Saturday 31 March 2018
Blind Obedience!
It’s
been 20 years since I walked away from this religion.
That
year I also started to read thoroughly the New Testament and the Old Testament.
There, I find God and his nature, His son Jesus and the Holy Spirit as my
unseen companion. My conversion was not easy but it’s worth testifying. =)
Meg, 31 March 2018
How the Apostles died?
1. Matthew
Suffered martyrdom in Ethiopia, Killed by a sword wound.
2. Mark
Died in Alexandria, Egypt , after being dragged by Horses through the streets until he was dead.
3. Luke
Was hanged in Greece as a result of his tremendous Preaching to the lost.
4. John
Faced martyrdom when he was boiled in huge Basin of boiling oil during a wave of persecution In Rome. However, he was miraculously delivered From death.
John was then sentenced to the mines on the prison Island of Patmos. He wrote his prophetic Book of Revelation on Patmos . The apostle John was later freed and returned to serve As Bishop of Edessa in modern Turkey . He died as an old man, the only apostle to die peacefully
5. Peter
He was crucified upside down on an x-shaped cross.
According to church tradition it was because he told his tormentors that he felt unworthy to die In the same way that Jesus Christ had died.
6. James
The leader of the church in Jerusalem , was thrown over a hundred feet down from the southeast pinnacle of the Temple when he refused to deny his faith in Christ. When they discovered that he survived the fall, his
enemies beat James to death with a fuller's club.
* This was the same pinnacle where Satan had taken Jesus during the Temptation.
7. James the Son of Zebedee,
was a fisherman by trade when Jesus Called him to a lifetime of ministry. As a strong leader of the church, James was beheaded at Jerusalem. The Roman officer who guarded James watched amazed as James defended his faith at his trial. Later, the officer Walked beside James to the place of execution. Overcome by conviction, he declared his new faith to the judge and Knelt beside James to accept beheading as a Christian.
8. Bartholomew
Also known as Nathaniel Was a missionary to Asia. He witnessed for our Lord in present day Turkey. Bartholomew was martyred for his preaching in Armenia where he was flayed to death by a whip.
9. Andrew
Was crucified on an x-shaped cross in Patras, Greece. After being whipped severely by seven soldiers they tied his body to the cross with cords to prolong his agony. His followers reported that, when he was led toward the cross, Andrew saluted it in these words: 'I have long desired and expected this happy hour. The cross has been consecrated by the body of Christ hanging on it.' He continued to preach to his tormentors For two days until he expired.
10. Thomas
Was stabbed with a spear in India during one of his missionary trips to establish the church in the Sub-continent.
11. Jude
Was killed with arrows when he refused to deny his faith in Christ.
12. Matthias
The apostle chosen to replace the traitor Judas Iscariot, was stoned and then beheaded.
13. Paul
Was tortured and then beheaded by the evil Emperor Nero at Rome in A.D. 67. Paul endured a lengthy imprisonment, which allowed him to write his many
epistles to the churches he had formed throughout the Roman Empire. These letters, which taught many of the foundational Doctrines of Christianity, form a large portion of the New Testament.
Perhaps this is a reminder to us that our sufferings here are indeed minor compared to the intense persecution and cold cruelty faced by the apostles and disciples during their times For the sake of the Faith. And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: But he that endureth to the end shall be saved.
Responding to the Preaching of Jesus
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Responding to the Preaching of Jesus
by Dr. Paul Chappell
“And all they in the synagogue, when they heard these things, were filled with wrath, And rose up, and thrust him out of the city, and led him unto the brow of the hill whereon their city was built, that they might cast him down headlong. But he passing through the midst of them went his way, And came down to Capernaum, a city of Galilee, and taught them on the sabbath days.”
Luke 4:28–31
There are many events recorded in Scripture that would be amazing to have witnessed in person. We think of David’s battle with Goliath, Daniel in the den of lions, or Elijah calling down fire on Mt. Carmel and picture the events in our minds. But what would it have been like to have heard Jesus preach in person? We tell ourselves that we would eagerly receive His teaching and hang on every word, but often that was not the response of those who heard Him.
When Jesus returned to His hometown of Nazareth and preached in the synagogue, those who had watched Him grow up, and should have been the first to respond and follow Him, did not like what they heard. In fact, they were so outraged that they tried to kill Jesus. If you have the chance to see Nazareth today you can still visit the place overlooking the city where that attempted murder took place. After that response, Jesus moved His headquarters to Capernaum on the shores of the Sea of Galilee.
What a tragedy to have Jesus in your presence but reject His message. We do not have Jesus physically present to hear His voice, but we can read His Word. What is our response? Do we gladly obey what He says, or do we find, like the people of Nazareth, that the message compels us to make changes we are unwilling to make?
Luke 4:28–31
There are many events recorded in Scripture that would be amazing to have witnessed in person. We think of David’s battle with Goliath, Daniel in the den of lions, or Elijah calling down fire on Mt. Carmel and picture the events in our minds. But what would it have been like to have heard Jesus preach in person? We tell ourselves that we would eagerly receive His teaching and hang on every word, but often that was not the response of those who heard Him.
When Jesus returned to His hometown of Nazareth and preached in the synagogue, those who had watched Him grow up, and should have been the first to respond and follow Him, did not like what they heard. In fact, they were so outraged that they tried to kill Jesus. If you have the chance to see Nazareth today you can still visit the place overlooking the city where that attempted murder took place. After that response, Jesus moved His headquarters to Capernaum on the shores of the Sea of Galilee.
What a tragedy to have Jesus in your presence but reject His message. We do not have Jesus physically present to hear His voice, but we can read His Word. What is our response? Do we gladly obey what He says, or do we find, like the people of Nazareth, that the message compels us to make changes we are unwilling to make?
Today’s Growth Principle:
Rejecting what God tells us to do robs us of the blessing of obedience and brings judgment to our lives.
Friday 30 March 2018
Breaking Free
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“I Would Prefer Not To”
by Dr. Paul Chappell
“Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye. Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? and they have slain them which shewed before of the coming of the Just One; of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers: Who have received the law by the disposition of angels, and have not kept it.”
Acts 7:51–53
Though Herman Melville is best remembered now for writing the whaling tale Moby Dick, he was better known in his lifetime for his short stories. One of the most influential was “Bartleby, the Scrivener: A Story of Wall Street,” which told of a man hired to copy legal documents in a busy law firm. After a period productive work, Bartleby fell into a deep depression and stopped accepting assignments. Every order or suggestion was met with the phrase, “I would prefer not to.” Eventually Bartleby lost his job and his home, and even refused to eat, until he died.
It is a tragic story, and we find it hard to believe that someone could be so obstinate with such negative results. Yet if we are honest, we must admit that there are times when we know exactly what God has directed and commanded, but our response is anything but obedience. We come up with all kinds of excuses and explanations to justify our rebellion, but in the final analysis it comes down to a matter of the will—we either bend our necks to God’s yoke or we stubbornly insist on going our own way.
It is often easier to diagnose rebellion in others than in our own hearts. But we must not allow our preferences and desires to be placed ahead of God’s command. The only proper response that a Christian can make to a directive from the Lord is cheerful, prompt, and complete obedience.
Acts 7:51–53
Though Herman Melville is best remembered now for writing the whaling tale Moby Dick, he was better known in his lifetime for his short stories. One of the most influential was “Bartleby, the Scrivener: A Story of Wall Street,” which told of a man hired to copy legal documents in a busy law firm. After a period productive work, Bartleby fell into a deep depression and stopped accepting assignments. Every order or suggestion was met with the phrase, “I would prefer not to.” Eventually Bartleby lost his job and his home, and even refused to eat, until he died.
It is a tragic story, and we find it hard to believe that someone could be so obstinate with such negative results. Yet if we are honest, we must admit that there are times when we know exactly what God has directed and commanded, but our response is anything but obedience. We come up with all kinds of excuses and explanations to justify our rebellion, but in the final analysis it comes down to a matter of the will—we either bend our necks to God’s yoke or we stubbornly insist on going our own way.
It is often easier to diagnose rebellion in others than in our own hearts. But we must not allow our preferences and desires to be placed ahead of God’s command. The only proper response that a Christian can make to a directive from the Lord is cheerful, prompt, and complete obedience.
Today’s Growth Principle:
The Lord’s will and work cannot be done by those who refuse to yield their desires to Him.
Thursday 29 March 2018
You are not alone =)
“We lost a religion but we gained Christ and that’s a good
trade.”
trade.”
Michael Wilder
Godly Determination
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An Empowered Church
by Dr. Paul Chappell
“The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen: To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God:”
Acts 1:1–3
The early church in Jerusalem saw a staggering level of growth. Just days after three thousand were saved on the Day of Pentecost, five thousand more were saved after Peter healed the lame man at the Temple and preached again. Every day new converts were being added to the church. What explains the phenomenal impact they made? That church had none of the things we think are essentials—no facilities, no advanced educational training, no music program, and no structure. Yet they changed the world. The impact of the Jerusalem church has a simple explanation: they had the teaching of Jesus, and they worked in the power of the Holy Spirit.
That explanation raises an obvious question: why aren’t we making the same impact? We have the teachings of Jesus, and even more of the Bible than they did. We have the same Holy Spirit living within, who has the same power. Nothing has changed on God’s end. The problem lies with us.
We have far too many churches that have traded power for programs and divine enabling for human effort. We work in our strength, gather the latest research, follow the latest trends, and try to produce what only God can perform. There is nothing wrong with strategy, research, or programs. We need to be wise in how we spend our time and resources. But the bottom line is that we need a return to the Word of God and the power of His Holy Spirit.
Acts 1:1–3
The early church in Jerusalem saw a staggering level of growth. Just days after three thousand were saved on the Day of Pentecost, five thousand more were saved after Peter healed the lame man at the Temple and preached again. Every day new converts were being added to the church. What explains the phenomenal impact they made? That church had none of the things we think are essentials—no facilities, no advanced educational training, no music program, and no structure. Yet they changed the world. The impact of the Jerusalem church has a simple explanation: they had the teaching of Jesus, and they worked in the power of the Holy Spirit.
That explanation raises an obvious question: why aren’t we making the same impact? We have the teachings of Jesus, and even more of the Bible than they did. We have the same Holy Spirit living within, who has the same power. Nothing has changed on God’s end. The problem lies with us.
We have far too many churches that have traded power for programs and divine enabling for human effort. We work in our strength, gather the latest research, follow the latest trends, and try to produce what only God can perform. There is nothing wrong with strategy, research, or programs. We need to be wise in how we spend our time and resources. But the bottom line is that we need a return to the Word of God and the power of His Holy Spirit.
Today’s Growth Principle:
If we fail to see God’s power working in our lives, the problem does not lie with Him.
Wednesday 28 March 2018
Decision determines our destiny
Decision determines our
destiny
Written by Meg
Studying law is very
interesting subject and being an aspiring lawyer before, it was just merely a
dream until I realize working in a corporate world has also its own definition
of law – the construction law. What appealing to me now is that, I may not be
an attorney with a case but I indeed practicing, exercising the law and giving
advice that is specific to my field of expertise. Integrity matters here and it
accounts with a great price --- freedom; in construction, it is the freedom
from liquidated damages and a right to claim what is just and true, in other
words we are not only talking about monetary terms here but the built
reputation we created in the society for a long time.
Recently, one of the
most sought after cases I am always looking forward to be resolved is the Atio
Castillo Hazing case. Finally the Court (Department of Justice) indicts 11
fratment over Atio’s hazing death. What fascinates me was the testimony of a
culprit turned witness Marc Anthony Ventura as well as the loss of opportunity
to be a witness by the name of John Paul Solano. Both of them were present in
the crime scene. John Paul Solano (a medical student) was being called by the
fratman leader Arvin Balag to resuscitate the unconscious Atio but
unfortunately the victim was too critical which led him to his untimely
death.
Ventura risked his
life by taking the big step as a state witness. Being a member of the
fraternity, anyone can possibly kill him but the Department of Justice held him
in custody under the witness protection program just to ensure his life as a
witness. Unlocking the truth gives way to get justice. I thought it was Solano
to step up during the trial but due to his cowardice and inconsistent
testimony, his credibility weakens. The influence of his fratmen was more
important and enough for him to stand not to reveal truth until Ventura himself
took courage and held the light to come out in the open.
Perjury (the offense
of wilfully telling an untruth in a court after having taken an oath or
affirmation) and obstruction of justice were served for 11 fratmen. Now that
the case has come to an end, I can say that we have the power to make change.
It takes a tough decision to have one but first it will make someone miserable.
You may lose your friends, brotherhood, and even your own life --- that’s a great
burden too heavy to bear; nevertheless, it is still that small voice that
dictates our conscience to speak up for what we believe is true and the
willingness to pay the price of losing or gaining regardless of what it is, is another
part of the equation.
In spite of the
difficulty of the situation, we cannot twist the truth. The 11 fratmen
preferred to cover-up justice but in the end justice prevailed and it also came
with a cost. Ventura used the opportunity to make things right despite the risk
involved. Losing some of his trusted friends/brothers is truly difficult to
fathom, more so to comprehend being in the prison for life. Not only that, what
about the life after death, how can someone explain his innocent after God, if
God himself sees everything? Ventura valued most the chance that changed the
course of his life. Fortunately, there was only a timely one chance; what if
there’s no more chance, will he still make a choice? Will he still able to get
his freedom back?
Relatively, isn’t it
freedom expensive? I believe it’s not cheap either however, doing the right
thing makes it free. The earthly court speaks up but there’s one more, we
cannot escape the heavenly court where everyone is being judged. Being a
witness is a responsibility too inescapable to bear and not speaking up the
truth is another form of burden too heavy to carry.
On the other hand, we
are all accountable to what we believe is true. Indeed, the bottom line is, we
are not pleasing anyone here to believe us but by honouring the One true God who
bought us with a blood of his son Jesus Christ. Isn’t it this strong enough to
continue what other witnesses in the Bible have started? I am bold. I am free.
I witness. =)
The Limits of Suffering
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The Limits of Suffering
by Dr. Paul Chappell
“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.”
1 Peter 5:8–11
In 1957, a professor at Johns Hopkins University named Curt Richter published the findings of a study he had conducted on rats to measure the effect of hope on response to hardship and difficulty. He placed a number of rats in water, and took note of how long they could swim before drowning. Then he took a second set of rats and put them in the same conditions.
This time, just before the average time of survival was reached, his team would take the rats out of the water. After they had rested a while and dried off, the rats were placed back into the water. This time they were able to swim for a much longer period of time. “In this way,” Richter reported, “the rats quickly learn that the situation is not actually hopeless. After elimination of hopelessness the rats do not die.”
Most, if not all, of us know the feeling of enduring a trial or time of suffering that feels like it will never end. It is tempting for us to lose hope and give up, or to blame God and become bitter against Him. But Peter reminds us that all of our suffering is limited. It only lasts for “a while.” That does not mean it doesn’t hurt or even that things will improve. What it does mean is that there is hope. We have a loving Father who will never fail or forsake us.
1 Peter 5:8–11
In 1957, a professor at Johns Hopkins University named Curt Richter published the findings of a study he had conducted on rats to measure the effect of hope on response to hardship and difficulty. He placed a number of rats in water, and took note of how long they could swim before drowning. Then he took a second set of rats and put them in the same conditions.
This time, just before the average time of survival was reached, his team would take the rats out of the water. After they had rested a while and dried off, the rats were placed back into the water. This time they were able to swim for a much longer period of time. “In this way,” Richter reported, “the rats quickly learn that the situation is not actually hopeless. After elimination of hopelessness the rats do not die.”
Most, if not all, of us know the feeling of enduring a trial or time of suffering that feels like it will never end. It is tempting for us to lose hope and give up, or to blame God and become bitter against Him. But Peter reminds us that all of our suffering is limited. It only lasts for “a while.” That does not mean it doesn’t hurt or even that things will improve. What it does mean is that there is hope. We have a loving Father who will never fail or forsake us.
Today’s Growth Principle:
God’s goodness and grace ensures that our suffering is limited, and we are never without hope.
Tuesday 27 March 2018
The Ongoing Work of Grace
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The Ongoing Work of Grace
by Dr. Paul Chappell
“For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me. Therefore whether it were I or they, so we preach, and so ye believed.”
1 Corinthians 15:9–11
The cartoon character Popeye made his first appearance in 1929 just before the start of the Great Depression. First introduced as a character in another comic strip, Popeye quickly became one of the most popular fictional characters of the 1930s in both print and film. The spinach-eating sailor dispatched bad guys and saved the day, while singing his famous theme song:
I’m Popeye the Sailor Man,
I’m Popeye the Sailor Man…
None of us have the power to save ourselves. We are utterly dependent on God’s grace. But that grace is not just extended to us for salvation—it brings change into our lives, making us more like Christ. And it equips and enables us for a life of service. All that we are, for good and for God, is a result of grace. Truly understanding this fact allows us both to remain humble and to recognize and praise God for His goodness to us.
Paul realized that all he was and all he had done was because of God’s grace. He had done much of which he could have been proud, but instead, he kept his focus on what God had done for him and through him. The devil has destroyed many promising lives and ministries by pride. When we attempt to work in our own strength, apart from God’s grace, we can never accomplish anything of lasting value.
1 Corinthians 15:9–11
The cartoon character Popeye made his first appearance in 1929 just before the start of the Great Depression. First introduced as a character in another comic strip, Popeye quickly became one of the most popular fictional characters of the 1930s in both print and film. The spinach-eating sailor dispatched bad guys and saved the day, while singing his famous theme song:
I’m Popeye the Sailor Man,
I’m Popeye the Sailor Man…
None of us have the power to save ourselves. We are utterly dependent on God’s grace. But that grace is not just extended to us for salvation—it brings change into our lives, making us more like Christ. And it equips and enables us for a life of service. All that we are, for good and for God, is a result of grace. Truly understanding this fact allows us both to remain humble and to recognize and praise God for His goodness to us.
Paul realized that all he was and all he had done was because of God’s grace. He had done much of which he could have been proud, but instead, he kept his focus on what God had done for him and through him. The devil has destroyed many promising lives and ministries by pride. When we attempt to work in our own strength, apart from God’s grace, we can never accomplish anything of lasting value.
Today’s Growth Principle:
When we forget the role God’s grace plays in our lives, we are headed for pride and destruction.
Monday 26 March 2018
Keeping the Stones Silent
Keeping the Stones Silent
by Dr. Paul Chappell
“And when he was come nigh, even now at the descent of the mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen; Saying, Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest. And some of the Pharisees from among the multitude said unto him, Master, rebuke thy disciples. And he answered and said unto them, I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out.”
Luke 19:37–40
When Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey, He was fulfilling prophecies that were hundreds of years old. Every detail happened just as God had said, according to the timeline revealed to Daniel in his vision. There were many who welcomed Jesus, but most of them wanted Him to be a king who would overthrow the Romans rather than the Saviour who would rescue them from their sin. For the Pharisees, even a political deliverer was too much. They feared the loss of their prestigious and profitable positions. “If we let him thus alone, all men will believe on him: and the Romans shall come and take away both our place and nation” (John 11:48). So they demanded that Jesus quiet the throngs who had gathered.
In response, Jesus told them that if the people were silenced, the very stones would cry out. The praise, glory, and greatness of God is beyond human ability to properly express, but that should not stop us from doing our best to let everyone know our love and gratitude toward God. The gift of salvation alone would be worthy of a lifetime of praise and worship, to say nothing of the daily blessings and provision we receive. Yet, too often our praise is tepid at best, rather than filled with sincere joy and appreciation as it should be.
Luke 19:37–40
When Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey, He was fulfilling prophecies that were hundreds of years old. Every detail happened just as God had said, according to the timeline revealed to Daniel in his vision. There were many who welcomed Jesus, but most of them wanted Him to be a king who would overthrow the Romans rather than the Saviour who would rescue them from their sin. For the Pharisees, even a political deliverer was too much. They feared the loss of their prestigious and profitable positions. “If we let him thus alone, all men will believe on him: and the Romans shall come and take away both our place and nation” (John 11:48). So they demanded that Jesus quiet the throngs who had gathered.
In response, Jesus told them that if the people were silenced, the very stones would cry out. The praise, glory, and greatness of God is beyond human ability to properly express, but that should not stop us from doing our best to let everyone know our love and gratitude toward God. The gift of salvation alone would be worthy of a lifetime of praise and worship, to say nothing of the daily blessings and provision we receive. Yet, too often our praise is tepid at best, rather than filled with sincere joy and appreciation as it should be.
Today’s Growth Principle:
Praise in the heart is good, but praise expressed outwardly so that others see and hear it is far better.
Sunday 25 March 2018
The Power of Praise
The Power of Praise
by Dr. Paul Chappell
“Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee. Thus will I bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy name. My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips: When I remember thee upon my bed, and meditate on thee in the night watches.”
Psalm 63:3–6
David penned this Holy Spirit-inspired song of praise, not at a time of success, ease, and blessing, but at a time when he was running for his life. Yet even while living in the wilderness and hiding from Saul, David recognized that God was faithful to him. So many times we equate God’s goodness with our comfort, but He is always good, no matter our circumstances. Every good thing we receive comes from His hand, and in every trial, He remains faithful to us.
I read about an older Christian singer who had been diagnosed with cancer of the tongue. When he was told that it would require surgery, he was also informed that following the surgery, he would no longer be able to sing. In the operating room he told the doctor, “I’ve had many good times singing the praises of God. Now you tell me I can never sing again. I have one song that will be my last.” He began to sign the old hymn by Isaac Watts:
I’ll praise my Maker while I’ve breath,
And when my voice is lost in death,
Praise shall employ my nobler power;
My days of praise shall ne’er be past,
While life, and thought, and being last,
Or immortality endures.
The praise we offer to God, especially in hard times, guards us from despair and defeat. When we remember all that God has done for us in the past, we are encouraged to seek His help for the present and the future. Our praise is sweet to the ears of God.
Psalm 63:3–6
David penned this Holy Spirit-inspired song of praise, not at a time of success, ease, and blessing, but at a time when he was running for his life. Yet even while living in the wilderness and hiding from Saul, David recognized that God was faithful to him. So many times we equate God’s goodness with our comfort, but He is always good, no matter our circumstances. Every good thing we receive comes from His hand, and in every trial, He remains faithful to us.
I read about an older Christian singer who had been diagnosed with cancer of the tongue. When he was told that it would require surgery, he was also informed that following the surgery, he would no longer be able to sing. In the operating room he told the doctor, “I’ve had many good times singing the praises of God. Now you tell me I can never sing again. I have one song that will be my last.” He began to sign the old hymn by Isaac Watts:
I’ll praise my Maker while I’ve breath,
And when my voice is lost in death,
Praise shall employ my nobler power;
My days of praise shall ne’er be past,
While life, and thought, and being last,
Or immortality endures.
The praise we offer to God, especially in hard times, guards us from despair and defeat. When we remember all that God has done for us in the past, we are encouraged to seek His help for the present and the future. Our praise is sweet to the ears of God.
Today’s Growth Principle:
When we praise God in difficult times, our faith is strengthened and our hope renewed.
Saturday 24 March 2018
Sorrow into joy
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Fiery Trials
by Dr. Paul Chappell
“Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.”
1 Peter 4:12-14
When Peter was inspired to write on the subject of persecution, trials, and faith being challenged, he was not talking about theory. Peter’s faith had faced a trial the night before Jesus was crucified, and he had failed the test. He had also experienced great suffering first hand—being beaten, jailed, and threatened with execution. Many of his fellow disciples lost their lives because of their faithful witness and testimony, and Peter himself would eventually be crucified.
The appearance of hardships, trials, and even persecution in our lives should not come as a surprise to us. The popular notion that the Christian life is meant to be easy and that we should expect to only receive blessings leaves people poorly prepared when difficulty does come. The Bible instead tells us that if we are committed to doing right, we should expect to experience difficulties and challenges. “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution” (2 Timothy 3:12).
The thing that sustains us through trials and testing is our faith that God is still in control. Though we are often surprised by what happens, God never is. As someone once said, “All of our fiery trials are Father-filtered.” When we remember that God is in control even when things go wrong according to our expectation and understanding, we are reminded to keep our faith in Him.
1 Peter 4:12-14
When Peter was inspired to write on the subject of persecution, trials, and faith being challenged, he was not talking about theory. Peter’s faith had faced a trial the night before Jesus was crucified, and he had failed the test. He had also experienced great suffering first hand—being beaten, jailed, and threatened with execution. Many of his fellow disciples lost their lives because of their faithful witness and testimony, and Peter himself would eventually be crucified.
The appearance of hardships, trials, and even persecution in our lives should not come as a surprise to us. The popular notion that the Christian life is meant to be easy and that we should expect to only receive blessings leaves people poorly prepared when difficulty does come. The Bible instead tells us that if we are committed to doing right, we should expect to experience difficulties and challenges. “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution” (2 Timothy 3:12).
The thing that sustains us through trials and testing is our faith that God is still in control. Though we are often surprised by what happens, God never is. As someone once said, “All of our fiery trials are Father-filtered.” When we remember that God is in control even when things go wrong according to our expectation and understanding, we are reminded to keep our faith in Him.
Today’s Growth Principle:
No trial ever comes into your life that has not first passed through the hands of your loving Father in Heaven.
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