As I was cleaning out my old email, I came across these insightful words, which were posted on Andrew's Storm's Website a while ago. They are the words of a fellow journeyman.
SHOULD I ONLY TAKE THE SWEET FROM THE HAND OF GOD AND NOT THE BITTER?
THE MESSAGE WE CARRY IN AND THROUGH OUR LIVES IS A MESSAGE OF OVER COMING.
THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS WITHIN YOU RIGHTEOUSNESS - PEACE - AND JOY
THIS IS FORGED INTO OUR BEING AS WE LET THE SUFFERING, TRIALS OF LIFE DO THEIR PERFECT WORK
IT IS BY TRIBULATION THAT PATIENCE DOES ITS WORK TO PRODUCE FRUIT.
BUT LET IT DO ITS PERFECT WORK , THERE IS A DEPTH IN GOD WHO ALONE KNOWS THIS PROCESS FOR EACH OF US
IN THAT DAY WHEN THE LORD REVEALS US AS JEWELS WE WILL SEE THE MYSTERY OF SUFFERING IN ALL ITS WONDER.
JESUS FOR THE JOY SET BEFORE HIM, ENDURED THE GREATEST OF SUFFERING THE WORLD WILL EVER KNOW, YET HE ALLOWS US TO BE PARTAKERS OF THIS SUFFERING.
EACH ONE OF US ARE BEING MADE INTO HIS LIKENESS IF WE ARE WILLING TO SUBMIT TO HIS LOVE AND WILL.
EACH A BEAUTIFUL JEWEL FORGED IN THE EARTH AND PLACED IN THE TEMPLE MADE WITH OUT HANDS.
THE CHURCH IS THE LIGHT OF TRUTH = IF WE CAN'T ACCEPT THE CROSS IN OUR LIVES, THEN WHERE LIES THE HOPE FOR THE WORLD?
REMEMBER THE NEW JERUSALEM , THE CITY OF GOD DESCENDING FROM HEAVEN IS MADE UP OF SUCH LIVING STONES, AND THE GATE OF THAT CITY ( IT'S ENTRANCE) IS SOLID PEARL.
A PEARL IS SYMBOLIC OF SUFFERING-- SO LET US WITH JOY LOOK AHEAD OF SUFFERING TO THE PRIZE OF THE HIGH CALLING IN CHRIST JESUS AND WALK JOYOUSLY THROUGH THOSE GATES.
6 comments:
Ruth, I will always remember my Bible college lecturer who lived every part of the life that He taught. He always cautioned us about praying for more fruits.
Ask God for more love and God will allow you to meet the nastiest, meanest people, and they're maybe even Chritians or worse, your pastor:).
Ask for more joy, and He may show you how to be joyful in sorrow,
Ask for more faith, and you're about to be stretched to breaking point.
Ask for peace, and the world around you will explode in turmoil.
Ask for long suffering, and ..... well you really did not mean that prayer, try ask for something else :)
Blessings
Hey Lennart, thanks for your comment. You have made some wonderful added points. Speaking of long suffering, though, did you know that the newer versions have changed that word to 'patient'? My daughter happened to notice this. I don't know about you, but I truly think there is one GREAT BIG difference between patience and long suffering. Being patient and developing more patience is not at all the same thing as long suffering. Long suffering denotes a great trial & affliction. Patience on the other hand is something we need every day & does not necessarily include suffering.
Interesting. I prefer your daughters version :) "Patience"...... it still remains a tough one.
I would love to know what the original trusted greek texts had. (just for interest) I happen to have the old KJV on my computer, but its not my favorite. I tend to jump between as many translations and versions trying to get a good mix and hopefully a more accurate picture.
I just love that one quote" EACH ONE OF US ARE BEING MADE INTO HIS LIKENESS IF WE ARE WILLING TO SUBMIT TO HIS LOVE AND WILL.
Do you thing we really understand how much Jesus love us?
Amen Lennart ,
His Love is so wide and so deep and the depth of His love is something we will only truly experience together in community, "that we may be able to comprehend with all saints" what [is] the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; (Eph. 3:19);
His love is something we experience, not just understand or know about: "And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge"
Thanks Ruth.. I needed to 'hear' these today.
HI Bob, Your quite welcome - thanks for dropping by, Ruth
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