Working Our Faith Out

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Comment by ALCEDES JONES on February 4, 2012 at 6:29pm

FAMILY CHECK THIS OUT,AND BEGAN TO SMILE IN YOUR TESTS

How God Uses Pain

February 4

 

 

"I form the light and create darkness, I bring prosperity and create disaster; I, the LORD, do all these things" (Isa 45:7).

God will use pain in order to create a love relationship with His creation. This statement may challenge your theology. However, consider that God allowed Jesus to experience incredible pain in order to create an opportunity to have a relationship with His creation. Consider how Jesus created a relationship with Paul. He blinded him and used a crisis in his life in order to bring him into a relationship with him and use him for God's purposes. Consider how God recruited Jonah for the mission He had for him.

This is not God's first choice for His creation. Romans 2:4 reveals that God's preference is to show mercy and kindness: "Or do you show contempt for the riches of His kindness, tolerance and patience, not realizing that God's kindness leads you toward repentance?" The problem is there are few people who respond to the goodness of God. God loves people more than He loves their comfort. He invests a great deal into mankind. He desires relationship with us and will go to great lengths to create such a relationship in order for us to receive the rewards and inheritance He has for us.

I have observed this process in the scriptures in working with people through years of ministry. I have noticed three distinct stages. First, we live based on convenience. Our obedience is largely based on circumstances in our lives. We choose to obey based on the circumstances.

The second stage is the crisis stage. God allows a crisis to come into our lives. We are motivated to obey God in order to get out of the pain of our situation. Many times God allows us to stay in this condition in order to demonstrate His love and faithfulness during our pain. Gradually, we discover something new about God and often have a personal encounter with Him that changes us. Our very nature is affected by this God-encounter.

This begins to move us into a third phase that is a relationship that is motivated now by love and devotion instead of pain. This is where God desires us to be. Another way of saying this is we are no longer seeking His hand. We are seeking Him. We want to know God personally.

Obedience will not last when the motivation is only the removal of our pain. Obedience only lasts when the motivation is loving devotion. Where are you in your obedience and what is the primary motivation? If it isn't love, why not tell the Lord you love Him today and want to know Him for who He is and not for what He can do for you.

Comment by ALCEDES JONES on February 4, 2012 at 6:19pm

WOW FAMILY JUST LOVE THIS SO I JUST HAD TO SHARE IT THANK YOU O HEAVENLY FATHER IN JESUS MIGHTY NAME

Today's Bible Verse:

Psalm 103:5
…who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's. (NIV)

Today's Inspiring Thought: Your Youth is Renewed

Aging is a strange thing. My body is nearly 60 years old now, but my mind still feels like 30 or 35. I attribute this phenomenon to the goodness of God. Seeking and serving God keeps you young. When our desires center upon our Savior, Jesus Christ gives us more understanding of him. I can't run up stairs any more, but I can read the Bible and appreciate what God is saying to me. I can't do much physical labor without getting tired, but I can pray and be sure that God will do what is best for me. I can't see much without my bifocals, but I can see that Jesus will greet me in heaven some day. When your youth is renewed like mine has been, you don't worry about the things you can no longer do. Instead, you praise God for the new life that lies ahead.

Comment by ALCEDES JONES on February 4, 2012 at 6:01pm

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		Printer version   Philippians 2:12-15 (12) Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed?not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence?continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, (13) for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose. (14) Do everything without complaining or arguing, (15) so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe New International Version   Change Bible versions These four verses admonish us on what God expects of us as the child in our relationship with Him. It is important for us to understand that "work out your salvation" does not mean work for salvation. It means we must take what God has given us to its logical conclusion. God liberated Israel from Egyptian slavery, but His purpose was not complete until they trekked across the wilderness and possessed the Promised Land. Their liberty came as an act of God's grace, but that same grace required them to meet responsibilities and carry them to their conclusion. Verse 13 explains that God's grace did not end at the borders of Egypt for them, nor does it end for us once we are justified. He gives us both the motivation and the power to accomplish what His pleasure is for us. But we should understand that He gives us the desire and power to accomplish His will, not our pleasures. This is an excellent principle for parents to apply in motivating their children to respond positively. Children are largely the creations of their parents. If parents expect their children to reach certain goals, they must equip them with the attitudes, skills, and tools necessary to accomplish those aims. "Fear and trembling" indicates both a deep respect for the Almighty who has called us, as well as a healthy measure of concern for uncertainties about what will be required of us as we proceed along this way. As we spiritually mature, the trials we must work through generally become more difficult, not easier. When the Philippians took up their cross, they did not know for sure what lay ahead, nor do we. For them, it was conflict (Philippians 1:29-30); for Jesus, death (Philippians 2:8); for Paul, martyrdom (Philippians 2:17); for Timothy, costly sacrificial service to the church (Philippians 2:20); and for Epaphroditus, physical illness nearly to death (Philippians 2:27). Of course, these things are far more serious than a child's responsibility to put his room in order, but we must consider if God is fair in His dealings with man. Is a parent fair in charging his children with responsibilities to carry out around the house? John W. Ritenbaugh Excerpted from: The Sovereignty of God: Part Seven

Comment by ALCEDES JONES on February 4, 2012 at 5:39pm

AMEN ELAINE AMEN

Comment by ALCEDES JONES on February 4, 2012 at 4:50am

O HEAVENLY FATHER ,I COME TO YOUR THRONE OF GRACE RIGHT NOW JUST TO SAY THANK YOU ,AND TO PRAISE YOU FOR YOUR LOVE AND YOUR MERCY AS YOU BLESS YOUR CHILDREN IN THEIR TIME OF NEED ,WE THANK YOU O HEAVENLY FATHER IN THE NAME OF YOUR SON JESUS THE CHRIST ,WHO IS OUR BIG BROTHER AND HIGH PRIEST WHO LAID DOWN HIS LIFE FOR US SO THAT WE MAY LIVE WITH YOU AND THAT  YOU DWELL IN US ,THROUGH YOUR HOLY SPIRIT WHICH GUIDE US DAY BY DAY ,I THANK AND LOVE YOU IN JESUS MIGHTY NAME AND POWERFUL BLOOD .SAINTS OF THE MOST HIGH ,I'M A LIVING WITNESS OF HIS FAITHFULNESS .MARTY ,MY BELOVED SISTER ALL GLORY GOES TO OUR HEAVENLY FATHER ,I'M ONLY SHARING WHAT HE IS GIVING ME TO MAKE ME STRONG ,SO BY OUR KINDRED SPIRIT I'M GLAD THAT IT IS HELPING YOU LOVE THIS WHOLE GROUP IN JESUS MIGHTY NAME

Comment by sandra v villamero on February 4, 2012 at 12:21am

He’ll Get You Back on Track

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

“Show me Your ways, O LORD; teach me Your paths”

(Psalm 25:4, NKJV)   A PRAYER FOR TODAY Father God, show me Your path, teach me Your ways. My heart’s deepest desire is to know You and to be known by You. You are my King, and I humbly submit my ways to You. Thank You for Your goodness and faithfulness in my life in Jesus’ name. Amen

Comment by ALCEDES JONES on February 3, 2012 at 8:43pm

Serenity Prayer: What are the words?
The Serenity Prayer goes like this --
God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference.
Living one day at a time;
Enjoying one moment at a time;
Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;
Taking, as He did, this sinful world as it is, not as I would have it;
Trusting that He will make all things right if I surrender to His Will;
That I may be reasonably happy in this life and supremely happy with Him
Forever in the next. Amen.

Serenity Prayer: What does it mean?
This beautiful prayer was written by a man named Reinhold Niebuhr in 1943. The words have special meaning to those who are often “looking for peace” at a time of turmoil, despair, or uncertainty in their lives. This prayer has become closely associated with 12 Step programs, offering strength and calm in pursuit of a more stable life.

First, through uttering these words, we are acknowledging God’s existence and recognizing that He is truly the only one who can bring us inner peace regardless of chaotic circumstances. His wonderful presence in our lives brings ‘serenity’ that can be found nowhere else. There is a Bible verse that says the peace of God is beyond all human understanding. “His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:7). Until we allow the ‘peace of God’ to enter into our mind, heart, and soul, we will never experience that ultimate peace that defies the most severe circumstances in life.

The prayer goes on to speak of accepting, courage, and wisdom. It all comes down to asking and allowing God to give us these things. In other words, it is surrendering to Him. The second part reminds us that our trust needs to be in God to work things out and recognizing that we usually don’t have any real control over hardships in this sinful world or the actions of others. Trust Him and live one day at a time, enjoying each moment.

Serenity Prayer: How do I put this into practice?
Perseverance and successes aren’t born out of good times. They are born out of trials. 1 Peter 4:12 says “. . .don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you.” The Bible tells us that we will go through trials and going through them makes us stronger. In our times of weakness, we learn to rely on God’s strength and He takes great delight when we trust in Him. We all desire to be needed and wanted; God wants this from us as well. He wants for us to turn to Him and trust Him.

Be encouraged -- Christ Jesus is faithful; we can rest on Him, trusting Him always for the outcome. We don’t always understand the “why” of things that happen and we don’t always need to. Jeremiah 29:11 says, “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ says the Lord. ‘They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.’” And in Hebrew 13:5, God says He will never leave us or forsake us. Never is long time. . .He is always there for us if we come to Him.

Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke fits perfectly, and the burden I carry is light” (Matthew 11:29-30).

In these Scriptures, we can see the relevance of the last phrase in the Serenity Prayer. If we surrender to Him, we can be supremely happy in Him, in this life and forever after.

Learn More About Surrendering to God

Comment by sandra v villamero on January 30, 2012 at 10:32pm

AMEN AND AMEN LORD for all the VICTORIES my family in this had from you. GLORY TO YOUR NAME.

Comment by sandra v villamero on January 30, 2012 at 10:32pm

Say What?

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

“Since we have the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, ‘I believed and therefore I spoke,’ we also believe and therefore speak”

(2 Corinthians 4:13, NKJV)   A PRAYER FOR TODAY Father God, I humbly come to You in the precious name of Jesus Christ. I commit my words and thoughts to You. I choose to say what the Word says. I choose to speak the truth and trust that You are working for my good in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Comment by ALCEDES JONES on January 30, 2012 at 7:40pm

Martyp my beloved sister we has an awesome Heavenly Father who loves us and will answer our prayers I'm so thankful to him for you ,KEEP GOING FORWARD IN JESUS MIGHTY NAME AND POWERFUL BLOOD LOVE YOU MY SISTER

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