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Am I enduring adversity? - Part 2

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God tested Abraham’s faith and obedience. “Abraham!” God called. “Yes, Lord?” he replied. “Take with you your only son—yes, Isaac whom you love so much—and go to the land of Moriah and sacrifice him there as a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I’ll point out to you!” The next morning Abraham got up early, chopped wood for a fire upon the altar, saddled his donkey, and took with him his son Isaac and two young men who were his servants, and started off to the place where God had told him to go. On the third day of the journey Abraham saw the place in the distance. “Stay here with the donkey,” Abraham told the young men, “and the lad and I will travel yonder and worship, and then come right back. ” Abraham placed the wood for the burnt offering upon Isaac’s shoulders, while he himself carried the knife and the flint for striking a fire. So the two of them went on together. “Father,” Isaac asked, “we have the wood and the flint to make the fire, but where is the lamb for the ...
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Am I enduring adversity?

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Blessed [happy, spiritually prosperous, favored by God] is the man who is steadfast under trial and perseveres when tempted; for when he has passed the test and been approved, he will receive the [victor’s] crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.  Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God” [for temptation does not originate from God, but from our own flaws]; for God cannot be tempted by [what is] evil, and He Himself tempts no one. - James 1:12-13 (Amplified Bible) Adversity is a bridge to a closer relationship with God. - Charles Stanley We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they are good for us—they help us learn to be patient. And patience develops strength of character in us and helps us trust God more each time we use it until finally our hope and faith are strong and steady. Then, when that happens, we are able to hold our heads high no matter what happens and know that all is well, for we know...
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Am I obedient?

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So get rid of all uncleanness and all that remains of wickedness, and with a humble spirit receive the word [of God] which is implanted [actually rooted in your heart], which is able to save your souls.  But prove yourselves doers of the word [actively and continually obeying God’s precepts], and not merely listeners [who hear the word but fail to internalize its meaning], deluding yourselves [by unsound reasoning contrary to the truth].  For if anyone only listens to the word without obeying it, he is like a man who looks very carefully at his natural face in a mirror;  for once he has looked at himself and gone away, he immediately forgets what he looked like.  But he who looks carefully into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and faithfully abides by it, not having become a [careless] listener who forgets but an active doer [who obeys], he will be blessed and favored by God in what he does [in his life of obedience]. - James 1:21-25 (Amplified Bible) We would ma...
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Will I trust God?

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Dear children, this world’s last hour has come. You have heard about the Antichrist who is coming—the one who is against Christ—and already many such persons have appeared. This makes us all the more certain that the end of the world is near. These “against-Christ” people used to be members of our churches, but they never really belonged with us or else they would have stayed. When they left us it proved that they were not of us at all. But you are not like that, for the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you know the truth. So I am not writing to you as to those who need to know the truth, but I warn you as those who can discern the difference between true and false. - 1 John 2:18-21 (Living Bible) So in one sense we have to guard the church against the false teachers. In the other sense, even though we’re protecting and guarding so that we can honor the truth which honors God, we realize that when lies come, lies cannot cause true believers to abandon the faith. What the liars do is ...
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Is there fruit?

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The next morning as they were leaving Bethany, Jesus was hungry. He noticed a fig tree in full leaf a little way off, so he went over to see if he could find any figs. But there were only leaves because it was too early in the season for fruit. Then Jesus said to the tree, “May no one ever eat your fruit again!” And the disciples heard him say it. When they arrived back in Jerusalem, Jesus entered the Temple and began to drive out the people buying and selling animals for sacrifices. He knocked over the tables of the money changers and the chairs of those selling doves, and he stopped everyone from using the Temple as a marketplace. He said to them, “The Scriptures declare, ‘My Temple will be called a house of prayer for all nations,’ but you have turned it into a den of thieves.” - Mark 11:12-17 (NLT) As Jesus approached Jerusalem in His final week, He encountered a fig tree full of leaves but barren of fruit. It promised life but delivered none. The next scene is no accident: He ente...
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What do I give to the King?

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Why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say? - Luke 6:46 (LSB) Every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. - Philippians 2:11(LSB) At the heart of the Christian faith stands a simple yet searching confession: Jesus Christ is Lord. This declaration is more than doctrinal accuracy—it is a call to surrender. Christ is Lord by divine right, whether I acknowledge Him or not. The real question is whether I joyfully submit to His authority. If Jesus is not Lord of all, He is not Lord at all. - A. W. Tozer Jesus does not offer Himself in parts - Savior without King, forgiveness without authority. Scripture presents Him as both. True faith receives Him as He is—Lord and Savior. The gospel Jesus preached was a call to discipleship, a call to follow Him in submissive obedience, not just a call to make a decision. - John MacArthur And this is how we know [daily, by experience] that we have come to know Him [to understand Him and be more deeply...
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Am I choosing joy?

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All the people began sobbing when they heard the commands of the law. Then Ezra the priest, and I as governor, and the Levites who were assisting me said to them, “Don’t cry on such a day as this! For today is a sacred day before the Lord your God— it is a time to celebrate with a hearty meal and to send presents to those in need, for the joy of the Lord is your strength. You must not be dejected and sad!” And the Levites, too, quieted the people, telling them, “That’s right! Don’t weep! For this is a day of holy joy, not of sadness.” So the people went away to eat a festive meal and to send presents; it was a time of great and joyful celebration because they could hear and understand God’s words. - Nehemiah 8:9-12 (Living Bible) What stands out is that God did not allow the rebuilding of the wall around Jerusalem to stop with stone and mortar. Once the wall was finished, He turned His attention to the hearts of the people. The physical wall, though modest compared to former glory and ...
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