Spiritual not Temporal

Those who display the greatest faith are those who do not see many outward blessings, but have inner spiritual strength that takes them through persecution remaining faithful, even when there doesn't seem to be a way out. 

We are not called to live a happy fulfilled life, we are called to trust Christ through everything.

Those who live a cushy life getting what they want in earthly terms, generally have little faith while remaining materialistic and deeply connected to this world.

Hebrews 11:37-40
"37 They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were tempted, they were put to death with the sword; they went about in sheepskins, in goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, ill-treated
38 (men of whom the world was not worthy), wandering in deserts and mountains and caves and holes in the ground.
39 And all these, having gained approval through their faith, did not receive what was promised,
40 because God had provided something better for us, so that apart from us they would not be made perfect."

I feel sad for all the people who measure their spirituality by how much money they have, the latest inventions, how many adventures they experience, they will never grow in wisdom, their eyes are focused on the temporal that will pass away. These same people spend a lot of energy on judging those who do not have the wealth that they have placed their trust in.

Those who focus on Christ, deeply grateful for His sacrifice and their own salvation, are wealthy beyond measure, they enjoy the greatest wealth and blessing of all, that of joy no matter what their circumstances. Nothing intimidates them or stops them from running after Christ.

John 10:29 ""My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand."

Psalm 147:3 He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.

Psalm 55:22 Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved.

Isaiah 41:10 fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Isaiah 40:31 but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.

Isaiah 42:16 And I will lead the blind in a way that they do not know, in paths that they have not known I will guide them. I will turn the darkness before them into light, the rough places into level ground. These are the things I do, and I do not forsake them.

Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.

Matthew 11:28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

Romans 8:28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

1 Corinthians 9:24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it.

2 Corinthians 4:8-9 We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed;

2 Corinthians 5:7 for we walk by faith, not by sight.

Galatians 6:9 And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.

Philippians 4:19 And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

1 Peter 1:6-9 In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

Narcissists Hate Manners

One of the elements of the narcissistic personality is their hatred of manners, they do not like to be polite or encouraging. 

 

Being kind and encouraging someone, is a form of lowering ourselves for the sake of another, narcissistic people hate to lower themselves for anyone.

Acts 28:2

"2 The islanders showed us unusual kindness. They built a fire and welcomed us all because it was raining and cold."

Narcissists hate to give honor to anyone who does not elevate them. Because their entire existence is based on others making them special, they cannot tolerate those who do not elevate them above others.

I have also seen narcissists not only lack hospitality, but they will not receive it either. To accept hospitality they also must lower themselves to be grateful. 

 

They can be very critical of those who do good for them, they see it as a weakness. As strange as it may seem, the narcissist despises tenderness, generosity, self sacrifice and honest emotion. They will demean those who enjoy hospitality to invoke a sad or angry response. 

 

It is common for a narcissist to mock our attempts at hospitality, saying we didn't need to do what we did, to remove our joy of doing it for them. It is irrational, but makes the narcissist feel in control of others. When we see someone acting this way consistently, as a matter of course, then it is best to keep our distance in the future, they bring nothing but turmoil and emptiness to any gathering.

Proverbs 18:2 "A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion. "

Proverbs 29:11 "A fool gives full vent to his spirit, but a wise man quietly holds it back. "

Proverbs 1:7 "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction."

Proverbs 18:6 "A fool's lips walk into a fight, and his mouth invites a beating."

Proverbs 26:19 "Is the man who deceives his neighbor and says, “I am only joking!”

Proverbs 29:9 "If a wise man has an argument with a fool, the fool only rages and laughs, and there is no quiet."

Proverbs 28:26 "Whoever trusts in his own mind is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom will be delivered."

Matthew 5:22 "But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire."

Proverbs 26:3-12 "A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, and a rod for the back of fools. Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest you be like him yourself. Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes. Whoever sends a message by the hand of a fool cuts off his own feet and drinks violence. Like a lame man's legs, which hang useless, is a proverb in the mouth of fools. ... "

Proverbs 10:23 "Doing wrong is like a joke to a fool, but wisdom is pleasure to a man of understanding."

The key to handling narcissists, is to never respond in anger or frustration to their rudeness, it only feeds their desire to cause trouble and avoid contact with them as much as possible. The devil is using their mouths to mock and demean God's ways, while stifling our walk with the Lord. The devil is using them as tools to keep us from walking in the Lord's peace and joy. 

 

It is a joy to do things God's way, the greatest pleasure of the believer is to show hospitality, when someone does not want this, then they will not be an asset to our spiritual growth, only keeping us continually on our toes without rest in our souls. God tells us to get away from them in 2 Timothy 3:1-5.

Praise the Lord we are allowed to choose our companions, we are allowed to withdraw from unruly people who have no love for righteousness. 

God's Will is in the His Word

If something you want to do is not backed up by God's Word, then it is not God's Will!!!!

http://www.gotquestions.org/know-God-will.html