Test, trials, and tribulations...we, as believers, will all go through them. The Lord has told us we will. Acts 14:22 "strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God." The further we are in our relationship with God, the harder the tests and trials. If not, we would be taking a step backward instead of forward. Yes, I have been there. I have been drug through the very fires of hell. And I questioned God! I have been brought to my knees and crushed with the weight of fear and doubt. We will all be tested to that point. Here is what I have learned on my walk of faith. Be on guard when you are asking these questions and questioning God! Satan WILL attack at these times. When we are beaten down, and can take no more, he will hit you again even harder. He will say. "see, God doesn't love you and He won't answer your prayers." And when we ask for forgiveness he will say, 'no way will God forgive you now, you have failed Him." Don't let Satan put you in despair or bitterness towards God. Don't ever forget the other times God has delivered you because He will do it again. The devil will tell you that all those times was just a coincidence. But with God there is no coincidence! Cry out to God as loud as you can. Block Satan off and always remember that we have victory in Jesus Christ. God has to train us up. And His ways of reaching each of us will be different, and yet the same. We must at times be completely broken for God to build us up. The Lord delivered me in my times of pain, suffering, test, and trials. When I fell He picked me up and dusted me off...loved me and embraced me. He will with all His children. When we fall, and we will, He will be right there to catch us. Yes, His undying, immovable, everlasting love will always be with us, save us, sustain us.
Psalm 9:9-10 "The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. Those who know your name trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you." Yes, I too have fallen, but He forgave me. He picked me up, He renewed me, He set my path straight...and I love Him even more. I write this to give hope and peace to all during these so very hard times. I have learned to never look at our failures but look to the mercy and grace of our Lord. As we confess our failure before the Lord, He gives us great Word's of comfort. Isaiah 43:25-26. "I, even I, am He who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers you sins no more." We must never deceive ourselves that we will never go through these things. And when we do to keep our eyes on the Lord...His wonderful and great promise of unconditional love and acceptance. It is Satan and the world that wants to steal our peace, our hope in His faithful Words. Can we all really accept that if we choose to follow the Lord, that we all must carry his own cross? Mark 10:38-39 "You don't know what you are asking." Jesus said, "can you drink from the cup I drink or be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with? Jesus said to them, "you WILL drink from the cup I drink and be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with...." That we have been told that we will be required to go through all these test, trials, and tribulations? 1 Peter 4:12. "Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you." So instead of doubting the Lord is these times, let us all give thanks to Him because He has purposed all these things in each of our lives, and the path we have been given to follow, before creation itself. AND HE WILL NEVER LEAVE US. Deuteronomy 31:8 "The Lord Himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged."
Isaiah 41:10. "Fear not, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand". He is Faithful to His Word.There is our hope, our comfort, our strength during these times. Look to the Lord and no one, or anything else. The Lord has begun a work in us to refine us as through gold in a fire. Philippians 1:6 "And I am sure of this, that He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ."
Note:
To all my brothers and sisters here who prayed for me, comforted me, counseled me, and showed their unconditional love to and for me during those times, I thank you all from the fullness of my heart. God bless you all. He certainly blessed me with you.
As always, your comments are always welcomed and appreciated.
Psalm 34:3 "O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together." (KJV)
Psalm 9:9-10 "The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. Those who know your name trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you." Yes, I too have fallen, but He forgave me. He picked me up, He renewed me, He set my path straight...and I love Him even more. I write this to give hope and peace to all during these so very hard times. I have learned to never look at our failures but look to the mercy and grace of our Lord. As we confess our failure before the Lord, He gives us great Word's of comfort. Isaiah 43:25-26. "I, even I, am He who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers you sins no more." We must never deceive ourselves that we will never go through these things. And when we do to keep our eyes on the Lord...His wonderful and great promise of unconditional love and acceptance. It is Satan and the world that wants to steal our peace, our hope in His faithful Words. Can we all really accept that if we choose to follow the Lord, that we all must carry his own cross? Mark 10:38-39 "You don't know what you are asking." Jesus said, "can you drink from the cup I drink or be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with? Jesus said to them, "you WILL drink from the cup I drink and be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with...." That we have been told that we will be required to go through all these test, trials, and tribulations? 1 Peter 4:12. "Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you." So instead of doubting the Lord is these times, let us all give thanks to Him because He has purposed all these things in each of our lives, and the path we have been given to follow, before creation itself. AND HE WILL NEVER LEAVE US. Deuteronomy 31:8 "The Lord Himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged."
Isaiah 41:10. "Fear not, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand". He is Faithful to His Word.There is our hope, our comfort, our strength during these times. Look to the Lord and no one, or anything else. The Lord has begun a work in us to refine us as through gold in a fire. Philippians 1:6 "And I am sure of this, that He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ."
Note:
To all my brothers and sisters here who prayed for me, comforted me, counseled me, and showed their unconditional love to and for me during those times, I thank you all from the fullness of my heart. God bless you all. He certainly blessed me with you.
As always, your comments are always welcomed and appreciated.
Psalm 34:3 "O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together." (KJV)
