I have been in a very good place lately (The last week). God seeming to speak a little louder. God saying the same thing to my heart, you must have compassion. Then God giving it to me, supernaturally I think. I am not a compassionate person by nature. I don't think I am a hater, just not a natural lover of people. I have a busy life and just don't always get around to the things I should concerning others.
But this last week God has broken my heart for a few others. It's a good thing. But I am coming to realize the "only" thing I can really do is pray. I can throw a few proof texts someones way. I can hand them a few dollars to get by. I can offer a word of encouragement or condolences. But what is any of that worth? The problems in this world today are bigger than me or my help. The marriages are too far gone. The Prodigals too far from home. The debt too big. The disease too far advanced. I think this is from God also, I need Him to do anything. He is our only hope. We need a supernatural God, a God who does miracles. A God who answers our prayers. We also need a heart that understands God's heart as much as that is possible. I am so thankful to have a God who speaks louder to those of us who are hard of hearing.
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Friday, March 5, 2010
We must suffer
We must suffer
For to you it has been granted for Christ's sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake,
Thinking about the struggles I see so many of my family in Christ going through lately. Wondering why does it have to be this way? The scriptures are full of verses that say it is coming and even needs to come.
“And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope;”
James tells us to consider it all joy. “Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance and let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”
What do you think about this thought? We know suffering and or trials are needed, that is very plain in scripture. We know the ultimate goal is for us to be more like Jesus. So what about this, imagine a scale from 1 to 10. Jesus is 10 and you and I are at 1. I know if we really had a scale like this it would be 1 to a zillion but for simplicities sake we will use 1 to 10.
We get saved and become a one, it takes salvation to even get us on the scale. When we read our Bible, attend Church and do the normal Christian things we move up a notch or 2 on the scale. We are heading in the right direction, becoming more like Jesus.
Some move up easier and faster, some really struggle and sometimes even seem to back up on the scale a little. But no matter how we move or where on the scale we get, we eventually stop. We hit the dead end, and it’s not at 10. Why? Because it takes suffering to produce perfection. “Although He was a Son, He learned obedience from the things which He suffered. and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him. “
Also consider this, “Therefore, since Christ has suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same purpose, because he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin,”
Suffering must come to make us more like Jesus. This is not an option. You and I will hit a point on the scale when without suffering we move up no more. It may be at level 2 for me and level 8 for you, but it will come. God in His Sovereignty knows when each of His servants are at the point. I believe each of us must hit that wall, reach that level when we are done advancing without His intervention. Really it takes His intervention at all levels and all moves, but He can use other things at lower levels. The higher we move up, the more we become like Jesus. Jesus was perfect. Perfection is not easy to obtain, especially when you start with something so messed up to begin with, like me.
So we must train and prepare. Build this house on The Rock, so that WHEN the storms come we are ready. We need to be ready to come out of the refiner’s furnace as pure gold without spot or blemish. Those of us who are not at the suffering stage yet, or have survived a round or two already have a job to do. It is stated in the verse below, may we be a comfort, and may I be a comfort to my hurting brothers and sisters in Christ.
“He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.”
For to you it has been granted for Christ's sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake,
Thinking about the struggles I see so many of my family in Christ going through lately. Wondering why does it have to be this way? The scriptures are full of verses that say it is coming and even needs to come.
“And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope;”
James tells us to consider it all joy. “Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance and let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”
What do you think about this thought? We know suffering and or trials are needed, that is very plain in scripture. We know the ultimate goal is for us to be more like Jesus. So what about this, imagine a scale from 1 to 10. Jesus is 10 and you and I are at 1. I know if we really had a scale like this it would be 1 to a zillion but for simplicities sake we will use 1 to 10.
We get saved and become a one, it takes salvation to even get us on the scale. When we read our Bible, attend Church and do the normal Christian things we move up a notch or 2 on the scale. We are heading in the right direction, becoming more like Jesus.
Some move up easier and faster, some really struggle and sometimes even seem to back up on the scale a little. But no matter how we move or where on the scale we get, we eventually stop. We hit the dead end, and it’s not at 10. Why? Because it takes suffering to produce perfection. “Although He was a Son, He learned obedience from the things which He suffered. and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him. “
Also consider this, “Therefore, since Christ has suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same purpose, because he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin,”
Suffering must come to make us more like Jesus. This is not an option. You and I will hit a point on the scale when without suffering we move up no more. It may be at level 2 for me and level 8 for you, but it will come. God in His Sovereignty knows when each of His servants are at the point. I believe each of us must hit that wall, reach that level when we are done advancing without His intervention. Really it takes His intervention at all levels and all moves, but He can use other things at lower levels. The higher we move up, the more we become like Jesus. Jesus was perfect. Perfection is not easy to obtain, especially when you start with something so messed up to begin with, like me.
So we must train and prepare. Build this house on The Rock, so that WHEN the storms come we are ready. We need to be ready to come out of the refiner’s furnace as pure gold without spot or blemish. Those of us who are not at the suffering stage yet, or have survived a round or two already have a job to do. It is stated in the verse below, may we be a comfort, and may I be a comfort to my hurting brothers and sisters in Christ.
“He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.”
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
