“Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared; Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him; Called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec.” Heb 5:7-10
Jesus sobbed and sweat blood and agonized (Lk 22:44) at the thought of the torturous death that was about to come upon Him. Yet He moved forward—not my will, but thine be done. Learning, it says, obedience through His sufferings.
How can we ever complain about our suffering in this world? Or feel justified to say that because we are “sons and daughters of the Most High God” we don’t have to suffer in this life? Or somehow actually believe that we are above suffering, that those who suffer must not be walking right with God? How can we read His word not be wrenched with heart pain knowing the reality of not only the physical torment Jesus went through for us, but the emotional and spiritual as well?
Yet through it all, He was made perfect, the author of eternal salvation. For whom? All them that obey Him.
Holy Father, forgive us who often think that we are above suffering, that we are here simply to be blessed with a life of earthly pleasures. Change our hearts Lord. Help us to see Your truths—not the world’s truths, manmade truths. Let us count it joy in suffering, for then we know we are counted worthy of You. Father forgive us our pride, forgive us our selfish desires, our fleshly lusts, all those things that prevent us from truly following You with all our hearts, minds, bodies, and souls. Open our eyes, enlighten our understanding, until we can see Your reality for us in this world. Holy Jesus, I praise You and thank You and surrender before You all that I am. We forget, we’ve taken for granted all that You went through, the depths of agony that You suffered for us. Remind us Lord. Prick our hearts to repent of this world we’ve allowed to infiltrate our hearts and minds. We give You alone all glory and honor for there is NONE OTHER worthy. In Jesus holy name, Amen.
Saturday, April 9, 2011
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Faith
“When Jesus then lifted up his eyes, and saw a great company come unto him, he saith unto Philip, Whence shall we buy bread, that these may eat? And this he said to prove him: for he himself knew what he would do. Philip answered him, Two hundred pennyworth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one of them may take a little.” (John 6:5-7)
Do we honestly believe that Jesus had to ask Phillip for advice on how to handle this particular situation? Do we think He really needed to send the disciples on a scavenger hunt to see what was available from the people (Mark 6:38)? The moment Jesus lifted up His eyes, He could have spoken one word and have manna fall from heaven or fishes wash up on the shore.
Sometimes, however, God may look at us and say, “What now?” He may let us get down to our “two hundred” which “is not sufficient” as far as we can see. He may even let us get down to our last five loaves and two small fishes, but He is always more than able. As Jesus was proving Philip in this moment, so He allows our faith to be tested. In what looks like a dire moment of need, Jesus may be asking, “Do you believe I am able?”
Give thanks for what you do have, move forward as God directs, stand fast in your faith that He is MORE than able, and watch God bless your faith to not only meet your every need, but to overflow upon those around you.
“And Jesus took the loaves; and when he had given thanks, he distributed to the disciples, and the disciples to them that were set down; and likewise of the fishes as much as they would. When they were filled, he said unto his disciples, Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost. Therefore they gathered them together, and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves, which remained OVER AND ABOVE unto them that had eaten.” (John 6:11-13)
Do we honestly believe that Jesus had to ask Phillip for advice on how to handle this particular situation? Do we think He really needed to send the disciples on a scavenger hunt to see what was available from the people (Mark 6:38)? The moment Jesus lifted up His eyes, He could have spoken one word and have manna fall from heaven or fishes wash up on the shore.
Sometimes, however, God may look at us and say, “What now?” He may let us get down to our “two hundred” which “is not sufficient” as far as we can see. He may even let us get down to our last five loaves and two small fishes, but He is always more than able. As Jesus was proving Philip in this moment, so He allows our faith to be tested. In what looks like a dire moment of need, Jesus may be asking, “Do you believe I am able?”
Give thanks for what you do have, move forward as God directs, stand fast in your faith that He is MORE than able, and watch God bless your faith to not only meet your every need, but to overflow upon those around you.
“And Jesus took the loaves; and when he had given thanks, he distributed to the disciples, and the disciples to them that were set down; and likewise of the fishes as much as they would. When they were filled, he said unto his disciples, Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost. Therefore they gathered them together, and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves, which remained OVER AND ABOVE unto them that had eaten.” (John 6:11-13)
Monday, March 14, 2011
More & More I'm Learning...
More and more I'm learning…
All who live godly in Christ will suffer persecution. We must endure with all long-suffering, continuing in the Word for it is the bread of life; it is the end-all for us to learn, teach, rebuke, exhort, and live.
We must not give up but endure the afflictions, persecutions, attacks of the enemy. Even Jesus was mocked to scorn on his way to raise Jairus’s daughter from death. We war not against flesh and blood. Many are the afflictions of the righteous but the Lord shall deliver him out of them all.
Stay away from useless debates—these profit the body nothing. Share the word, the truth, then move on from those who refuse to hear, for they that are whole need not a physician. Jesus came not to call the righteous but the sinners to repentance. Every man is right in his own eyes. If he turns a deaf ear to the truth, dust off your feet. The word sent forth will accomplish that which the Lord has purposed.
Be obedient to the Spirit, always following His lead. Be mindful of the presence of the Lord. There are some areas that are not for you to minister until the appointed time, if at all.
Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good. Continue to pray for all men, especially those of the faith who are standing against the enemy in these perilous times. You have heard that evil will wax worse and worse, and the love of many will wax cold. Prepare your heart; be founded on the Word of God, which is the only truth, the only authority in your life.
Guard your heart and mind against the enemy—maintain the full armor of God, grow in faith and charity. Do not walk in fear, for the Lord has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and love and a sound mind.
Trust in the name of Jesus—the only name by which men can be saved. Share the gospel truth with all the Lord places in your path. Avoid pointless disputing and all those who seek to cause division. Work unto edification of the body. Exhort with all truth and love. Let not your good be evil spoken of. The Lord is your shepherd; find rest in His presence, abide under His shadow and He shall lift you above the darkness so that His name will be glorified.
Seek not the praise of men and walk not in the counsel of the ungodly. Walk worthy of your holy calling and wait upon the Lord. He will order your steps and lead you on paths of righteousness, and unto good works, in which He before ordained that you should walk.
Dwell with those who call upon the Lord with a pure heart, for it is the pure in heart who shall see God. Remember mercy, forgiveness and love.
Keep your mind stayed upon the Lord—seeking His kingdom first—and He will keep you in perfect peace and provision. Let not your heart be troubled. Though the enemies be many, the Lord has defeated them all.
It is written: It is finished.
All who live godly in Christ will suffer persecution. We must endure with all long-suffering, continuing in the Word for it is the bread of life; it is the end-all for us to learn, teach, rebuke, exhort, and live.
We must not give up but endure the afflictions, persecutions, attacks of the enemy. Even Jesus was mocked to scorn on his way to raise Jairus’s daughter from death. We war not against flesh and blood. Many are the afflictions of the righteous but the Lord shall deliver him out of them all.
Stay away from useless debates—these profit the body nothing. Share the word, the truth, then move on from those who refuse to hear, for they that are whole need not a physician. Jesus came not to call the righteous but the sinners to repentance. Every man is right in his own eyes. If he turns a deaf ear to the truth, dust off your feet. The word sent forth will accomplish that which the Lord has purposed.
Be obedient to the Spirit, always following His lead. Be mindful of the presence of the Lord. There are some areas that are not for you to minister until the appointed time, if at all.
Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good. Continue to pray for all men, especially those of the faith who are standing against the enemy in these perilous times. You have heard that evil will wax worse and worse, and the love of many will wax cold. Prepare your heart; be founded on the Word of God, which is the only truth, the only authority in your life.
Guard your heart and mind against the enemy—maintain the full armor of God, grow in faith and charity. Do not walk in fear, for the Lord has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and love and a sound mind.
Trust in the name of Jesus—the only name by which men can be saved. Share the gospel truth with all the Lord places in your path. Avoid pointless disputing and all those who seek to cause division. Work unto edification of the body. Exhort with all truth and love. Let not your good be evil spoken of. The Lord is your shepherd; find rest in His presence, abide under His shadow and He shall lift you above the darkness so that His name will be glorified.
Seek not the praise of men and walk not in the counsel of the ungodly. Walk worthy of your holy calling and wait upon the Lord. He will order your steps and lead you on paths of righteousness, and unto good works, in which He before ordained that you should walk.
Dwell with those who call upon the Lord with a pure heart, for it is the pure in heart who shall see God. Remember mercy, forgiveness and love.
Keep your mind stayed upon the Lord—seeking His kingdom first—and He will keep you in perfect peace and provision. Let not your heart be troubled. Though the enemies be many, the Lord has defeated them all.
It is written: It is finished.
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