• Building Up Love

He is the source (the river) from which true love can flow into your life.

It's not always easy to love, especially when someone has done you a great wrong and has mistreated you.  God instructs us to expose the evil actions of wrong, to work to heal the harmful affects of people who are suffering needlessly because of the greed and selfishness of wrong doers.

It should bother us (if we have any sensitivity to what's morally right in the eyes of God) to see wrong and innocent people suffering because of the greed and selfishness of wrong doers.

It's Okay to be angry and to hate their actions, but not to hate the person, himself.  Be willing to be compassionate if there is a true repentance (change) in heart in that person to change.

• Building Up Joy

The life that God has called His people to walk in and to bathe in is a life full of joy and (eternal) godly pleasures.  Yes, there will be challenges in this world to overcome and yes, there will be things that we see and hear that will try to discourage us and that will try to take us down.  But the Lord, God Almighty, has promised to fill His people with joy when we make every effort to enter into His presence, to seek His counsel and guidance.  He is more than a father.  He is a true friend.  He will comfort you, He will strengthen you, and He will make you laugh and rejoice again.  It's up to you to reach out and take what has been freely offered to you.

The bible indicates clearly that there is a joy that comes from God that many have not experienced, yet.  God desires to fill His people with His joy.  As Jesus talked to His disciples He said, "I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete."  Every time you open up your heart to hear and receive the implanted word that can change your life you are allowing Him to add more faith into your life.  You are allowing Him to add more of His joy into your heart.

Little by little you will be filling your heart with God's word, His love, and His joy.  You will see, and others will see that your life is under construction.  You will see that it is God who is adding and building His qualities and character into your life.  You will see your life changing and being transformed into the image and likeness of Jesus.  He will be removing from your life those things  that are only separating you from fellowshipping in His presence.  The bible tells us that in His presence you'll find fullness of joy:

"You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand" (Psalms 16:11). 

Jesus also said "...I tell you the truth , my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete" (John 16:23,24).

If you ask God to fill you, He will do it, and then you will see that the fullness of God's joy will fill your hearts and minds completely.  You will find the peace of God that you are eagerly looking for.

Jesus talking to the Heavenly Father said, "I say these things..., so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them" (John 17:13).

This may surprise you, but, just as good parents want the best for their kids, and delight in seeing their children full of joy, also God is the same way toward all who are obedient and willing to receive His instructions that lead us into His life.

He fills our hearts with joy:  "...He (God himself) has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; he provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy" (Acts 14:17).

It is God who gives us hope.  He has promised to fill us with all joy and peace as you (put your) trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit  "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit" (Romans 15:13).

God is the master builder.  He is the great architect. Let Him add His word to your life and watch the changes take place.  Watch the miracle working hand of God reach out and change your life.

So Rejoice and be Glad
"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: rejoice!" (Philippians 4:4)

• Building Up Peace

LET THE PEACE OF CHRIST RULE IN YOUR HEARTS

 4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!  5  Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.  6  Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  7  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.  8  Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy -think about such things.  9  Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me - put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you (Philippians 4:4-9).

There are powerful promises in these verses of scripture.  The Lord has first indicated that it is possible to be joyful and at peace at all times (verse 4).

Verse 5 tells us that God is near you, and more than that, He actually lives in all those who believe and put their trust in His unfailing love.

Verse 6 shows us that God does not want us to be full of anxiety (or worried) about anything, but to present our petitions and requests to Him. And begin to thank Him for the peace of mind and comfort of heart that He offers you.  If you are obedient to His instructions, He has promised to fill you with His peace.  His peace is a peace that goes far beyond whatever you could possibly ask or think and it will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

If you ponder (keep your mind) on His word and focus on His promises and do not allow your mind to be filled with and preoccupied with fear and doubt, then the peace of God will be with you.  Both you and I, through our faith in His promises, have gained access into His presence through Jesus who has made the way.

 Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me " (John 14:6).

1 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,  2  through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God (Romans 5:1,2).

" The LORD gives strength to his people; the LORD blesses his people with peace" (Psalms 29:11).

Many times we suffer mentally and physically because our hearts are not at peace.  Medical doctors have found and have indicated that excessive worrying and excessive depression breaks down the immune system and can actually open up the doors to mental and physical problems. 

The bible tells us "A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit (a broken heart) dries up the bones." (Proverbs 17:22) 

"A heart at peace gives life to the body, ..." (Proverbs 14:30)

Many times we don't even realize that because we've allowed our minds to be so filled with worry that we have not made any room to hear God's voice (His word).

The scriptures encourage us to: "Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly..."(Colossians 3:15,16)

Isaiah 26:3 "You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you."  We need to firmly keep our mind focused on the promises that God has given to us and not allow ourselves to be torn down with worry.  Learn to trust God.

Psalms 119:165  "Great peace have those who love your law (commands), and nothing can make them stumble."

The more you fall in love with God's commands (His word) the more you will learn to trust in His unfailing love.  He loves you more than you love yourself, and when you realize this truth you'll hold on firmly to His promises that He has made to you.

 1 My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart,  2  for they will prolong your life many years and bring you prosperity.  5  Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;  6  in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.  13  Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, the man who gains understanding,  14  for she is more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold.  15  She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her.  16  Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor.  17  Her ways are pleasant ways, and all her paths are peace.  18  She is a tree of life to those who embrace her; those who lay hold of her will be blessed.  17  Her ways are pleasant ways, and all her paths are peace (Proverbs 3:1,2,5,6,13-18,17).

• Building Up Patience

As the baby elephant holds on to its mother for guidance, strength, and safety God also wants us to hold on to His counsel, draw from His wisdom, and to know that He is our strength.  He will fight our battles if we call out to Him and put our trust in His unfailing promises.  Little by little you will see the changes in your life. Little by little you will learn to be more like Him (in speech and in conduct). Little by little you will know that it is wise to let Him, who is the Creator of all good things, to let Him show you how to choose what's good for your life and others, and how to reject what would be bad for your life

"...so that you may enjoy long life...so that it may go well with you  and that you may increase greatly...Hear....Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts.
 Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up" (Jeremiah 6:1-7).

 

• Building Up Kindness

"...I AM THE LORD WHO EXERCISES KINDNESS, JUSTICE, AND RIGHTEOUSNESS ON THE EARTH, FOR IN THESE THINGS I DELIGHT, DECLARES THE LORD." - (Jeremiah 9:24)_

• Building Up Goodness

MAKE EVERY EFFORT TO ADD TO YOUR FAITH GOODNESS...          2  Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. 3  His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.  4  Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.  5  For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge;  6  and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness;  7  and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love.  8  For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.  9  But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins.  10  Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never fall, (2 Peter 1:5, 2-10).

• Building Up Faithfulness

"Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart" (Proverbs 3:3) . 

Building up provisions for your loved ones.  Just like the ant works hard at building up provisions for their loved ones, even so God wants us to draw from His strength (that so mightily works in those who love Him). Which enables us to provide for our family and ourselves.  Be diligent, leave a good example so that others may see God at work in you and through you.  A lazy person will fall into poverty, but diligent hands will rule.  Trust in God, and not in your own strength, for it is He who gives you the life and strength to be a blessing to others.

• Building Up Gentleness

We don't always have to speak and act tough in order to gain the respect of others.

"A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger" (Proverbs 15:1).

There is a time for everything. A time to be tough and firm with principles and beliefs that God has firmly put in our heart.  But there is a time to be gentle and kind to those who are around you or under your care and supervision.  God is also firm about godly (God like) principles that He has determined to be good and healthy for our lives. But He is also gentle and patient not wanting to see anyone perish or suffering.  He is gentle and compassionate to all who put their trust in His unfailing love. Do the same with others; be more like God. Show love toward others.

• Building Up Self-Control

PREPARE YOUR MINDS FOR ACTION; BE SELF-CONTROLLED -     (1 Peter 1:13)

"A quick- tempered person will do foolish things..." (Proverbs 14:17, Genesis 4:1-10).

One who is easily angered will fall into sin "A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man keeps himself under control" (Proverbs 29:11).

Have self-control, do not allow this body or evil desires to control you and your actions. Honor God with our bodies; lets show that we can be trusted to enter into His kingdom.

• Train yourselves to be godly

............

From Childbirth to adulthood God's main goal is: to add to our life whatever we are lacking in becoming more like Him, and also that we allow His powerful word to build up His character and desires within us, so that we may prosper and be successful in everything we do.

Lets make every effort to grow "...become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ" (Ephesians 4:13).

"Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation," (1 Peter 2:2)

"Beyond all question, the mystery of godliness is great: He appeared in a body, was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by angels, was preached among the nations, was believed on in the world, was taken up in glory" (1 Timothy 3:16).

"22 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires;  23  to be made new in the attitude of your minds;  24  and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness" (Ephesians 4:22-24).

  " 22 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires;  23  to be made new in the attitude of your minds;  24  and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness" (Hebrews 5:13-14).