Hang in there

There are extraordinarily painful realities before us. More and more, financial dilemmas are tearing us apart.  The loss of a loved one, deteriorating or abusive relationship or trying to cope with a broken one, grief can cloud our hope, life-threatening health crisis or struggle to endure a chronic condition, we can find ourselves nearly paralyzed emotionally and spiritually. 

The word "perseverance" can put us off, especially if it comes from someone who does not seem to understand what we are suffering.  We can think it just means, "you just have to endure this without feeling sorry for yourself." 

The actual Latin root of the word "persevere" can help us.  There are three parts of the word:  per - se - vere.  Loosely translated it says:  "by means of the truth."  We persevere by recalling and staying close to the truth.  What truth?  The truth of who we are and what our life is about. When we let the truth of God's love for us touch our wounds, we begin to taste our salvation.

Tribulation tests our identity as Christians. When we deal with tribulation as we should, it authenticates our true identity as believers. Tribulation tests our faith – "These [trials] have come so that your faith – of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire – may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honour when Jesus Christ is revealed" (1 Peter 1:7). Tribulation tests our sense of purpose. 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.

Tribulation tests our obedience – "The reason I wrote you was to see if you would stand the test and be obedient in everything" (2 Corinthians 2:9). We are tested to teach us to rely on God. Paul said to the Corinthians “We felt like we'd been sent to death row, that it was all over for us. As it turned out, it was the best thing that could have happened. Instead of trusting in our own strength or wits to get out of it, we were forced to trust God totally--not a bad idea since he is the God who raises the dead! And he did it, rescued us from certain doom. And he'll do it again, rescuing us as many times as we need rescuing.”

Life is filled with true/false tests. Every day we are confronted with lies and misleading situations. To keep from being fooled we must be armed with the knowledge of God’s word. We should test ourselves to make sure we are solid in the faith. We should not drift along taking everything for granted. Regular checkups, firsthand evidence, not mere hearsay that Jesus Christ is in us. Test it out. If we fail the test, we do something about it. I hope the test will not show that we have failed. 

Life is Good

Our culture in this fallen world tries to convince us that the “good life” – the life we will most enjoy – comes from pursuing pleasure. Nevertheless, God’s biblical commands often stand in stark contrast to pursuing pleasure, so God can seem like a cosmic killjoy who wants to hinder our pursuit of the good life.

By asking us to follow His commands, God is not trying to prevent us from living the good life; He is trying to prevent us from falling victim to dangers He knows can harm us. As our loving Father, God wants what is best for us – the ultimate “good life” – and that is only possible when we recognize the love behind His commands and start following them.

Sometimes, we need to be confronted with our inadequacies, sin and weaknesses and encouraged to restore our relationship with God and with other people. All the laws given were summarized in two laws by Jesus, He said, The Lord your God is one; so love the Lord God with all your passion and prayer and intelligence and energy.' And here is the second: "Love others as well as you love yourself.' There is no other commandment that ranks with these.

We need to understand that God loves us too much to leave us without help to overcome sin, because sin can hurt and destroy us. God intends for us to keep growing in holiness, which will lead to greater freedom in the process.

To live the good life, we need to realize that no matter what circumstances we are currently going through, we can choose to be respond with gratitude and joy. While our feelings constantly change just as our circumstances do, we can always count on God to give us the gratitude and joy we need to transcend our feelings and manage difficult situations in faithful ways. 

We should never give up on our friends and family. Be willing to act in their best interests, work through conflicts, and forgive. When we love others with a committed love, they can experience a taste of God’s justice and mercy in their relationships with us. 

Recognize that sin can damage our health by leading us to make self-destructive choices, but faithfulness can improve our health by motivating us to make healthy choices. Pray for the strength to make healthy choices such as eating nutritiously, exercising regularly, thinking positively, worshipping frequently, practicing good hygiene, getting enough sleep, and resting regularly to reflect and pray.

The good life is available to all who desire it. However, we need to look for it in the right place. It is not found in material things, money, fame, or even personal happiness. The good life can be found only in relationship with Jesus Christ. We must accept for ourselves the grace that God so lavishly offers. As we grow in grace, it should flow through us and touch those around us through the good works we do and the good behaviour we displace.

The Pentecost Experience

Fifty days after the resurrection of Jesus Christ from death and the grave, and ten days after He ascended up into heaven, a great event took place, the equal of which the world has not witnessed since. This event is designated in the Bible as “the day of Pentecost” (Acts 2:1). It was the day on which the Holy Spirit made a unique visit, not just a visit, but transfer to the earth to stay.

In the old testament, on different occasions, the Holy Spirit had visited (Gen. 1:2, 2 Chron. 15:1, 2 Chron. 20:14, Ex. 31:3; 35:31, Num. 11:25-27, Num. 24:2, 2 Chr. 18:20, 1 Sam. 16:13, Neh. 9:20, Num. 27:18, etc.), the visits were only temporary.

Jesus said: “It is better for you that I leave. If I do not leave, the Friend will not come. Nevertheless, if I go, I will send him (The Holy Spirit) to you. When he comes, he will expose the error of the godless world's view of sin, righteousness, and judgment… (John 16:7-11, MSG).

The Holy Spirit gives access to God (Eph 2:18), anoints for service (Luke 4:18), assures (Rom 8:15-16) Authors Scripture (II Pet 1:20-21), inspires prayer (Eph 6:18, Jude 20), Intercedes (Rom 8:26), interprets Scripture (I Cor 2:1, Eph 1:17), Leads (Rom 8:14), Liberates (Rom 8:2) and Baptizes (John 1:23-34, I Cor 12:13-14). The Spirit of God gives birth to believers (John 3:3-6), Calls and Commissions (Acts 13:24, 20:28), Cleanses (I Thes 3:13, I Peter 1:2), Convicts of sin (John 16:9,14). He helps in weakness, indwells believers, moulds character, produces fruit, empowers believers, raises from the dead, regenerates, sanctifies, seals, strengthens, teaches, testifies of Jesus, gives victory over flesh, helps in worship, and the list goes on and on.

Many have not received the Holy Spirit, many who had, are not using it to full potential. Is the Holy Spirit at fault? Indeed not! We, who are the temples of the Holy Spirit are at fault. We have grieved Him by our sins and our selfishness. We have failed to acknowledge the absolute necessity of His operation in the sinner’s heart. We have not recognized that His sovereign and gracious work of convicting and converting the lost must be carried out through us. Let us use all the skill and wisdom and natural ability that we possess remembering that the abiding results are manifest where the Spirit is honoured.

Grace is the Answer

Four people—a pilot, a professor, a pastor, and a hiker—were flying in a small plane when the engines died. The pilot said, “There are only three parachutes. Since this is my plane, I’m taking one of them.” He put it on and jumped out. The professor said, “I’m brilliant and the world needs me, so I’m taking a parachute,” and he jumped out.

Then the pastor told the hiker, “I don’t want to be selfish, so you take the last parachute.” The hiker replied, “There are still two left, so we can each have one. The professor jumped out with my backpack instead of the parachute!” Though the professor knew he would land safely, his assurance was based on faulty thinking.

What is the gospel? Whose doctrine is the right doctrine? Who is worshiping the one and true God? If we base our belief on observance of the law, then we can never succeed because, the Ten Commandments were given so that all could see the extent of their failure to obey God’s laws. However, the more we see our sinfulness, the more we see God’s abounding grace forgiving us. Before, sin ruled over all men and brought them to death, but now God’s kindness rules instead, giving us right standing with God and resulting in eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

God’s grace exists inside of all of us and around us. Grace is our inner beauty, which radiates outward, touching everyone we meet. It is that unseen hand that comes from the divine, raising us up when we most need it. To be able to live in a state of grace is not based on worthiness, nor is it earned through good deeds, ritual, or sacrifice. Rather it is an unearned favour, freely bestowed and available to all, that is inherent to our birthright. All we must do is open our eyes to its presence and we will find and experience grace everywhere.

We need to consider which aspects of our lives, which do not resemble Jesus right now. Perhaps we have previously tried to change things on our own. It is time to invite God’s help. Ask Him to give you the grace you need to become the person He wants you to be.