Trials and temptations…we don’t like them. We would rather live blissfully in some kind of bubble insulated from the world and all bad stuff, but this scripture tells us otherwise. It says as Believers we need to look upon trials and temptations with happiness… because by them we are refined in the crucible of Christ …becoming more like Him everyday.
Tag: jesus christ our lord
Mark 13: 21-22 ” At that time if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or, ‘Look, there he is!’ do not believe it. For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform signs and miracles to deceive the elect – if that were possible.”
Jesus warns us of people who will try to seduce us away from the truth. Pseudo-christs acknowledge Jesus…but then claim to actually be Him, while anti-Christs oppose the true Jesus Christ and His power. Both will amaze the multitudes with wonders…both come in sheep’s clothing to deceive the nations. But the very last phrase of this scripture gives all Christians confidence. “…to deceive the elect – if that were possible.” The elect are us…chosen by God, and we won’t be deceived, for with the prompting of the Holy Spirit we will be able to discern good from evil…a testing of the spirits if you will, to know deep down when something just doesn’t look or sound right.
Luke 21:34 ” Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with dissipation, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you unexpectedly like a trap.”
Dissipation…such an interesting word to be used here. It’s disgust and self-loathing, not to mention the hang-over from too much alcohol consumption. When our lives revolve around partying …it starts to take a toll on us physically and emotionally. We think we’re having fun…but are we? None us know the day we will die, and thinking that we’ll get right with God when we’re older and have sown our wild oats may never happen.
Psalm 112: 4 ” Even in darkness light dawns for the upright, for the gracious and compassionate and righteous man.”
When a fellow Believer is going through suffering and misery, we sometimes look heavenward and ask God, “Why?” We see examples in the Bible of powerful, Godly people who went through very dark times…and again we ask, “Why?” But if you talk to a Believer who’s gone through a traumatic event, in hindsight they will speak of God’s grace and mercy…of how He carried them when they were exhausted and weak…and of how His peace undergirded them to be able to move ahead day by day. Yes, just like Daniel, we will all spend a night in the lions’ den…but take hope, for God is right there beside you in the darkness until the sunrise.
Job 12:13 ” To God belong wisdom and power; counsel and understanding are His.”
Elsewhere in Job it says, “His wisdom is profound, His power is vast.” (Job 9:4) God is the very personification of wisdom…He is the source of all understanding and ability. In Him is all power, might and strength. Who is greater than our God?
I Corinthians 4:1 ” So then, men ought to regard us as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the secret things of God.”
Just who is a servant of God? Pastors and Ministers…yes. Evangelists and Missionaries…yes. But have you ever given thought that you also are a servant of God? As a Believer, you have been given the responsibly as a Steward of the Gospel. In your Christian journey, the divine truths of following Jesus are being revealed to you every day. As a Believer, you are then held accountable for spreading the Gospel Message to those the Lord brings across your path.
Matthew 18: 2-4 ” He called a little child and had him stand among them. And He said: ‘I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven.’ “
This story actually started earlier as Jesus and the Disciples were traveling. An argument had ensued among the Disciples of just who was the greatest. So now Jesus was calling them out on it and extinguishing any ego that was still lingering by having a little boy stand among them as an example of how He wanted them to behave. Not as proud, honor-seeking men, but as meek, gentle, giving children.
Philippians 3:12 ” Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.”
You are still running your race. You are still fighting the good fight of faith. So forget about the mistakes you made yesterday and instead reach for the goal before you…and you will find it.
Romans 2:1 ” You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at what ever point you judge the other, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things.”
We all give snap opinions mentally everyday. No one may hear them…but we’re constantly pronouncing judgment on those around us. But for as harshly as we judge others…in the same way we will be judged someday…which kind of makes you think doesn’t it.
John 2:4 ” ‘Dear woman, why do you involve Me?’ Jesus replied. ‘My time has not yet come.’ “
Jesus and His mother Mary had a very special and totally unique relationship. They shared the traditional Mother-Son bond…but because of the miraculous way Jesus was conceived, Mary had insight into just how life-changing His time on earth would be. When the wine ran out at the wedding in Cana, Mary knew Jesus could do something about it. But why did He change the water into wine if His time had not yet come? He did it because He loved and honored His Mother more than any time-table or schedule.
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