Romans 8:30 – Daily Dose With Dr.Shermaine

“The Stretching is Strengthening Your Faith!”

Posted on 10 Dec 2021 by Daily Dose With Dr.Shermaine

“…thou hast enlarged me when I was in distress; have mercy upon me, and hear my prayer” (Psalm 4:1)

You see saints, when you look at “Distress” in its Proper Perspective it doesn’t seem all that bad at all now does it?!

The Psalmist was “…Enlarged…” when he was in “…Distress…”! Trust me, you’re going to want to remember that! To “Enlarge” is defined as “To Make Bigger”! So the Psalmist was Made Bigger By God’s Distressing Stretches which resulted in him being made longer, wider (without tearing or breaking apart), he now also has the ability to extend to his full length, and even last longer than others expected and over a good amount of time as well, not to mention being sufficient in his purpose and having more than enough in his storage capacity to use to the max all of his resources!

In other words, Stop Complaining About Your Distress…It’s the Place Where God Enlarges You! I Bet You’re Ready To Be Distressed Now Aren’t You?!

You see, the way to build a stronger muscle is to lift more weight! Now, when a muscle is put under stress, you groan. But if you persist, that muscle grows stronger and what you were groaning about last week you are smiling about this week, because you can now handle what you couldn’t get a hold of before! Which is why I’m still trying to figure out who said the Christian Life was supposed to be easy? Because It Certainly Was NOT God! His Word actually compares the Believers Life to a Battlefield, not a Bed of Roses! The Bible even declares: “…endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ” (2 Timothy 2:3).

Let’s look at how a few other translations word this text:

“Take [with me] YOUR SHARE of the hardships and suffering [which you are CALLED TO ENDURE] as a good (FIRST-CLASS) soldier of Christ Jesus” (AMP);

“Accept YOUR SHARE of suffering like a good soldier of Christ Jesus” (CEB);

“As a good solder of Christ Jesus YOU MUST endure your share of suffering” (CEV);

“Thou therefore suffer affliction as a good soldier of Jesus Christ” (GNV);

“JOIN ME in suffering like a good soldier of Christ Jesus” (GWT);

“TAKE YOUR PART in suffering, as a loyal soldier of Christ Jesus” (GNT);

Hopefully you noticed a few things:

“Be grateful for what you have and stop complaining – it bores everybody else, does you no good, and doesn’t solve any problems.” (Zig Ziglar);

“If you’re not going to put forth any effort to change it, don’t waste your efforts complaining about it.” (Author Unknown);

“Complaining is draining. Complaining only takes away energy from today and never solves the problems for tomorrow.” (James Altucher);

“If you don’t like something change it. If you can’t change it, change your attitude. Don’t complain.” (Dr. Maya Angelou);

“Complaining about a problem without posing a solution is called whining.” (Teddy Roosevelt);

“If you’re not helping to make it right, then stop complaining about it being wrong.” (Author Unknown)

2. DID YOU NOTICE THAT THOSE WHO “ENDURE” are “CALLED to Endure”? Read the text! “Take [with me] YOUR SHARE of the hardships and suffering [which you are CALLED TO ENDURE]…” (AMP) I find it absolutely Amazing that we don’t mind being called to preach, teach, prophesy, pray, preside, lay hands, lead the solo, sit in the pulpit, in the big, special chair, or on the front pew or to wear all sorts of titles, positions, offices, rings, robes and bedazzled crosses, but we Complain About Being Called To Endure! Oh, you can CALL us Apostle, Prophet, Bishop, Pastor, Elder, Evangelist, Minister, Deacon, Missionary, Director…Just Don’t CALL Us to Endure! Oh, you can CALL us blessed, anointed, gifted, talented, awesome, phenomenal, handsome, beautiful, smeared in blessed oil…Just Don’t CALL Us to Endure! Listen, “Endure” simply means “to suffer (something painful and prolonged) PATIENTLY; to TOLERATE; and to Remain in Existence” In other words, NO you’re not going to come out of it in 2 days, you are Called to Endure…Patiently! Tolerate it, Handle It, Remain in its Existence or in other words, Stop Trying to Outrun Suffering and Hardness That Is Your Share to Carry! Stand Still and Handle It, That’s What Good Soldiers Are Commanded To Do!

In addition, God Would Not Give You A Calling He Didn’t Equip You To Answer! Listen to the Word of God: “Strengthen (complete, perfect) and make you what you ought to be and equip you with everything good that you may carry out His will; [while He Himself] works in you and accomplishes that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ (the Messiah); to Whom be the glory forever and ever (to the ages of the ages). Amen (so be it).” (Hebrews 13:21 AMP); “And I am convinced and sure of this very thing, that He Who began a good work in you will continue until the day of Jesus Christ [right up to the time of His return], developing [that good work] and perfecting and bringing it to full completion in you.” (Philippians 1:6 AMP); “And those whom He thus foreordained, He also called; and those whom He called, He also justified (acquitted, made righteous, putting them into right standing with Himself). And those whom He justified, He also glorified [raising them to a heavenly dignity and condition or state of being].” (Romans 8:30 AMP) People of God, You Are Not In Your Distress Alone and God Called You to Endure It! And Last I Checked, Obedience Is Still Better Than Sacrifice!

“Without patient endurance, even the smallest thing becomes unbearable. A lot depends on our attitude.” (Dalai Lama);

“Endurance is not just the ability to bear a difficult thing, but to turn it into glory.” (William Barclay);

“Don’t pray for an easy life. Pray for the strength to endure a difficult one.” (Bruce Lee);

“Perseverance is more than endurance. It is endurance combined with absolute assurance and certainty that what we are looking for is going to happen.” (Oswald Chambers);

“I will love the light for it shows me the way, Yet, I will endure the darkness because it shows me the stars.” (Og Mandino);

“I’m a distance runner. I’ve been trained to keep going, even when it’s hard. When it hurts. When it sucks. When I don’t want to. I look past it. Relentless forward progress to the finish. Call it what you want; stubbornness, endurance, determination, guts. Deep down, I don’t know how to give up.” (Author Unknown)

3. ONE OF THE TRANSLATIONS DECLARES, “…you MUST endure your share of suffering”(CEV) The word “MUST” is defined as “To be obligated”. “Obligated” has a Latin Origin “Obligare”, from “Ligare” which literally means “To Bind”! It’s root is found in the legal field and is called a “Binding Agreement/Contract”, and in a nutshell it is defined as: “An agreement with specific terms between two or more persons or entities in which there is a promise to do something in return for a valuable benefit known as consideration”. It also carries the definition, “An agreement between two or more parties, especially one that is written and enforceable by law”. If anyone in the Bible was the epitome of a “Binding Agreement/Contract”, it was the Apostle Paul! And even he was not alone, both Timothy and James were called Bondservants as well, and a Bondservants’ main purpose is to be Obedient To Their Master! When something is Binding Nothing Should Separate It! It’s an Agreement a Contract that Serves to Benefit Both Parties! You are indeed called to endure hardness and handle your place of distress, which means you are obligated to this also! This is not an option! This is a requirement! It’s a legal, written (the Bible) Law, Agreement and Contract between you and your God! So as Distressing as it may be, You MUST Endure It! Never Forget, Every Binding Agreement Comes With a Promise Attached!

“Great moves of God are usually preceded by simple acts of obedience.” (Steven Furtick);

“We are not obedient because we are blind, we are obedient because we can see.” (Boyd K. Packer);

“Obedience is an act of faith; disobedience is the result of unbelief.” (Edwin Louis Cole);

“Obedience doesn’t make God love you more, but it does show that you love God.” (Greg J. Barber);

“Be obedient even when you do not know where obedience may lead you.” (Sinclair Ferguson);

“Obedience is a choice. It is a choice between our own limited knowledge and power and God’s unlimited wisdom and omnipotence.” (L. Tom Perry);

“Let the consequences of your obedience be left up to God.” (Oswald Chambers);

“God is awesome. He doesn’t need you to be awesome; He needs you to be obedient.” (Matt Chandler);

“There will be no peace in any soul until it is willing to obey the Voice of God.” (D.L. Moody);

“In times of distress, let your covenants be paramount and let your obedience be exact.” (D. Todd Christofferson);

“Selective obedience brings selective blessings.” (Jorg Klebingat);

“When the Holy Spirit lays something in your heart, move without hesitation. You have no idea who may be depending on your immediate obedience.” (Author Unknown);

“He who refuses to obey, cannot command.” (Author Unknown)

“Don’t ever make the mistake of telling God that you have nothing to offer. That simply is not true. God does not create any junk.” (Dr. Myles Munroe);

“I am somebody cause God don’t make no junk.” (Ethel Waters);

“I am a Citizen of a Kingdom that Cannot be Shaken. A Child of a King with No Limitations.” (Author Unknown);

“You have something to offer that nobody else can offer. Nobody has your exact personality or your gifts. You are more than average. You are one-of-a-kind.” (Author Unknown)

Jesus said to Peter, “…Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, that your FAITH should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren.” (Luke 22:31-32 NKJV). In the same way you separate wheat from chaff, Satan wants to separate you from your Faith! Don’t Let It Happen! No Matter How Deep the Distress, No Matter How Far The Stretch, No Matter How Enormous The Endurance Must Be…Don’t Let Your Faith Fail!

Listen: Not only did Peter survive this attack, and strengthen his brothers, but he also grew through it and wrote: “Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you” (1 Peter 4:12 NKJV). The Amplified Bible says it like this: “Friends, when life gets really difficult, don’t jump to the conclusion that God isn’t on the job. Instead, be glad that you are in the very thick of what Christ experienced. This is a spiritual refining process, with glory just around the corner.”

In other words, “There Will Be Glory After This!” And It’s Coming, Just Around the Corner! So remain steadfast on your journey! Fight, Endure, and While You’re Strengthening Your Faith, Strengthen Your Brothers, And Before You Know It, God Will Enlarge You IN Distress…And When It’s Done He Will Have Glory Waiting to Greet You…Just Around the Corner!

If Satan can destroy your confidence in God and His Word, he wins and you lose! So the Word for you today is to be encouraged because “The Stretching is Only to Strengthen Your Faith!”

“You have to sweat for it. HE requires an investment from you. The miracle is in your discomfort. Stretch!” (Bishop T.D. Jakes)

“The circumstances of life will shrink or stretch your faith. Either way, the choice is always yours.” (James MacDonald)

“Sometimes God stirs us out of comfortable situations in order to stretch us and cause us to exercise our faith. We may not like it, and it may not always be comfortable, but God loves us too much to just leave us the way we are.” (Author Unknown)

“The stretching of your faith is an immediate pain that results in ultimate gain. It is in the waiting that we become who we are meant to be.” (Mandy Hale)

“This season, God is stretching you. You won’t pop, but you will stretch in your faith, dreams, vision, and goals. Trust God and stretch.” (Author Unknown)

“For God’s purpose to Spread, God’s people must Stretch.” (Steven Furtick)

“God doesn’t always take you out of the problem. Sometimes, He stretches your faith by taking you through the problem.” (Rick Warren)

“If God is stretching you, He’s transforming you.” (Author Unknown)

“You can’t grow without being stretched.” (Amy Gatliff)

“God’s plan is so big for you that it’ll require you to Stretch!” (Author Unknown)

“When God is stretching you, expect great things on the other side.” (Author Unknown)

“When God stretches you beyond your comfort zone, He’s preparing you for greater.” (Dianna Hobbs)

“God wants us to be constantly stretching and growing. There are new levels for you to rise up to. There are new treasures within you to discover. Explore what God has placed within you because He has purpose for everything within you.” (Victoria Osteen)

Much Love, Dr. Shermaine #EnjoyTheRead #BeInspired #BeEncouraged #BeEmpowered #BeChallenged #ShareTheWord

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“Effective Leaders Follow Jesus”

Posted on 8 Jan 2021 by Daily Dose With Dr.Shermaine

1 Peter 2:21, “For even to this were you called [it is inseparable from your vocation]. For Christ also suffered for you, leaving you [His personal] example, so that YOU SHOULD FOLLOW IN HIS FOOTSTEPS” (AMP)

People of God, if you are to have a Successful Christian Walk, you Must learn to Follow in the Footsteps of Jesus!

Observe 5 of His Footsteps:

1) HE NEVER ACTED IN HASTE: Jesus never made decisions in response to the pressure tactics of others! Saint Francis de Sales gives us some good advice: “Never be in a hurry; do everything quietly and in a calm spirit. Do not lose your inner peace for anything whatsoever, even if your whole world seems upset.” Skilled negotiators know that Waiting is a Weapon! Whoever is the most hurried usually ends up with the short end of the stick! Waiting reveals the weakness in any plan, plus the motives of those around you! Your greatest mistakes will often happen because of impatience, so you should always think long term! “Indeed it is better to postpone, lest either we complete too little by hurrying, or wander too long in completing it.” (Tertullian). Take time to think things all the way through! Don’t marry them, purchase that, move there, try it, attend there, accept that etc…without taking the time to weigh your options and design a blueprint that will eventually become a building made on rock…Not sand! Building on rock takes longer and more sweat, but at least it won’t be swept away with the sand of speed! “These words I speak to you are not incidental additions to your life, homeowner improvements to your standard of living. They are FOUNDATIONAL words, words to build a life on. If you work these words into your life, you are like a smart carpenter who built his house on solid rock. Rain poured down, the river flooded, a tornado hit—but nothing moved that house. It was fixed to the rock. But if you just use my words in Bible studies and don’t work them into your life, you are like a stupid carpenter who built his house on the sandy beach. When a storm rolled in and the waves came up, it collapsed like a house of cards.” When Jesus concluded his address, the crowd burst into applause. They had never heard teaching like this. It was apparent that he was living everything he was saying—quite a contrast to their religion teachers! This was the best teaching they had ever heard.” (Matthew 7:24-28 MSG). Leaders, don’t make haste! Take your time and pace yourself in all things! It will always be worth the wait!

“Take time for all things: great haste makes great waste.” (Benjamin Franklin); “Haste is of the Devil.” (St. Jerome); “Never make permanent decisions on temporary feelings.” (Author Unknown); “Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished.” (Lao Tzu)

2) JESUS KNEW WHEN TO WORK AND WHEN TO REST: In the storm on the Sea of Galilee the disciples sweated, But Jesus Slept. In the Garden of Gethsemane the disciples slept, But Jesus Sweated. That’s because he knew when to work and when to rest! “Just as your car runs more smoothly and requires less energy to go faster when the wheels are in perfect alignment, you perform better when your thoughts, feelings, emotions, goals, and values are in balance.” (Brian Tracy). Knowing when to act and when to trust, what to give your attention to and what to leave in God’s hands, is a secret you must learn if you’re to do God’s Will and not burn out! “It is impossible to get exhausted in work for God. We get exhausted because we try to do God’s work in our own way.” (Oswald Chambers). Listen: Absolutely Nobody was busier than Jesus! Everybody wanted something from Him! The Bible reads: “When Jesus had completed these teachings, He left Galilee and crossed the region of Judea on the other side of the Jordan. Great crowds followed Him there, and He healed them.” (Matthew 19:2 MSG). Understand that the more successful you are, in the work of the Lord, the more people will reach out for you! BUT, never let it go to your head! Even Jesus knew how to pull away from the crowd, with their applause, confidence in His gifts and ministry, all of the acclaim etc…none of it mattered! When it was necessary, Jesus separated Himself in order to receive! He understood that you can’t give what you don’t have! See, when the living waters that flow out of you quench the thirst of the peoples spirit, they will pull on you until you pour even more, even to the point of your own personal, spiritual dehydration! But following in the footsteps of Jesus gives you simple wisdom to follow: Work means Giving; Rest means Receiving! It’s essential that you know when to apply each! Jesus understood the balance; that’s why He accomplished so much in three short years! When you’re rested you think more clearly, you make better decisions, you see life through confident eyes, you accomplish more in less time, and what you build is built to last! But it requires balance! So stop your frantic rush! Following in the footsteps of Jesus means being Led, not Driven or Dragged! Matthew 11:28-30, “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” (MSG)

“Life is all about balance. You don’t always need to be getting stuff done. Sometimes it’s perfectly okay, and absolutely necessary, to shut down, kick back, and do nothing.” (Lori Deschene); “Balance is to never let success go to your head, or failure to your heart.” (Author Unknown); “A healthy life is a good balance between holding on and letting go.” (Author Unknown); “Life is about balance. Be kind, but don’t allow people to abuse you. Trust, but don’t be deceived. Be content, but never stop improving yourself.” (Author Unknown).

3) JESUS KNEW HE DIDN’T HAVE TO PROVE HIMSELF: At the cross, skeptics, “…passing along the road jeered, shaking their heads in mock lament: “You bragged that you could tear down the Temple and then rebuild it in three days—so show us your stuff! Save yourself! If you’re really God’s Son, come down from that cross!” (Matthew 27:40 MSG). His Reaction? He refused to let their comments intimidate Him or alter His plans! HE DIDN’T NEED THEIR APPROVAL; He already had the only one that mattered, HIS FATHER’S! “Then a voice from heaven said, “This is My Own Dear Son, and I Am Pleased With Him.” (Matthew 3:17 CEV). Many of us are accomplishing so little, because we’re expecting so much from the Wrong People! You do not have to prove you’re gifted, talented, anointed, or called! When you’ve been Approved By God, YOU HAVE NOTHING TO PROVE TO PEOPLE! “And those whom He thus foreordained, He also called; and those whom He called, He also justified (acquitted, made righteous, putting them into right standing with Himself). And those whom He justified, He also glorified [raising them to a heavenly dignity and condition or state of being].” (Romans 8:30 AMP). I believe Galatians 1:10-12 says it best: “Do you think I speak this strongly in order to manipulate crowds? Or curry favor with God? Or get popular applause? If my goal was popularity, I wouldn’t bother being Christ’s slave. Know this—I am most emphatic here, friends—this great Message I delivered to you is not mere human optimism. I didn’t receive it through the traditions, and I wasn’t taught it in some school. I got it straight from God, received the Message directly from Jesus Christ.” (MSG) The Amplified Bible says it like this: “Am I now trying to win the favor and approval of men, or of God? Or am I seeking to please someone? If I were still trying to be popular with men, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ. For I want you to know, believers, that the gospel which was preached by me is not man’s gospel [it is not a human invention, patterned after any human concept]. For indeed I did not receive it from man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a [direct] revelation of Jesus Christ.” (AMP) Friends, YOU DON’T NEED PEOPLE’S APPROVAL! JESUS DIDN’T NEED IT, AND NEITHER DO YOU!

“Life is too short to waste time waiting for other people’s approval on how you live it.” (Dr. Steve Maraboli); “If you live for people’s acceptance, you will die from their rejection.” (Lecrae); “Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma, which is living with the results of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of others’ opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition, they somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.” (Steve Jobs); “When you are your own best friend, you don’t endlessly seek out relationships, friendships, and validation from the wrong sources because you realize that the only approval and validation you need is your own.” (Mandy Hale); “I do not need your approval, that’s for insecure people.” (Author Unknown); “Don’t seek to be a people pleaser. Don’t compromise what you know is right in your heart to gain the approval of others. The only approval you need is God’s and you already have that.” (Joyce Meyer); “Never trade your authenticity for approval.” (Author Unknown); “A truly confident person does not need the approval of others any more than a lion needs the approval of sheep.” (Vernon Howard); “When you do not seek or need external approval, you are at your most powerful.” (Author Unknown)

4) JESUS DIDN’T WASTE TIME ANSWERING HIS CRITICS: The Bible says: “But when the accusations rained down hot and heavy from the High Priests and Religious Leaders, HE SAID NOTHING. Pilate asked Him, “Do You hear that long list of accusations? Aren’t You going to say something?” JESUS KEPT SILENCE—NOT A WORD FROM HIS MOUTH. The governor was impressed, really impressed.” (Matthew 27:14 MSG). Jesus responded to hunger, to need, to healing, to seekers, BUT NOT TO PEOPLE TRYING TO TRAP HIM! Simply Put: YOU OWE NOTHING TO A CRITIC! “Speak not in the ears of a [self-confident] fool, for he will despise the [godly] Wisdom of your words.” (Proverbs 23:9 AMP). Leaders, you have far too much preaching, teaching, praying, exhorting, interceding, counseling and the like to do, to waste your words on critics! Sometimes, saying Nothing, is saying Everything!

“Don’t be distracted by criticism. Remember the only taste of success some people get, is taking a bite out of you.” (Zig Ziglar); “If you have no critics you’ll likely have no success.” (Malcom X); “Let go of the people who dull your shine, poison your spirit, and bring you drama. Cancel your subscription to their issues.” (Dr. Steve Maraboli); “Often the people that criticize your life are usually the same people that don’t know the price you paid to get where you are today.” (Author Unknown); “If you are never criticized, you may not be doing much that makes a difference.” (Author Unknown); “Don’t let compliments get to your head; and don’t let criticism get to your heart.” (Author Unknown); “You can’t let praise or criticism get to you. It’s a weakness to get caught up in either one.” (John Wooden); “Criticism can bother you, but you should be more bothered if there’s no criticism. That means you’re too safe.” (Kanye West); “The final proof of greatness lies in being able to endure criticism without resentment.” (Elbert Hubbard); “Pay more attention to your Creator than your critics.” (Author Unknown)

5) JESUS DIDN’T FOCUS ON THE PAST, BUT THE FUTURE: His mother was pregnant with Him before she was married. Only a few people knew the truth. Jesus grew up with this stigma, and Yet He didn’t feel the need to explain it! Therefore, stop complaining that your family was poor, or talking about your limited education, or repeating stories of those who failed you, or advertising your pain, or meditating on your flaws! All of us are challenged in some way or other! So, “Forget about what’s happened; don’t keep going over old history. Be alert, be present. I’m about to do something brand-new. It’s bursting out! Don’t you see it? …” (Isaiah 43:18-19 MSG). Satan discusses our yesterdays; apparently that’s the only information he has about us! But Jesus, on the other hand, discusses our tomorrows (despite knowing our past)! So if you want to follow in His footsteps, focus on what’s ahead, not what’s behind! “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. 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. I’m off and running, and I’m not turning back.” (Philippians 3:12-14 MSG). YOUR FUTURE IS BEFORE YOU…NOT BEHIND YOU! FOCUS FORWARD!

“You can’t start the next chapter of your life if you keep re-reading the last one.” (Author Unknown); “The past is a nice place to visit but certainly not a good place to live.” (Author Unknown); “Just because the past didn’t turn out like you wanted it to, doesn’t mean your future can’t be better than you’ve ever imagined.” (Author Unknown); “The past cannot be changed, the future is yet in your power.” (Author Unknown); “Being stuck in the past is like walking forward with your back facing the front. You’ll always miss out on what’s in front of you.” (Author Unknown); “Let go of the past, but hold onto the lessons it taught you.” (Author Unknown); “If you want to fly on the sky, you need to leave the earth. If you want to move forward, you need to let go of the past that drags you down.” (Amit Ray); “When your past calls don’t answer. It has nothing new to say.” (Author Unknown); “Don’t judge me by my past, I don’t live there anymore.” (Author Unknown)

Sadly enough, in this day and age of the church, people are so busy following people that no one is following God! And if you are to be an effective man or woman of God you must learn how to mature your walk in God, by following God, not just other men/women of God! You need to set the standard for yourself, family and ministry, and that cannot be accomplished by simply imitating Bishop Lollypop, Pastor Cadillac, Elder Pulpit, and Minister It’s My Time! You have to follow Jesus! Even Paul in his greatness still admonished, “follow me…AS I FOLLOW CHRIST…” There’s nothing wrong with following effective people in God, but be careful that you don’t follow them by fascination of becoming them or like them. The only Person you need to groom yourself after is the Lord Jesus Christ. Remember that the next time you find that your walk is going astray, it may be that you’re following the wrong leading! FOLLOW IN HIS FOOTSTEPS!

“This is the kind of life you’ve been invited into, the kind of life Christ lived. He suffered everything that came his way so you would know that it could be done, and also know how to do it, STEP-BY-STEP. He never did one thing wrong, Not once said anything amiss. They called him every name in the book and he said nothing back. He suffered in silence, content to let God set things right. He used his servant body to carry our sins to the Cross so we could be rid of sin, free to live the right way. His wounds became your healing. You were lost sheep with no idea who you were or where you were going. Now you’re named and kept for good by the Shepherd of your souls.” (1 Peter 2:21-25 MSG)

“Jesus refused. “First things first. Your business is life, not death. FOLLOW ME. Pursue life.” (Matthew 8:22 MSG)

“If you want to give it all you’ve got,” Jesus replied, “go sell your possessions; give everything to the poor. All your wealth will then be in heaven. Then come FOLLOW ME.” (Matthew 19:21 MSG)

“Jesus was curt: “Are you ready to rough it? We’re not staying in the best inns, you know.” Jesus said to another, “FOLLOW ME.” (Luke 9:58 MSG)

“If any of you wants to serve me, then FOLLOW ME. Then you’ll be where I am, ready to serve at a moment’s notice. The Father will honor and reward anyone who serves me.” (John 12:26 MSG)

“Then Jesus went to work on his disciples. “Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You’re not in the driver’s seat; I am. Don’t run from suffering; embrace it. FOLLOW ME and I’ll show you how. Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to finding yourself, your true self. What kind of deal is it to get everything you want but lose yourself? What could you ever trade your soul for?” (Matthew 16:24-26 MSG)

“The road that leads to heaven is risky, lonely, and costly in this world, and few are willing to pay the price. Following Jesus involves losing your life and finding new life in Him.” (David Platt)

“Jesus didn’t invite us to become theologians or Bible scholars. He didn’t call us to become more religious. He didn’t ask us to join a club or a political action committee. He asked us to follow Him.” (Marc Alan Schelske)

“Following Jesus Christ isn’t an easy road, but it’s the only road worth following.” (Author Unknown)

“Following Jesus means taking up one’s own cross to accompany Him on His path, an uncomfortable path that is not one of success or earthly glory, but which leads to true freedom, the freedom from selfishness and sin.” (Pope Francis)

“Jesus is not looking for fans, He’s looking for followers.” (Tony Evans)

“Lukewarm people call ‘radical’ what Jesus expected of all His followers.” (Francis Chan)

“Following Jesus isn’t about trying every day. It’s about dying every day.” (Kyle Idleman)

“My prayer is that people will see that following Jesus costs you everything you are and everything you have. And my prayer is that people will see that Jesus is worth it.” (David Platt)

Much Love, Dr. Shermaine #EnjoyTheRead #BeInspired #BeEncouraged #BeEmpowered #BeChallenged #ShareTheWordFeel free to also join us at: http://www.selfcarewithdrshermaine.blogspot.com Today’s Lesson: “20 Stress Relieving Foods to Try if You’re Feeling Anxious”

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“The Stretching Is Strengthening Your Faith!”

Posted on 22 Jun 2020 by Daily Dose With Dr.Shermaine

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