Pressed Close to God
Our afflictions are designed not to break us, but to bend us toward God.
Our afflictions are designed not to break us, but to bend us toward God.
If we humble ourselves to God, we will enjoy success (as God defines it) in this earthly life and in eternity; and we will avoid the fires of judgment. Don’t force God to show you who is King: serve Him and be fireproof; challenge Him and you will get fire proof.
He who is the Bread of Life began His ministry hungering. He who is the Water of Life ended His ministry thirsting. Christ hungered as a man, yet fed the hungry as God. He was weary, yet He is our rest. He paid tribute, yet He is the King. He was called a devil, but He cast out demons. He prayed, yet He hears prayer. He wept, and He dries our tears. He was sold for 30 pieces of silver, yet He redeems sinners. He was led as a lamb to the slaughter, yet He is the Good Shepherd. He gave His life, and by dying He destroyed death.
Man has always measured success by material (financial) security and social standing. So, the means to acquire these attributes have always been highly prized. God, however, measures success by spiritual security (salvation) and spiritual standing (righteousness), which are obtained not by human wisdom/knowledge but by faith and obedience.
Nothing we do of our own strength can protect us from the evils of this world… But, while we are walking in God’s will, though the evil of the world may touch us, it can’t defeat us, because a believer’s victory is not in earthly security, it is in eternal security. Our victory isn’t in physical safety, it is in spiritual strength: we are victorious when God’s will is accomplished in us, not when we escape the travails/struggles of life.
“The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe.” ~ Proverbs 29:25
Fear of man (a) Dishonors God, (b) Distorts God’s Message and (c) Disables the Believer.
Instead of fearing man, let us fear God. Let us acknowledge His omnipotence, His absolute righteousness and His complete authority…
True salvation is everything or it is nothing. To be a believer, a faithful follower of God, in Jeremiah’s day, in Jesus’ day and in our day means that God is at the center of our attention: that God alone is our motivation: God alone is our driving force: that He alone orders every step of our life.
Each and every believer has been chosen by God to do SPECIFIC work in His Kingdom, here on earth… God’s blueprint for your life is there but you will only find it if you are willing to seek it out. And, you will only seek it out if you really want to serve Him.
To get out of difficulty, one must usually go through it!
Is Salvation valuable enough to give up everything to get it?… For Salvation to come to our lives, it must displace everything from our lives… If Salvation means ANYTHING to us, it must be EVERYTHING to us. How much are you willing to lose just to get Salvation? How much is too much to lose to get Salvation?