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THRIVE: THE HABAKKUK METHOD

"Behold the proud, his soul is not upright in him; but the just shall live by his faith." ~ Habakkuk 2:4  REFERENCE: Habakkuk 2:1-4  A lot is happening in every part of the world. It is almost customary to hear some bad news or the other on the TV, and you wonder if any good thing is happening anywhere. Jobs are scarce, mortgages are rising, fuel prices are rising, countries are fighting external and internal wars, and most world currencies are losing value. Thinking about survival in these chaotic times can be extremely troubling. Habakkuk also had questions about his...
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FAITH IN DIFFICULT TIMES

"Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?" ~ Matthew 6:26 REFERENCE: Matthew 6:25-34   To pretend that all is well in the times we live is to behave like an ostrich that buries its head in the ground, believing that what it does not see or affect it. The economy is tough, and money is losing its spending power; it is easy to be agitated by fear and anxiety about our financial well-being. However, we must live...
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PRECIOUS PROMISES

"By which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust." ~ II Peter 1:4   REFERENCE: II Peter 1:1-4   God's greatest gift to man is His word. Believers are privileged more than the people of this world because the oracles of God have been committed to them. Peter referred to the truth in God's word as exceedingly great and precious promises. God could have given us precious metals or financial success; He gave us His word...
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HOW TO BEAT ANXIETY

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.” ~ Philippians 4:6   REFERENCE: Philippians 4:6-9   We saw yesterday that anxiety is born from uncertainty about the outcome of events we cannot control, and our mind is its real target. A mind overtaken by anxiety can rule and ruin your life. We cannot always control the anxiety-creating events around us. Still, we can find and master ways to beat anxiety. Paul shows us how to be anxious for nothing in our text:   a. By Prayer and Supplication:...
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THE DANGER OF ANXIETY

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.” ~ Philippians 4:6   REFERENCE: Philippians 4:6-9   What a reassuring verse of scripture for the times we live in. So much is happening around us that is perplexing; sometimes, it seems like the world is on a free-fall to doom, and we do not have a full grip on our lives and the external circumstances that affect us. The real target is our mind; to take control of it with anxiety. A mind overtaken by anxiety can rule and...
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FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT: SELF CONTROL

We all make mistakes often, but those who don’t make mistakes with their words have reached full maturity. Like a bridled horse, they can control themselves entirely. - James 3:2 (CEB)   REFERENCE James 3:1-10   Self-control is the virtue that restrains you from doing things you want to do but which are not in your best interest or that of others, e.g., eating an extra plate of unhealthy food despite the doctor’s caution. It is the power to self-regulate and adjust your responses to avoid undesirable behaviors, increase desirable ones, and achieve long-term goals. It is the ability to...
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THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT: GENTLENESS

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. - Galatians 5:22-23   REFERENCE Galatians 5:22-25   Gentleness speaks of kindness and warm-heartedness, the opposite of a harsh and crooked temper. It is the mildness of temper, calmness of Spirit, and a calm disposition to treat people politely. The Greek word for gentleness, ‘Prautes,’ describes meekness or mildness of character. It talks about “power under control” and paints the picture of a tame horse.   Today, we live in a world where being harsh and brash in...
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FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT: FAITHFULNESS

But Ruth said: “Entreat me not to leave you, or to turn back from following after you; for wherever you go, I will go; and wherever you lodge, I will lodge; your people shall be my people, and your God, my God. - Ruth 1:14   REFERENCE Ruth 1:6-19   King Solomon, perhaps, frustrated over having been disappointed over and again by people he trusted or relied on or committed responsibilities to, one day said, “Most men will proclaim each his own goodness, but who can find a faithful man?” (Proverbs 20:6). Why is faithfulness so scarce amongst many? Psalm...
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FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT: GOODNESS

Far be it from You to do such a thing as this, to slay the righteous with the wicked…far be it from You! Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right? - Genesis 18:25   REFERENCE Genesis 18:20-26   A particular pastor used to say, "God is good," and the church responded, "All the time." It speaks of a core nature of God – 'goodness." Goodness is virtue, generosity, and holiness. God cannot be accused of wrongdoing; He has no capacity for evil or wickedness, and only good comes from our God. If we understand this about God,...
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FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT: KINDNESS

And the natives showed us unusual kindness; for they kindled a fire and made us all welcome… - Acts 28:2   REFERENCE Acts 27:41-28:2   Kindness is being considerate, tender, or warmhearted towards others. A kind person has a gentle nature, is always ready to help others, and occupies himself with finding ways to bring happiness to others. Doesn’t that sound like Jesus? As a kid, we sang in Sunday school about Jesus: “Everywhere He went, He was doing good….” He was tender, warm, ready to do a favor, and was about alleviating the burdens of others. His kindness was...
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