Hardships, A Life Long Training

All of us is taking a hard time to live our own lives. Money is not the only reason why we struggle. Even millionaires do encounter their worst problems though they have the money. In short, every person has his / her own level of trials.

How do we view hardships?

Do you view them as a curse? As a punishment? As an earthly suffering? Do we ever view hardships as something helpful for us?

I know and we all know its not easy to live a life with hardships. That's why it uses the therm "hard" right?

As christians, we need to stand on a certain definition about hardships. Though it makes us awake at night thinking about it, still we need to understand that hardships is a life long training for us to grow mature and closer with God. Hardships is a tool that God uses to mold us and our personality.

Whether you like it or not, hardships are not punishments from God. For most cases, hardships are the things we reap because of our sins and shortcomings. It is simply a result of our disobedience.

If you will be facing hardships or trials, don't ever blame God. Instead of being negative about the situation, look at how God comforts you and how He gives you wisdom to solve your problems. Be Thankful!

We don't know up to when we will be living in this world. Just like what Paul said,
"I have fought a good fight … I have finished the race … I have kept the faith.”
[2 Tim.4:7]

I hope all of us christians live the same way. That we may finish the race with perseverance and with trust in God. Do you know the Hurdle? It is a race where there are obstacles along the way? For runners, those are not struggles, just that its part of the game. The same thing with our lives, obstacles are not struggles, but it completes the game.

Always Remember:
Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.
[James 1:12]



By: Edwin Joseph

The Reality of Faith

“Surely this was a righteous man.”
Luke 23:47 NIV

If it is true that a picture paints a thousand words, then there was a Roman centurion who got a dictionary full. All he did was see Jesus suffer. He never heard him preach or saw him heal or followed him through the crowds. He never witnessed him still the winds; he only witnessed the way he died. But that was all it took to cause this weather-worn soldier to take a giant step in faith. “Surely this was a righteous man.”

That says a lot, doesn’t it? It says the rubber of faith meets the road of reality under hardship. It says the trueness of one’s belief in revealed in pain. Genuineness and character are unveiled in misfortune. Faith is at its best, not in three-piece suits on Sunday mornings or at V.B.S on summer days, but at hospital bedsides, cancer wards, and cemeteries.


From: Max Lucado - Grace For The Moment

Do It Yourself

. . . casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God . . . 2 Corinthians 10:5

Determinedly Demolish Some Things. Deliverance from sin is not the same as deliverance from human nature. There are things in human nature, such as prejudices, that the saint can only destroy through sheer neglect. But there are other things that have to be destroyed through violence, that is, through God’s divine strength imparted by His Spirit. There are some things over which we are not to fight, but only to "stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord . . ." (see Exodus 14:13). But every theory or thought that raises itself up as a fortified barrier "against the knowledge of God" is to be determinedly demolished by drawing on God’s power, not through human effort or by compromise (see 2 Corinthians 10:4).

It is only when God has transformed our nature and we have entered into the experience of sanctification that the fight begins. The warfare is not against sin; we can never fight against sin— Jesus Christ conquered that in His redemption of us. The conflict is waged over turning our natural life into a spiritual life. This is never done easily, nor does God intend that it be so. It is accomplished only through a series of moral choices. God does not make us holy in the sense that He makes our character holy. He makes us holy in the sense that He has made us innocent before Him. And then we have to turn that innocence into holy character through the moral choices we make. These choices are continually opposed and hostile to the things of our natural life which have become so deeply entrenched— the very things that raise themselves up as fortified barriers "against the knowledge of God." We can either turn back, making ourselves of no value to the kingdom of God, or we can determinedly demolish these things, allowing Jesus to bring another son to glory (see Hebrews 2:10).


From: RBC - Utmost For His Highest

PAUL’S CONCLUSIVE STATEMENT

“For me to live is Christ.” Philippians 1:21

We admire the “complete dedication” of Paul’s life and the tremendous work of grace God did through him. What an impact and influence he had upon men as the power of God was manifested in our life. But, let’s look at all that went before this, and how it happened. It was the “process of God” working in his life.

Paul had an “encounter with God.” He was on his way with a dedicated plan, motivated by a sincere belief, and thought he was doing the ‘right thing’ in persecuting the Christians. But God, in His grace, reached down and touched his heart, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” [Acts 9:4] Saul saw himself ‘as God saw him.’ From this encounter with God, his whole life was transformed. Everything took on a different perspective. He no longer counted life dear to himself, only as he could be filled with the fullness of God. All the attainments he had achieved, the favor and prestige he enjoyed from his peers and those in authority, he counted as but refuse compared to the knowledge of knowing Christ.

Meditate on the words of his testimony … “Whatever was my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things.” [Phil.3:7-8]

He was consumed with the Lord of his life. Everything was of secondary importance to being all God wanted him to be. The Holy Spirit moved through Paul in an unprecedented way. Not only countless lives were impacted by his life, as he ministered in his day, but God used him to write many of the Epistles in the New Testament. These letters of Paul, inspired by the Holy Spirit, give unto us some of the foundational doctrines of our faith … the truth and principles we should incorporate into our lives … the fallen state of man … and the matchless grace God revealed as God’s infinite love reached down to provide man’s redemption.

However great Paul was in his quest for God, he counted himself the least of all those who believe. Humility clothed his walk, and integrity characterized his life. He never forgot the pit from which he was digged … always remembering how he persecuted those who dared to follow Christ. Now, he is one of those who have left all to embrace the Gospel, and give himself completely to the plan and purpose of God. Many today cannot grasp the “surrender of his heart,” and the “passion of his life for Christ,” considering who he was before his conversion.

Paul endured many trials, persecutions, privations, adversities, beatings, imprisonment, and the scorn, bitterness, and hate of his enemies. But none of those things moved Paul from the “Object of his faith” … Jesus Christ. His eyes, heart, and spirit were “fixed” upon the author and finisher of his faith. Look at his perspective. We count as gain those things he counted as loss. He endured as seeing Him who is invisible. He persevered over every human barrier. He strived for the mastery.

Paul’s conclusive statement was … “I have fought a good fight … I have finished the race … I have kept the faith.” [2 Tim.4:7] Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could say that as our conclusive statement! Do you know what? WE CAN, when Christ is our LORD OF ALL, and the SOVEREIGN OF OUR LIFE ! Dare to Believe … then, Dare to Trust the ONE that can so impact your life!


From: Literature International Ministries - Ed Powell

The Compassionate One

It's not strange to think about Jesus as the Compassionate One. Look at all the healings he performed. Even four-year-old kids can sing "Jesus Loves Me."

As strange as it may sound, though, I didn't consciously connect Jesus' love with compassion until recently. In the New Testament the Greek word for God's love is agape and the word has nothing to do with emotions. It's an attitude, a commitment, a form of behavior.

It took me a long time to understand Christians who said, "I love you, but I don't like you." For me, one encompassed the other. Gradually a marvelous reality dawned on me: godly love-love in its purest form-doesn't involve feelings. Love is a commitment.

I learned this a few years ago when I had a few hassles with a member of our church, whom I'll call Pete. In business meetings, I could count on Pete's taking an opposing stand on anything I said. We simply had different value systems and we viewed life differently.

One day I was in a low spot after a run-in with Pete. Then Betty, one of the sweetest women in the congregation, called me. She had been trying to deal with a man named Bob who wasn't easy to like, hadn't had much of a happy life, felt rejected by most people, and worst of all, just didn't seem to have much common sense.

I quoted the words from a sign I had (and still have) on my office wall: "People need love the most when they deserve it the least." I threw in the biblical reference about Jesus rebuking those who behave kindly only to those who respond to them. Same message. Then I had the good sense to shut up.

After a long pause, Betty thanked me. "I don't love him like a brother in the Lord," she said. "You know, I've never opened my heart to him. That's what I need to do."

After that conversation, I sat at my desk and I heard an inner question, Did you hear what you said to Betty?

Was that God speaking through my mind? Probably, and I wasn't going to ignore it. Mentally, I replayed what I had just said. Then I got the message. Pete didn't deserve my love-or so it seemed to me-but he sure needed it.

I repented. I prayed for Pete regularly for a long time. We never got to be friends, but I no longer bristled around him. (Of course, actually, I think he softened).

That's how I began to think of love-objectively doing the right thing for others, reaching out to people regardless of feelings. Love means caring for their welfare.

Consequently, that's how I perceived God-magnanimously enduring us, but not necessarily liking it. Lately, I've begun to catch a broader view of the divine personality, to see that Jesus Christ is compassionate. That is, Jesus feels loving. He cares.

Yeah, simple, I know, as most things about the divine nature are when we get them figured out. In times before, I had explained John 13:35 ("Jesus wept") by saying: "Hey, he wept for Lazarus because he was a friend." That didn't necessarily mean Jesus would feel sadness for me or anyone else. I also knew that the Gospel writer says, "Then Jesus, looking at him [the rich young ruler], loved him" (Mk 10:21a, NKJV). But he used the Greek verbal form of agape, so it didn't have to refer to emotion, but commitment to the young man's good.

Then just today I read this verse: "And when Jesus went out He saw a great multitude; and He was moved with compassion for them, and healed their sick" (Mt 14:14, NKJV). There, I saw it: moved with compassion.

Here's another statement: "And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd" (Mt 9:35-36, NKJV).

Jesus cared emotionally; his actions involved his feelings. The plight of the crowd touched some powerful emotional chord in him. Then I saw Jesus the Compassionate One. He cared for the multitude. Does that mean he cares for me?

As I prayed today, I tried to think of myself as the object of God's compassion. What would it be like to be the object of the caring emotions of my Savior?

Tears came to my eyes as I realized this was more than what we call disinterested love. This was a love that embodies concern, feelings, and understanding.

"Do you really have those warm, caring feelings for me?" I asked.

I remained silent and slowly, like a warmth that spread through me, I felt loved. God's compassion engulfed me. I felt like a small child again, being held tightly in my mothers' arms.

Then another idea crept into my consciousness: Cec, if God is that compassionate toward you, shouldn't you be as tender and compassionate toward yourself?

I couldn't believe my own thought. Compassionate toward myself? What did that mean?

As I allowed the silence to remain, I did one of those quick life inventories. Yes, I had been a bit hard on myself. Yes, I had demanded much and, no, I hadn't been particularly understanding when I failed.

I continued to resist those thoughts, and the moments ticked by. Finally, a memory came to me. In the late 1980s, I had a prayer partner named Bob Ramey. One day he told me, "You're understanding and compassionate with others. Why don't you turn a little of it on yourself?"

I stared at him in shock.

"Think of yourself objectively. If Cec were another person, someone who came to you for help, how would you feel toward him?"

"I get it now," I said. Unfortunately, I soon forgot the lesson. A full decade later, the memory crashed inside my head. I started accepting and applying truths I had perceived all along on an intellectual plane, but had never allowed to creep into my heart.

Now I know that I can be understanding, accepting, and compassionate toward even Cec because of Jesus Christ. To follow him means to be like him, to love and care about what he cares about. And Cec is a person he cares about.

This must sound like one of the simplest things I've ever written. And it is. But it's a lesson that was a long time getting through to me. I've finally accepted the personal compassion of a compassionate God.

Today, I've mediated on the Compassionate One-the one who understands. It's as if Jesus' arm is around my shoulder and he whispers, "It's okay to be less than perfect. I care deeply about you."

Then I know I'm in the presence of the Compassionate One.


Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.
1 PETER 5:7, NKJV



From: CrossWalk - Invading The Privacy Of God