A Successful Man Is One Who Can Lay A Firm Foundation…

with the bricks others have thrown at him.–David Brinkley

This quote about being successful can also apply to Christians who desire to fulfill God’s plan for their lives. Through God’s power, we can persevere and lay a firm foundation with the bricks, insults, criticism and obstacles that others throw at us.

This is a guest post by Beth Harris. She is a wife, mother, Bible study leader and volunteer editor for markalanwilliams.net. 

As a new believer nearly 30 years ago, I was not prepared for the kind of pushback and negative responses that I would receive when I shared my new faith. Yet, it shouldn’t have surprised me, because for years, I was the one who criticized, mocked, teased and ridiculed Christians before I became one.

Since then, I have had to defend my faith and the Bible many times. Although, I haven’t been persecuted like so many Christians have, I’ve felt the sting of being left out. I have experienced the pain of criticism, rejection and being misunderstood. But I’ve also discovered that defending the Christian faith has strengthened my knowledge of God’s Word and as a result, my faith has grown stronger, and for that I am grateful.

Successful or fruitful Christians want to fulfill the purpose that the Lord has for our lives, however nothing worthwhile is ever easy. Therefore, Christians shouldn’t be surprised if we face opposition; because not everyone will respond positively to us or our faith.

Christians will encounter those who insult and criticize us along the way. We may face obstacles that others put in our path. People may try to interfere and prevent us from being successful in our service for the Lord. We may even question our faith or calling as a result. Nevertheless, we should continue to follow Jesus.

God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs. “God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers. Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted in the same way.” (Matthew 5:10-12 NLT)

Christians have their share of obstacles, adversity and setbacks that threaten to defeat us. But, if we persevere, we can grow stronger as a result. 

Romans 5:3-4 says, “We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation.” (NLT)

Christians need to be successful in how we react to negativity from others and respond Biblically to those who harm us. A successful Christian is one who pleases Jesus by responding with grace, love and kindness to those who want to throw bricks or cause us harm.

1 Peter 2:23 says, “He did not retaliate when he was insulted, nor threaten revenge when he suffered. He left his case in the hands of God, who always judges fairly.” (NLT)

Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and he will bless you for it.”(1 Peter 3:9 NLT)

Christians are successful when they don’t retaliate or seek revenge. If we follow Jesus’ teaching, we will lay a firm foundation with the bricks that others throw at us. Our witness will bring Him glory and serve to further the Gospel as well.

The Apostle Paul was severely persecuted. He was stoned, beaten, shipwrecked, imprisoned and often went without the basic needs of food, clothing and shelter; yet he willingly endured so that others would come to know Christ.

2 Timothy 2:9-10 says, “And because I preach this Good News, I am suffering and have been chained like a criminal. But the word of God cannot be chained. So I am willing to endure anything if it will bring salvation and eternal glory in Christ Jesus to those God has chosen.”(NLT)

Are you laying a firm foundation?

Please click here if you would like to accept Christ as your personal Lord and Savior now and read more about the next steps that you can take to grow spiritually in your new faith.

Your thoughts are welcome! You can leave a comment below.

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“A successful man is one who can lay a firm foundation with the bricks others have thrown at him.” –David Brinkley -CLICK TO TWEET

For more FREE Inspirational Quote Cards you can use and share click HERE

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• How to Find Confidence in a Critical World and Stay Humble

• How to Survive Rejection and Find Acceptance Today

• 6 Strategies to Handle Insults Without Becoming a Doormat

• How Reluctant Leaders Become Confident Achievers for God

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If My Life Is Fruitless, It Doesn’t Matter Who Praises Me,

and if my life is fruitful, it doesn’t matter who criticizes me.—John Bunyan

It doesn’t matter who praises us, if our lives are fruitless, and it doesn’t matter who criticizes us if our lives are fruitful. It doesn’t matter, because we should be concerned with pleasing God and living for the praises of Him.

This is a guest post by Beth Harris. She is a wife, mother, Bible study leader and volunteer editor for markalanwilliams.net.     

I don’t like confrontation, so I try to avoid it at all costs. So, sometimes, I have disobeyed God to please others; with disastrous consequences.

While, at other times my obedience to God has resulted in the displeasure and criticism of others. Even though it’s unpleasant to have people unhappy with me, it doesn’t matter; I still have to obey the Lord. I don’t like to be criticized, but sometimes Christians need to speak out and go against the flow. When that happens, it doesn’t matter who criticizes me. What matters is that I’m obedient and fruitful in the eyes of the Lord.

It doesn’t matter who praises us, if our lives are fruitless; what matters is that we prayerfully examine why we lack spiritual fruit and that we have a strategy for spiritual growth.

Some questions we can ask ourselves are:

• Am I genuinely saved?

• Is the Lord really in control of my life?

• Do I have any un-confessed sin?

Quite often, the reason for lack of fruit in a Christian’s life; is because they have never been through a process of discipleship.

John 15:1-2 says: “I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more.”  (NLT)

Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me.” (John 15:4 NLT)

In addition, the Bible also cautions us about living for the praises of people in Matthew 6:1 which says:

“Watch out! Don’t do your good deeds publicly, to be admired by others, for you will lose the reward from your Father in heaven.” (NLT)

The solution is to live for an audience of One.

However, the problem is that most people want to be liked and nobody enjoys rejection. But, sometimes Christians, have to take unpopular stances in order to obey God; and that will displease some people.

Acts 5:29 says, “We must obey God rather than human beings!” (NIV)

It’s better to offend people than to offend God.

God wants us to produce much fruit. Christians do this as we stay connected to Christ; just as a branch must stay connected to the vine to bear fruit.

• John 15:5 says, “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.” (NLT)

• John 15:8 says, “When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father.” (NLT)

If we live in obedience to the Lord and have fruitful lives; we may as a result, suffer persecution and criticism.  

Christian’s who live Spirit filled and Biblically based lives will at some point offend those who don’t and be unfairly criticized. But it doesn’t matter, because if we are fruitful and suffer for Him, our reward will be great.

God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers. Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted in the same way.” (Matthew 5:11-12 NLT)

Christians should live for the glory of God and to hear His commendation “‘Well done, my good and faithful servant.’”

Matthew 25:20-21says, “The servant to whom he had entrusted the five bags of silver came forward with five more and said, ‘Master, you gave me five bags of silver to invest, and I have earned five more.’ “The master was full of praise. ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let’s celebrate together!’” (NLT)

Whose praises are you living for?

Please click here if you would like to accept Christ as your personal Lord and Savior now and read more about the next steps that you can take to grow spiritually in your new faith.

Your thoughts are welcome! You can leave a comment below.

Help Spread the Word! If you found this article helpful, we’d love for you to share it with others on social media or otherwise. This will help get the Word in front of more people who need biblical guidance. Thanks for your help!

“If my life is fruitless, it doesn’t matter who praises me, and if my life is fruitful, it doesn’t matter who criticizes me.” –John Bunyan | CLICK TO TWEET

For more FREE Inspirational Quote Cards you can use and share click HERE

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Some People Grumble That Roses Have Thorns;

I am grateful that thorns have roses.—Alphonse Karr

Some people grumble that roses have thorns; while others are grateful that thorns have roses. This quote is about how to view life. There will always be plenty of reasons to grumble about the thorns, but we may miss the beauty of the roses. It’s better to realize that even though life is full of thorns or problems, there are still roses to be grateful for that represent everything good and lovely in life.

This is a guest post by Beth Harris. She is a wife, mother, Bible study leader and volunteer editor for markalanwilliams.net.

Sometimes, in the evening, when I’m tired; I spend time thinking about circumstances that I wish were different. I complain and grumble, mostly to myself and God.

But, recently and thankfully, the leader for our women’s life group selected a Bible study about learning contentment. So far, I’ve learned that we can make ourselves discontent if we focus on things and situations that are not as we want, instead of being grateful for all that is good in our lives. I’m praying that the Lord will use this study to change me and the other women in our group, and to help us learn how to be more content and grateful.

When we grumble, we demonstrate that we are discontent with circumstances in life, and that somehow God owes us something better or He is withholding blessings from us. If we grumble instead of being grateful, life will pass us by and we may miss all the beauty.

Life can be very painful, but if we habitually grumble, we only add to the discomfort, by making ourselves and others feel worse.

The Bible says that Christians should be different from the world and not grumble so that we will shine for Christ. Instead, we can and should have a positive outlook.

Do everything without grumbling and arguing, so that you may be blameless and pure, children of God who are faultless in a crooked and perverted generation, among whom you shine like stars in the world.” (Philippians 2:14-15 HCSB)

It’s healthy to mourn our losses and pour our hearts out to God; but it doesn’t glorify Him or benefit us if we grumble. Others certainly won’t come to Christ if they always see us unhappy.

We need to change our behavior; and this comes through an inner transformation in our hearts and minds, from the Holy Spirit who indwells Christians.

He can produce His fruit in our lives if we surrender and ask for His help.

Galatians 5:22-25 says, “But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. 25 Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives.” (NLT)

When all we see are the thorns, we can take some steps with the Lord’s help to change our focus.

We can do as Philippians 4:8 says, “Finally, brothers and sisters, 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.” (NIV)

• Take a break from watching the news and reading tabloid magazines and articles; which are mostly negative.

• Unsubscribe from any negative emails.

• Work at changing discouraging thoughts and conversation to things that are good in life.

• If gossip is a problem; change the conversation, by making a positive comment.

Each one of you is part of the body of Christ, and you were chosen to live together in peace. So let the peace that comes from Christ control your thoughts. And be grateful”. (Colossians 3:15 CEV)

We can use the following ideas to help us see the “roses” in life and realize there are still so many blessings for which we can be grateful.

• Meditate on the truths contained in Scripture.

• Praise God for His goodness by spending time worshipping Him or listening to praise music.

• Get outside in nature and take a walk, if possible. Thank God for the beauty of His creation.

• Also, thank Him for life, breath; friends, family, church, sunsets, flowers, food, clothing, etc.

• Serve another by offering to pray for someone, serving at a homeless shelter or cooking a meal for someone in need.

Although, each suggestion requires a sacrifice of time, effort or expense; it’s worth it to receive a fresh perspective on our blessings, which can enable us to be more grateful.

Do you grumble that roses have thorns or are you grateful that thorns have roses? 

Please click here if you would like to accept Christ as your personal Lord and Savior now and read more about the next steps that you can take to grow spiritually in your new faith.

Your thoughts are welcome! You can leave a comment below.

Help Spread the Word! If you found this article helpful, we’d love for you to share it with others on social media or otherwise. This will help get the Word in front of more people who need biblical guidance. Thanks for your help!

“Some people grumble that roses have thorns; I am grateful that thorns have roses. Alphonse Karr

-CLICK TO TWEET

For more FREE Inspirational Quote Cards you can use and share click HERE

Additional resources about related subjects on this site:

• How Praising Unlocks Heaven on Earth

• Five Simple Steps to Conquer Complaining and Find Happiness

• 7 Biblical Christian Mantras I Find Helpful

• Podcast: How can I be grateful when I’m grumpy?

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• Why Thanking Prayers Are So Important

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• How the Curse of Comparison Crushes

• How to Handle Guilt and Stop Holding a Grudge Against Yourself

NOTE: Facebook is random. Email is reliable. Subscribe via email and you won’t miss any of my articles, podcasts or videos. You’ll also get my eBook: 10 Prayers to Unlock Heaven on Earth