Suffering and Dying!

 

 

 

All I want is to know Christ and the power that raised him to life. I want to suffer and die as he did, so that somehow I also may be raised to life.

Philippians 3:10-11

I remember first discovering the words: "I want to know Christ and the power that raised Him to life." But while I rejoiced in knowing Jesus and His power, I ignored the part about wanting to "suffer and die as He did."

Frankly, I didn't want to suffer at all, and death was not something I desired!

But being like Jesus in His suffering and death is the path to being like Jesus in His Resurrection! Suffering and death is the transition of a human body to a glorified body like Jesus has today. Death is not a destination, rather it is a stepping off point from earth to Eternity!

Jesus suffered because He walked daily in the Will of God! All the Evil in the universe focused itself on trying to destroy Jesus! That is why you must suffer as well. Satan and all of his demons could not keep Jesus in the grave! And when you suffer and die as Jesus did, they cannot keep you in the grave either! 

So if you know someone who loved Jesus greatly, but suffered terribly as they were about to die, take heart! Suffering and dying as He did is part of the Journey to Glory!

“Lord Jesus, I want to know You and the power that raised You to life, but I also desire to suffer and die as You did so I may be raised to life with You forever. Praise Your Holy Name now and forever. Amen.”

Faith and Poverty

 

 

My dear friends, pay attention. God has given a lot of faith to the poor people in this world. He has also promised them a share in his kingdom that he will give to everyone who loves him. 

James 2:5 CEV

A man or woman with great faith has received much from the Lord!  The best gifts from God are not fame, wealth or any of this world's luxuries. All those things will perish and become history's curiosities and footnotes!

How does God give faith to those who are poor in this world? The answer is simple. Poor people have fewer options than the rich. Wealth provides lots of ways to take care of your needs without the direct help of God! But without money and the "stuff" of this world trusting God is the most obvious and best option for navigating life!

When you are rich and have plenty of this world's provisions, trusting God completely is difficult! So when you pray, ask God to give you FAITH, and ask Him to withhold the "blessings" that fight against trusting Him!

The "Richest man in the world" is the one who depends on God for everything!    

"Thank You Jesus for giving me my daily bread and the things I need for this life. And thank You for not giving me so much that I depend on the gifts and not the Giver!  May Your Righteous Name be praised now and forever.  Amen."

 

When Jesus Says Amen

 

 

Christ says “Yes” to all of God’s promises. That’s why we have Christ to say “Amen” for us to the glory of God. And so God makes it possible for you and us to stand firmly together with Christ. God is also the one who chose us and put his Spirit in our hearts to show that we belong only to him.

2 Corinthians 1:20-22 CEV

When I was a small child, my mother taught me to pray "in the Name of Jesus" and then to close the prayer with an "Amen." "Amen" means "let it be so!"

But when Jesus says the "Amen," your prayer steps up to another level altogether! When Jesus says "Let it be so" it is like God saying "Let there be light!" The Amen of God is behind all Creation!

Always say Amen to the Words of God! Declare your agreement with every Word uttered by God, Jesus or the Holy Spirit! 

Then, when your heart and mind become like Jesus, you can listen for the "Amen of Jesus" when you pray, or even think about whatever concerns you during each day! When you hear Jesus say "Amen" you can know for certain that it will happen as He desires it to be!

"Lord Jesus, take control of my heart and mind so that I can hear Your "Amen" after every prayer I pray, word I speak and even thought I think! Praise Your Holy Name now and forever! Amen.