II Corinthians 4:17 "For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;"
"To choose to suffer means that there is something wrong; to choose God's will even if it means suffering is a very different thing. No healthy saint ever chooses suffering; he chooses God's will, as Jesus did. Whether it means suffering or not. Be merciful to God's reputation. It is easy to blacken God's character because God never answers back. He never vindicates Himself. Beware of the thought that Jesus needed sympathy in His earthly life; He refused sympathy from others because He knew far too wisely that no one on earth understood what He was going through. Notice God's 'waste' of saints, according to the judgment of the world. God plants His saints in some of the most useless places. We say 'God intends me to be here because I am useful'. Jesus never estimated His life along the line of the greatest use. God puts His saints where they will glorify Him most. And we are no judges at all of where that is" Quoted by Oswald Chambers
Let me just add here that Christ never said that He would do away with our sufferings but that He would fill them with His presence!! No matter what we go through in our sufferings...He is right there going through it with us. And His desire is to be glorified in all things...even in our sufferings!!
Hebrews 13:5 "...I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee."
14 comments:
Very good post, Sis Julie, I wanted to stop by and say HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY. connie from texas
Spoken as a true Pastor's Wife! I rejoice that when I am suffering and feeling a bit down, I can be reminded that my God is right there with me!
Happy Mother's Day!
connie....Happy Mother's Day to you too!!
pam....its always nice to be reminded that in those trying times that our Lord is always right there with us as we go through them. So often we feel like He has forsaken us when He promises that He won't ever leave us or forsake us. And not only that but that He desires to accomplish something in us and through us in those times. Happy Mother's Day to you too Sis!!
(12)Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:
(13)But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. 1 Peter 4:12-13
***
(19)Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator. 1 Peter 4:19
Your post immediately brought the scriptures in 1 Peter to mind. I like what Hebrews 13:6 says also . . . I can boldly say, the Lord is my helper, what can man do to me . . .(loosely quoted). It is only by His presence and help that we will prevail.
Great post, Julie. I love the Chambers quote! Too many Christians today do not have a realistic expectation of what it means to walk with the Lord. I also like O.C.'s take on what it means to be useful. I think it is a search for "usefulness" as defined by the world that has led many women astray from their Biblical roles.
Hi Julie,
Haven't been blogging much this week, so I need to catch up with all your great posts for the week.
I wanted to wish you a wonderful and blessed Mother's Day tomorrow. I pray you have a great day with your family.
Love, Lyndy
lyndy...thank you so much!! We will be celebrating my husband's birthday on Mother's Day this year since it just happens to fall on that day. So Mother's Day will be special for me but I want to make his day special for him. Love you Sis!!
Excellent post! I am so thankful that He is always there for me when times are hard. We must remember that when we go through those hard times, God wants our faith in Him to grow and become stronger.
cindy...you are so right!! Our sufferings are not designed to drive us away from the Lord but to draw us closer to Him. Sad to say so many times the sufferings people go through cause them to pull away from Him.
Mrs Julie first to let you know I am still in the blogosphere I will be putting a post up in a little while. this was an excellent post. I am reminded of the scripture All that live godly shall suffer persecution I believe it shows us how many are truly living godly. Suffering is part of this life we can learn to keep our eyes on Jesus while we are going through it or we drift from Jesus and get in an even bigger mess. Oh by the way the Kohl's thing that is funny. Have a great day or night.
Bro Tim
bro. tim....I'm glad you are still around. I'm looking forward to your next post. I'm also glad you found the Kohl's story so funny!!
About 3 years ago I dropped into a black hole – four months of absolute terror. I wanted to end my life, but somehow [Holy Spirit], I reached out to a friend who took me to hospital. I had three visits [hospital] in four months – I actually thought I was in hell. I imagine I was going through some sort of metamorphosis [mental, physical & spiritual]. I had been seeing a therapist [1994] on a regular basis, up until this point in time. I actually thought I would be locked away – but the hospital staff was very supportive [I had no control over my process]. I was released from hospital 16th September 1994, but my fear, pain & shame had only subsided a little. I remember this particular morning waking up [home] & my process would start up again [fear, pain, & shame]. No one could help me, not even my therapist [I was terrified]. I asked Jesus Christ to have mercy on me & forgive me my sins. Slowly, all my fear has dissipated & I believe Jesus delivered me from my “psychological prison.” I am a practicing Catholic & the Holy Spirit is my friend & strength; every day since then has been a joy & blessing. I deserve to go to hell for the life I have led, but Jesus through His sacrifice on the cross, delivered me from my inequities. John 3: 8, John 15: 26, are verses I can relate to, organically. He’s a real person who is with me all the time. I have so much joy & peace in my life, today, after a childhood spent in orphanages [England & Australia]. God LOVES me so much. Fear, pain, & shame, are no longer my constant companions. I just wanted to share my experience with you [Luke 8: 16 – 17].
Peace Be With You
Micky
Julie,
This is so true. We can choose to be bitter or better and just with the things I have been dealing with as of late, I feel so much closer to my Father God. I am truly learning that "the joy of the Lord really is my strength."
Bless you my sweet sister.
Love, Lyndy
Post a Comment