Now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials.
Father, Your Word encourages me to not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try me, as though some strange thing happened to me; but I rejoice to the extent that I partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, I may also be glad with exceeding joy. The exhortation speaks to me as to a son: “My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him.” Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those of us who have been trained by it. I do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with my weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as I am, yet without sin. For in that Jesus Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those of us who are tempted. God, You are faithful, who will not allow me to be tempted beyond what I am able.
Thank You, Lord, that when trials and temptations come, You are with me to strengthen me, comfort me, and guide me.
1 PETER 1:6; 1 PETER 4:12–13; HEBREWS 12:5; HEBREWS 12:11; HEBREWS 4:15; HEBREWS 2:18; 1 CORINTHIANS 10:13. - Dr. David Jeremiah Life-Changing Moments with God
Today is the 8th morning that I have awakened in a camper. Had anyone told me even 2 months ago that this life I am living were in my future, I am not sure that I would have believed them.
The separation of truth from lies has been trouble for mankind since Adam and Eve..
We try to look to others, to nature, to science, to most anyone or anything before turning to our Creator God. Why? Because in our heart of hearts we know where the truth is to be found.
Satan's schemes are born out of evil desires in order to attempt to lay claim to Heavens Throne.
We are all like sheep who have gone astray. Each one does what is right in their own eyes.
The Bible is clear on that in Isaiah 53:6, Proverbs 21:2.
Are we really any different than the description of the Children of Israel in Jeremiah?
We who are in Christ indeed have before us forgiveness of sins, we can and are told to embrace God's grace and mercy. But do we? Do we abuse it? Much as Israel abused God’s unmeritted favor, which is what "grace" means, do we not do the same?
When the Bible says we are ALL like sheep, God's not looking at the color of the skin, nor the male/female gender, which is what He created, He looks not at nationality. He looks at mankind and says it's that we ALL are like sheep. We as believers and unbelievers are all ones who go astray. All.
So looking into the Bible we can see our own lives. We can see our rebellion against the laws of God. We can see our own self-centered ways. We can see our need for a Savior.
Trials will certainly come to all, since we are all sheep. But would you even recognize them? Or are you and I not filtering life through the lens of Scripture? When the Bible speaks to trials, would you recognize these? When the Bible speaks to idolatry, would you recognize it if you were doing it? Would you recognize whether or not you were teaching others things that the Bible says are sin? Yes you teach by way of words and examples, all the time.
You get it yet concerning "deeds done in the body"? 2 Corinthians 5:10.
Do you yet understand what "love not the world nor the things in the world" means yet? 1 John 2:15.
Do understand what is the discipline of God and what is our open refusal towards the lessons taught to us by the Spirit of God? Open refusal leads to a hardened heart, which WILL shorten your already short life on this Earth. Read it in what God says in the Bible. It's there.
Look at the letters to the Churches in Revelation. Do any of those characteristics apply to you?
Would you be chastised by Jesus for leaving your first love? Would you be one who is called good and faithful servant?
You can look at your life in bitterness or in light of God’s attempts at making you more like Christ, if you indeed are saved. If you are not yet, what you might be experiencing is the drawing of your heart towards salvation through Christ alone.
I can only proclaim what Jesus, through the Spirit, tells me to write. I have been a "struggling" writer all my life. I have given in to sin, same as you. I have given my passion towards things in this world, same as you. I have sought fame and fortune, same as you. Have listened to people that I shouldn't have, same as you. I have tried seeking out high and lofty goals in life, same as you. I used to spend a great deal of time and money on science fiction books and movies. I used to have a passion for certain sports teams that honestly brought out the worst in me. There's no disguising being evil in cutting down people in the name of sports. Call it what the Bible says about it. There's no disguising wasted time, energy and effort when we look at what we value in light of Scripture.
It's not to say that there aren't aspects of life that aren't enjoyable. But we need to be alert, as the Bible says, because our adversary prowls around like a roaring lion. He mimics THE Lion of the tribe of Judah. He seduces you and I to go places with thought and actions that will never bring honor and glory to God. We will be enticed through various trials and temptations. Through even misquoted Scripture. Claiming things from the Word of God that are out of context. We will excuse our behavior in the name of earthly friendships. We will pursue things that only lead away from God and not towards God.
Satan is very predictable. Jesus easily pegged him and told us what to look for, yet way too many professing Christians don't take God seriously when it comes to enemy actions and activities.
You and I are behind enemy lines. That's your first truth. No shred of lies.
You and I are in a battle for the hearts of mankind. Yes Jesus won the war on the cross, but there's much to be played out until Jesus returns.
We have a job and responsibility to work out our salvation. To seek sanctification. To set our minds on things above and not on the things of this world. Colossians 3:2.
All that remains until Jesus returns is that one last person who is to find salvation finds it. You and I living our lives like the world delays that day from coming.
Prayer isn’t an option. It's essential.
Obedience isn’t an option. It's a requirement.
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