Pastor Elwin Ahu
August 17, 2003 - W0333

ìDear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of ChristÖIf you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.î (1 Pet. 4:12-14 NIV)

Peter is saying that we will hit trials so donít be surprised. However, as long as we do what God wants us to do, we donít have to worry. You may say, sure thatís all well and good, but how do we get through those times of struggle?  Well, here are some strategies that will help us through the long haul and aid us inÖ

BUILDING FOR A LIFETIME:

Be sure that yourÖ

1.      PERCEPTIONS ARE FILTERED THROUGH GODíS WORD.

You see we all experience life through two means. One is through sensation. In other words, we experience life through sight, sound, taste, smell, and touch. The second way we experience life is through perception. Thus, our perceptions are the way we interpret or process information we receive. Nevertheless, the Bible warns us to be very careful on how we interpret information or form a perception about it.

ìFor as [a man] thinks within himself, so he is.î (Prov.23:7) You see our perceptions will influence our behavior. It will affect the way we handle the trials of life. It will even determine whether or not we enjoy the journey weíve been assigned.

Dr. Phil, (a talk show host and psychologist) wrote in his book Life Strategies, ìThere is no reality, only perception.î But, I disagree that there is no reality. If we say that everything is just a perception, then we neglect the truth of Godís word. And to say so is like saying our opinions are swayed by the ways of the world.

 ìSee to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ.î (Col. 2:8)

I believe that perception is probably the devilís greatest tool to use against us. If he can cause us to think that life is only a perception, he will use the opinions of the world to shape our thinking. Thatís why we need to filter our perceptions through Godís word. If weíre anchored to Godís truth, weíll know what to do when life takes an unexpected turn.

Often times we face problems when we fail to filter our perceptions through Godís word. Thatís we receive and accept what others say about us instead of checking against what God says. Then we allow those things to shape our opinions about ourselves. And as we think so we become. Thatís why itís so important to be in daily devotions. We must read and know Godís word in order to capture His spirit. That way weíll be thinking like God and thus becoming like Him. Godís word gives us instruction for living and His spirit gives us life. It is He that pulls out life from hopeless situations.

Okay, so what does it mean to filter something through Godís word? Well, when you filter your perceptions or what you think through Godís word, it removes the junk and allows only good things to pass through. But how do we do that? Well here are three simple questions we can ask if we encounter something unforeseen and donít know what to do. The first question to ask isÖ

?        Is it edifying?

ìLet no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear.î (Eph. 4:29 NASB) Is the thought you have building up someone? Is it encouraging to you or someone else? If not, then reject it. Thatís not from God. The next question to ask yourself isÖ

?        Does it glorify God?

The Book of Colossians says to let the word of Christ richly dwell within you and whatever you do in word or deed, do it all in the name of Jesus Christ. Everything that we do, everything we think should be to glorify God. So as you process information received through your senses ask, is it meant to glorify God? If not, get rid of it. Then finally, ask yourselfÖ

?        Does it produce spiritual fruit?

ìBut the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.î (Gal. 5:22-23) Test your perceptions against the fruits of the Spirit. If your perceptions fail to produce spiritual fruit, reject it. Take control of your thoughts and process your perceptions against Godís word.

Therefore remember the first step for building lives that last. That is to be sure your perceptions are filtered through Godís word. Simply ask yourself is it edifying, does it glorify God, and does it produce spiritual fruit? If it doesnít, reject it because itís not from God. The next point to help us build for a lifetime is to develop aÖ

2.      RESILIENT SPIRIT.

ìWe are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed and brokenÖperplexed, but we donít give up and quitÖknocked down, but we get up again and keep going.î (2 Cor. 4:8-9 NLT)

Like Paul, a person with a resilient spirit is not easily derailed. They make a choice to pursue Godís purposes regardless of the challenges. So if we understand Godís purpose and permit Him to fulfill that purpose through us, the Bible says, Godís purposes will never be thwarted or defeated. As a result, a person with that kind of spirit understands itís not about them. Rather itís about fulfilling what God wants to do through them.

The Bible says that Jeremiah never wanted to be the prophet to bring Godís word to the nation of Judah. Nevertheless, Jeremiah pursued his assignment even when the people rebelled against him. Then Jeremiah realized God was actually fulfilling His purposes through Him. ìBut if I say, ìI will not remember Him or speak anymore in His name, then in my heart it becomes like a burning fire shut up in my bones; and I am weary of holding it in and I cannot endure it.î (Jer. 20:9)

In other words, when God gave him the task to take His word to the people, he couldnít quit even if he wanted to because Godís spirit was urging him on. We too can have the same kind of persistence as Jeremiah. Another example is Paul who was equally spirited as he pursued Godís purposes even though he was beaten, whipped, and shipwrecked. And Jesus Christ is our greatest example of an absolutely resilient spirit for He did not let even death itself keep Him down. So we too can be assured of Godís encouragement if we press on with His plans for our lives.

As a church, we at New Hope have encountered a few things that have knocked us off track. However, we came together as a leadership and church and refused to let anything get in the way of Godís purposes for this church. And that is to reach the lost no matter what the cost. So if youíve experienced or are experiencing some setbacks, no matter how tragic it may be, grasp on to principle that God can still use you no matter what your circumstance. Just donít give up.

In review, keep in mind that in order to build for a lifetime, make sure your perceptions are filtered through Godís word. Donít rely on your own perceptions because often they are filled with the worldís opinions and not of God.  Next, develop a resilient spirit, one that is not easily derailed because that will help you persevere in the face of adversity. And finally in order to overcome the twists and turns of life, you must have aÖ

3.      CONFIDENT HEART.

ìTrust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.î (Prov. 3:5-6 NIV) Believe it, etch it in your heart, and live it. Trust in the Lord with all your heart leaning only on Him. He is the only person you need to get you over the struggles of life.

ìThe Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?Öof whom shall I be afraid?ÖThough an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then will I be confident.î (Ps. 27:1,3 NIV)

Itís faith in the midst of struggle that is the most powerful witness of all. Bear in mind that believing and having confidence in the Lord will by no means prevent bad things from happening. On the contrary, trials are inevitable. However, itís having confidence in God that assures us of His continued presence in our hearts. It is He who will pull us through those tough moments. 

ìThe Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?Öof whom shall I be afraid?ÖThough an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then will I be confident.î (Ps. 27:1,3 NIV)

Finally hereís a story of a little boy who needed heart surgery. His surgeon attempts to explain the details of the surgery to this six-year-old boy. However, the little boy interrupts and tells the surgeon that he will find Jesus when he cuts open his heart. The surgeon a little annoyed tries again to outline the procedure. Yet before he could finish explaining the little boy smiles and tells him again that he would find Jesus in his heart. Determined to control his emotions, the surgeon continues explaining the seriousness of the boyís heart damage.

ìBut youíll find Jesus in my heart. The Bible says He lives there. And all the songs say He lives there. Iím sure youíre going to find Him in my heartî, the little boy said smiling. The surgeon was very firm yet the boy was unrelenting and persisted in letting the surgeon know he will surely find Jesus in his heart.

With that, the surgeon left. The next day the surgeon records his notes from the surgery speaking into the recorder, ìDamaged aorta, damaged pulmonary vein, widespread muscle degeneration, no hope for a transplant, and no hope for a cure. Prognosis (and then he paused) death within one year.î Then stopping his recorder and looking up to the heavens he shouts, ìWhy, why have you put him here and allowed this pain. Why have you cursed him to an early death, why?î His tears were hot and his anger burned in his heart. Then in the midst of his anger and tears, the Great Counselor, the One who cares for the brokenhearted came and the surgeon wept.

Later the surgeon sat beside the boyís bed and his parentís sat across from him. And as the boy awoke, he whispered, ìDid you cut open my heart?î ìYesî, said the surgeon. ìWhat did you find?î asked the boy. ìI found Jesusî, he answered.

That boy had a confident heart and knew that no matter what happened the surgeon would find Jesus in his heart. Thatís how much he trusted the Lord with all of his heart.

I wonder what people will find in our hearts when we are going through tough times. Will they find a resilient spirit and confident heart? Will they find someone whose perceptions are filtered through Godís word? Let them see Jesus residing in your hearts regardless of the circumstances you encounter. ìTrust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight.î

Discussion Questions:

1. God wants us to know His word because they are filled with instructions. What are some ways you can be sure to filter your perceptions through His word?
2. Are you aware of your thoughts, speech, and actions?  Share ways in which what you think, say, and do edify, glorify God, and produce spiritual fruit.   
3. God wants us to build a resilient heart by facing struggles or challenges trusting in Him. Do you press on even when knocked down?  No matter what your answer, ask the Lord to help strengthen you in this area in order that you will build and develop a resilient spirit
4. After reading Proverbs 3: 5-6, do you believe it? What ways can you begin to live it daily?  
5. What most impacted you about todayís lesson and how will you apply it to your life this week?