PRESS ON: GO BEYOND THE CALL OF DUTY!

Copyright © 2012 by William Valmyr

“12 I'm not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me. 13 Friends, don't get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I've got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus. 14 I'm off and running, and I'm not turning back.” (Philippians 3:12-14, The Message)

Our God is the God of excellence and He has not called His children to a life of perpetual failure.  He has promised to be a very present Help to His covenant people and He stands ready to empower us when the need arises for us to rebound from failures.  I do not know what failures you have experienced so far this year, or even in the past 8 months, but God stands ready to reverse the trend of failure in your life.  God says for you not to wallow in a state of despair if you have experienced failure at some level. We all have areas of weakness that only the Lord can remedy and transform for our good. So reach out for Christ. Forget those things which are behind, and reach forward to those things which are ahead; and press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus (Philippians 3:13-14).

I urge you to go beyond the call of duty and “seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God” (Colossians 3:1, NKJV). Above all, I encourage you to “Set your mind on things on things above, not on things on the earth” (Colossians 3:2, NKJV). The race is not for the faint of heart, but you will fulfill your divine assignment if you keep your eyes on the goal. I love you and I am praying for you!

The best is yet to come! Amen!

ARE YOU GROWING IN WISDOM?

Copyright © 2012 by William Valmyr

As I prepare to spend eternity with my Creator it is my desire to grow in wisdom. Oh, how we often forget that there is more to this life than simply trying to survive and looking for solutions to personal struggles. Beloved, if you only focus on what you’re going through, chances are you’ll never get through it. Life is not about circumstances and trials, but life is about building character, growing and maturing as a person. Another way of putting it for us as Christians is that God uses the difficult times of our lives for our growth (spiritual and relational); God often capitalizes on the difficult processes of this life to produce Christ-like character in us.

We’re reminded to keep God’s main goal for our lives in Psalms chapter 90, verse 12. Listen to these words, “Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom” (NLT). So my friends, “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:2 NIV). I pray that the Lord would help us to have the right perspective on life while focusing on what is most important in light of eternity. I am praying for you! Grace and peace!

REVERENT WORSHIP: THE BENCHMARK OF AUTHENTIC FAITH

Copyright © 2012 by William Valmyr

Friends, if you find yourself in a painful circumstance, may I encourage you to worship the God Who loves you enough to die for you! Your act of sincere worship in the midst of your trial is the spiritual benchmark of your precious faith in God's sovereignty! The Psalmist David said, "6 When I was desperate, I called out, and God got me out of a tight spot.  7 God's angel sets up a circle of protection around us while we pray. 8 Open your mouth and taste, open your eyes and see—how good God is. Blessed are you who run to Him." (Psalms 34:6-8, The Message Bible)

God bless you in your journey! Keep on worshiping God no matter where you find yourself in life; worship Him in the good times and in the bad times!  He is worthy of your worship! Jesus loves you and I love you!

WORSHIP GOD IN THE MIDST OF YOUR PAIN!

Copyright © 2012 by Dr. William Valmyr

"1 I bless God every chance I get; my lungs expand with his praise. 2 I live and breathe God; if things aren't going well, hear this and be happy: 3 Join me in spreading the news; together let's get the word out. 4 God met me more than halfway, He freed me from my anxious fears. 5 Look at Him; give Him your warmest smile. Never hide your feelings from Him." (Psalms 34:1-5, The Message Bible)

God is always worthy of our praises! He is worthy of our worship even during the painful seasons of our lives. C.S. Lewis writes in his classic The Problem of Pain: "A man can no more diminish God's glory by refusing to worship Him than a lunatic can put out the sun by scribbling the word 'darkness' on the walls of his cell. But God wills our good, and our good is to love Him (with that responsive love proper to creatures) and to love Him we must know Him: and if we know Him, we shall in fact fall in our faces." (p. 46)

Do not listen to the lies of the enemy! When the going gets tough, it is not a time to quit on God! It is time for you intensify your worship! I love you and I am praying for you!

THE POWER OF BIBLICAL FRIENDSHIP! By William Valmyr

Copyright © 2012 All Rights Reserved.

“17 Iron sharpens iron; so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend [to show rage or worthy purpose].” (Proverbs 27:17, Amplified Bible)

I have been doing some thinking about the role of friendship in discipleship, spiritual growth and Christian maturity. Epicurus once wrote, "Of all the means ... to ensure happiness throughout the whole of life, by far the most important is the acquisition of friends." Is the goal of biblical friendship happiness? Or is Christian friendship for holiness? Proverbs 27:17 states, “As iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.” I believe that longstanding friendships when done according to Scripture should manifest into measurable benchmarks in the spiritual journey of friends.

Friends should influence each other toward godliness. As a result, the parties involve will challenge each other to reach new heights in their spiritual life. Holiness must precede happiness in any relationship, especially Christian marriages and friendships!

TURN YOUR FAILURES OVER TO GOD AND EMBRACE HIS PLAN FOR YOUR LIFE!

Copyright © 2012 by Dr. William Valmyr

The Scripture says that “God has chosen the foolish things [even foolish people] of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong” (1 Corinthians 1:27, NASB). In every instance where human failure is present, God offered His goodness, grace and mercy to the repentant sinner. If your life has been marred by failure this year, may I encourage you to take responsibility for your indiscretions and surrender them to the Lord in a prayer of repentance! God is the only Person who has the ability to redeem and turn your “failures into stepping stones for godly success!”

Our God is the God of restoration and He is in the business of transforming lives. The Word of God is filled with stories of lives that were transformed by the power of our gracious God.  Just when men and women had given up on life because of what many may call irreparable damages caused by human failures; God often manifests His compassion and divine plan of restoration to fulfill His purpose for the glory of His name. From Genesis to Revelation, we find the redemptive power of God in the most destructive displays of human fallibility. Our God is indeed the God of restoration par excellence! I am looking forward to witnessing the transforming power of God as your past failures will thrust you into God’s grace for success in the months to come! Friends, God is for you and not against! He wants you to turn from your sins and embrace His grace!

Father, forgive us for our lack of obedience and teach us Your way everlasting! In Jesus’ name, Amen!