"If God can empower me to rise above my circumstances, what more can He do in the lives of people who have use of their arms and legs?! Perhaps my artwork will encourage them [you] to trust in Christ, reach for His grace, and rise above their [your] circumstances, too! .....
Friend, every natural and supernatural gift you posses is intended by God to strengthen others. So thank you for using your gifts as together we give the joy and hope of Jesus to those who need Him most."-Joni [http://www.joniandfriends.org/blog/joni-christmas-cards-message/]
4 comments:
Actually, as Christians, we're not supposed to "rise above our circumstances", but rather be content with whatever state we find ourselves in (Philippians 4:11), recognizing that it is part of God's refining process for us.
I agree brother. And yet Paul also said: " Were you a bondservant when called? Do not be concerned about it. (But if you can gain your freedom, avail yourself of the opportunity.)"
(1 Corinthians 7:21 ESV)
I love Christ first. And yet I can live godly as I work hard to achieve great things in this life for the Lord and His pleasure. Yet, if Jesus calls me to be a slave to another person, and give up all my rights, then I would do this for Him, with much flesh kicking and fighting, unless His grace overwhelms me, and my flesh subsides altogether.
I know my Savior lives, and has made me His own, and one day I shall be with Him, and there in His courts I will abide with joy beyond any joy I have ever tasted, and love as deep as I never thought possible, but always desired.
"O to grace how great a debtor
Daily I’m constrained to be!
Let Thy goodness, like a fetter,
Bind my wandering heart to Thee.
Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it,
Prone to leave the God I love;
Here’s my heart, O take and seal it,
Seal it for Thy courts above."-Robert Robinson
Thanks for stopping by!
This is an interesting discussion on rising above your circumstances. As I understand it, this process does not necessarily conflict with godly contentment (Phil. 4:11), but is in fact, an affirmation of the same verse. The way I understand this phrase, it means that we do not place our trust in temporal things. It means that we do not idolize finances or feelings. It's a "this world is not my home" mentality.
On the other hand, I can see how people will use the phrase "rising above circumstances" to mean something different. And if that is the case, I could agree with Martus. Nevertheless, I know you better than that, Sandman. And I know that you have not bought into the prosperity heresy, so I default back to your comments and my first paragraph.
"It's a "this world is not my home" mentality."
Amen Craver.
If our Savior wants to make me rich, then I will hopefully be humble, and be very generous. In a way i am very rich, if you compare me to our brothers and sisters in Haiti, who live in huts with dirt floors. And so many other Christians all over the world.
Our sovereign Lord blesses as He sees fit to do. His will be done. And he does have a call for His Church, doesn't He.
We are to be light, and so shine in a dark world. The shining is simply Christ in us.
We also need to be salt. The salt is for keeping good meat from turning rotten. God uses us to bring others into the kingdom, and He uses us to help fellow Christians to be encouraged and blessed.
The Gospel is what life is all about. And yet, God doesn't mind if we have things and enjoy them.
But, if someone wants to never own anything, then go for it.
Actually that could be the easier way to go, in a lot of ways.
It's a HUGE subject Craver, and I'll have to do some posts on it.
But for now, check this vid out, and read the quotes as well. Some good ones. Even though they are not as Reformed as I like.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ePwMcrkgPs
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