Blessed Anniversary

Philippians 1:29

New King James Version (NKJV)

²⁹ For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake,

2 Corinthians 12:7-10

New King James Version (NKJV)

⁷ And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. ⁸ Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. ⁹ And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. ¹⁰ Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

January 18th marked the anniversary of my back pain.  I have to admit I have felt like the woman with the issue of blood, although not quite a 12 year journey, but having gone to several physicians with no help thus far.  God has, as He always does, taken this time and made it for my good. Here are a few lessons I have learned so far:

1. There is peace in suffering: I have had many days during this year where I began to be discouraged or down. I can remember one humiliating incident where my son had to help me walk and get dressed.  I was no longer the dad of strength. I cried out to God longing for the pain to end, but it didn't.  What He gave me was peace and comfort. He showed me that my weakness was a gift not only to me but to my son.  My son does not need a man that has no weakness, but a man who can show him what to do when you are weak.  He does not need a man who is independent but one who is dependent on God.  As He showed me this He flooded my soul with peace.
2. There is revelation in suffering: I have had the pleasure to grow more intimate with my Savior. It makes me think of my own children and when they are hurt or sick.  I draw closer to them in these times; holding them, serving them, reading stories, cleaning up messes. God reveals Himself as a true Father and friend.
3. There is communion in suffering: In Paul's letter to the Philippians he comments on the closeness he has with Philippians because of their common suffering.  Through this time my family has grown closer, not just my immediate family but my church family as well.  My church has been so encouraging, supporting, in short they have shown me and my family the love of Christ.  Furthermore, Paul writes that he desires to know the fellowship of Christ suffering. This, I believe, brings an intimacy that very few will ever get to enjoy on this side of glory. I can only hope that I too can take part. 
4. Finally there is joy in suffering: God has never left me and indeed He has drawn closer to me.  I have great joy in knowing, experiencing, and delighting in His presence and care. 

I hope you are encouraged this day take heart if you are suffering.  It will work for your good.  May the Lord bless you.

Romans 8:28

New King James Version (NKJV)

²⁸ And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

Not Our Home

Colossians 3

New King James Version (NKJV)

3 If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. ² Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. ³ For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. ⁴ When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.

Thank God that this fallen earth is not my home.   

It is so easy to get caught up in the "things of this world" especially and unfortunately during the holiday season.  That is why it is a good thing to look at God's word for a reminder that this is not our home. We are called to store up treasures in Heaven and to seek the things above and not the things on the earth.  You are a child of God and your life is hidden in Christ.  Rejoice again I say rejoice. 

 

Stay In the Fight

2 Samuel 11:1

New King James Version (NKJV)

David, Bathsheba, and Uriah

11 It happened in the spring of the year, at the time when kings go out to battle, that David sent Joab and his servants with him, and all Israel; and they destroyed the people of Ammon and besieged Rabbah. But David remained at Jerusalem.

     David was not where he should have been, and not doing what he should have been doing; that decision cost him dearly.  David was perhaps the most manliest man there was, aside from Jesus of course.  He was considered a man after God's own heart. As the king and leader he should have been in battle, he should have stayed in the fight. Instead he chose comfort and pleasure.  

    Drudgery and success can bring the temptation to let down our guard and forget that there is an enemy to fight. It is easy to get caught up in the day to day living on earth. Work, home, hobbies and the like threaten to choke out the word of God that has been planted in the heart. Matthew 13:22

²² Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful. 


   God has called His children to be fruitful; bearing the fruit of the Spirit, encouraging and edifying the body of Christ.  This is our fight. We are no longer orphans.  We are now a royal priesthood.  Kings that are called to go out to battle.  Loving, praying, singing and making melody in our hearts.  For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but strong and mighty in God for the pulling down of strongholds.  You are a child of the kingdom stay in the fight! 

What is Man Made For

 Have you ever heard a someone say "you have a great destiny" or "God has a purpose for your life"?
Sounds good doesn't it?  Don't we all like to have a since of purpose and destiny? While these statements have some truth to them, they also hold a bit of danger. Let me explain.  Often times there are preachers that use the gospel of Jesus Christ to manipulate people.  They preach that "godliness is a means of gain" Philippians 4 all to fill their on bellies.  They tell people what they want to hear and just as satan did with Eve they use a bit of truth.

 The truth is man is made for God not the other way around.  Your destiny and purpose is all tied to glorifying Jesus Christ not to build your own kingdom or get that new car or house or job or ministry.  When man has an earthly perspective on things hard times come and they curse God.  Don't get me wrong.  God is a good God and gives good gifts to men; however, He is more interested in being glorified not being a Santa Clause.  

 Your purpose here on earth is to glorify Him and enjoy Him forever.  Don't be trapped by things that moth and rust will destroy.

Colossians 1:15-18

New King James Version (NKJV)

¹⁵ He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. ¹⁶ For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. ¹⁷ And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist. ¹⁸ And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence.

Let the Pain Do Its Work

Romans 12:12

New King James Version (NKJV)

¹² rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; 

We go through times as believers when heaven seems shut up and there is no end in sight of the pain and suffering we experience.  There are days when we don't even want to get out of bed and we began to question God and our faith.   Paul tells us here in Romans to be patient in tribulation.  This is no easy task as weeks and months and years pass. 

  Paul was no stranger to suffering. (see 2 Corinthians 11:24-33) He knew pain so deep he even despaired of life 2 Corinthians 1:8.  So the question his how and why did this godly man suffer so much and how did he make it through to receive his crown?

   First Paul desired to know Jesus above all else:

Philippians 3:10  that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, 

  Second with Paul's great calling came with great revelation with this came great suffering to keep him humble.  2 Corinthians 12:7-10. 

  Finally Paul knew his suffering was not in vain.  

Romans 5

New King James Version (NKJV)

5 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have^[a] peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, ² through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. ³ And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; ⁴ and perseverance, character; and character, hope. ⁵ Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

Take heart your suffering like Paul's is not in vain.  Let it do its work in your life that God has intended.  You will be bless and receive a crown.  

Just Dust

Psalm 103:13

New King James Version (NKJV)

¹³ As a father pities his children,
So the Lord pities those who fear Him.
¹⁴ For He knows our frame;
He remembers that we are dust.

At times we feel so inadequate for life's expectations.  I am a husband, a dad, a home-school parent, a friend, a son, an employee, the list goes on.  At various times I feel that I can not measure up and do the things I know God would have me to do and do them well. It is easy to get caught up in performance and think that God can love us less or is disappointed in us. 

The verse above should encourage you.  See you can only be disappointed in someone or something if your expectation is high or misplaced.  God knows that we are just dust and so His expectation of us is that we are needy and unable to do anything without Him. Just as a new born babe depends on it's parents so we must depend on our Father. 

John 15:5

New King James Version (NKJV)

⁵ “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.

This I Know

We go through many heartaches and troubles; it is what the Lord Jesus promised us.  He said "in this world you will have trouble".  Loss of loved ones, betrayal, slander, mocking, and sometimes these are done by the people we would least expect, sickness, loss of house, jobs and income.  Truly we are being lead as sheep to the slaughter.  The temptation is to doubt, to be angry and to lash out at others and at God.

Take this encouragement, everything is for your good. Trust in the perfect love of God.  Trust that He knows exactly what you need to make you more like Him.  To conform you to the image of His son.  Just as He is the express image of the Father. You will become the express image of the Son.  Learn to trust Him in your circumstances and in your relationships. Surrender to His will just as Jesus did, accepting suffering and ridicule, betrayal and false accusation as from the Fathers hand.  You will then be able to proclaim this I know that JESUS LOVES ME SO.   Jesus trusted in the Fathers love and His will, let us do the same.