Joshua 1:8
"...[B]ut you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success." (Joshua 1:8).
"You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me." (John 5:39).
"And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart." (Jeremiah 29:13).
"...but join with me in suffering for the Gospel, relying on the power of God, who saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works but according to His own purpose and grace" (v. 8 & 9).
ReplyDeleteAre we willing to suffer for the Gospel? Are we willing to rely on the power of God? Are we currently suffering and relying on the power of God?
I don't feel as though we are experiencing suffering, sacrifices- sure, but minor at that. What would it look like today to suffer for the gospel? Where we are? I would say that we are doing better at relying on God to bring us closer together and to persevere even when we feel like we're going nowhere. Just our greater awareness of our need for God, and our elevated dependence has produced noticeable results in our character (at least I think so),
ReplyDeleteTo answer your question of willingness: I think I may be more of a peter... I'm ashamed to admit it but I hear of individuals around the world suffering and I can't say with confidence that I wouldn't deny christ to avoid the same fate :( I don't like pain. I would rationalize it, even though we all know there's no rationalizing there...something I pray about- that in any circumstance I will be strong in my faith and not waiver due to difficulty, discomfort, or pain especially when God is the ultimate comforter.