[Philip]

Thank you Rick for this encouraging word. It’s relieving to know that you can start from somewhere. You don’t have to be a person that likes being kind to be kind but you can develop that attitude overtime as you practice.

[Philip]

This convicts me in many ways. It reminds me that we as Christians are expected to be intentional about growing in godly character. The church emphasizes so much about faith but not godliness. The supplements are a reminder that it’s our responsibility to ensure that we are having all-round growth – spiritual and moral growth. David was an example of lack of self-control. He had faith in God but didn’t have control over his moral life hence he had moral failures but thank God for his grace and mercy. One thing that stands out to me from this message is that we are to seek these supplements. They are not necessarily part of our daily diet which is why they are called supplements. And like supplements, we are to go search and fetch them and be disciplined to practice them habitually.

[Philip]

Hey @feng, I agree with you. Comparison plays a huge part in robbing us of our peace and that’s why Paul said we are not to compare ourselves with another. And like you said, when we fix our gaze on Jesus, our circumstances diminish and we are emboldened by the vision of the glorious life that He shows us.

[Philip]

Thanks, @michael, for these words of encouragement. For me, I usually take out time to fast and pray and go over my journals to remind myself of the words God had spoken to me about my life.

Peace can be elusive to many especially if they are going about it the world’s way. Paul admonishes us to put out confidence in God and His supernatural peace will guard our emotions. It means that peace is not a natural life force but a supernatural experience that only God can give to us. Therefore, we must seek God’s approval not men’s approval. God is the only one that can truly give us the love, relationship and friendship we desire and until His love has flooded our hearts, we may never be able to give or receive love from others.

Personal victory precedes public victory. We must first be the change that we desire to see around us. Currently, I am starting to quieten my soul and clear my schedule to take some time to focus on God because I am feeling anxious about my life and my purpose lately and I know it’s time to press into God’s internal peace.

[Philip]

Amen. May I not grieve the Holy Spirit.

[Philip]

As I read this week’s discussion excerpt, I am reminded of Ecclesiastics 10:10,

“Remember: The duller the ax the harder the work; Use your head: The more brains, the less muscle.”
‭‭Ecclesiastes‬ ‭10:10‬ ‭MSG‬‬

The Holy Spirit is the chief innovator and and the verse tells us that God wants us to move to more brains and less muscle. Isn’t that interesting? Some Christians have been made to believe that anything that involves the creative human mind is soulish, hence innovation, creativity and entrepreneurship is not encouraged in the church, generally speaking. But I am persuaded that there are new ways of doing life and ministry that the world and the church are yet to discover but we have got to draw closer to the Spirit of creativity which Christ has given to us as His children. The question then is, ‘how do we cultivate the spirit of innovation?’

[Philip]

For some people, Jesus is merely renting their heart but He is supposed to be a permanent resident, the owner actually.

[Philip]

Wow! So to be led by the Spirit is not always convenient because He will lead us upstream to swim against the tide. And all of these is happening in the mind. A battle between the spirit and the flesh or our carnal inclinations. Good word!

[Philip]

I am glad the Holy Spirit is my coach 😊

[Philip]

You put it all together very well. At the very top of the list is Scripture. God speaks to us through his word. This is where I find many Christians having a problem. I have seen people choose what the other means are saying to them over what the scriptures say.
God usually speaks to me through His word, when I yield my thoughts to Him by soaking my mind into the word, He often begins to inspire me with thoughts, ideas and nudges in my heart. He also speaks to me by unfurling roads or opportunities in front me.
I can go on forever about being told God said that and that I some times what these ‘gifts’ are saying doesn’t align with what I am seeing that God has for me so it’s always important to check whatever we think we are hearing with the word and with God’s purpose for our lives.

[Philip]

Lord, give me courage to haunt for peace with all men.

[Philip]

As for me, the church as always been my second home. I thank God for the church fellowship that we have here in Virginia. It has been an awesome experience of growing together and learning to submit to one another in Christ.
We are encouraged to submit to one another, pray for each other and even confess our sins to one another. That’s how we get through the fires of life. This platform is quickly becoming another accountability system for me because it places a demand on my commitment to purpose and fellowshipping with other brethren to share my thoughts and learn from others as well.

[Philip]

@marlinchabely Good to know. Glad you are refocusing to your purpose.

[Philip]

You nailed it @feng. The points you mentioned are good examples. I am equally grateful to the Holy Spirit for the idea of this app and even the technical know-how and strength to make this happen. Glad to know that it is a blessing to all of us.

[Philip]

@feng Absolutely! Salvation is such a wonderfully masterminded act by God and it is all free to us😊