"My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing." - James 1:2-4 (KJV)
"Count it all joy.... when ye fall..." Well isn't that something. This is not an "If you fall...," but, "when." The Word of God, not at one time tells us that this life which we live as Christians will be easy, neither that once we're saved it will be a "cakewalk." Instead, it ensures us that as believers we will be tempted, counted as outcast, and will in essence be outcast, for "we are in this world, yet not of this world..." As it is written, "For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter." - Romans 8:36 (KJV) We'll be beat down, accused, lied on, attacked, at many times, and like David, the man after God's own heart, and Jesus, our Savior, the Son of God, ask the question, "God... Why..?" These troubles that we face are for His glory, to strengthen our faith, our patience, to remind us that He is God. "And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us." Romans 5:3-5 (KJV)
Thank God for the Holy Ghost, thank Him for His Grace, His Lovingkindness, for His Mercy... I think to myself, "If God be for us, then who, what, and how can anyone or anything be against us?" I'm reminded of a song, "If it had not been for the Lord on my side.. Where would I be?" Lost? Dwelling, rather wallowing in sin, crying out for help on the brink of despair, without being able to muster up the thought of another a living soul, not truly knowing God but looking up at the sky, pleading for help..?" Sadly, this is the shape, and the thoughts that many, and I mean millions of Christians have today, and the lives which millions more, unsaved souls live. Why..? because we/they, fail to acknowledge the truth sometimes. It seems easy for us to neglect the promises that have been made unto us. Me..? I, like everyone else, fall sometimes, and yet, even I wonder how I still manage to encourage & uplift you. How..? It's the Spirit that lives within me. Why..? Because I have a comforter... I have the Holy Spirit of the living God living inside of me, in my heart, to reflect upon, in my mind.... Glory to God. "For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he..." - Proverbs 23:7 (KJV) God wants us full of joy, not to worry not complain, because we're only here, for a little while... if you gotta cry... cry. Because "...in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning." Psalm 30:5 (KJV)
I'm here to tell you all to offer up sacrifices of praise. The sacrifice comes in praising the Lord in spite of.... giving Him the honor, glory & praise due Him, when you're feeling low, and you don't want to. Humble yourself, and know that HE IS GOD, and GOD all by Himself. the devil was defeated, not us, we've been given the victory. People of God, even when we are going through... WE ARE BLESSED!!!
"And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying, Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you. Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid." - Matthew 5:2-14 (KJV)
Now that you know who you are,and that you ARE blessed. I'll tell you like our Big brother Jesus told the lame man, "Arise. Take up thy bed... and walk!"
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