Real Victory Can Only be Gained through Strong Faith in God!

17 Jul 2024 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Romans 8:28.       And we know that all things work together for good to them that LOVE God, to them who are called according to his purpose.

Well, what a negatively memorable Tuesday July 16 2024 it was in Southern Ontario, especially the Greater Toronto Area. Yesterday we talked about rain in the area and made light of it, although it was really pouring down. Unfortunately though, we eventually had to take it very seriously because quite a lot of rain fell in a short time and with already saturated ground from previous showers, the area, especially the city of Toronto became a flooded mess, with cars floating in the streets, roads closed off, people without power, and all the negative stuff that occurs when something like that happens so unexpectedly. 

We’ve been reading about other places like Houston, Texas being recently flooded out, and thought we were lucky or blessed to avoid such disaster. But remember the Lord doesn’t play favourites, (smile) and we will all get our comeuppance eventually. Thankfully my neck of the woods wasn’t badly affected as some other areas, although some nearby houses had their basements flooded. And some of the roads are still closed off because the flood waters have not receded sufficiently to allow safe passage. 

And would you believe that by midafternoon the rain had stopped falling and we were greeted by bright sunshine for the rest of the day! Ah Lord eh! It just goes to show how life moves in such mysterious ways that our puny minds cannot understand. But with all the negativity, or because of all the negativity, it’s ever so necessary for us to keep our faith in Almighty God strong and in good working order. For it’s only our faith that will carry us through these times of unforeseen adversity. Remember too that our faith only grows in times of adversity, when we truly have to rely on it. 

For as Cousin Sol tells us in Proverbs: ‘If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength (faith) is small.’  (Prov. 24:10) And as the scholars explain: ‘Strength in the face of adversity is the true test of endurance.’ And God does test our endurance with times of adversity. But why does God allow difficult times? This commentary tells us that ‘God allows us to struggle and fail to bring humility and the realization we need Him in our lives all day, every day. Sometimes it is hard to see and understand why God allows us to struggle and experience hardship, but it is because of His LOVE for us and His desire to bring us closer to Him, He allows it.’ 

That’s why James advises in the opening verses of his epistle: ‘My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations (various trials); Knowing this, that the trying (testing) of your faith worketh (produces) patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire (complete) wanting (lacking) nothing. If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not (without reproach); and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering (not doubting). For he that wavereth (doubts) is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive anything of the Lord. A double minded man is instable in all his ways.’ (James 1:2-8) 

Yes friends, according to the scholars: ‘These “negative” experiences are to be accepted with great joy, not for the sake of the trial itself but because of the positive work God can accomplish through the testing… However, it is not merely one’s presence in such trials but one’s victory over them that brings spiritual growth and maturity. Those Christians whom God can use the most are those whom God has bruised the most.’ And isn’t that the gospel truth! We see it in the Bible from Abraham right through Jacob, Joseph, David, Paul, Jesus and many of the Old Testament prophets. The ones who suffered the most were used the most by God. 

So, it’s not just going through the trials that makes us strong, but when we are victorious over them. That takes us back to the last verse of the scripture from James about doubleminded men being unstable. It’s very true. Double minded people cannot be trusted from one minute to the next. That’s why the Book of Hebrews tells us: ‘Let us hold fast the profession (confession) of our faith (hope) without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)’ (Heb. 10:23) And again the writer of Hebrews informs us: ‘But without faith it is impossible to please him (God): for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.’ (Heb. 11:6) 

That’s for sure! We cannot go to God with wishy-washy faith! And we’ll answer a couple of questions re adversity through two commentaries. The first question is, How do you trust God in adversity? The commentary says: ‘Because God LOVES you, you can show your trust in Him by talking about all your feelings and circumstances with Him — the good and bad — through prayer. Don’t let your emotions rule your life; bring them to God so He can help you address them. He is not disappointed or frustrated by your struggles, doubts or pain.’ 

That’s more gospel truth friends! In fact the Lord desires us to bring ALL of our problems to Him, big, small, medium, whatever, because He delights in helping with our problems; that’s what He’s all about; getting involved in EVERYTHING that concerns us!  And the next question is, How do Christians overcome adversity? Per this commentary: ‘If we want to have the faith to overcome adversity there is only one well to draw from, God. He knows the past, present and future. He knows our every step. For us to be where we need to be, get through what we need to get through and enjoy the blessings, we have to put our trust and faith in Him.’ 

Truer words were never spoken my people! God knows everything about us, and since He’s the fountain, the very source of life and LOVE, then He is the One we should go to for help in ALL of our circumstances. He is our Creator, Controller and Provider; that makes Him very able to handle all of our needs and problems. And we shall tie it all up in this most profound verse of faith. Bruh Paul’s famous words to the Romans. ‘And we know that all things work together for good to them that LOVE God, to them who are called according to his purpose.’ (Rom. 8:28) Now that’s the clinching scripture for real faith. If you can’t trust God to work it all out in the end, then your faith needs to be seriously upgraded. 

Now let’s go home declaring (awright!!!) our Wednesday Wail, letting all and sundry know of our wonderful position in Christ Jesus. As one strong and sincere voice: ‘Wednesday, Wednesday, Wednesday: I’m so glad to be alive on this Wednesday! Wednesday, Wednesday, Wednesday: Thank God the breath of life is still flowing through me on this Wednesday! I am halfway home. My hands are fixed securely on the plough, and I’m not turning back. I’m not looking back at the past, not focusing on what has gone before. But my eyes are fixed straight ahead; straight ahead to a glorious future with Jesus. Glory Hallelujah!’ 

And if we endure to the very end with Jesus, then it’s been promised that that future will be even more glorious than we can ever ask or imagine. So let’s be wise and plan to gather at the very end nuh! Much LOVE!

…victory in this ungodly world…can only be achieved…through strong faith in God…

Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien

Today’s Scrip-Bit 18 July 2019 Hebrews 10:23.

18 Jul 2019 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Hebrews 10:23.    ​Let us hold fast the profession (confession) of our faith (hope) without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)
 

Oh brother, I can’t believe it’s Thursday already nuh! The week’s flying by so fast, it gets sorta blurry! (smile) And was yesterday ever a strange sorta day. In my area we had intermittent periods of sun and rain, until in the early evening hours the sun finally prevailed. But Toronto seemed to be completely different. They apparently had long periods of steady rain that resulted in severe flooding in several areas. 

And today it looks cloudy out there again, plus I’ve got to go into the city for a doctor’s appointment. What a life! But what to do eh? Nothing but put our sincere trust and hope in Jesus and believe that He will do as promised; meet all our needs through His riches in glory. (Phil.4:19) That’s what our faith is all about people, and it’s in times of adversity and trouble that we need it to show up in large amounts. 

Consequently, I want to share two interesting and reassuring quotes. The first one is comprised of these wise words reputedly attributed to Grady Nutt (1934-1982) a Southern Baptist minister. It says: ‘God should be a resource in the struggle, not a way around it.’ 

And is that ever so true my fellow believers. We ought to use God to help us get through the adversity rather than as a way to get around it. But in these days of easy and comfortable living, no one wants to go through anything, we all want to avoid, to go around it. But the truth is that it’s only when we go through stuff with God that we really grow and mature in our faith. 

And the second quote is from a Daily Bread Devotional footnote that dispenses these words of wisdom: ‘The best reason for hope is God’s faithfulness.’ Oh my people, my people, that is indeed gospel truth! Our God is so wonderfully faithful that there’s nothing we can’t face when we place our hope and trust in Him! All praise and glory be to Him, my faithful brethren! If we were even one smidgen as faithful as our great God, what amazing changes would take place in our troubled world! 

That brings us to these intriguing and most interesting, uplifting and reassuring words of scripture found in the Book of Hebrews. ‘And having a high priest (Jesus) over the house of God; Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the profession (confession) of our faith (hope) without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)’ (Heb.10:21-23) 

Oh friends, if there’s anything I can personally testify to it’s God’s faithfulness, because that’s the only way that I can write this Bit everyday. He called me to do it, and without His faithful help to do His work, I’d be lost without a prayer and /or a hope. But through His faithfulness, His guidance and assurance, I come down here every morning, not knowing what I’m going to write about most days, but eventually write more than I can ask or imagine. 

Like today, I only had the beginning and the end, absolutely nothing in the middle. But look at how much I’ve written. And most of the time it does make sense. (smile) And those of you who are mature in faith know what I’m talking about, because you’ve put in the time and effort and patience and waiting and seen Him work wonders on your behalf. 

For you young believers though, you just have to take our word for it and go up to bat assuredly with your great God, for that’s the only way you’ll ever discover His true faithfulness. You’ve got to go through the fire with Him and experience Him bringing you out like the three Hebrew Boys, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, without even the smell of smoke on you. (Dan.3:27) 

Yes mih people, faith and faithfulness are works in progress, you’ll never stop needing them and having to grow in them until the day you go over to the other side. And don’t think that just because you seem mature in faith that you’ve conquered it all nuh, because the more you grow in faith and get promoted, the more the Lord will test you. 

Oh we don’t want to hear that, but it’s an unavoidable fact. We like to think that once we reach a certain level, we’ll free from all temptations and tests and troubles, but Bruh Paul’s words to the Philippians seem to contradict that. ‘Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform (complete) it until the day of Jesus Christ.’ (Phil.1:6) 

So friends, that seems to mean until we die or Christ comes back we’ll be growing and becoming more Christ-like every day. That’s the Lord’s plan, and once He begins it, He won’t stop until we go home to Him, so we’d better be prepared to face adversity and negative stuff throughout our lifetime. And the best way to do that is through hope, faith, trust and surrender in Almighty God. 

As Cousin Sol so wisely puts it: ‘Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.’ (Prov.3:5-6) There’s no wiser advice in all the world my brethren, so please let’s take it to heart as we go home declaring (yeh!) our Thursday Blessings. Out loud now, because a blessing is not truly a blessing until it’s declared. 

‘I declare that I am blessed with God’s supernatural wisdom and receive clear direction for my life! I declare today that I am blessed with creativity, courage, talent and abundance! I am blessed with a strong will, self-control and self-discipline! I am blessed with a great family, good friends, good health, faith, favour and fulfillment! 

I am blessed with success, supernatural strength, promotion and divine protection! I am blessed with a compassionate heart and a positive outlook on life! I declare that any curse or negative word that’s ever been spoken over me is broken right now in the name of Jesus! I declare that everything I put my hands to will prosper and succeed! I declare it today and everyday! Amen!’ 

And every Thursday I have to warn us that those blessings are not granted for us to selfishly hoard, but to generously share with the less fortunate, with those who don’t know Christ. So let’s go out and do just that nuh, and thus warm the cockles of Jesus’ heart. Much LOVE!

…you can’t have faith without hope…and hope is that which springs eternal from God…