The struggle - April 27, 2014

Scripture: Job 7-8

1 “Is not all human life a struggle? Our lives are like that of a hired hand,
2 like a worker who longs for the shade, like a servant waiting to be paid.
17 “What are people, that you should make so much of us,

that you should think of us so often?
18 For you examine us every morning and test us every moment.
19 Why won’t you leave me alone, at least long enough for me to swallow!
21 Why not just forgive my sin and take away my guilt?
For soon I will lie down in the dust and die. When you look for me, I will be gone.”
Message:
The test and punishments of GOD are the struggle of Humanity.

Observation/Promise:
We are being tested from time to time. GOD wants to form our character and make our faith into gold. Job had the hardest test, GOD was confident in Him, He was going to pass the test. If GOD is confident in you, then He will allow you to go through tough times, because HE knows that you will emerge from the storms of life, stronger, wiser, discerning, and glorifying GOD. GOD is never out of control. Everything that happens in our lives is under the permission of our great and loving GOD.

Application/Command:

We can complain but let us remain faithful to GOD. No matter what happens in life, may the LORD grant us a spirit of perseverance and faith. May our trust for the Lord Almighty deepen as we hold on to His mercies and cling to His love. Let us be humble, may we never think we deserve better than what we have now. Let us learn how to ask GOD to deliver us from every trial winning every battle always in the end.

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.

Not Giving Up - Feb 22, 2014

Scripture: Acts 17-18
32 When they heard Paul speak about the resurrection of the dead, some laughed in contempt, but others said, “We want to hear more about this later.” 33 That ended Paul’s discussion with them,34 but some joined him and became believers. Among them were Dionysius, a member of the council, a woman named Damaris, and others with them. - Acts 17
4 Each Sabbath found Paul at the synagogue, trying to convince the Jews and Greeks alike. 5 And after Silas and Timothy came down from Macedonia, Paul spent all his time preaching the word. He testified to the Jews that Jesus was the Messiah. 6 But when they opposed and insulted him, Paul shook the dust from his clothes and said, “Your blood is upon your own heads—I am innocent. From now on I will go preach to the Gentiles.” 9 One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision and told him, “Don’t be afraid! Speak out! Don’t be silent! 10 For I am with you, and no one will attack and harm you, for many people in this city belong to me.” 11 So Paul stayed there for the next year and a half, teaching the word of God. - Acts 18

Message:
Some will some won't, so what? Next! We cannot allow hindrances to stop the work of GOD in our lives. We have to push through and persevere until we see the purpose of GOD being accomplished in every task that He has called us to take.

Observation/Promise:
We have to continue to do what GOD has called us to do in life. Like Paul and Silas, we cannot let discouragement of unbelief hinder us from doing the work of GOD in us. Some will believe in GOD but some will not, even old believers will not believe what GOD is doing in your life but we should depend on what they believe for us to decide what we ought to do. Whatever GOD has called you to do, do it! It will be difficult and there will be struggle but don't let others affect the way you serve and love GOD.
Command/Application:
Just look to GOD. Focus on Him because He is the only one perfect who cannot fail you. If GOD did not call you to give up, then don't stop, because only HE knows the end from the beginning and it will take a lot of faith but when you trust GOD, in the end it will all work out. Everything can go wrong now, but keep your eyes on GOD because HE knows the end and He will not allow you to persevere for nothing. Don't be afraid. But let GOD lead you every step of the way. Follow Him with all of your heart and He will make your paths straight.

Hope

22 We know that until now, the whole creation has been groaning as with the pains of childbirth; 23 and not only it, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we continue waiting eagerly to be made sons — that is, to have our whole bodies redeemed and set free. 24 It was in this hope that we were saved. But if we see what we hope for, it isn’t hope — after all, who hopes for what he already sees?25 But if we continue hoping for something we don’t see, then we still wait eagerly for it, with perseverance.
- Romans 8:22-25

All creation is groaning. Groans are sounds that come from deep pain or despair. Why does Paul say that the whole creation is groaning as if it was a woman about to give birth? It is groaning for GOD's total rulership on earth, GOD's glory to cover the entire Universe. Do you have these kinds of groans? Do you ever feel dissatisfied with life? Then you are one that is longing for perfection and idealism that can only be attained when GOD's Kingdom will fully reign in the entire creation and all His follwers will receive complete sonship where our bodies are no longer human imperfect bodies bound to sin but glorified bodies that make us perfect beings. 

There will always be trouble in this world, regardless whether you are a follower of Yeshua or not, whether you are a child of GOD or someone godless, you will face troubles that each person will have to face on earth. But what every child of GOD has that nobody else could never have if they do not have GOD is the shining hope and resting peace that they can hold on to that keeps them strong and keeps them going, regardless of the troubles they are facing. This kind of hope will sustain children of the light to perservere, to continue, to never give up and follow their LORD Yeshua to the very end even unto death because GOD's promise is the only certain thing we could ever hold on to in this world. Security is found not in wealth, not in family, not even our deepest relationships could ever compare to the promises of GOD in our lives. It is the hope of Yeshua's glorious return for His bride - His followers and the promise that one day we will be together with the LORD GOD in a perfect world forever safe, secure and beyond enormous joy. What is your hope?