Safetypinlove

We know from Scripture that suffering, trials, and persecution are not to be viewed by the Believer as unusual or strange. But accepting it all as commonplace or expected can be rather difficult at times. But James 1:12 reminds us that we are to suffer well for Christ by remaining steadfast under these trials, knowing that in the end we will receive the biggest blessing of them all…the blessing and reward of the Crown of Life.

We either live by the Spirit or live by the flesh. For when the Holy Spirit is indwelling within, it’s a sign that we are part of God’s Covenant people. But when we live according to our own corrupt inclinations, we are far from God’s plan and purpose for our life. (II Corinthians 5:17) So as the Apostle Paul exhorted Galatian Believers, we are to “keep in step” by following and adhering to God’s constant guidance and influence and listening intently to that still small voice of the Holy Spirit.

James pinpoints the importance of prayer in times of affliction, hardship, and suffering. We are to pray in all circumstances when heavy ladened…seeking God’s comfort as a refuge…or as the old Hymn expresses, “Prayer is the burden of a sign, the falling of a tear, the upward glancing of an eye, when none but God is near.” And these prayers don’t need to be long… for the mind and body may be too weak, ill, or overwhelmed. But ever in the power of any beleaguered Christian is the ability to utter a cry to God… or as Augustine called them, “Arrows for the Lord’s deliverance, shot out with a sudden quickness”

Paul is exhorting the Galatians that no matter how carefully they follow the Law or attempt to gain favor with God by good works – justification comes only through God’s grace by faith in Jesus Christ alone. This term “Justification by Faith” was declared by Martin Luther, and alone is the doctrine upon which the Protestant Reformation stands. Justification by Faith means we cannot be made righteous by what we do, for it is only through faith in Christ, not our goodness or good deeds that save us. (Romans 3:20) This faith that justifies is called living faith and is not some empty profession, but rather a personal trust that clings to Jesus as our Lord and Savior.

By Chapter 13 of Job, his friends have been offering lots of opinions, feelings, and judgments. And finally, Job as had enough of their worthless counsel, argumentative tone, and refusal to listen and hear what he was saying to them. These three men had traveled to comfort Job but instead were bent on confrontation and conflict. Mother Teresa once said, ” Be selective in your battles, sometimes peace is better than being right.” And as I care for my 92-year-old father in our home, I have learned this axiom well. I now pick my battles with him as he desperately tries to maintain his independence. I ask myself, “Am I willing to spill blood over this?”…And if the answer is no, I use prudence, diplomacy, and good sense to ensure he still stays safe.

As God’s creatures, we are required to do what is right… to live according to God’s moral law, and to obey Him…all of which are plainly revealed in His Word. And as Spurgeon wrote, there is no expiration date on God’s commands. They are just as applicable to our life today as they were for Paul or Timothy…and just as relevant to our struggles as they were to Simon Peter. Nothing has changed with God’s Word, we are still to love one another, walk in His ways, believe and trust in Him as our Lord and Savior, and obey His commands.

To take offense is becoming angry or upset by something that another person has said or done. We feel injured, humiliated, and threatened when someone expresses something negative about us. For the natural response to any threat is to take offense…with even a casual or offhand remark gnawing at us. Those who find themselves easily offended; will tend to have a false perspective of their security. That’s because our security cannot be rooted in ourselves…it must be in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. As Proverbs 19:11 tells us, when we cover an offense, we give grace and empathy to the offender. And when we choose to overlook an offense, we give ourselves a valuable gift – the reminder that our security is not based on others’ opinions of us, but on the security, we have in Christ. (Ephesians 1:5-7)

God will intentionally bring people across your path that are in a battle where you’ve just come from. Now our first reaction is to not share our story, for it’s still too new and it hurts to talk about it. But be brave, for God has mercifully brought you through…and you have prevailed victoriously, so speak. Yes, it may be scary to return to those dark times, but you are the very best person to bring water for the blaze they’re currently in the middle of. That’s because the water you bring is the Living Water of God’s Word…filled with truth, light, and your undeniable testimony of how the Lord quenched the flames that were trying to overtake you.

It’s a common human condition of fearing loss and suffering…of our mind immediately going to worst case scenario whenever we fear losing God’s favor and blessings. It’s when those deep-seated anxieties and fears become our reality, as we experience overwhelming physical and/or spiritual desolation, that we need to turn to God. For if you think about it, our good health and mental wellbeing is but fleeting and transitory in this world today…and Job was keenly aware of this. We are not exempt from afflictions, loss, and suffering…but we do have a God who is with us through it all.

When a fool lashes out with arrogant words, it usually leads to negative consequences. Their words can range from stupid to tactless, from embarrassing to inappropriate, and many times their words are deliberate and willful to hurt. When a fool opens his mouth, too often out will spill the manifestations of his character and disposition…while a wise person is prudent and thoughtful in what they say, for Proverbs 10:14 tells us that the wise person continues to learn from the Lord and gain wisdom, but the fool claims to know it all.