God's Word on That

Category: Abiding

To abide in Christ Jesus is the highest calling of man

  • God’s Word On Suffering

    Man is born to trouble as surely as sparks fly upwards (Job 5:7).

    Paul was determined that nothing would stop him from doing exactly what God wanted.  But, before we choose to follow God’s will, a crisis must develop in our lives.  This happens because we tend to be unresponsive to God’s gentler nudges.  God brings us to the place where He asks us to be our utmost for Him, and we begin to debate [whether we should or should not, whether it is convenient or not]. He then providentially produces a crisis where we HAVE to decide – follow or not follow.  That moment then becomes a great crossroads in our lives.  If a crisis has come to you on any front, surrender your will to Jesus absolutely. [Save yourself some time.]      (Oswald Chambers)

    Dark times come to each of us. But God always provides hope.

    We can ignore pleasure; we can ignore God speaking to us in good ways.  But pain insists on being attended to.      (C.S. Lewis)

    Dear friend, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering as though something [new and] strange were happening to you.  But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when His glory is revealed (1 Peter 4:12-13).

    We know that we must suffer, and that we deserve it.  Nevertheless, we are always surprised at affliction.

    No temptation has seized you except what is common to man.  And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear.  But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it (1 Corinthians 10:13). You may even surprise yourself!

    Suffering has a purpose.  Look beyond the pain to find the purpose.

    You shouldn’t mind the trial if you know the Judge.

    Our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all (2 Corinthians 4:17).

    A crisis will reveal whether we have been practicing or not.

    The Lord gave me everything I had, and they were His to take away.  Blessed by the name of the Lord [no matter what].  (Job 1:21)

    If we saw where our life was headed, if we had the whole picture laid out for us, there would be no need or room for faith.

    Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution (2 Timothy 3:12).

    Don’t get angry with God.  Use problems to strengthen your character and to bring glory to God.  Difficulty and joy are not exclusive enemies; more like mutual friends.

    And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulations produce perseverance, and perseverance character, and character hope (Romans 5:3-4).

  • Why Do Bad Things Happen?

    Why do bad things happen to good people? This is the wrong question because it is the one question God never answers: Why.  The Old Testament prophets lamented; even Jesus cried out “My God, Why?”  God didn’t answer.  God never answers the ‘why’ because the person who asks it doesn’t really want an explanation; he wants an argument.  If God answered one why, we would come up with another.  There would be no end to it.  The right question is: What happens to good people when bad things happen?  Jesus answered: They are blessed.

    Crisis gives notoriously little warning before it bursts into your life.  It doesn’t call ten minutes before it arrives.  It refuses to knock politely and wait for you to answer the door.  More likely it simply rams the door off its hinges and there it is, unannounced, unexpected, unwelcome, and unwilling to go away.  Now… what do you do with it?  Does it stagger you… or strengthen you?  Does it ruin you… or refine you?  Does it plunge you into despair… or draw you closer to your Lord?

    Important questions.  Important not just for you but for others as well.  The way you handle sudden crisis has a lot to say about the reality of your faith in Christ Jesus.  You may talk a good faith, but the way you move through stressful situations in your life reveals to every watching eye the actual fiber of your faith.  Is it just window dressing, or is it an inner power that gives you peace and perspective in the midst of pain?  That’s the kind of faith that compels others to sit up and take notice – they will want to seek the source of your strength. [Wilkinson].

    The Lord has chastened me severely, but He has not given me over to death (Psalm 118:18).

    While God is in absolute control of all life, He is not the cause of all life’s mishaps. Rather His plan allows mishaps to train us.

    God’s purpose is not to punish but to correct and nurture.

    God’s questions to Job are not intended to teach but to stun. They are not to enlighten but to awaken. They are not to stir the mind but to bend the knee.

    We may not know what God is doing in our lives, but as long as we have trust, God will see it works out.  It’s a risk to say of circumstances “This is what God is doing,” but it is not a risk to say “God is present and active.”  This we can actually rest on!  [Wisdom 11:15-16]

    Trust in Jesus doesn’t remove obstacles. Rather it gives strength to overcome them. So we learn even more.

  • For Believers Facing a Crisis

    When my husband died, I was stuck in a bad place mentally and thus spiritually.  I had to read many things to pull myself out of that pit I had dug around me.  And Jesus was with me the entire time, though there were instances I didn’t think so then.  He has put it in my heart to publish the things I had found, making me hope that perhaps others will be helped by what He has shown to me.  So I have put this out there with prayers that these short messages and God’s snippets from His Word will encourage and enlighten someone in need.

    Many of these sayings I gathered from my many avenues of reading.  I only saved a few authors names.  None of these are my original thoughts, at least that I can remember, but I took them on when I needed them and may have added words to [or even reworded] some to help them become clearer in my mind.  They helped me get through my tough times.  I pray they help you through your tough times knowing that others experience so similar pains.

    The same is true of the Bible verses.  I cannot tell you what translation I used for certain passages.  Many times I would read a parallel Bible to see which translation expressed the thought the clearest to me.  Or I would simply write down the verse as I read it from whatever source presented it.  Many of the verses are from the New International Version, for it was the version I came upon first in my journey, and is usually the one I reference first.

    When it comes to the Promises that are listed in this collection, know that God’s Word is one huge assortment of promises.  There are many that can be used; I only include the ones given to me while in my crisis situation.  I have not placed them in any order; there are so many that repeat the essence of what is spoken.  God has said over 75 times in His Word alone that we should ‘not be afraid’, much less all the verses that tell us to fear nothing but Him.  Take what you need from this collection to get through your day.  But know that God is waiting to show you more.  God is ever present to guide you into believing and trusting Him,

    I am only praying God does for you what He did for me.  Pick a verse that helps you through that day.  Find some comfort in others having the same fears and tears as you.  Just ask God to give you understanding of His Word and to equip you by it.  And pray often to your loving Father, thanking Him for the trial that faces you and the solution that will come – for He has promised.

    The more severe the trial + the longer the wait = the more glorious the result.

  • Let Us Seek Wisdom

    “Christ” = literally “The Word” meaning the Messiah, the wisdom and power of God and the first cause of all things; God’s personal expression of Himself to man. (The Living Bible, note on John 1:1)

    Let us seek God’s Wisdom, since He created the universe around us.

    “God is with us”. When I walk with this knowledge, I find that even though all of life is the same, everything is different.

    Fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, all who follow His precepts have good understanding. To Him belongs eternal praise (Psalm 111:10).

    “I owe no one anything,” God declares. “Everything is mine.” God owes no explanations, no excuses, no help, no favors, nor debts. — But He still gives.

    Grace = God’s work; His idea; His expense; His discretion.

    For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly – as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith (Romans 12:3).

    For if anyone thinks himself to be something when he is nothing, he deceives himself (Galatians 6:3).

    By shear faith in Christ Jesus we gain access to all God’s treasures: joy, peace, wisdom, eternal life… (What is left?)

    If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him (James 1:5).

    All Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, reproof, correction, instruction in righteousness – that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

    Scripture will make you wise; wiser than people around you. Notice I said wiser, not more knowledgeable. A wise man is one who can distinguish what is fundamental from what is trivial; who knows what life is about and who acts appropriately whatever the circumstances.

    Thus says the Lord: “let not the wise man glory in his wisdom; let not the mighty man glory in his might, nor let the rich man glory in his riches. But let him who glories glory in this: that he understands and knows Me, that I am the Lord, exercising loving-kindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth. For in these I delight,” says the Lord (Jeremiah 9:23-24).

    All that is physical is passing away. As long as I keep holding on to it, I continually set myself up for disappointment. If all I see is how you look and what you have, I will miss the point that you – like me – are a hurting spirit looking for home.

    Put on the new self which is being renewed in knowledge – into the image of its creator (Colossians 3:10).

    The Bible reveals God has a plan for every life, and if we live in constant fellowship with Him, He will direct and lead us in the fulfillment of that plan.

    Therefore consider carefully how you listen. Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what he thinks he has will be taken from him (Luke 8:18).

    God transformed you into a new person — live like it!

  • The Perfection We Seek

    One Scripture says “God is love” (1 John 4:16), but another says “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (Hebrews 10:31). How do we reconcile these two? We must understand just as God is perfect in love, so He is also perfect in holiness.

    Our God is both Love and Holiness. We must try to understand this.

    God does not compromise His holiness to accommodate anyone. He placed Adam and Eve in a beautiful garden, but drove them out after they sinned. He appointed Aaron’s sons as priests but destroyed two of them when they offered “strange fire” (Leviticus 10). Ananias and Sapphira were among the earliest Christians but God punished them for lying (Acts 5:1-11). Even in the New Testament age, God does not tolerate sin in His presence.

    We need to understand something of God’s holiness before we can understand His love. If we grasp how holy God is, it helps us to see that He must have a tremendous love for us, since He gave His own Son to save us.

    God proves His own love for us in that, while we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8).

    God’s love does indeed give us a reason to smile, but it s not an indulgent love that is satisfied to let us do as we please. It is rather a redemptive love that yearns for us to be holy as God Himself is holy.

    You must be made perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect (Matthew 5:48).

    Following Jesus is not a “do it yourself” endeavor. We cannot be perfect, no matter how hard we try. It is the Father who is engaged in the work of perfecting us. Our role is to fully cooperate with His work in us. If we try by our own efforts to be perfect, we sentence ourselves to a lifetime of repeated frustration. Rather than focusing on, “How am I doing?”, we instead should ask, “Father, what do You want me to do?”

    “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word” (Luke 1:38).

    She had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus’ feet and heard His words… Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her (Luke 10:39, 42).

    Devour God’s Word.

    Your words were found, and I ate them. Your words became a delight to me and the joy of my heart; for I am called by Your name, O Lord God of Hosts (Jeremiah 15:16).

    So that you may will know how you ought to conduct yourself in the house of God, which is the church of the Living God, the pillar and ground of the truth (1 Timothy 3:15).

    Do good works because you love God not because people expect them.

  • What Is Truth?

    It is good to remember that conventional wisdom is usually concerned with justifying itself, not with finding truth. (Rev F. Everding)

    God’s Word is all we need.

    Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of Truth (2 Timothy 2:15).

    Send forth Your light and Your truth. Let them guide me; let the bring me to Your holy mountain, to the place where You dwell (Psalm 43:3).

    Your Word is truth (John 17:17).

    God’s economy is upside down from ours! God says: the more hopeless your circumstances, the more likely your salvation; the greater your cares, the more genuine your prayers; the darker the room, the more need for light.

    Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in Your law (Psalm 119:18).

    Your Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path (Psalm 119:105).

    The unfolding of Your Word gives light, it gives understanding to the simple (Psalm 119:130).

    Turn or burn. Turn and learn.

    The entirety of Your Word is truth, and everyone of Your righteous judgments endures forever (Psalm 119:160).

    Give ear and come to Me; hear Me, that your soul may live (Isaiah 55:3).

    The Ten Commandments were given for us to enjoy life better, not to make it worse.

    Jesus did not come to abolish the old law and give a new one. He came to redefine the law — so we understand it was meant for our hearts, not our minds.

    That you may love the Lord your God, that you may obey His voice and that you may cling to Him, for He is your life and the length of your days (Deuteronomy 30:20).

    They are not just idle words for you — they are your life! By them you will live in the land (Deuteronomy 32:47).

    God deserves the best we can give: our finest possessions, our most valuable articles, our precious time.

    We live in an age which everything is working against the things we hold dear… In this evil day, we need constant reminders of the Truth. If we are not careful with our time, we will allow others to fill it up for us, and there will be none for God.

  • God – Our Father

    For us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things come and for whom we live. And there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things come and through whom we live (1 Corinthians 8:6).

    Our Father loves us so!

    Christian life begins with obedience, depends on obedience and results in obedience. To really love God means living out His commands no matter what the cost.

    But You are our Father, though Abraham does not know us or Israel acknowledge us; You, O Lord, are our Father, our Redeemer (Isaiah 63:16).

    Blessed are you, Lord God of Israel, our Father, forever and ever (1 Chronicles 29:10).

    Is He not your Father, your Creator who made you and formed you? (Deuteronomy 32:6)

    Your life is entwined with the God who gave you birth. Frail dust, remember you are splendor!

    But now, O Lord, You are our Father; we are the clay and You our Potter. All we are the work of Your hands (Isaiah 64:8).

    Behold! What manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called “Children of God”! (1 John 3:1)

    Because You are sons, God sent the spirit of His Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out “Abba, Father”. So you are no longer a slave but a son; and since you are a son, God has made you also an heir (Galatians 4:6-7).

    The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs — heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ Jesus, if indeed we share in His sufferings in order that we may share in His glory (Romans 8:15-17).

    You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world (1 John 4:4).

    Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children. And live a life of love (Ephesians 5:1-2).

    Live as children of the Light (Ephesians 5:8).

    For God (who said “Let light shine out of darkness”) made His Light shine in our hearts to give us the light of His knowledge: of the glory of God in the face of Jesus the Christ (2 Corinthians 4:6).

    Make us aware of how precious Your Word is. Bless those who transport it to far-off places. Thank You, Father, for giving us this source of light and strength and for the opportunities to uncover the jewels waiting to be discovered in Your pages.

  • A Study on Abiding in Jesus

    There are so many verses on the way to live as a Christian. I have compiled a few small collections of them, and will try to put them into some kind of cohesive service.

    Let us study to find God’s pathways.

    Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but be a new and different person with a fresh newness in all you do and think. Then you will learn from your own experience how His ways will really satisfy you (Romans 12:2 LB).

    Do not let this book of the law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful (Joshua 1:8).

    Many seek the God they want, but do not know the God who is.

    How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to Your Word (Psalm 119:9).

    If you hold to My teaching, you are really My disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free (John 8:31-32).

    This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life! (Deuteronomy 30:19).

    The Secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may follow all the words of this law (Deuteronomy 29:29).

    Throughout the expanse of creation, God has hidden things for us to discover, to enjoy, and with which to perceive the nature of our Creator. No one can understand all the ways of God. However, by studying the Bible and His creation, we can serve Him and find fulfillment in our work.

    What is man that You care for him? The son of man that You think of him? Man is like a breath, his days are like a fleeting shadow (Psalm 144:3-4).

    What is man that You are mindful of him? The son of man that You care for Him? You made him a little lower than the angels and crowned him with glory and honor (Psalm 8:4-5).

    And the Lord commanded us to observe all these statues, to fear the Lord our God, for our own good always, that He might preserve us alive as it is this day (Deuteronomy 6:24).

    Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness and all things will be provided for you (Matthew 6:33).

    God is never irritated by the candle of an honest seeker. God reveals Himself to those who search for Him. God often communicates His desire for us by counsel of parents and mentors. Seek God’s wisdom so you are slow to condemn but quick to show compassion.

    Aun Aprendo

  • Encouragement For The Seeker

    In approaching God, the seeker discovers that the Divine Being dwells in obscurity, hidden behind a cloud of unknowing. Nevertheless, he should not be discouraged but set his will with a naked intent unto God. This cloud is between the seeker and God so that [the seeker] may never “see” God clearly by the light of understanding nor feel Him in the emotions. But by the mercy of God faith can break through into His Presence, if the seeker but believe the Word and press on. (John M. Watkins)

    Let us keep seeking to come closer to our God.

    That God can be known by the soul in tender personal experience while remaining infinitely aloof from the curious eyes of reason constitutes a paradox best described by Fredrick W. Faber: “Darkness to the intellect but sunshine to the heart.” (A. W. Tozer)

    When coming to know God, reason must stand at the door while the heart ventures forth.

    “You feel unsafe; you’re frightened and fear limits the joy you experience in your life. What are you afraid of? Pain? Rejection? Being killed? Did you know that I am at peace always? Did you know My Spirit — the same Spirit that is in Me — is in you? I have built a wall of protection around you so that the invisible dragons of the night will not harm you. I save you from the dangers of the daytime. I am for you. Who can be against you? But you worry because of past experiences. I care for you. Every hair on your head is numbered!” (Christ Jesus)

    God is for us, who can be against us? God is for us, we are not alone! God is for us we are for each other — Alleluia! God is for us! (Billy Crocket)

    Throughout the expanse of creation, God has hidden things for us to discover, to enjoy, and with which to perceive the nature of our Creator. No one can understand all the ways of God. However, by studying the Bible and His creation, we can serve Him and find fulfillment in our work.

    Our God is a God who not merely restores, but takes up our mistakes and follies into His plans for us and brings good out of them! This is part of the wonder of His gracious sovereignty… This is God’s promise. This is how good He is! No matter what you feel, God is always good. Today, don’t make excuses for yourself. Turn from a focus of how bad things are to how good God is. Let today mark a new direction in your life.

    O Light of the Word, help me to stay so close in touch with You that I will be able to accurately reflect Your Brightness.

  • Let Us Ask To Be Taught Aright

    God is never irritated by the candle of an honest seeker. God reveals Himself to those who search for Him. So I have learned to stop analyzing the mystery and just sit at Jesus’ feet.

    Let us learn from the Master. Let us ask Him to teach us.

    Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God; let Your good Spirit lead me on level ground (Psalm 143:10).

    Teach me, O Lord, the meaning of Your statutes, and I will always keep them. Help me understand Your instruction, and I will obey it and follow it with all my heart (Psalm 119:33-34).

    Teach me Your way, O Lord, and I will live by Your truth. Give me an undivided mind to fear [only] Your name (Psalm 86:11).

    So teach us to number our days, that we may present to You a heart of wisdom (Psalm 90:12). O that my ways may be established to keep Your statutes (Psalm 119:5).

    I have told [You] of my ways, and You have answered [and forgiven] me; teach me Your statutes. Make me understand the way of Your precepts, so I will mediate on Your wonders (Psalm 119:26-27).

    Make me walk in the path of Your commandments, for I delight in it (Psalm 119:35). Establish Your word to your servant who is devoted to fearing you. (Psalm 119:38).

    Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight (Proverbs 3:5-6). There is no wisdom and no understanding and no counsel that can succeed against the Lord (Proverbs 21:30).

    God gives wisdom and knowledge and joy to a man who is good in His sight (Ecclesiastes 2:26). Oh, that the Lord God may tell us the way in which we should walk and the thing that we should do (Jeremiah 42:3).

    Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you thinks that he is wise in this age, let him become foolish that he may become wise [in spiritual things]. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness before God. For it is written: He is the one who catches the wise in their craftiness” (1 Corinthians 3:18-19).

    If anyone supposes that he knows anything, he has not yet known it as he ought to know it (1 Corinthians 8:2). When I was a child, I spoke as a child, thought as a child, reasoned as a child; when I became a man, I put away childish things (1 Corinthians 13:11).

    Brothers, do not be children in your thinking; yet in evil be babes, but in thinking be mature (1 Corinthians 14:20).