There IS danger in the negatives which are derived of bad situations, circumstances, conditions, and so on! The danger is increased by thoughts, and reactions, and has potential to become as a bitter poison which spreads rapidly through every aspect of the being, then, the ability to control such is all the more difficult, and even might be lost completely!!!
Christians ESPECIALLY, HAVE means THROUGH THE LORD *GOD* TO OVERCOME the trips, and traps of the dangers presented in bad times! We HAVE been TAUGHT a great many lessons IN surviving, and overcoming what INTENDS to bind us down, and ultimately keep us bound! YES, it gets, at times, absolutely near total lack of control, HOWEVER we TURN TO *GOD*!!!
DON'T BE CRUSHED FROM THE INSIDE OUT BY ENMITY! DON'T GIVE the enemy power, for ALL POWER BELONGS TO THE LORD *GOD*! DON'T become captive through thoughts, emotions, and reactions, at least not to the point of being lost in them! Even as we cry, rant, rave, rage, and experience, do so WHILE PRAYING, and communicating WITH THE LORD! DON'T SLIP INTO the vortex of despair so far that it closes over! SEEK our *GOD*, and CLING TO what is right, just, and good, EVEN when it seems enmity has robbed us of any remaining POSITIVES, because it CAN'T take what IS forever, and ever!!!
Sometimes the agonies associated with this world cut all the way to the core; where we see the darkness as we never saw it before, and the will to escape it seems unlikely! HOLD ON, and BELIEVE IN THE LORD; REACH OUT TO HIM in ANY way feasible, for HE IS NEAR, and WILL TAKE UP your cause!!!
It helps to stay surrounded by those of THE CHURCH; of the same heart, and mind, but if that is not possible, STAY IN THE WORD OF *GOD*, for EVERY empowerment possible IS FOUND IN HIM! CHRIST JESUS SO suffered in this world, and IF we are IN HIM, so will we suffer, BUT we MUSTN'T be taken by said suffering, instead IN HIM, we WILL RISE from it! TRUTH INDEED, yet it MIGHT take every bit of strength one can muster TO TRUST HIM in awful times; just DO it, and CLING TO HIM!!!
Brothers, and Sisters IN CHRIST, are, or SHOULD be ALWAYS PRAYING, which includes PRAYERS for those who are most endangered by enmity, and it's effects, and so, no one is EVER left alone in their own PRAYERS! HE NEVER said that we would not suffer, but HE PROMISES that HE IS WITH us, and that GOOD comes of all which works against us, IF our FAITH, and FAITHFULNESS REMAIN!!!
14+++For this reason I bow my knees before the Father,
15+++from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name,
16+++that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man,
17+++so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love,
18+++may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth,
19+++and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God.
20+++Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us,
21+++to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.
The apostle seems to be more anxious lest the believers should be discouraged and faint upon his tribulations, than for what he himself had to bear. He asks for spiritual blessings, which are the best blessings. Strength from the Spirit of God in the inner man; strength in the soul; the strength of faith, to serve God, and to do our duty. If the law of Christ is written in our hearts, and the love of Christ is shed abroad there, then Christ dwells there. Where his Spirit dwells, there he dwells.
We should desire that good affections may be fixed in us. And how desirable to have a fixed sense of the love of God in Christ to our souls! How powerfully the apostle speaks of the love of Christ! The breadth shows its extent to all nations and ranks; the length, that it continues from everlasting to everlasting; the depth, its saving those who are sunk into the depths of sin and misery; the height, its raising them up to heavenly happiness and glory. Those who receive grace for grace from Christ's fulness, may be said to be filled with the fulness of God. Should not this satisfy man? Must he needs fill himself with a thousand trifles, fancying thereby to complete his happiness?
It is proper always to end prayers with praises. Let us expect more, and ask for more, encouraged by what Christ has already done for our souls, being assured that the conversion of sinners, and the comfort of believers, will be to his glory, for ever and ever.
1+++Finally, brethren, pray for us that the word of the Lord will spread rapidly and be glorified, just as it did also with you;
2+++and that we will be rescued from perverse and evil men; for not all have faith.
3+++But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen and protect you from the evil one.
4+++We have confidence in the Lord concerning you, that you are doing and will continue to do what we command.
5+++May the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the steadfastness of Christ.
Those who are far apart still may meet together at the throne of grace; and those not able to do or receive any other kindness, may in this way do and receive real and very great kindness.
Enemies to the preaching of the gospel, and persecutors of its faithful preachers, are unreasonable and wicked men. Many do not believe the gospel; and no wonder if such are restless and show malice in their endeavours to oppose it. The evil of sin is the greatest evil, but there are other evils we need to be preserved from, and we have encouragement to depend upon the grace of God. When once the promise is made, the performance is sure and certain. The apostle had confidence in them, but that was founded upon his confidence in God; for there is otherwise no confidence in man. He prays for them for spiritual blessings.
It is our sin and our misery, that we place our affections upon wrong objects. There is not true love of God, without faith in Jesus Christ. If, by the special grace of God, we have that faith which multitudes have not, we should earnestly pray that we may be enabled, without reserve, to obey his commands, and that we may be enabled, without reserve, to the love of God, and the patience of Christ.
2+++Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
3+++Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort,
4+++who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
5+++For just as the sufferings of Christ are ours in abundance, so also our comfort is abundant through Christ.
We are encouraged to come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. The Lord is able to give peace to the troubled conscience, and to calm the raging passions of the soul. These blessings are given by him, as the Father of his redeemed family.
If we should be brought so low as to despair even of life, yet we may then trust God, who can bring back even from death. Their hope and trust were not in vain; nor shall any be ashamed who trust in the Lord. Past experiences encourage faith and hope, and lay us under obligation to trust in God for time to come. And it is our duty, not only to help one another with prayer, but in praise and thanksgiving, and thereby to make suitable returns for benefits received. Thus both trials and mercies will end in good to ourselves and others.
REV. LWINSOR © 2015
BIBLICAL, and/or other references marked BOLDLY IN COLOURS
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