Children and Foolishness

Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child; The rod of correction will drive it far from him. (Proverbs 22:15 NKJV).

Children just naturally do silly, careless things, but a good spanking will teach them how to behave. (Proverbs 22:15 GNT). 

The word of God says a good spanking will teach children how to behave. I believe this is about reasonable chastisement. If you are a reader or follower of the blog, and you live in England, the law of the country discourages children to be chastised in an unreasonable manner and there must not be a mark on the child.

Parents are sometimes issued with a PPRC  (Person Who Poses Risk to Children) conviction and they would not be allowed to work with children and you will be exempted from some jobs. How do we balance this law with the Word of God?

Teach children how they should live, and they will remember it (Proverbs 22:6) 

Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it (Proverbs 22:6).

Enjoy the rest of your week.

Myss Lafunky. 

Photo credit: https://safeharbor1.wordpress.com/

Who Are You Learning From?

People learn from one another, just as iron sharpens iron. (Proverbs 27:17 GNT).

Take heed whom you converse with. Let those who influence you make you better and wiser.

Iron cutting tools are made bright, sharp and fit for use by rubbing them against another iron. Without rubbing them with another iron, they are likely to be dull. Therefore, when you are in the company of godly friends, your spirit will be revived, you will be refreshed and you will become wiser.

A man that has friends must show himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticks closer than a brother  (Proverbs 18:24).

Don't be alone, learn to relate with godly people.

- Myss Lafunky
Photo credit: http://www.newlifeoakwood.org/

In What Areas Do You Need To Develop Self-Control?

A person without self-control is like a city whose walls are broken through.

A person without self-control is like a city with broken-down walls.

A person who does not control his temper is like a city whose wall is broken down. 

Like a city breach without a wall, so is an impatient man. 

(Proverbs 25:28)

Rick Warren, a teacher of the Word of God wrote this about self-control:

People with self-control master their moods. They do not let their moods master them. Most of what gets done in the world is accomplished by people who do the right thing even when they don't feel like it: "A person without self-control is like a city with broken-down walls." (Proverbs 25:28, NLT)

People with self-control watch their words. They put their minds in gear before opening their mouths: "Be careful what you say and protect your life. A careless talker destroys himself." (Proverbs 13:3, TEV)

People with self-control restrain their reactions. How much can you take before you lose your cool? "If you are sensible, you will control your temper. When someone wrongs you, it is a great virtue to ignore it." (Proverbs 19:11, TEV)

People with self-control stick to their schedule. If you don't determine how you will spend your time, then others will decide for you: "Be very careful, then, how you live--not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil." (Ephesians 5:15-16, NIV)

People with self-control manage their money. They learn to live on less than what they make and they invest the difference. The value of a budget is that it tells your money where you want it to go rather than wondering where it went! "In the house of the wise are stores of choice food and oil, but a foolish man devours all he has." (Proverbs 21:20, NIV)

People with self-control maintain their health. That way they can accomplish more and enjoy their achievements: "Learn to appreciate and give dignity to your body ...." (1 Thessalonians 4:4, MSG)

In what areas do you need to develop self-control? The disciplines you establish today will determine your success tomorrow.

But it takes more than just willpower for lasting self-control. It takes a power greater than yourself: "For the Spirit that God has given us does not make us timid; instead, his Spirit fills us with power, love, and self-control." (2 Timothy 1:7, TEV) "

In what area of your life do you need to practise self-control?

There is no Christianity without self-control.

Enjoy the rest of your week

Myss Lafunky

Reference: (http://rickwarren.org/devotional/english/developing-biblical-self-control) 
www.psychologytoday.com

Sufferings:The Promise We Didn't Bargain For

Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble (Job 14:1)

Yes, and all who DESIRE to live GODLY in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution (2 Timothy 3:12).

From the above scriptures, it is clear that sufferings are promised for believers that choose to live godly in Christ Jesus, there are no exemptions and there are no exceptions. It does not suggest that you have sinned or you are a bad person, or God is punishing you for a previous sin that you had committed.

Jesus does not want us to be surprised when we experience sufferings. He said: "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 5:10).  He also said that, "A servant is not greater than his master; if they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you" (John 15:20). Nonetheless, He said, the promise of our sufferings is not given to us to be discouraged from walking in the path of godliness; it is to prepare us for whatever difficulties that we would experience in this Christian journey and to build us up so as to be Christ-like.

Jesus said that "I have told you these things, so that you can have peace because of me. In this world you will have trouble. But cheer up! I have won the battle over the world." (John 16:33 NIRV). Jesus Christ had won the battle and He has deposited in you the power to win the battle.

James, the brother of Jesus must have had his own share of sufferings before he could encourage us in his opening line in the book of James 1, which states:

"My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing (James 1:2-4 KJV)."

The suffering is part of our growth process. Did you know that every believer has experienced hard times and sufferings? Unless they are new born babies or perhaps children. 

The book of 2 Corinthians 4:8-10 mentioned the role of sufferings in the life of a Christian, it states:

"We are pushed hard from all sides. But we are not beaten down. We are bewildered. But that doesn't make us lose hope.

We always carry around the death of Jesus in our bodies. In that way, the life of Jesus can be shown in our bodies." 

The benefit of being a Christian is that, you can ask the Holy Spirit for wisdom and power to manage the sufferings.

Apostle Paul told us that God would calm ours fears and ease our spirits. He reminded us that we are not in charge of ourselves but rather God is in charge of us. He encouraged us to place our worries and sufferings in the hands of God, and trust that God through Jesus Christ would walk with us through whatever sufferings came our way (Philippians 4:6-7). 

Have you gone through sufferings? Do you know anyone who has gone through terrible times? It could be the death of a loved ones, miscarriages, unexpected divorce, separation, breakup, failure, delay, etc? 

Be encouraged! I pray we would all find comfort and rest in God even in our most difficult times in Jesus name.

If you are living a life that is pleasing to God and you are experiencing sufferings, it means that you are precisely where Jesus predicted you would be.  He knows exactly what you are going through and He would see you through.

If you are experiencing sufferings, depend on God and find a trusted Christian to pray with you and to encourage you.

There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it (1 Corinthians 10:13). 

- Myss Lafunky

Enjoy your weekend!

If you have any questions, please, feel free to send an email to trulymakingadifference@gmail.com

Photo credit: www.secureandstrong.com

How to Abide in Christ - Part 1

Hi Readers & Followers,

Recently, I was given an opportunity to preach about who we are in Christ to a group of believers in church.  The Holy Spirit led me to preach on the topic 'Abiding in Christ'. Since, you were not all present during my teaching; I would like to exhort you with the same teaching.

I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Abide in Me, and I in you.

What does it mean to abide in Christ? 

- To abide is: to dwell somewhere, it means to stay, to be situated within, to inhabit something, to live. 

- God wants you to dwell with Him, God wants you to live in Him. 

***Abiding in Christ, therefore, means to draw supernatural strength from the presence of the Lord and walk moment by moment in the leading of His Spirit** (alookintomymind.wordpress.com/2012/08/07/abide-in-christ/).

Why do You need to abide in Christ? 

Jesus laid emphasis on the importance of abiding in Him in verse 4, 5, 6 and 7 of John 15:1-8. God's Word Bible translation explains it in a clearer manner, it says: "Live in me, and I will live in you. A branch cannot produce any fruit by itself. It has to stay attached to the vine. 

In the same way, you cannot produce fruit unless you live in me. “I am the vine. You are the branches. Those who live in me while I live in them will produce a lot of fruit. But you can’t produce anything without me. 

Whoever does not live in me is thrown away like a branch and dries up. Branches like this are gathered, thrown into a fire, and burned (John 15:4-6 GW)."

When You abide in Christ: 1) It helps you to stay closer to God, 2) You will be able to live a life that He expects you to live 3) A holy life, 4) An acceptable life unto Him, 5) A focused life, 6) A life free of worries, 7) A life full of positive thoughts 8) Your prayers would be in line with His Word, 8) You would be clear about His purpose for your lives.

-  God expects you to only abide in Jesus Christ as the true vine. It's a commandment from God, He said the only way that you can be put right with Him is for you to live according to the ways of Jesus Christ.

How Do You Abide in Christ?

1) Lay aside self-dependence and rely on Christ. In John 15:1-5, Jesus introduced Himself as the vine and we are the branches. He wants you to rely on Him totally.

Before you can rely on God, you must first lay aside every weight and sin that easily besets you and then look unto Christ- lay aside everything that slows you down..could it be your use of Internet, your work? Hebrews 12:1

- In the account of Simon Peter and Andrew (Mark 1:16-18), Jesus told them to follow Him as He was going to make them fishers of men. The Bible recorded that, they immediately left their nets and followed Him. This suggests that they left their weights and followed Christ.

Are you aware of the weights that are affecting you from abiding in Christ? Could it be laziness, not managing your time very well, trusting more in your own ability than of God, etc.

After you have laid aside those weights, you then need to trust in God. Proverbs 3:5 says that you should trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways, acknowledge Him and He will direct your steps. Learn to trust in God with every little thing. Let God be your burden bearer, let Him be your friend.

The trust should not be temporarily, it should be forever. The Bible says in Isaiah 26:4 that you should trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is our everlasting rock.

Trusting in God would strengthen your faith in Him, it would also help you to be humble as you would appreciate what God is doing and what He has done. 

The Hymn-writer said that: trust and obey, for there is no other way to be happy in Jesus but to trust and obey.

The Bible says in Jeremiah 17:7 that blessed are those who trust in the Lord and have the Lord their hope and confidence.

Summary 1: God abides in those that put their trust in Him at all times and those that lay aside their own wisdom.

2) Cultivate a relationship with Christ: To cultivate is to foster the growth of something. Purposely and consciously foster your growth. Philippians 2:12 says that you should work out your salvation with fear and trembling. Let's read the amplified version.

"Therefore, my dear ones, as you have always obeyed [my suggestions], so now, not only [with the enthusiasm you would show] in my presence but much more because I am absent, work out (cultivate, carry out to the goal, and fully complete) your own salvation with reverence and awe and trembling (self-distrust, with serious caution, tenderness of conscience, watchfulness against temptation, timidly shrinking from whatever might offend God and discredit the name of Christ). (Philippians 2:12 AMP)"

A) Start believing that Christ is already residing in you - He is not far away from you or He is not only residing with someone that has been Born Again for 20 years. 

B) Create time to know God through reading your bible and prayer. Do not neglect God's Word. The secret to abiding in Christ is studying the Word, and practising the Word of God. 

David said in Psalm 119:11 that Thy word have I hidden in my heart that I may not sin against thee. How precious is the word of God to you? What are you hiding in your heart?

Sometimes laziness may affect our reading and prayer lives but we must make a conscious effort to study the bible individually or with other believers.

Remember Jesus Christ? When he was on earth, He took time away to fellowship with his father (Read Luke 5:16

 Matthew 14:23). 

C) Spend time with those you admire their relationship with Christ. Jesus spent time with God, Elisha spent time with Elijah, Gehazi spent time with Elisha, Timothy spent time with Paul, Paul spent time with Aquilla and Priscilla. As you follow them or look upto them, remember to always cross check everything with the Word of God.

Watch out for Part 2 of this post. It has been published on the blog.

- Myss Lafunky

Photo credits: https://http://blogs.blueletterbible.org/

http://abideinchristministries.org/
cargocollective.com
alookintomymind.wordpress.com

How to Abide in Christ: Part 2

Continuation of how to Abide in Christ. Part 2. Happy Reading!


3) Walk in the Holy Spirit. Galatians 5:25 states that if we live by the Spirit, let us also behave in accordance with the Spirit. Paul was admonishing us that if it is the Holy Spirit that convicted us to believe in Jesus Christ, therefore, we ought to live a life that is guided by the Holy Spirit.

To walk in the Holy Spirit is to depend on God to guide you, for your conduct to be guided by Him, to be conscious to involve the Holy Spirit at all times in every area of your lives. You have free access to him (Romans 5:2) and He is in your heart (Ezekiel 36:26-27).

Make it a conscious effort to inquire from God when you are not clear about anything:

  

- Look at Moses (Numbers 27:1-5: daughters of Zelophehad). When Moses was not clear about the request of the girls, he immediately consulted God.

- When David was not clear on what to do, he immediately asked God if he should go and attack the Philistines; he asked God over and over again (1 Samuel 23:1-4).

- Even when it appears good, be conscious of the Spirit of God inside you. Remember the disciples of Jesus Christ? The book of Acts 16:6 says that when Paul and Silas travelled through the area of Phrygia and Galatia, the Holy Spirit prevented them from preaching in the province of Asia. Would you ever believe the Holy Spirit can prevent you from doing what may appear good to you or your friends and family?

- Before choosing Jesus chose his disciples, he went to a mountainside to pray and he spent a whole night to pray and after he had prayed, he chose his disciples ( Luke 6:12-14).

4) Let your light shines at all times: God expects your light to shine before others (regardless of who they are), that they may see your good works and glorify God in heaven (Matthew 5:16). God expects you to dwell in Him by living a life which is influenced by what He is daily teaching you so that the glory will go back to Him and for others to know about your Christian faith. Is your light shinning or is it dim?

Check out 1 John 2:9-11, God recently taught me the importance of this scripture. God said if we hate others, we are walking in darkness, we are not part of His family. Oh dear! May God reveal the state of our hearts to us.

5) Do not conform to the world (Romans 12:1-2).  Let the Word of God be your standard.

Let the Word of God define the way you talk, the way you reason, the way you relate with others, and the way you act. Let it not be the law of the country or the media that controls how you live your life.

God already knows that some people would conform to the standards of this world, hence He pleaded with us not to conform as He knows the danger of it.

God also encouraged us not to conform to the extravagant lifestyle, things that lead to vanity and pride, way of dressing, ways of speaking that people that are not born again engage in. He wants His Word to control you.

1 John 2:16 -17 in GNT says that: Not everything that the world offers—physical gratification, greed, and extravagant lifestyles—comes from the Father. It comes from the world, and the world and its evil desires are passing away. But the person who does what God wants lives forever (1 John 2:16-17 GW).

Are you going to abide in Christ so that you can live forever? 

Summary

1) Lay aside self-dependence and rely on God.

2) Cultivate a relationship with Christ.

3) Walk in the Spirit.

4) Let your light shines.

5) Do not conform to the world but let the Word of God directs you.

In conclusion

Live every moment with the expectation that the Lord is coming in the very minutes. Would it meet you when you are abiding in Him or when you have fallen? 

Allow God to help you. He is always ready to help you.

Hold unto your faith in God, hold unto holiness even until the end.

Do not let what is happening in the world influence your way of life. Let the word of God be your guide.

Have a lifestyle that always want to please God.

Don't live a second with sin and don't procrastinate when to confess your sins, if you fall into sin, confess it immediately, remember we have full access to Christ as born again Christians. 

God said, "He that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved."

Are you going to abide in Christ unto the end? 

Prayers

1) I will abide in Christ to the end in Jesus name.

2) The coming of the Lord Jesus Christ will find me at the right place in Jesus name.

3) I shall not conform to the standard of the world but of God in Jesus name.

- Myss Lafunky

Photo credit: http://bestonlineplace.blogspot.com
cargocollective.com

Would You Give Forgiveness a Chance?

It's June 2015. Happy New Month to all my readers and followers.  Thank you for being part of Myss Lafunky's blogspot. If you have any questions or need counselling, please send a message to trulymakingadifference@gmail.com.

This week's post is about forgiveness. The Bible says in Ephesians 4:32 that we should be kind and forgive each other as God has forgiven us through Christ. Jesus also told us in the book of Luke 17:4-5 that "Even if they sin against you seven times in a day and seven times come back to you saying, 'I repent,' you MUST FORGIVE THEM." The apostles said to the Lord, "Increase our faith!"

How easy is it to forgive those that offend us? Which is more difficult, to be the one who needs to forgive or to be the one who needs to be forgiven?

Meet Jessica and Andrew . . .

Jessica and Andrew are still angry that their baby died due to the doctor's negligence; they plan to sue the Hospital. Every time they look at their baby's picture, it brings bitterness and anger to their minds.

Meet Sarah . . .

Sarah has continued to be angry about two things 1) Her best friend secretly chose the same wedding date as her, 2) Sarah found out when she saw the wedding invitation cards in her best friend's bag.

Meet Adam . . . 

Adam is hurt that his ex-girlfriend spread false rumours to their friends that they broke up because they had engaged in sexual immorality acts; albeit, Adam said he never engaged in any sexual acts with his ex, he broke up with her because of personal circumstances.

Adam is feeling bitter towards his ex-girlfriend, he feels he can never forgive her for spoiling his name among their friends and families.

Meet Noah . . . 

Noah is still angry that his father separated from his mother; he has refused for his father to associate with his own family.

Meet Lisa . . .

Lisa is struggling to forgive herself for living a wayward life when she was a teenager. She is ashamed to talk about her past; whenever she remembers the past, she self-harm.

Jessica, Andrew, Sarah, Adam, Noah and Lisa are Born-Again Christians; they are struggling to let go of the hurts that they had experienced. They are also struggling to implement the teaching of Jesus Christ that I quoted above, where Jesus told his disciples that they must forgive over and over again.

What's your attitude toward forgiveness?

My experience: I was offended by two people's action, whenever I saw them, I felt angry and I remembered the very reason why I was angry with them. There was a time that I was in a gathering with my Christian friends and I was told to pray for the two people that had offended me, although the person that asked me to pray was not aware of my bitterness towards those two people. I struggled to pray for them. I became broken, I knelt down and I wept, I said to my friends that I could not pray for those people as I was angry with them, I told my friends to say a prayer of mercy to Jesus on my behalf and I openly said a prayer of forgiveness, and I thanked God for revealing the state of my heart to me.

Has someone's conduct upset you? Can you identify with Jessica, Andrew and others? Ask the Holy Spirit to help you to forgive and to let go of every hurt. You have to remember that when you forgive those that have hurt you, you are not doing it for them, you are doing it for yourself so that you can be free of bitterness, anger and resentment.

The disciples must have known that forgiveness was difficult, hence they told Jesus to increase their faith.

A few things to learn about forgiveness

Forgiveness does not make what happened right; all it means is that you have made a conscious decision not to let it control your life. By forgiving the person, you reclaim your peace of mind and you are obeying the Word of God.

Forgiveness can be hard if the offender refuses to acknowledge what had happened. Nonetheless, as a Christian, Jesus expects you to still forgive. Jesus is telling us that denying forgiveness to the offender will hurt us more than it hurts them.

Forgiveness depends on the person that is hurt not the offender. Although if you have offended someone, for peace sake, Jesus expects you to humble yourself by apologising and not repeat the same offence again.

Forgiveness is easier when you recognise that Jesus Christ has forgiven you for all your sins and He daily forgives you by His Grace.

Your willingness to forgive will enable you to have a closer relationship with Jesus Christ, one which is free of guilt, sin, unforgiveness, etc. Jesus Christ instructed us to daily build into our prayers a request for God to forgive us in the same way we have forgiven others who have hurt us (Matthew 6:12).

Jesus sees it as hypocritical and false if you ask Him to forgive you of your sins, yet you are purposely not forgiving others of their hurt towards you.

As a Christian, Jesus expects you to live differently in comparison to how other people are living, He expects you to live a life of holiness, a peaceful life and a life that is guided by Him so that He can lead you right even until the day He calls you to reign with Him in Eternity.

Ask the Lord Jesus to search your heart and show you if there is any unforgiveness blocking His blessings in your life. Also, ask Jesus to teach you more about the power and gift of forgiveness.

It's time to do a self-assessment, who is that person that has offended you and you are still hurt? 

Are you going to give forgiveness a chance?

Prayers

A) Lord Jesus, increase my faith to forgive others and to forgive myself for all the wrong things that I have done.

B) Lord Jesus, I need Your touch right now. I can't seem to forget the harm that has been done to me. I am wallowing in pain, in anger and in bitterness. I know you have called me to forgive every single person that upsets me. I need your strength and help to forgive. I am done with holding grudges. Forgive me Lord for holding on to them (Amen).

- Myss Lafunky

Photo credit: http://christianfamilyinstitute.com/