IT'S NOT ALWAYS GOING TO BE EASY...

I had to smile a little when I read this portion of Scripture ("That you may walk (live and conduct yourselves) in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to Him and desiring to please Him in all things, bearing fruit in every good work and steadily growing and increasing in and by the knowledge of God [with fuller, deeper, and clearer insight, acquaintance, and recognition]. [We pray] that you may be invigorated and strengthened with all power according to the might of His glory, [to exercise] every kind of endurance and patience (perseverance and forbearance) with joy, Giving thanks to the Father, Who has qualified and made us fit to share the portion which is the inheritance of the saints (God’s holy people) in the Light." [Colossians 1:10-12, AMP])--there are times when it seems like I (maybe you can relate, too) wish I had an "S" on my chest, and a cape--along with the ability to fly over some stuff. But, we didn't get that. We did get everything that we need to make this journey, though. Now, I am not suggesting for one minute that you won't want to get off the train at times, and ask for a full refund!:) You might even want to turn around and forget about it, but we both know that it will be worth all of these "light" afflictions.

None of our afflictions seem light at the moment--but, when the glory comes and we have an opportunity to compare them, then we will see just how minuscule they really were. We also will know fully (we see through a glass dimly, now) just what great lengths our Father went to, to secure us and keep us safe from danger while we traveled. That doesn't mean we won't suffer, but it does mean that our souls are safe--that's what this is all about; our spiritual security and well-being. This life is not, nor was it ever about our comfort--it's about maturation, which comes by enduring patiently and increasing in the knowledge of God. It's really not about us--it's about His glory, so that others recognize that glory, in the form of "salt" and "light" and are drawn to Him. As we mature, we should become magnetic, as His glory begins to exude from our being. That's right, Jesus should ooze out of us--not in a dogmatic, pushy, Bible-toting, Scripture-quoting way, but in a kind, loving, manner that makes people want what we have.


Not everyone is going to like the Jesus that comes from you, so be prepared. The adversary hates it, so expect opposition--that's why I got amused at the beginning, because it takes a whole lot of "invigorating and strengthening power according to the might of His glory" to endure in the face of the buffeting that comes when you choose His righteousness. But, the more you choose righteousness--the more power and might He has in store for you. You can handle it--because He can handle it!

Thank God, He has my back!:)

Exodus 14:14 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

"DANGER OFTEN LURKS, WHERE DESTINY BECKONS"

I read this profoundly true phrase in a historical novel, by Christian author, Tommy Tenney. It was the story of Hadassah (Hebrew name)--or Queen Esther of Persia, as most of us regard her.When I read the phrase, it struck me. I thought, how true! We want the glory of our destiny, but no part of the process--often treacherous, that will get us there. Faith, however, requires some sacrifice, some trial, some work (James 2:20).I began to think back over my own life and my desire to get the prize, but always trying to avoid the battle wounds--only to find myself back at the starting point again and again. It was only after I made a decisive choice to submit my will to God, in the process of being molded, did I find the peace that I so desperately sought. When I stopped "kicking against the pricks", I found joy, in spite of difficult circumstances.Not only Hadassah recognized that where danger lurks, destiny beckons. The Word of God is full of hosts of characters that learned tha...
Read more

NAME CALLING

It may seem as if this blog is devoted to how we relate to one another, as Christians। I stand accused. The reason for this, is that I believe it ranks so high on the list that if we do not take corrective steps, many of "our greatest" will suffer. I am thinking in particular, today about the ways we use titles in our churches. I understand and agree with the need for some form of protocol. I see the proper use of some titles--those that are biblically-inspired. However, do we misuse them?I am of the belief, that titles, in our churches are out of control. What is the reason? I am going to suggest that it has something to do with the history of racism in America. I hate to focus on churches being "black" or "white", but this particular issue is a much bigger problem in the "black church". Here is my historical take on the issue. Black people in America, we know have had little or no power, until very recently. The only legitimate place (in partic...
Read more

Oh, that Fire, that Tongue, that Tongue...

In this day, we are pretty consumed with our bodies; we are very health and beauty-concious. We want very much to prolong our lives from the physical perspective and to look our best while we're at it. It isn't a bad thing at all, to have these pursuits, since the Bible declares that our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit--and we should give them great care. There must be a prioritizing of things, however; our physical bodies are not first on God's list, but at the top of His list: that our "soul should prosper". The Scripture in Psalm 34, provides the formula for living a long and peaceful life. What must we do? First: KEEP THY TONGUE FROM EVIL ! That is striking! It is striking because, on the surface, it doesn't seem like such a big thing--in terms of prolonging life! Also, because often it seems as if this is the very thing we neglect to give care to, the most! We allow our tongues to say whatever they will without thought, or to lie--with great tho...
Read more