From the words and teachings of Pastor A.R. Bernard

Even though good people may be bothered by trouble seven times, they are never defeated.

Proverbs 24:16 NCV

If you want to be happy, consistently happy, you must learn how to deal with failure.  Why?  Because all of us face setbacks from time to time-those occasional failures are simply the price we pay for being dues-paying members of the human race.

Mary Pickford was “America’s sweetheart” in the early days of motion pictures.  And along with Charlie Chaplin, Douglas Fairbanks, and D. W. Griffith, she formed United Artists Corporation, a Hollywood powerhouse.

Miss Pickford had a simple yet powerful formula for success: She said, “This thing we call ‘failure’ is not falling down, but staying down.”  She might well have added that every time we get back up, we build character.

Life’s occasional setbacks are simply the price that we must pay for our willingness to take risks as we follow our dreams.  But even when we encounter bitter disappointments, we must never lose faith.

Hebrews 10:36 advises, “Patient endurance is what you need now, so you will continue to do God’s will.  Then you will receive all that he has promised” (NLT).  These words remind us that when we persevere, we will eventually receive the rewards which God has promised us.  What’s required is perseverance, not perfection.

When we face hardships, God stands ready to protect us.  Our responsibility, of course, is to ask Him for protection.  When we call upon Him in heartfelt prayer, He will answer.  In His own time and according to His own plan, He will do His part to heal us.  We, of course, must do our part, too.

And, while we are waiting for God’s plans to unfold and for His healing touch to restore us, we can be comforted in the knowledge that our Creator can overcome any obstacle, even if we cannot.

A Simple Step

Setbacks are inevitable-your response to them is optional.  You can turn your stumbling blocks into stepping stones…and you should.  Failure is the womb for success

From the words and teachings of Pastor A.R. Bernard

Peace I leave with you.  My peace I give to you.  I do not give to you as the world gives.  Your heart must not be troubled or fearful.

John 14:27 HCSB

One aspect of spiritual health is the ability to partake in the peace that only God can give.  Are you willing to accept God’s peace?  If you can genuinely answer that question with a resounding yes, then you are richly blessed.  But if you have not yet discovered “the peace that passes all understanding,” today is a wonderful day to find it.

The beautiful words of John 14:27 give us hope: “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you…”  Jesus offers us peace, not as the world gives, but as He alone gives.  We, as believers, can accept His peace or ignore it.

When we accept the peace of Jesus Christ into our hearts, our lives are transformed.  And then, because we possess the gift of peace, we can share that gift with family members, friends, and the world.  If, on the other hand, we choose to ignore the gift of peace-for whatever reason-we simply cannot share what we do not possess.

Today, as a gift to yourself, to your family, and to your friends, make peace with the past by forgiving those who have harmed you.  Then claim the inner peace that is your spiritual birthright: the peace of Jesus Christ.  It is offered freely; it has been paid for in full; it is yours for the asking.  So ask.  And then share.

A Simple Step

Do you want to discover God’s peace?  Then do your best to live in the center of God’s will.  Peace occurs naturally when your values and activities are in agreement

From the words and teachings of Pastor A.R. Bernard

For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.

2 Timothy 1:7 NLT

If you’re overly worried by the inevitable ups and downs of life, God wants to have a little chat with you.  After all, God has made promises to you that He intends to keep.  And if your life has been transformed by God’s only begotten Son, then you, as a recipient of God’s grace, have every reason to live courageously.

Are you willing to trust God’s plans for your life?  Hopefully, you will trust Him completely.  After all, the words of the Psalmist make it clear: “The ways of God are without fault.  The Lord’s words are pure.  He is a shield to those who trust him” (Psalm 18:30 NCV).

For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.

2 Timothy 1:7 NLT

If you’re overly worried by the inevitable ups and downs of life, God wants to have a little chat with you.  After all, God has made promises to you that He intends to keep.  And if your life has been transformed by God’s only begotten Son, then you, as a recipient of God’s grace, have every reason to live courageously.

Are you willing to trust God’s plans for your life?  Hopefully, you will trust Him completely.  After all, the words of the Psalmist make it clear: “The ways of God are without fault.  The Lord’s words are pure.  He is a shield to those who trust him” (Psalm 18:30 NCV).

A Simple Step

Be a realistic optimist.  You should strive to think realistically about the future but you should never confuse realism with pessimism.  Your attitude toward the future will help create your future, so you might as well put the self-fulfilling prophecy to work for you by being both a realist and an optimist.  And remember that life is far too short to be a pessimist.

The words of Pastor A.R. Bernard

But encourage each other every day while it is “today.”  Help each other so none of you will become hardened because sin has tricked you.

Hebrews 3:13 NCV

This world can be a difficult place, a place where many of our friends and family members are troubled by the challenges of everyday life.  And since we cannot always be certain who needs our help, we should strive to speak helpful words to all who cross our paths.

Genuine encouragement should never be confused with pity.  God intends for His children to lead lives of abundance, joy, celebration, and praise-not lives of self-pity or regret.  So we must guard ourselves against hosting (or joining) the “pity parties” that so often accompany difficult times.  Instead, we must encourage each other to have faith-first in God and His only begotten Son-and then in our own abilities to use the talents God has given us for the furtherance of His kingdom and for the betterment of our own lives.

When you think about it, with God on your side you have every reason to be hopeful, and you have every reason to share your hopes with others.  When you do, you will discover that hope, like other human emotions, is contagious.  So do the world (and yourself) a favor: Look for the good in others and celebrate the good that you find.  When you do, you’ll be a powerful force of encouragement to your friends and family…and a worthy servant to your Creator.

A Simple Step

Do you want to be successful and go far in life?  Encourage others to do the same.  You can’t lift other people up without lifting yourself up, too.