Life Lessons Archives - Vernon L. Williams - Stress Prevention Expert

3 Life-Changing Lessons You Can Learn from The Apostle Paul

Vernon L Williams — Wed, 22 Sep 2021 15:31:37 +0000

If you want to be successful, find someone who has achieved the results you want and copy what they do and you’ll get the same results. -Tony Robbins

When it comes to being a successful Christian, there are many lessons we can learn from the Apostle Paul. I will highlight three of them:

1. Your past does not determine your future.

Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead. (Philippians 3:13)

One of Satan’s most effective weapons is to use our past against us. He will lead us to having thoughts such as “I’ve made too many mistakes for God to love me” or “My past disqualifies me from serving God”. However, as indicated by the Apostle Paul’s life, our past mistakes do not determine our future.

Saul, which is Paul’s given name, was born into a Jewish family in Tarsus (Turkey). Although he was a tentmaker by trade, he was most noted for his hatred of Christians. He believed the teachings of Jesus violated Mosaic Law and zealously harassed, and even jailed, anyone who followed those teachings.

The first scriptural mention of Saul is found in Acts 7:58. He was a bystander watching his fellow Jews stone St. Stephen, the first Christian martyr, to death. An aggressive persecutor of Christians in Jerusalem, Saul sought and received permission from the high priest to proceed to Damascus for the purpose of imprisoning more followers of Christ.

However, on the Damascus road Saul encountered Jesus and immediately responded to his calling and gave up his lifestyle to follow Him. After being baptized and changing his name to Paul, he set out to spread the news of Jesus.

Paul’s sudden change confused those around him, because he was known as one who not only hated Christians, but had sought them out in order to eliminate them. Now, he was fervently espousing the Gospel of that same Jesus.

Because of Paul’s persuasion, Christianity would become even more widespread.

Paul would spend the rest of his life going from country to country and town to town proclaiming Jesus as the Messiah, organizing and encouraging Christians to be resolute followers of Jesus, and nonbelievers to open their hearts to Christ, repent and be baptized.

He would become known as the Apostle of the Gentiles (non-Jews) and his travels, letters and teaching changed the world.

2. You can be content, despite your circumstances.

I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength. (Philippians 4:11–13, NIV).

As a result of spreading the good news of Jesus Christ, Paul endured many trials. He was:

- - - Flogged
    - Beaten with rods
    - Stoned
    - Imprisoned
    - Shipwrecked three times
    - Hungry and thirsty
    - Cold
    - Sleep-deprived

Throughout his trials, Paul’s attitude can be summed up by what he said in Philippians 4:4 (NIV): Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice.

3. You can live with an eternal perspective.

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. (2 Corinthians 4:16 – 18)

This physical world can feel like the only reality, but Paul believed time spent on this earth was just temporary. He looked ahead to the reward.

In fact, Paul said, “For what is life? To me, it is Christ. Death, then will bring me more. (Philippians 1:21 GNT)

Clearly, Paul is calling us to lift our heads and trust that God is bringing about an eternal plan in our lives.

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5 Important Lessons I Learned About Contentment

Vernon L Williams — Mon, 22 Feb 2021 23:22:58 +0000

Fanny Crosby was six weeks old when a minor eye inflammation appeared.

Careless medical treatment left her totally and permanently blind.

In spite of her disability, she wrote more than 8,ooo songs in her eighty-eight years of life. Fanny always believed her blindness was a gift from God that helped the words flow from her pen. Perhaps the first poem she wrote best expressed her special spirit:

Oh, what a happy soul I am,

Although I cannot see,

I am resolved that in this world

Content I will be

How many blessings I enjoy

That other people don’t

To weep and sigh because I’m blind

I cannot, and I won’t.

1. Recognize that God is in control of my life.

The LORD Almighty has sworn, “Surely, as I have planned, so it will be, and as I have purposed, so it will happen. Isaiah 14:24

2. Believe that God has a plan for my life.

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11

3. Trust that God is using the circumstances of my life (including suffering) to make me more like Jesus.

For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. Romans 8:29

4. Maintain an eternal perspective.

Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. Colossians 3:2

5. Recognize that one day my suffering will be replace by rewards.

And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. 1 Peter 5:10

He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away. Revelation 21:4

It’s your turn now… I would love to hear from YOU.

Which point mentioned above resonated with you most today? Why?

Leave a comment below and share your thoughts.

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4 Important Lessons I Learned About Overcoming Fear

Vernon L Williams — Sun, 17 Jan 2021 05:40:34 +0000

“Your destiny is too great, your assignment too important, your time too valuable. Do not let fear intimidate you.” -Joel Osteen

Fear can prevent you from achieving what God created you to achieve.

Don’t let that be the case.

These four lessons from the 12 spies will equip you to overcome your fears and accomplish what God has called you to do:

1. Do an assessment.

God had promised to give the land of Canaan to the people of Israel. In Numbers 13:17-20, God directed Moses to select 12 spies and have them go into Canaan, spend forty days observing and assessing the situation and bring back a report. Specifically, Moses instructed them answer some fundamental questions:

a. What is the land like?

b. Are the people strong or weak?

c. Are there a few people or many of them?

d. Is the land good or bad?

e. Are the towns unwalled or fortified?

f. Is the soil fertile or poor?

g. Are there trees or no trees?

Likewise, when God directs you to do something, begin with an assessment: For example, you may ask yourself:

a. What has God called me to do?

b. What circumstances are involved?

c. What people are involved?

d. What are my fears?

e. What is the worst thing that could happen if I pursue my calling?

f. What is the best thing that could happen if I pursue my calling?

2. Make a definitive decision.

After assessing the situation, one of the spies, Caleb said, “We should go and take possession of the land, for we can certainly do it.” (Numbers 13:30)

This does not mean that Caleb had confidence in himself. He was emphasizing that his power came from God.

Likewise, you must make a decision. Are you going to do what God has directed you to do?

As Zig Ziglar said, “Fear has two meanings: “Forget Everything And Run” or “Face Everything And Rise”. The choice is yours.”

3. Eliminate negative thoughts .

Negative thoughts lead to a bleak assessment of any situation you are facing.

Despite the fact that God had promised to give them the land, ten of the twelve spies offered a negative assessment, as shown in Numbers 14:2-4:

a. The people are powerful.

b. The cities are fortified and large.

c. We will be like grasshoppers.

d. If only we had died in Egypt or in the wilderness.

e. Why is the Lord bringing us to this land only to let us fall by the sword?

f. Our wives and children will be taken as plunder.

g. Wouldn’t it better for us to go back to Egypt?

Likewise, when God directs you do something, fear might lead you to have negative thoughts such as:

a. I am too old.

b. My health is not good.

c. I’m not technically inclined.

In order to succeed, you must eliminate those negative thoughts.

Caleb saw the exact same things that the other ten spies saw. However, he had a completely different response to what he had seen:

“We should go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly do it.” (Numbers 13:30)

Caleb did not have confidence in himself. Instead, he was confident in God’s power.

4. Trust God completely.

Ten spies focused on their circumstances and their personal limitations.

On the other hand. Joshua and Caleb trusted God completely.

“The land we passed through is exceedingly good. If the Lord is pleased with us, he will lead us into the land, a land flowing with milk and honey, and will give it to us. Only do not rebel against the Lord. And do not be afraid of the people of the land, because we will devour them. Their protection is gone, but the Lord is with us. Do not be afraid of them. (Numbers 14:6-9)

As a result, they had peace. You, Lord, give perfect peace to those who keep their purpose firm and put their trust in you. (Isaiah 26:3 GNT)

Peace and fear cannot co-exist.

Blessings to you as you apply those lessons, overcome your fears, and do what God has called you to do.

It’s your turn NOW.

I would love to hear from YOU.