God is Love

1 John 4:8Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. 9This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. 10This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. 11Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.

We've all seen the headlines over the past half decade. People blowing themselves up in order to kill as many people as they can. And in the name of their religion. Contrast this with the Christian faith revealed in the Bible. The faith and truth that Jesus brought to humanity was unique and different than the religions of the world for it is based on love. Not just the moral dictate to love each other, but that of the true God whose very nature exudes love.

Since God is love, He is relational by nature. That means He can relate to us and we can relate to Him. He can love us and we can love Him. That is why when we relate to him by faith He calls us His child. He is not distant and unknowable, but close and intimate.

Other religions do not share this view of God. Consequently, the Divine is seen as far way and impersonal. Christianity is the one faith where God not only claims to be loving, but demonstrated it by giving his Son to bear the punishment of our sin and purchase for us everlasting life.

Many Convincing Proofs

"After his suffering, he showed himself to these men and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God." (Acts 1:3)

The verity of the Christian faith is not based upon a fleeting apparition of Christ after his death. It rests upon many convincing proofs that Jesus had given that he was truly bodily resurrected from the dead. For if God were to make a statement concerning the true path to life, He would have to do something so amazing that it would leave little doubt. With so many religions, how can we know which path if any is the true one. While Jesus lived on earth, he claimed that he came from heaven as the one and only path to God. After he was put to death, he rose from the dead and gave many convincing proofs.

First, notice that the testimony is not just "I saw" but "He showed himself." He actively appeared to them, approached them. They did not just catch a glimpse of him risen, but they actually interacted with him! Second, notice the resurrection was not just witnessed by one individual, but by many. Many religious leaders claim to have been visited by an angel or seen a vision. But no one else witnessed it. With the Christian faith, there were many witnesses, more than 500!

Third, notice that Jesus not only showed himself, but He spoke with them. He conversed with them, he taught them, he instructed them after he had risen. And that there would be absolutely no doubt in these witnesses, he appeared to them not once but many times over a period of 40 days. This is what sets Christianity apart from Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Judism, you name it. The Christian faith makes an adament statement that it is true. It goes through great lengths to make this statement. The Apostle Peter makes this emphatic statement:

We did not follow cleverly invented stories when we told you about the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. For he received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory, saying, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased." We ourselves heard this voice that came from heaven when we were with him on the sacred mountain. (2 Peter 1:16-18)

Because Jesus did so many miracle and rose from the dead, doing what no one else ever did, we are left without excuse if he reject him and fail to receive him as Lord and Savior.

O Lord, thank you that you have made the path of truth and life clear that we may be able to truly believe. It is such blessing that you have given us many convincing proofs so that our doubts may be wiped away and our hearts assured. For there are many who oppose you and try to discredit your honorable name. Yet you have done what none has ever done. You have conquered physical death. Your word is truth.
Amen

That we might believe

1 Corinthians 15:3 For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, 5and that he appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve. 6After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. 7Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, 8and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born.

But is it true?

Many people do not embrace the Christian message for various reasons. They may have objections to its teachings. They may be offended by the behavior of some of its followers. They may feel let down or disappointed in that God did not meet their expectations. Whatever the reason, there is one question to be addressed that overrides them all: Is the Christian message true?

It's funny how we all cling to our own beliefs simply because they may strike a chord within us while not really considering whether they are true or not. That's because for a large part our beliefs are simply philosophies that are not easily provable. They are merely in the realm of ideas.

While there is indeed a philosphical side to the Christian faith, it is also a claim to what is really true and is grounded in historic fact. The Christian message says "this is what is true" and "here's how it is proved." If it is really true, then rejecting it simply because one does not like it is a dangerous move!

The message is centered around Jesus Christ. He claimed to be the Son of God and the only person who can save us from eternal condemnation. He claimed to have the power and authority to grant eternal life. But he did not merely make the claims, He sought to demonstrate their truthfulness. He performed many miracles in His Father's name. The historic accounts of these miracles fill the pages of the Bible. But the biggest demonstration was his resurrection from the dead. The ressurection of Christ is depicted in the writtings of the Bible not as a philosphical idea but as an actual event eyewitnessed by those who wrote about it.

Jesus actual did what no other religious or philosphical leader has ever done. He overcame death. This is the big difference between the Christian faith and every other religion or philosphy including Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Taoism...you name it.

If it is true that Jesus did rise from the dead, then it confirms his message. And if his message is true, then the only thing left to do is to embrace it.

"If I had not done among them what no one else did, they would not be guilty of sin. But now they have seen these miracles, and yet they have hated both me and my Father. But this is to fulfill what is written in their Law: 'They hated me without reason." (The words of Jesus, recorded in John 15:24-25).

Remember His Miracles

"Remember the wonders he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced" Psalm 105:5

Remember. Remember. Remember. Don't forget. How easy it is to forget. When God does a miracle, He wills that we remember it. The Jewish festivals are reminders of God's miracles and provision. Passover is to remind Israel how God miraculously passed over the Israelites when He sent extraordinary judgments on the nation that enslaved them and supernaturally delivered them from the hand of the enemy through Moses. Likewise, Purim celebrates God's intervention through Esther in keeping Israel from extermination at the hands of Haman under Artaxerxes, king of Persia .

When God does a miracle in our personal lives, we too should memorialize it. We should talk about, celebrate it, give thanks regularly for it. And so honor God all the days of our lives. It is an evil to forget all of God's kindnesses and to turn away our hearts from him:

"When our fathers were in Egypt, they gave no thought to your miracles; they did not remember your many kindnesses, and they rebelled by the sea, the Red Sea." (Psalm 106:7)

The greatest miracle of all that God has performed is a miracle that is meant for every person. It is the miracle of Chirst. The eternal Son of the Godhead miraculously took on humanity, being conceived in the womb of a virgin by the power of the Holy Spirit. And after suffering for our sins, he was miraculously raised from the dead. And we are to always remember the miracle God has performed for our eternal salvation. The miracle of eternal life. Everday we must remember that Christ Jesus has miraculously purchased eternal life for all who belong to Him. We must remember the great love He has for us in laying down his life so that God's terrible judgment on sin will pass-over us. We must remember that He conquered our worst enemy, death, when He rose from the grave.

We must not be like the Israelites who rebelled and gave no thoughts of God's miracles. Let none ignore the miracles of Christ. Let us not ignore and give no thought of them, forgetting God's many kindnesses to us in Christ. But let us celebrate that greatest gift any soul could receive.

O Lord, thank you for your miracle in sparing Brent's life. Thank you that when there was no hope for us left, you showed us your power and snatched Brent from the very jaws of the grave. And thank you most of all for our salvation. Thank you for sending the Savior to us so that we can joyfully wait for our eternal inheritance.

Affliction and Eternity

2 Corinthians 4:17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

Any pain and suffering that benefits us for eternity has to be worth it. Eternity lasts forever. This life is temporary. Likewise, any suffering we avoid in this life that works against our eternal welfare is not any real benefit to us. Jesus said, "What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?" (Matthew 16:26).

It appears to me that the Bible teaches that suffering in this life, whether believer or unbeliever, is redemptive. It is meant for our eternal good. For those who do not yet believe, it is meant to draw them to Christ where they will find eternal salvation through faith. For us who believe, it is meant to bring spiritual maturity, increasing holiness and perfecting trust, hope and faith. This world and its desires is passing away, but the kingdom of Christ lasts forever.

I tremble when I read Jesus' warning about the final judgement of the unsaved. It really scares me. A punishment that lasts forever and never ends. How frightening and horrible! It moves me to re-evaluate the sincerity of my Christ in faith. Do I really believe or am I just pretending to believe? Is my conversion real or counterfeit? Will I really escape the torments of hell? I find myself running once again to Christ and reaffirming my love, faith and hope in Him as my Savior. In the midst of my sufferings it reminds me with tears that some will have everlasting trouble in the life to come, more than can be imagined. It reminds me that this life's painful suffering will end for the saved. Because of Christ and what he has done for me, I will inherit eternal glory for His sake. I will enter an eternity forever free of pain, tears and sorrow and filled with everlasting joy. Just as we share in the sufferings of Christ, so we will share in His glory.

If through the pain, suffering and tragedy of life, a non-believer is finally convinced that this life is not worth rejecting Christ over, then what a marvelous good comes out of the bad. One soul becomes destined for paradise rather than punishment. It is said that there is joyful celebration in heaven amongst the angels over just one soul who repents.

O Lord, what can compare with the gift of escaping the final, eternal suffering! I pray that many, many who do not yet believe, will turn and find this gift. I pray that eyes would be truly opened to realize that no sinful pleasure or pride is worth hanging on to at the cost rejecting Christ and losing their soul. Lord, only you can truly take away the blindness and deceit that Satan has bound souls with. Out of your great loving kindness, do so now! In Christ Jesus, Amen.

The Right Perspective

Once I accepted that God does allow trials for purposes discussed in the last posting, I have found that at the same time I've had to try to avoid jumping to the wrong conclusions.

I have to keep in mind that God sometimes allows things that he hates. This is obvious when you think about it. If God is righteous and holy, then he hates evil. But evil is allowed to exist and sometimes carry out it schemes. When something evil happens and we say it must have been God's will, we should never think that he agrees with the evil nor likes it. He hates it and is grieved by it more than we ever could be. He allows himself to be grieved. At least he does in the realm of time:

"For he does not willingly bring affliction or grief to the children of men." (Lamentations 3:33)

"In all their distress he too was distressed" (Isaiah 63:9)

I have to remind myself that God thinks eternally. We so often fail to think in that way. We think in the here and now. If I look at the evil and injustice that occurs in the world from a here and now perspective, I can only end up perplexed and confused. That is because God is good and just; yet I see evil and injustice. The only way I can make sense of this is when I take God's perspective that wrongs will be made right some day. Evil will be judged. The problem of injustice will be solved forever. If this life is all there is, then every victim is to be pitied. Those who have innocently have suffered have done so in vain. No wonder unbelief so often ends up drowned in meaninglessness and despair. But, here is the word of the Lord:

"God is just: He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you" (2 Thessalonian 1:6)

And:

Matthew 6
4Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
5Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the earth.
6Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled.
7Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
8Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God.
9Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called sons of God.
10Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Those who suffer injustly in this life will one day be recompensed for their suffering. We should take heart in that.

However, the Bible also says that we have a big problem. We, ourselves, are not innocent of evil. We have all broken God's law. We have all cursed our neighbor. We have all had evil thoughts of others. We have all put down our brother with our tongue and exalted ourselves in our own eyes. We have judged others. We have despised other. We have all ignored those who suffer when it has been in our power to act. We have all rebelled against the Lord of love, throwing off regard for his commands, ignoring his ways and his glory and stubbornly gone our own ways. If evil will one day be judged, what is to become of our evil? If we feel our sin is small: God will judge great sin, but will he not also just all sin, great and small, if He is pure and hates all evil he allows?

Can we really cry out against God for great evil, yet ignore and rationalize our own and hope to escape in eternity? We who cry out to God for justice, should we not also cry out to him for mercy? How can our evil be removed and forgiven? If God will one day make evil pay, what is to become of us? When God removes evil, where will that leave us?

What if there is a way? A way of love, forgiveness, eternal blessedness? Something more precious than gold has been delivered to us from God. It was passed on to us by those who were with Jesus, his apostles. It was written down for our knowledge. It is the gospel. It is the message of eternal life. This message is that all who accept Christ by faith will reap the benefits of his suffering:


"For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. " (1 Peter 3:18)

"But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all." (Isaiah 53:5-6)

We who believe in the Son of God, Jesus Christ, receive this benefits:

"Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household." (Acts 16:31)

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." (John 3:16)

"But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name." (John 20:31)

"But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood." (Romans 3:21-25)

My prayer is that all who have followed Brent's story, who have seen it unfold would see something beyond just our pain and suffering. I pray they would see our faith, our hope in the message of life. I pray they would see Jesus and find salvation. I pray that Brent's crisis would not be in vain but would serve to bring life, real life, eternal life to many.

Why?

Ok, I'm not angry with God as I shared in previous article. But I do want to address the question that many have asked. And that is why does God allow such things in the first place? Why did Brent and our family have to go through all that we've experienced this year? We're just one story. There are others who ask the same question in their personal trial.

The first thing I want to mention is that even the most godly ask God the question why. Virtually every saint in the Bible has asked this from, Moses to Gideon to David. Even Jesus, the Son of God, cried out on the cross, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" So I don't thing there is anything inherently wrong with asking the Lord as long as the motive is sincere.

The next thing I want to mention is that I should not be surprised about my trial because I have been warned that there will be trouble in this life. The Lord Jesus said, "In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world" (John 16:33). And in 1 Peter chapter 4, "Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you."

Although we all have troubles in this life, we suffer differently. Each person has a different cross to bear. Some have less suffering than others; some suffer more. In the Bible, the most righteous man of his time, Job, suffered more than all his contemporaries. Why? We may not know the unique reason in a particular case, but Scripture gives us general principles as to why a Christian may experience suffering:

1. The attack of Satan and demonic forces: "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." (Ephesians 6:12)

2. The glory of God: "As he (Jesus) went along, he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, 'Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?' 'Neither this man nor his parents sinned,' said Jesus, 'but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life.'" (John 9:1-3)

3. The testing of the believer's faith: "...though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may be proved genuine..." (1 Peter 1:6-7)

4. Discipline for sin: "In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. And you have forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as sons: 'My son, do not make light of the Lord's discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son.' Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons." (Hebrews 12:4-7)

5. Development of holiness: "Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness." (Hebrews 12:10)

I am convinced that when a Christian undergoes trials, there is an element of each of these. Satan has come to "kill, steal and destroy" (John 10:10). He is the enemy who prowls around like a lion, seeking for one to devour (1 Peter 5:8). Whether we like it or not, earth is not heaven. Life, here and now, is a battle. Satan and his forces have a purpose: to destroy you, to destroy your faith, to turn you against God, to get you to curse God, to cause you to go to hell and suffer their same fate. Jesus called Satan a "murderer" and a "thief". When Jesus healed the sick and the lame, it was said that he was destroying the work of the devil.

Yet for as much authority as he has, Satan is still under Christ's authority. He can do nothing to anyone without being allowed to as we learn from the story of Job:

From Job, chapter 1
6 One day the angels came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came with them.
7 The LORD said to Satan, "Where have you come from?" Satan answered the LORD, "From roaming through the earth and going back and forth in it."
8 Then the LORD said to Satan, "Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil."
9 "Does Job fear God for nothing?" Satan replied.
10 "Have you not put a hedge around him and his household and everything he has? You have blessed the work of his hands, so that his flocks and herds are spread throughout the land.
11 But stretch out your hand and strike everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face."
12 The LORD said to Satan, "Very well, then, everything he has is in your hands, but on the man himself do not lay a finger."

Notice first that God had set his protection over Job, a "hedge around him", such that Satan could not harm him. This was the normal for Job. For God is a refuge and a fortress for those who trust in Him. Satan could do nothing that God did not allow. Notice also that God brought up Job to Satan. It was His idea. After Satan accused Job, God broke with His norm of protecting Job and decided to allow Satan to test Job. The point is that there was a purpose, a reason behind Job's suffering. It wasn't that God was not able to prevent it. It was not that God was mad at Job (rather, he had pleasure in him and boasted to Satan about him). It was not that God was not good (for he blessed Job abundantly in everything). It was part of God's plan.

The sovereign Lord will take what he allows Satan to do and use it for his glory. He will take the ruins and use them to accomplish his purposes. In the case of the man born blind, the purpose of the blindness was that Jesus would be glorified when he performed the miracle of restoring his sight. In another example, remember the story of Joseph. Out of jealously, his brothers sold him into slavery where he ended up, first as a slave and then through futher injustice, a prisoner for some years. But God rescued him out of his bondage and exalted him to the second in charge in Egypt. In the end, God used Jospeh's bad circumstances to save God's people. After being reuinted with his brothers, Joseph said, "You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives."

Of course the greatest example of God's plan including suffering is that of the Lord Jesus himself. He suffered the agony of the cross, being put to death by evil men. Yet that same cross became the source of salvation for mankind. God's plan was that through Christ's sufferings, multitudes would be cleansed from their sin and inherit eternal life. And so the glory of God's grace and kindness is magnified through suffering.

God is therefore glorified in that He is able by his sovereign power to work our trials into good. In fact, the promise of Scripture is that in all things, God works for the good of those who love him. No trial is wasted.

For the Christian, trials also come as a testing of faith. Will we remain faithful to the Lord even when Satan tries to deceive us to turn us away from Christ? Will we continue to believe in and love the Lord Jesus? Our Lord exhorts us: "Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life."

God's purpose in trials is not just to demonstrate the good He has worked in us, but also to root out the bad. As previously quoted, our hardship is God's discipline of our sin. Not necessarily a particular sin, but the need for godliness in our character. So often, when life goes our way, we forget about God. We become self-absorbed, seeking only our own pleasure. We feel as though we are in control of our own lives. Scripture is very clear that suffering develops character. God afflicts us in love, not willingly nor out of devious delight, that we might share in his holy character. For in suffering we become aware of God. We turn to him. We call on his name in prayer. We meditate on his promises. As we see God's faithfulness, we learn to trust him more. As we see his mercy and kindness to us in our need, we learn gratitude. As he pours out his love into our hearts by His Spirit in our dark hour, we bond with him and learn His love. As we become conscious of God's future promise of heaven and glory, we learn to love this world's fleeting pleasures less and look forward in hope the our eternal reward. And so we learn to perserve in our faith. This is what it means to be holy.

One day, all followers of Christ will be forever delivered from pain and suffering. Listen to the promise: "I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us" (Romans 8:18). Do you hear that? Not even worth comparing. The most painful trial can not compare to the goodness of the life to come. Let's therefore endure with hope and heed the words of James:

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." (James 1:2-4)

Am I Angry At God?

Why did God allow this to happen? Why me? If Jesus truly is the sovereign Lord, then why did he not prevent it? These are inevitable questions in the face of suffering. And ones that my lips have uttered. It is difficult to address these questions intellectually without sounding trite. I think the pain and suffering my family and I have gone through has at least earned me the right to try. With issues like this, I have a tendacy to get long winded. I hope I can develop my thoughts without this posting getting too long.

Here is the paradox: God is good and loving. God is all-powerful and in control. Yet God sometimes allows suffering and tragedy. Our view of God is tested In the face of great hardship. One response is to deny that God is good and hold that He is unfair and cruel. Another is to deny that God is in control and able to prevent evil. Another is to deny God altogether and blame suffering on random chance.

For the Christian, we have to face the paradox. We believe in God. We believe the Bible that teaches that God is loving and that God is in control. However, such beliefs are severly tested in the midst of a crisis. Mine have been.

How have I handled this? To deny that God is gracious, merciful and loving would deny everything that I believe in. But at some points during the heat of the trial, the temptation had been there. Feelings of anger had risen up. I had feared for losing my faith, something more precious to me than gold. And cried out to God that my faith would not fail. I remembered Jesus warning Peter of the trial he would go through before Jesus was crucified. The Lord tenderly warned him that Satan had asked to sift Peter as wheat. Jesus promised Peter that he would pray for Peter that his faith would not fail through it all. I believe the also Lord interceded for me.

As I thought rationally about it, it became absurd to deny God's goodness. To do so would be for me to judge God and find fault with Him. But that would necessitate putting myself above God. It would be saying that God's morality is beneath mine (e.g. God's level of goodness does not meet my standards). Yet people do it all the time. People are angry with God, even furious. In essence they are believing themselves to know better than God and therefore more wise and righteous than God, even though they may not realize they are doing it.

Secondly, if God is not good, where does love and goodness come from? If not from God, where?
Inherent is us but not in God? If it were inherent is us, it would have had to come from God anyway since He created us. If he had to power to create goodness and love in us, He would by necessity have to be good and loving. When a person curses God as cruel and unjust, they do it with the sense of goodness that God poured into their heart from His own heart in the first place .

Another point is that my life was been so blessed. Sure there have been challenges and hardships, most of them light and momentary. For the most part, my life has been filled with goodness. If God were not good, then why have I received such blessing from him? We are going through a great trial. But this is something very rare and unusual in my life.
As painful and hard as our trial has been, God has been so good to us in the midst of it. First and foremost is the miraculous intervention of God in our situation. By all counts, Brent should not have survived what he went through. Let me tell you that more than one doctor has used the term "amazing" and "miracle" when speaking of Brent's case. When I think of how close Brent came to not making it, I am in awe and so very grateful to the Lord. He answered our prayers. This little baby boy who had brought so much joy to us before his illness, now brings even more. When see him smile again after all he went through, it fills our heart to the fullest.

And God has blessed us in the love and support that we have received from others. Any doubt of God's goodness is wiped away when I look at the dear people who have poured out their love in our lives during this time. We have seen Christ's love through the generousity, help, compassion, concern, prayer and support of these friends.

What of the idea of God not being in control and the pain we have suffered just came about from random natural causes? If that were the case, then I could not really have any true hope. If God were not in control, then I could not pray to him for deliverance and have any expectation that he would answer. I would rather that God be in control and have to face the paradox of why he allowed it to happen, then to imagine no one behind the wheel of the universe.

I have not addressed the question of why God allowed our trial nor why He allows any evil in the first place. That will have to be in another posting. But suffice it to say that I can not deny God's goodness nor his power. I don't believe it is wrong to cry out to God, "Why, Lord?" in the midst of the battle. But where else can I turn to for goodness. For from him alone comes every good and perfect gift. Lord, I humble myself under your mighty hand that you may raise us up in due time. Praise be to your Name, forever!

Freed from sin

Revelation 1:5 To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, 6and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father—to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen.

The book of Revelation starts out by declaring itself a revelation of Jesus Christ sent from God. As I wrote last time, it starts out by revealing Jesus Christ as the ruler of the kings of the earth. Immediately following that proclamation, we read of Jesus being our Savior who set us free from our sins by his blood!

That is why it is a delight to serve Christ the King. For he does not rule over his people with an iron fist like many kings of earth do. But he rules over us, his people, with love and good will, pouring upon us the blessings and benefits of his kingdom.

For our sin is like a cruel oppressor bringing us to judgement and the grave. It shows no mercy and is only interested in condemning. But the King we serve has an abundance of grace for all of us who have defected from the kingdom of this world and the spiritual ruler of darkness. He has used his power and authority not to oppress us but to free us from our spiritual captor: sin. Our former captor can no longer damn those who belong to Christ. For his blood, that became the just punishment for our sin, has broken its chains.

In Christ, there is forgiveness for every sort of sin. There is no sin that stands againt you or I that can not be forgiven by the power of his blood. Just think, no matter how great and how many they may be, there is a fountain of forgiveness waiting for any and all who will step underneath it an be cleansed. His nail-scarred hand is held out for all who will humbly and contritely come and believe.

My great Lord, how blessed I have felt that I have found forgiveness through you. When I think of the price you paid and the love you showed to purchase my forgiveness, I am overwhelmed. The awareness of my shortcommings makes me all the more grateful when I realize that I have been set free. I am no longer a prisoner to fear of judgement. You have broken my chains and I have escaped. I am honored to be your servant.

The Sovereign Lord

Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth (Revelation 1:5)

The book of Revelation is the last book of the Bible. Because of its strongly symbolic nature, it can be difficult to interpret. Yet, it does present a clear view of the conflict between the kingdom of God and the kingdom of man. The first controversial statement it presents is that of Christ being the King with the highest authority. It echos Jesus' words after he rose from the dead:

"All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me" (Matthew 28:18)

Notice that Jesus' authority is universal, extending not only to the material order, but to heaven itself: "Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at God's right hand—with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him" (1 Peter 3:22). He is called the ruler of God's creation (Revelation 3:14). He sits at the right hand of the Almighty, serving His Father who annointed Him to be King of kings and Lord of lords.

Many may be surprised to read this. But the Bible presents Christ not only as a religious leader but a political ruler. He has been installed as the as the Supreme King by God himself. As such, all creation is obligated to submit to his rule. Whether Christian, Jew, Muslim, American, European, African, Asian, Arab, conversative, liberal, religious, agnostic, athiest, poor, rich, young, old, white, black, brown, yellow or red: all from every age are to bow before the Anointed One:

God exalted him to the highest place

and gave him the name that is above every name,

that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,

in heaven and on earth and under the earth,

and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,

to the glory of God the Father.

(Philippians 2:9-11)

I will be exploring this theme and others from the book of Revelations in upcoming posts.

I believe in Christ

"The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent."
John 6:29



What did Jesus mean when he said we were to believe in him? He clarifies this in the 8th chapter of the gospel of John:

"You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world. I told you that you would die in your sins; if you do not believe that I am the one I claim to be, you will indeed die in your sins."

Jesus had many claims that he made about himself. So, who did he claim to be? If he is telling the truth, which I wholeheartedly believe he is, then we must believe his claims to escape dying in our sins. He tells us that he is not of this world but from above (heaven). So he is more that a mere mortal man. Let's read some of more his claims that we may know what it is to believe in him. Here is a selection from the gospel of John:

God's one and only Son

John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son."

The Messiah or Christ

John 4:25 The woman said, "I know that Messiah" (called Christ) "is coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to us."
26Then Jesus declared, "I who speak to you am he."

The Savior of the world

John 4:42 They said to the woman, "We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Savior of the world."

The Judge of mankind

John 5:22 "Moreover, the Father judges no one, but has entrusted all judgment to the Son, 23that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father, who sent him."

Sent from heaven into the world by God

John 6:38 "For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me."

The One who will raise the dead

John 6:43 "Stop grumbling among yourselves," Jesus answered. 44"No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him, and I will raise him up at the last day."

The bread of life

John 6:48 "I am the bread of life. 49Your forefathers ate the manna in the desert, yet they died. 50But here is the bread that comes down from heaven, which a man may eat and not die. 51I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world."

The Pre-existant I am (a term used for God)

John 8:58 "I tell you the truth," Jesus answered, "before Abraham was born, I am!"

The good shepherd who lays down his life for his sheep:

John 10:14"I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep...17 The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. 18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father."

The giver of eternal life, a claim of divininty

John 10:27 "My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. 28I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. 29My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father's hand. 30I and the Father are one."
31Again the Jews picked up stones to stone him, 32but Jesus said to them, "I have shown you many great miracles from the Father. For which of these do you stone me?"
33"We are not stoning you for any of these," replied the Jews, "but for blasphemy, because you, a mere man, claim to be God."

The resurrection and the life

John 11:25 Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; 26 and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?"

The only way to the Father and the perfect representation of God

John 14:6 Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him."

Lord Jesus, I believe. I believe you are who you say you are. I believe my eternity is in your hand. I believe you are the true one and there is no other power above yours. I believe you are the Son of God from heaven sent into this world from the Father for our salvation. I trust that my life is in your hand, the good shepherd, therefore I have rest for my soul.

Through the Fire

Isaiah 43:2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.



There is a friend that sticks closer than a brother, it says in Proverbs. The Lord Jesus. He walks among his dearly loved followers. He stays close to the ones He died to redeem. "I am with you always," He assured his disciples. Friends do not always stay near by, especially when the fire of trial comes. But here is one who walks even through the fire with His precious beloved. "I will never leave you nor forsake you" (Hebrews 13:5) is His promise.

I don't understand all the trials we go through. There is pain and suffering, but He stands at the side of those who look to Him, to strengthen them and to bring them through unscathed. The promise is not that there will never be any fire to walk through. But that the flames will not harm you. A Bible verse says that the valley of Baca will be turned into a place of springs (Psalm 84:6).

Hold my hand, mighty Lord, yet gentle and humble. Powerful Savior, yet sympathetic to my weakness, bring me safely through the fire. I have found that comfort that you promise, Jesus. You comfort your sheep and guide them safely past the fierce wolves. Strengthen my faith, Lord, when it falters. Remind me of your mighty works, even preserving your people through the floods and fire. I find peace knowing you will bring us safely into your eternal paradise. So be it and Amen.

Restoration

1 Peter 5:10And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. 11To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.

What a precious promise. No matter how damage is sustained through the crashing waves of trial and suffering, the future reflects a vision of wholeness. With God nothing is impossible. He can repay us for the years the locust have eaten (Joels 2:25). He can change "I'll never be the same again" to "He is the Lord that healed me." What have the storms of life done to your boat? With our Lord, there is hope, hope for the future. What now looks dismal and hopeless can change at any time. He makes all things new.

Psalm 42:5

Why are you downcast, O my soul?

Why so disturbed within me?

Put your hope in God,

for I will yet praise him,

my Savior and my God.

Our God promises ultimate restoration as well. The body that is decayed will one day be renewed to glorious, heavenly splendor. The sons and daughters of righteousness will shine like the sun and be conformed to the glorious likeness of Christ!! Tears will be eternally wiped away and sorrow and sighing will flee away.

Lord, my restorer, I remember your promise, therefore I have hope. Restore us. We wait for you to shine down on us. Turn to us and be gracious and will be strong and steadfast.

Christ my Righteousness

1 Corinthians 1:30 It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption.



O Lord God, my God, I know that you hear the righteous when they call. You listen to their prayer and turn your face toward them. Yet you hear me, one who by nature is far from your righteousness. What comfort and joy I find when I remember your gospel message that Christ Jesus has become my righteousness. You have given me the gift of your only begotten Son so that when you look at me, you see His holy perfection, His perfect obedience. I can pray to you with confidence in His Name knowing that in Christ, the Sun of Righteousness will rise for me with healing in His wings.

Our Lord has given us, His chosen people, a priceless gift announced to us in the gospel of Christ. Christ Jesus is offered to all as righteousness. God has offered to count Jesus' sinless perfection as our own in exchange for our faith in His Son:

2 Corinthians 5:21 God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

We must remember that this is a gift offered to us freely out of God's forgiving mercy and grace:

Romans 5:17 For if, by the trespass of the one man [Adam], death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God's abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ.

Christ died for me, wiping away the sin that stood against me. He rose from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God as my advocate, my mediator, my intercessor, my representative, my priest before the ultimate judgement seat. I know my righteousness is nothing. In myself I stand guilty. But I have been given a new standing before God, fully undeserved.

Do I really realize what this means? God is at peace with me because He is at peace with His Son. God is pleased with me because He is pleased with Jesus. God has adopted me as a son, because I am in His Son. God will listen to my cry for help because He listens to His Son. God judges me innocent from guilt because Christ is innocent. I bear no shame because the Son of God bears no shame. Not just for me but for all his people; for all you believe in his name. This is the gospel preached to us!

Deliverance through Gratitude

Psalm 50:14 Sacrifice thank offerings to God, fulfill your vows to the Most High, 15 and call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor me. 23 He who sacrifices thank offerings honors me, and he prepares the way so that I may show him [b] the salvation of God."

I am reminded by this word to not be one who just makes request to God, but one who also thanks God when He answers. When I pray, crying out to God for help, and He graciously answers, I am so often tempted to forget God once the problem is gone and I am comforted. Just like the ten lepers who Jesus cleansed. When the ten saw that they were cleansed, only one came back to praise his name. The other nine went on their way happy to live a normal life without expressing gratitude.

Phillipians 4 tells us to present our requests to God with thanksgiving.

Our Father's heart is moved when He hears our heart of gratitude. We must meditate upon the good things he has done. Right now, our son Brent is back in the hospital because he had a blood infection. I am tempted to complain about the inconvenience or the hardship this causes. However, look what I have to be thankful about! Our son's life was spared. Many people die from this infection. God has provided help for us through many caring people. He provided a trailer for us so we could stay at the hospital instead of traveling back and forth 30 miles each way or paying to stay in a hotel. He has provided food and gas and help in staying with Brent. He has given us peace. Our son is doing very well.

Brent has one more chemo session which will prove to be the worst he has faced (each one is harder on him). I am tempted to worry, but instead I just need to remember everything he has done and continue to thank him for his amazing goodness. To His name be praise!

Jesus So Loved Me!

http://www.chick.com/reading/tracts/0001/0001_01.asp

How great is the love that was poured out by the Son of God for me. A hymn says, "Amazing love, how can it be, that you my King should die for me?" Jesus said, "No greater love is there than this: that a man lay down his life for his friends." God has done more than any of us could ever ask in order to wash away our sins to give us eternal happiness in the life to come. He took on human flesh and paid the penalty of our sin with His own blood. He did it for you! He suffered for you, in your place. There was no other way. He can not, in his holiness, reward unforgiven sin. He just can't. But just as strong as his hatred of our evil is his great love, mercy, kindness and grace. The cross of Jesus Christ was the only way to reconcile the two--hatred of sin and love of sinners. No human religion, no ritual, no rites, no good deeds could do it. Only by offer a spotless lamb in our place--one who is perfectly holy and is righteous enough to exchange his sufferings for the forgiveness of all.

How can anyone complain that God is too narrow in allowing only one way to be acceptable before Him when He gave so much just so that they could come join His eternal family? How can anyone say "I have my own way to God other than Jesus" when Jesus gave up His very life through intense shame, suffering, bloodshed? How can someone follow some human religious figure when the very Son of God became man to save him or her from eternity in hell?

What then shall become of the one who rejects the Son? Scripture says, "how shall we escape if we ignore such a great salvation?" (Hebrews 2:2). And it says, "The Father loves the Son and has placed everything in his hands. Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God's wrath remains on him." (John 3:35-36)

Oh wonderful and holy Lord, your love is greater than life. You amaze us that one so pure and blameless would love his impure creatures with such a love. It is hard, Lord, to comprehend such a love that while we were still sinners you died for us. After the way I have failed to honor you and live as purely as one ought, you have still brought me to the place of repentance and forgiveness. I am cleansed from my impurities in your sight in Christ even though I am still a sinner. What grace I have found that you would adopt me into your eternal family.

Lord, my heart is heavy and grieves that so many are hostile toward you and your way of salvation. I can't bear to think of people I know perishing in hell as you have warned us. I want more than anything, Lord, that you would open the eyes of those who are far from you to see you glory, to know your love, to believe in your Son and thus receive their eternal inheritance. Jesus, reach out your hand and draw them to yourself. Amen.

Prayer in His Name

John 14:13 "And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. 14You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it."

Our Lord is not only powerful; He not only has all authorithy in heaven and earth; He not only is he King of kings and the Lord of lords, He is gracious. He is generous. He is good. He offers himself to us. Scripture tells us that He has ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of the Father. Scripture tells us that He has been given a name that is above every name--that at the Name of Jesus every knee shall bow. He offers to us, his beloved sheep, the use and advantage of his exalted position, his glorious name.

I remember back in 1990, just after Susan and I were married, that I had been struggling with a bad case of eczema all over my arms for months. It had gotten so bad that I wore long sleeve shirts all the time so I would not be embarrased. One morning as I was preparing for the day, this very verse came to my mind. I was struck with the realization that these words were trustworthy and true. Jesus was staking his reputation and faithfulness on the line. I was really believing it was true. I had a strange joy start to well up inside as I realized that because of this verse, my skin was going to get better. This gift of faith continued. Within two weeks, without doing anything special, the eczema was gone and has never returned!

"One generation will commend your works to another; they will tell of your mighty acts." (Psalm 145:4)

As I sat in the hospital chapel with tears of petition in my eyes, this very verse came back to me. This time, it was not my skin but my precious baby boy's life that was on the line. And I thank my Lord Jesus that he is the same yesterday and today and forever. For I asked in his name and He answered. He spared my baby's life.

Psalm 145:5 They will speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty, andI will meditate on your wonderful works. 6 They will tell of the power of your awesome works, and I will proclaim your great deeds. 7 They will celebrate your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of your righteousness. 8 The LORD is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love.
9 The LORD is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made.

Oh Lord, why have you chosen to be so good to me and my household? We fall so short of honoring you as is your due. Our devotion is not complete nor our ways pure before you. Yet you have served us and have displayed great goodness and kindness to us. You have demonstrated that your arm is not too short to save and that you offer yourself on behalf of those who call on your name. We have cried out to you and you have not dismissed our cries but have used your power on our behalf. Lord, may you be glorified in the sight of all.

Faithful to Jesus

Revelation 7:12 The ten horns you saw are ten kings who have not yet received a kingdom, but who for one hour will receive authority as kings along with the beast. 13They have one purpose and will give their power and authority to the beast. 14They will make war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will overcome them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings—and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers."

Oh Lord, You who have stood by my side and have made your light shine in my heart, I pledge my loyalty to you. You were loyal unto death, dying in my place on the cross to cleanse me from my sin. Grant me your strength inside me that I may remain your servant and remain faithful to your Name, even when opposition comes.

Fellow Christian, fellow brother or sister in Christ, our Lord Jesus is our shepherd, our master, our king. When we pledged our heart to him, we purposed to follow him. Let us remain faithful to him--to his cause, his testimony, his authority. May we not sway in our allegience to him and become a friend to his enemies. Remember that He loved us and gave himself for us to present us to God unstained and unblemished. He says to us:

Revelation 3:8 I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.

In this world, we stand to encounter much opposition to our blessed Lord. Psalm 2 says that the kings of the earth take their stand against Christ:

Psalm 2:2 The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together against the LORD and against his Anointed One. 3 "Let us break their chains," they say, "and throw off their fetters."

In our own country, there is an intense battle to remove all vestiges of Christianity from our social, cultural and public realms birthed out of a hostility toward the faith. Let us continue to be strong and work for the honor and glory of Christ and the good of all people. Let us not shrink back from acknowledging Christ as the Son of God, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.

Let us follow the lead of the beloved Polycarp centuries ago, burnt at the stake for not reviling Christ: But when the magistrate persisted and said, "Swear the oath [swear by the Genius of Caesar], and I will release you; revile Christ," Polycarp replied, "For eighty-six years I have been his servant, and he has done me no wrong. How can I blaspheme my King, who saved me?"

That we might rely on God

oh Lord, save us!

"We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life. Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many."
(2 Corinthians 1:8-11)

How great is our God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, that he hears the prayers of many, responds in a mighty way, and causes the many to wonder at his great deeds. Oh, Lord, thank you that your power is so great that it delivers even from death. We have seen you intervene, so we set our hope on your continued deliverance. What God is so great as you?

Our Lord may use adversity to bear in us the fruit of reliance on Him. He wants us to know and rejoice in the power of His deliverance. He wills that we experience His faithfulness as we rely not on ourselves but on Him. He has determined that His people see His trustworthiness. If our hope is in Him, we will not be disappointed.

I conclude in reading the above quoted verse that there is a special grace given when many people are praying for one in dire circumstances that God's glory may be publicly displayed. All the more reason for us believers to pray together for one another.

Dear Jesus, remind me in times of adversity, that you are faithful to the one who hopes in you. Oh Spirit of God, encourage me through my trials that those who wait upon you will not be disappointed. Oh heavenly Father, continue to demonstrate to me that I need to be afraid to rely on you.

Ultimate Salvation

One of the verses from the beloved hymn Amazing Grace says, "Through many, dangers, toils and snares, I have already come. Tis grace that brought me safe thus far and grace will lead me home." How true are His words from Psalm 50, "Call on me in the day of trouble and I will deliver you and you will honor me." This is allegorically demonstrated in the well-beloved centuries-old classic Pilgrims Progress as Christian and his companion make their way from the City of Destruction to the Celestial City and face many trials and deliverances along the way. If you haven't read the book, it is a definite MUST for any true pilgrim. Read as they battle the Giant of Despair and escape from Vanity Fair and many other adventures figurative of the life of a christian pilgrim.

The reason we pilgrims have hope in this world's valley of the shadow of death is that it has been granted unto us ultimate salvation; true deliverance in the cross of Christ: "God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life" (John 3:16). Though we live in a realm destined for destruction, our hope and faith are in "Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath" (1 Thessalonians 1:10):

But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare. Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness. (2 Peter 3:10-13)

All of my trials and hardships that I face are temporary. If my road is weary in this life but I inherit everlasting life in eternity then how can I be dismayed. If my way is easy in this life but I perish in chains of darkness in the forever, how can I really be happy in the here and now?

"I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us." Romans 8:18

"What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?" Matthew 16:26

Think about eternity. That's what really matters! Enter through the door that leads to eternal life: the Lord Jesus.

Such a Savior

One truth that has been a anchor to my heart is that our Lord refers to Himself as a Savior--one who saves. What a comfort this is to one one needs to be rescued! God reveals himself as one who delights to save. He loves to demonstrate His power and compassion in delivering those who wait on Him from seemingly unescapable perils:

"But the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love, to deliver them from death and keep them alive in famine." (Psalm 33:18)

Throughout the Bible, we find story after story and promise after promise of God's deliverance. I am putting my hope and trust in the one wants to demonstrate his power on behalf of those who are waiting for Him.

"Since ancient times no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you, who acts on behalf of those who wait for him." (Isaiah 64:4)

To the God who takes pleasure in demonstrating nothing is impossible for Him be all praise! O Lord, complete the good work you have begun with our baby Brent's deliverance from death for nothing is too difficult for you. You have shown us your great and mighty works and we wait on you for complete delieverance. Thank you, Lord Jesus, Amen.

The testing of faith

We don't need to go far in the Christian life to experience what the Bible calls the testing of our faith.

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance." (James 1:2-3)

Notice that the Bible ties this testing to trials we face. How do trials test our faith and what does it mean to have our faith tested?

During Brent's stay at the hospital, we experienced ups and downs. When Brent was on one of his upswings, we assumed he would continue to progress at the same rate. Then he would experience a setback and those doubts would come flooding in. Negative thoughts would attack my mind like a relentless enemy.

What I have found is that no matter how ingrained it appears to be in my heart during the times of blessing that God is good, that I am reconciled to Him through Christ and that He cares for me, during trying times doubt confronts my faith in these truths. Questions come up such as 'Does God really care for me'? If God is good, why am I suffering? Maybe God is really angry with me and judging me.

During one of these low points at the hospital, I remember sitting in the chapel praying to God. I remember becoming distracted from prayer by troubling 'what if' thoughts. As I followed these thoughts to their conclusion I began to feel embittered toward the God that I love as if he were becoming my enemy and planning my demise.

Then I began to come to my senses. First, these were only my imaginations. The 'worst scenario' I was entertaining was not something that had came to pass, it was merely in the realm of possibilty. So I was becoming disappointed with God for something that did not even take place. Why was I assuming that just because of a setback that God was not going to bring about delieverance in the end? Why was I assuming that His goodness had failed just because of the present adversity that could just as well be temporary?

I remember having to fight against the negative thoughts and say to myself, 'No! God is good. This is the faith that resides in my heart that I received from Him. He tells me to trust in him and he has not failed me.' It was a decision of faith to continue to trust in him though the present circumstance did not look good.

But you know what, God can change any circumstance in a instant. Though the clouds are big and black, it only takes a small amount of wind to blow them away to make room for the shining sun. He promises in Scripture, "call on me during the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor me" (Psalm 50:15). And God was faithful. It was shortly after this that a group of Christians came to the hospital and we joined them in a time of group prayer crying out to God. Shortly after this, things began to turn around for Brent! God had not failed. We trusted and were not disappointed.

The fact is that God allows our faith to be tested to prove that it is genuine. Faith in the midst of the darkness becomes a crown in the light. Some Bible verses:

"Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. " (James 1:12)

"...now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed."
(1 Peter 1:6-7)

"Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings. And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen." (1 Peter 5:8-11)

"I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I [Jesus] will give you the crown of life."
(Revelation 2:10)

"Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. But I [Jesus] have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers."
(Luke 22:31-32)

I need always ignore the demonic temptation thoughts that say that God is not good nor am I in his good favor. For the Lord is good and His mercy endures forever. Jesus Christ has paid the penalty for all my sins for that through faith in Him I am forgiven and reconciled to him. Any hardship that comes my way, therefore, is not the judgement of God, but the testing of my faith. By His strength and through His Spirit, He will continue to guide me into all truth and protect me from the flaming darts of doubt that Satan shoots my way until that day when we will be safe for ever in heaven.

John

Welcome to my new blog

Welcome to my blog! I hope you will follow my spiritual journey as I share my heart, my hope, my struggles and most of all my faith. This blog was spun off from our other blog, dealing our son Brent who almost died in January of this year (2006) from ruptured liver tumor. His story, our story is found at:

http:://brent-emery.blogspot.com

If you are stopping by, I invite you to leave a comment to say hi

God bless,
John