Endurance with Joy - April 15, 2014

Scripture: Romans 5-6
1 Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. 2 Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory.
3 We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. 4 And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. 5 And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.
- Romans 5

Message:
Enduring through Trials without sinning but by trusting in GOD.

Observation/Promise:
We are all tried and tested in our life. Especially when we believe and follow the Lord Jesus who went through the worst things any human being could ever go through when He was on earth. But our trials and troubles are there to mold us and shape our character. One they are to help us develop endurance. It's human nature for people not to endure because they don't like to endure, it's not a pleasant feeling, it's a feeling of being pressed. But when we learn the secret of endurance, something changes within us and it changes our character. Not our personality, taste or likes, but something deep within us such as our character is being shaped into what is good. When our character is being developed, it pushes us to rely on GOD even more and strengthen our faith and hope in HIS salvation. It makes a person that trusts GOD all the more and that kind of person is someone that is humble and wise just like Joseph, Moses and Abraham.

Application/Command:

Learn to endure the trials in your life not just with sorrowful prayers lifted up to Heaven every time you are going through a difficult situation. Learn to endure with a smile, with rejoicing, and laughter because then you know that these trials are for a specific purpose allowed by GOD to make us into the best that we can be. Learning to endure in trials with joy is a proof of one's deep trust and hope in GOD. No sane person on earth will laugh when their house got burned down, or when an accident wrecked their car. But a person of deep trust in GOD will be able to thank HIM even after the difficulties in life because deep inside he/she knows that GOD has a greater purpose that will result in greater and wonderful things.

At just the right time - March 25, 2014

Scripture: Esther 6-10
2 In those records he discovered an account of how Mordecai had exposed the plot of Bigthana and Teresh, two of the eunuchs who guarded the door to the king’s private quarters. They had plotted to assassinate King Xerxes.
3 “What reward or recognition did we ever give Mordecai for this?” the king asked.
His attendants replied, “Nothing has been done for him.”
4 “Who is that in the outer court?” the king inquired. As it happened, Haman had just arrived in the outer court of the palace to ask the king to impale Mordecai on the pole he had prepared.
9 ‘This is what the king does for someone he wishes to honor!’”
10 “Excellent!” the king said to Haman. “Quick! Take the robes and my horse, and do just as you have said for Mordecai the Jew, who sits at the gate of the palace. Leave out nothing you have suggested!”
Message:
The LORD hears and answers the prayers of His people at just the right time.

Observation/Promise:
We are all undergoing hard times in life but when we are pressed on every side, is the best time to all the more press in on GOD and rely on HIM. When we press in on GOD, we seek GOD, we cling to Him for salvation. Sometimes He doesn't act right away, sometimes it feels like HE doesn't hear, but every prayer and tear that comes out of your heart, are all stored and kept into GOD's heart. HE is moved by every cry, every sigh, offered to Him. He is not slow in action, HE is making everything work at it's perfect time. Just like Mordecai, he wasn't given the credit due him when he saved the kings life, but at just the right time when he was supposedly planned to be killed, the King honored his life by letting his killer do the honoring. The most ironic of all events has happened and it happened at just the right time.

Command/Application:
If you are crying out to GOD and asking Him for something, wait upon the Lord. Be faithful in your prayers and do not give up because at just the right time, HE will do a miraculous thing. When you depend on Him for salvation, when you trust Him for deliverance, He will come for you like a Knight and shining armor, He will save without failing. GOD is perfect, all that we need to do in our part is to endure and pray, pray for breakthrough, believe, and do not stop believing, look up and expect for GOD's salvation. 

Overcome with Him - March 21, 2014

Scripture: Revelations 12-17

11 And they have defeated him by the blood of the Lamb and by their testimony.
And they did not love their lives so much that they were afraid to die. - Rev 12

10 This means that God’s holy people must endure persecution patiently and remain faithful. - Rev 13

12 This is when perseverance is needed on the part of God’s people, those who observe his commands and exercise Yeshua’s faithfulness. - Rev 14
15 (“Look! I am coming like a thief! How blessed are those who stay alert and keep their clothes clean, so that they won’t be walking naked and be publicly put to shame!”) 

- Rev 16
14 They will go to war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will defeat them, because he is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those who are called, chosen and faithful will overcome along with him.” 

17 For God put it in their hearts to do what will fulfill his purpose, that is, to be of one mind and give their kingdom to the beast until God’s words have accomplished their intent. 

- Rev 17

Message:
Persevere! As GOD's chosen people, we are called to persevere the trials that we face in our lives.

Observation/Promise:
We are living in the end of days and we have not even started yet with the tribulation but the trials and hardship that we go through is already excruciating. We are troubled by our finances, work, in church, in our relationships, we can feel the birth pangs of the world. But Yeshua has overcome that world and we should hold on all the more when the going gets tough that those who are called, chosen and faithful will overcome along with him.” (Rev 17:14) 

Command/Application:
Do no love your life - let GOD be the center of your heart and the One you love the most. If GOD is your greatest love, then you will fear nothing else not even losing your life.
Endure Persecution - whether it is persecution from the world or even from your own family, friends or to the group you belong, endure!
Patiently remain faithful - be faithful to GOD, HE is always faithful to you. Do not let circumstances and trials shove you away from GOD.
Persevere - stand firm in the Lord and His word and persevere whatever trials may come your way. GOD has promised - We shall overcome with Him! We can only overcome through HIM.

Called to win - March 15, 2014

Scripture: Acts 23-24
11 That night the Lord appeared to Paul and said,“Be encouraged, Paul. Just as you have been a witness to me here in Jerusalem, you must preach the Good News in Rome as well.” - Acts 23
22 At that point Felix, who was quite familiar with the Way, adjourned the hearing and said, “Wait until Lysias, the garrison commander, arrives. Then I will decide the case.” 23 He ordered an officer to keep Paul in custody but to give him some freedom and allow his friends to visit him and take care of his needs.
24 A few days later Felix came back with his wife, Drusilla, who was Jewish. Sending for Paul, they listened as he told them about faith in Christ Jesus.25 As he reasoned with them about righteousness and self-control and the coming day of judgment, Felix became frightened. “Go away for now,” he replied. “When it is more convenient, I’ll call for you again.” 26 He also hoped that Paul would bribe him, so he sent for him quite often and talked with him. - Acts 24

Message:
We are all called to win, we just need to focus on that one thing. 

Observation/Promise:
Paul was the most persecuted servant of GOD who suffered many times in prisons in trials for being accused of following the truth. Yet Paul never was afraid of anything, whatever may happen to him, whether he was flogged or sent to prison for so many times, Paul never lost his faith. Paul was a radical servant of the Lord and he focused on GOD more than dwelling or living on his present situation. Any human being in his position would probably grow faint of the things that happened to him. But not Paul, and this may be one reason why GOD chose Paul to do such great work for Him for His kingdom. He gathered as many souls to the Lord and most of them were gentiles. This was GOD's purpose for Paul and it was all fulfilled because Paul was focused on the Lord. Not in honor, not in fame but only in GOD who has called him to do such things.

Command/Application:
Focus on GOD. Do not allow your circumstances to dictate how you feel or what you should do but let GOD and His word dictate your soul and spirit. If your circumstances are hard, unbearable, or difficult, it only means GOD has such great purpose for you. Are you going through what Paul had gone through, not even close. GOD will only call you to do hard things if you are truly capable of enduring and wining them. GOD is faithful. He will not tell you to fight battles you cannot win. Whatever He has called you to do, it means you will surely win. So stay with GOD and do not lose hope. We, all of GOD's children are all called to win. 

Feb 16, 2014 - Holding on to GOD

Scripture:

5 In view of all this, make every effort to respond to God’s promises. Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence, and moral excellence with knowledge, 6 and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with patient endurance, and patient endurance with godliness, 7 and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love for everyone. - 2 Peter 1

10 So, dear brothers and sisters,[c] work hard to prove that you really are among those God has called and chosen. Do these things, and you will never fall away. 11 Then God will give you a grand entrance into the eternal Kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

9 So you see, the Lord knows how to rescue godly people from their trials, even while keeping the wicked under punishment until the day of final judgment. 10 He is especially hard on those who follow their own twisted sexual desire, and who despise authority. - 2 Peter 2

9 The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent.

14 And so, dear friends, while you are waiting for these things to happen, make every effort to be found living peaceful lives that are pure and blameless in his sight.

17 I am warning you ahead of time, dear friends. Be on guard so that you will not be carried away by the errors of these wicked people and lose your own secure footing. 18 Rather, you must grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. - 2 Peter 3

Message:

Live to please the King so that when He returns we will surely come with Him. The righteous may suffer during their time in the world but GOD will rescue those that belong to Him.

Promise:

GOD's promise will come to pass in time, HE is not slow in fulfilling His promise, HE is just merciful giving time for others to repent. GOD will rescue us from our trials. GOD will give us a grand entrance in Heaven when we have persevered until the end. 

Command/Application:

Make every effort to respond to GOD's promises. Work hard to prove that you are one of GOD's chosen and set apart ones. Make every effort to be living peaceful lives, pure and blameless. Be on guard. Stay in the path, supplement your faith with moral excellence, knowledge, self-control, patient endurance and godliness, brotherly affection and love for one another. 

Prayer:

Abba Yakar, Great and Awesome One! The one who makes all things come to pass. Forgive us O LORD, of our short commings, when we have doubted you and have not endured some trials. We look to you O LORD, You are our salvation, we cannot be strong enough to live godly lives, we need your grace, your power at work in our lives. We depend on Your Holy Spirit, to move and to cause us to will and to act according to Your great purpose for us. Do not allow us to be deceived or be led astray, but keep us strong and blameless just as Your word has promised until the day of Adonai Yeshua, Ha Mashiach Amen!