Good morning,
Praise the Lord for His realness and His nearness to those who trust in Him and love Him. Please join us on Friday evening for our weekly TV outreach at 7 PM on Time Warner Channel 4. We are preparing and serving a meal for the needy this coming Saturday at noon at the First United Methodist Church, Endicott. Praise the Lord for His Holy Church that is in ministry and mission all over the world casting out demons, setting the prisoners free, proclaiming the Good News to the poor, and bringing sight to the blind and salvation to those who are dead in sin. His truth is marching on. Our Lord reigns. "All hail the power of Jesus' Name."
One of my favorite passages is from 2 Corinthians 4. I learned this verse from my uncle when I was just young boy. (That is many years ago). My uncle was one who were instrumental in my Christian upbringing and walk. My uncle went to be with Jesus in 1986. We are reminded in 2 Corinthians 4: 7-18, that even though we may think we are at the end of our rope, we are never without hope. Paul faced all kinds of troubles, hardships, and adversity for the sake of the Lord Jesus and His Kingdom’s ministries.
Regardless of risks, humiliations, and trials we can see these as opportunities for Jesus to demonstrate His greater power, purpose, and plan in and through us for His greater glory.
Too many people, however, fall in to the trap of feeling as if they are victims of their circumstances. John Leo, "Expert victimologists estimate that 91.2% of people in North America and Europe now qualify as victims, at least in their own minds. This is because hurt feelings keep spreading, and 'society' keeps grinding us down. We are instructed how not to be troubled on every side without giving in to distress through the empowering of the Holy Spirit. It is written, "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in the time of trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth be removed and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea. Though the waters roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. There is a river, the streams thereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High." (Psalm 46:1-4)
Let us Praise God and draw completely from the river of Living Water found in the love of God the Father, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ the Son, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit.
It is written, "For we which live are always delivered to death for Jesus' sake that the life of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh." (2 Corinthians 4:11)
We need to release all our rights to comfort, pleasures, and prideful self-justice. Even though Paul knew that, humanly speaking, he did not deserve to be troubled for doing good, he followed the example of Jesus who, though He was rich became poor that we through His poverty might be rich. Paul wrote, "All who live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer tribulation." Be willing to give up personal desires, realizing that trouble, persecution, and tribulation are a part of growing in Christ.
The Holy Spirit gives us an amazing ability to readjust to all kinds of troubling situations. It is written, "We are pressed but not crushed, perplexed by not in despair, persecuted but not abandoned, put down but not put out... that the life of Jesus might be made manifest in our body."
It is said that Helen of Troy, when captured, became distressed and dressed and acted like a mere servant girl. However, when she was reminded that she was a Queen it changed everything. She simply had to reconsider her identity and it affected her attitude, actions, and outlook. Too often we forget who we are in Christ and consequently live in defeat rather than in victory.
Paul wrote, "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God and the peace of God that passes all comprehension will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, excellent admirable, and praise-worthy, let your minds dwell on these things. (Philippians 4:6-8) Ask the Lord to deliver you from all your troubles. David wrote, "I sought the Lord and He heard me and delivered me from all of my fears." (Psalm 34:1-4)
In His Victory,
Brown
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eYa7cXyKuFY
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