Confirm the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith and that we must through much tribulation enter into the Kingdom of God. (Acts 14:22)
Beloved, even as children of the Almighty God, the Bible teaches us that in this present world, we will and should expect to endure trials and tribulations, hardships, afflictions; but Jesus said we are to be of good courage because He has overcome the cares of this world for us. The Apostle Paul writes that we are to count these things as light afflictions; when the cross comes into our view and we are to consider the Christ, which is our hope of Glory! (II Cor. 4:17).
More over, Beloved {let us also be full of joy now!} let us exault and triumph in our troubles and rejoice in our sufferings. Knowing that pressure and affliction and hardship produces patient and unswerving endurance.
And endurance (fortitude) develops maturity of character (approved faith and tried integrity), And character {of this sort} produces {the habit of} joyful and confident hope of eternal salvation.
Such hope never disappoints or deludes or shame us, for God’s love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit. Who has been given to us.
Beloved, even in the midst of our suffering we are over-comers in Christ Jesus. We are asked in the scriptures, ” who shall separate us from Christ’s love? Shall suffering and affliction and tribulation? Or calamity and distress? Or persecution or hunger or destitution or peril or sword? Inspite of all these things beloved, yet the word teaches us that we are more than conquerors and gain a surpassing victory through Him who loved us.
Beloved, it is during great tribulation that our attitude should be that of dependency on God, trusting Him completely, surrendered to Him in totally loyalty, for after all, it is He who made us, and not us ourselves. We belong to Him, he said we are the sheep of His pasture. I just know that God is more than able to take care of His children, ad I know that He will do it.
For I am persuaded beyond doubt (I am sure of it) that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities, nor things impending and threatening nor things to come, nor powers, nor height or depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the Love of God which is in Christ Jesus, our Lord. Amen!
References Acts 14:22, Roman5:3-5, Roman 8:35, 37-39
Sister Betty, In Him, I am more than a conqueror.
Father God, please circumcise our hearts and teach us how to love you more, just like your angels in heaven, with all our heart, strength, soul, and our being. Father, grant us the confidence in you, to have faith that you accept us with all our imperfections as you continue to work on conforming us into the likeness of your Son, Jesus, our beloved Lord and Savior. In Jesus’ Awesome Name! Amen.
Tags: 37-39, Acts 14:22, Betty Rucker, christian blogs, Divine Inspirations, II Cor. 4:17, Roman 8:35, Roman5:3-5
