So What Does It Mean to be a Frustrated Christian?

Have you ever believed God for a promise and it didn’t come to pass? The disappointment may have left you, angry, confused, and frustrated–no less!  You had the exact scriptures memorized and recited them by heart!  “Nothing is impossible to those who believe, right?!  If you speak into this mountain, it will move, right?? Matthew 17:20. But your efforts came to no avail, an hence–the frustration. Frustration is defined as having disappointed expectations and foiled plans.  The frustrated christian is beset this exact problem.  Perhaps a dream has gone unrealized or an outcome was unfavorable…leaving the frustrated christian in a precarious position–that of distrust or disbelief of God.  Many people have been implored by prosperity teachers to believe for a new house, a new job, or perhaps perfect health.  But the house deals falls through, another person gets the promotion, the disease progresses… It seems that despite “speaking unto the mountain” the situation remains unchanged and frustration and bitterness inevitably set in.  Christians become disappointed with God, convinced that the word does not work.  Some vow never to trust again.  Some become determined to handle things on their own.  Some even walk away from the faith.  The purpose of this e-book to shed light on teachings in the word about faith and expectations in the midst of difficult circumstances.  My hope is that you have a renewed boldness that is based on biblical teachings…line upon line…precept upon precept…so that you may be set free from the frustration and pitfalls that so easily befall those who exercise faith in prosperity teaching and doctrines. I pray that in reading this, your faith and understanding in God’s word grow and are perfected more and more.  May God bless the teaching of this word, so that we may understand why many of our plans were frustrated and develop confidence and assurance in the fact God’s plans are never frustrated! ( Job 42:1-2)  May his plans be our plans!

The Frustrated Christian Has Not Been Transformed by the Renewing of Their Mind

Therefore I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer you bodies as living sacrifices…Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind.  Then you will be able to test and approve what the will of God is.” Romans 12:1

This verse tells us that in order to know what the will of God is, we must be transformed by the renewing of our minds in God’s word.  In doing so, we will no longer conform to the pattern of this world.  The way of the world is to commit your works and plans to yourself.  The whole basis of our plans are often self-interest and self-promotion.  The world is concerned about  pleasures, individual promotion, and the acquisition of wealth, power, and honor.  As christian, we must not be like the world and consume our lives on these things.  God’s word says ” Set your minds on things above and not on earthly things” Colossians 3:2.

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where theives break in and steal.  But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:19

These scriptures may be a little difficult to fully commit to at this point, because the world has engrained in our minds the need “to get”  “to accumulate” and “to store-away.”  We are programmed for self-advancement.  But acceptance of these biblical truths requires thought renewal.  Now notice, I did not say that it is God’s will for you to be poor.  What I said, is that you should not be seeking to accumulate more and more wealth for yourself.    If you are frustrated because you are doing everything in your power to accumulate wealth for yourself, this is not God’s will.  Our ambition should be to provide an honest living for our familes, and should you get wealthy–don’t forget the poor.  James put’s it this way “Pure religion undefiled before God us this, “To help the fatherless and the widows in their affliction [the poor] and keep thyself from being polluted by the world.    We accomplish this by renewing our minds in the word.   Only then can we know God’s will for our lives.

While we are on the subject of knowing God’s will, let’s escape momentarily to Isaiah 58 where we also see God speak of his will to man and how we can receive guidance from him to find it.

If you do away with the yoke of oppression, with the pointing finger and malicious talk, and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday,  The  Lord will guide you always…” Isaiah 58

There it is, the Lord will guide you always…he will show you his will and his way when you renew your mind in his word.  When you learn to take your eyes of your success and your acquisition of more things, and expend  yourself on those who have nothing–then you will know what the will of God is!  How can we set our minds on heaven and not on earthly things.  How can we store away treasures in heaven?  We do it by taking the resources we have here and giving to those that have less than we do.  You will not lack because God’s word says, ” A generous man will prosper, he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed” Proverbs 11:25.

The funny thing is, when we are no longer trying to acquire more and more for ourselves, the frustration vanishes.  We are focused on  God’s will, and not our own.  If we don’t get the promotion, it’s okay because we know it wasn’t God’s will.  But as longer as we are focused on our own interests above anyone elses, we shall be frustrated. One more scripture for the road:

Phillipians 2:2-5  Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit.  Rather in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you in the interest of others.  In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as  Christ Jesus.

This is the will of God.

The Frustrated Christian Does Not Seek the Kingdom First

But seek ye first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”  Matthew 6:33

Many people protest that they do indeed seek the kingdom first.  My litmus test for that is to suggest those individuals to reflect on what they spend the majority of their time in prayer about…is it the kingdom or is it a desire?  The frustrated christian is frustrated if they are trying to reverse the order of this scripture.  Some are seeking the other things first and leaving God’s kingdom to take the back seat.

Let’s take a moment to explore the parable of the four soils.  In Mark 4:18 it reads “Others, like the seed sown among the thorns heard the word, but the worries of this life, the deceitfullness of wealth, and desires for other things choke the word and make it unfruitfull.  Others, like the seed sown on good soil, hear the word, accept it, and produce crop thirty, sixty, or one hunfred fold.”

What I want to focus on here are those “desires for other things.”  These desires are anything that prevent us from sowing seeds of righteousness and the lives of others.   I noticed that in God’s word…he only instructs us two seek after things…that’s his kingdom and his righteousness.  Desires will be added.  Our first ministry is to win souls for Christ.  Our prayers should first be for the harvest of souls.  Our personal desires should not choke out the good seed…which is the commission to win others for Christ.  In the next verse God says this, “Do you bring a lamp to put it under a bowl or a bed?  We are not to put the message of the gospel under a lamp.  We should be witnesses and bring light to those who cannot see.  We should be scattering the seed about, in hopes that God will take our works and multiply it–to ready a harvest of souls.

The christian will always be frustrated if they primarily focus on the “added.”  If our minds are set on God’s kingdom, we will not be frustrated by our “desires for these other things.”

The Frustrated Christian is Concerned About the Cares of This World

“See the lilies of the field grow.  They do not labor or spin.  Yet I tell you not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.  If that is how God clothes the grass of the field which is here today and tommorrow is thrown in the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?  So do not worry, saying “What shall we eat?” or “What shall we drink?” or “What shall we wear?”  For the pagans run after these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them”  Matthew 6:25-31

Immediately, God follows this verse with the command to seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness in verse 33.  If we can obey God and put his kingdom first, all the things we worry over will be given to us as well.  We refuse to share the gospel and bring in the harvest of souls to degree God desires because we are concerned with caring for our own needs.  In Mark 4:19, it states that the cares of this world choke out the word and make it unfruitful.  We use our gifts, time, and money to make provisions for own own cares–to clothe ourselves.  But Jesus tells us to regard the birds of the air, they do not toil.  They do not store or reap.  They do not store away in barns.  We should regard how magnificently clothed birds are.  Do we not marvel at their beauty?  He commands us to look at the lilies of the field…they are remarkablly dressed in the most intricately beautiful design.  Yet, they also have done nothing to contribute to their clothing.  Yet we toil and toil, to make provisions for our own cares–depriving the kingdom of God of our time and talent.  Has your toil provided you with a fraction of the wealth that Solomon had?  He was the richest man in the world according to II Chronicles 9, but the text states that not even he could not use wealth to by clothing as illustrious as this simple wild flower clothed by God.  Therefore, we would do well to place his kingdom first as he commands.  We can’t place our cares first and expect God to honor them.  God requires an exchange.  Place your heart on his kingdom and his righteousness, and you can hand your worries over to him.

Maybe you are not just worried about making provisions, maybe you are inundated by many troubles.  But I implore you, take your mind off your burden.  Give it over to God.  When you take your heart off your own troubles, he will make provision for all them.  If you have suffered loss of a home or job he will make provide a way for you at his set time.  I Peter 5:6-7 reads, “humble yourselves therefore under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.  Cast all of your anxiety upon him, because he cares for you.”  Is there a burden on your heart?  Worry no longer!  Stop trying to handle it yourself.  Wait for God to perfect your concerns at his time.  The prideful man tries to handle it himself and trusts in his own provisions.  But we can trust in God because scripture tells us that he cares for us.

Luke 21:34 says “Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down…with the anxieties of life.  God has not overlooked your troubles. Look at the life of Paul, did any christian have more troubles than he?  Yet, his heart was not weighed down. Despite his troubles, he remained kingdom focused.  He knew his eternal reward was more important than “light and momentary troubles”–as he called them.  What is the attitude of your heart?  Is it weighed down?  Proverbs 15:15 reads “But the cheerful heart has a continual feast.”  We cannot always choose what happens to us.  But we can choose our attitude as we face each situation.  We can worry or we can choose to have a cheerful heart.  Paul…the same man who was shipwrecked twice, beaten with rods, imprisoned…had the secret for dealing with worries and troubles.  In Phillipians 4, he says be anxious for nothing, instead think on those things that are noble, right, true, lovely and of a good report.  I  pray that we cease from worry but maintain a cheerful heart.  May we think on things that are good.  And foremost, may we pursue Christ’s kingdom first-in lieu of focusing on our own cares and concerns.

The Frustrated Christian is Cosumed By Toil ,and the Pursuit of Wealth and Advancement

“What  does a man gain from all his labor at which he toils under the sun?” Ecclesiates 1:3

In the book of Ecclesiates, Solomon–to whom God bestowed more wisom and more riches than anyone that ever lives, ironically declares that the pursuit of pleasures, toil and wealth are meaningless!  He equates chasing after these things to chasing after the wind.  Instead, Solomon emphasizes that happiness comes from the pursuit of God and seeking to please him.  Ecclesiastes 2:25-26.

Solomon warns that those who love money and obsessively seek it never find the hapiness that it promises.  Ecclesiates 5:10.  He states that it is far better to be a poor youth than a king that lacks such wisdom.  Men toil their entire lives to accumulate wealth that gets enjoyed or squandered by someone else when they pass away.

Solomon recommends this, “That everyone eat, drink, and find satisfaction in their work–this is the gift of God.” Ecclesiastes 3:13-14.  He warns against toiling for the sake of accumulating wealth.   Solomon does not mean that we should not work hard though, rather suggests “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might.” Ecclesiastes 9:10.  The same commission was given by Paul to the  Colossians:

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not form men, since you receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward.  It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”  Colossians 3:23

Why else should we work, as unto the Lord?  Because the word says that promotion comes not from the east or the west, but from God (Psalm 76:5).  So we work heartily to him and expect our reward from him.  God is the judge that will lift one up and sit another down.  But most importantly, Mark 4:19 states that the deceiftfulness of wealth makes the word of the gospel unfruitful.  A man cannot serve two masters, we cannot serve both God and money.  Either we are going to love money and forsake the kingdom, or vice versa.  Matthew 6:24.

The Frustrated Christian Has Forgotten Their First Love

Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied, ” ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’  This is the first and greatest commandment.  And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’  All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments” Matthew 22:37-40

The greatest two commandments are keep the christian from focusing to much on himself and his own concerns.  When we become self-absorbed, we become our own idol.  We replace our love for God with self-love.  Our love for God and his kingdom take a back seat to our own pleasures and desires.  Our neighbor’s concerns are no longer a priority.   What is it to love our neighbor like ourselves?  Well…how do you love yourselves!?  When we put our hearts and minds on our neighbors concerns…and give them what we would like to be given…that is loving your neighbor to the standard you love your self.  Is that not the golden rule, do unto others as you would have it done unto yourself? Would not we want forgiveness for ourselves?….give it unto others.  Would we want others to pray for us?..pray for others.  In fact, my litmus test for self absorption is this…what do you spend the majority of your time praying about?  What do you pray about first?  Is it others?  Or is it some desire?  James says this…”Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your pleasures” (James 4:3).  We frustrate our own prayers when we are self absorbed, because God will not honor selfishness. When God taught the disciples to pray, did he not say “OUR father, give US the daily bread, forgive US” Our prayer lives should model the fathers…it should be about US and not just “ME.” We are to “bear one anothers burdens.” Galatians 6:2.   We must learn to take our neighbors concerns to God as if they were our own concerns.

Despite what the prosperity teachers are preaching, God is not in the business of blessing the saints so that we can show out to our enemies, friends, relatives, or co-workers.  We don’t give with vain motives.  “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others more significant than yourselves.”  God does not give us seed for our own vain glory.   He is blesses us to be a blessing.  He gives seed to the sower….so that we can sow in the lives of others.  In return, God proises that those who sow generously will reap generously. II Corinthians 9:6.  You will not lack, but have plenty extra to do the work of God.

As it is written: he has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.” Now he who supplies seeds to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness.  You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in many expressions of thanks to God.  II Corinthians 9:8-11

It’s never been about you.  It’s about God’s gospel, God’s kingdom, and God’s people.  In fact, How do we demonstrate the first and greatest commandment of loving God with all our hearts, minds, and soul?  He says, “If you love me, feed my sheep.”  John 21:15-17.  If we truly love our father, the litmus test is this…we will evangelize!  We will use the talents that he gave us to evangelize to his kingdom.  Consider the parable of the talents in Luke 19.  The king went away for a time and left his servants with 10 talents each to put to work until he returned.  1 servant produced 10 more, one produced 5 more, 1 servant buried his talent.  And what did God do?…he took the talent from him and gave it to the one who produced ten.  Let not God return to us to discover that we have buried our talent and done nothing for the kingdom of God!

Let’s talk about the final judgement when the Son of man comes in his glory.  “Then the King will say to those on his right, “Come, you who are blessed by my father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.  For when I was hungry, you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came.”   When the righteous asks when did we do these things, God will say, “Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.”  Our ministry should always be to the least.  If we love our father, we will give to the least.  Our ministries should be for the least!   Even Christ’s ministry was to the least.  He said: The spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has annointed me to preach the gospel to the poor.  He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight to the blind, to released the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.  Luke 4:18

I have poured over the books of the prophets in the Old testament.  God’s anger is always kindled against the proud and those who witheld justice from the poor–or those who oppressed the poor.  His anger is kindled against those who selfishly pursue gain for themselves and overlook the widows and the fatherless.  In fact, Jesus’s own brother James who likely knew him the most intimately said this, true religion acceptable to God is taking care of the widows and fatherless.  James 1:27.  I belive that the most defiled gospel, is the gospel of self.  The  mission should be this:

To loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke. To share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter–when you see the naked to clothe him, and not to turn away from your own fles and blood…Then your light will break forth like the dawn…When you call the Lord will answer you.”  Isaiah 58: 6-9

Our love for God is demonstrated in our love for other neighbors…especially the least among us.  It is also demonstrated in our committment to sharing his gospel.  May we not be so caught up in ministering to our ownselves that we forget our first love.  May we not make other things and other people our first love and become to God like Hosea’s wife.  Hosea 2:7, “She will chase after her lovers but will not catch them, she will look for them but not find them, Then she will say, I will go back to my husband as at first.”  God used this analogy to show that his adulterous people will return to their first love–God himself!  Chasing after idols and self preservation will get you no where.  Christians must never forget their first love!  Remember when you first God saved?!  You were so excited about what you had found that you couldn’t wait to share the gospel with someone else.  You prayed for the opportunity for God to use you.  You stayed up at night reading the word.  God comissions us to return to how we were formely.  God says this:

I know your deeds, your hard work and your perserverance.  I know that you cannot tolerate wicked men, that you have tested those who claim to be aposteles but are not, and have found them false.  You have perservered and endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary.  Yet I hold this against you:  You have forsaken your first love.  Remember the height from which you have fallen!  Repent and do the things you did at first.  If you do not repent I will come to you and remove your lampstand from it’s place.

I will end with this…we are the light of the world.  We are God’s lampstand.  God says in Mark 4:19 “Do you bring in a lamp to put it under a bowl or a bed?  Instead, don’t you put it on a stand.”  Here God is saying that our life should be a lamp that helps people see God.  What bowls have we allowed to dampen our light?  Self-gain?  Desires?  Let us instead do good deeds unto men and make this our ultimate priority, so that we may gain glory for our father and not ourselves.

“Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your father in heaven.” Matthew 5:16.

The Frustrated Christian Has Not Counted the Cost of Discipleship

If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters, yes–even his own life, he cannot be my disciple.  And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.  In the same way, any of you that do not give up everything cannot be my disciple.”

Don’t let the prosperity teachers deceive you with their excessive teachings about gain!  It’s quite the opposite.  Discipleship will cost you everything!  Discipleship is not about getting your next blessing or breakthrough…it’s about giving of yourself.  It’s about losing yourself.  And we are commanded to carry our own crosse and to die to daily to self.  in order to win some for Christ we must pour ourselves out.  It will cost us everything!

The parable of the hidden treasure; the parable of the fine pearl

The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in a field.  When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and purchased the field.  Matthew 13:44

Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls.  When he found one of great value,he went away and sold everything he had to purchase it.  Matthew 13:45.

To be sold out for Christ, means that we sell our own plans, pleasures and desires for success and gain for God and his kingdom.  Despite what prosperity teachers claim, to lose ourselves and our desires–is to gain.  God uses the foolishness to confound the wise.  See, worldly principles are reversed in God’s kingdom.  The gospel is not about self preservation and self gain.  It may cost you everything.  The 12 disciples gave up everything to follow Christ. Mark 10:25.  God follows in the next verse with this, “No one who has left homes or brothers or sisters or mothers or fathers or children or fields for me and the gospel will fail to receive one hundred times as much in this present age (homes,brothers,sisters, mothers, children, fields and with them persecutions[ I will discussed in the message about suffering] in this age and in the age to come eternal life.  But many who are first will be last, and the last first.”  Marl 10:29-31

God’s system is not the world’s system.  It is foolishness to them (I Corinthians 1:20).  To gain, you must lose.  And God promises 100X in this life.  To those who have status and wealth on earth–will lack such importance in heaven.  Christ says the first shall be last.  Those who are lowly and humble on earth, those who are poor…they will be first in the kingdom of heaven. In fact, according to Matthew Matthew 5:1, the kingdom of heaven is theirs!  There are many people who are poor and suffering lack on this earth who are looked on with contempt and pity.  But Matthew 5 calls them blessed!  Why, because while those who sow gain in this life have a TEMPORAL reward, the poor shall reap ETERNAL rewards in heaven.  They will no longer be the last, but first!  Everything will be reversed!  We thank God that we don’t suffer persecution, but Matthew 5, says that they shall reap the kingdom of heaven!  Does it then make sense to waste your life on temporal things? Does invest all that you have in what you can only keep for a moment, and nothing in what lasts an eternity?  I beseech you, be eternally minded!  Don’t waste your life and time here on earth–serve God!  Use this as an opportunity to serve God.

Your love for God and his kingdom should be immeasurably greater than your love for yourself and your family…that it would almost appear that your love for them is as hate in comparison.  Matthew 10:34 says this, “Anyone who loves his father and mother more than me are not worthy of me.  For he who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for my sake shall find it.”  The pursuit of gain paradoxically leads to loss.

The Frustrated Christian Does Not Understand the Necessity of Suffering

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great crowd of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run the race with perserverance the race marked out for us, Let us fix our eyes on Jesus the author and perfecter of our faith.” Hebrews 12:1-2

God has marked out a race for each of us.  He has a plan for each of our lives.  As we know, a race is full of many obstacles that must be overcome.  This let’s me know, that we are going to have to go over some hurdles as christians.  It’s not a wonder to me–that God includes the verse that he is an author and finisher of our faith in the context of describing this race.  We know then, that God is going to use those very obstacles to perfect our faith.   During these times, we must learn to “fix our eyes on Jesus” and not on these situations.

James puts it this way, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know the testing of your faith develops perseverance.”   Perseverance must finish its perfect work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” James 1:1.  Trials that would have “taken you out” back in the day, you can now “press out of” because you have been there before and God brought you through. See the testing of your faith is like a muscle.  After you have been tried with the 100lb weight the 50lb weight is cake!  You have been pressed to the next level, so when this kind of trial comes again you know how to belive yourself through.  If your faith muscle has never been tried, you will fall under the pressure of that 50lb weight everytime.  But see God wants you perfect, lacking nothing!  He wants you complete and mature.  See faith is not about the acquisition of stuff, it is a journey!  It’s an experience with God.  You have to be tried…you must understand that you are going to have to go through somethings.  And some of your problems are going to stick around for a while.  You can’t get to mastering the 100lb weight after one day.

To understand suffering, we must not look at it from a natural point of view…we must be eternity-minded.  James 1:12 says, “Blessed is the man who perserveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.”   Paul says it this way…”Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize?  Run in such a way to get the prize.  Everyone who competes in the games go into strict training.  They do it to get a crown that will last forever.” I Corinthians 9:24-25.  You are going to have to train.  You are going to have to lift some weights and be put under some strain in order to share the gospel.  You are going to endure something to get the crown.  Listen, we can’t get  it for nothing!!   Because we know that if we suffer with christ, we shall be glorified with christ.    We must be partakers in Christ’s suffering if we want to partake in his eternal glory.  But we are not the only ones that benefit…we suffer for the sake of bringing the gospel to others.

“If anyone competes as an athlete, he does not get the victors crown unless he competes according to the rules…This is my gospel to which I am suffering even to the point of being chained like a criminal.  But God’s word is not chained.  Therefore I endure everything for the sake of God’s people, that they may too obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus.  If we died with him, we will also live with him.  If we endure, we will also reign with him.” II Timothy 5-12.

The rules are this, if we want to win others for Christ we are going to have to go through some trials.  Well how does your suffering help others, you ask?  You can’t help someone if you haven’t been where they are.  If I never went through anything, I couldn’t help get someone else out of their pit.  Revelation 12:11 “says that we are saved by the blood of the lamb and the POWER of THEIR testimony.”  Your testimony has the power to save people and get them out of their pit!!!  You are going to have to go through something to win some for Christ!

Paul put it this way, “Though I am a free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone to win as many as possible.  To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews.  To those under the law I became like one under the law…To the weak I became weak, to win the weak.  I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some.  I do this all  for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in it’s blessings.” I Corinthians 9:19-23.  Have you suffered through something?  Has God brought you out of a low place?  Use is to save the lowly!  If God has humbled you…let us not exalt ourselves…but let us become low so that we may win some for Christ!.  So that our testimonies may have the power to save someone else!  Some christians have gone through some really dark places in life.  I don’t want to minimalize anyone’s suffering, that is not my intent.  But instead of letting those bad things hinder you and frustrate your faith, let it prompt you to sharing the gospel.  Romans 8:18, says that because we live in a fallen and sinful world, we all suffer. Christians too!  Some of us have suffered due sin caused by other people. Some really bad things have happened to some people…It’s not because God desired that bad situtation to happen to you…it’s because of the fallen world.  But Paul says we groan inwardly but wait patiently for our adoption as sons, for the redemption of out bodies(23).  We must stay focused on eternity–where there is no suffering, no death, no pain. Revelation 21.4.  See Paul exemplified being eternity-minded.  Many people will look Paul’s death as great loss.  They would say despite his pursuit of the gospel, that it failed him because ultimately he was murdered.   But Paul considered it great grain.  In fact, he was so eternity-minded that he wanted to “get in on” the resurrection. He said,

“But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ.  What is more, I consider everything loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have loss all things.  I consider them rubbish that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law…but the righteousness that comes from God and is by faih.  I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, become like him in his death, and so, somehow to attain the resurrection of the death.”

See Paul was looking at the things in heaven, not the things on this earth.  Not even his own life mattered.  In Phillipians 1:20-21, he said “I eagerly ecpect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or death.  For me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.”   My sincere hope is that we are not ashamed–that we may be able to look at our lives and know that we didn’t waste it on self-gain and self-preservation.  We see christians in foreign lands dying for this gospel…and we consider it a great fortune that this is not own lot.  Because we are looking at the temporal things…the things of this world…and we see it as a great trajedy. But Matthew 5:10 calls them Blessed!!  “Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righeteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”  They will be greatest in the kingdom of heaven!  Verse 11 says, “Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you and falsely say all kind’s of evil against you because of you because of me.  Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way the persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

If you can exchange tempary greatness and comfort, for external greatness…would you do it?  But we do it everyday…we groan and moan….murmur and complain.  Romans 4:8 says “We are pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair, persecuted, but not abandones; struck down but now destroyed…(16) Therefore do not lose heart.  Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are renewed everyday. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us eternal glory that outweighs them all.” Let us not be weighed down by suffering in this life, because it produces eternal reward.  But in this life, adversity and afflcition has its benefit as well.  God calls them, bread and water!  We need them like we need food–they provide strength and perseverance.  God has not promised us an easy pass in life for being christians.  You are going to go throught!!   But God says, “When you pass through the rivers; I will be with you.” When you walk through the fire you will not be burned.” Isaiah 43:2  See the trials are not meant to bring you harm.  He is right there with you!  He will not allow you to be harmed.  Make no mistake, the flood is coming!  The fire will come!  But neither will overtake you.  You will be like Daniel in the lions Den…or the three Hebrew boys in the fiery furnance!  If we are not delivered from the furnace, he has made us conquerors over life and death! Romans 8:37-38.  The frustrated christian does not understand that affliction is as necessary as bread and water.  Our undue consideration for self comfort causes us to buckle under affliction, instead of allowing it to prove us. “You have tested us, O God; you have purified us like silver.” Psalm 66:10.   Will you come forth as pure silver or gold…or avoid the refiners fire?”

The Frustrated Christian Does Not Understand What Real Faith Is

So what is real faith?  Let me tell you, it is not what the prosperity teachers have taught you!!  It’s not about when you finally get the stuff!    In Hebrews11:24, it says: “By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be known as the son of Pharoah’s daughter.  He chose to be mistreated along with  the people of God rather than enjoy the pleasures of sin for a short time.  He regarded disgrace for for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead for his reward; he persevered because he saw him who is invisible.”

This tells me that real faith is not about stuff!  Real faith comes out an experience with God that produces commitment despite trials…it’s perseverance in the face of adversity.  See the prosperity preachers will tell you that you know you have faith if you sow a seed, and you actually get the house or the car!  But see Moses knew something that they don’t know.  Real faith is not about the obtaining that “end”…be it the house or the car or the career.  Real faith when you have loyalty and commitment to God, even when you don’t get the “end.”  It’s not walking away from God when the desired thing doesn’t come to pass.  Real faith is sticking close to God when the house is foreclosed, or the relative dies, and the bill doesn’t get paid!  It’s trusting in his will.   See Moses was not looking at stuff, because he could see beyond that stuff to the eternal reward ahead.  And he could see the eternal reward because knew the one who was invisible!  He had an experience walking with God.  See the three Hebrew boys knew this as well, when King Nebuchadnezzar threathened to throw them in the fiery furnace  they said this:”If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand.  But even if he does not, we want you to know O King, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.”  Daniel 3:17-18.

See the REAL faith is in the “Even if he does not.”  It’s that loyalty and committment to God that is REAL faith….not the frustration and the turning away that occurs so often when the breakthrough doesn’t happen.   Are we not to believe God for his promises?  Certaintly not!  It means that we believe God come what may…good outcome or bad!  We believe God for his will!  I John 5:14, says that we can ask AYTHING and he will do it…but the caveat in the verse is that it must be according to his will.  I don’t care how many mountains you speak to, if it’s not goes will its not going to happen.   And trust me…the breakthrough will not always be God’s will.  But We should believe God that we received what we ask for, epecially when we have not asked amiss for our own pleasres.  James 4:3.  But real faith is having the faith of Queen Esther, and be willing to ACT in that faith….accepting that “If I perish, I perish.”

It’s good for us to believe God for his promise, as did Abraham.   In Romans 4:18 it says, “Abraham did not waver in unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had the power to do what he had promised. How is it possible that his faith grew after 25 year of waiting?  Because he had faith in God!  His focus was God.  Mark 11:22, says “Have faith in God.”  Not faith in faith…or faith that speaking his word is going to automatically make things happen.  We have faith in God!  And our faith can increased with time because we know that God cannot lie (James 1:13); his words cannot return void but MUST do what he sets it out to do (Isaiah 55:11).  This is where we get our confidence, because we know God is bound by his word!  Jeremiah 1:12, Says “God watches over his word to perform it.”.  And if he makes a promise to us, it’s going to come to pass.  But this faith must be balanced.  We have to be willing to accept adverse circumstances in situations where God has not promised us victory.  The prosperity teachers will tell you that if you didn’t get it, you didn’t have enough faith.  But real faith is not in the positive outcome.  It’s trusting in him when those “Even if he does not” situations come….and these situations will surely arise.  God will not save from all things, but he promises to be with us (Isaiah 43:2)…and to use them for our good (Romans 8:28).  May we be like Joseph, who suffered many things…but in the end proclaimed that God had made him “fruitful in the land of my affliction.”

So What does it mean to be a Contented Christian?

“For I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.  I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty.  I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry whether living in plenty or in want.  I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.” Phillipians 4:11

The secret Paul had learned, was to draw strength from God in times of trials.  What would cause someone to even desire to be content in the situations he endured?  It’s because Paul had discovered a remarkable truth. The same truth that Solomon discovered.  That beyond wealth, knowlede, pleasures, desires, and success…God was infinitely more satisfying!  When you have all you need, there is no need to look for anything more.  There is no more need to fill the void with temporal things…because God alone is satisfying!  Anything can be endured because God is worth it.  He becomes like the pearl and the field that the merchant purchased–you are willing to give up everything!  God is worth singleness.  He’s worth persecution.  He’s worth the giving of your self. He is worth it all…everthing else is rubbish in comparison.

“But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ.  What is more, I consider everything loss comparared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have loss all things, I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in him.” Phillipians 3:7-9.  He goes on to say in verse 14, that the high calling of the gospel is the “prize.”  We all have desires but our ultimate prize should be Christ’s gospel!    On this alone did he consume his time and energy, and his life!  Even to the point of death. Phillipians 1:21.

David, also knew that the Lord was infinitely more satisfying than anything.  In Psalm 27 he writes, “One thing that I desire of the Lord, and this I will seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and seek him in his temple.”  He said only ONE thing he desired!  And that was to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord.  God was more satisfying!   David was so content in God, that he danced before the Lord with all his might 2 Samuel 6:14.   Now the only time I’ve seen people dance like that is when it’s new years…and the pastor says “It’s your season for breakthrough…your about to get 100 fold!!” LOL!!!  But see David knew a profound truth, he didn’t have to gaze upon desires or these things.  In Psalm 37:4 he says, “Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.”  God alone was his desire.  He knew that God is a jealous God and that he won’t give you the desires of your heart until you desire him above these things.

God says this,” My people have committed two sins: They have forsaken me, the spring of living water and have dug their own cisterns, broken cisterns that cannot hold water.” Jeremiah 2:13.   During that time, cisterns where placed in the ground to trap rainwater.  People preferred broken cisterns to supply their needs…the cisterns of success, money, power, etc…but these would not hold water.  But God is the source of living water!   May we turn back to our first love–to our first commandment, to love God with all our mind, souls, and strength!  May we stop chasing after the wind.  Chasing after breakthrough after breakthrough….but understand that these things will be “added.”  Instead that we will allow living water to flow out of us, so that we may help out people.  John 7:38.

To reach such a level would require renewing your mind in the word of Christ!!    Daily renewal.  Daily dying to self!  Because even as Solomon–the wisest man than ever lived, eventually was led back to idolatry.  We have to continually die to self.  I pray that you have benefited from the scriptures provided here.   That you may be supernaturally transformed by the renewing of your mind, and know what the will of God is!!   It is my eanrest desire that you are set free from the bondage desires and worry–being assured that God is more satisfying!!!  Keep praying and believing!!  Know that God is worth it all…he’s so satisfying. He is our first love, may he allow reign on the throwns of our hearts forever.  May we pursue him alone.  I will end with a scripture from I Timothy 6:6:

But godliness with contentment is great gain.  For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it.