A Good Purpose In Trials

 

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. (Rom 8:28 KJV)

We are in the midst of Lent. I have found Lent to be a most challenging time, at least for me. Of all the seasons of the year it seems to me that the devil gets a whole lot busier attacking those who love God during Lent. During this time of reflection and repentance; during this time when we are reminded reminded of Jesus' admonition that we are to take up our crosses and follow him; we know full well that we will fall short. We can try to follow in his footsteps. But, we are not Jesus. We are not gods. We cannot do what Jesus did for us. We can do nothing. But, God can and He does. We can take up our crosses and follow the best that we can; but, it must be with the help of God. We cannot stand or walk alone.

No matter what obstacles are set before you; no matter what trials you are enduring, know that God works in and through all of these trials for the good of those who love Him. God is with you through your tribulations. He will show you the way and walk with you on your journey as you carry your cross to the cross of Christ.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Follow Him, Where!

Then Peter said, “Look, we have left our homes and followed you.” And he said to them, “Truly I tell you, there is no one who has left house or wife or brothers or parents or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God, who will not get back very much more in this age, and in the age to come eternal life.” (Luke 18:28-30 NRSV)

Such a hard saying! What does this mean!

I have never understood it to mean that we must throw our family members under the bus. I do understand it to mean that the we must make sure that God comes first in our lives. Nothing and no one can become the priority over God. That being said: just as we are to care for and serve others we should serve our families. But, we should never put their or our own selfish desires before the will of God. God comes first for without him we cannot truly love anyone else.

The Kingdom of God comes first. If the world is so important to you that you cannot put aside an egotistical and materialistic self-serving life-style then why pretend that the Kingdom of God is important in any way to you?

Jesus' early followers left family, homes, businesses to follow Jesus. They were willing and often did give up their very lives for the sake of the Kingdom of God. There are many around the world who are still willing and still do.

Then he said to them all, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will save it. (Luke 9:23-24)

Something to consider: Are you truly a follower of Jesus or is your Christianity merely a badge to wear when needed to please, appease, and impress those around you? Will you deny yourself and take up the cross to follow Jesus?  If we follow in his footsteps, it will take us to the place where he carried his cross; to where he died upon it; and ultimately to the Kingdom of God where he reigns eternally. It would take us to places where those who cling to the world would fear to go.

The journey is definitely worth making. But, there is a cost. It cost Jesus his life. This same Jesus who died on the cross said we are to take up our crosses daily and follow him. Follow him where? To the cross? To death? Is there a limit on the places that we are willing to follow him to? Is there a limit to what we are willing to die to in this world in order to follow him?

May God grant us courage and strength to take up our crosses and follow him wherever he would lead us.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Spit Out Of His Mouth

"To the angel of the church in Laodicea write:

These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation. I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth." (Rev 3:14-16 NIV)

A good percentage of the church on earth appears to be quite lukewarm; neither openly denying Christ or openly affirming Christ. There are way too many who confess that they are Christians on Sunday morning or in any Christian gathering of people. But, when it comes to witnessing to those who do not know Jesus; the church becomes pretty quiet. Yes, of course, there are all those television evangelists who make mega-bucks for their proclamation. But, then there is also the question regarding what they are really proclaiming. Do they proclaim that in order to be followers of Jesus we must deny ourselves, take up our crosses, and follow him? (Matt 16:24) Does our message include the fact that the road Jesus took here on earth was not one of self-indulgence; but, of a homeless man (Matt 8:19-20) who endured much persecution (John 15:20) and then went to his execution (Matt 27:32-37) for speaking the truth. 

There are way too many who profess to be Christians who really are not ready or willing to get off the fence and follow Jesus. They are afraid for their hearts to be on fire for Jesus. It might mean they have to focus on the Kingdom of God rather than the material things of this world. It will mean persecution. (2 Tim 3:12) 

God did not push the people of Laodicea off of the fence. He warned them and he warns us that if we do not want to be spit out of his mouth, we need to get off of the fence. 

May our hearts be set on fire for the Lord Jesus!

God's Peace - Pr. J