IN TIMES LIKE THESE...
It is with immense joy that I am opportune to write you yet again...
These are peculiar times that God is bent on refreshing those that are called by His name. He says despite this, “Do not let your hearts be troubled (distressed, agitated). Ye believe in and adhere to and trust in and rely on God, believe in and adhere to and trust in and rely also on me” John 14: 1 (AMP).
Beloved, when trials overshadow and overwhelm you, remember that you are sustained by the hope of our ultimate good; our glorification. More so, we take solace in the promise that present happenings are controlled by God for our good. “We are assured and know that {God being a partner in their labour} all things work together and are {fitting into a plan} for good to and for those who love God and are called according to {His} design and purpose”... Romans 8: 28 (AMP). Also that the scriptures be fulfilled that ...“blessed is He who comes in the name of The Most High... peace in Heaven and glory in the highest”... Luke 19: 38 (NIV).
We have an assurance that we will never experience anything that God does not allow and use for our good. Our sufferings, our groaning, our hope and our joy are all designed for our ultimate good. God is in charge and nothing is beyond His power.
When John the Baptist was seized by Herod, it appeared to have been a signal for Jesus to set out His public ministry in Galilee- this brought about one of the most noteworthy teachings of Jesus- The sermon on the mount (The Beatitudes) and many other miraculous signs. A once vibrant John the Baptist was confined to a compulsory solitude, like anyone, He felt that the master cared less that He perished, so He sent a message to Jesus by His disciples. ...“are you the one Who was to come or should we keep on expecting a different one?” Matthew 11: 3 (AMP). He referred to the scripture that was prophesied through Balaam in Numbers 24: 17. ...“I see Him but not now; I behold Him, but He is not near. A star {Star} shall come forth out of Jacob and a sceptre {Sceptre} shall rise out of Israel and shall crush all the corners of Moab and break down all the sons of Sheth {Moab’s sons of tumult}” (AMP).
You think that there need be more proofs that He is the messiah, He says; “Blessed are you who takes no offence at me and finds no cause for stumbling... and is not hindered from seeing the Truth” Matthew 11: 6. (NIV). Even when you are in the midst of a violent storm on the high sea, so that the boat is being covered up by the waves and it seems the Master is asleep on a soft cushion in the cabin or I AM (Matthew 14: 27, Exodus 3: 14) decides at that time to take a stroll on the high sea while you are tossed and beaten by the waves, just take Peter’s clue and cry out to Him because He is closer than your skin, o yea of little faith! He is the messiah. ...“He has sent me to bind up and heal the broken hearted, to proclaim liberty to the {physical and spiritual} captives and the opening of the prison and of the eyes to those who are bound”... Isaiah 61: 1 (AMP). He simply speaks to the sea and there is great calm. (Matthew 8: 26 &27, 14: 32).
What then can we say? ...“if God is for us, who {can be} against us?”Romans 8: 31 (AMP). There are things that oppose us as believers in Christ: the sinful nature, suffering, death and the devil, but none of these can prevail against us because God is on our side. Apostle Paul further affirms that “He who did not withhold or spare {even} His own son but gave Him up for us all, will He not also with Him freely and graciously give us all {other} things? ” Romans 8: 32 (AMP). If God went the length of giving up His only son to save us, He will graciously give us everything else we need to achieve His ultimate goal: Our Glorification in Him.
Who then shall ever separate us from the love of God? Shall suffering, affliction, tribulation, distress, persecution, hunger, destitution, peril or the sword? (Romans 8: 35) God’s love did not promise to prevent pains but in Christ, He carries us through them and we have overcome them. “Yet amid all these things, we are more than conquerors and gain a surpassing victory through Him Who loved us” Romans 8: 37 (AMP).
Why are you cast down, o my soul, o beloved? Hope in God for you shall again praise Him; our help and our God (Psalm 42: 5). In times like these, Jesus is the Saviour, He is the anchor that holds and grips the solid rock!
ayanfeLAMPROS.
QUOTES
“The winds and the waves shall obey my will. Peace, be still! Whether the wrath of storm-tossed sea, or demons, or men, or whatever it be, no water can swallow the ship where lies the Master of ocean and earth and skies” Hymnal.
“When life knocks you down, try to land on your back. Because if you look up, you can get up” Les Brown.
“None lives so easily, so pleasantly, as those that live by faith” Matthew Henry.
“Cast all your cares on God; that anchor holds” Alfred Lord Tennyson.
“With peace in his soul, a man can face the most terrifying experiences. But without peace in his soul, he cannot manage even as simple a task as writing a letter” An English Psychologist.
“Prayer moves the hand that moves the world” John Wallace.