Category Archives: Christian Life

CLOSE THE CIRCLE

Christian Life, ,

Philippians 4:6-9 NLT‬
[6] “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. [7] Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

We love this Scripture, don’t we! When problems come, we run back to it for comfort and reassurance. We revel in God’s peace when we turn over our anxieties and worries to Him. We trust Him and we wait in joyful anticipation for His response to our cries for help but….

We stop there! We don’t pursue the greater blessing of what follows if we do what Paul tells us to do.

Anxiety, first, is an attitude that settles into a state of mind. Anxiety becomes a diagnosed ‘disorder’ when we allow our troubles and problems to dominate our thinking. We endure ‘panic attacks’ and swallow medication because it’s all part id the ‘disorder’ of which we are the unfortunate victims.

Paul gives us a solution to the anxieties and worries that control us. Change your thinking. Since we cannot think two thoughts at the same time, (especially two opposite thoughts!), we can teach ourselves to focus on positive, good, helpful thoughts by yhe simple discipline of our minds. Push anxious thoughts (lies) out by thinking about what is true and right, helpful, and good.

[8] “And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. [9] Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.”

Did you notice the outcome of changed thinking? “THEN THE GOD OF PEACE WILL BE WITH YOU.” When the Bible states that God will be with you, it means much more that His passive presence. It implies His active intervention to bless and prosper you.

‭Genesis 39:2 NLT‬
[2] “The Lord was with Joseph, so he succeeded in everything he did as he served in the home of his Egyptian master.”

‭1 Samuel 18:14 NLT‬
[14] “David continued to succeed in everything he did, for the Lord was with him.”

What a promise! Since what we think has such a powerful influence over what we become, the key to getting rid of anxiety, and experiencing both God’s peace and His favour is simple, if not easy.

‭Romans 12:2 NLT‬
[2]”Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.”

How do we change the way we think? We do it by filling our minds with the truth of God’s promises. There is a promise in the Word for every issues we face. Let me give you an example.

Financial problems?

‭Philippians 4:18-19 NLT‬
[18]”At the moment I have all I need—and more! I am generously supplied with the gifts you sent me with Epaphroditus. They are a sweet-smelling sacrifice that is acceptable and pleasing to God. [19] And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.”

Do you get it? There is an answer to financial needs in the Bible.

‭Luke 6:38 NLT‬
[38]”Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full—pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back.”

Generosity begets generosity. And so with every other issue we face. Anxiety gets us nowhere. Changing our thinking will change our circumstances. It’s a daily walk of faith in God and a partnership where He, the senior partner, takes care of all our issues when we think the right thoughts.

IN IT OVER THEIR HEADS

Christian Life, ,

Matthew 17:1-9 NLT‬
[1] “Six days later Jesus took Peter and the two brothers, James and John, and led them up a high mountain to be alone. [2] As the men watched, Jesus’ appearance was transformed so that his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as light. [3] Suddenly, Moses and Elijah appeared and began talking with Jesus. [4] Peter exclaimed, “Lord, it’s wonderful for us to be here! If you want, I’ll make three shelters as memorials—one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” [5] But even as he spoke, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy. Listen to him.” [6] The disciples were terrified and fell face down on the ground. [7] Then Jesus came over and touched them. “Get up,” he said. “Don’t be afraid.” [8] And when they looked up, Moses and Elijah were gone, and they saw only Jesus. [9] As they went back down the mountain, Jesus commanded them, “Don’t tell anyone what you have seen until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.”

Have you ever pondered the significance of this incident? Jesus takes three of His disciples up the mountain, reveals His glory to them in a shockingly physical manifestation, and then tells them not to talk about it to anyone. What was the point?

Paul found himself in a similar situation. He was given an out-of-body experience of the glories of heaven that could have set him apart from all other humans…someone so special that he had privileges no other could enjoy but…

‭2 Corinthians 12:2-7 NLT‬
[2] “I was caught up to the third heaven fourteen years ago. Whether I was in my body or out of my body, I don’t know—only God knows. [3] Yes, only God knows whether I was in my body or outside my body. But I do know [4] that I was caught up to paradise and heard things so astounding that they cannot be expressed in words, things no human is allowed to tell….

[5]…That experience is worth boasting about, but I’m not going to do it. I will boast only about my weaknesses. [6] If I wanted to boast, I would be no fool in doing so, because I would be telling the truth. But I won’t do it, because I don’t want anyone to give me credit beyond what they can see in my life or hear in my message, [7] even though I have received such wonderful revelations from God. So to keep me from becoming proud, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from becoming proud.”

What was the purpose of these excursions into the spiritual realm that sent them reeling? The natural inclination would be to run around telling everyone about what they had seen instead of keeping quiet as they were instructed to do.

Why would God show these things to them if they were not to share their experiences with others? I have learned that sharing my high moments with someone else often gets the wrong response. Instead of focusing on God, the attention shifted to me and I became the object of admiration and even jealousy.

I think that Peter, as spokesperson for his fellow disciples, and Paul give us the answer.

‭2 Peter 1:16-19 NLT‬
[16] “For we were not making up clever stories when we told you about the powerful coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. We saw his majestic splendor with our own eyes [17] when he received honor and glory from God the Father. The voice from the majestic glory of God said to him, “This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy.” [18] We ourselves heard that voice from heaven when we were with him on the holy mountain. [19] Because of that experience, we have even greater confidence in the message proclaimed by the prophets. You must pay close attention to what they wrote, for their words are like a lamp shining in a dark place—until the Day dawns, and Christ the Morning Star shines in your hearts.”

This was not a ‘holy moment’ to boost the disciples’ ego but to convince them that Jesus is the Son of God and to confirm their confidence in the message foretold by the prophets. How they needed the imprint of this vision to steady them in times of great trial and testing!

For Paul, his out-of-this-world experience had a different purpose. His upbringing, training, and religious fervour put him in a dangerous position. Only after his conversion did he realise how much pride in who he was had become his spiritual `war zone’.

Paul was a Pharisee, the ones with whom Jesus battled the most. They were unteachable bigots and hypocrites, to the extent that they had Jesus executed to protect their interests. Paul was one of them, so confirmed by his persecution of the early church.

All his standing as a revered religious leader came to nothing when Paul came face-to-face with Jesus. However, in his position as the spiritual father of many, he still had authority. How would he use it in his leadership role? On top of this, he has visions of glory that set him apart from all other believers! What an opportunity to get the attention and admiration of the church!

So, God intervened with a knockout blow….suffering! Paul pleaded with him to get this burden of his back so that he could get on with his ministry unhindered.

And God said, “NO!” Suffering was the perfect way to keep Paul where He wanted him, on his knees in utter dependence on Him for grace. Paul’s danger zone was pride…that attitude that says, “I can do this on my own.” it’s the way he had lived before his conversion, self-righteous and self-sufficient. Now he had a new reality to face and overcome, two natures locked in mortal combat, and he had no power to win the fight.

‭Galatians 5:17 NLT‬
[17] “The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions.”

So, much about what Paul wrote came out of his own spiritual journey. The whole of Romans 7 is auto biographical. Imagine how his fleshly nature would rise up in anger, indignation, and thoughts of retaliation at the treatment he was receiving for preaching the truth about faith in Jesus alone.

‭Galatians 5:11 NLT‬
[11] “Dear brothers and sisters, if I were still preaching that you must be circumcised—as some say I do—why am I still being persecuted? If I were no longer preaching salvation through the cross of Christ, no one would be offended.“

The Jews hated him for preaching a message that took away their self-righteous works for salvation upon which they so fervently depended. Circumcision was their passport to God’s favour but Paul’s preaching negated circumcision.

So, you see, God will use the most effective means in our lives to deal with our pride. Since pride killed Lucifer and Adam, and kills all humanity, pride will destroy our fellowship with God and separate us from Him, if He does not intervene to destroy our pernicious and arrogant self-sufficency.

Jesus said, “Apart from me, you can do nothing!” and He meant it.

Let’s not despise suffering. Let’s welcome and rejoice in God’s goodness because He uses our struggles to hold us close to His heart.

WE CANNOT BE GOD IN ANOTHER’S LIFE

Christian Life, ,

Isaiah 45:6-7 NLT‬
[6] “…. I am the Lord, and there is no other. [7] I create the light and make the darkness. I send good times and bad times. I, the Lord, am the one who does these things.”

I believe that one of the worst deceptions that came from Adam’s rebellion against God is the notion that, not only do we not need God, but that we can be God for ourselves and others, and that we can make the rules for ourselves and for others.

God’s mandate for the first man was to rule over the earth, including all the creatures on the earth. Conservation was God’s priority and to man He entrusted this role. Conservation and agriculture would guarantee the wise use of all the resources God provided to foster human progress and prosperity.

Rebellion against God’s authority and mandate set the earth on a course to destruction. We who live in the 21st century can look back over human history to see just how far we have come. We have done an excellent job of destroying what God has given to us to survive.

However, we have done even worse than our exploitation of the earth in direct disobedience to God’s command. Our intent is to destroy one another by this persistent idea that we can play God in other people’s lives.

Nowhere did God give us the mandate to rule over one another. Quite the opposite! The New Covenant’s instruction is to preserve unity by mutual submission and humble service.

‭Ephesians 4:3-4 NLT‬
[3] “Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace. [4] For there is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future.”

‭Ephesians 5:1-2 NLT‬
[1] “Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. [2] Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.”

‭Ephesians 5:21 NLT‬
[21] “And further, submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.”

‭Philippians 2:1-4 NLT‬
[1] “Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate? [2] Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose. [3] Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. [4] Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.”

What a different picture from what we see happening in the world around us! The level of honour, dignity, and respect we give one another in the body of Christ is the guage of our understanding of what life in God’s kingdom is meant to be.

Some local fellowships are dominated by leaders who believe that they are have absolute control of their congregations. The leader calls the shots and all his underlings must fall in line or else…!

Other congregations have a plurality of leaders who do the same thing.

God’s mandate to leaders is…

‭1 Peter 5:1-4 NLT‬
[1] “And now, a word to you who are elders in the churches…. As a fellow elder, I appeal to you: [2] Care for the flock that God has entrusted to you. Watch over it willingly, not grudgingly—not for what you will get out of it, but because you are eager to serve God. [3] Don’t lord it over the people assigned to your care, but lead them by your own good example. [4] And when the Great Shepherd appears, you will receive a crown of never-ending glory and honor.”

Since every person is a leader at some level in their lives, the same principles that apply to appointed leaders must apply to us all.

‭Romans 14:1, 4, 7-9 NLT‬
[1] “Accept other believers who are weak in faith, and don’t argue with them about what they think is right or wrong….
[4] Who are you to condemn someone else’s servants? Their own master will judge whether they stand or fall. And with the Lord’s help, they will stand and receive his approval…
[7] For we don’t live for ourselves or die for ourselves. [8] If we live, it’s to honor the Lord. And if we die, it’s to honor the Lord. So whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. [9] Christ died and rose again for this very purpose—to be Lord both of the living and of the dead.”

‭Romans 14:12-13 NLT‬
[12] “Yes, each of us will give a personal account to God. [13] So let’s stop condemning each other. Decide instead to live in such a way that you will not cause another believer to stumble and fall.“

God’s mandate to humanity is to live in harmony with one another, recognising and honouring the boundaries we set for ourselves and one another. In this way, we acknowledge and function in the freedom that every person is given to choose their own way, be it good or bad.

Jesus demonstrated the honour He gave to human freedom by His treatment of all people. He spoke the truth but did not enforce it on anyone.

‭John 12:48 NIV‬
[48] “There is a judge for the one who rejects me and does not accept my words; the very words I have spoken will condemn them at the last day.”

Note the way He reacted to the rich young ruler.

‭Mark 10:17-23 NLT‬
[17] “As Jesus was starting out on his way to Jerusalem, a man came running up to him, knelt down, and asked, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” [18] “Why do you call me good?” Jesus asked. “Only God is truly good. [19] But to answer your question, you know the commandments: ‘You must not murder. You must not commit adultery. You must not steal. You must not testify falsely. You must not cheat anyone. Honor your father and mother.’” [20] “Teacher,” the man replied, “I’ve obeyed all these commandments since I was young.” [21] Looking at the man, Jesus felt genuine love for him. “There is still one thing you haven’t done,” he told him. “Go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” [22] At this the man’s face fell, and he went away sad, for he had many possessions. [23] Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the Kingdom of God!”

Not a word of judgment or condemnation, not a plea to the young enquirer. The man had made his choice and Jesus let him go.

Every sin we commit against another person when we inflict our own will on them, is a violation of God’s image in us. He gave us the gift of self-determination, even if our choices destroy us because, together with self-determination goes accountability. They are two sides of the coin.

Blame shifting will never cut it with God. Honesty and accountability go a long way towards the kind of life He has prepared for us in His kingdom. Imagine a world where people allow each other to be themselves without pressure or interference! So it will be in God’s forever family.

So, why do people insist on playing God in others’ lives when God holds every person accountable for his own life?

I believe that some people want to control others because of their own insecurity. In the context of the family of God, our security lies, not in who we are in ourselves or our achievements, but in who we are in Christ, holy and beloved.

Until our identity is firmly fixed in Jesus and our beliefs and behaviour flow from our true identity, we will always be insecure. We will manage our insecurity by manipulating, dominating, and intimidating others to gain control, the very tactics the devil uses to manage people.

I must constantly make the choice. Does Jesus in me allow me to let others be who they are or… Do I further the work of Satan by insisting on inflicting my will on others? Do I think that I can snuff out another’s life, either literally or by destroying their freedom to live who they are?

Knowing when to get involved and when to let go is a powerful work of God’s grace.

‭Galatians 6:1-2, 4-5 NLT‬
[1] “Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself. [2] Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ….
[4] Pay careful attention to your own work, for then you will get the satisfaction of a job well done, and you won’t need to compare yourself to anyone else. [5] For we are each responsible for our own conduct.”

MY FATHER CAN DO IT!

Christian Life, ,

Matthew 19:23-26 NLT‬
[23] “Then Jesus said to his disciples, “I tell you the truth, it is very hard for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. [24] I’ll say it again—it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God!” [25] The disciples were astounded. “Then who in the world can be saved?” they asked. [26] Jesus looked at them intently and said, “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But with God everything is possible.”

The Jews believed that wealth and prosperity were signs of God’s blessing. Job had to rethink the idea because, even when he protested that he was innocent of wrongdoing, he suffered terrible loss.

Jesus turned this idea on its head. He saw wealth as a hindrance to faith in Him. People trusted in their money instead of trusting in Him. The rich young ruler walked away from Him because he refused to disconnect from his love of money that stood between him and following Jesus.

Money is the primary consideration in everything we do. It’s money that drives the world. Doctors and lawyers conduct their professions around money. Private hospitals run businesses at the expense of the sick and suffering.

We even evaluate our social standing by how much money we have or don’t have. Where we live, what we wear or eat, what vehicle we drive, where our children go to school, who our friends are all determined by our bank balances.

The services we use to run our lives are driven and decided by money. If we are poor, we must use the services supplied by the government. If we have money, we can afford medical aid and other private services. We have no access to legal services without money.

In the end, money determines much of the quality of our lives. No wonder then, that we hang onto and depend on what we have, and won’t let it go… the poor because they have so little, and the wealthy because they have so much.

Money is a reluctant servant and a cruel and demanding master. Slaves of money are fearful and insecure.

However, the problem is not money itself but the love of money that holds us in its grip.

‭1 Timothy 6:10 NLT‬
[10] “For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. And some people, craving money, have wandered from the true faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows.”

Why did Jesus have more to say about money, wealth, and possessions than many other relevant issues in life? He was well aware of the power that money has over people, even God’s people. Put very simply, He said that we will serve the one we love the most, God or mammon (the spiritual power of money).

‭Matthew 6:19-21, 24 NLT‬
[19] “Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. [20] Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. [21] Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be….
[24] “No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and be enslaved to money.”

However, as impossible as it is for a wealthy person to renounce his faith in his money and choose to come under Jesus’ authority, everything changes when God is in the mix.

The seemingly impossible becomes exceedingly possible when the power of God’s love replaces the grip of money in our hearts.

Righteousness and generosity came to mean almost the same thing in God’s economy. Using money to serve people is a way of serving God.

‭Psalms 37:21, 25-26 NIV‬
[21] “The wicked borrow and do not repay, but the righteous give generously;…
[25] I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread. [26] They are always generous and lend freely; their children will be a blessing.”

Generosity begets generosity. God pledges to meet the needs of those who meet other’s needs.

‭Matthew 6:33 NLT‬
[33]”Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.”

‭2 Corinthians 9:7-8, 13 NLT‬
[7] “You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.” [8] And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others.”

Generosity, then, is a work of God’s grace, changing stingy, selfish people into generous givers, confirming God’s salvation in them and achieving His goal…showing who He really is.

[13]”As a result of your ministry, they will give glory to God. For your generosity to them and to all believers will prove that you are obedient to the Good News of Christ.”

In contrast to the world’s economic system of buy and selling, hoarding and gaining interest and dividends in return, God’s system of giving and receiving, sowing and reaping, creates a current that supplies needs and keeps resources circulating. This is a faith/grace partnership which perfectly fits into the ways of God’s kingdom.

Jesus’ answer to His disciples’ question, “Who, then, can be saved?”, if not the wealthy, was simply, “Don’t worry, my Father can do it!”

THE GOAL OF IT ALL

Christian Life, ,

Peter 1:3-4 NLT‬
[3] “By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence. [4] And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires.”

God’s declared purpose is to have a human family like His Son who will share in all the blessings and benefits of His kingdom and even reign with Jesus throughout eternity.

God gave us a planet perfectly suited for human life on which to serve our apprenticeship for our eternal lives with Him. He gave us His instructions for life in community with one another on this planet under His authority.

Instead of carrying out God’s instructions, our forefather, Adam, chose to go it alone. He made the rules to suit his own desires, and led the human race on a path to self-destruction.

Nevertheless, the Father went to great lengths to achieve His goal, sacrificing His own Son to get His plan back on track.

‭Hebrews 2:10 NIV‬
[10] “In bringing many sons and daughters to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through what he suffered.”

God has no plan B.

[5] “In view of all this, make every to respond to God’s promises. Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence, and moral excellence with knowledge, [6] and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with patient endurance, and patient endurance with godliness, [7] and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love for everyone. [8] The more you grow like this, the more productive and useful you will be in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

God’s plan for His people is not to have a comfortable life on earth. “Down here“ is our apprenticeship for “up there”. Part of our apprenticeship, then, involves discipline and suffering which teach us submission and obedience to the Father, the hallmarks of true sons.
‭2 Peter 1:5-8 NLT‬

The Father has certain requirements for the life to come. Faith in His Son, empowered by His Spirit, gives us entrance to and life in His eternal kingdom now.

‭John 3:16 NLT‬
[16] “For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.”

‭1 John 5:11-12 NLT‬
[11]”And this is what God has testified: He has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. [12] Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have God’s Son does not have life.”

Holiness is His requirement for seeing Him.

‭Hebrews 12:14 NLT‬
[14]”Work at living in peace with everyone, and work at living a holy life, for those who are not holy will not see the Lord.”

Good works, the fruit of our fellowship with Jesus through the Holy Spirit in us, confirm that we belong to Him.

‭James 2:19-20, 24 NLT‬
[19]” You say you have faith, for you believe that there is one God. Good for you! Even the demons believe this, and they tremble in terror. [20] How foolish! Can’t you see that faith without good deeds is useless?…
[24] So you see, we are shown to be right with God by what we do, not by faith alone.”

This life, then, is a partnership with the Holy Spirit, all the way.

‭Romans 8:11, 14 NLT‬
[11]”The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you….
[14] For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God.”

God works in us but, without our co-operation and obedience, He can do nothing to change us into the image of Jesus.

‭Philippians 2:12-13 NLT‬
[12]”…Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear. [13] For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.”

[10] “So, dear brothers and sisters, work hard to prove that you really are among those God has called and chosen. Do these things, and you will never fall away. [11] Then God will give you a grand entrance into the eternal Kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”

Since our faith in God is of supreme importance because…

‭Hebrews 11:6 NLT‬
[6]”… It is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.”

God constantly tests our trust in Him through the trials and hardships we suffer. When testing comes and we keep questioning His love, He will continue to allow trials and hardships to teach us His faithfulness and goodness through everything we suffer.

The real issue is, how far will God go to ensure that we fulfill His plan? The answer is, all the way, no matter what it takes. This means that He will continue to chip off everything in us that does not resemble His Son until He brings us to perfection when we see Jesus.

‭1 John 3:1-2 NLT‬
[1] “See how very much our Father loves us, for he calls us his children, and that is what we are!… [2] Dear friends, we are already God’s children, but he has not yet shown us what we will be like when Christ appears. But we do know that we will be like him, for we will see him as he really is.”

‭1 Peter 1:6-7 NLT‬
[6]”So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while. [7] These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.”

As a loving Father, He disciplines us to teach us to live in complete dependence on Jesus because…

‭John 15:5 NLT‬
[5] “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.”

Unfortunately, much preaching in churches today focuses on our comfort and convenience in this world rather than our training and preparation for the world to come. Unscrupulous false teachers lure God’s people away from the truth by promises of health, wealth, and happiness. They couch their lies in the words of Scripture cleverly manipulated to sound like the truth.

Peter warned against those who twist the truth to their own destruction.

‭2 Peter 3:15-16 NLT‬
[15] “And remember, our Lord’s patience gives people time to be saved. This is what our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you with the wisdom God gave him— [16] speaking of these things in all of his letters. Some of his comments are hard to understand, and those who are ignorant and unstable have twisted his letters to mean something quite different, just as they do with other parts of Scripture. And this will result in their destruction.”

How much better, then, to recognise the goal of God’s work in us, work with Him by trusting Him no matter what, and keep our eyes on the prize… likeness to Jesus, God’s perfect Son.

‭2 Corinthians 4:16-18 NLT‬
[16]“That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. [17] For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! [18] So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.”