This is why we are taught to be patient, endure, persevere, and, KEEP the FAITH, for HIS people are enabled to do so, but often, allow the carnal, egocentric mind to wander, wistfully, wishing for easier times, and, more to mark their existence!!!
Knowledge, and, understanding of HIM, HIS WILL, HIS WAYS, opens UP to WISDOM, which is imperative in maintaining *GODLINESS*! Wisdom steers us on righteous waters, not without turbulence, but, ensures our safe passage! Wisdom frees us from too much entanglement with the great serpent, the disturber, the deceiver, the evil one...
ROMANS 5: 3-5...
3/ Not only that, but we even boast of our afflictions, knowing that affliction produces endurance,
4/ and endurance, proven character, and proven character, hope,
5/ and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out into our hearts through the holy Spirit that has been given to us.
HEBREWS 5: 7-9...
7/ In the days when he was in the flesh, he offered prayers and supplications with loud cries and tears to the one who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence.
8/ Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered;
9/ and when he was made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him,
In the above verse 8, it says, SON though HE was, HE LEARNED OBEDIENCE from what HE suffered!!!
HEBREWS 10: 32-39...
32/ Remember the days past when, after you had been enlightened, you endured a great contest of suffering.
33/ At times you were publicly exposed to abuse and affliction; at other times you associated yourselves with those so treated.
34/ You even joined in the sufferings of those in prison and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, knowing that you had a better and lasting possession.
35/ Therefore, do not throw away your confidence; it will have great recompense.
36/ You need endurance to do the will of God and receive what he has promised.
37/ "For, after just a brief moment, he who is to come shall come; he shall not delay.
38/ But my just one shall live by faith, and if he draws back I take no pleasure in him."
39/ We are not among those who draw back and perish, but among those who have faith and will possess life.
The Christian's present conflict may be sharp, but will be soon over. God never is pleased with the formal profession and outward duties and services of such as do not persevere; but he beholds them with great displeasure. And those who have been kept faithful in great trails for the time past, have reason to hope for the same grace to help them still to live by faith, till they receive the end of their faith and patience, even the salvation of their souls. Living by faith, and dying in faith, our souls are safe for ever.
HEBREWS 12: 6-14...
6/ for whom the Lord loves, he disciplines; he scourges every son he acknowledges."
7/ Endure your trials as "discipline"; God treats you as sons. For what "son" is there whom his father does not discipline?
8/ If you are without discipline, in which all have shared, you are not sons but bastards.
9/ Besides this, we have had our earthly fathers to discipline us, and we respected them. Should we not (then) submit all the more to the Father of spirits and live?
10/ They disciplined us for a short time as seemed right to them, but he does so for our benefit, in order that we may share his holiness.
11/ At the time, all discipline seems a cause not for joy but for pain, yet later it brings the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who are trained by it.
12/ So strengthen your drooping hands and your weak knees.
13/ Make straight paths for your feet, that what is lame may not be dislocated but healed.
14/ Strive for peace with everyone, and for that holiness without which no one will see the Lord.
Christian life is to be inspired not only by the Old Testament men and women of faith (Hebrews 12:1) but above all by Jesus. As the architect of Christian faith, he had himself to endure the cross before receiving the glory of his triumph (Hebrews 12:2). Reflection on his sufferings should give his followers courage to continue the struggle, if necessary even to the shedding of blood (Hebrews 12:3-4). Christians should regard their own sufferings as the affectionate correction of the Lord, who loves them as a father loves his children.
1 CORINTHIANS 9: 24-27...
24/ Do you not know that the runners in the stadium all run in the race, but only one wins the prize? Run so as to win.
25/ Every athlete exercises discipline in every way. They do it to win a perishable crown, but we an imperishable one.
26/ Thus I do not run aimlessly; I do not fight as if I were shadowboxing.
27/ No, I drive my body and train it, for fear that, after having preached to others, I myself should be disqualified.
2 TIMOTHY 2: 1-7...
1/ So you, my child, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.
2/ And what you heard from me through many witnesses entrust to faithful people who will have the ability to teach others as well.
3/ Bear your share of hardship along with me like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.
4/ To satisfy the one who recruited him, a soldier does not become entangled in the business affairs of life.
5/ Similarly, an athlete cannot receive the winner's crown except by competing according to the rules.
6/ The hardworking farmer ought to have the first share of the crop.
7/ Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything.
JAMES 1: 2-8...
2/ Consider it all joy, my brothers, when you encounter various trials,
3/ for you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.
4/ And let perseverance be perfect, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
5/ But if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly, and he will be given it.
6/ But he should ask in faith, not doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed about by the wind.
7/ For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord,
8/ since he is a man of two minds, unstable in all his ways.
PHILIPPIANS 4: 12-13...
12/ I know indeed how to live in humble circumstances; I know also how to live with abundance. In every circumstance and in all things I have learned the secret of being well fed and of going hungry, of living in abundance and of being in need.
13/ I have the strength for everything through him who empowers me.
JOHN 16: 33...
I have told you this so that you might have peace in me. In the world you will have trouble, but take courage, I have conquered the world."
AMEN!!! I have strength through HIM who empowers me!!! PRAISE HIS HOLY name, and, WORSHIP HIM!!! BE STRONG, of courage, and, of good cheer!!!
REV. LWINSOR © 2012
BIBLICAL, and/or, other references marked BOLDLY IN COLOURS
No comments:
Post a Comment