Is opposite sex friendship is ok?

THE BILLY GRAHAM RULE: SHOULD YOU HAVE OPPOSITE-SEX FRIENDSHIP

God wants us to have friends. And that can include having opposite-sex friendships. But those friendships should come with boundaries.

In This Series:

• 1. Should You Have Opposite-Sex Friendships — or Vacation With Someone of the Opposite Sex?
• 2. One Christian Woman’s Response to Vice President Pence’s Commitment to Follow the Billy Graham Rule

In 2017 when Vice President Mike Pence said that he never spends time alone with a woman who’s not his wife, everyone was talking about the “Billy Graham Rule.”

Lots of the commenters didn’t seem to like the rule. It’s sexist, they said, or they argued that it was outdated to the way we live and work today. I disagree. And while my wife, Erin, and I don’t follow Dr. Graham’s “rule” to the letter, we’ve incorporated its spirit into our own lives.

I know the “Greg Smalley Guideline” doesn’t have quite the same ring as the “Billy Graham Rule.” But I hope that how Erin and I handle this really ticklish topic might help you, too.

Are opposite-sex friendships OK?

Check out Hebrews 10:24-25 (NIV): “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another — and all the more as you see the Day approaching,”

Here’s another, from Paul’s first letter to the Thessalonians (5:11): “Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.”

God wants us to have friends. He wants us to be in relationship with one another. And I believe that can include opposite-sex friendships. But those friendships should come with some pretty important stipulations.

First, those friendships shouldn’t be close friendships — the sort of friendships that entail a lot of one-on-one contact or where you’re sharing intimate details of your life with each other. That can get you into trouble in a hurry. Opposite-sex friendships should be casual friendships: Your time together is infrequent and, when you do see each other, you are guided by strong boundaries that your spouse and you have previously agreed to (see below).

Second — and really, this should go without saying — those friendships should be completely out in the open. No secrets. No sneaking or skulking around. If you’re hiding a relationship from your spouse, that should set off some serious alarms.

Third, not only should your spouse know, your spouse should bless the friendship. You need to give your husband or wife a relational trump card. If they feel like the relationship is a problem, then guess what: It is. Never tell your spouse that he or she is paranoid or jealous. Don’t shut the conversation down. Talk it through. And if the friendship is a problem, you should end it immediately. If you can’t end it — if you and your friend have to work together — set some strong boundaries that you and your spouse agree on.

These aren’t easy conversations to have with your spouse. It’s easy to become angry, defensive or dismissive. And trust me, I know all about how these talks can go wrong.

An example from our marriage

Twice in our marriage, Erin has come to me with concerns about my friendships with female co-workers (neither of whom worked at Focus on the Family, by the way). And frankly, I responded defensively both times.

“Don’t you trust me?” I asked her. “What do you think I am, an idiot?”

I interpreted her concern as an indictment on me. She doubts my integrity, I thought. And a lot of spouses respond in a similarly defensive way. They either take the concerns personally or they place all the blame on the other person, calling him or her jealous, controlling or paranoid. All that insecurity, blame and defensiveness leads to even more relational disconnect, and oftendr-greg-smalley

just like it did for Erin and me. And that only reinforced Erin’s concern and fear.

If your spouse raises concerns, you might think about it this way: You can be a great driver, but it still doesn’t hurt to have a car with antilock brakes. You can be a talented woodworker, but you should still wear safety glasses when you’re working with a lathe. And it’s the same with opposite-sex friendships — safety first. Erin needed some extra assurance that I dismissed in that moment.

Eventually, we were able to sit down and really talk about the issue. I put aside my defensiveness and was able to sincerely hear what Erin was telling me. From that conversation, I was able to talk about having some good, strong boundaries with women at work.

Some guidelines for opposite-sex friendships

I’ve mentioned the word “boundaries” a couple of times already. Just what exactly do those boundaries look like in opposite-sex friendships? Consider the following:

Make your relationship with your spouse your priority

No relationship — even the one you share with your husband or wife — can be your “everything.” No one person can fill every relational need. But tending to the friendship you have with your spouse should take precedence over every other relationship you have outside the family.

Cultivate and maintain your same-sex friendships

Those should make up your closest, most rewarding friendships.

Build shared social networks with your spouse

Invite your opposite-sex friend to dinner, along with his or her spouse or a guest. Go to baseball games together. Instead of nurturing a friendship with a woman or man outside of your marriage, better to befriend a couple, where you can all get together to share life and companionship.

Be careful about your interactions

Don’t take an opposite-sex work colleague out to lunch alone, and never take a business trip with only him or her if you can help it. If you can’t avoid those situations, build some strong boundaries. If you’re interacting with an opposite-sex friend or colleague online, make sure there’s a legitimate reason for the communication.

To be blunt, I don’t think you have any business “casually” texting the opposite sex. If I’m trying to banter or joke, I always make it a point to include others and make it a group text. That’s just being safe.

Take honest stock of yourself

Be aware of your own weaknesses and vulnerabilities, and heed warning signs that this friendship might be veering into dangerous waters. For instance, do you ever fantasize about your “friend”? Are you exchanging highly personal information with him or her? Are you hiding the relationship in some way — deleting texts so your spouse won’t see them?

Set guidelines for how you should behave around members of the opposite sex

Ask these questions:

• How do you feel about opposite-sex friendships in our marriage? How might they be appropriate and helpful? What would make them inappropriate?
• How do you feel about opposite-sex relationships at work? How might these be different from outside-of-work friendships?
• When interacting with the opposite sex, what are your expectations for me (i.e., off-limit places, inappropriate topics, how often I spend time with that person, etc.)? What are your expectations with opposite-sex work relationships?
• What rules do you feel are important to have in an opposite-sex friendship? At work? Outside of work?

The spirit behind these guidelines is important, and you should incorporate that spirit into your marriage. No friendship — new or old — is worth damaging your relationship with your spouse.

What does the Bible have to say about lust?

 

The definition of lust as per dictionary is :-

"1) intense or unrestrained sexual craving, or 2) an overwhelming desire or craving." The Bible speaks of lust in several ways. Exodus 20:14, 17 (NLT), "Do not commit adultery. . . Do not covet your neighbour’s house. Do not covet your neighbour’s wife, male or female servant, ox or donkey, or anything else your neighbour owns," or 

Matthew 5:28, "But I say, anyone who even looks at a woman with lust in his eye has already committed adultery with her in his heart." Job 31:11-12 (NLT) sums up lust quite nicely: "For lust is a shameful sin, a crime that should be punished. It is a devastating fire that destroys to hell. It would wipe out everything own.”

Lust has as its focus pleasing oneself, and it often leads to unwholesome actions to fulfil one’s desires with no regard to the consequences. Lust is about possession and greed. The Christian faith is about selflessness and is marked by holy living (Romans 6:19, 12:1-2; 1 Corinthians 1:2, 30, 6:19-20; Ephesians 1:4, 4:24; Colossians 3:12; 1 Thessalonians 4:3-8, 5:23; 2 Timothy 1:9; Hebrews 12:14; 1 Peter 1:15-16). The goal of each person who has put his/her faith in Jesus Christ is to become more and more like Him each day. This means putting off the old way of life of which sin was in control, and conforming one’s thoughts and actions to the standard put forth in Scripture. Lust is in opposition to this ideal.

Nobody will ever be perfect or attain sinlessness while still on this earth, yet it is still a goal for which we strive. The Bible makes a very strong statement regarding this in 1 Thessalonians 4:7-8, "God has called us to be holy, not to live impure lives. Anyone who refuses to live by these rules is not disobeying human rules but is rejecting God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you." If lust has not yet gripped your heart and mind, ready yourself through a life lived above reproach to combat the temptations of lust. If you currently struggle with lust, it is time to come clean before God and ask for His intervention in your life, so that holiness can be a mark of your life as well.

If SIN is bad news then Gospel is good news How ?...JUST READ :-

 If SIN is bad news then Gospel is good news How ?...JUST READ :-

The bad news is that the penalty for sin is death. “The soul who sins is the one who will die” (Ezekiel 18:4). The good news is that a loving God has pursued us in order to bring us salvation. Jesus declared His purpose was “to seek and to save what was lost” (Luke 19:10), and He pronounced His purpose accomplished when He died on the cross with the words, “It is finished!” (John 19:30).

Having a right relationship with God begins with acknowledging your sin. Next comes a humble confession of your sin to God (Isaiah 57:15). “For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved” (Romans 10:10).

This repentance must be accompanied by faith – specifically, faith that Jesus’ sacrificial death and miraculous resurrection qualify Him to be your Savior. “If you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved” (Romans 10:9). Many other passages speak of the necessity of faith, such as John 20:27; Acts 16:31; Galatians 2:16; 3:11, 26; and Ephesians 2:8.

Being right with God is a matter of your response to what God has done on your behalf. He sent the Savior, He provided the sacrifice to take away your sin (John 1:29), and He offers you the promise: “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” (Acts 2:21).

A beautiful illustration of repentance and forgiveness is the parable of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32). The younger son wasted his father’s gift in shameful sin (verse 13). When he acknowledged his wrongdoing, he decided to return home (verse 18). He assumed he would no longer be considered a son (verse 19), but he was wrong. The father loved the returned rebel as much as ever (verse 20). All was forgiven, and a celebration ensued (verse 24). God is good to keep His promises, including the promise to forgive. “The Lord is close to the broken hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit” (Psalm 34:18).

If you want to get right with God, here is a sample prayer. Remember, saying this prayer or any other prayer will not save you. It is only trusting in Christ that can save you from sin. This prayer is simply a way to express to God your faith in Him and thank Him for providing for your salvation.

"God, I know that I have sinned against You and am deserving of punishment. But Jesus Christ took the punishment that I deserve so that through faith in Him I could be forgiven. I place my trust in You for salvation. Thank You for Your wonderful grace and forgiveness – the gift of eternal life! Amen!"

Have you made a decision for Christ because of what you have read here then You have a good news and that is “ YOU ARE SAVED FROM SIN AND ITS TERRIBLE PENALITY” GBU

Bible help to overcome Anxiety ?

 

Anxiety: Anxiety is a paralyzing fear of “what if.” I have suffered for quite long with anxiety and trusting on God to come out it. Solution to anxiety is just assurance that everything is going to be okay. But the world gives us no such assurances. I find my selves surrounded by real dangers resulting in an endless list of “what if.” It’s no wonder human beings are so afflicted with anxieties and anxieties only increase my misery.

Antidote to Anxiety: I will trust on God the Son stepped into this dangerous, demonic world, where even man’s greatest efforts to ensure safety are ultimately defeated by death. But he made the most audacious claim that is for every person who believes in him, everything is going to be ultimately, gloriously, eternally, inexpressibly, wonderfully okay (John 3:16; 11:25–26). I believe that “all authority in heaven and on earth” has been given to him (Matthew 28:18) so just trusting on Him.

With this authority He says “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life” (Luke 12:22). He does not promise us escape from misery but he promises that he will redeem every misery of mine (Romans 8:28), and that in him I will overcome the worst the world can do to me (John 16:33; Romans 8:35–39).

Do not be anxious: Jesus said “Do not be anxious.” (Philippians 4:6-7) I believe that he says this knowing my past, my temperament, the seriousness of my current crises, and how intense my anxiety is. Of course, the command to not be anxious is humanly impossible. But “. For all things are possible with God” (Mark 10:27) and this is helping me to come out of anxiety.

The only way I can fulfil this command is “by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving,” making our requests known to God, trusting a specific promise. Then his peace, surpassing all my understanding, will guard my hearts and minds in Christ (Philippians 4:6–7). I cast my anxieties on God (1 Peter 5:7), and cease to be anxious in the strength He supplies (1 Peter 4:11).

Don’t Talk to Your Anxieties: If anxieties talk to me then I do not talk back to it. I talk to God. Anxieties can even impersonate, taking the form of people, often people, I know. These are some of the most insidious to fight.

My anxiety can come to me in my imagination in the form of that person, and start talking to us. It says provocative things to me and if I reply, I have engaged in a lengthy argument in my heads that arouses all kinds of sinful emotions and leads me to think and feel uncharitably toward the real person.

Scripture only instructs  to cast my anxieties on God in prayer and trust him to meet my needs, whatever they are (1 Peter 5:7; Philippians 4:6–7, 19) and forgive others (Mathew 6:14).This has helped a lot to reduce my anxiety and I will continue to believe on above.

Not All Anxiety Is Sin: There is righteous anxiety, like the anxiety of Jesus in Gethsemane (Matthew 26:38–39), Paul’s for the churches (2 Corinthians 11:28), and parents’ godly concerns over the spiritually dangerous influences their children will face in the world.

“Scripture instructs to cast my anxieties on God and trust him to meet my needs.” What keeps these anxieties from turning sinful is when I, like Jesus and Paul, translate our fear-fuelled concerns into prayer requests, weaving them with thanksgiving for graces I have received from God and the promises made (2 Peter 1:4), and give them over to God. When this occurs, a spiritually beautiful exchange takes place. God receives glory being the object of my  faith (2 Corinthians 9:8)  and I receive the joys of experiencing the mind and heart guarding peace that surpasses our understanding before we receive our request (Philippians 4:6–7), as well as the eventual provision I need.

Prayer is the key to escaping the snare of sinful anxiety. I will not listen to my anxieties and will not talk back to them. I will direct my talk to God and cast all my “what if” concerns on him because only he can give me the assurance that everything will ultimately be okay. I will keep on trusting Him like this to come out of the anxiety until I am free.

Bible help to overcome Lust ?

 

A lustful thought is like a torpedo, cruising relentlessly, silently under the water, straight toward the hull of our ship. I understand that unless I take instant evasive action, I am in trouble. The truth is that I cannot afford to let any lustful thoughts into our minds. Enemy knows how to exploit that one little opening until it is a gaping hole in your spiritual armour as the little opening is all the Enemy needs. So, my plan to walk in victory over lustful thoughts is as under.

A Self-Defeating Fight: I know that I sometimes finish committing some lustful thoughts and then immediately begin to question, how did that happen, what went wrong. I was doing fine, how all of a sudden it happened. It always began as a tiny, silent thought in my mind.

Sometimes I tend to pay little attention to the thoughts that come into our minds. Some come and go so quickly but others linger. Some entice and tantalize & some are sinful and so hard to overcome. But I know that there is victory in Jesus Christ over impure thoughts and there are several things I must do to assure victory. My plan to overcoming is as under.

1. Break the Trance: The first is what I refer to as “breaking the trance.” When lustful thoughts will start to arise in my mind, I will try outwardly to break that momentum toward sin. The situation I am in is likely too conducive then something needs to immediately change. If watching television or using the computer is source, I will turn it off and take a short walk to help me get my thoughts redirected.

Colossians 3:5 says, “Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry.” What does this mean? It means to stop feeding that thing & if anything not fed that will eventually die, or at least lose its power.

2. Pray Continuously:  Secondly, PRAY! I neglect the weapon of prayer far too often. I need Lord’s help. The Word of God instructs us to take our thoughts captive (II Corinthians 10:5) and the best way is to pray. It is impossible to pray and think lustful thoughts at the same time. Prayer has the power to overcome lust.

I decides that If I fail, I will take help from friend, or my spiritual mentor who can pray with you. I will Humble myself and confess my need for prayer to overcome these lustful thoughts. Such humility will the door for favour of the God. I understand that God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble. (I Peter 5:5).

3. Clean House: Third I have decided to apply the words given by the apostle Paul: “Do not be conformed to this world” (Romans 12:2a). Sometimes things I find like television is the source of lustful thoughts and crush my spiritual life or some catalogues and magazines filled with glossy advertising based on sensual appeals I will not use them to come out of it during that critical time. So decided to have a good housecleaning that will go a long way toward making my home the onslaught of sensual propaganda the world hurls at me.

But ultimately, these three steps will not produce lasting victory over lustful thoughts but I need to go hand-in-hand with a long-term transformation of my mind with word of God.

A Great Reversal:  Romans 12:2 goes on to say “…but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” Be transformed? What does it mean to have to have a renewed and transformed mind?

A transformed mind is one that draws its thoughts and motives from an increasingly vibrant relationship with God. Any time you “put off the old,” you must also “put on the new” (Ephesians 4:22, 24). Hollow and deceptive fantasies need to be replaced by something more wonderful. If I proclaim the relevant Scriptures that will renew the spirit of your mind. (Ephesians 4:23).

A new and transformed mind is filled with thoughts of Jesus and His love as it was revealed on the Cross. God wants to renew and transform my mind, my ugly, self-centred, lust-filled mind and give me “beautiful mind,” one that truly pleases and glorifies Him. I will continue to strive for the same to overcome the lustful thought soon and walk in total freedom.

Biblically how to overcome Anger,Depression, Worry and Low self Esteem

 

1.Anger: - In spite of our best not to do so angry thoughts bubble to the surface from time to time sometimes due to fight with our partner, disagreement with parents, or lost your job, there are a lot of reasons to feel angry about what life has thrown your way. If you are religious, you may even harbour some resentment towards God's plan for you, which maybe hasn't aligned with your own plan. But letting anger consume your thoughts and actions will only lead you down a sinful path with consequences. No one said letting go of anger and forgiving someone you feel has wronged you is easy, but these Bible verses about anger can help remind you of the importance of choosing forgiveness over revenge.

It is in your control to release any negative thoughts, keep faith, and have trust that the Lord will make sure those who have wronged you are held accountable. Being angry is valid, but don't let it become your character. These Bible verses about anger will help you accept, understand, and let go, and remind you of the consequences of holding grudges. Just read the verses and apply them into your life to get yourself delivered from anger.

PSALM 37:8, “Don’t give in to worry or anger; it only leads to trouble.” When you can act based on your negative emotions, you might make the wrong decisions, so take your time to calm down before doing anything.

ECCLESIASTES 7:9, “Keep your temper under control; it is foolish to harbor a grudge.”The Good News: A lot of situations can make us react angrily and that’s perfectly normal. But we shouldn’t hold grudges because it’s pointless and exhausting.

PROVERBS 15:1, “A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” When someone who is angry confronts you, don’t fight with them. Try and talk to them calmly as it’ll help calm them down and make their anger go away.

EPHESIANS 4:26, “If you become angry, do not let your anger lead you into sin, and do not stay angry all day.” When web are angry, we may do something we might regret later or act in a way that could hurt those around us. Wait until the anger dissipates before making a decision or taking action.

PROVERBS 14:17, “People with a hot temper do foolish things; wiser people remain calm.”

Anger is a normal response to some situations, but it’s how you respond that makes you who you are.

PROVERBS 14:29, “Those who control their anger have great understanding; those with a hasty temper will make mistakes.” We only have great power when we control our emotions and have patience, unlike those who let their anger take over. Do not make friends with a hot-tempered person, do not associate with one easily angered.”

EPHESIANS 4:29, “Don’t let any foul words come out of your mouth. Only say what is helpful when it is needed for building up the community so that it benefits those who hear what you say.” The Good News: Know that your words have power, and wield them in a way that is positive and helpful for your community.

2.Depression: While with depression, it can sometimes be overwhelming or intimidating to seek help as not everyone who has depression has the same symptoms. Whether experiencing sadness, a loss of interest in life, or noticing changes in your sleep, appetite, or energy levels, being honest and open about your mental health is often the first step to finding relief. And what's more: Having depression is nothing to be ashamed of as, as per National Institute of Mental Health, an estimated 6.7 percent of the adult population has likely dealt with depression at some point in their lives. It's important to know you're not alone and that there are valuable, effective resources out there that can help treat depression, from therapy to medication.

If you are a religious person, turning to the Bible in times of struggle might come naturally to you, too. If reading Bible verses for inspiration, looking to Bible verses about anxiety, or saying prayers to help ease anxiety has helped you in the past, knowing there are Bible verses that address depression could be helpful as well. Memorizing, reciting, or reflecting on these verses could be a great addition to seeking mental health counselling from professionals. No matter what, knowing that God loves you just as you are, regardless of what you are feeling or experiencing in life, is the most important thing. Some Bible verses are as under to remind you, which can help you to come out depression.

DEUTERONOMY 31:8, “The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” While depression can make you feel lonely, God is still there with you. And he’s not going anywhere.

JOHN 16:33, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” Jesus knows that you will experience difficult times. These comforting words can be a source of strength as you reflect on His love for all of us. Through faith, you can overcome the obstacles in your life.

JEREMIAH 29:11, “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for peace and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” There are better times ahead. God has a plan for you, even if your current circumstances are proving difficult.

JOSHUA 1:9, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Through previous struggles in your life, God has always been there. Even if you’re struggling with depression and other mental health concerns, God will continue to be by your side. This verse can empower you, and it reminds you that you are not alone.

PSALM 40: 1-2, “I waited patiently for the Lord; he inclined to me and heard my cry. He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure.” The vivid imagery in this verse is especially relevant for those dealing with depression. It truly can feel like you’re in a pit sometimes. Through faith in God, you can find stability once again

ISAIAH 41:10, “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. “Dealing with depression can be scary. But this verse reminds you that with God on your side, there’s nothing to fear. You’ll find the strength you need to weather the storm by placing your trust in him.

3.Worry: Going through the anxious thoughts about the future can be mentally and emotionally draining and it may feel impossible to wade through these worries so that you can focus on the present and see the light at the end of the tunnel. But Bible verses about worry can help soothe whatever is causing you stress right now, whether it's money problems, an upcoming project at work, or an argument you recently had with a friend. God has the uplifting words and advice to help you overcome the worry troubling your mind.

Maybe you are afraid of a big life change that is coming your way or anxious about having a difficult discussion with your partner. It's in these stressful moments that reading or reciting comforting Bible verses can help alleviate indecision and bring you closer to clarity about the future. In addition to this scripture about worry, you can also incorporate a few prayers for anxiety to bring some calm at the hands of the Lord. These passages may not immediately quell your worries, but do your best to remain present and keep leaning on God's wisdom. Soon, your anxieties will begin to feel smaller and more manageable until they are able to be fully resolved.

MATTHEW 6:27-28 , And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.” Worrying accomplishes nothing but making you miserable put your trust in the Lord.

JOHN 14:1-3, “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.” Jesus assures us that we are in his care, now and forever.

PSALM 6:2-4, “Be gracious to me, O Lord, for I am languishing; heal me, O Lord, for my bones are troubled. My soul also is greatly troubled. But you, O Lord how long? Turn, O Lord, deliver my life; save me for the sake of your steadfast love.” The Good News: God’s steadfast love is ever available to strengthen us in times of trouble.

LUKE 24:38-39, “And he said to them, ‘Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me, and see. For a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.’” The risen Lord calls us to take heart and rely on our faith to support us.

SAIAH 35:4, “Say to those who hav e an anxious heart, ‘Be strong; fear not! Behold, your God will come with vengeance, with the recompense of God. He will come and save you.’”Cast aside your fears the Lord is with you.

JOHN 14:27, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. “The peace of the Lord far surpasses any assurances the world can give; rest comfortable in that knowledge.

PSALM 18:6, “In my distress I called upon the Lord; to my God I cried for help. From his temple he heard my voice, and my cry to him reached his ears.” Lord hears the Cries of His children.

MATTHEW 6:34, “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” Don’t let worries about the future overwhelm you; turn to the Lord for support in the present. God always hears your cries and will never forsake you.

PHILIPPIANS 4:6-7, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Prayer is an ever-sure means to open your heart to God and receive His blessing.

4.Low self Esteem, God wants us to have confidence in life! Not boastful, arrogant pride but an assured knowledge of who we are in Him! Our self-worth should be seen through the eyes of God, our creator. When you need a boost of self-esteem, there is no better place to turn to than the Bible! Scripture is filled with truths and promises that we can place our confidence in.

Our confidence is in Jesus Christ and the love of God. When you feel not good enough or not strong enough, remember who God says you are! We hope this collection of Bible verses about having confidence brings your courage and strength through the love of God.

Hebrew 10:35-36, Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise: So continue to have confidence in the words of God.

2 Corinthians 12:9, And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore, out faith on the bible verses about self-esteem.

Genesis 28:15 I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.” Continue to keep your trust on His words and not yourself.

Philippians 4:13 ESV, I can do all things through him who strengthens me. In Christ we can do much more and so keep on proclaiming His words.

Hebrew 4:16, Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. For our need we need to approach our God and He shell provide.

1 Peter 2:9, But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvellous light. We are His chosen, a royal priest hood so believe on it.

Matthew 10:31, Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. We have much more value.

2 Corinthians 12:9 , But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Gracious God is with us and powerful and His power will rest upon us in our weakness.

Hebrews 10:22-23, Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. Proclaim His words and He is faithfully.

Isaiah 61:1-3, The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the broken hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; to proclaim the year of the Lord's favour, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn; to grant to those who mourn in Zion to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he may be glorified. Proclaim these words and receive the oil of gladness and liberty from captivates in the form is low self esteem.

Pastor to have a heart of Servant!

 What does it mean to have a servant heart?

To answer the question, “what does it mean to have a servant heart,” we must first learn what a servant is. A servant is a person who meets the needs of others. A servant is an individual who puts themselves under submission to another. A servant is different from a slave in that a servant’s loyalty to one’s master is voluntary, but a slave’s is not. Every slave is a servant, but not every servant is a slave.

In Christianity, we are called first to submit to God, then to one another.

When I stayed with my friend, she had such a beautiful servant heart. She served selflessly, humbly. She gave of herself without expecting anything in return. She loved God and wanted to bless me with the overflow of that love. It left me wondering, how well do I serve others and what do I use as my guide?

5 Tips for Having a Servant Heart

1. Use Jesus as your model: Jesus was the greatest servant of all

Jesus came to earth as a servant with a commitment to serve. He always put others’ needs first. If He had come, instead, to be served, our salvation and sanctification could and would never have taken place.

“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:45)

“Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.” (Philippians 2:6-7)

By coming as a servant, Jesus provided a living, breathing example for us to follow of how we are to treat others, and the approach we are to take in our relationships.

“So when He had washed their feet, and taken His garments and reclined at the table again, He said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you? “You call Me Teacher and Lord; and you are right, for so I am. “If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I gave you an example that you also should do as I did to you.” (John 13:12-15)

To cultivate a servant heart, use Jesus as your role model. He was the greatest servant of all.

2. If we want to be great, we must be least

When we watch the example that Jesus was for his disciples and for us, He has really given us two choices:

• • We can choose to serve ourselves, OR
  • We choose to serve others.

If we choose to serve ourselves, then we cannot be His disciples, because he taught his disciples that if they were going to follow him, they had to be willing to put themselves last.

If we choose to serve others, then we show others His love, and in that way, they will know we are His disciples.

“Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, “Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.” (Mark 9:35)

“By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:35)

God’s kingdom operates differently from our earthly hierarchical structures. Greatness in God’s kingdom does not come from occupying positions of power or being praised by men. God is more interested in a servant heart and our attitude toward others.

“Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant,” (Matthew 20:26)

A hindrance to being a good servant is a desire for praise, power, and recognition by others or self-exaltation.

“A dispute also arose among them as to which of them was considered to be greatest. Jesus said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors. But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves. For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves. You are those who have stood by me in my trials. And I confer on you a kingdom, just as my Father conferred one on me, so that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.” (Luke 22:24-30)

We must choose to serve others and be the least of these in order to have a servant heart.

talents that we are to use for serving others.

“God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another.” (1 Peter 4:10)

In turn, serving others may be what God uses to touch their hearts and draw them to Him. Share the love of God by using your gifts to serve others. It’s another aspect of having a servant heart.

3. We show our love for God by loving others

Jesus told his disciples, and us, that if we love him, we will keep His commandments. Our obedience is an outward demonstration of our love for God.

“This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” (John 15:12-13)

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” (Colossians 3:23-24)

“Don’t be concerned for your own good but for the good of others.” (1 Corinthians 10:24)

When we obey God’s commandments, we exhibit a servant heart.

4. Consider Others Before Yourself

In today’s society, there has become a tendency to focus on self-fulfillment rather than making it a priority to serve God and others. This is not consistent with Scripture.

“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or empty pride, but in humility consider others more important than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.” (Philippians 2:3-4)

Modern society has made an industry out of self-fulfillment and self-help for everything from dieting to reaching one’s greatest potential. The focus of a Christian should instead be on knowing and loving God, and from that relationship, serving others according to the example Jesus provided.

Serving others according to the example we have in Jesus is a quality of having a servant heart.

5. Use your gifts in order to serve

God has given each of us certain gifts and talents that we are to use for serving others.

“God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another.” (1 Peter 4:10)

In turn, serving others may be what God uses to touch their hearts and draw them to Him. Share the love of God by using your gifts to serve others. It’s another aspect of having a servant heart.