trials and sufferings part II

Ohhh, how difficult to write during trial and suffering, there is a reminder that we are called to suffering, and that God promises us it will do all that it is meant to.  There is a reason, thank God! There is a purpose. A few things for us to remember during trials and sufferings. 1. rejoice.  Why? because it is easy?! NO! but because we identify with Jesus in suffering. 1.4:13 but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ's sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. 2. Comfort.  The Bible states we learn to comfort others with the comfort we recieve. 2 Corinthians 1:3 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 tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with which we ourselves are comforted by God.  3. Patience.  The Bible states we should be patient in affliction James 1:4  But let patience have its perfect work that you may be complete, lacking nothing.. Why be patient? It is our way of saying we trust you God. You are going to see us through the fiery trials of suffering. 4. Transformation.  We will be transformed from Glory to Glory.  1 Corinthians 3:18 But we with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror Glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.  Did you know that silver is made the most perfect when the impurities are burned away. How are they burned away? THROUGH FIRE! This life isn't easy. fiery trials should be expected if we desire to see Jesus' image in that purified silver. It is also Gods desire.Of course we don't always see it, but God is revealing it to others. So these are just a few things to remember and I am sure there are many more. If we trust that Jesus is the Author and finisher of our faith we know we will recieve the end of our faith. The salvation of our souls. Perfected through suffering.

Trials and sufferings

The Apostle Paul talks about the troubles he was going through when he was ministering the gospel in Asia.  He describes his troubles as being burdened beyond measure, above strength, so that he despaired even of life. He said he had the sentence of death in his heart.  He also went on the declare that we should not trust in ourselves but in God who raises the dead.  Paul went through these things understanding he was called to suffering for the sake of the gospel.  At times our own soul can tell us we are dead, its over, we are gripped with the fact that this is the end.  But somehow it isn't fact.  God comes through and delivers us. For his sake of course. His purpose. His will. His plan.  We are constantly learning to trust in God through various trials and tribulations. Constantly calling on his name to recieve help in our time of trouble. We are becoming as the word says "tablets of flesh".  That is our outward witness of Jesus in us to the world around us.  We don't always see that as we are trusting that we are showing the world that our suffiency in not from ourselves but it comes from God.  His Spirit in Us producing the fruit and life of Jesus.  2 Corinthians 2:14  Paul states "Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses (manifests) the fragrance of his knowledge in every place. When I read this scripture I think of the potpurri that is so sweet smelling yet it doesn't reach as far as under my nose as far as smelling unless it is heated up. Then it fills the whole house. Think of the what the fiery trials will do when the life you live in God is heated up. It will fill the whole area of your witness with the sweet smelling aroma of God. And we will have this treasure in this our earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power in us is not of us but of God. So lets just rejoice in tribulation and trials though it is hard we will do it knowing it will bring others to the knowledge of God. Praise his Name.

The Persisent Friend

The other day as I was doing a little bible reading I came across the parable of the persistent friend.  In this parable A friend went to a fellow friends house and ask him for some bread, it was late and his friend basically told him to go away and leave him alone because the family was in bed and it was late.  The persistent friend insisted his friend give him some bread because he had someone coming to visit and he needed to offer him something, So basically the friend gave him the bread because he wasn't going away and was not going to take "NO" for an answer.  I really didn't know why this had stuck in my head, scripture doesn't always just come up and make itself known, but anyway it kinda of kept coming back to me.  Later that week the church I attend had a baptism.  I remember how after each baptism, they were praying after everyone was immersed in the water.  I also prayed. Then it occured to me.  The parable of the persistent friend.  The parable ends with Jesus stating that God wants to give the Holy Spirit to those who are persistent in seeking him.  Just like the friend that recieved the bread if you will persist God will give you the Holy Spirit. Just like the man had bread to offer his visiting friend you will also have the bread of the Holy Spirit to offer those who have need.  So keep asking, keep seeking, keep after God and you will also have "bread " to offer those who come your way!