Character Under Pressure

We... have joy with our troubles, because we know that these troubles produce patience. And patience produces character, and character produces hope.

Romans 5:3-4

Genuine diamonds are known for both their beauty and their strength. Though they begin as common carbon, constant pressure over an extended period of time creates something of rare value. The same is true for strength of character, which is just as rare and even more valuable. True character exhibits integrity through consistent moral excellence. Through the apostle Paul's words, God shares the secret of how this priceless character trait is developed. It takes place through an unexpected process - experiencing joy when you're suffering under pressure.

In several versions of the Bible, the word for suffering is translated "tribulations." This comes from the Latin word tribulum, which was taken from the name of a piece of farm equipment used during New Testament times. A tribulum was a heavy piece of timber with spikes in it that was drawn over newly picked grain. It separated the valuable grain form the worthless chaff. Tribulation, or suffering, does the same thing to your character. It sifts it, helping you sort out what's truly important in life from what's of little value.

As your character grows stronger, so does your hope. Experiencing firsthand how God can use difficult circumstances in a positive way solidifies your hope for the future as it strengthens your trust in him. This character-building process hones the resulting hope by persevering through difficulties. This is what allows you to find genuine joy, even in the middle of suffering.

A diamond has no choice in how it responds to pressue. You do. Choosing to focus on the hope that produces joy during hard times develops a character that's more like Jesus's own.

Source: The 100 Most Important Bible Verses

Pray to God and thank Him for free will and his great love that provides us strength for the journey; as we live and grow under the pressure of this earthly world. We thank Him for free will for it is this freedom that provides opportunity for each of us to grown personally in our one-to-one relationship with God. It is this freedom that reveals how GOOD God really is. That He provides us freedom to stumble and even fall in the pressure of living life while never leaving our side. At times He even carries us through the most difficult of trials and tribulations. He never leaves us, He sees everything we do ... and He still loves us enough to forgive us and grow our heart of worship through every prayer we say and every repentance. We thank you, Lord, for you are the GREAT I AM and you give us the promise of HOPE. ~ MME Team

Moving On

The Lord says, "Do not remember the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing, now it shall spring forth; shall you not know it?"

Isaiah 43:18-19

The people of Israel made plenty of mistakes and suffered generations of consequences. They'd been salves in Egypt, wandered the desert for forty years, and were presently at war with Assyria. Because of repeatedly disobeying and distancing themselves from God, they'd lived with crippling fear, enemy invasions, and backbreaking bondage off and on for centuries. Along with words of rebuke and warning, the prophet Isaiah offered those desperate people words of hope, which summed up the heart of his message.

Through Isaiah, God promised his people he was doing something fresh and innovative. The Hebrew word of new conveys both expectancy and optimism. It describes something "unprecedented in its wonderful character." The promises that this new thing would "spring up" meant it would happen gradually, like a germination and growth of a beautiful wildflower. Its fulfillment would require patience, but its eventuality was sure. That fulfillment would be realized in Jesus.

To be able to look forward with joy, the Israelites needed to let go of the past. The same is true of people today. Learning from the past is useful. Dwelling on the past is destructive. It keeps your focus on things you can no longer change and off what God is doing right before your eyes. Follow Isaiah's advice to the Israelites. Forget what's behind you. Move freely forward toward the good that is sprouting right beneath your feet.

Letting go of past mistakes - yours and those of others - may involve forgiveness, repentance, and reconciliation. Let Isaiah's words encourage you as you work through emotional or relational roadblocks.

Source: The 100 Most Important Bible Verses

Pray to God for momentum and strengthen to break through the past and hold fast to the truth of the present and the future God has promised you. The promise of the TRUTH. Reminding yourself that we are not of this world. So when earthly times hit hard... keep your eyes fixed on him and the heavenly kingdom that awaits you per the grace and mercy of Christ Jesus. ~ MME Team

Living Life to the Fullest

Jesus said, "The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life,and that they may have it more abundantly."

John 10:10

          Jesus often used parables and metaphors to help people get a better picture of the principles and truths he was talking about. He referred to himself as things like a vine, a lamb, or a bridegroom. He also described himself as the Good Shepherd. He wanted his followers to understand the difference between how a good shepherd cares and sacrifices for the benefit of his sheep, while thieves and hired hands use sheep only to benefit themselves. Jesus wanted them to know he was a leader who always had his followers' best interests at heart.

          Jesus proclaimed the end result of this tender care for his sheep, which makes the verse one of the most important verses in the Bible. It is Jesus's statement of purpose; it is his promise to those who follow him. That includes you. What Jesus promised is life. Not just ordinary, breathing-in-and-breathing-out, making-it-by-the-seat-of-your-pants life, but an authentic, eternal, hang-on-to-the-seats-because-another-miracle's-coming abundant life.

          The kind of abundance that Jesus promised is a measure of the quality of life, not the quantity of possessions. You can't measure this abundance in square footage or bottom lines. Jesus promised to provide a surplus of what makes life worth living - things like love, grace, guidance, forgiveness, and joy. These are Jesus's gifts to you, a life that is overflowing with riches of the heart that no one can ever take away.

          Keeping in mind Jesus's promise to you of an abundant life gives you reason for constant hope and thanks. It also fosters contentment by helping you find joy in the abundance of what matters most.

          Pray to praise a God who knows exactly what we need and when to provide it in abundance.

          Pray for wisdom from God to guide your purpose for living; to live for quality of life not quantity of possessions. Do not live as the people of this earth do; but live as people of God. For we are not home yet. ~ MME Team