God is revealing His glory IN US, and it is the glory of the risen Savior. This is what it means to be saved. It is not simply intellectually believing that Jesus died for your sins. Even the demons know this (James 2:19). It is having the very nature of Jesus Christ developed in you as you are transformed into His image (Romans 8:29).
People say that the pains of labor are quickly forgotten once the child for whom we have labored is birthed (John 16:21). So too we may travail in birth pains now as the work of the Lord is being wrought in us (Galatians 4:19). Yet, consider the end of the matter. We shall be as He is (John 14:12; I John 3:2).
Now is not the time to draw back. Now is not the time to seek comfort for your flesh. Now is not the time to give up because the way seems too hard...to the flesh. If we faint in the day of adversity, it is because our strength is small...and our strength fails due to sin (Proverbs 24:10; Psalm 31:10). Ask the Lord to renew your strength as you deny your flesh. When we are weak [in the flesh], we find our strength [in the spirit] in Him (II Corinthians 12:10). Press in all the more to the Lord [prayer, fasting, study, praise] and find your refuge in Him. He is a strong tower & a mighty Deliverer. Let God have His perfect work done in you so that you may be complete, wanting nothing (James 1:4).
I called out to the Lord in my distress and He answered me. The Lord is my ever present help...and He is yours too. Trust in Him.
"I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth.
He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber. Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.
The LORD is thy keeper: the LORD is thy shade upon thy right hand. The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night.
The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul. The LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore." Psalm 121:1-8
Acts 14:
ReplyDelete21 And when they had preached the gospel to that city, and had taught many, they returned again to Lystra, and to Iconium, and Antioch,
22 Confirming the souls of the disciples, and EXHORTING THEM TO CONTINUE IN THE FAITH, and that we must through MUCH TRIBULATION enter into the kingdom of God.
As Satan has fought diligently these last few days to dishearten me, I look to my Redeemer - I can't look to the left or to the right -- People can't set me free with imprisonment. I look to Jesus. We must keep our eyes on Him. Even when others stand against the faithful, may we remember the Lord holds all Truth. He will reveal the Truth to those who surrender their will to His. Lord, help all of us who truly love your name and worship You. The times are growing darker - We must stay in prayer and worship in Spirit and in Truth. God is faithful to rescue His children. Deception is everywhere. We must keep our hearts pure by ABIDING IN CHRIST. He will gather us close and send His peace in us even when the world is falling apart around us.
I was feeling very overwhelmed today. Then I read this post. I nice reminder to depend on God and not on myself.
ReplyDeleteI felt that even before believing. Thanks for the encourging post. It is a nice contrast to the heavier stuff.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the encouragement mia, you are just beautiful
ReplyDeletecontinue to strengthen yourself in the Lord. God cannot but reveal more of Himself to you.
be bless you and yours
I'm so glad I came across this! Thanks for posting! I've been having struggles, so I needed to read this (:
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