Trials

"The Lord trieth the righteous."
Psalm 11:5 (KJV)

"The Lord tests the righteous..."
Psalm 11:5 (NAS)

"The trials that come from God are sent to prove and strengthen our graces, and so at once to illustrate the power of divine grace, to test the genuineness of our virtues, and to add to their energy.  You would never have possessed the precious faith that now supports you if the trial of your faith had not been like  unto fire.  Worldy ease is a great foe to faith; it loosens the joints of holy valor and snaps the sinews of sacred courage.  While the wheat sleeps comfortably in the husk, it is useless to man; it must be threshed out of its resting place before its value can be known.  Thus it is well that Jehovah tries the rightreous, for it causes them to grow rich toward God." - Charles Spurgeon

Therefore we should rejoice when we encounter various trials (James 1:2).  If you are in a trial, turn it to God through praise and adoration.  Use it to seek the Scriptures for divine truth and drop to your knees in prayer for deliverance and understanding and grace.  You will grow closer to God and the fellowship with Him will grow sweeter.

The Battle

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. 

Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.
 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood,
but against the rulers,
against the powers,
against the world forces of this darkness,
against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. 
Therefore, take up the full armor of God,
so that you will be able to resist in the evil day,
and having done everything to stand firm.”
Ephesians 6:10-13

You are no longer children when it comes to spiritual things.  Be ready to take up your armor daily and be prepared to war against satan – first in your mind and second in the world around you.  We must first overcome satan’s schemes and lies in our own lives before we can be effective in our world.  Take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ and stand firm on the B-I-B-L-E!  God’s truth is our greatest weapon in our own defense as well as when we are witnessing to others.  Be aware of the battle.  Be armed and ready.  Fight the good fight and stand firm until the end.  The war is ours!  Christ is the victory that has overcome this world!

 

Intercession

“Therefore He is able also to save forever those who draw near to God through Him,

since He always lives to make intercession for them.”
Hebrews 7:25

Jesus is standing at the right hand of the Father making intercession for you!  That is the Creator God, the Savior, Jesus is making your requests known to God the Father.  Jesus spends His time waiting to hear from you, for you to draw near that He might make intercession for you!  What a privilege!  What a gift!  What love!  Don’t leave Him waiting; take everything to Him and the praise Him for His goodness and faithfulness.

 

Temptation and Grace

“For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses,

but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin.
Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace,
so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”
Hebrews 4:15-16

 And we can know the mind of Christ and the Holy Spirit is within us!  We, too, can be tempted and withstand it because of our great God!  Grace is the answer here!  God’s marvelous grace!  Grace allows us to draw near to God, to call upon Him, for Him to indwell us, for us to have a relationship with God.  Because of grace, the divider is torn down and we have access to the Father!  Marvelous grace!!!  As you live and walk in God’s grace, you will give in to temptation less and less.  Be in an attitude of prayer and praise.  That will keep you in mind of God’s grace.

 Great study:  How often grace and truth are linked together in God’s word – OT and NT.

 

 

Our Hope is in God

“Then Job arose and tore his rose and shaved his head,

and he fell to the ground and worshiped.”
Job 1:20

 “Ah Lord God! Behold, You have made the heavens and earth by Your great power and by Your outstretched arm!

Nothing is too difficult for You, who show lovingkindness to thousands…great in counsel and mighty in deed.”
Jeremiah 32:17-18

“Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh; is anything too difficult for Me?”

Jeremiah 32:27

 “ For we have become partakers of Christ, if we hold fast the beginning of our assurance firm until the end.”

Hebrews 3:14

 Do you see a theme here?  These were all in my reading this morning.  God is surely in control. Hold onto your hope until the end.  Our faith is not in governments, but in God and He is still good, and He is still on His throne!  Hold on tight and worship!

Temptation

“How can a young man keep his way pure?

By keeping it according to Your word.”
Psalm 119:9

 There are so many temptations out there!  Especially for young, single adults.  Paul reminds us that “No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you sill be able to endure it.”  The key?  Look for the way of escape!  Don’t justify or give excuses – RUN!  And how do you recognize a temptation to begin with?  Know the word of God.  And then rely on the Holy Spirit to lead and guide.

Pray for each other.  Satan is alive and would love to make any one of you stumble. We are in a spiritual war and wars are won one battle at a time.  Pray for me, too because I am not immune either!

 

Sweet Freedom!

“…and through Him everyone who believes is freed from all things, from which you could not be freed through the Law of Moses.”

 Sweet freedom!  Free from guilt and shame, from judgment and condemnation, from sin and separation.  Free from the bondage of the law!  Free to live as sons rather than slaves.  Free to make choices and to follow God’s leading.

 I am teaching tomorrow on Holidays, Traditions, and In-Laws.  Christmas trees and Santa Claus will need to be addressed.  These are secondary issues and issues of conscience before God for each individual and family.  It is not a spiritual indication of your maturity or your faithfulness.  Be careful to allow others to walk in their conscience before God, not judging them if God has called them to a different lifestyle or tradition as long as it lines up with the word of God.  This is true across the board for education choices, number of children someone should have, how one is to dress, etc…  These are law, not grace.  Walk in grace not bound by law and in a relationship with God and He will convict you and train you through His word.  Don’t let others direct your conscience in these matters.