the power that works in you– to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” (Eph. 3:20)

What ever we can think of asking, God can do more.

The Message reads…
“God can do anything, you know–far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us.”

God is more than enough for our every need. God can and will do more than we could ever ask, think, guess, imagine, request in our wildest dreams. He is just waiting for us to recognize what He is doing.

Think for a moment what God has done for you this past year that has been beyond what you’ve ever dreamed possible.

This year ask God what He would have you do.
Think BIG!

What you think of right now, He can do more and will as you trust Him and allow His Holy Spirit to flood your inner man, your emotions, your will, your appetites.

Resolve to soak in His presence and love more. Expect BIG things to happen in your life. He is a BIG God and has BIG things in store for each of us as we trust Him to give us strength from day to day.

Blessings,

Pastor Kris Belfils

http://www.krisbelfils.com

http://www.hopefellowshipspokane.com

by

Can God Be Trusted?

Can I trust God? Will He really pull through for me? Does He hear me when I cry out to Him? Am I in this alone, because God seems silent?

These questions and more have been spoken many times from God fearing Christians. We don’t see an answer and we get nervous and start to doubt. We expect our prayers to be answered right away; on our timeframe.

God is not moved by time or space. He sees everything. He knows everything. Your circumstance is ever before your Creator. He knows what you need, even before you need it. Trusting God is an ongoing process.

“Trust Jesus, and you are saved. Trust self, and you are lost.”

Charles H. Spurgeon (a sermon on personal service)

That’s a profound statement, and so true.  If we trust ourselves, we can lead ourselves astray. Our human nature wants to rely on our self. After all, we’re always there, always looking out for number one, and we think we know what’s best for us. Unfortunately we don’t see the whole picture to really make the best decisions.

God sees everything. He knows all about you and your character. He knows you better than you know yourself. He created you! Therefore, the Creator knows more about His creation then that creation knows about itself.

God created you for a specific purpose and plan. He “knit you in your mother’s womb,” (Psalm 139:13 Amplified Bible) and you’re “fearfully and wonderfully made” (Psalms 139:14 NKJV). He knows you. He knows how you will respond or not respond to things. It’s wise to trust the Creator of our lives for everything. For what He created is wonderful and marvelous, and our soul knows very well (Psalm 139:14b NKJV).

Trust is faith in action. It believes God is working on your situation. Even though we don’t know just how God is working, He is! Even if we can’t see Him working at the start, He is!

Our eyes and understanding are limited. When we don’t see the results we want, our faith falters, and we are left with worry and doubt. I know, I’ve done it many times. But, in those moments of looking and not seeing, tell yourself, “Hold on!” Say out loud, “I can trust Him!”

When you don’t see God’s hand working out your troubles, trust His heart. His heart is for you! He’s making a way where there seems to be no way. He’s restoring you. He’s working out your situation for His glory and in His time.

God wants us to trust Him with all things. How do we do that? If we do trust God, will He make us do something we don’t want to do? Would He change us into something we don’t want to be if we give Him total and complete control? It’s hard to trust until we read more about why we should trust.

The trust issue in my life was big. I fought and struggled with it. I was reading in the Psalms and noticed so many passages that mentioned trust and what happens when I do trust Him. I found over eighty-five verses between NKJV and CEV that talk about trusting God and what the results will be. In the Contemporary English Version, the word, “trust” is translated as “wait”, “hope”, “believe” or “steadfastness”. They seemed to be interchangeable; also “love” and “mercy” are interchangeable as well. Knowing the facts about trusting God helps us to trust Him.

In the chart below you will find some of the verses on trust in the book of Psalms. First column is the verse, then Translation, then Trust Factor, and then the results. (There is more of this article after the chart)

Psalms Trust Factor

VRS     TRANS     TRUST FACTOR                                                 RESULTS

2:12b    NKJV      Blessed are those who put their trust in Him      Blessing/favor

4:5 NKJV/CEV   Offer the sacrifices of righteousness and trust  Obedience/favor

5:11,12   NKJV    Let all those rejoice who put their trust          Joy, defense, favor

7:1 NKJV         O LORD my God, in You I put my trust               Safety, deliverance

9:10 CEV/NKJV   Everyone who honors Your name can trust You  God is faithful

11:1   NKJV      In the Lord I put my trust                                               Surety

13:5 NKJV       I trusted in Your mercy                                       Forgiveness, salvation

16:1   NKJV      In You I put my trust                                                Preserves me

17:7   NKJV      O You who save those who trust in You             Salvation/rescues

18:2   NKJV   My God, my strength, in whom I will trust      Rock, fortress, deliverer

18:30   NKJV   He is a shield to all who trust in Him                  Shield, protector

20:7 CEV/NKJV  Some trust the power of chariots or horses     We trust You, surety

21:7   NKJV   For the king trusts in the LORD                                 Shall not be moved

22:4   NKJV   Our father’s trusted in You                                           Deliverance

22:5   NKJV   They trust in You                                             They were not ashamed

22:8   NKJV/CEV   He trusted in the LORD                               Rescue, deliver

25:2   NKJV/CEV   O my God, I trust in You                    Not ashamed, not defeated

25:5   CEV    I always trust You                                            Guide, instruct, safety

25:20   NKJV    I put my trust in You                                  Keeps, delivers, no shame

25:21   CEV/NKJV   I trust You                                            Integrity and uprightness

26:1   NKJV   I have also trusted in the LORD                 Vindicates, shall not slip

27:3   CEV    I will trust You                                       No fear in the face of war

27:14  CEV    Trust the LORD!                                              Strength and bravery

28:7   CEV/NKJV  I trust you completely.                         Strong shield, help

31:1   NKJV   In You, O LORD, I put my trust                 Never ashamed, deliverer

31:5   CEV   I trust You                                                           Faithful, rescued me

31:6, 7  NKJV/CEV    But, I trust in the LORD                      Glad, Rejoice in mercy

31:14   CEV/NKJV    I trust You, LORD                                   I claim you as my God

31:19   CEV/NKJV    For all who honor and trust You    Blessings stored up for us

31:24   CEV     All who trust the LORD                                          Cheerful and strong

32:10   NKJV/CEV   He who trusts in the LORD            Mercy surrounds, gladness

33:18   CEV     Honor and trust His kindness                             LORD watches over

33:21   NKJV/CEV    We have trusted in His holy name                   Hearts rejoice

34:8   NKJV     Blessed is the man who trusts in Him             Blessed, God is good

34:10   CEV     But if you trust the LORD                           Never miss anything good

34:22   NKJV     Those who trust in Him                            Never condemned, saved

36:7, 8   NKJV    Children of men put their trust            Lovingkindness, satisfied

37:3   NKJV/CEV   Trust in the LORD and live right                     Desires of heart

37:5   CEV    Trust Him to help                                                           God will lead you

37:7, 9   CEV    Trust the LORD                                               The land will be yours

40:3   CEV/NKJV  They will honor and trust You                New song, blessing

42:5, 11   CEV    I trust You!                                                God removes depression

43:5   CEV     I trust You!                                                   Not discouraged/restless

55:23  NKJV/CEV    But I will trust in You.                         Destruction to evil men

56:4   NKJV/CEV  In God I have put my trust                       No fear, safety

56:11   CEV/NKJV  I trust You                                                   No fear, no harm

57:1   NKJV     For my soul trusts in You                                 Mercy, refuge

61:4   NKJV    I will trust in the shelter of Your wings       Fellowship, shelter

64:10   NKJV    Be glad in the LORD, and trust in Him     Gladness, shall glory

71:1   NKJV    In You, O LORD, I put my trust                        Never be ashamed

71:5   NKJV    You are my trust from my youth                          Hope

84:12   NKJV    Blessed is the man who trusts in You                    Blessed

86:2   NKJV/CEV   Save Your servant who trusts in You    Preserves life, salvation

91:2   NKJV/CEV  My God, in Him I will trust                  Fortress, place of safety

112:7 NKJV/CEV His heart is steadfast, trusting in the LORD   Steadfastness, no fear

115:11  NKJV/CEV  You who fear the LORD, trust in the LORD      Help and shield

119:42   NKJV    For I trust in Your word                              Gives answers

119:66   CEV     I trust Your commandments                    Gives wisdom/good sense

119:74   CEV    I trust (hope) in Your word                      Your servants will be glad

125:1   NKJV    Those who trust in the LORD               Cannot be moved

130:7   CEV    Israel, trust the LORD!                               Mercy and salvation

143:8   NKJV/CEV  For in You do I trust                     Loving kindness, guidance

(I have a full and complete chart in my book:  “The Garbage Man Always Comes On Fridays.”)
Now that we’ve looked at the Psalms and what they have to say about trusting in the Lord, I have to mention one of my favorite scriptures. It’s been the theme of my life.
Proverbs 3:5 – 6

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths.”

Waiting on the Lord was all I could do at times. I couldn’t rely on myself and my thinking because it brought too many bad choices. My wisdom is limited and self-centered. I had to lean on the Lord constantly and not my own understanding. I realized if I relied on my own understanding I would fall, but if I relied on God and his word, I was stable.

During my devotions and journal writing one morning, I came up with this little reminder to help me trust the Lord:

Total

Reliance

Upon the

Surety of

Truth

It’s totally laying yourself at the feet of Jesus, knowing he’s the only One who can help you. There were times when it was all I could do to just get out of bed in the morning, let alone trust that God would bring me out of my mess. You may have felt the same way at times. Feelings of fear and uncertainty can overwhelm us if we let them. Personally, I had to tell God, “I don’t feel like trusting You right now, but I will trust you for trust’s sake.” Believe it or not, it helped me get through that moment. God is trustworthy even when we don’t feel or believe he is. Trust God for trust’s sake, if you can’t find any other reason to. God will meet you there.

When we taste and see that the Lord is good, we forget our concerns and doubts about God.

Psalm 34:8 – 10 (NLT)

“Taste and see that the LORD is good. Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him! Fear the LORD, you his godly people, for those who fear him will have all they need. Even strong young lions sometimes go hungry, but those who trust in the LORD will lack no good thing.”

It is better to trust in the Lord then in anything or anybody else in your life. Trust God for He is trustworthy!

Your sister in Christ,

Pastor Kris Belfils

www.krisbelfils.com

www.hopefellowshipspokane.com