Are ya hurtin’ some today? Had some losses?

So sorry. Wish I had comforting words for you. I know it can get better.  

Have ya suffered some loss or rejection? Other than that? 

Sorry ‘bout it. 

Society says bury your griefs. All alone.. just stuff it all. Time heals all things. 

I say differently. Some over a whole lot of time, not turning towards God, don’t experience any healing. I say...

Feel your feelings even the grief. Face it, review your loss(es) ..and wisely express it. You can heal. There is One who can easily do that. Blessed are those who mourn their losses. They shall be encouraged, shall be comforted, shall be made strong and well. Yes, you can be well and strong. Suffering can purify us -- it can make such beautiful people.

By grace Jesus brings beauty for ashes. 

Who hasn’t had any losses here? 

"Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn." Romans 12:15

He is near, real close. Can hear you. Christ is near and fully understands. 

"Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep." Romans 12:15

Facts to stand on: God still loves you, hasn't bailed -- he's there for you. Prayerfully meditate upon these truths. Won't forsake ya. That's not his nature. 

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. John 14:18

When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy. Psalm 94:19

Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Matthew 5:4

But very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you.

John 16:7

But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.

John 14:26

And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever. John 14:16

When hard pressed, I cried to the Lord;

he brought me into a spacious place. Psalm 118:5

I, even I, am he who comforts you.

Who are you that you fear mere mortals,

human beings who are but grass. Isaiah 51:12

‘Never again will they hunger;

never again will they thirst.

The sun will not beat down on them,’

nor any scorching heat.

For the Lamb at the center of the throne

will be their shepherd;

‘he will lead them to springs of living water.’

‘And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.’ Revelation 7:16-17

When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father—the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father—he will testify about me. John 15:26

For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ. 2 Corinthians 1:5 Fish4souls.org

Knowing, walkin’ in, experiencing peace without knowing what’s coming next? It can happen. Sure, it prayerfully can!

Dare ya if I may to.. know the Prince of Peace well.. Him who well-knows what's coming next and far beyond that too. We can know Him well ‘til we are well .. while making Him well known. 

But how? Here's how. You can by your life of joy, your attitude of pure love, and your practical deeds that are really helpful. God empowers us!

1. Right Praying (biblical, promise-based in faith)
2. Right Thinking (helps with a good attitude)
3. Right Living (in God’s Spirit, His will and wisdom). 

Remember, the world is changed through prayerful believers suffering strong in God’s will..according to God's word.

Jesus did that--He changed the world. (and I don’t mean here that we are to religiously suffer by our own volition, liking suffering and trying to earn God’s favor and grace. Nope).

What are the three types?  

1.) The suffering of circumstances.  

2.) The suffering from persecution.  

3.) The suffering of choosing to.. along with others.. suffer as the Holy Spirit personally directs you into this.

Factoid: The lighter our cross, the weaker our witness. Am not sayin' I know what your cross or suffering will be.

It's just part of the Christian life (false teachers won't tell you this 'bout suffering). Consider trials not strange.
Remember how Nehemiah suffered in God's will -- learn from his prayer principles:

1. Nehemiah acknowledged the greatness of God. You’re awesome, praise You. (get things in perspective. Lord’s prayer--hallowed be your Name) 

2. Nehemiah reminded the omniscient God of His promises--(That's sort of reminding self).  

“And now, our God, the great and mighty and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of unfailing love, do not let all the hardships we have suffered seem insignificant to you. Great trouble has come upon us and upon our kings and leaders and priests and prophets and ancestors—all of your people—from the days when the kings of Assyria first triumphed over us until now." Neh. 9:32  

Some Bible promises are obviously made to Israel. And many were made to Christians in Christ’s Church, even for us today.You’re Christian life won’t work unless you follow His plan. Believer, you have God’s power and His promises, His plan and purpose. “His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through the knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence. Through these He has given us His precious and magnificent promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, now that you have escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.”  2 Peter 1:3-4 

God's power is not available apart from the Scriptures. His divine power is connected to His precious and magnificent Bible promises. (See the context).  

We get connected with God who is our power source... by the Word of God. By the exceeding great and precious promises of this Book, the Bible.  

God's power is not available apart from the Scriptures if you want the power of God to be working in your life, then don't ignore this Book. It's His love letter to believers.  

I've experienced.. several Christians longing for breakthrough. They come and talk about what's happening in their lives with all the struggles.  

I like to ask them a couple questions about their personal connection. I say.. Man, don't complain about not having power in your life. Please. It's because connected between God and you are wires so to speak ..and the wires carry the power of God through, yes right from Him directly to you.. and what are those wires? They are His precious promises.

Why are these promises great? They are great because they come from a great God and they lead to a great life. That's why they're great!  

Why do you and I even need to focus on this?

Well, number one.. God's promises are incalculable in their greatness. They're exceedingly great because we can't even for sure count them all while here. I mean no one can fully count the promises of God in the Bible. Many people have tried to.  

I remember reading about a guy named Everett Storms of Ontario Canada. He took a couple years in his attempt--he decided to try and find out how many promises were in the Bible. He heard that there are 30,000 promises in the Bible. But wait.. there are only 31,000 verses in the Bible.  

Q: So about how many Bible promises are in there, Kurt? 

It’s been said that the grand total is: 8,810 promises in the Bible. And about 85% of them are made by God to human beings cuz God loves us!

Isaiah has more than 1000 promises in it.  

Which chapter has the most promises? Well, in Psalm 37 -- see how practically every verse is a promise. Here's a challenge for ya: Read through, and pray through the entire Bible with its good promises. Memorize some.  

Quickly in a nutshell, basically here are some promises for you to look up: You’ll never be alone, believer. God loves you and has a good plan. God will get you through all you’re facing, I mean deep waters etc. God will provide all your needs. See Matt. 6:33, Mal. 3:10. He’ll forgive us of all our sins. Ask, in Jesus' Name.

3.  Nehemiah confessed sin in prayer.  

He felt sorry for em and said, “We have acted very corruptly against you and have not kept the commandments, the statutes, and the rules that you commanded your servant Moses.” Neh 1:7  

 

Jesus, I pray that we each can honestly confess and know You well. I pray that all reading this will turn, fully trust You and pray as You prayed. Yes, as You by Your Spirit daily lead us in prayer. Facebook.com/shareJesus .. Fish4souls.org

They can take your life, believer, if they really want to, but they can’t take it twice.

Never can. They can stop your breath if they want to, but they can’t take it twice. Never! 

Me figures.. short-term pain beats really long-term. Might not have to endure long pains, but who doesn't already experience short-term aches and pains from time to time? The fall happened here, that's why. Trials come and go (think em not uber-strange) and they can work for us if we respond right. But lost people have troubles that work against them. The way of the transgressor is hard. But they too can respond right--they can turn to the Comforter who loves us. Jesus waits patiently. Turn. So longs to forgive, help and bless.  

Might not have to endure long-term pain (that'd be cool)--might not be around long. Hope you are. Personal wish. Who doesn't have any pains ..ever?  

Cause yourself and others no pain, no weirdness, or harm. Why do that? Stop slicin’ you. You ain't yours, you've been bought at a price. 

You'll never be touched by the second death, believer. Physical death is total separation from your body. You’ll get a new and better one. Spiritual death is separation from God. Why have that forever? 

Be born again. “You must be born again” said Jesus. Good idea, let’s be friends and fam -- let’s hang together without end. 

If you're born once, you'll die twice. If you're born twice (I mean physically and spiritually) you'll only die once -- you might even be raptured on outta here before that cuz we now be in the last days. At least you and I be in our last days.  

“What I tell you in the dark, speak in the light; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the housetops. Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Instead, fear the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father.“ Matthew 10:27-29

Originally posted by american-gangsters

Need the warmth of family? Come. Maybe yours has let you down? There’s a fam for you. Bad idea: clean yourself up and then come to Christ. Good idea: Come to Christ now, and allow Him to clean you. He will. He works in us both to will and to do of His good pleasure. I find I now loathe what I used to love.. sin.. and now love what I used to loathe. Bible reading, time praying, and fellowship with my forever-family. Facebook.com/shareJesus

Meekness ain't weakness for a believer who prays so ceaseless. People of the world don't want it thinking it means bleakness. Believers gain meekness sometimes via suffering, but it always means strength of a character of completeness in Him and positive uniqueness for Him.

If we are Christians wanting Christ’s character then God the Father will allow us to go through some of the experiences of Christ.  Not always comfortable!

Listen, if you have been a vengeful person, you have been overcome by evil…instead of been overcoming evil with good as you are called to do in Jesus. Turn from this hard-hearted meanness--why take the place of God? Isn't vengeance His.. sure it is says the Bible. 

Jesus suffered. And it wasn't only at Calvary on the Cross, but He never wasted His experiences. He prayed and knew there was a purpose for what the Father allowed to happened in and around His life. 

"Christ is the humility of God embodied in human nature; the Eternal Love humbling itself, clothing itself in the garb of meekness and gentleness, to win and serve and save us." ― Andrew Murray

I say turn to Him. Change, and know the Lord. 

Everything ..yes all.. I need is in Him. No matter what I go through. No matter what I feel. Christ and His will is what I want. I desire Him, His holy character, His good plan for me. Yes, He is Enough For Me. No turnin' back--Lord help me go the distance with You!

“For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps, WHO COMMITTED NO SIN, NOR WAS ANY DECEIT FOUND IN HIS MOUTH..” 1 Peter 2:21

So many Christians demand their rights ..constantly demanding fairness in every situation for themselves. They want things their way. We are indeed to fight the good fight of faith..not fight with people..but prayerfully looking out for what is totally fair for others..and doing more than prayer too, but we know that life and people will not always be fair with us.. God wants us to yield our rights to fairness for us.. to Him. Meekness means having all rights yielded to the Lord. Strength under control. Think about Moses who was meek.. and the strength of Christ even more. 

“Men sometimes speak as if humility and meekness would rob us of what is noble and bold and manlike. O that all would believe that this is the nobility of the kingdom of heaven, that this is the royal spirit that the King of heaven displayed, that this is Godlike, to humble oneself, to become the servant of all!” ― Andrew Murray

When the Apostle Paul who was also meek in his witness.. talked about his rights as a Roman citizen by birth (when many others had to pay a huge sum of month to become a Roman).. it was when he was thinking about spreading the Gospel and about protecting others needing that.

“The greatness of the man's power is the measure of his surrender.” ― William Booth

In the whole context read some more on this… 

Acts 5:41

So they went on their way from the presence of the Council, rejoicing that they had been considered worthy to suffer shame for His name.

Romans 8:17

and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him.

Romans 8:36

Just as it is written, “FOR YOUR SAKE WE ARE BEING PUT TO DEATH ALL DAY LONG; WE WERE CONSIDERED AS SHEEP TO BE SLAUGHTERED.”

2 Corinthians 1:7

and our hope for you is firmly grounded, knowing that as you are sharers of our sufferings, so also you are sharers of our comfort.

2 Corinthians 11:23

Are they servants of Christ?–I speak as if insane–I more so; in far more labors, in far more imprisonments, beaten times without number, often in danger of death.

Philippians 3:10

that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death;

2 Timothy 2:12

If we endure, we will also reign with Him; If we deny Him, He also will deny us;

Hebrews 11:25

choosing rather to endure ill-treatment with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin,

James 5:10

As an example, brethren, of suffering and patience, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.

1 Peter 2:20

For what credit is there if, when you sin and are harshly treated, you endure it with patience? But if when you do what is right and suffer for it you patiently endure it, this finds favor with God.

1 Peter 3:14

But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed AND DO NOT FEAR THEIR INTIMIDATION, AND DO NOT BE TROUBLED,

1 Peter 4:16

but if anyone suffers as a Christian, he is not to be ashamed, but is to glorify God in this name.

Matthew 5:11

“Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me.

Matthew 10:22

"You will be hated by all because of My name, but it is the one who has endured to the end who will be saved.

2 Corinthians 4:11

For we who live are constantly being delivered over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh.

2 Corinthians 12:10

Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.

Philippians 1:29

For to you it has been granted for Christ’s sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake, Facebook.com/shareJesus