The apartment complex behind us was an interesting view of human nature, as the residents there got in their cars, drove around, and around their complex, parked here, and there, pulled up in front of their buildings, sat there for a while, and began the routine all over again. Some went for rides, but with the current 'lockdown' there isn't much to see, or do, and if you are seen repeatedly on the streets, there might be a pull-over, so, they would come back, circle around, and just hang out in the parking lots! The natives are already restless, and we have a LONG way to go before normalcy, if there will be some again...
I had so many candles lit when it was getting dark, there was a huge glow from my doorwall, and I find ways to entertain myself. My band radio went out, so muzik, and news also, was nil, and added to the hours of nothingness; I have a cell phone, but limited apps, and limited time on it before it needed charging, and only 1 like IPOD; just not into digital/electronics overload. We had just gone shopping for food, and such, and thank *GOD*, had it all put away before we lost power early in the day, so, I was worried about it being alright, but thankfully, it was, and all is well...
See, another incident to REMIND us to STOP taking things for granted! NOTHING on this Earth is guaranteed to continue, or to be without interruptions, but a LOT of people get downright indignant when things happen, AND they can't for the life of themselves, be grateful for what they do have, and find ways to make the best of something which disrupts their 'normals'!!!
I have had to do without much in my days, more so when I was younger than now, and I LEARNED from those times! I NEVER forget what I go through; it stays with me, and guides me most of the time...
What time holds IS unpredictable; we MUST ALWAYS remember this, and so, gain the ability to endure, persevere, and withstand whatever is thrown at us!!!
THE TRIUMPH OF FAITH:
ROMANS 5: 3-4...
3+++Not only that, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance;
4+++perseverance, character; and character, hope.
A blessed change takes place in the sinner's state, when he becomes a true believer, whatever he has been. Being justified by faith he has peace with God. The holy, righteous God, cannot be at peace with a sinner, while under the guilt of sin. Justification takes away the guilt, and so makes way for peace. This is through our Lord Jesus Christ; through him as the great Peace-maker, the Mediator between God and man. The saints' happy state is a state of grace. Into this grace we are brought, which teaches that we were not born in this state. We could not have got into it of ourselves, but we are led into it, as pardoned offenders. Therein we stand, a posture that denotes perseverance; we stand firm and safe, upheld by the power of the enemy.
And those who have hope for the glory of God hereafter, have enough to rejoice in now. Tribulation worketh patience, not in and of itself, but the powerful grace of God working in and with the tribulation. Patient sufferers have most of the Divine consolations, which abound as afflictions abound. It works needful experience of ourselves. This hope will not disappoint, because it is sealed with the Holy Spirit as a Spirit of love. It is the gracious work of the blessed Spirit to shed abroad the love of God in the hearts of all the saints. A right sense of God's love to us, will make us not ashamed, either of our hope, or of our sufferings for him.
JAMES 1: 2-4...
2+++Consider it pure joy, my brothers, when you encounter trials of many kinds,
3+++because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.
4+++Allow perseverance to finish its work, so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
Christianity teaches men to be joyful under troubles: such exercises are sent from God's love; and trials in the way of duty will brighten our graces now, and our crown at last. Let us take care, in times of trial, that patience, and not passion, is set to work in us: whatever is said or done, let patience have the saying and doing of it. When the work of patience is complete, it will furnish all that is necessary for our Christian race and warfare.
Being in this realm IS to be tried, and tested; tribulations ARE part of the whole of existence here, YET, we HAVE been made to endure, persevere, and grow from all this, and especially those whom RELY ON THE LORD *GOD* TO LEAD them through! ALL we go through TEACHES us, STRENGTHENS us, and REFINES us, then BRINGS us closer to TRUTH, THE LORD, LOVE, PEACE, HOPE, and BLESSEDNESS!!!
Times change, therefore, it IS FUTILE to hold dear, and near, the things we do so passionately cling to! We DON'T have an inkling of what lies ahead, thus, to put SO much value on things, and ways IS a deterrent which makes it more difficult to cope when things hit the fan! During this crisis we are in, we SHOULD be considering our LORD, as well as our misplaced, and misguided sense of value towards what is worldly, and IS ever changing, and WILL waste away! Plus, our energies OUGHT to be used for the GOOD of others, PRAYERS, and for PROMOTING what is OF *GOD*, OF WHAT IS HOLY, and WHAT IS TRUE LIFE!!!
This may last a while, but it won't last forever, and one thing that NEEDS to be done is to USE this time wisely, and spiritually, THAT when the doors are sprung, things will be appreciated, good will flourish, and we will thrive TO THE GLORY OF *GOD*!!!
LWINSOR © 2020
BIBLICAL, and/or other references marked BOLDLY IN COLOURS
1 comment:
Too, politics ought NOT be the bread of our days, as it is leavened with that which takes our health, physically, and mentally, then leaves us starving still for something satisfying, like THE LORD *GOD*! I think this virus IS a lesson in what matters most, in which case, politics is low on the list, but HAS divided us, made us into arrogant, hostile puppets, and for what??? I never remember such fervor for politics in all my days, but I remember such a fervor for our LORD, and times were WAY sweeter then...
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