I cannot believe it has been almost a year since my last post. I also cannot believe that I had the incredible blessing last year of sharing with others endurance through suffering. That my last post would be so important to me in my own life at this time. God’s merciful grace, through preparing His beloved, is so awe-inspiring that no words can describe. Only tears of joy can show how truly grateful I am for that study last year.
As I work through loss in my life, I find myself clinging to the Lord Jesus and His Word ever so much more. I am reminded that suffering is expected, suffering will come, and suffering can be overcome if we remember the only one we can count on for clarity, comfort, peace, wisdom and resolution is the Lord God Almighty. If we are faithful to taking all of our concerns to Him, we will not be disappointed.
All of us live in a fallen world of brokenness, of which we are not immune from. We wrestle with the loneliness that comes from relationship loss, abandonment, and physical bodily death. We wrestle with the wrongs that come against us in times when we think we are doing good, we wrestle with accusations made against us that are unwarranted and we wrestle with crushing name calling by others. We do not have to wrestle with however, the knowledge that we are loved unconditionally by a creator who has chosen us out of this broken world to do good works in serving Him to the best of our ability. Born into sin and saved by grace to a life filled with hope. Sharing that hope in all that we do with joy, kindness, love, patience and prayer. So that others will see in us the light of majesty in our Lord.
Satan is working overtime right now against God’s beloved and we have to pray for our brothers and sisters asking for God’s providential care to prepare the way for sight in seeing truth, to heal broken hearts, to sweeten taste of bitterness and to protect those who are yet to be called to Him. We need to be praying for the sins of those who know better, pray for those that hold judgmental thoughts against others, and for all of those who cannot control the temptation to demean others for their own self preservation.
There are so many things we fear in this broken world, and yet we do not need to fear if we have the Lord Jesus as our savior. Our sacrifices in this life are nothing compared to the sacrifices He has made for us. No matter what we do on this earth for the good of others is not even close to what He has done for others. We need to uphold the standards that He set with humility, love, compassion, forgiveness, and understanding. Doing what is right in the sight of God for those who need to be encouraged. That includes ourselves. If we take on the burdens that others try to heap upon our feeble bodies, we are not serving God. We serve ourselves. God is the only one who can change hearts. God is the only one who can lighten the load of heavy burdens. God is the only one who can move mountains that stubbornly hold their ground. God is the only one who can transform evil into good. God is the only one who can save out of death and can give life. God is the only one who can remind us that we are starving for spiritual truth more than we are starving for food. We need to have the humility to admit that we are not strong enough to do it ourselves. We need to call upon the Holy Spirit to give us clarity and wisdom to know best how to serve in humility in all that comes before us. That we would not stand proud over our accomplishments, yet that we would give Him glory for the blessings He has provided. Oh how this broken world tries to control that which is not controllable.
We have to rely on a Holy God who can take away the pain for us, who can give us strength in the most impossible situations and who can comfort us in our mourning. God be with you friends as you endure another hour, day, month and year. Till I write again….. goodnight.
I once again had the privilege and honor of facilitating a discussion at a woman’s bible study of which I feel incredibly blessed to be a part of. We are studying Christian suffering. With this week being an emotional time for our city and community, I feel it is timely to share this discussion with others. God’s providential care over the presentation of His Word and validation of the gospel and Jesus through suffering is just too much to comprehend. Showing support for Christians during times of suffering and allowing suffering to be a testimony of Christ to unbelievers is sometimes overlooked.
May the Lord be glorified as you read and be blessed with encouragements in difficult times.
1 Peter 4:19
[19] Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.
Key parts to this verse, those who suffer, God’s will, trust in a faithful Creator, and while doing good.
We have been discussing suffering and God’s will, we have touched on trusting our faithful creator and today we get to also talk about doing good.
What does it mean to be doing good? The KJV definition says the the word good means Valid; legally firm; not weak or defective; having strength adequate to its support. So what does this have to do with suffering and why is it important?
Being a testimony in our own faith through suffering, we help to validate the Word of God because He wills it to be so. We cannot validate, God validates through our suffering. We have an opportunity to witness, to unbelievers, through our suffering, using God’s Word that the sacrifice of a child (being Jesus Christ and Jesus alone) for the sins of others is not weak or defective. We are given the strength adequate to support the love of a creator to give life to the broken and to heal the sick. Faith through suffering, helps to bind us closer to our Father in an unbreakable relationship as it was created to be in the beginning.
1 Peter 5:1-5
Shepherd the Flock of God
[1] So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: [2] shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; [3] not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. [4] And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. [5] Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”
Our Elders are given clear instructions in scripture of the lives they should live, what their duty is, how they are to lead etc. As part of the shepherds flock that the Lord has called us to be, we sometimes struggle to find that clear instruction of who or what we should be doing with our faith. We know that we will suffer, we know through the great commission that we are to go out and make disciples of all nations, to be teaching spreading the word of God that has been taught. Yet as human beings in a broken world, we sometimes find ourselves in one of two camps, overzealous or unenthusiastic without clear instruction as to the direction we head in our walk as a christian. Bunyan was great in describing the path and journey of Christian in Pilgrims’ Progress. There are obstacles, there are divisions in the path, and there are deceptive complications that stand before us.
We can either be overzealous, on fire for the Word, working as if it’s a job to put ourselves out there to make sure everyone is saved and everyone hears the gospel. Now, while this is not wrong at all as it’s a command for all who believe, sometimes we are doing it out of the inappropriate belief that out of works we are saved, and/or we blindly go about it out of glorification for our own self worth.
On the flip side, we could be unenthusiastic by just attending church on Sundays, ignoring God and God’s word the rest of the week and leaving the great commission to those who are outwardly and clearly gifted to be called and appointed to spread the gospel.
Our journey, as hard as it is to believe, is not unlike that of our Elders, lest we forget. We are ALL human. We are saved by Grace and God’s mercy has been placed upon us to do good just as they do. We are no different in that we are to join in the Great Commission, without fear, without worry about if we are doing it the right way or if we are qualified to do so, even through suffering. We have the opportunity to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ even in our suffering.
For review let’s read what scripture say:
Matthew 28:16-20
The Great Commission
[16] Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. [17] And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. [18] And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. [19] Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, [20] teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
When we suffer, we have an opportunity, no an obligation to our beloved Father, to remember who He is. Remember what sacrifice He has made and to remember that we are not of this world. That our suffering, brokenness, insecurities and awareness of sin is because we have a loving Father who gave us Jesus whom came before us. A Father who also gave us the Holy Spirit:
Romans 8:1-30
Life in the Spirit
[1] There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. [2] For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. [3] For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, [4] in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. [5] For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. [6] For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. [7] For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot. [8] Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.[9] You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. [10] But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness. [11] If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you. [12] So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. [13] For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. [14] For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. [15] For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” [16] The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, [17] and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.
We are set free from the law of sin and death, we set our minds on the things of the Spirit, of life and peace. The Spirit is life because of righteousness. We cry “Abba! Father!” Heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him.
Future Glory
[18] For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. [19] For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. [20] For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope [21] that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. [22] For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. [23] And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. [24] For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? [25] But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.[26] Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. [27] And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. [28] And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. [29] For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. [30] And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.
Our book reminds us that 1Peter 4:19Jesus “entrusted himself to God.”
Being reformed members of the body of Christ we clearly understand that that God has predestined those He has chosen and called those who are to go out, as disciples to share in the glory of God. The Spirit helps us in our weakness. The Spirit knows how to intercede for us when the groanings are too much for us. It’s not about us, it’s about those who are yearning for the change of heart, that we have the opportunity and the privilege to share joy and hope in Jesus before humanity as a testimony.
2 Corinthians 4:7-10
Treasure in Jars of Clay
[7] But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. [8] We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; [9] persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; [10] always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies.
This…this is how we know that we are called even through suffering that we are Christians by our suffering. This is our confirmation that suffering makes a difference. This is how we are encouraged to have joy through suffering, even when we cry out “Abba, Father”.
John Stott comments,
How did Jesus expect His disciples to react under persecution? [In Matt. 5:12 He said], “Rejoice and be glad!” We are not to retaliate like an unbeliever, nor sulk like a child, nor lick our wound in self-pity like a dog, nor just grin a bear it like a Stoic, still less pretend we enjoy it like a masochist. What then? We are to rejoice as a Christian should and even “leap for joy” (Lk. 6:23).4
Luke 6:20-23
The Beatitudes
[20] And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said:“Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. [21] “Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you shall be satisfied. “Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall laugh. [22] “Blessed are you when people hate you and when they exclude you and revile you and spurn your name as evil, on account of the Son of Man! [23] Rejoice in that day, and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven; for so their fathers did to the prophets.
Before I move on I have two thoughts about this. First, leaping for joy does not necessarily mean that we literally leap for joy. We rejoice with joy in the fact that we have the opportunity to experience suffering as God would have us, at His will. That our faith is strengthened through suffering because we have all the trust in the world that we are not in control, God is. And we trust that.
Also, we cannot and should not worry about or judge ourselves or others, including other Christians, as to the way in which they react and suffer. From the outside someone may look like they are being stoic or showing joy like a masochist, or seemingly anxious in what seems to be self pity, yet we cannot truly know where their faith is at that moment. How God chooses to use their suffering and how He chooses to utilize their growth in faith to be a testimony in suffering is as God sees fit and should not be something we need to make a judgement call on.
Many believers and non believers alike, share in humanity, emotions, sinfulness, weeping and joy. One’s immediate reaction to suffering in their life is nothing short of normal. We cannot judge what the outcome of their suffering and response to suffering will bring. Sharing your own testimony to suffering and the strength it took to get through it should never be frowned upon or looked upon as bragging. As long as God is glorified through that testimony and if prayer stands behind it we should rejoice that the Lord has opened the door to do so. Each Christian has a struggle, some will struggle more with wanting to know why while others will not. That’s ok. As long as we proclaim victory in Christ we know that our suffering was for the good.
This moves us into the next section of How do we share in the suffering of other believers? And how do we know we are supposed to?
1 Corinthians 12:26
[26] If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together.
We’ve all heard the saying misery loves company. I really hate that statement, yet sometimes it’s a bit truer than I would like to admit depending on how you read that. We find connections to people who have suffered as we have suffered. We find support groups for just about every type of suffering don’t we? Support groups do not remove the pain and anguish we feel, they do however, bring us together and bind us together in suffering. Support groups are great if they are giving comfort and tools to grow through the anguish, and what a better way to offer that comfort than to share the gospel to unbelievers. So even though I dislike the misery loves company verbiage, it does offer opportunity for believers and unbelievers alike to share in a way that sometimes may not otherwise occur.
As I am completing this lesson for study today, I am taking breaks to tune in to the Wisconsin Darrell Brooks sentencing part of the trial. Hearing the families and their anguish, there have been many that have shared that through the grace of God they are getting through. They are trusting in God to give them strength each day to not dwell on what happened and that today they have closure as one step closer. These families have been able to share with one another the grief of loss, and anguish of suffering at the hands of evil. They been bound together in circumstance through tragedy, strengthening one another through their suffering as a community. While I cannot judge Mr. Brooks heart and what God will do with him, from outward appearance, I can and will use the word evil as he shook his head yes to one parent saying that he hopes he rots in hell, and clapped or laughed when others were done sharing their tragic story. Pure evil in the face of the suffering created at his own hands. Still trying to understand if he did that in his hopes of seeing Satan. Only God knows and only God knows his true heart.
I praise God that these families have the opportunity to share the strength they have been given and proclaimed God as the source. As one young man shared, he has joy that Mr. Brooks cannot take away, even though this life has changed and the last year has been a journey. It takes a profound amount of maturity in faith to say that he can forgive. This… this is what it means to suffer for Christ. Claiming victory over suffering for Christ. Not allowing our suffering to define who are. Allowing our strength to come from the Holy Spirit and sharing that strength with others. It’s not being showy, it’s not being stoic or being a masochist if Christ is at the center and proclaimed to be at the center of our grief. It’s an example of what the Lord offers through the sacrifice of His son for sinners like us.
To those who are still suffering through this tragedy, I continue to pray for God’s strength to be given to them, that they will be encouraged through no strength of their own to trust in a Holy God and His will over this entire debacle. Job was rattled in his own suffering so it is not to be expected no matter how faithful one is. Being able to turn to the Word and relying on God’s truth rather than man’s truth is what I pray for these families. I also pray that evil will be casted out of Mr. Brooks and that He will submit to the Lord and will repent honestly and truly, offering humility before God. We will not know easily if this will happen as again, it is God’s will and only God knows the true condition of his heart.
We are qualified to share the gospel because we suffer as Christ suffered, we are called to do good because the word is not defective and we are strengthened because we have been predestined to have encouragement and faith to give glory to a creator who not only gave us life on earth, but also everlasting life with Him.
Friends, to whom do you place your trust? Is it in yourself? Perhaps in the depths of despair you may offer your creator your submission to Him and His will. Just a thought. Just a prayer for you this day as you read this blog.
In the stormy seas of life, many will often times forget to look at the beauty that surrounds them. The focus is on the here and now and it is forgotten that nothing happens without cause and reason. Excuses for bad behavior are given, white lies are told, walking away without explanations are common and the waves overtake the whole being so that one drowns in the sinfulness of darkness without reaching the light that is within grasping hands.
Have you found yourself being in this situation? Have you sat alone pondering to yourself “what just happened”? I challenge you today, to understand that you are not feeling anything other than what every other person has felt at one time or another in their life. I am not talking about in just today’s time or in just this century. I am talking about any time in life since Christ died on that cross. The verse today sums up the message of the gospel in such a short half sentence that reading it makes ones head swell with awe.
Let’s take a look at just one word for a moment. Redemption is a noun yet it has a verb twist as it’s an action of sorts. Redemption in the dictionary says its the release of; the saving of sins. The biblical meaning of redemption says it this way; (Greek: apolutrosis) refers to the deliverance of Christians from sin. It assumes an important position in salvation because the transgressions in question form part of a great system against which human power is helpless. (Wikipedia). Did you catch that last part? If not read it again…. “a great system against which human power is helpless.”
There are many religions throughout the world that would teach and have their followers believe that there is always something you can do to for yourself to calm the storm and deliver oneself from sin. That if you just trust enough, if you just do enough, if you are a kind person, etc. Redemption doesn’t work that way, it’s something that no one can do for themselves. Do you remember the biblical testimony of the calming of the sea? Writing this made me think of that. Let’s take a look shall we?
Jesus Calms a Storm
35 On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side.” 36 And leaving the crowd, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. And other boats were with him. 37 And a great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was already filling. 38 But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion. And they woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” 39 And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. 40 He said to them, “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?” 41 And they were filled with great fear and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?”Mark 4:35-41
Jesus is the gospel truth. He is the one who restores from a life of sin to a life worthy of salvation. He saves because he loves. There is nothing anyone can do for themselves. One cannot calm the seas around them, one cannot steer the boat to safety when the waves are crashing around the uneven rocking sides, and one cannot just call out for deliverance without their own sacrifice. Turning toward the Word of God, and putting faith in Jesus Christ who withstood death and was raised to sit at the right hand of the Father to judge the wicked is the way in which one survives.
Easy it is not. Who after all likes to admit they were wrong in action and deed? Who likes to admit that they’ve stood before others in deception? Redemption has happened to save those whom are called to serve and worship Him. Repenting and asking for forgiveness to those whom have been wronged is necessary. It’s the one requirement in which then leads to a life of having faith in that which is unseen yet felt. A calmness from the storm that rages around trying to sink the boat. A calmness felt without fear. A calmness that sits before fear and locks in a life that will never feel death.
You notice from the verse quoted above that even Jesus’ own disciples had fear. The walked with the prophesied Messiah, they knew him and yet they had fear. Many in the Old Testament sinned. Repentance and faith in God and what knowing what was yet to come is what saved them. Walking away from a life of sin is not always easy. There are definitely challenges and there are always slip ups. Everyone is a sinner, that’s human nature. What is done in one’s life to prevent sin and actions taken to rectify a sinful act is the important part of surviving the storm around and seeing the beauty of the calm that is available. The beauty of a life given for a life to be saved.
The forgiveness of sins is what Jesus came to this earth to accomplish with His death on the cross. This, is the calm within the storm. Won’t you consider joining others in this joyous new birth in faith?
Good morning friends, hope that your week has been a blessing to you. As I had said previously, we were looking at faith, love and hope in this passage separately. I think that it’s important to understand each one and how each relates to God and to us on this earth. To clearly see how each one biblically impacts us. These words are not just offering comfort to those who lived centuries ago, these words are meant for all believers. Giving strength, guidance, encouragement and further growing our desire for a future with God, our creator, living in an eternal kingdom. Today we are going to complete this passage and those three with hope.
What does the word hope mean to you? Have you actually sat down and thought about it? Is it a concept? Is it a feeling? Is it something that is easily grasped? What is hope and what does it mean, both to those around us and to believers?
The Oxford dictionary describes hope as follows: noun – a feeling of expectation and a desire for a certain thing to happen. verb-wanting something to happen or be the case. Hope in Greek from the New Testament comes from the Greek word elpis, with its root word being elpo. Elpo means to anticipate or welcome and elpis is an expectation of or a guarantee. In Hebrew, the word for hope is Tikvah, meaning expectation, cord or rope. Knowing where the word came from and the meaning behind it, we can move on to what it means to us as believers.
You’ve likely heard people use the word hope in many different contexts. People hope for things, knowing there is a great chance that what they hope for is unattainable. They long for something or are wanting in something. They have hope in the weather, hope in their children, hope in their financial stability and hope in their future. Yet, for most people, hope is a word that they consider to be something that likely will not come to fruition, yet they still long and feel want or need. People save money in hopes that they can upgrade to their dream home one day, they send their children to the most prestigious schools in hopes that they will be successful, they dream of a future full of retirement opportunities which will show how successful they once were in their careers. So much hope with a great sense of pessimism. Think on that for a moment. Can you relate? Have you considered the pessimism behind the word hope in these scenarios? Where is the security and guarantee? Personally, all of the above only bring on restlessness and hopelessness.
All things above considered, it’s no wonder we live in a world of self commitment and church memberships have gone down by half in the last few years. Human nature is more likely to have hope in the unattainable, than the attainable. Human nature is subject to the sin of this world much more easily than it is to be subject to the most guaranteed path of surety. Rather sad isn’t it? So what do we do with what we know?
Understanding what hope truly is and going back to the roots of that word can change the perspective of anyone who is unsatisfied with this life, if they are guided by Godly persuasion and influence. Hence why church fellowship and biblical studies are so important. Worship should not be a once a week subjection in a church building with other believers. While that is certainly a very important part of Chritistian living, Worship should be a daily routine along with prayer. Why? Well, let’s look at it this way. Biblical hope, going back to our definitions above, is the guarantee of something greater. Biblical hope is the cord and rope that ties us to our creator who leads us to an eternal future. The faith that grows, is also the faith that trusts completely in the hope of that future. It’s a guarantee. For Christians, bible believing followers, hope is in the confirmation that God, our creator, sacrificed His only son, for the sins of those whom will share the blessing of eternity worshiping and glorifying Him whom loves us. Christian hope is wrapped in the knowledge and wisdom of the Bible, God’s Word, where God’s will shows security in the trusting of Him, the great “I am”. In the passages of scripture, lies in wait, truth, encouragement, security, and optimism. Hope is not, for Christians, a consideration of something that is unattainable. Hope is attainable and tied to the guarantee of a holy Father whom leads. Hope is encouragement in times of desperation. Hope is peace in times of trouble. Hope is the precursor leading to understanding and experiencing faith and love. Having hope, grows faith, which in turn gives understanding to love.
Understanding what hope means to the world and what it means to Christians can make a worldly difference in the life of someone who is searching for the truth. Or, you could say instead of “worldly” difference for someone, you could say it can make a “heavenly” difference. (wink)
Here are some verses to help you understand what hope is. I am praying this day for you and am hopeful in God’s will for your life. Until next week, may God bless your journey through His word.
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11
Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God. Psalm 42:11
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. Romans 15:13
Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1
Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope. Romans 5:3-4
Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. Hebrews 10:23
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. 1 Peter 1:3
There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call. Ephesians 4:4
Know that wisdom is such to your soul; if you find it, there will be a future, and your hope will not be cut off. Proverbs 24:14
Having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints Ephesians 1:18
It does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 1 Corinthians 13:6-7
The new venue on Lake Michigan. It truly was beautiful.
Colossians 1:3-5
Friends, it has been too long. Let me catch you up a bit….
After I wrote to you, the wedding plans for our son and his fiancé were in full bloom. Making centerpieces for both the rehearsal dinner and the wedding, planning at the venue with the third event planner, preparing for the day, dress alterations, and the list goes on. It was a very busy time yet we were able to sneak in a quick trip on the RV for a long weekend.
Two weeks prior to the wedding, my husband tested positive for COVID. This put everyone in panic mode. We kept him quarantined, our daughter and myself tested and came out negative, our son moved out the moment my husband was heading to the doctor and we prayed deeply that God would work out all of the details. My mom came in to town to help with wedding prep and I am praising God she did as she and I spent a week outside in 80-90 degree weather daily making signs that the kids wanted, finishing up the rehearsal dinner centerpieces, attaching flowers to the lanterns they wanted down the aisle and anything else that had yet to be completed.
One week to the day of my husbands diagnosis, I tested positive. Now this was one week prior to the wedding. The kids said they would make sure to video tape and live stream. I was crushed. One year planning and I may not even be able to attend my sons wedding? Once again, I prayed that God would take care of all the details. He knew my heart and He knew the prayers before I could speak them.
Well, just so happens that one day before my positive test, our son and future daughter-in-law had their bachelorette and bachelor parties. Our son and his crew went to Chicago to celebrate. That was on a Saturday. Well, by Tuesday, our son and 3 of his groomsmen tested positive. Two of which by the way had been given the gene therapy, i.e. vaccine. So….the wedding had to be postponed.
While I sat in quarantine in my room during the day, I began making calls and looking up new venues. The kids said that the DJ would not refund their money and that he could only do a Friday or a Sunday. The girls dresses were summer dresses. Our son was moved out, in theory, and we knew that timing was of the most importance. So the kids gave me a date which was two weeks later than their previous wedding date. After hours of searching, I found a venue at a park on the waterfront that was available to rent. This was now two days from my one week mark of being in quarantine. They went and looked at it and booked it. They also booked the waterfront for the wedding itself. (Thus began the planning of a whole new wedding in two weeks. Ordering table linens, renting chairs and a Uhaul, finding volunteers to help with set up and clean up and the list goes on.)
Two days after finding the venue I woke up at 2 a.m. to use the bathroom, struggled to breath getting there. My doctor had me on a known protocol to work, I was on MCAS meds daily, I was taking a steroid that was prescribed 5 days earlier, inhalers, natural remedies etc. I was not getting better. I laid there on my stomach trying to decide what to do. Around 6:30 a.m. I woke up my husband and told him to call the ambulance. With two rescue dogs, and one of which being very scared and uncertain, I felt it would be best if I could meet the EMT’s outside. So I went from our room, to the top of the stairs and almost fell. My daughter told me to get into her bed and she helped me lay down. Our scared little muffin knew something was wrong and she jumped on top of my legs and would not move. Our daughter had to wrestle her off and harness her to get her into our bedroom for the safety of the EMT’s and myself. They loaded me onto a chair and moved me down the stairs, carrying me, those poor guys. I’m not a light chicken so I’m sure that was their workout for the day. (wink)
I was in the hospital 6 days total. It was in itself another whole story I won’t go into today. Started out on 10 liters of oxygen, some scary diagnosis, oxygen level at 83, and 6 days later to the medical communities shock, I went home with no oxygen resting and 2 liters when moving. I mean it when I say shock.
People have asked me how I handled the isolation in the hospital and if I was scared of the diagnosis, potential direction I was going and or my condition. Truth be told, I was not. I’m not saying that it wasn’t unnerving, however, being scared was never something that overcame my being. I was in survival mode and I had a mighty warrior on my side. The TV channels were worthless, there was no one to talk to, especially since I couldn’t breath well, so I watched movies part of the time on my iPad that my husband dropped off and most of all I rested and prayed. My prayer life was consumed with glorifying an amazing God who not only created me, yet who was with me in that room, giving me strength and encouragement. I did not just pray for my healing, yet I prayed for the healing of those that were on the floor. The patient numbers had doubled during those 6 days. These folks needed prayer. The staff, which ran itself from room to room needed prayers. My kids, devastated at their wedding being postponed needed prayers. My parents, my kids, my husband needed prayers as they waited to see what was going to happen. The doctors needed prayers as they pulled every resource out of their hats to try and save peoples lives. There was nothing short of hours of prayer.
When I was sick with my Lyme, I wasn’t sure I was going to make it. Just as I prayed then, I prayed in that hospital that “should You Lord, allow me to survive, I pray that I can be a blessing to others. Sharing what I know, how you provided the way and gave me strength. Please Lord do not let my suffering and healing go without sharing. That Lord, if I am not to survive and you are calling me home, I pray that others will see grace in my attitude, and that they will see a faithful servant to You. That You oh Lord will be blessed through all of this.”
Can you relate dear one? Have you been able to see the blessings of the Lord enrich your life with knowing Him? I don’t mean just on a Sunday or periodically when things get tough. I’m talking about daily discussions, prayers, and reliance on God through Jesus Christ. Are you secure in your love for Him and His for you?
As I have been healing, which will take months by the way, I have been praying over this blog and how to move on with it. My Love for sharing God’s word has opened and closed so many doors in the past. I’ve just been waiting. Then, as we traveled to worship on Sunday, I was sharing some of this with my husband and my loss of what to do and where to go with my new “empty nest” situation. I shared that I have felt very unworthy and I am feeling stuck with no direction. That I need to just keep waiting on the Lord, as I have done so many times over the last 26 years of knowing Him. Honestly, this has not been easy. Not as easy as relying on the Lord during my illness. I’ve just been waiting to hear from Him and for a hint of what to do next. Well, Gods message through our Elder, faithful servant as he is, was answering. In fact, we both walked out and stood in awe over the message that spoke directly to the situation I found myself. Are you curious enough to listen? Head on over to https://fallsopc.org and listen to this past Sundays message. My hope in my future “career” has been restored. Bonus, is that I am being given direction that didn’t come from my wants or needs…it came from a most Holy God whose love for me has been ever so consistent and efficient. I may not have the complete picture, yet I have the comfort and motivation mixed with the security in knowing that whatever door the Lord opens and whatever direction He guides me, it is for His glory.
Is there anything greater than the Love of the Lord God who created and gave His son for the sins of those whom love Him? When we read in Colossians 1:3-5 “the love that you have for all the saints” do we consider that is for us? Do we understand that true, unconditional, agape love from a righteous God is meant not just for the saints of the past, yet it’s also meant for us? Take some time to ponder what that means. Consider how pure and unchanging that is. Over centuries of mans faulty and sinful living, there is a holy Father in Heaven that gives a love that only a Father can give. Do you wander without direction? Are you fearful of the future? Are you fearful over an illness and death? Perhaps the Lord has led you to this blog to give you encouragement that there is something greater than fear and discouragement. There is a love surpasses all earthly concerns.
Friends, I encourage you to pray daily for the recognition of the Lord through Jesus Christ to overwhelm your spirit and soul so that you too may have comfort. Consider this prayer from Paul:
Ephesians 3:14-21
Prayer for Spiritual Strength
14 For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, 16 that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
20 Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
3 We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you,4 since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints, 5 because of the hope laid up for you in heaven.
Last week we talked about the letter to the church in Colossae and the purpose behind Pauls writing to them. This week, we read verses 3-5 and there are three words that stand out. Words that we have seen on kitchen walls, on plaques, and various other signage. My heart continues to be drawn to address those three words not as a whole, yet as individual so we get a thorough understanding of each one and how they balance one another throughout scripture. So I’ve decided to break these three verse passages into three weeks of study. Giving each of us plenty of prayer time over the words and this passage. Can you guess which three words? Verse 4, faith and love and then verse 5 hope.
William Hendrickson wrote that Christianity is a life based upon a belief, which is a mighty energizing doctrine. That the Object of our faith is also the Source of our faith. When you understand that concept, it brings such great joy to know that faith is nothing we can do for ourselves. It is the product of a great love that envelopes the whole being for the use of something greater. Another way of saying it is that faith is a work of grace. It’s not a faith in just anything. It is a faith in a redeemer that took on the cost of sin. A saving faith in Jesus Christ.
So if you read that last paragraph and curiously read saving faith, and asked yourself what that is and how does it differ from just the affectionate word faith, then you are reading the right blog at the right time. This is one serious conversation that needs to happen to understand why faith in Jesus Christ is often referred to as saving faith.
Hebrews 11 1:3. Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.2 For by it the people of old received their commendation. 3 By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible.
The definition of faith is a strong belief in something or someone. Faith is something that doesn’t need proof. Sometimes you may hear the term blind faith and relate it to christianity. In all honesty, there is a wee bit of truth to it. Years ago, I was going through a difficult time and although I never questioned my faith, it seemed that I needed those special moments when a song would touch my soul or a kind word or scripture verse would uplift my brokenness. One such moment was when we were on vacation during this time and in a marina where all of the boats were docked the same way, there was one boat that was docked in opposition to the others. What was so amazing was that that particular boats name was called Blind Faith. I chuckled in tears as I was able to look at that name of the boat and allow it to be a reminder of my personal faith in Jesus Christ and all that I am to Him and He to me. It was just another poke to get me to stop in my tracks and focus not on myself, yet on the Lord and His mercy on my life to get me through anything and everything.
The understanding of who God is and what he has done for believers is the foundation of faith. It’s the complete submission of self over to a most Holy Creator and righteous God. Jesus Christ is the savior that took on the provocation of sin through death for those whom the Lord God loves and calls His own. Knowing what Christ has done and who He is is saving faith. In a sermon Charles Spurgeon preached “It’s the kind of faith, faith in Christ Jesus; faith in Him whom the world rejects, whose cross is a stumbling block and whose doctrine is an offense.” I’m sorry, but this is so difficult to understand. How could the world reject and how could His death on the cross be a stumbling block? Sin is a powerful worldly problem. Always has been and always will be until the end of time when God will reign on this earth. Aren’t we seeing it today? There is a strong rejection worldwide to the truths of the gospel. Churches are persecuted and the doctrines of gospel are being challenged in this broken world. It’s no wonder that we need to discuss saving faith and to hear the wisdom of Paul in his letter to the Colossians. We too need to be reminded of Gods gift of grace in faith.
William Bridges, in A Lifting up for the Downcast, gave four descriptions of how faith works within. First, faith brings light into the soul. Secondly, faith takes off unruly affections and sheds light on the fact that fretting and trusting are in opposition of one another. Thirdly, he says that faith heals and purifies the conscience and fourthly it brings the soul nearer to God. He also says that when faith comes, it opens a man’s eyes to see things that are invisible; it is the evidence of things not seen. True saving faith is that which is under the commandment of God and under His promises, overseeing the condition of the soul and preparing it for the work yet to be accomplished. Seeing the hand of God in every situation, every accomplishment and in every dispensation. Faith is giving up our own will to God.
Psalm 37:4040 The LORD helps them and delivers them; he delivers them from the wicked and saves them, because they take refuge in him.
Faith and faith alone is what upholds the heart to bear against discouragements. Is that to say that one who has faith is never discouraged? Not at all, it is to say however, that one who has true saving faith will not allow discouragement to overtake their soul to a place of drowning in the mire. One that has saving faith is one that may need a nudge or reminder to call upon the Lord at all times and to direct their attention to the affection of the gospel through study and prayer. There are people who would have you believe that in order to have true faith or for true faith to be known there have to be noticeable works. This is simply not true. Faith precedes works and works is a result of faith. The two go together, yet true saving faith uplifts the souls to want to do that which the great commission prescribes. Even in the early days of Christianity, this was a problem. Hence why Paul mentions it here to the Colossians. Jewish tradition of law and work based faith was something that was filtering into the Colossae church. Look what James wrote in the book of James.
James 2:18-26.18 But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. 19 You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder! 20 Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless? 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar? 22 You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works; 23 and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”—and he was called a friend of God. 24 You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone. 25 And in the same way was not also Rahab the prostitute justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way?26 For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead.
I’m not sure anyone could have described better what it means to have saving faith than William Guthrie in The Christians Great Interest. Let me quote him here:
” In His saying that Christ is a safe and sure way to heaven. This is being pleased with and acquiescing in that device; and it is consonant to all I know spoken of justifying faith in Scripture. This is the believing on Christ and on His name, the receiving of Him, and resting on Him for salvation, in our Catechism; the believing that Jesus is the Christ, that is, the anointed One, whom the Father hath sealed and set apart, and qualified for the work of reconciling man unto God; and he that believeth that Jesus is the Christ, is born of God. (1John 5:1) This is to believe with the heart that God hath raised Christ from the dead (Acts 8:37). The man believeth Christ died and rose on the account of satisfaction for man’s transgression. Devils may believe that: nay, but the man I speak of believeth it with the heart (which no natural man doth, until a new heart be given unto him); that is, he is cordially pleased, and satisfied with and acquiesceth in, this glorious method. And thus faith layeth out itself now and then in its actings, out-goings, and exercise, according to all the covenant relations under which Christ is held forth in the Scripture.”
Ezekiel 36:26– And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.
Titus 3:5– he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit,
True saving faith does not also share itself with the world. Yes, we live in the world, yet we are not of the world. There are those who will profess their faith and yet live in the world without giving up that which precedes death and hell. They do not cling to the gospel truths or hunger for their savior and knowledge of His truths. The work of grace upon the heart is of an enlarging nature. Enlarging the heart so it cannot be satisfied with any earthly thing, as Jeremiah Burrough put it in A Treatise on Earthly Mindedness. Burroughs said that there are nine particulars of earthly mindedness, which, go in opposition to a living a life of saving faith. Several of those nine particulars have to do with looking upon things of the earth as the end all be all greatest things ever. Their thoughts are of the earth. The focus of earthly mindedness is filled with distraction, from life endeavors, to family provisions, living as others do in the world, comparisons, and worst of all earthly mindedness individuals conceive heavenly truths in the Word in an earthly way.
John 15:19– If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.
In this letter to the Colossians, Paul is pleased that they have true saving faith and he is writing them to encourage them to stay the path and not to veer from that which they have heard. He is encouraging them that their faith is the only faith that will carry them out of darkness and into the light. From death to life everlasting.
How about you friend? Do you cling to the word of God and to the faith that awakens the soul to dance in truth? Do you hunger for more and find that your interests are no longer of worldly possessions yet are of those of things yet to come? If so then I encourage you to take up your bible and begin reading. Let the words of the gospel penetrate your mind and allow the Holy Spirit to show you where your heart truly lies. Do not be disheartened, be encouraged. We are all on this journey together and God will not fail you if you have true saving faith.
“I would rather share one lifetime with you than face all the ages of this world alone.”(Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring)
22 years and counting.
I love you sweetheart, happy anniversary. Through thick and thin, through moves, job changes, illness, raising children, youth to middle age, and many more adventures, we have stuck it out, loving one another and supporting one another. That’s how we’ve made it thus far.
Not through our own doing, yet through the hands of the Lord who considers us worthy to be counted amongst his children. A heavenly Father who has guided us, secured us, and holds us close. We praise the Lord Jesus for the strength to carry on through it all. May those of you who are reading this be as blessed and be carried as far in your marriages. Trusting in His plan for your lives. Nothing is by accident, everything is by divine design, by only He who has created you.
If you have a wonderful anniversary story to share or a praise of the years you’ve celebrated, I welcome to hear them.
Until next time….I’m off to celebrate with the love of my life, the husband of my youth. 🙂 Cheers –
