Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith; who
for the joy that was set before Him, endured the cross, despising
the shame, and is set down at the right hand of God.
Hebrews 12:2 KJV
While I believe that my faith in the Lord is strong, it is definitely being tested at this time...
for the joy that was set before Him, endured the cross, despising
the shame, and is set down at the right hand of God.
Hebrews 12:2 KJV
While I believe that my faith in the Lord is strong, it is definitely being tested at this time...
Truly, the life of a Christian is not for the faint of heart. As I wrote in previous journal entries, anyone who sincerely seeks to walk with Messiah Jesus, will be tested. His faith will be tried.
In saint Peter's first letter in the New Testament, the former fisherman now turned apostle and evangelist writes: "Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you: but rejoice, in as much as you are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that when His glory shall be revealed, you may be glad also with exceeding joy" (1 Peter 4:12-13).
But take note of the word, "fiery." It's as if the Lord wanted to reinforce the idea that, on some occasions, we may face persecution, or other challenges and struggles that we didn't expect. In fact, the Merriam-Webster dictionary gives us a number of words that are synonymous with fiery, such as "burning, broiling, blazing," and "hot like a fire."
Nevertheless, God's promises always reign true. Our Lord has promised never to leave nor forsake His children. He has also promised to give us the strength we need to endure all our hardships. That we can have a peace which "surpasses all comprehension," as well as victory over sin. And when we undergo hardships for having decided to follow Jesus, we have to believe that He will see us through.
As I shared with the men on Wednesday's Bible study class, this walk of faith demands that we keep our spiritual eyes on the Lord at all times. Doing this will assure us that we will stay on course, and will complete our journey
D.B.
In saint Peter's first letter in the New Testament, the former fisherman now turned apostle and evangelist writes: "Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you: but rejoice, in as much as you are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that when His glory shall be revealed, you may be glad also with exceeding joy" (1 Peter 4:12-13).
But take note of the word, "fiery." It's as if the Lord wanted to reinforce the idea that, on some occasions, we may face persecution, or other challenges and struggles that we didn't expect. In fact, the Merriam-Webster dictionary gives us a number of words that are synonymous with fiery, such as "burning, broiling, blazing," and "hot like a fire."
Nevertheless, God's promises always reign true. Our Lord has promised never to leave nor forsake His children. He has also promised to give us the strength we need to endure all our hardships. That we can have a peace which "surpasses all comprehension," as well as victory over sin. And when we undergo hardships for having decided to follow Jesus, we have to believe that He will see us through.
As I shared with the men on Wednesday's Bible study class, this walk of faith demands that we keep our spiritual eyes on the Lord at all times. Doing this will assure us that we will stay on course, and will complete our journey
D.B.
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