Part I of III
I personally will not let anything separate me from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus my Lord.
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall TRIBULATION? (trouble) Sometimes it’s a misery trial, distress, from oppression, sometimes sorrow; all in all it’s some type of suffering. It brings problems, fears, pain, and sometimes sickness.
In the midst of absolute chaos and emotional despair. In time of desperate crisis, distress, tragedies and hurt. (Don’t Panic!) Our only hope is faith in the one who has all the answers, JESUS CHRIST. We faint when we ought to pray! “Cast all your cares upon Him, for He cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:7
A lot of our problem is we forget to spend time with God, and His word. (It’s not so much the troubles in our life) Test and trials often come into our lives to help us learn a crucial lesson in our walk with God. “And not only so, but we glory in tribulation also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience and patience, experience, and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the holyghost which is given unto us” Romans 5: 3-5
We need to follow Jesus example (be alone to rest and pray) Don’t let our problems or situation threaten to consume our lives. Giving ourselves to prayer and the word of God, will keep us focused on Jesus, and away from our problem, then the problem won’t seem so big in comparison to our supernatural great God! (read Romans 12:12)
Our biggest enemy today is one word. “HURRY” no matter how rushed we find ourselves, the Bible still says, “Those who wait on the lord shall renew their strength.” Isaiah 40:31.
Don’t be a prisoner of time, for it is in the waiting that God will actually prove that HE IS GOD! (All your problems-fears- troubles- pain- sickness are as small as God always intended it to be.)
The waiting and worshipping process says, DO YOU TRUST ME! (daily)
In the Old Testament God’s people were tested in the furnace of affliction. Isaiah 48:10
The New Testament writes of God using the fire of affliction, trials, difficulties, adversities, to bring us to maturity and usefulness. We often fear the fire because we know that fire produces heat, pressure and pain. But in the hands of a loving God, fire brings forth vessels of endurance and supreme value, beauty and strength.
No person who has endured the testing of fiery trial will ever be the same again!
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, when ever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
Through intense heat of trials and difficulties, He will transform us from weak, changeable people into strong, useful vessels. God knows just how much we can bear. Yet He watches over us as it transforms us through our afflictions. He promises not only to be with us in the fire, but that the fire will not consume us. He knows when the fire has done its job and pulls us out. Then God can enjoy a fellowship with us, the fire has done its work, and we are somewhere in the process of becoming what God intends for us.
Don’t let tribulation come between us and God, welcome it, for those very things will keep us unmovable and devoted to our calling. “Blessed be God, even the father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted by God.” 2 Corinthians. 1:3-4.
Blessed are those who endure the ordeal or troubles and come out as gold. (If we keep the faith in every situation.) Let us not be like those that have no hope. Those who’s faith is in financial gain here on earth. Anxiety and fear is rising in this recession. (2008) This global financial crisis, banks failing, stocks declining, credit clog, etc. (to me this chaos means that our redemption draweth nigh). Don’t let it make you lose out with God! Have faith in almighty God, Jesus Christ our Lord!
Shall DISTRESS? ( Hardship) Separate us from the love of Christ?
It’s a strain of any sort, it might implied mental or physical strain imposed by pain, trouble, or worry. Anguish of despair mental or physical. God will hurl great storms in our lives that can shipwreck our lives and the lives of those around us. As we are plunged into the sea of despair, God is there just waiting on us to Cry out to Him!
It might take days- weeks- or even months. It feels like we are slipping out of His grasp, there are no footholds to hold on to. But as we go under, we cry out to God for deliverance. PRAYER is the lamp by which we see beyond the darkness. His love, grace, and mercy come in a way we don’t even expect. Then we can look at God behind our circumstances. He will give us insight and wisdom to understand and see God at work in our lives. Through it all, Jesus is there to pick us up! “Call upon me in the day of trouble, I will deliver you, and you will honor me.” Psalm 50:15.
Some-things we think are sent our way to destroy us, are often sent to build spiritual strength. “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28.
Many times, what we think is the beginning of a disaster will actually be the beginning of a miracle! ( Remember there is a time and season for everything)
Though we can not figure out God, We Must Trust Him! Don’t hang on or cling to the troubles that surround us, let it go so God can give us the solution. He will not give us more than we can bear. And let us not add anymore weight. ( Other- wise we will become weary and faint) As long as we focus on Jesus Christ and His will, He will intervene on our behalf when we need Him. We are seeing so many things these days “2008”
People in despair about debt, foreclosure, stores going under, unemployment pushing everyone over the edge financially. In these end times the saints are even wearing out, even in the little things. Robbing us of spiritual integrity, having no power to run, no power to endure and no power to stay focused on Jesus Christ and His will.
It’s not about us! It’s all about Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.
What about PERSECUTION? Will it separate us from the Love of Christ?
The saints from the New Testament and early church and those in other countries now days have and are being persecuted. (to be afflicted or harassed constantly for reason off religion or for the Love of Christ) Some are injured or distressed cruelly.
Can we say that about the
The spirit of forgiveness. Even today we have spirit filled preachers in other nations that have been jailed, beaten and persecuted. Yet they continue to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ. Why? Spirit of forgiveness. If it would one day come into our lives, would we have the spirit of forgiveness as Jesus said “Forgive No Matter What”.
Or would we be ready to sue and take them to court for causing us pain, distress and harassment. “Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of the affliction of the gospel according to the power of God: 2 Tim. 1:8.
When we are perplexed about the cost of serving Jesus Christ, we should consider the price He paid for us. Our cost is minimal compared to what Jesus Christ paid. Jesus our example was oppressed, and afflicted yet He opened not his mouth .Isaiah 53:7.
2 Timothy 3:12 says “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.
Or FAMINE? Shall it separate us from the Love of Christ?
Have we ever gone thru famine as in other world countries? Starvation?
Other countries have gone through famine, though out the years. We are barely seeing the beginning of a general shortage of food. Time will tell if we will suffer famine.
More then ever before, this year 2008 we are seeing more and more homeless in our different states because of all the disasters of hurricanes and late winter storms, flooding and tornadoes, taking whole towns.
Now
God will never let us down, but sometimes He takes us right to the wire.
Even if our earthy wealth will be reduced, as long as our spiritual wealth will reach cosmic proportions. For perfect trust in God is when we no longer want God’s blessing
But only want God Himself. Then we will never be concerned again about the things that happen, because we are actually trusting in our heavenly father.
NAKEDNESS? Shall it separate us from the Love of Christ?
We have never had a lack of clothing, but this world is going to the extremes as far as how much nakedness they are showing. (Bringing lots of attention on themselves)
There are world countries that are poor with out much clothing. This last winter, many froze to death cause they did not have enough clothes. Many will need us to help as in James 2:15 & 16 “If a brother or sister be naked and destitute (poor without necessities)
Of daily food, — And one of you say unto them depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled, not withstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body, what doth it profit.
Or PERIL? (danger) shall it separate us from the Love of Christ? (Exposure to harm, injury, risk, chance taken) “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come” 2 Timothy 3:1. We are truly living in the most dangerous time of all times. Not so much because of what is happening all around the world and the U.S.A. with layoffs, severe drought, floods, wildfires, earthquakes, strife, high gas and high food prices and the plummeting dollar, economy crisis, etc.
Much more dangerous is “ Now the spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils: 1 Timothy 4:1.
What could be more evil or bad than to lose out with God and his promises. For to lose earthly things is nothing. But when we heed to seducing spirits we become as in 2 Timothy 3:2-4 “ For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy. Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce (disagreeable) despisers of those that are good. Traitors, heady, high-minded (arrogant) lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God.
It will all intensify. Why? Jeremiah 2:19 says “Know therefore and see that it is an evil thing and bitter, that thou has forsaken the Lord thy God, and that my fear is not in thee, saith the Lord God of hosts”.
Perilous dangerous times are here and so many are only thinking of earthy things, wanting to live in their comfort zone. Many are listening to “But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that brought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious (wicked: evil destructive) ways, by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of 2 Peter 2:1-2
Perilous times are dangerous times for many will be deceived thinking that fornication, homosexuality, filthiness, foolish talking, jesting, whoremongers, and idolaters, are OK.
They will not inherit the
JESUS IS COMING VERY SOON!
“Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition:’ 2 Thessalonians 2:3. But thank be to God “The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptation, and to reserve the unjust unto the Day of Judgment to be punished”. 2 Peter 2:9
God is not playing games, his eyes are on His bride (His church) getting us ready for His return. (The RAPTURE)
What matters is, Are We Ready?
In 2 Peter 2:4-7 Says that God did not spare the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, nor did he spare the old world in the flood upon the world of the ungodly, but saved only Noah and his family that believed, nor did he spare the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah but turned them into ashes, making them an example to those that live ungodly, and delivered Lot and his daughters who did not look back.
God is not mocked whatsoever a man soweth that’s what he will reap.
He Will Execute His Judgment!
“To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him. These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lust, and their mouth speaking great swelling words having mens persons in admiration because of advantage. Jude 1:15-16.
DON’T LET ANY OF THESE THINGS SEPARATE US FROM THE LOVE OF GOD WHICH IS IN CHRIST JESUS OUR LORD.
SWORD? shall it separate us from the Love of Christ? (An instrument of death, warfare, to kill& destroy) No not even the sword shall separate us from the Love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
As we keep strong in the FAITH, and our HOPE remains in God’s compassion and power, we know that God’s arms of LOVE will keep us from evil and destruction.
God’s people have overcome anything and everything through FAITH in CHRIST JESUS OUR LORD. (Hebrews 11: 33, 34, 37)
What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? (
Will any of these things separate us from the Love of Christ?
“NAY, IN ALL THESE THINGS WE ARE MORE THAN CONQUERORS THROUGH HIM THAT LOVED US. (Romans. 8:37)
IN THE HANDS OF GOD: WE ARE REFINED AND EXALTED TO A SECOND CHANCE TO BE MORE TOMARROW THEN WE WERE YESTERDAY,
TO BE WHAT GOD HAS EMPOWERED US TO BE!!!