Our non denominational Christian church in Peoria AZ is committed to teaching God’s Word in context and faithfully, accurately appying it to life today.
Biblical Readiness
Week Five
Scriptural Guidepost Premise for Spiritual Resiliency:
(Jeremiah 17:7-8) “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. 8 He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit.”
(Psalm 62:5-7) “For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from him. 6 He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken. 7 On God rests my salvation and my glory; my mighty rock, my refuge is God.”
(Hebrews 10:23-25) “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.”
(Matthew 7:24-25) Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock.
From These Scriptural Guideposts We Know That We Can…
One) Become spiritually resilient as the culmination of regulating life and resisting temptation, become more actively present and take on their full precedence within us.
Regulating Life: The Holy Spirit regulates us with active evidence – the Fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:20), and daily manifestation – the Gifts of the Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:7). Resisting Temptation: The written Word of God spoken in the face of temptation has the spiritual authority to keep us from all evil (Psalm 119:9-11).
Three) Faithfully reach for spiritual resiliency which is the final guidepost needed to lead us into a state of Biblical Readiness.
Introduction
From a more clinical or psychological approach, resilience looks more like this. Resilience is defined as how one “deals effectively with pressure, ambiguous and emerging conditions, and multiple tasks; remains optimistic and persistent, even under adversity or uncertainty. Recovers quickly from setbacks. Anticipates changes and learns from mistakes.” Resilience is the ability to function well in the face of adversity. The DLA (Defense Logistics Agency) resilience model claims four pillars: mental, physical, social and spiritual; that balancing these four components help strengthen your life.
Physical: The ability to adopt and sustain healthy behaviors. Regularly work out and continually monitor physical stamina. Recognize the connection between mind and body: strong bodies help build strong
minds. Social: The ability to network. Build and value interpersonal relationships and social networks. Social connections with others widen perceptions and grow character. Spiritual: The ability to adhere to beliefs, principles, or values needed to persevere and prevail in accomplishing missions.
Ironically, the Bible often describes resilience in battle terms:
Though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again… (Proverbs 24:16).
Israel would have to demonstrate resilience during the arduous season of fighting for the Promised Land – and they still are in this very moment. These battles were not without mistakes, setbacks, and errors. IN HIS GRACE AND MERCY, God provides us with opportunities for “begin agains”. The renewal of their covenants with God allowed Israel to continue bouncing back.
The prophet Isaiah ties together the idea of renewed faith and resilience. How do we bounce back after falling?
Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. (Isaiah 40:30-31)
Please hear me on this. I like, but not love this… and since I am not a secularist, and continue my journey towards fearing God more than I fear man, and trusting God more than I trust myself. I believe this is better presented as: God is – God has – God can.
God Has – When we face struggle and even failure, we remember we have promises from God, who is working with our best interest on our behalf. He has promised to never leave or forsake us – that He cares for us even when we cannot care for ourselves.
God Can – Our genuine reliance on Jesus reminds us that God “can” do the impossible, in fact, immeasurably more and above all that we can imagine. And, that we can do all things through Christ Jesus who strengthens us (Philippians 4:13).
This is hope, and this is how hope in the Lord renews our faith, then strengthens and forms resilience within us to lead us through life’s greatest difficulties. And although life may be overwhelming at times, God promises that He will give us the strength to bounce back. Jesus said that — “a bruised reed he will not break” (Matthew 12:20). When you find yourself under extraordinary pressure, ask yourself these three questions: Who is God? What does God have? What can God do?
Resiliency Leading To Biblical Readiness – Using the Model of Christ
The life of the incarnate Christ – God with us – the Word Became Flesh, was a study in resiliency. From the divine circumstances of His immaculate conception, to His mother’s flight from Herod, His angelic and prophetic birth in a stone birthing manger made for Passover lambs, despised of His own people, rejected by the religion of His own faith, beaten and suffered under the judgments of Caiaphas, Herod, and Pilate, and ultimately His brutal execution at the hands of Rome. Yet there He hung as the model for all resiliency – “Father, forgive them”… Buried and mourned – dead but not done – breathing in the Spirit of Life – breathing out the promise of the Holy Spirit – sending the faithful out – ascending to Glory and to the right Hand of the Father – interceding for our resiliency and readiness. Yes, I say, use the resiliency model of Christ.
(John 14) The Pathway to Spiritual Resiliency
Resiliency Leading to Biblical Readiness – The Practical Steps
Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 5 and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.
The Reunion Church is a non-denominational Christian church located in Peoria, Arizona, just east of the 101 Freeway on Cactus Rd. If you enjoyed this blog, we invite you to join us on Sundays to hear this content preached live! At the Reunion Church, we love God and are committed to the in context, in depth preaching and teaching of His Word, and then the alignment of our lives to it. Come grow with us!
The Reunion Church
- 8153 W. Cactus Rd., Peoria, AZ 85381
- 623-979-5465
- info@thereunionchurch.life