"Be self controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers through out the world are undergoing the same kind of suffering.
And the God of Grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while will himself restore you and make you strong , firm and steadfast."
1st Peter5:8-10
This is great advice given by Peter, the apostle of Jesus Christ!
Peter knew what it was to be tempted by the enemy, to fail, to repent and to be restored by the Lord. We know how mightily he was used of God after that.
He compares the devil to a lion which roars to frighten his prey. The lions attack the sick, young or staggering animals. They choose their victims who are alone and not alert. Peter warns us not to be careless and focused on problems; that is when we become vulnerable. We need not be scared of the lions threats by roaring. We are to stand firm on the faith. During times of suffering, seek the the support of other Christians. Don't be alone or be self confident. Feeling alone, helpless and cut off from other believers, we may focus on the problem, give in to self pity and fall into the trap of the enemy.
We are to resist the devil, standing firm on the faith. Then, "he will flee", as James said [James 4:7]
The suffering is not going to last long. The Lord will soon restore and make us strong. The night will pass and the morning will come soon bringing joy and light. Remember: We have the victory through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Showing posts with label Test. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Test. Show all posts
Friday, May 30, 2008
Thursday, March 20, 2008
When the Journey Becomes Difficult
Life on this earth is a journey. I know my destination. It is to get back to the place I came from. I know I am provided with everything necessary for me to make it joyful, successful, profitable and useful. I do have examples in those who have gone before me, to follow. Yet my journey often becomes the opposite of what it is expected to be. Then I feel like a failure. I know it ought not be so . "Why is it so?", is my question.
As much as the Lord's eyes are upon me to guide me and meet my needs with love, the enemy's eyes are constantly on me to somehow trip me, pull me down, make me fall, deceive, distract and divert my path. The journey becomes combat. The path becomes so dark that only the word of God becomes the torch. Sometimes it becomes so narrow that I feel suffocated, as I squeeze through. No one else could come along with me to comfort or counsel. These are attacks of the enemy to spoil my attitude and later he brings condemnation in my heart to torment me.
Such an attack was on me this morning. Soon the word of God enlightened me and enabled me to defeat the enemy.
This is what I learned: I should know the devices of the enemy [2nd Chrn. 2:11] and be ready to forgive others; I should be confident who is in me and with me; I should have the sword of the spirit ready and know how to use it; [Eph6:12-18] I know God has provided the necessary armor and the weapons to fight the enemy, though shamelessly he comes to attack again and again. If he tried it with Jesus will he leave his followers alone? Jesus defeated him. "He [Jesus] himself suffered when He was tempted, hence He is able to help those who are tempted." [Heb.2:18]
Are there any others who find the journey tough at times? How do you get through?
As much as the Lord's eyes are upon me to guide me and meet my needs with love, the enemy's eyes are constantly on me to somehow trip me, pull me down, make me fall, deceive, distract and divert my path. The journey becomes combat. The path becomes so dark that only the word of God becomes the torch. Sometimes it becomes so narrow that I feel suffocated, as I squeeze through. No one else could come along with me to comfort or counsel. These are attacks of the enemy to spoil my attitude and later he brings condemnation in my heart to torment me.
Such an attack was on me this morning. Soon the word of God enlightened me and enabled me to defeat the enemy.
This is what I learned: I should know the devices of the enemy [2nd Chrn. 2:11] and be ready to forgive others; I should be confident who is in me and with me; I should have the sword of the spirit ready and know how to use it; [Eph6:12-18] I know God has provided the necessary armor and the weapons to fight the enemy, though shamelessly he comes to attack again and again. If he tried it with Jesus will he leave his followers alone? Jesus defeated him. "He [Jesus] himself suffered when He was tempted, hence He is able to help those who are tempted." [Heb.2:18]
Are there any others who find the journey tough at times? How do you get through?
Thursday, March 6, 2008
Compromise as a Way of Escape?
Daniel 3:16-18.
King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon, conquered Judah and took the wisest men and the beautiful women as captives to his country. Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were three young men among them. How ever much the king tried to introduce the religious culture of his land to these men, they stayed steadfast to their convictions.
They refused to bow down to the golden statue of the king. The king gave them one last chance: "If you do not worship the golden image you will be thrown into the blazing furnace, then what god is able to rescue you from my hand?" warned the king. [Dan.3:15]
The young men could have escaped the fire if only they had compromised! Many excuses could have been given: "We will worship now, but we will never become idol worshipers", "This is a foreign land, we should follow the rules of the country", "The king appointed us, we owe it to him", "Others are doing it, we are not hurting anyone" or even "God will forgive us since this is just once so we can escape!" No. They knew the truth. They were fully convinced that the God whom they serve is mighty to save. It is better to be on his side. He is able. Even if He does not save, they were not going to disobey His command and worship any idol. It was a strong determination not to waver from the truth. The answer they gave sets an example to us: "The God whom we serve is able to save us from it and He will rescue us from your hand. But even if does not, we want you to know that we will not serve your gods or bow down to the image of gold you have set up".
The furious king had them thrown into the fire. Amazingly not only were they not burnt, the king saw a fourth man walking in the furnace with these three men! The result: the king decreed that any one who spoke against the god of these young men would be put to death because no other god can save like this. They trusted in their god and defied the king's command and were willing to give up their lives rather than serve other gods than Him and He rescued them! The king even promoted them! [Dan.3:28-30]
What a change in the king's attitude! All because the three young boys did not compromise their faith, stood firm trusting the one true God, despite the danger of death. How is our faith? Aren't we often faced with situations where it is easy to say "When in Rome do as the Romans do" and compromise? The steadfastness, fidelity and confidence in God's ability are qualities much needed today.
Make sure that you serve the true living almighty God. Then your furnace will become a miracle which will amaze the skeptics and bring promotions in your lives.
King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon, conquered Judah and took the wisest men and the beautiful women as captives to his country. Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were three young men among them. How ever much the king tried to introduce the religious culture of his land to these men, they stayed steadfast to their convictions.
They refused to bow down to the golden statue of the king. The king gave them one last chance: "If you do not worship the golden image you will be thrown into the blazing furnace, then what god is able to rescue you from my hand?" warned the king. [Dan.3:15]
The young men could have escaped the fire if only they had compromised! Many excuses could have been given: "We will worship now, but we will never become idol worshipers", "This is a foreign land, we should follow the rules of the country", "The king appointed us, we owe it to him", "Others are doing it, we are not hurting anyone" or even "God will forgive us since this is just once so we can escape!" No. They knew the truth. They were fully convinced that the God whom they serve is mighty to save. It is better to be on his side. He is able. Even if He does not save, they were not going to disobey His command and worship any idol. It was a strong determination not to waver from the truth. The answer they gave sets an example to us: "The God whom we serve is able to save us from it and He will rescue us from your hand. But even if does not, we want you to know that we will not serve your gods or bow down to the image of gold you have set up".
The furious king had them thrown into the fire. Amazingly not only were they not burnt, the king saw a fourth man walking in the furnace with these three men! The result: the king decreed that any one who spoke against the god of these young men would be put to death because no other god can save like this. They trusted in their god and defied the king's command and were willing to give up their lives rather than serve other gods than Him and He rescued them! The king even promoted them! [Dan.3:28-30]
What a change in the king's attitude! All because the three young boys did not compromise their faith, stood firm trusting the one true God, despite the danger of death. How is our faith? Aren't we often faced with situations where it is easy to say "When in Rome do as the Romans do" and compromise? The steadfastness, fidelity and confidence in God's ability are qualities much needed today.
Make sure that you serve the true living almighty God. Then your furnace will become a miracle which will amaze the skeptics and bring promotions in your lives.
Saturday, March 1, 2008
How does God See us Today?
It is surprising that Satan went to God's presence [Job 1:6 ,8, 12]!
He did not go to worship God. He went to complain about Job's motives for being true to God! He does the same about you and me too. That is why he is called "the accuser".
God had a good testimony about Job. He said "There is no one on earth like him, he is blameless and upright; A man who fears God and shuns evil." [Job 1:6]. Yet God gave Satan permission to test his stand with God [Job 1:12]. Will God be able to give the same word of commendation about us? Sometimes He may permit Satan to test us too.
If our motives in seeking and worshiping God are pure, He will bring us out triumphantly, like Job. It is God who gives us the grace to be righteous and holy. He is able to keep us faithful till the end.
He did not go to worship God. He went to complain about Job's motives for being true to God! He does the same about you and me too. That is why he is called "the accuser".
God had a good testimony about Job. He said "There is no one on earth like him, he is blameless and upright; A man who fears God and shuns evil." [Job 1:6]. Yet God gave Satan permission to test his stand with God [Job 1:12]. Will God be able to give the same word of commendation about us? Sometimes He may permit Satan to test us too.
If our motives in seeking and worshiping God are pure, He will bring us out triumphantly, like Job. It is God who gives us the grace to be righteous and holy. He is able to keep us faithful till the end.
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