GLAD TIDINGS!
Free cheer-igniting and faith-kindling
daily quotes with Christian reflection
from The Inspired Word and Dr. Sandra Nelson
Today, surrounded by
acts of violence, persistent evil, and inconceivable horrid acts against human beings, we
live in stirring fear and uncertainty. In addition, it seems that every day we face
employment battles, financial struggles, health challenges, and blue moods. We wrestle
with answers to questions that scare us to even ask. We often feel overwhelmed,
overwrought, and overlooked.
We need an absence of worry and less stress. We need to be
understood, accepted, and embraced. We need peace, enthusiasm, comfort, and encouragement.
Perhaps more than any time in history, today we need God.
GLAD TIDINGS will lend a hand in the search for answers,
purpose, and cheer. Deepen your faith and lessen the uneasiness you encounter every day
with these simple, relevant messages.
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The awesomeness of a buddy relationship with Jesus Christ can
often be distant, if not missing. Instead of experiencing a sense of approval, optimism,
calmness, and forgiveness, we may see the Christian message as one of demands, rejection,
and guilt. Consequently, we turn from God instead of to God.
In her workbook Why Me? The Surprising Answers, Dr. Sandy compiled…
THE TOP TEN REASONS WHY WE RESIST THE CHRISTIAN LIFE
#10 God is really mean.
You may not believe and trust that God really loves you and has your best interests at
heart at all times. You may think He only wants to boss you around and intimidate you with
His power. You may fear that He will punish or harm you if you don't do exactly what He
wants and commands. This is true, right? Not. God is not mean. God is not a bully. [Titus
3:4-7]
#9 God demands too much.
You may fear that you can't measure up to perceived high expectations of being a
Christian. You may be living by the double-edged sword of fear that you can't meet those
expectations, and guilt that you fall short of them. You may speak of grace and
forgiveness, but personally judge yourself as unworthy and live life punishing yourself
for failing so miserably as a Christian, and for making so many mistakes. How wrong is
this mind-set? Very. [Colossians 2:14]
#8 God will want more from me.
You feel you're already trying as hard as you can, what more can you do? You may feel
anger, as well as guilt, at the idea of what you think is the demanding nature of God.
Your frustration and anger may intensify because you don't feel like you're doing enough
in life to please Him. God doesn't demand anything from you, yet He will give to you in
abundance. Other people may place demands on you, but God isn't one of them. [John 10:10]
#7 God will want absolute, 100 percent control of my
life.
Living life by controlling every detail and emotion, you may find it difficult to turn
over anything to another person - especially God. But, here's a newsflash: God is in
control whether you believe that or not. God doesn't want to be your dictator. He wants
you to choose Him as your Heavenly Father. [John 1:12-13]
#6 God is happy just with my good deeds.
Maybe you're like some people who plunge head first into volunteer activities in the hope
of gaining recognition from God - even other people. Driven by fear of rejection and
shame, you thirst for approval and that drives you to "perform" for acceptance.
All for naught because your salvation cannot be earned, it's a gift. Good works will not
get you into heaven. [Romans 11:6]
#5 God will want me to do hard things.
Some people often read the Bible selectively, picking out passages that support their
feelings and expectations they think God has. They may think God wants them to part the
Red Sea again, or relocate to a swamp filled remote island to preach the Gospel to hostile
cannibal natives. As a reaction to the fear and guilt felt in your life, you may tend to
focus entirely on one aspect of the character of God—usually the punishing,
demanding, angry God of the Old Testament. Nothing is hard when you're doing God's will.
It's He who is responsible to bring His will about within you. The "hardest"
part perhaps is giving God your heart - your willingness to be used for His will. Yet, the
blessings awaiting when you offer Him your will are amazing. [Romans 8:31-32]
#4 God had His chance with me.
When disappointed, you may find yourself feeling resentful. Hardening your heart in an
attempt to banish all further hurt seems like a good form of self-protection. You may
blame God for all the injustices in life and in the world. But did you forget? You have a
free will - you're given the freedom to choose your thoughts and actions. With that choice
comes responsibility. Every person is responsible for his or her choices. Some people make
evil or bad choices. God cannot be responsible for a person's evil or bad choice. [Romans
8:5]
#3 What will other people think?
What will other people think if they know you're a Christian? You need to remember that
it's this type of unhealthy thinking that gets you into trouble in the first place.
[Galatians 1:10]
#2 I will have to change my life.
You will not have to change anything in your life, but you will want to. [2 Corinthians
5:16-21]
And the #1 Reason Why You Resist The Christian life…
God will make me weird.
Being tagged as a "Bible-thumper," or a "Jesus-freak" may be
embarrassing. You might be made fun of. Because those who disrespect your faith are the
non-believers who have no weapon against God, they use comments of ridicule as their only
pitiful recourse. God will not make you weird. He will make you His. [Hebrews 11:6]
Experience the peace that surpasses all
understanding—experience serenity
and experience inspiration. Experience God
in a refreshing way!
Today, surrounded by
acts of violence, persistent evil, and inconceivable horrid acts against human beings, we
live in stirring fear and uncertainty. In addition, it seems that every day we face
employment battles, financial struggles, health challenges, and blue moods. We wrestle
with answers to questions that scare us to even ask. We often feel overwhelmed,
overwrought, and overlooked. 
