For we do not want
you to be ignorant,
brethren, of our
trouble which came to us
in Asia: that we were
burdened beyond measure,
above strength, so
that we despaired even of life.
Yes, we had the
sentence of death in ourselves,
that we should not
trust in ourselves but
in God who raises the
dead, who delivered us
from so great a
death, and doesn't deliver us;
in whom we trust that
He will still deliver us,
you also helping to
gather in prayer for us,
that thinks may be
given by any person
on our behalf for the
gift granted to us
through many.
2 Corinthians 1: 8 --
11
I must
apologize for no blog yesterday; I was busy with vacation Bible school as I will all this week so my blogs may come to you later in the afternoon as this
one. It is great to work with children
and to see them have fun together, and grow up together and be taught
the Word of God.
If one
would read Acts chapter 19: 21 -- 23, you would get a good background in
regards to what Paul is speaking about when he speaks of his trouble and
burdens that were so strong that they even despaired of death. I am afraid that for some people they have
the idea that the apostles of Jesus Christ, those 11 men including Paul, didn't
really suffer much but had special privileges and mercy by God. This is not true! Remember Paul was now living in the days in which Nero was the
Roman emperor and Nero had come to not only dislike the Christians there in
Rome, he despised Christianity altogether for only Jehovah God was to receive
honor and worship, and not Caesar. The
Way as Christianity was first called, was being persecuted heavily and Paul
received the results of that persecution several times as he traveled
particularly in the regions of Macedonia.
Now, allow us to have Paul instruct us some very important doctrinal
positions: we are not to trust in ourselves no matter the circumstance for as
believers in Jesus Christ, and God the father, and the Holy Spirit, we are
already delivered from the greatest problem that all mankind faces, and that
problem is death. Our God raised Jesus
Christ, that is Jesus Christ as God said that He would raise Himself and this
couldn't be done unless Jesus Christ was a God and had that ability to raise
the dead. God has already delivered you
from that terrible death and has given to you eternal life; therefore, nothing
that can be thrown at us can actually harm us, rather, when we die we know to
be with our Savior eternally. If God so
favors as and as those of us any of His favors they are course intended to not
only make us cheerful but that we would be useful to others. We need is a viewpoint that Paul had and
that viewpoint is that we are here for only one purpose and that is to be
captives of Jesus Christ and in His triumph.
We are to Exhibit 1 thing and that is that we are truly his That he can
we do this as we demonstrate Him in our lives.
All other viewpoints are small for we must be standing alone battling
for Jesus Christ. But as Paul gave
thanks to those who also helped him we do have help. To be alone is to mean that we are to maintain in ourselves the
cause of Christ and hold this for Him or it no matter what the difficulties are
in life, we must always be ready to be the lead in triumph. Is this idea being worked out practically in
our lives? Is your secret joy that you
are a captive of our war and have no other interest except that of heaven and
in our Lord for he had no other interest other than that which is of heaven or
of the earth. So often as Christians we
talk of victory, getting the victory, do you not know that the victory is
already won? He would be shameful to
talk of getting the victory for the Victor should have this so completely that
it is His victory all the time and we are simply conquerors through Him. We are truly the sweet savor of God and the
sweet savor of Jesus Christ and have the odor of Jesus so that where ever we go
we are a wonderful refreshment to God.
Paul
brought hope to the Corinthians and reminded of the deliverance that they had
obtained. Their hope in their craft was
not in vain, and neither is yours. Got
a delivered Paul and others, and still will deliver. They received and obtained help of God and this continues to all
of God's children in this day. We are
to be in prayer singularly and as a congregation for each other and for the
work that is carried on through out the world.
We are to trust in God and we are not to supersede His providential use
of any appointed means. It is our duty
to help one another with prayer, in praise and thanksgiving, and to make suitable
returns from the benefits received.
Cast yourself wholly owned on and when you are rescued from innings so
great of a persecution or trial you can look and admire His love and you will
be encouraged. Therefore both trials
and mercies will issue to you good for yourselves and for others.
Tell your children about it,
let your
children tell their children,
and their children another generation.
Joel 1: 3
Today the Lord is at hand
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