For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.
2 Timothy 1:12
A math teacher was teaching first grade students the basics of addition. She asked one little boy, Mikey this question, "If I give you one apple, and one apple and one apple, how many apples will you have?" Within just a few seconds, Mikey said, "Four!"
The dismayed teacher was expecting an effortless correct answer of three. She was disappointed, but thought, perhaps the child did not listen properly.
She repeated the question, "Mikey, listen carefully. If I give you one apple, and one apple and one apple, how many apples will you have?"
Mikey had seen the disappointment on his teacher's face. He calculated again on his little fingers. But, within him he was also searching for the answer that would make his teacher happy. His search for the answer was not for the correct one, but the one that would make his teacher happy.
Hesitatingly, he replied once more, "Four."
The disappointment stayed on the teacher's face. She remembered however, that Mikey liked strawberries. She thought maybe he doesn't like apples and that is making him loose focus.
This time with an exaggerated excitement and twinkling in her eyes she asked, "Mikey, If I give you one strawberry, and one strawberry and one strawberry, then how many strawberries will you have?"
Seeing the teacher was happy, young Mikey calculated on his fingers once again. There was no pressure on him, but a little on his teacher. She wanted her new approach to succeed.
With a hesitant smile, young Mikey replied, "Three?"
The teacher now had a victorious smile on her face. Her approach had prevailed. She wanted to congratulate herself... but one last thing remained. Once again, she asked Mikey, "Now, if I give you one apple and one apple and one more apple, how many will you have?"
Promptly, Mikey answered, "Four!"
The teacher was aghast! "How Mikey, how??" she demanded in a little stern and irritated voice. Very softly and uncertain Mikey replied, "Because, I already have one apple in my lunch bag."
When people disappoint you... when no one seems to understand you... when even family can't identify with you... don't lose heart! This is a time to "wait on the Lord, for your hope comes from and is found only in Him!"
When it seems like people are plotting against you or delight in telling lies about you... when they praise you to your face and then curse you in their hearts... don't lose faith. This is a time to pray, for Jesus is the only solid rock you can depend on.
People are just that... people and we are all fallible. There is nothing new about these things... except the pain you allow yourself to harbor, nurture and entertain. Those are the things "Satan, wants you to do!"
When someone hurts you, when you feel offended... take it to the Lord, immediately! Stand firmly in what He says about you.
If standing firm doesn't come easy to you, STOP! Yes, stop right where you are and tell yourself, "I am not going to brood or entertain these kinds of thoughts. These thoughts are not from the Lord!"
Then ask yourself some vital questions... "Is my pain more important than my relationship with the Lord? Is what people think, say or do... more important than my walk with Jesus?
Concentrating and breeding thoughtless words or painful acts, will not change those facts. But, living and growing up in Christ Jesus will keep you on solid ground! Learn what God's Word says about you!
You must decide... "Who you are going to live for and who you will choose to believe?" Personally, I have learned that Jesus is the one I choose to trust and believe. My faith and my walk here on this earth, is grounded in the only one that will never fail me or abandon me.
Jesus died for me... I absolutely will live for Him!
2 Timothy 1:12
A math teacher was teaching first grade students the basics of addition. She asked one little boy, Mikey this question, "If I give you one apple, and one apple and one apple, how many apples will you have?" Within just a few seconds, Mikey said, "Four!"
The dismayed teacher was expecting an effortless correct answer of three. She was disappointed, but thought, perhaps the child did not listen properly.
She repeated the question, "Mikey, listen carefully. If I give you one apple, and one apple and one apple, how many apples will you have?"
Mikey had seen the disappointment on his teacher's face. He calculated again on his little fingers. But, within him he was also searching for the answer that would make his teacher happy. His search for the answer was not for the correct one, but the one that would make his teacher happy.
Hesitatingly, he replied once more, "Four."
The disappointment stayed on the teacher's face. She remembered however, that Mikey liked strawberries. She thought maybe he doesn't like apples and that is making him loose focus.
This time with an exaggerated excitement and twinkling in her eyes she asked, "Mikey, If I give you one strawberry, and one strawberry and one strawberry, then how many strawberries will you have?"
Seeing the teacher was happy, young Mikey calculated on his fingers once again. There was no pressure on him, but a little on his teacher. She wanted her new approach to succeed.
With a hesitant smile, young Mikey replied, "Three?"
The teacher now had a victorious smile on her face. Her approach had prevailed. She wanted to congratulate herself... but one last thing remained. Once again, she asked Mikey, "Now, if I give you one apple and one apple and one more apple, how many will you have?"
Promptly, Mikey answered, "Four!"
The teacher was aghast! "How Mikey, how??" she demanded in a little stern and irritated voice. Very softly and uncertain Mikey replied, "Because, I already have one apple in my lunch bag."
When people disappoint you... when no one seems to understand you... when even family can't identify with you... don't lose heart! This is a time to "wait on the Lord, for your hope comes from and is found only in Him!"
When it seems like people are plotting against you or delight in telling lies about you... when they praise you to your face and then curse you in their hearts... don't lose faith. This is a time to pray, for Jesus is the only solid rock you can depend on.
People are just that... people and we are all fallible. There is nothing new about these things... except the pain you allow yourself to harbor, nurture and entertain. Those are the things "Satan, wants you to do!"
When someone hurts you, when you feel offended... take it to the Lord, immediately! Stand firmly in what He says about you.
If standing firm doesn't come easy to you, STOP! Yes, stop right where you are and tell yourself, "I am not going to brood or entertain these kinds of thoughts. These thoughts are not from the Lord!"
Then ask yourself some vital questions... "Is my pain more important than my relationship with the Lord? Is what people think, say or do... more important than my walk with Jesus?
Concentrating and breeding thoughtless words or painful acts, will not change those facts. But, living and growing up in Christ Jesus will keep you on solid ground! Learn what God's Word says about you!
You must decide... "Who you are going to live for and who you will choose to believe?" Personally, I have learned that Jesus is the one I choose to trust and believe. My faith and my walk here on this earth, is grounded in the only one that will never fail me or abandon me.
Jesus died for me... I absolutely will live for Him!
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