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God’s Provision: Release Worry and Anxiety

Posted by Krystal Simpson Live Joyfully, Trust In God 4 Comments

Uncertainty and a sense of lack can cause us to worry and feel anxious, but as children of God, we are not supposed to feel chained to stress and anxiety. God’s provisions allow us to release worry and anxiety as He desires us to lead a life of assurance despite uncertainties. We can break free from fear and anxiety by embracing God’s unwavering commitment to provide peace, provision, and purpose for every aspect of life. This article explores the unshakable promise of God’s divine provision.

Worries tend to take root in our minds, robbing us of joy and peace. We worry about money, sickness, family, and countless other things. With the power of God’s promise, we can embrace His unwavering commitment to provide for every aspect of our lives. We need to know how. Our journey begins by understanding the depth and scope of God’s promise of provision, which extends far beyond mere material needs.

Imagine waking up every morning with a lightness in your heart, knowing that no matter the challenges, you have a divine safety net of provision waiting to catch you. This safety net is not just wishful thinking or an empty promise but a reality that can transform your outlook on life. God has promised to care for his children, and we must graciously accept His loving kindness.

Let Go Of Worry And Anxiety By Understanding God’s Promise Of Provision.

To understand God’s promise of provision, we must first let go of worry and anxiety. By doing so, we open our hearts and minds to the abundance God has in store. One of the scriptures that comes to mind is Philippians 4:19, “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”

God's Provision- Promise to supply all your needs

We must learn to embrace this scripture, which means we fully understand who supplies our needs and what He promises to supply. God promises to provide all of our needs, not some, everything. That is good news. If having our needs met relied on our strength, then there may be cause to worry because we are limited. But if we genuinely believe that God will supply our needs, then we need to determine what those needs are. After we define our needs, we can let go of our worry and anxiety because we know God’s got it, and He is limitless.

We only need a relationship with God to communicate our needs in prayer, and we need faith. It should be comforting to know that God’s provision is not contingent upon our efforts or abilities but on His unwavering love and care.

Letting go of worry and anxiety is not a passive act but an intentional choice to trust in God’s faithfulness and ability rather than our own. In doing so, we acknowledge that we surrender by recognizing that we are not in control but that God is and will provide for our every need. This act of surrender takes work. It goes against our nature to relinquish control and trust in someone else’s plan. But only when we embrace this mindset can we find true freedom from the burden of worry and anxiety. We must do four things:

Replace Worry and Anxiety With Contentment and Gratitude
Embrace God’s Divine Plan
Embrace God’s Perfect Timing
Pursue God’s Will and Guidance.

Replace Worry and Anxiety With Contentment and Gratitude

We all experience both highs and lows in life. At times, everything may seem to go smoothly, but there will also be moments when it’s tempting to worry. Paul, who wrote from prison, reminds us in Philippians 4:11 that we should learn to be content regardless of our situation.

When we worry or become anxious, we must challenge those negative thoughts by remembering to be content and grateful. We cannot allow the enemy to dominate our thought life. Instead, we must take our thoughts captive and remember that we serve a mighty God who can send breakthroughs (2 Corinthians 10:5). The enemy may try to convince us of every worst-case scenario. Still, God has instructed us to resist the enemy and cause him to flee (James 4:7). We must take our thoughts captive and remember that we serve a mighty God who can send breakthroughs and miracles.

Amid our storms, we must take the time to remember who our God is. The God we serve sent food, called manna, from Heaven to feed the Israelites in the desert, caused water to flow from a rock, and gave land to His people (Nehemiah 9:15). He commanded a Raven to feed the prophet during a drought (1 Kings 17:4). He gave Solomon wisdom (1 Kings 4:29-30). He sent His Son to rescue us (John 3:16).

Gods-Provision-of-grace-and-all-things-scripture

When we shift our focus away from what we lack, we can pay more attention and become thankful for what God has provided in the past, as written in the Bible, but also in our lives. Taking the time to exchange worries and fears with contentment and gratitude helps us become attuned to the many blessings surrounding us. Developing an attitude of gratitude opens our hearts to receive more of God’s blessings and enables us to live in a relaxed state of contentment and joy.

Embrace God’s Divine Plan

Although we would never wish for difficult times, we will inevitably encounter them and must learn to relinquish our fears and worries and trust God’s Divine plans. Surrendering to God and wholeheartedly trusting in His plan is not a one-time event but a daily practice of unwavering faith.

Trusting in God’s plan is not always easy. We tend to want things to happen on our schedule and according to our desires. However, when we trust God, we acknowledge He sees the bigger picture and knows what is best for us and when it is best for us.

By letting go of worry and anxiety, we can live in the liberating embrace of God’s provision. When we stop worrying, we free ourselves from unnecessary concerns and fears, allowing us to fully experience the peace and joy that comes from relying on His faithfulness. Although it may require conscious effort and intentional reminders, the practice of surrender and trust can become ingrained in our lives.

Living a life of faith means having unwavering trust in God, even when circumstances seem uncertain or challenging. Like when Sarah was too old to have children, we have to place our confidence in God’s promises, knowing He is always faithful to deliver (Hebrews 11:11).

Embrace God’s Perfect Timing

There may be times when we feel impatient or uncertain. We might wonder why things aren’t happening as fast as we’d like or why particular doors remain closed. But in those moments, we need to remind ourselves of God’s faithfulness and how He has provided for us in the past. In doing so, we embrace patience and surrender control, trusting that God’s timing always aligns with our highest good.

Trusting in God’s timing doesn’t mean sitting around and waiting for things to happen. It means taking action and doing our part while surrendering to His guidance. We must proactively pursue our goals and dreams while believing He will open doors and orchestrate circumstances in His perfect timing.

When we trust God’s timing, we no longer need to rush or force things to happen. We can let go of our anxiety and embrace the peace that comes with knowing He is in control. Finding contentment in the present moment helps us to relax, knowing that each step we take leads us closer to His purpose for our lives.

Pursue God’s Will and Guidance

Rather than worry and live a life of anxiety, we must develop a deeper intimacy with God to become attuned to His voice and gentle nudges, leading us closer to the path He has set before us. As we surrender our worries and anxieties, we allow His peace and grace to fill our hearts. Through this connection with Him, we find strength and confidence in knowing that we are not alone, for He is always with us.

In seeking His will and guidance, we also find clarity and direction in uncertainty. Rather than relying on our limited understanding, we trust God’s infinite wisdom to lead us down the right path, allowing us to confidently make decisions, knowing that we are following His divine plan for our lives. Through this active pursuit of God’s direction, we deepen our connection and align ourselves with His purpose. We can encounter God when we pursue His will.

As we follow God’s will and guidance, we position ourselves for a life of faith and gratitude, which helps us find peace and contentment within ourselves and become a source of His love and provision in a world that desperately needs it. We free ourselves from trying to figure everything out independently and find fulfillment in His divine plan.

As we learn to live a life free of worry and anxiety and embrace God’s promise of provision, we become agents of positivity and hope. Our faith and gratitude become contagious, inspiring others to seek the same peace and reassurance we have found in God. As we embrace this way of life, we experience a deepened relationship with our Creator and become beacons of light, leading others toward His provision and promises.

A Prayer To Let Go Of Worry and Anxiety

By comprehending God’s steadfast commitment to providing for us, we can liberate ourselves from the hold of anxiety and fear that usually hinder our lives. Let us pray to release all worries and anxious thoughts so that we can have complete faith in God’s impeccable plan and timing as we rest assured that He is orchestrating everything for our greater good.

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Overcoming Expectations: Put Faith in God

Posted by Krystal Simpson Live Joyfully, Have Faith Leave a Comment

There is a subtle yet significant difference between having expectations and having faith. As I went through my week, God reminded me how often our expectations can set us up for disappointment and needless negative feelings that He does not want us to have. I believe God wants to show us the importance of faith as we learn to let go of our limiting expectations.

Faith is believing even when we can’t see. It’s trusting that God has a plan for our lives, even when we don’t understand it. We can relinquish our expectations and embrace God’s will when we have faith. Letting go of our expectations doesn’t mean we don’t have goals or dreams. It means we’re open to the possibility that things might go differently than our plan.

I have met men and women who expected to be married or have children by a certain age. I have also met men and women who just expected to be further along in some aspect of life, like buying a house, having a stable career, or being financially stable. Releasing expectations and holding on to faith means we trust that God is in control and always has our best interests in mind. In this post, I’d like to share my testimony of exchanging expectations for faith and use Biblical examples to illustrate this idea.

Overcoming Expectations Exceeding Expectation scripture

My Testimony About Letting Go of Expectations

After I finished four years of studying to get my educational doctorate, I expected to land a different job. I envisioned working in a university. I applied to several colleges and universities but did not hear anything. I did not even receive a phone interview. My expectations had led to disappointment, and I wondered whether or not I had wasted my time and money.

After placing several job applications and hearing nothing, I started the school year as usual in my elementary school buildings. COVID-19 came that year, and looking back now, I know that God was saving me from real frustration by allowing me to stay in a familiar place at this time. When everyone began to work from home, I could quickly do the job I already knew how to do, and it was during our time at home that God led me to begin this blog. If I had had a new job, working from home would’ve been much more challenging. I’m thankful God gave me more than I expected.

After COVID-19 was no longer causing us to stay home from school, I realized that I wanted to work with graduate students who are learning to become speech-language pathologists, and I could do that in my current job by taking on externs. I now know that what I expected to do with my educational doctorate is not all God had in mind. He has equipped me to be a teacher in every aspect, and I must trust him to use the education He gave me for his glory as I surrender it to him.

Have Faith In God and Not our expectations

Trading Our Expectations For Hope and Faith

As we look at the Word of God, we find that God often challenges our thinking. He frequently exceeds our expectations and rarely does things the way we think He will. Therefore, it is best to relinquish our expectations in every situation because they can be limiting. Expectations derive from our beliefs about what will happen in the future based on past experiences. Synonyms for expectations indicate assumptions or predictions.

Sometimes, our expectations are correct, and everything goes according to plan, but sadly, there are too many times when it seems our expectations do not come to fruition. When situations do not turn out how we imagined, we can feel troubled, angry, and confused. Being let down in this way can prevent us from seeing the possibilities that exist in the present moment.

God wants us to have hope and faith . He wants us to rely on Him, be strong in faith, and trust His ways. Faith is about trusting in God amid the unknown and believing He will work things out for the best. Faith is also about relinquishing control over how God will work something out based on our expectations. Instead, we must let God have His way in every circumstance. Lastly, faith is about making room for things to be different than the past, other than we thought, and better than expected.

Biblical Examples of Letting Go Of Expectations

In the Bible, many examples exist of someone relinquishing expectations to receive God’s best. Naaman was a commander of the army of the king of Syria. He was a great and mighty man of valor, but he was a leper. Naaman went to the prophet and took gold, silver, clothing, and even a letter from the king.

When Naaman reached the door of Elisha, the prophet’s house, Elisha sent a messenger to tell him to “Go and wash in the Jordan seven times, and your flesh shall be restored, and you shall be clean.” Naaman was angry and went away, saying that he thought the prophet would come out of the house, stand, call upon the name of the Lord his God, and wave his hand over the place and cure him. He almost gave up and went away, but his servants convinced him to obey and wash in the river. Naaman had to let go of his expectations and do as the prophet said, and he was clean.

Abraham and Sarah heard and believed that God would give them a child, but based on their understanding, they thought they needed to have a slave girl be a surrogate because Sarah was too old. They did not expect God to do something different and give her a child in her old age (Genesis 21:1-7).

The people in Noah’s day may have heard Noah tell them day after day that it would rain, but this had never happened before, and they wrongly assumed that it never would. Wisely, Noah placed his trust in God and exercised his faith. He followed instructions, began building, and believed God would do as promised and save Him and his family. Noah had never seen rain or a boat either, but he chose to trust the voice of God over his own experiences and expectations (Genesis 7).

Have Faith in the Creator Who Exceeds Our Expectations

We must trust that God, our Creator, is all-knowing and full of love. He has good things in store for us, but His plans may be different than we think. We can not understand everything or adequately predict the future, so it is better to rely on the one who knows all. God’s thoughts are above our thoughts, and we must trust Him by faith. Our faith grows as we watch him meet our needs and exceed our expectations daily. We learn to remain open-minded based on our faith journey, personal encounters, and teachings from the Bible.

Overcoming-Expectations-God-is-doing-a-New-Thing

We should never reach a point where we believe God always does something a certain way. No matter what we believe based on experience, we must be open enough to remember that God is the Creator and a miracle worker specializing in exceeding expectations. As we navigate challenging or mundane situations, we need to have hope that everything will work out, but faith is more profound than just a feeling of optimism. Faith acknowledges that we have an all-powerful Heavenly Father.

We must learn to let our faith in God provide us with hope, comfort, and strength because we know someone greater than us controls everything. Our Heavenly Father is a God who can shatter all limiting expectations if we have faith and allow Him the opportunity to demonstrate His goodness. Faith means following instructions, doing our part, and walking with God. We don’t just pray and wait until it all works out. We pray and do what God tells us to do while we believe God for a miracle.

Hope and faith are powerful forces that are much better when we let go of expectations. Hope allows us to see the potential for positive outcomes, even when things seem bleak. It can give us the motivation to persevere in the face of challenges. The feeling of genuine optimism comes from within when we embrace that we are children of the Almighty and learn to put our faith and trust in His wisdom, ability, timing, and goodness.

Let’s Pray to Let Go Of Our Expectations

Let’s pray with faith, letting go of expectations as we trust that even if things don’t seem to turn out the way we expect, everything will turn out the way God wishes and, therefore, exceed our expectations.

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How To Receive Divine Healing From God

Posted by Krystal Simpson Live Joyfully, God's Supernatural Promises 4 Comments

The best way to receive Divine Healing is by seeking God. He alone is all-powerful and all-knowing. He created our bodies and should be the first person we consult when there is a problem. The Bible answers all of our questions about how to be healed. Gaining a deeper understanding of what the Bible says about healing can strengthen your faith and prevent you from being led astray from the truth.

It can be challenging to know what to do when you are sick or know someone who is. The problem is that, as humans, we tend to look for a specific formula. We want someone to tell us exactly how to experience healing. Sadly, for some, we can be taken advantage of by empty promises or lured away from our faith in God as the enemy convinces us to try other things that are not in the Scriptures.

We place ourselves at risk when we do not know what the Word of God says about healing. We cannot go astray when we better understand what the Bible says about healing. This post will look closely at the Old and New Testaments.

With God, praying is the first and last step to receive Divine healing. The Bible commands us to pray about everything. Of course, we should listen to those God has gifted with the knowledge to understand medicine, but it is crucial that we still pray about the information and medical advice they give. When we pray and listen to God’s voice, sometimes, God will lead us to obtain a second opinion, or He may instruct us to another physician who can best help.

After we know the situation, we must seek God for healing, but what does that mean? How can we be healed? Let’s search the Scriptures to understand.

Understanding Healing In the Bible

As we search the scriptures to understand better what God says about healing, we see that sickness existed throughout the Old and New Bible Testaments. When Adam and Eve sinned by eating the forbidden fruit, disease, pain, illness, and death entered our world. Now, we no longer live in Eden, but we live in a sinful and fallen world where there are times when people get sick, and everyone will eventually die once.

Remembering that this was not God’s original plan for humanity is essential. Sickness and death are consequences of Adam and Eve’s original sin, but thankfully, God has provided our healing and wholeness when we pray with faith.

Remembering that this was not God's original plan for humanity is essential. Sickness and death are consequences of Adam and Eve's original sin quote

Faith and trust are essential ingredients for healing. We must believe and become thoroughly convinced that God can heal when we need healing. We must also trust that God does what is best, even if it means not allowing complete recovery on Earth as we want.

Understanding Healing In The Old Testament

The Old Testament points to three specific things that people did for healing:

They prayed to God with faith.
They sought the help of a Prophet or Priest.
They followed all instructions of God.

Prayer is a powerful way to connect with God and ask for His help. When people pray to God for healing, they should confess their sins and ask for forgiveness. They should also express their faith and trust in God’s healing power.

In the Old Testament, people came to the Prophet or Priest to ask God for what was needed. So, if anyone needed healing, they would ask the Prophet. In the Bible, the Prophet or Priest released God’s healing to people by laying their hands on them, speaking a word, or giving a direction to follow.

Adult coloring book scripture page about healing and Salvation — Free Scripture Coloring Printable

King Hezekiah’s Divine Healing

According to Scripture, Hezekiah was a faithful king who became sick unto death. The Prophet Isaiah told him to get his house in order because he would die from the sickness and not recover. As the Prophet left, Hezekiah prayed and wept bitterly. He said, “Now, O Lord, please remember how I have walked before you in faithfulness and with a whole heart, and have done what is good in your sight( 2 Kings 20:3)”. The Bible says that God heard his prayer and he turned the Prophet around and told him to go back.

Turn back and say to Hezekiah, the leader of my people, Thus says the Lord, the God of David your Father: I have heard your prayer; I have seen your tears. Behold, I will heal you. On the third day, you shall go up to the house of the Lord, and I will add fifteen years to your life. I will deliver you and this city out of the hand of the king of Assyria, and I will defend this city for my own sake or my servant David’s sake. “And Isaiah said, “Bring a cake of figs. And let them take and lay it on the boil, that he may recover.” (2 Kings 20:5-6).

When Hezekiah prayed, he was given instructions from God. The instructions came from God as delivered through the Prophet. The instructions were two-fold. He was to place a cake of figs on his boil and go up to the House of the Lord (tabernacle) on the third day.

Hannah’s Divine Healing

The story of Hannah gives another Old Testament example of praying to God for healing. Hannah was barren and went to the temple to pray and ask God to heal her. She even made a vow to God.

And she vowed a vow and said, “O Lord of hosts, if you will indeed look on the affliction of your servant and remember me and not forget your servant, but will give to your servant a son, then I will give him to the Lord all the days of his life, and no razor shall touch his head.”

As she prayed, the Prophet Eli thought she was drunk, but when Hannah explained she was not, he blessed her and gave her Godly instructions. The Bible says that he told her, “Go in peace, and the God of Israel grant your petition that you have made to him.”

In due time, Hannah conceived and bore a son, and she called his name Samuel, for she said, “I have asked for him from the Lord” (1 Samuel 1:20).

She was healed of her barrenness, had a son named Samuel, and kept her promise to dedicate the child to the Lord. The Bible says that Eli’s sons were not God-fearing, and they did not know God. Having Samuel grow up with Eli allowed someone besides Eli’s sons to learn the priestly duties. God did not leave Hannah without children when she gave Samuel to grow up with Eli. The Bible says Hannah visited Samuel during the yearly sacrifice and always made him a robe each year. Eli spoke a blessing over her and her husband again, and she conceived and bore three sons and two daughters (1 Samuel 2:18-21).

Understanding Healing In the New Testament

In the New Testament, people received healing by following the same three steps. They prayed with faith. They sought Jesus, and they followed instructions. When Jesus was alive, anyone seeking healing sought Jesus as the priest. The Bible says Jesus was our High Priest (Hebrews 4:14).

There are numerous accounts of Jesus’ healing in the New Testament, and each time was different. One example of a New Testament healing was the ten lepers who sought to be healed by Jesus. They called out to Jesus for help, and He directed them to go to the priest and show themselves to him. The healing occurred as they followed directions and went to the priest (Luke 17:11-19). Another time, He placed mud on the blind man’s eyes and told him to wash in the pool of Siloam (John 9:6-7). Yet other times, Jesus spoke a word and declared a person’s healing.

Divine Healing of Loved Ones In the New Testament

There are at least three examples where someone came to Jesus on behalf of a sick friend or relative, and Jesus healed the ill person simply by speaking. One example is in Mark 7:24-30 and Matthew 15:21-28, where a non-Jewish woman came to Jesus pleading that he heal her demon-oppressed daughter. Jesus granted that healing and commented on the woman’s great faith.

In Matthew 8:5-13 and Luke 7:1-10, the Bible teaches about a Centurian who came to Jesus because his servant was near death. The Centurian told Jesus that he was not worthy to have Jesus come into his home but understood the authority of Jesus. He believed the servant could recover if Jesus spoke the word. According to the scripture, Jesus said, “Go; let it be done for you as you have believed.” And the servant was healed at that moment (Matthew 8:13 ESV).

Finally, in John 4:46-54, an official came to see Jesus because his son was sick unto death. He asked Jesus to come before his son died. This man did not have great faith but believed enough to ask Jesus to help. Instead of coming with the man to heal the son, the Bible states that Jesus told him, “Go; your son will live.” The man believed the words Jesus spoke and went on his way. As the man headed home, he met his servants, who said the boy was recovering.

The Paralyzed Man Receives Divine Healing

One story in the New Testament exemplifies what we should do now. In this story, the friends of a paralyzed man believed that Jesus could heal their friend, so they lowered the paralyzed man down through the roof while Jesus was speaking. The story is in Matthew 9:1–8, Mark 2:1–12, and Luke 5:17–26. Interestingly, in all three accounts, Jesus forgave the paralyzed man’s sins before healing him.

The friends brought the man to Jesus because they understood that Jesus was the only one who could help. Jesus forgave the paralyzed man’s sins because that was a vital part of the paralyzed man’s needs. Forgiveness from sin is what we all need, and it is what He came to give us.

Jesus knows that sin takes its toll on us. So he forgave the man of his sins and then healed him. In Romans 6:23, The Bible clearly states that the wages of sin is death. Our sins are leading us to an end that separates us from God. Remember, sickness and death are not the will of our Heavenly Father, which is why He sent His Son Jesus. Our Father wants us to have health and Eternal life.

Understanding Divine Healing Today

After Jesus ascended to Heaven, the Bible gives clear instructions on how to deal with sickness. James 5:14-16 clearly states that we should call for the church’s elders, and they should anoint us with oil in the name of the Lord and pray in faith. The Lord promises to raise the sick person and to forgive their sins.

God decides whether to heal us on Earth or take us home to Heaven, where there will be no more sickness and pain. Although we may want longer life on Earth, sometimes our healing does not happen on Earth. As hard as it may be to accept, we must trust God’s plan. He still has forever planned for us. We must have faith that He will heal us in whatever way is best, and we must take comfort in the fact that He promises to help.

Eternal life is a precious gift from God given to all who will receive it. Jesus died to save and heal us. The truth is, we can not go to Heaven with unforgiven sins. There is simply no sin in Heaven. Although we can never be perfect, since no person is perfect, to make it into Heaven, we must be forgiven and redeemed through the saving grace of Jesus.

God wants us healed, living well on Earth, and on our way to experiencing eternal life with Him. We should desire the same. To be healthy but not on our way to Heaven would not be sufficient, but if we have unforgiven sins, we will not experience all of God’s goodness. We must deal with them as a priority so that we are healthy and convinced that Heaven will be our home one day. God wants us to be in good health and for our souls to be prosperous.

A Prayer For Divine Healing

We must rely on God and believe in His Word regarding Divine healing. Our priority should be forgiveness, which is essential for achieving overall wholeness, well-being, and eternal life. Divine Healing comes from Jesus, and prayer is the key that opens that door. Whether we need healing or know someone who does, let us come to Jesus with our requests. He is the only one who can provide the help we need. Let’s pray together now.

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What is Praise and Worship?

Posted by Krystal Simpson Live Joyfully, Surrender To God Leave a Comment

Praise and worship are two critical aspects of Christianity. Many believers interchange these words because praise and worship are both ways that we express our love and appreciation for God. While there are many similarities between praise and worship, there are also fundamental differences. We must understand that praise and worship are different expressions of our adoration towards God and have specific purposes.

What is Praise?

Praise to God is an expression of thanks. We can easily understand this because we praise others for jobs well done in our everyday lives. Giving praise to God means joyfully recounting and thanking God for all he has done for us. Praise is an integral part of the Christian faith. Praise is an acknowledgment and thankful appreciation of what God has done for us.

We praise God in many ways, including using our lips to sing, shout, pray, read scriptures, and speak words of appreciation. Praising God is an expression of gratitude that can include using our talents to play various instruments. Lastly, praise to God can involve using our bodies as we clap, jump, run, dance, or raise and wave our hands with thankfulness in our hearts.

In the Bible, there is a beautiful story about a man who was lame from birth and encountered Peter as he sat asking for alms. As he looked at Peter expecting to receive something, the Bible says that he was healed in the name of Jesus and began to praise God.

“Then Peter said, silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.” And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God
Acts 3:6-8 KJV

We praise God for His goodness and works. We also praise His name. There is always a reason to praise God. We can praise Him for life, His creation, and provisions. The Bible teaches that everything should praise God (Psalm 150:6). When we praise God, we acknowledge His greatness and show Him that we love and appreciate all He has done for us.

It is important to remember that we praise God for all of our blessings and even for the tough times that come to make us stronger. We don’t just praise God when everything seems to be going perfectly. We also praise God in difficult times. We praise God while we face hard times to declare our faith and as a way of thanking God in advance for His help in our time of need. When we praise God amid challenging times, we declare trust in Him, and He helps us overcome our challenges. Offering praise to God during our difficulties is a statement and posture that communicates our belief in God’s control and ability to work things out for our good.

What is Worship?

Praising God and thanking Him leads us to worship Him, which is why many people use the words interchangeably. Worship is a more profound expression of adoration and reverence for God. When we worship God, we praise Him for who He is and not just for what He has done. Worship is reserved only for God. We are commanded only to worship God as nothing, and nobody else is worthy of our worship. When we worship, we acknowledge God’s greatness with thankfulness. Still, worship also communicates our willingness to humbly submit our lives to the Kingdom of God because we understand He is the Almighty and our everything.

Worshipping is humbling ourselves before God in surrender because we understand who God is is different from what He does. When we worship, we open ourselves up to the presence of God and invite Him to come into our hearts, fill us with His love and peace, correct us, change us, and lead us.

When we worship God, we go beyond praise as we willingly exchange our will for God’s. As Christians, we strive to live a life of humble submission, giving glory to God, and in this way, our life becomes worship. According to the Bible, whether we eat or drink or whatever we do, we should do it all for the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31). Worship, therefore, becomes our natural response when we entirely give God lordship over every area of our lives, as summarized by Paul in Romans 12.

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
Romans 12:1-2 ESV

In the Bible, Jesus states that God is a spirit and we must worship Him in spirit and truth (John 4:23-24). If praise is saying thank you to God for what He has done and will do, and worship praises God for who He is, then while they are different, they are both critical to our Christian journey.

Where and When Do We Praise and Worship God?

The practice of praise and worshipping God is not limited to a specific place or time. It is a lifestyle change transcending the boundaries of a Sunday morning service. When we embrace praise and worship as a way of life, we invite the presence of God to dwell within us and continuously transform us from the inside out.

In the Bible, when Jesus met the woman by the well, she asked Jesus where people should worship. At that time, there were differences between where the people of Samaria worshipped and where the Jews worshipped. She asked, “Our fathers worshipped in this mountain, and ye say that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship.” (John 4:20). Jesus’s response indicated that it no longer mattered where, but what was important was how we worship. Jesus explained that we must be true worshippers. God is a spirit; we worship Him in spirit and truth (John 4:20-24).

We Must Worship God in Spirit and Truth Scripture

True worship is more about the heart. Praising and worshipping God should not be something we only do on Sunday or at church. Although praise and worship can happen at church, to only praise and worship God corporately on Sunday is equal to limiting all the blessings that praising and worshipping God brings. Trust me, we need the benefits of praise and worship every day, not just once a week, and God is seeking those who worship Him at all times.

When we wake up in the morning, we should take some time to praise God for His goodness and His love. We could sing a song of praise, read a passage of Scripture, or take a few minutes to meditate on His greatness with gratitude. As we go about our day, we can praise God for what we see, hear, and experience. We thank Him for the beauty of nature, the kindness of others, and even the challenges we face. Additionally, before we go to bed, we can reflect on the day and praise God for all He has done. You could pray a prayer of thanksgiving or sing a song of praise.

Let everything that has breath praise the Lord

What Happens When We Praise and Worship God?

One of the most significant transformations that can occur through praise and worship is a heightened sense of intimacy with God. As we express our adoration and gratitude through praise and worship, we create an atmosphere that invites His presence to dwell among us. In this sacred space, we experience a closeness to God that transcends our earthly limitations, allowing us to connect with God on a spiritual level. This deepening of intimacy can profoundly impact our faith journey, strengthening our relationship with God and increasing our understanding of His love and grace. As we grow in our faith, we become a light to others, bringing God more glory.

When we genuinely adore God, our focus shifts from ourselves and our desires to the desires of our Heavenly Father. This shift in perspective aligns us with the will of God, allowing Him to guide and direct our paths. In this state of surrender, we become vessels through which God’s blessings can flow to us and through us to others.

When we surrender in worship, we invite God into our lives so that He can work in our hearts and minds to conform us to His image, and we begin to see practical changes. Praise and worship experiences increase our joy and happiness. When we focus on God’s goodness and His love, it helps us to feel more joyful and content. Praising and worshipping God reduces stress and anxiety as it helps calm our minds and bodies and helps us cope with difficult situations. As we relax and become less stressed, we can experience better relationships. We become more kind, compassionate, forgiving, and loving toward others, leading others to the Kingdom.

Pray a Prayer of Praise and Worship

Worship is a gift from God, and one of my favorite ways to worship God is by praying. When we pray, we can praise and worship our Heavenly Father while we invite Him into our lives. Let’s make worship part of our daily lives to experience more joy and blessings. No matter how you choose to praise and worship God, the important thing is that you do it from a heart of love and gratitude. When you praise and worship God, you are not only honoring Him, but you are also drawing closer to Him. Let’s pray together now.

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What Does Walking With God Really Mean?

Posted by Krystal Simpson Live Joyfully, Christian Living 2 Comments

The phrase “walking with God” is used in the Bible to describe a close, intimate relationship with God. It is essential to understand that walking with God is a journey, not a destination, and is not without trials and troubles. It is a lifelong process of growing closer to God and learning to live according to His will. Walking with God may not always be easy, but when we allow Him to, no matter what ups and downs we face, God will walk with us, guide, protect, and provide for us.

There will be times when we experience great joy and peace as we walk with God. We will feel His presence in our lives and know He guides us. There will also be times when we experience pain and suffering. We may feel lost and alone and question why God allows these things to happen. Remembering that God is with us during the good and the bad times is essential. He loves us, and He wants what is best for us. As we continue to grow in our faith and knowledge of God, we learn that He may not always answer our prayers the way we want, but He will always work things out for our good. As we walk with God, we will better understand His will and purpose for our life, but what does walking with God really mean?

How to Walk With God

Knowing how to walk with God is crucial because it leads to peace and assurance that we are never alone. Walking with God and moving forward with Him means spending time with Him. When we spend time with God in specific ways, we learn to stride with Him. Being in stride allows our steps to follow His desires for our lives. We want to see everything from God’s perspective and standards and walk so that our lives stay hidden in God. When we walk with God, we strive to be in sync as we move in the same direction and instep with His plans. There are four critical things to do to walk with God:

Pray and spend time in His presence.
Read the Bible and learn more about Him.
Obey and do what He asks you to do.
Trust Him and obey Him.

Walk With God By Spending Time in Prayer

Although we can do several things to ensure we walk and stride with God. The most impactful thing to do is to communicate with Him through prayer. As we begin our mornings and throughout our day, we should pray to ask God to lead us and guide us. Praying invites God into our lives. When we pray, we communicate what is on our hearts, but when we take the time to sit quietly and spend time in God’s presence, praying also becomes a time for God to speak to us about what is on His heart and, more specifically, what we can do to support His plans.

God will not force us to listen. Most of the time, the Heavenly Father will not yell over the busyness of our lives. Instead, He waits for us to find time to pray with Him. God wants us to prioritize our time with Him. Only when we do will we be able to hear His still, small voice. We need to listen to the Father’s voice to seek His guidance. If we feel that we have been too busy to hear from God, it may be time to add fasting to our prayers.

When we add fasting to our prayers, we give up food and instead draw near to God, allowing Him to satisfy us. In the Bible, God’s people often fasted immediately before a major victory, miracle, or answer to prayer. Fasting and praying are essential. Together, they prepare us for a blessing because they help us hear God better.

Walk With God By Reading the Bible

The second most important thing we can do to walk with God is read the Bible and learn more about His character and will. We understand more about God, his Son, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit when we read and study God’s Word. Additionally, we learn from the examples of all the people in the Bible.

We must evaluate the lives of the different characters in the Bible to learn what it means to walk with God. As we read the stories of Biblical characters, we will see that while some walked with God successfully, others did not. We can learn from these successes and failures to clearly understand what it means to walk with God.

There was a man named Enoch who walked so successfully with God that the Bible states, “Enoch walked with God, and he was not, for God took him (Genesis 5:24 ESV).” We understand this verse to mean that Enoch did not die a normal death but was taken by God because he walked with Him.

Walk With God By Obeying

Third, we must obey God. We must follow God’s commands and live according to His standards, but we must also learn to hear God’s voice so that we can listen and obey when He directs us toward His purpose. God will call us to do something, go somewhere, or do something, and we must “have ears to hear” and be willing to obey his voice.

Walking with God is a discipline. It is not a push-and-pull relationship. It is not a matter of us trying to force God to do our will or of God trying to force us to do His will. Walking with God is not running ahead of Him and then wondering where He is, nor is it waiting until we have a clear revelation regarding how everything will work out. Instead, walking with God is a relationship of listening and obeying because we trust God.

Walking with God is not running ahead of him

Countless stories exist in the Bible to remind us about the importance of obedience. A big fish swallowed Jonah (Jonah 1 ESV), King Saul lost his throne (1 Samuel 13 ESV), and Moses was forbidden to go into the Promised Land (Numbers 20 ESV) because Moses did not correctly carry out God’s directions.

Walk With God By Trusting and Surrendering

Walking with God is a journey of surrender. It requires letting go of our control and allowing God to lead us by His Spirit. When we walk with God, we trust He knows what is best for us, even when we don’t understand it, and we surrender to His will by allowing Him to lead us in the way He wants. Although we may have our own opinions or desires, we willingly put those aside and follow God’s leading, even if it is not what we would have chosen.

Walking with God is a journey of faith. It is a journey of trusting that our Father is good, loves us, and has a plan for our lives. It is not always easy to walk with God. There will be times when we question His leading. We may feel lost, alone, or uncertain, but we must keep walking by faith. We must trust and surrender, knowing that God will always lead us correctly.

The Benefits of Walking With God

Walking with God, we feel His peace, guidance, strength, and hope. We can also experience the joy of knowing that we are fulfilling His purpose. This peace we gain when we walk with God is not the absence of trouble but the presence of God. It is a peace that surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4:7).

As we walk with God, He will guide us and help us navigate life. He will show us the right path and help us make wise decisions. God will give us the strength to face the challenges of life. He will be our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble (Psalm 46:1). He will also give us hope for the future because God promises He will never leave or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5).

Walking with God through the ups and downs of life is not always easy, but it is always worth it. When we walk with God, we can experience His peace, joy, and hope. We can also share the satisfaction of living according to His will. Let’s pray together now and ask God to help us walk in sync with Him.

A Prayer To Improve Our Walk With God

No matter whether you are a new Christian or a more mature one. We must constantly maintain our walk with God. Praying and asking god to help us stay in sync with his steps is essential. He loves us, and he will help with whatever we need. Let’s pray to improve our walk with God.

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Is it Ok to Ask God Questions, and Will He Answer Me?

Posted by Krystal Simpson Live Joyfully, Trust In God Leave a Comment

Do you have questions for God and wonder if it is ok to ask Him? You may wonder what God’s will is for your life, or maybe you’re struggling with a difficult decision and would like God’s help. Whatever your question may be, don’t be afraid to ask God your questions when you pray! When we ask questions during prayer, God leads us into a deeper understanding and a closer relationship with God. As we ask questions, we gain greater clarity about ourselves and God. Most importantly, we learn to trust God more when we ask questions.

Is it okay to ask God questions and will he answer me?

When we ask God to reveal things to us, He will. He invites us to meet with Him by praying because prayer is a powerful way to connect. Sometimes, everything seems to be humming along just fine, and we may not have many questions, but no sooner than we begin to feel at ease, out of nowhere, something rains on our parade and leaves us questioning everything. Whether you have many questions today or just a few, let’s look at what the Bible says about asking God questions and then learn how God answers our questions.

What Does the Bible Say About Asking God Questions?

There are many scriptures in the Bible that speak about asking God questions, but my favorite is in Matthew, where God invites us to “ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you (Matthew 7:7).” I also love James 1:5, which states, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him” (James 1:5-6 ESV)

The scriptures invite us to ask our questions and reassure us that when we do not know something, God will not be angry with us for not knowing. He will help when you ask. As we study stories in scripture, one of our main questions as God’s children is how something will happen. We often struggle to gain wisdom or a clear understanding of “how” God will work out situations.

In the Bible, there are stories where God’s children ask questions. Jesus’ mother, Mary, asked questions to find out more about how the birth of Jesus would take place. When the angel told her she would bear the Saviour, she asked “how” questions to better understand the process.

In Exodus, after God told Moses that he was to go and free the Israelites from slavery, Moses had many questions. He questioned God to know how others would believe him. He asked, “When I come unto the children of Israel, and shall say unto them, The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you; and they shall say to me, What is his name? What shall I say unto them (Exodus 3:13 KJV)?”

God understands that we are humans and we have questions. When our desire is to move forward with God in faith, but we have genuine questions, it is ok. Our questions do not threaten him. We ask our questions respectfully with faith, not doubting that God can do what He says, but only seeking to understand the process better.

Can You Have Faith and Ask God Questions?

Asking God questions during our prayer time signifies a healthy relationship with God. When we ask God questions, it shows that we are humble enough to admit we don’t know everything. We pray with a humble heart, knowing that He is the Almighty God and we are His humble servant. As Christians, God patiently helps us understand what He is saying. He will not rebuke us for having questions, but when He answers our prayers, we must demonstrate faith to believe what He has said.

Asking questions shows that we are willing to seek God for answers. It demonstrates that we believe God exists and are interested in what He says. We do not have to be afraid to ask God any question. He is a loving and gracious God who wants to have a relationship with us. There are times when He answers specifically, but there are other times when He strengthens our faith to trust Him.

No matter what, as children of God, we know that Our Heavenly Father can always answer our questions. We must trust Him to do so in His way and time. Although we want to ask questions and get an audible answer right after we ask, God does not always respond that way.

There is one story in the Bible where a priest named Zechariah must have been praying for a child. When Gabriel, the angel of the Lord, came to announce that God had heard his prayer and was giving Zechariah and his wife a son, rather than celebrate the good news, the Bible says that Zechariah questioned the angel as if he did not believe the angel.

Ultimately, when Zechariah asked the angel of the Lord for a sign, he received one. Zechariah’s question did not stop his blessing but delayed his ability to praise God for hearing his prayers. Zechariah was mute and unable to speak until after the child was born.

Let me be clear. Asking questions is not the opposite of faith, but if God sends His angel to announce that he has heard and is answering your prayers, we must choose to believe and walk in faith. That should be enough of a sign! It would have been better if Zechariah had responded in faith.

We must learn to trust whatever answer God does or does not give. While we can ask God questions, we must do so with an understanding that He is God, the Earth is His, and everything in it belongs to Him. We must also remember that He is a sovereign God and does not owe us an explanation. He is not our equal. We know that God is perfect, loving, and all-knowing. He will work everything out for us. Even though we would like God to explain how everything will work out, He does not work that way. We have to trust Him.

How Does God Answer Our Questions?

When we have questions, we know to pray, but how does God answer our questions? He may speak through His Word, other people, or our experiences. God answers prayers in His own time, and we must trust that He always works for our good, even when we don’t understand His ways. We must be persistent and never give up on praying for answers. As we keep praying and seeking God, He will eventually answer our prayers in His perfect timing.

To answer our questions, God will sometimes lead us to the Bible, which is full of wisdom and guidance. The answer we need may be a scripture or a sermon from the Bible. When facing a decision, we can ask God to show us what He has to say in the Bible. God will often lead us this way, or He will usually confirm answers by using His Word so that we are sure the response is from Him.

The importance of God's Scripture when asking God Questions

God may speak to us through the people He has placed in our lives. When we struggle with decisions or have questions, God may speak to us through others, such as a trusted friend, family member, or pastor. He can also have a perfect stranger cross our path and tell us something that answers our prayers. Others may be able to offer insight and wisdom that we didn’t have before. We must pray first and after to ensure that the information is from God. God’s answers will never differ from those consistent with His Word or character.

Lastly, God may answer our questions directly through our own experience. Sometimes, He responds by giving us experiences that teach us what we need to know. For example, if you are wondering if you should move to a new city, God may lead you to meet someone who can tell you about their experiences. He can give you a dream or vision or speak directly to Your heart in an undeniably God way. We serve a powerful, loving God who knows how to get our attention.

Let’s Pray and Ask God Our Questions

We must be faithful, vigilant, and patient when we pray and ask Him questions. When we approach God with a question, it’s important to remember that He knows what we need and is always willing to provide an answer. Asking God a question and being open to whatever solution He may give us is a great way to stay connected to Him and open up other opportunities for growth and development. Let’s pray and ask God our questions today.

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How to Pray for Forgiveness and Salvation

Posted by Krystal Simpson Live Joyfully, Forgiveness and Salvation 7 Comments

Do you know how to pray for forgiveness and salvation? For many people, receiving forgiveness and salvation as a Christian can seem intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be. There are simple steps that the enemy wants us to think are too complex or too complicated to understand. This post will explain how to receive the forgiveness and salvation that Jesus died to give you.

Sometimes, we can find ourselves stuck in a cycle of guilt and shame, feeling unworthy of God’s grace. The enemy wants us to remain confused, and he does not want us to understand how to use prayer to gain the forgiveness and salvation we seek. In this post, let’s learn the importance and power of expressing repentance in prayer to find proper redemption. You don’t have to feel alone or powerless in this journey anymore. You can use prayer as your weapon to gain true solace and peace with God.

The Importance of Forgiveness and Salvation

As Christians, our ability to be called a child of God starts with requesting and receiving His forgiveness and salvation. Salvation is available to all who ask for it. Salvation refers to being saved or rescued from harm, danger, or spiritual death. In Christianity, it refers to the deliverance of a person’s soul from sin and its consequences. Unfortunately, sometimes, we put off getting the right relationship with God until tragedy strikes.

When something like this happens, it shakes us and makes us look seriously at our lives and our beliefs about eternity. Recently, a young adult passed away unexpectedly, and the community as a whole was affected. In the face of such tragedy, we recognize our need for forgiveness and salvation, guaranteeing our eternity with God.

Believe in the Lord for forgiveness and salvation

God’s promises, including eternal life, apply to those who have been forgiven and have accepted the gift of salvation. There are no guarantees that we will all get to live until we are 100. We do not know when the Lord will call us home, but being “saved” makes us a child of God and ensures we can spend eternity with Him after taking our last breath on Earth.

The enemy will try to convince us that we are not worthy or that the process is too complex. We cannot listen to him. Becoming a child of God starts by asking for forgiveness and salvation. After that, we can freely receive God’s joy and peace.

The Importance of Faith in Forgiveness and Salvation

Being forgiven begins with recognizing our need to apologize, which in the Bible is called “repenting.” Apologizing to God happens when we pray a prayer of salvation or a “sinner’s prayer.” This prayer expresses to God that we understand our need for Him. The sinner’s prayer also reinforces that we believe Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection are why we have the offer of salvation.

The truth is the only way to know that we are right with God is to ask for forgiveness. In God’s eyes, no sin is considered worse than the other. Thankfully, He will forgive every sin when we repent. We can not be afraid to apologize for everything.

It is not always easy to apologize. Admitting that we did something wrong can be uncomfortable. It is much easier to excuse ourselves by saying things like, “Everyone else is doing it” or “It’s not that bad.” We cannot make excuses for sin, and no one has to tell us whether we have sinned, broken a commandment, or made a wrong choice; our conscience tells us.

After Receiving Forgiveness and Salvation

What needs to be adequately understood is that salvation is not just a one-time event but an ongoing journey. Salvation is a process that begins when we repent and accept Jesus Christ’s sacrifice for our sins. As we pray a prayer and ask Jesus to become our Lord and Savior, we begin a life of change and growth that leads us to become more like our Savior, Jesus Christ.

After apologizing, we want God to lead and show us how to live His way. When we judge ourselves, we will feel sorry for our actions, and we should have the desire to change. God wants us to recognize that we need His help. We cannot fix ourselves; we need a Saviour to help get our lives right. All God wants is that we first demonstrate a desire to change.

We will never be perfect and must constantly ask God for forgiveness when we falter. God loves us and wants us to feel the love and joy of knowing we are His. By faithfully understanding God’s plan, it is possible to find the peace and understanding of God’s love that our spirit so deeply desires. It is possible to know where we will spend eternity.

⁸But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); ⁹because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. ¹⁰For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.
Romans 10:8-10 ESV

Ways the Enemy Tries To Stop Prayers of Forgiveness and Salvation

The enemy tries to stop prayers of forgiveness and salvation because until you become a child of God, you aren’t one. One trick the enemy uses is to convince us that we can wait until later to choose Jesus. He also tries to convince us that we can be good and do right without being saved.

Some friends and family members believe they have time to clean up their act before coming to God. Perhaps they struggle with addictions or sins, and that causes them to feel guilty. They want to try to quit the habit or fix their issues first. The enemy wants to keep them from God’s saving grace, and he convincingly tells them to wait. Waiting is what the enemy wants.

God wants us to come as we are and give Him all the broken pieces. He will help us get on the right road. The Bible says we can experience forgiveness and salvation if we confess and believe. We are not all promised a long life on this Earth, and we do not know when our time will end, but eternity with God awaits if we start with this step now.

A Simple Prayer for Forgiveness and Salvation

Let’s pray a simple prayer for forgiveness and salvation. First, we will recognize our need for salvation, and then, the Bible says we must confess and believe that Jesus rose from the grave as our Savior, and we will be saved. Salvation is a gift that we must want to receive. This prayer for forgiveness and salvation proclaims by faith that Jesus is Lord and was raised from the dead. Let’s pray today!

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What Does The Bible Say About Judging?

Posted by Krystal Simpson Live Joyfully, Christian Living Leave a Comment

Often, we hear people complain about feeling judged by fellow Christians and the Christian community, but what does the Bible say about judging? As I prayed and asked God about this blog post, I asked Him to give me a proper understanding of judging and judgment. As Christians, we should want to live life in a way that pleases God and encourages others to learn more about Him and His son, Jesus, but if we are not careful, we can become a stumbling block, meaning we can stand in the way of someone’s salvation.

Judging and passing judgment have become a little controversial. The issue is that some people think they are permitted to judge by the Bible scripture in John 7:24, which states, “Judge not according to the appearance but judge righteous judgment.” This scripture has led some to believe it is alright to judge if they do so correctly.

I am concerned that too many Scriptures state “judge not” or “there is only one judge.” I believe that when we do not understand something, we must pray and ask God for Wisdom. He promises to help us understand everything from His perspective by taking us to His Word. We can learn by studying the Scriptures and examining Jesus’s life.

Some may disagree with me because now that they have experienced salvation, they feel justified in judging or passing judgment on others. Some Christians may believe they must confront others who may not be doing everything just so. These Christians want to be sure and tell others about themselves, but the Bible cautions us. We should scrutinize two things:

What does the Bible say about judging and judgment?
What did Christ do when faced with the opportunity to pass judgment?

What Does Judging Others Mean?

There is a vast difference in the Bible between judging ourselves and judging others. Whenever we see anything in the Bible about judging others, we often find the words “do not” next to them. Unfortunately, as Christians, we can unwisely and incorrectly pass judgment on others if we are not careful.

Judging others has a negative connotation and means to make a conclusion, render a verdict, or declare someone’s worth or worthiness. It implies that you, as a human, have all the information to make a correct judgment and that your opinion aligns perfectly with God’s assessment of a person or their situation.

Judging Others Leads To Becoming Judgemental

The problem with judging is that when we judge, we place ourselves higher than others and assume that we are more morally correct than someone else. Worst still, we ultimately forget that God sent His son Jesus to save us in his mercy and loving kindness. We must never forget what God did for us. God extended a gift to us in His mercy that we did not deserve. Our thankfulness should lead us to gently and lovingly extend the opportunity to others.

Another problem with judging others is that we become judgmental and often can not see the whole picture. We do not understand the events that led to a person’s current situation, nor can we know how God plans to use the person’s life in the future as a testimony of His goodness and mercy.

The Bible explains that we can not understand why things happen based on whether a person sins. Humans can become judgmental by incorrectly judging that a person’s condition results from sin, which can be hurtful. An example of this malicious behavior is in the story of Job, whose friends assumed that he had sinned when he fell on hard times.

A similar story exists about a blind man in John 9. In this story, as Jesus heals the blind man, the disciples ask Him who sinned to cause the man to be born blind. Jesus answered, “It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him.

What Should We Do To Stop Judging

As we journey through life, we will make mistakes and get off track. Whether we make intentional or unintentional mistakes, we should pray and repent as soon as we recognize our errors. When we self-examine, we can realize our errors faster and quickly find forgiveness, love, mercy, restoration, and gentleness. Learning how much we rely on forgiveness can help us know to stop judging others.

As we recognize that we are all flawed humans, we can hopefully begin to see that everyone needs grace and forgiveness often. The Bible says that all have sinned and come short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23); therefore, forgiveness, grace, and love are not just some things to obtain but also something to give to others. We may feel our sins are not as bad as someone else’s, but God does not view sin this way. The Bible says all our righteousness is as filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6). We are only made righteous based on what Jesus did on the cross, and He died for absolutely every sinner. We would be wrong to accept the gift of salvation but withhold it from others because we judge others as being “too much of a sinner.”

Titus Scripture to Remind Us To Stop Judging Others

We must always remain mindful of all God has saved and delivered us from. We were once foolish and disobedient, but Jesus saved us. If we meet someone who has not experienced salvation, we can not get so lifted in pride that we forget our past. We mustn’t speak to others in a condescending or judging way. Instead, we must allow others to see the kindness and love of God so that He can save them just as he did us.

Our job is not to be a bully, not to be mean, and not to be hateful, but to allow our light to shine and to be ready with an answer when someone asks for a reason we have hope and joy. Just as the Lord delivered and helped us find peace and joy, He wants to do that for others. God depends on us to listen to His voice to reconcile others to Christ, not run them away from His love.

Jesus Shows Us How To Offer Restoration Instead Of Judging

The Bible states that God sent His son Jesus not to condemn or judge the world but so that we could be saved through Him (John 3:17). There were times when Jesus could have sentenced someone for their wrong, but he did not do it. Instead, he showed us how to bear each other’s burdens in love. He showed us by example how to offer forgiveness and salvation.

One of the best illustrations of restoration in the Bible is when the crowd expects Jesus to condemn a woman caught in the act of adultery. She was guilty of sin, and according to the law, she deserved stoning. The crowd demanded an answer from Jesus about what to do. According to the Bible, in this story, rather than cast judgment, Jesus invited those who wanted to exact punishment first to examine their own lives.

Jesus loves every sinner the same way He loves each of us. He does not want any person to perish. While the Lord does not condone wrong, He came to Earth to save us, and He does so individually. My issues and propensity to sin may be different than yours. You may have weaknesses that differ from mine, but we all need His forgiveness.

In Galatians 6:1-2, Jesus commands that if a brother commits any transgressions, we who are spiritual (children of God, filled with the Spirit) should restore them in a spirit of gentleness. Jesus shows us this by example when he lovingly allowed the adulterous woman, you and me, the ability to be free from sin and its consequences that cause both shame and guilt. Instead of giving each of us what we rightfully deserve, He allowed us to experience love, forgiveness, and an opportunity to change our lives by faith.

Now that we are on the right road, Jesus wants us to help bring back a sinner from his wanderings (James 5:20 ESV). We must bear each other’s burdens and show one another love, mercy, forgiveness, and patience.

Judgment Will Come

The Bible states that there will come a time of judgment. We will give an account of how we lived and followed the Word of the Lord. The Bible says that each of us will one day die. After we die, there will be a judgment for each of us (Hebrews 9:27). In 2 Corinthians 5:10, the Bible explicitly states that “we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil .”

When we reach the end of our lives, we will answer Jesus regarding how we lived. I imagine we will answer questions regarding whether we accepted His gift of salvation, how we treated others, and how we spoke to others. The Bible says that on the day of judgment, people will account for every careless word they spoke (Matthew 12:16), and we are warned not to judge others.

We know that Jesus will judge us because John 5:22 says, “The Father judges no one, but has given all judgment to the Son.” It also tells us that every knee will bow and every tongue will confess to God (Romans 14:10-12). As we stand before Jesus, the Spirit will bear witness that we are children of God (Romans 8:16), and Jesus will see our name written in His book of life (Revelation 20:11-15).

We will each want to stand before Jesus, claiming as Paul did when he said, “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: “Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day.” (2 Tim. 4:7–8.)

I pray that we all live our lives in such a way that when we get to the end of our lives or when Jesus returns, we each get to hear Him say to us, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.” (Matt. 25:21.)

A Prayer to Help Us With Judging And Being Judgmental

We do not want something like judging others to stop us from seeing what good things God has in store for those who love Him. Let’s pray and ask God to help us not to judge others or be judgmental. Let’s ask Him to help us treat people the way He would want us to treat them, with love and grace.

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Understanding What Christ-Like Love Really Means

Posted by Krystal Simpson Live Joyfully, Christian Living 2 Comments

Growing up, I heard sayings such as, “You can catch more flies with honey.” I guess people may not say things like this as often these days, but I prayed and asked God to help me know what to write in today’s blog. He impressed upon me to write about love. Love is essential to the Christian walk. As believers, we must remember that our expressions of love will help lead others to God. How we love should line up with Christ’s teachings in the Bible. If we possess a sweet, genuine love from God, it will attract and not deter, but to do that, we must fully understand what it means to have a Christ-like love.

As we learn what the Bible says and apply it to our lives, it is easy for Christians to forget that He loved each of us first, even while we were sinners and a mess. Many well-meaning Christians who are zealous for Christ can fall into the enemy’s trap and forget that it is not our job to judge or condemn others but to love them. As divided as our world can be, we must remember that God’s Word calls us to love.

Love is mentioned so many times in the scriptures. The Bible specifically talks about loving God, mother, brother, neighbor, and enemies. Let’s carefully examine what the Bible says about who we should love and then pray to ask God to show us how to love as He would have us.

Christ-Like Love For God

Scripture states that if we love the Lord, we will love others. The Bible says that anyone who does not love does not know God because God is love (1 John 4:8). As we look at each verse that talks about love, it is clear that love is not just a feeling or a word but requires committed actions. God tells us not to love in word or talk but in deed and truth (1 John 3:18). We are instructed to love the Lord God with all our hearts and souls and with all our might (Deuteronomy 6:5).

Understanding How To Love God With Christ-like Love

We know that the enemy will always fight us when we try to do the right thing, and I am convinced this is why the Bible tells us to love God with all of our might. The single most crucial action that reveals whether we truly love God is when we choose to keep His commandments (John 14:15), and He has commanded us to love others as He has loved us.

Christ-Like Love For Your Neighbor

The Bible tells us to love our neighbors as ourselves (Galatians 5:14). When we read this statement, it is easy to quickly check it off the list and assume we already love our neighbors. The problem is that we may not understand God’s definition of neighbor. It is easy to love a neighbor when we define them as those who live close by or in our small neighborhood, but Jesus clarified the word neighbor when asked, “Who is my neighbor? To respond to the question, Jesus told a parable of the good Samaritan.

The parable explains that a man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho and fell among robbers, who stripped him, beat him, and departed, leaving him half dead. A priest went down that same road, saw the man, and instead of helping, he passed by on the other side. A Levite also came to the place and saw him but passed by on the other side.

Next, a Samaritan came to where the man was, and when he saw him, he had compassion. He went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he set him on his animal, brought him to an inn, and cared for him. And the next day, he paid the innkeeper, saying, “Take care of him, and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I come back.” After telling the parable, Jesus asked, “Which of these three, do you think, proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?” The answer was “The one who showed him mercy.”

Love Your Neighbor -Understanding What A Christ Love Really Means

From this parable, we learn that a neighbor is whomever you come in contact with throughout your day. A neighbor is someone with whom you can share God’s love. Neighbors may not be your race or gender or have the same religious beliefs, but if we love as God commands, we will not love based on prejudices and biases. As Christians who love God, we should all be like the good Samaritan and never overlook someone who needs help. We should be looking for people God may place along our path. We must never be so busy that we pass by on the other side.

Christ-Like Love For Your Mother and Brother

When we think of loving our mother and brother, we think of our family members, but Jesus helps us understand that his definition of family includes all who love God. According to Matthew 12:46-50, While Jesus was still speaking to the people, his mother and brothers stood outside, asking to talk to him. Jesus replied to the man who told him, “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?” and, stretching out his hand toward his disciples, said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother, sister, and mother.”

Jesus gives a whole new meaning to the family. Many times at church, we call each other brother and sister and consider each other our church family. I believe Jesus would challenge us to love the people in our household, the people in our church pews, and the Christians who attend the church down the road or across the world.

Understanding What A Christ Like Love Means for Mother and Brother

The Bible states that we cannot love God and hate our brother (1 John 4:20). It may take work to love, but this commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother (1 John 4:21). In 1 Peter 4:8, we are told to keep loving each other earnestly since love covers a multitude of sins. There are times when we will be hurt by those close to us. There will be times when we must choose to show love. Those choices honor God and show that we are willing to obey His command.

Loving each other will take humility, gentleness, and patience, but we must bear with one another in love (Ephesians 4:2). No matter what, settling arguments and bad feelings is crucial. Sometimes, that is easiest to do when we remember that no one is perfect and we have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). We have to choose to offer forgiveness to others because God gave it to us.

Christ-Like Love For Your Enemy

We understand that we are to love others, but what does the Bible say about loving our enemies? According to the Scriptures, enemies are those who persecute us or hate us. When others try to hurt us, it is natural to want to get angry and get revenge. It is a supernatural ability that only God can give us to help us love our enemies. Jesus teaches that we are to love and pray for those who persecute us (Matthew 5:44) and those who hate us (Luke 6:27). We are to bless them and not curse them (Romans 12:14).

The Bible clearly states that the world will hate us as it hated Christ (John 15:18-19), but we are not to act like those in the world. We are to represent God’s love and pray for others. Christ showed us this by example as He prayed for us and asked for our forgiveness while dying on the cross.

Understanding Love Your Enemy to Love like Christ

A person who is not a child of God cannot live a life of love because love is from God. Those who love have been born of God and know God (1 John 4:7). We must remember that we were not always children of God either. We must be love to others so that they can see the light of God’s love, and we must remember that we love because he first loved us (1 John 4:19). God wants all to come to repentance and experience salvation, and it is our job to help shine a light into a dark world.

Let’s Pray and Ask God To Help Us Have Christ-Like Love

To love how God wants us to will require patience and surrendering wholeheartedly to God’s will. We will need to learn to look at every situation through the eyes of faith and love, which will be contrary to our knee-jerk reactions. To love as God would want us to, we must pray and ask Him to help us. Let’s pray and ask God to help us love everyone with a Christ-like love today.

A Prayer to Know How to Love Like Christ

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What Does It Really Mean To Serve God?

Posted by Krystal Simpson Live Joyfully, Christian Living 10 Comments

As I prayed about the new year, I felt God wanted me to understand better what serving means. When we think about serving as Christians, it’s usually associated with tasks done within the church, such as preaching, singing, or cleaning. We often tend to picture people who carry out various roles within the church, like the Pastor, the musicians, the greeters/ushers, or the janitorial staff, but is that what serving God really means? What does it mean to serve God, and are we doing it?

When pondering the idea of serving God, I realized that God is trying to teach me that what He means is much more profound and extensive than I typically associate with the term. Serving God is not limited to tasks performed in church, for God, or on particular days; it encompasses every aspect of our lives.

Defining serving God in a way equivalent to what He means is crucial. God loves us so much and wants us to understand Him and His ways. He longs to take each of us into a deeper relationship with him, but that requires detaching from our old ways of thinking and learning to see everything from His unique perspective.

In serving, I believe God is challenging me to get out of my comfort zone, and I think He is challenging the whole Christian body to rise out of self and into service. Let’s look closer at what this means.

To Serve God Means To Follow Jesus

As we live each day, we have new opportunities to choose whether we are willing to honor God and live like Jesus or not. The Bible is a clear guide for Christians who aspire to follow Jesus. Our responsibilities are twofold: to love God and to love others, which means we should serve God and others.

The Bible encourages us to choose whom we will serve (Joshua 24:15). If we try to imitate the lifestyle of Jesus, we will be compassionate towards others and help them in their needs. Ultimately, it is up to us to decide how we wish to live our lives. We can live a life driven by our selfish desires, such as pride, greed, and self-indulgence. On the other hand, we can choose to live as Jesus did by leading a life that glorifies God in all possible ways.

Following Jesus Leads Us To Serve Others

As we contemplate the life of Jesus, we understand that He maintained a constant connection with the Father through prayer. He led a life of purpose, serving as an example to all of us. Jesus served the Father and others by bringing salvation to all humanity through His death. During His lifetime, Jesus healed the sick, fed the hungry, instilled hope in the hopeless, redeemed societal outcasts, and taught anyone willing to learn.

The son of man came not to be served, but to serve scripture

Christians have specific instructions on how we should live and serve others. As we try to follow the example of Jesus, we must also learn to pray and act. Each one of us should aim to bless others with our lives. We should be a blessing to our families, coworkers, and the random strangers who cross our paths. Everything we have is considered a gift that we should willingly use to help others.

The Bible teaches us to serve God by serving others in these three specific areas. It does not limit us to serving only inside the church or on one particular day.

our actions
our resources
our love

Serve God with our Actions

In the Bible, Jesus washed the disciple’s feet, demonstrating that we should serve others with our actions and serve rather than be served. Philippians 2:4 states, “Let each of you look not only to his interests but also to the interest of others.” We should bear one another’s burdens (Galatians 6:2). According to the Bible, we should serve one another (Galatians 5:13) because when we help others, we serve God.

And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’‘
Matthew 25:40 ESV

We should not grow weary or tired in doing good (Galatians 6:9). Whatever we do, we work heartily as for the Lord and not for men (Colossians 3:23). We should learn to do good, seek justice, correct opposition, bring justice to the fatherless, and plead the widow’s case (Isaiah 1:17).

Serve God With Our Resources

As believers, we serve God with all the resources He has blessed us with, including our finances, talents, time, and energy. It is essential to use these resources for good, as Hebrews 13:16 states, “Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.” The Bible also teaches us that when we serve God with our resources, He will bless us. Luke 6:38 says, “Give, and it will be given to you.” Therefore, we must give generously and serve God with all our hearts, knowing He commands us to do so and will reward our obedience.

God is very concerned with the poor and those in need, and he commands us to open our hands wide to our brother, the needy, and the poor in our land (Deuteronomy 15:11). The book of Proverbs teaches that “whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed (Proverbs 19:17 ESV)”. God promises that “whoever brings blessing will be enriched (Proverbs 11:25).” However, the Bible warns that those who hide their eyes and do not help the poor will be cursed (Proverbs 28:27, ESV).

Serve God With Love For Others

Christians must love one another as God has loved us (John 15:12). Our love for each other is the evidence that we are true followers of Christ. Although it’s not always easy to love people, especially those who have let us down or hurt us, we must still obey this commandment. 1 John 4:12 says, “No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us, and his love is made complete in us.”

Like Jesus did, loving others involves caring for their well-being and needs. According to the NIV version of 1 John 3:17, if someone possesses material possessions but fails to show compassion towards a brother or sister in need, then the love of God cannot dwell in that person. We love God because He loved us first (1 John 4:19). How we live and serve others is akin to shining the light of God before others. The Bible encourages us to let others witness our good deeds and give glory to the Father in Heaven (Matthew 5:16). In response to everything God has blessed us with as His children, we should share freely.

Serve God Even At Church

Serving God is not just something to do at church, for God, or on a specific day. It encompasses everything we do, including our actions at church. Society often emphasizes self-reliance and encourages individuals to climb the ladder of success independently. We are encouraged to pull ourselves up by the bootstraps, be independent, and work our way up the ladder. God’s Kingdom teaches that we serve our way up by working and praying together.

There is strength in numbers, and the power of collective effort is undeniable. We should always be willing to serve and lend a helping hand to those in need, even within our church community. There might be someone in the church who could benefit from our skills and resources, and we should strive to use them for the greater good.

As children of God, we should become active church members in a local church. We should be willing to serve our fellow Christians as if they were our brothers and sisters. Even though the church family, like any other extended family, is made up of imperfect people, our aim should be to serve our Heavenly Father. When we serve God, we must not focus solely on what we can receive, or we will overlook the blessings from giving to God and others.

We all have a way to serve if we are willing. Each one of us has something to give to the church community. Perhaps God has blessed us with the ability to sing in tune, to keep the rhythm, to teach children, or to encourage others with our story or testimony. Whatever the case, we should be willing to serve. We must be ready to utilize our talents to benefit the Christian body.

The enemy suggests that we don’t need to attend a physical church, but we should look for a church community where we can serve. Although we can listen to sermons online, on TV or radio, read our Bible, and pray at home, we must ask ourselves if that counts as serving.

A Prayer To Know How To Serve God

Serving God requires us to follow Jesus, who teaches us to pray and serve others. To live according to God’s principles, we must seek his help because his ways differ from those of the world. While the world encourages us to be selfish and greedy, God teaches us to be generous and serve others. We’re all imperfect; even if we make mistakes, God can see our hearts. If we fall short, we must acknowledge our mistakes, ask for forgiveness and help, and try again. Let’s pray together and ask God to help us serve Him in His way.

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Let Go Of Worry And Anxiety By Understanding God’s Promise Of Provision.

Replace Worry and Anxiety With Contentment and Gratitude

Embrace God’s Divine Plan

Embrace God’s Perfect Timing

Pursue God’s Will and Guidance

A Prayer To Let Go Of Worry and Anxiety

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My Testimony About Letting Go of Expectations

Trading Our Expectations For Hope and Faith

Biblical Examples of Letting Go Of Expectations

Have Faith in the Creator Who Exceeds Our Expectations

Let’s Pray to Let Go Of Our Expectations

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Understanding Healing In the Bible

Understanding Healing In The Old Testament

King Hezekiah’s Divine Healing

Hannah’s Divine Healing

Understanding Healing In the New Testament

Divine Healing of Loved Ones In the New Testament

The Paralyzed Man Receives Divine Healing

Understanding Divine Healing Today

A Prayer For Divine Healing

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What is Praise?

What is Worship?

Where and When Do We Praise and Worship God?

What Happens When We Praise and Worship God?

Pray a Prayer of Praise and Worship

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How to Walk With God

Walk With God By Spending Time in Prayer

Walk With God By Reading the Bible

Walk With God By Obeying

Walk With God By Trusting and Surrendering

The Benefits of Walking With God

A Prayer To Improve Our Walk With God

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What Does the Bible Say About Asking God Questions?

Can You Have Faith and Ask God Questions?

How Does God Answer Our Questions?

Let’s Pray and Ask God Our Questions

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The Importance of Forgiveness and Salvation

The Importance of Faith in Forgiveness and Salvation

After Receiving Forgiveness and Salvation

Ways the Enemy Tries To Stop Prayers of Forgiveness and Salvation

A Simple Prayer for Forgiveness and Salvation

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What Does Judging Others Mean?

Judging Others Leads To Becoming Judgemental

What Should We Do To Stop Judging

Jesus Shows Us How To Offer Restoration Instead Of Judging

Judgment Will Come

A Prayer to Help Us With Judging And Being Judgmental

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Christ-Like Love For God

Christ-Like Love For Your Neighbor

Christ-Like Love For Your Mother and Brother

Christ-Like Love For Your Enemy

Let’s Pray and Ask God To Help Us Have Christ-Like Love

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To Serve God Means To Follow Jesus

Following Jesus Leads Us To Serve Others

Serve God with our Actions

Serve God With Our Resources

Serve God With Love For Others