It is difficult for me not to worry about everything. I get a thought in my mind and I worry about the when, where, and why of it all. I often have to step back and force myself to relax and take a breath. This is why last weeks sermon at church resonated with me. Mark 13:7,"And when ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars, be ye not troubled, for (such things) must be; but the end (shall) not (be) yet." The chapter goes on to talk about terrible things that will happen to followers of Christ before it comes to vs. 10, "and the gospel must first be published among nations." These verses just tell me that no matter the circumstances, no matter how hard things get, we are to always remain faithful, not worrisome, and always proclaiming the gospel of Christ. This is why when believers complain 24/7 it is just depressing to me. Everyone goes through hard times. Every mom goes through many of the same tribulations. Many wives go through the same complicated circumstances, so why do you complain day in and day out about things that God will take care of? Things you shouldn't worry yourself with? Little things! There are a few people that I know that truly have the right to complain, but they don't. It is amazing to me to watch my friend, Niki, who is in and out of the hospital with her son do NOTHING but praise God. THAT is a true testimony. Job was a true testimony. Paul was a true testimony. Who would praise God in the middle of a jail cell after being beaten almost to death? A man of God, that is who. So, when life circumstances are beating you up, you have to look to Christ. You have to have FAITH. Have faith that He knows what you need. He will bring you through. He has a plan! Even if things don't seem pleasant, He has a plan. Even if the plan isn't what you wanted or expected. Tribulations must come, hard times must come, wars must happen, Christians will be persecuted, but in the end Jesus Christ will come in the clouds to save us. He will come for His elect, and until then He will provide for us. So GO and preach the good news. Be positive. Obey God, listen to God, and glorify God in all things. I am going through a time in my life that only a few know about, but I have to have faith. I'm giving it to God, praying constantly, and being positive. He has a plan! Jeremiah 29:11," 11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." But this promise only comes when we obey Him. Do things HIS way, not OUR way. Nothing in life should be about "me." Romans 8:4-7," in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law, indeed it cannot. Those who are in the flesh cannot please God."So, don't set your mind on the flesh and worldly desires. Set your mind on the Spirit and you will have true peace!
The Good News: John 3:16, "16 “For God so loved the world,[a] that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life."
Because we are all sinners, Romans 3:23, "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." God gave us a gift. The gift of grace through His Son, Jesus Christ, "and we are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood to be received by faith." Christ saves us through the blood He shed on the cross. All we are asked to do is recognize that we are sinners and won't get to Heaven by our works, by saying a prayer in church that never meant anything to us, or by going to church every Sunday. We are saved because we have FAITH in Christ Jesus, and repent of our sins (flee from our sins). We are saved because we have faith that Jesus bore the wrath of His Father for the sins that we committed. That a perfect lamb, a sinless man, was slain on a cross for us.The question isn't, "did Jesus live?"History says he did! The question is, "is he your savior?" Do you believe that HE died for your sins? That you are a sinner saved by grace? Or do you believe your a pretty good person that doesn't need a savior to save you from eternal death?
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