Some of us will suffer for Jesus more than others of us .... some of us will suffer unto being put to death for Jesus name sake. We will all suffer in some way for Jesus as He suffered first so shall we that follow after Him.
Luke 21:16 And ye shall be betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks,and friends; and some of you shall they cause to be put to death.
If we see no difference in our life since claiming soul salvation, if we have the same life style, if we over time have not suffered at all for Jesus... via loss friends or of loved ones then you may wonder whose team your on.... are your really saved. Are you standing up and standing out for Jesus or is He kept quiet for the most part of your life?
We can not live convenient Christianity... that’s luke warm.... if your content to imagine all is well in your life with a temporary Jesus then you need to do heart check... something is wrong...
We can not live convenient Christianity... that’s luke warm.... if your content to imagine all is well in your life with a temporary Jesus then you need to do heart check... something is wrong...
God is patient with us all in the Body of Christ...
He understands baby steps from milk to meat...
I understand that... but do a heart check.
Where are you really?
How long ago did you say you invited Jesus into your heart as your Lord and Savior?
How long have you kept Jesus in the closet?
I pray your conscience will convict you if your not right in Jesus* and that you get right in Jesus*
How long have you kept Jesus in the closet?
I pray your conscience will convict you if your not right in Jesus* and that you get right in Jesus*
Matthew 10:33 But whosoever shall deny me before men,
him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.
Living for Jesus*
in a world that hates Him
IS NOT EASY
None of us wants to suffer...that’s our problem... we should be excited about suffering... We should look forward to a new day in suffering for Jesus* ... that would be half the battle won- if we were cloaked in that persona...the full armor of God would suddenly make more sense.
Instead we all want the perfect life, the perfect picture we see in our minds that beautiful painting of life; ... we want perfect; stress free; no problems; everything works out; with out complications, smooth and perfect all the time every time and everyone loves everyone... [how does the full armor of God fit in to that picture?]
Jesus* came to divide to take a house of five and set three against two.
[Luke 12:52] Multiply that around the world and we no peace globally.
Isaiah 55:8-9
8For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. 9For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.
-I pray tomorrow I suffer better than I did today.
We are clay being tried in the fiery furnace.
Cast all your cares upon the Lord..
Those are just words ... until we are able to do it again and again in and through each and every trial.
Sometimes we are free instantly sometimes you and I need a few hours to reach the place to pray to forgive and to pray for help... sometimes it hurts so much all one can say is ‘Jesus*’... or ’Jesus help me’... While your in the battle field you must fight. The battle is the Lords but your in it too.... your tears will testify to that.
Growing in Jesus* via the Holy Spirit is a process.
You will whiz right through a trial with a smile on your face and sometimes its a lot tougher to hurdle and you may even spend time going into the emotional arena to just freak out, scream, yell, cry.... woe is me... ouch... I cant do this... this is too hard for me ..... how much longer... when will it end... sigh.
Ever been there? its part of the walk in Jesus its part of the uphill climb.
And just when you got through the last trial ‘bang’ here comes another one.
Did you know that to be in the .... woe is me... field of suffering is really the field of pride ...Yes because why not you? Who do you think you are? If Jesus suffered before you and you claim Him then why are you upset that you are suffering anything? If you were owner of nothing at all not even clothing or shoes and you were naked in a wasteland... Do you say God can try me through many things but on this I draw the line?
Suffering for Jesus* hurts.... I heard a few sermons today that did help me put suffering in a better prospective...
- its not Gods concern that I’m happy
- its Gods concern that
I strive to be Holy as He is Holy
I strive to be Holy as He is Holy
- expect to suffer
- as Jesus* first suffered so ought we who follow Him
THIS IS KEY... you need to be aware: ?
* Your suffering may not be because you did something wrong and are being punished?
- Your suffering may be because your doing something right in Jesus*?
1 Peter 3:16 Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ. 17For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing. 18For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit
We all have our way of dealing with pain and suffering... One thing we can not do is retaliate even if we have the capability to do so ... we are not to repay evil for evil...
Insteaad we are to pray for those that hurt us and falsely persecute us for Jesus* name sake. What prayer blessings could we possibly pray over someone that is persecuting us .... We can pray they come to know Jesus as Lord and Savior.... it’s the greatest prayer blessing we could pray over those that hate us, seek to destroy us and even want us dead.
Pray that they find eternal life in Jesus*
Through it all we must remember we once were unsaved and lost. Jesus died to set men free.... somewhere along the line we were set free from that eternal hell via soul salvation in Jesus* thank you Jesus*
Pray that they find eternal life in Jesus*
Through it all we must remember we once were unsaved and lost. Jesus died to set men free.... somewhere along the line we were set free from that eternal hell via soul salvation in Jesus* thank you Jesus*
Habakkuk 2:12 "Woe to him who builds a city with bloodshed and establishes a town by crime!
Its been some time since I read a book called the ‘Hiding Place’ by Corrie Ten Boom... so out of recall I’ll share this with you:
Corrie and Betsie Ten Boom were two followers of Jesus* Christ that went into the Jewish Holocaust ... Betsie use to say pray; giving thanks to Jesus for everything.
Corrie said she believed in the word of God and the Love of Jesus but this was a bit much when Betsie said and ‘thank you Lord for the fleas’.
At Ravensbrück concentration camp barracks the two sisters were kept in with some large number of other females. The barracks was infested with fleas, the women were getting bit up and itchy.... Corry was so annoyed she thought how could these be a blessing from God?
Turns out after some time had passed... the word was that the females of other barracks were being physically, sexually tortured by the guards but the females in the Ten Boom barracks were under the protection of the fleas...for the guards didn’t care for the itch...God sure does move n mysterious ways.
Thank You Jesus* Hallelujah ... His ways are higher than our ways.
Thank You Jesus* Hallelujah ... His ways are higher than our ways.
1 Corinthians 1:8 He will keep you strong to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.
We all react differently under attack, when in pain, when aggravated or annoyed. Some need to scream out, some are quiet, some make a noise -a sound -something to denote it hurts, some cry, some have things to say... some sing through .
Paul speaks out of sufferings he he endured for Jesus* ...[ in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft. 24Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. 25Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; 26In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; 27In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. 28Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches. 29Who is weak, and I am not weak? who is offended, and I burn not? ] Paul didn’t try to get even with those that persecuted him for Jesus name sake... even though he may have had the ability and the means to do it... he did not.
Instead he suffered for Jesus* and prayed for those that persecuted him. We are to do the same. We all have a unique walk in the Lord and we all suffer differently.
Is it wrong to talk about what you are going through?
Is it wrong to share with others what your trial is in Jesus*?
Yes its wrong if Jesus* has bid you silence .... "The king has sent me on a private matter," David said. "He told me not to tell anyone why; [1 Samuel 21:2]
-other than a definite keep silent conviction via the Holy Spirit of the Lord Jesus*.... It will then depend on you and on your situation. If you have forgiven someone and are striving to let it go then do that... leave it at the foot of the cross and move onward in your forgiveness leaving the past behind start each day anew and fresh in Jesus*
no end in sight ....1 John 2:20 But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth.
being tried for your oil?
If your in a your battle seeming to have no end in sight ....you may seriously need to invite someone in on what your are going through that you may have help from another via advice and or prayer... or just because you need a sounding board to release what you have been keeping in or up against... then I most definitely say it is healthy for you to let a brother help you to release and or carry your burden in Jesus*
<< James 5 >>13Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms. 14Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: 15And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. 16Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. 17Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months. 18And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit. 19Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him; 20Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.
We cant allow ourselves to be down for too long .... we have GIANTS TO KILL in Jesus* name.
Its not wrong to seek help when you feel overwhelmed in your battle... we are in the body of Christ... another member of the body may help to uplift you in Jesus... through supportive prayer .... or just to talk.... [Like Job of the Bible.
I believe as we are led by the spirit of God... if we are to speak out its not only for our sake but for the sake of someone or many .. God can use any thing or anyone to accomplish His desired ending... its all about what He is doing in our life.
Pray before speaking out:
Venting is a release of emotional pressure :
crying, laughing, singing, yelling, dancing, running are means of releasing what we have bottled up within... If your captor happens to be sawing off your leg in Jesus* name .... and you feel you want to scream out... its ok. Don’t let someone tell you its not appropriate behavior for Christians to vent.. We all handle our pain and suffering in ways that are unique to our situation to our circumstances and most of all to our uniqueness as individuals...[in the body of Christ our Lord and Savior].
Its been told that early Christians being fed to lions sang faith hymns. Praise Jesus for that.... However should it be recorded somewhere that one of them screamed while being chewed on by a lion instead of singing ..... would it and does it disqualify them in some way from something?
JESUS WAS LIKE A LAMB TO SLAUGHTER. He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth. [Isaiah 53:7]
2 Corinthians 2:17 For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity,
but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ.
If you blew it and totally freaked out screaming and smashing the crackers pounding them into cracker meal out of your anger.... its ok. Tomorrow Lord willing is another day... God be willing...to be more as a Lamb to slaughter.
They were scattered over the whole earth, and no one searched or looked for them.
Our walk in Jesus is a process... I see suffering like a mountain climb... that has many various plateaus along the climb.... when we reach a new level
prayerfully we will not retreat [BACKSLIDE] for any reason to the previous level but keep gong onward in Jesus* Todays Afflictions are Tomorrows Blessings.... we would be right to expect ... suffering to come.... It comes with the territory and its better than surprise.
Isaiah 53:6 We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.
Jesus* suffered first...Look at those before us that suffered for Jesus... and strive to know that Jesus will bless us for our suffering in Him store up your treasures in heaven.... one day you will be rewarded for your suffering and you will say to your self... I got all this for what I did down there wow I don’t feel like I deserve it.... that was nothing that was too easy to have acquired such a recompense from the Lord Jesus* I bet you and I will say... I wish I had done more for Him whom did so much and gave all for me
How can I console you and myself as well when we are suffering to the point of unbearable ...
[Matthew 21:42Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes?
43Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof. 44And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder....[ We can see, we whom claim Jesus* is Lord and Savior are going to be broken. You and I would rather fall on the stone than to have the stone fall on us.Deuteronomy 31:23 And he gave Joshua the son of Nun a charge, and said, Be strong and of a good courage:
So now what about our suffering for Jesus name sake>?
2 Corinthians 1:21 Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God;
Can we say thank you Jesus* for...........whatever it its?
Jesus is going to get the most out of us that He can... we are more than we know..
Joshua 1:6 "Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their forefathers to give them.
One day at a time sweet Jesus* .... we are growing in Jesus that’s what we do and shall continue to do so till He calls us home and even then we will continue to grow in Him for all eternity. HALLELUJAH!
John 10:16 I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd.
Surely we get weary for the trials but hold on.... soon we shall ever be with the Lord... fight the good fight till the end.
1 Corinthians 3:5 What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe--as the Lord has assigned to each his task.
Exodus 3:12 And God said, "I will be with you. And this will be the sign to you that it is I who have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you will worship God on this mountain."
The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.
When we learn to say; The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.. we will have victory no matter what the new and latest shock of the day is ...
THE DEVIL ENJOYS SHOCK ATTACK TACTICS... DIDN’T SEE THAT COMING ... SURPRISED!!!! KINDA THING.
We need to be ahead -Trusting no man... be prepared in our hearts; surrendering all to Jesus*... let go of this materialistic stuff that will not save us... if we are to trust in Jesus* then put His word to the test. Follow Him and try the word and see if its true or not. Call on the Lord Jesus and see.... Let go of this world and live life eternal in Jesus*
Hebrews 6:5 who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age, Its been said people like winning stories, happy and victorious endings; no one wants to hear about loss and defeat. That’s why we prefer to skip over Job of the Bibles story ... until we are suffering as he did and then we turn to his book and find comfort there.
When we are in our place of affliction as like Job was people get weary of our story... they get weary of being around someone in their affliction .... they want to move on to the next chapter a better one or a new book lets not do this affliction story anymore...
No matter what we like and want... its in Gods hands and if the book goes on longer than any reader would like .... its not about us ... Its always to God be the Glory for the things He has done... We can do ourselves a favor and pray asking the Lord what it is He wants us to learn through this .... and is there something we can do or say that will quicken our trial?
ONE DAY AT A TIME SWEET JESUS*
Living for Jesus* in a world that hates Him...
IS NOT EASY but I wouldn’t trade Him for the world; I Love Jesus* I'm in this relationship with Him to no end. I know you say the same... go this good race to the finish.... I pray we finish strong in Jesus ...lets not be dragged in ... lets finish strong in Jesus*Amen
IS NOT EASY but I wouldn’t trade Him for the world; I Love Jesus* I'm in this relationship with Him to no end. I know you say the same... go this good race to the finish.... I pray we finish strong in Jesus ...lets not be dragged in ... lets finish strong in Jesus*Amen
1 Peter 5:4 And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never
fadeth away.
fadeth away.
Jesus* Blessings to you
If your not saved get there...
Jesus* died for whosoever... that is you.
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