DEALING WITH THE PAST

GOD’S COUNSEL STANDS SURE (part twenty-five)

Blessed be the name of Jesus, for all that He has done for us His people.

Dear brothers and sisters suffering is, initially not spiritually received as a good or helpful thing. Yet no saint should allow himself or herself to give up, or lose hope in the midst of suffering for whatever the cause. The sufferings of the saints have a purpose. It is important to take stock that God does not honor suffering for wrong doing, but is faithful to help us turn from wrong.

Holy children, we are not alone. Members of Christ's body should be able to count on others for support and prayer, especially when they are sick or suffering. The elders should be on call to respond to the illness and or difficulties of any member, and the church should stay alert to pray for the needs of all its members.

The light of Jesus' truth is revealed to us, not hidden. But we may not be able to see or to use all of that truth right now. Only as we put God's teachings into practice will we understand and see more of the truth. The truth is clear, but our ability to understand is imperfect. As we love and obey, we will sharpen our vision and increase our understanding.

To the natural man it is astonishing, and yes even foolishness that brother James says: ^{Jas 1:2} My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;

DEALING WITH THE PAST

GOD’S COUNSEL STANDS SURE (part twenty-four)

Blessed be the name of the Lord now and forever more, to Him alone belongs all the worship, adoration, and praise for all He has done, and continues to do for His people. Brothers and sisters, we spoke about the past in prior parts of this study in only a natural sense, most importantly we must understand it from a spiritual sense.

Holy nation, the identity of every saint is essentially bound up in the facts about what God has said to and about us. Just as in the natural we look at our past, first as the place and the family we were born into, as the baseline of our identity, or our understanding of who we are and where and how or not we fit, so it is in the spiritual realm we look at, our past as that we came from God, (born again) into our forever family of God, as the root of our true identities. I Peter 1:18-25. Our present is that we belong to God, and one another therefore He is our present, giving us a true unwavering sense of belonging and purpose.

Finally we look to the fact that we will also return to God, who is our future and ultimate eternal destiny. May this put an end to some dear saint struggling and “searching” for his or her identity,- believe and accept who God said you are, and made you to be, dear ones. May this put an end to some dear saint looking for a “place” to belong-believe and accept that Jesus has permanently put you in your place-the eternal family of God.

Regardless of the things you did or were done against you in the past; regardless of those who may taunt and torment you with the things you did or were done against you in the past, and regardless of those, or even you yourself who may taunt and or torment you with what you once were or what was once done to you. Saints I exhort you, in the name of Jesus our Saviour -be reconciled unto God 2Cor. 5:17-21; Phil. 3:13-14.

Press on towards Jesus, the end of our salvation. I pray that our Lord Christ Jesus will settle it for and within you holy children, that as you walk in obedience and love, that you will exalt, apply and obey the word of God over that of mere men, even yourselves, for Christ came not only to save you but to tell you and to make you become what He desires you to be. This I know beloveds, God's counsel stands sure, and I pray that each and every saint will believe and receive that our King has given each and every saint A NEW BEGINNING! Until next time, keep leaning on His everlasting arm, for He is ever faithful.

love

serola

DEALING WITH THE PAST

GOD’S COUNSEL STANDS SURE (part twenty-three)

What is the Christian any way? Col. 2:11-13 The saint is a new creation in Christ, born of God, and indwelt by the triune God, but while on earth he or she retains the natural body, that was born from a union of a man and a woman. The old man died, who used to control his or her (body of sin) the natural body, the memories, and remnants of his old behaviors, thoughts and emotions remain. Nevertheless, the new man (this includes women too) has a new mind, indeed the mind of Christ.

While the new man understands that he has been forever saved through our wonderful Saviour Lord Jesus Christ, this new man, or woman does not immediately understand how he or she is to live in account to the Lord . Over time he or she learns from the Lord through the Holy Bible and other believers what standard he or she is to live by and to the Lord above all.

Precious ones, purchased of God, the transition or progress of the saint is directly related to his or her level of loving obedience to Jesus, as he studies, applies and practices God’s word from the heart as he or she goes through the trials, sufferings and difficulties of life . Spiritual growth continues for all Christians at various rates during the whole of life. Even so the course of Christian growth is from spiritual infancy when he or she is fed the milk of the word to ever increasing maturity, where he or she is fed the meat of the word.

Every saint must understand that regardless of our present suffering,  no one has ever suffered like Jesus Christ our Messiah, Redeemer, and Saviour. No suffering compares to His suffering. He was rejected by His own, despised, betrayed, lied on, slandered, reviled, vilified, mistreated, persecuted, scorned, held in derision, and although innocent, and never guilty of any wrong doing, was violently beaten, His visage, and body was horribly marred such as no man has ever been Isa.52:14, then He was put to a shameful, and painful death on the cross. 1Peter 2:23-25, reflects how our King dealt with His suffering.

Some people turn to God with the hope of escaping suffering on earth. But God doesn't promise that. Instead he gives us power to grow through our sufferings. The Christian life involves obedience to Christ despite temptations and hardships. I say boldly, dear saints, the counsel of God stands sure, and every saint can have complete confidence and assurance in Him, despite  the situation, circumstances or condition. Until next time, beloveds of our great High Priest, and Bishop of our souls, trust in Him alone, for God is always faithful.

love

serola