We have been led to think, though advertising, modern technology and appliances, and automation that we should have instant gratification and a life of ease. So when things don’t happen in our timing or difficulties, trials, and troubles come, we are unprepared to deal with it and so we become angry and frustrated, thinking--didn’t God say He wanted to bless us?
It is a deception from the enemy. God says we will have much trouble.
Ps: 34:19: Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all.
Matt: 6:34: Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.
Mk:4:17: And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word's sake, immediately they are offended.
Lk: 18:1-8: And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint; 2: Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man: 3: And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary. 4: And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man; 5: Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me. 6: And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith. 7: And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them? 8: I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?
Jn: 16:33: These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
God also tells us what to do about trouble so that we can have a glorious victory:
Jas: 1:2-4: My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; 3: Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. 4: But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. (Because you will confess the same thing in good times and in bad times.)
Matt: 21:21: Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done.
Prov: 18:21: Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.
Every test and trial is an opportunity to live like a king and reign in life, ruling over the carnal nature. An opportunity to become more Christ-like in humility, submissiveness, and in faith. And it’s an opportunity to please God.
The devil instigates trouble, not generally so much to get us to curse God and die as to get us to agree with the carnal nature about trouble instead of agreeing with God, whose thoughts produce good ground, good seed, and a good harvest.
Remember, a lot of times the barriers we put up to protect ourselves from trouble are not protection at all, but trouble-makers. Trust God’s Word, quote the Word, it is full of protection and deliverance.
In the World, not only are we promised that our enemies will be defeated, we also come out of our trouble with the booty--our hearts desires.
Showing posts with label Apologetics. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Apologetics. Show all posts
Monday, February 04, 2013
Saturday, February 02, 2013
There is God's Way and Man's Way
The method being used today to persuade believers to be kind, understanding, charitable, etc. is by reasoning with them, but the Bible teaches that these things are ours in Jesus. The Bible teaches that we are to put on Jesus. The Bible teaches that we are crucified and resurrected, Jesus in us. What do we need with human reasoning to love one another? Would not human reasoning bring about human efforts? Do not human efforts bring about temporary fixes. Is it not true that Jesus’ works are eternal and man’s works are temporary. Then why don’t we heed the Bible and learn how to do the works of the Lord.
The work of the Lord is to believe on the one whom He has sent. The Bible lays out the way to do the works of God. First of all, it teaches that the doer of the Word must be crucified with Christ to accomplish eternal works. How?
Rom: 6:3-11: Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? 4: Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. 5: For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: 6: Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. 7: For he that is dead is freed from sin. 8: Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him: 9: Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him. 10: For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God. 11: Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Rom: 8:14: For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
Eph: 4:21: If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus: 22: That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; 23: And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; 24: And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.
We have the mind and Spirit of Christ. His words are Spirit and they are life. Jesus Christ is the wedding garment that is required that one be wearing in order to partake of the wedding feast. Put on the Lord Jesus Christ and do not fulfill the lusts of the flesh. Rom: 13:14
Do you not think that if the church did these things that the members would not need preachers to reason with them about why they should witness, give, and serve?
Also, the do-it-yourselfers will find that they can obey when it is easy to do. And they may even obey when it is hard to do, most times, but they will always fail when the demand is humanly impossible. Whereas the one depending on Jesus for the empowerment, motivation, and direction will have the power to do whatever needs to be done.
Those who are living the Bible way do not need to be persuaded, they only need to be encouraged, reminded, and urged on to love and good works. Their state of mind and heart is one of depending upon the Spirit living and reigning in their heart.
The do-it-yourselfers choose in each situation whom they will serve--themselves or God.
The work of the Lord is to believe on the one whom He has sent. The Bible lays out the way to do the works of God. First of all, it teaches that the doer of the Word must be crucified with Christ to accomplish eternal works. How?
Rom: 6:3-11: Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? 4: Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. 5: For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: 6: Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. 7: For he that is dead is freed from sin. 8: Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him: 9: Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him. 10: For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God. 11: Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Rom: 8:14: For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
Eph: 4:21: If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus: 22: That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; 23: And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; 24: And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.
We have the mind and Spirit of Christ. His words are Spirit and they are life. Jesus Christ is the wedding garment that is required that one be wearing in order to partake of the wedding feast. Put on the Lord Jesus Christ and do not fulfill the lusts of the flesh. Rom: 13:14
Do you not think that if the church did these things that the members would not need preachers to reason with them about why they should witness, give, and serve?
Also, the do-it-yourselfers will find that they can obey when it is easy to do. And they may even obey when it is hard to do, most times, but they will always fail when the demand is humanly impossible. Whereas the one depending on Jesus for the empowerment, motivation, and direction will have the power to do whatever needs to be done.
Those who are living the Bible way do not need to be persuaded, they only need to be encouraged, reminded, and urged on to love and good works. Their state of mind and heart is one of depending upon the Spirit living and reigning in their heart.
The do-it-yourselfers choose in each situation whom they will serve--themselves or God.
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