Success and Failure Blog

The Bible tells us that we are to be a good example, showing others the love of Christ through our behavior and life styles. We should do all we can to bring others into God’s Kingdom and never do anything that would cause a person to stumble in his Christian walk. You need to choose this day whom you will serve. You can serve God and ask Him to clean up your life, or you can continue serving your own fleshly desires which leads to indirectly serving devil.

1 Tim 4:12 “Don’t let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an EXAMPLE TO ALL THE BELIEVERS in what you SAY, in THE WAY YOU LIVE, in YOUR LOVE, YOUR FAITH, and in YOUR PURITY.”

Titus 2:7 “You yourself MUST BE AN EXAMPLE TO THEM by doing GOOD WORKS OF EVERY KIND. Let EVERYTHING YOU DO reflect the INTEGRITY and SERIOUSNESS of your TEACHING.”

John 13:15 Jesus says, “I have given you an EXAMPLE TO FOLLOW. Do as I have Done to you”

1 Thess 1:7 Paul says, “You have become an EXAMPLE TO ALL THE BELIEVERS in Greece— throughout both Macedonia and Achaia.”

Phil 3:17 Paul says, “Dear Brothers and Sisters, PATTERN YOUR LIVES AFTER MINE, and LEARN from those who FOLLOW OUR EXAMPLE.”

2 Thess 3:9 Paul says, “We certainly had the right to ask you to Feed us, but we wanted to give you an EXAMPLE TO FOLLOW.”

Eph 5:2 “Live a life filled with love, FOLLOWING THE EXAMPLE OF CHRIST. He loved us and offered Himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.”

1 Tim 1:16 Paul says, “But God had mercy on me so that Christ Jesus could use me as a PRIME EXAMPLE OF HIS GREAT PATIENCE with even the worst sinners. Then others will realize that they, too, can believe in him and receive Eternal Life.”

Godly people will be ridiculed by their friends and families for their Christian beliefs & teachings. They are accused and described as Paranoids, fanatics, narrow-minded, extreme, ridiculous, “sinners” & as teaching the “doctrine of devils. They endure emotional and physical pain, as they give up the things they could have in this world for the sake of Gods Kingdom.

1. The Godly people suffer for righteousness sake: The Godly suffer for many reasons, sometimes through no fault of their own .Most of the time they suffer for doing right things because we live in a fallen world where there is sexual immorality, corruption and rebellion to Gods word which is enmity with God. Persecution is not only done through violence and destruction, but also through harassment, ridicule, and being an outcast. All the Godly people have experienced persecution and ridicule when we do not do what the world does or says. Refusing to be like the world by not participating in ungodly practices has caused us to be alienated from family, friends, and co-workers. Godly people do not participate in their godless passions and activities and are different from the sinful world. When a believer is consumed with godly living, he will lose his appetite for the world’s ungodly attractions.

But as Christians, you are called to be a chosen race, holy and separate to the Lord, and “in the world, but not of the world.” Paul calls you to be aliens and strangers who “present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God.” He exhorts you, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind” (Rom 12:1-2). As pilgrims in this world, we are not to practice what the citizens of this world do. We are to do what citizens of the kingdom of heaven are supposed to do.

2. The ungodly live in worldly desires: often live a life of worldly passions and desires, they do not believe in heaven or hell. But Peter reminds us that judgment comes for both living and dead and everyone has to give an account of themselves to God. All ungodly will be judged. All believers who are Godly will get their reward. Preaching the gospel condemns unbelievers and ungodly. Showing them our godly, obedient lives also make them see their ungodly, rebellious lives.

3. God sees when Godly people suffer: God sees all the rebellious acts caused by Ungodly unbelievers. He sees Godly believers suffering in the hands of unbelievers. Thus, those who suffer unjustly because of their faith in Christ have shown that they are willing to be done with sin by living in obedience to God, to be different, and to be set apart-even if it means persecution and ridicule.

But take comfort, Godly, unbelievers do not have the last word, for they will give account and face God’s judgment .They will face God’s severe judgment, especially those who have heard the gospel of Christ preached to them but rejected it. Preaching the gospel condemns unbelievers. Showing them our godly, obedient lives also make them see their ungodly, rebellious lives.

John says in the book of Revelation that when the people of the earth see the two witnesses-symbolizing the church-dead, they rejoice. They give gifts to one another. Because “these two prophets had been a torment to those who dwell on the earth” (Rev 11:10). How are unbelievers “tormented” by believers? When they hear Godly people tell them, “Repent and believe in the gospel of Christ!” and when they see Christians practicing a completely different life from them as “salt” and “light” to the world, they know in their hearts that they are sinners bound to eternal hell.

Sometimes unbelievers can’t tolerate a righteous man or woman. A holy life irritates them to the point of aggression. A believer who suffers under such circumstances is “blessed” (1 Pet. 3:14). “Blessed” doesn’t necessarily emphasize happiness or joy as much as it does the meaning of “privilege” or “honor.” Elizabeth said Mary the mother of Jesus was “blessed among women” (Luke 1:42). Mary’s heart was pierced with many sorrows (Luke 2:35), so that isn’t a reference to general happiness. Instead, it speaks of divine favor–the privilege of giving birth to the Messiah in Mary’s case. A believer has the same sense of privilege when he shares in Christ’s sufferings. Perhaps Peter understood the meaning of “blessed” from our Lord’s words in Matthew 5:10-12: “Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when men cast insults at you, and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely, on account of Me. Rejoice, and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great.” A believer has the honor of receiving a divine, eternal reward for suffering on Christ’s behalf.

4. A Godly believer is to be ready to provide an answer in all situations: A Godly Christian who can’t carefully, thoughtfully, reasonably, and biblically give a clear explanation for his faith will be insecure when faced with hostility, and might be inclined to doubt his salvation. The enemy’s blows will devastate those who haven’t “put on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet, the hope of salvation” (1 Thess. 5:8).

But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect. 1 Peter 3:15

Ungodly enjoy drawing attention to a sinning Christian because they want to justify their sinful behavior. Therefore all Christians are to live above reproach so any accusation has no valid basis.

5. Scriptures says that that Godly will suffer for being Godly:

1Peter 3:17:It is better, if God should will it so; that you suffer for doing what is right rather than for doing what is wrong.”

1 Peter 4:3-4 :For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do—living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry. They think it strange that you do not plunge with them into the same flood of dissipation, and they heap abuse on you.

Psalm 34:19: A righteous man may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all;

2 Corinthians 4:16-18: Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 1For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

Luke 9:23: Then he said to them all: “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.

2 Timothy 3:12: In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.

1 Peter 4:12-13: Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.

Romans 8:18: I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.

Galations 5:22-23: But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

1 Peter 4:15-16: But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody in other people’s matters.Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter.

2 Timothy 1:12 For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day.

Matthew 5:10-12: Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake,

For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

1 Peter 3:14: But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed. “And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled.”

1 Peter 5:10:But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.

Revelation 2:10: Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.

6. Righteous suffer for many reasons:

1. They suffer for the glory of God: Book of Job; Isa. 48:9-11

2. They Suffer to comfort others: 2 Cor. 1:3-6

3. They Suffer to demonstrate the power of God, the provisions of grace: 2 Cor. 12:8-10

4. They Suffer from spiritual growing pains; the testing that strengthens faith: Deut. 8:1-10; James 1:1-6; 1 Pet. 1:7,8; Rom. 5:3 Faster growth means more frequent testing; there is a refining process: Job. 23:10; Isa. 1:18-27; 1 Pet. 1:7

5. They Suffering to keep down pride: 2 Cor. 12:6,7; Matt. 26:31-75 (the scattering of the disciples)

6. They Suffering to illustrate doctrine (for advanced believers: Book of Hosea

7. They Suffer by association occurs when we have some relationship with someone who is suffering: Rom. 14:7; 1 Cor. 12:26; 1 Chron. 21

8. They Suffer to show the fruit of the Spirit and the results of edification: 2 Cor. 4:6-11

9. They suffer to learn the value of doctrine: Psalm 119:65-72

10. They Suffer as a witness to Christ: 2 Tim. 2:8-12; John 15:18-21; Acts 5:40-42; 1 Cor. 4:9-16

11. They Suffer as a result of exercising a spiritual gift; illustrated by the life of the Apostle Paul

12. They suffer from involvement in spiritual battles, the angelic conflict: Eph. 3:8-13

7. Hope for the Godly: if a believer stays in fellowship with God and grows in Christ consistently, this type of suffering can be a great blessing and an opportunity to witness to other believers and to the unsaved. So no matter what you are going through, God has given you a Comforter to help you.

When Jesus was on this earth He was the Comforter, but now the Comforter is God the Holy Spirit:

Jesus said,” And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Comforter who will never leave you. He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. The world at large cannot receive him, because it isn’t looking for him and doesn’t recognize him. But Godly people do…

No, I will not abandon you as orphans- I will come to you.” (John 14:16-18).

The Godly believers will be obedient to Gods word and his commandments by being self-controlled and sober-minded, abstaining from all evil and evil addictions , loving, hospitable, and using your spiritual gifts for the building up one another. A Godly believer needs to arm himself with a trust in the power of righteousness to triumph over persecution and suffering. During times of hostility, we’re to have confidence, not be in turmoil. A passion for doing good produces a pure life, which should be the goal and delight of every believer.

When we suffer for being Godly we glorify God and Christ our Lord and Savior. Our goal should be of putting Christ & His truth first in our lives shunning all evil things contrary to Gods word.

Godly example: As parents, God holds us fully accountable to faithfully represent His authority and standards for more than just providing food, shelter, and protection. The best way to raise godly children is, by parents being godly and setting and living as a Godly example. There is always a success and rewards in parenting in Godly ways. Because of the grace of God, the Christian is quite capable of exercising self-control in overcoming the passions of the flesh. There is no sin habit which cannot be overcome. The thoughts and emotions are under the Christians control. One can block out certain thoughts and emotions, killing the passions of the flesh.

As parents, we need to teach our children to seek godly character, for themselves, and in those with whom they would associate. Along with loving God and being a godly example by committing ourselves to His commands, we need to “Repeat them again and again to our children. Talk about them when we are at home and when we are away on a journey, when we are lying down and when we are getting up again. Tie them to our hands as a reminder, and wear them on our forehead. Write them on the doorposts of our house and on our gates” (Deuteronomy 6:7-9). As a Parent we need to be the reflectors of God to our children by teaching our children’s the statues , the commandments and the laws of the God so that our children’s we see by our words and actions and by our examples. As Christian parents we need to always stand up for doing right in everything we do. Good parenting begins with our right relationship with God. If we aren’t right with Him, we simply cannot be and are not the right kind of parents. As parents we shape our children’s attitudes, actions, behaviour and associations. It’s a Parents responsibility whether his family members are clothed with humility, pure, righteous and holy.

Parents need to warn and explain to their children that Satan is the god of this sinful world (2nd Corinthians 4:4). Children need to be taught that the Devil is a liar, but appears deceitfully as an honest person (Matthew 7:15). The Devil is a fallen angel of darkness; but he deceitfully appears to people as an angel of light from Heaven (2nd Corinthians 11:13,14). There are so many Parents in the Bible such as Noah, Abraham, Job, Joseph, Jacob, Jephthah, Eunice, Hannah, Aaron etc.

The ungodly example: The ungodly Parents think according to worldly and they compromise according to the pleasures to the world and they do not avoids anything that would pollute their home and family like smoking, drinking, drugs, sexual immorality, ungodly people, bad television programs which is based on immorality, violence etc., being workaholic and neglecting their primary duties inside the family. Many professing Christians Parents are living spiritually defeated lives because of their addictions such as smoking, drugs and alcohol,pornography,gambling,bad televesions programs, Ungodly relationships, adulterous living etc. They knew it was wrong and because they could not overcome it they were affected spiritually. As a result they tried to justify their sin gradually develop a rebellious spirit. They destroy the testimony for Christ because they were controlled by their addiction and could not seem to overcome it and they can’t be a real soul winner for Christ. Our bodies, mind and heart are to be clean and free of any sinful habit wholly dedicated to our Lord. Holy Spirit controls our actions in our life if we walk by the Spirit of God and the Holy Bible will keep us away from sin. If we do not completely surrender to the Holy sprit, the evil spirit will have chance to corrupt our lifestyles. If Parents have any kind of bad addiction chances are more that their children’s will have same sort of addictions.Childrens watch and learn behavior from their parents. They repeat what their parents say and do. Many parents smoke or drink alcohol in front of their children which results directly or indirectly a bad witness for Christ and bad example for their childrens as well as around other believers. Some parents mistakenly believe that it is not harmful to smoke if they do it with a window open or after their children are asleep. A child’s exposure to passive smoke is about three times higher than a peer in a non-smoking family if the father smokes but is raised by more than six times if the mother does and by almost nine-fold if both parents light up. Some Parents even say that there is nothing wrong and they all grew up in such environment and they say that the children need to get immunity for smoking or any filthy addiction.

For them this is what the scriptures say:

Matthew 15:8 This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.

Matthew 12:35 A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things.

Romans 1:21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.

Ephesians 4:18 Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart

Psalms 12:2 They speak vanity every one with his neighbour: with flattering lips and with a double heart do they speak.

Acts 28:26-27 Saying, Go unto this people, and say, Hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and not perceive: For the heart of this people is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes have they closed; lest they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.

Second hand smoke from cigarettes harms not just the smoker, but family, friends and co-workers. The Bible says we are to love our neighbor. Jesus said that loving one’s neighbor was next to loving one’s parents “Honor thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself” (Matthew 19:19 ). Romans 13:10 teaches us that “Love worketh no ill to his neighbour.” It is certainly not an act of love to smoke around other people exposing them to the deadly effects of cigarette smoke.Childrens do not need to get immunity for bad things but for Good things. Our society and families have become desensitized to sin .If we live a bad example before our children and If we do not train our children in godly ways, we lack confidence in our ability to shape our children & give up on our responsibilities to morally cultivate our children. We abandon them to others for spiritual instruction. We pridefully busy ourselves in other activities and jobs. We spoil our children for control. We do not consistently discipline our children. This is the false way of Christian parenting.

No wonder our children are confused about right and wrong when parents degrade the sanctity of marriage by living together out of wedlock. Children are their parents mirror.

There are parents who teach their children to shoplift and put them up to stealing from others. There are parents that purchase alcohol for their underage teens and let them drink at home with their friends because they feel it is safer for them than to be out doing it elsewhere. There are parents who have addiction with alcohol or drugs or tobacco etc actually engage in drinking or using such things with their teens. There are parents who take their children along to adult parties where others are drinking and using drugs. They feel that as long as their children are with them they are good parents. Wrong! There are some parents who teach and encourage their children to lie. A good example of this is parents who try to use their children as a source of income such as those who try to get disability benefits by having their children fake emotional or behavior disorders.

To prosper in parenting duties, a parent, must recognize their sinful behavior right away, then confess it, and most importantly forsake it. We’ll easily overcome the traps of bad parenting with the help of God’s wisdom when we forget our ways and cling to Gods ways, by obeying God and living Godly lives in every area of our life & to be a good influence around our families, childrens.When our Parenting is on Gods word Our Families will prosper , our society and their by our nation prospers!

http://cavemancircus.com/2009/12/11/20-examples-of-bad-parenting/

http://www.christian-parents.net/family/F101_Successful_Parenting.htm

Proverbs 4:5-9 ……. Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or swerve from them. Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you. Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding. Esteem her, and she will exalt you; embrace her, and she will honor you. She will set a garland of grace on your head and present you with a crown of splendor.”

Proverbs 8:10-11, 17, 23-35 ……. Choose my instruction instead of silver, knowledge rather than choice gold, for wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire can compare with her. I love those who love me, and those who seek me find me.

Proverbs 8:23-35 …….  I (Wisdom) was appointed from eternity, from the beginning, before the world began. When there were no oceans, I was given birth, when there were no springs abounding with water; before the mountains were settled in place, before the hills, I was given birth, before he made the earth or its fields or any of the dust of the world. I (Wisdom) was there when he set the heavens in place, when he marked out the horizon on the face of the deep, when he established the clouds above  and fixed securely the fountains of the deep, when he gave the sea its boundary so the waters would not overstep his command, and when he marked out the foundations of the earth. Then I was the craftsman at his (God’s) side.  I (Wisdom) was filled with delight day after day, rejoicing always in his presence, rejoicing in his whole world and delighting in mankind. “Now then, my sons, listen to me;  blessed are those who keep my ways. Listen to my instruction and be wise; do not ignore it. Blessed is the man who listens to me, watching daily at my doors, waiting at my doorway. For whoever finds me (Wisdom) finds life and receives favor from the LORD.

Proverbs 9:10 ……. “The fear of the LORD (reverence for God) is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

James 1:5 ……. If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.

Jeremiah 29:12-13 ……. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

Matthew 7:7-8 ……. “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.

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 make your paths straight.

Psalm 145:17-19 ……. The LORD is righteous in all his ways and loving toward all he has made. The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.  (you respond to Him according to the revealed truth in the Bible)  He fulfills the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cry and saves them. (from the penalty of sin – eternal separation from God — Hell)

John 5:24 ……. “I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him (God) who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life.

1 Timothy 1:15-16 ……. (Paul writes) Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life.

Romans 10:8-10 ……. But what does it say? “The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,”  that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming: That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved

1 John 4:14-16 ……. And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in him and he in God. And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him.

2 Corinthians 4:13-15 ……. It is written: “I believed; therefore I have spoken.” With that same spirit of faith we also believe and therefore speak, because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead (God) will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you in his presence. All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.  AMEN!!!

For more “Wisdom” go to nuggetsofwisdom.us