Prayer – Pouring Out Our Souls To The Lord!

“Not so, my lord,” Hannah replied, “I am a woman who is deeply troubled. I have not been drinking wine or beer; I was pouring out my soul to the Lord.” 1 Samuel 1:15.

How often do we hear routine prayers? Sometimes people go through just the motions of prayer—for example, a casual prayer for food, brief and quick prayer prior to sleep,  written down prayers in certain Christian denominations, etc. When you read a prayer someone else wrote, I am not sure how much emotional connection you have with those words.

However, Hannah’s prayer was different. She had a heartbreaking and painful issue to deal with every day- her rivalry ridiculed her day after day because she was barren and did not have a child. 1st Samuel 1:10 says, ‘In her deep anguish Hannah prayed to the Lord, weeping bitterly.” Verse 15 says she poured out her soul in prayer to the Lord.

She was in deep anguish when she prayed.

No wonder she got an answer for her prayer. Verse 18 says after she poured her heart to the one who is powerful to help, “then she went her way and ate something, and her face was no longer downcast.” She knew she shared her personal and most emotional need to the Lord God of the universe. Now, she stopped weeping, ate something, and her face was no longer downcast. She knew in her inner heart he did the right thing and so she felt no need to be sorrowful anymore. God gave her a son named Samuel, Israel’s most outstanding judge and priest in its history. You can read about it all in 1st Samuel chapter 1 and 2. The rest of the book talks about the wonderful priestly and prophetic ministry of Samuel, whom God gave to her in answer to her ‘anguished’ prayer.

Beloved, God wants you to pray earnestly, fervently, and persistently. God wants you to pour your heart into Him. He loves it because it reveals your hope and trust are in the right place -the Lord God.

Routine and barren prayers would not help. Your prayer must be diligent, earnest and it should result in pouring out your heart to God.

God hears fervent prayers. God hears earnest prayers. He hears anguished prayers. He hears when you pour your soul to Him in prayer.

The Bible says Elijah was a man like us. That statement means he had the exact nature as you and I. An ordinary man like all of us. However, He prayed ‘earnestly’ that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. Again he prayed, the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops. James 5:17-18.

Earnest prayer means passionate and emotional prayers from your heart to the one who is able and willing to help.

Just a couple of days ago, I had severe stomach pain and could not sleep in the nighttime. Early Morning at four, my wife and I talked about going to the emergency room because the pain was not going down but was only increasing. She dressed up and came ready to take me to the emergency after struggling through the night. I said to her, let us both pray. Our prayer was fervent, earnest, and emotional. We poured out our hearts to the Lord. After the prayer, my pain began going down in a few seconds. I said to her, let us pray again. We prayed earnestly and fervently again. May I testify that my severe stomach pain, which was haunting me, disappeared in a few minutes? We didn’t have to go to the hospital. Left fully and completely. Praise God!

Beloved, your prayer must not be casual and routine. It must be an act of pouring your heart to the living God. The Bible promises if you pray in the name of Jesus Christ, God will answer your prayer.
Pray earnestly, fervently, and emotionally. Pray by pouring your soul to the Lord. Pray in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.

“Father in heaven, I understand you expect earnest, fervent and emotional prayers from us. May my prayer be never casual or routine. May it be pouring my heart to you in anguish and fervency. I know when we pray in the name of Jesus Christ, the alarm goes off in heaven and God hears it. I believe the name of Jesus is the might name by which I can be saved, delivered. I believe Jesus died, buried, and rose again for my sins. Please forgive my sins and shortcomings and save me today. I know in Jesus I have salvation and eternal life. I thank you for hearing me now. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.”

 

Benefits Of A Thankful Heart!

 

“In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18.

Todd Stucker, a writer, speaker, and pastor in Hudson, WI, said, “Thankfulness creates gratitude which generates contentment that causes peace.”

Unthankful are generally miserable inside and out because they are discontent and do not enjoy peace.

Thankful people are content with what they have and enjoy peace in their lives.

Our today’s Bible insight says, “In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” Another translation is “give thanks in all things.” Did you notice our verse does not say give thanks for everything or all things? Frankly, we may not be able to give thanks for all things that happen to us. Certain tragedies- in general terms, we may not be able to give thanks for them at least immediately without the passing of time.

However, listen, in everything, in all circumstances, in the midst of it, and through it, we can give thanks. This is the will of God concerning us. God’s will is amid trials and suffering; give thanks to Him. 

The reason is we know who God is. We know God is in control of our life. We can say, my Lord, I trust you because you are the sovereign living God. Even though hell type of things breaks around me, I know God knows all about it. He is the perfect and flawless pilot of my life, and He will guard me through it all. Hence, I can thank Him through it.

The book of Psalms teaches us how to be thankful in the midst of sad circumstances. David, the King of Israel, explained this in his Psalms. He cries and laments over things that happened to him. Then he breaks out into giving thanks and praises to the Lord God in heaven and put his hope in Him. David knew who God is. Therefore, although he did not like or appreciate the sad things that happened to him, he could still give thanks and praise to God in those painful times.

Our insight today says, In everything, give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. If this is the will of God, why don’t we obey it and start doing it? When we are thankful and praise God in the midst of sufferings and trials, do you think God can remain silent? Heaven’s gate would supernaturally open up for you, and you would see the hand of the Lord and His deliverances. He will be with you. He will give you the needed strength and grace. He would be closer to you than at any other time of your lives. 

Next time, why don’t you try to continuously give thanks and praise amid your trials and watch what God would for you. He takes note of you like He took note of Paul and Silas in prison and sang praises to God. (Acts 16:25-34). He will send deliverance from heaven as He did to Paul, Silas, and Peter in prison. He took note of the one leper who came to Jesus to give thanks. Jesus asked, where are the nine? Luke 17:11-19.

Beloved, a thankful person cannot and would not be miserable. He would be content in all circumstances and enjoy the peace of God in his heart no matter what life throws at him. His anchor is not on this world or people. His anchor is securely and firmly placed in heaven where His Savior Jesus Christ lives and advocates for him. Nothing makes him too worried or perplexed because his intercessor is in heaven pleading his case on an ongoing basis by the merit of His shed blood on the cross.

A thankful and praising heart was the secret of Apostle Paul’s life. He gave thanks to God in prison and all his struggles, sufferings, and persecutions. A perfect example for us to follow.

Got a moment for today’s prayer? “Father in heaven, I thank you for all blessings you gave to me. Every day you load on me with benefits. The food, water, air, health, children, job, family, relationship, and the list goes on. More than all, I thank you for giving your one and only Son, Jesus Christ to pay for my sins. I believe Jesus died for my sins, buried and rose again. I thank you for forgiving my sins and granting me eternal life. I am indebted to you for all. The source of all good gifts and blessings, I praise you and thank you. I worship you. In the name of Christ, I pray. Amen.”

A Gift Becomes Yours Upon Acceptance! Did You Accept the Gift?

“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:23

When God gives His best gift, it is one gift but it is a package deal that includes many things. It includes salvation, the forgiveness of all sins, reconciliation with God, adoption into God’s family, child of God, the gift of the Holy Spirit and eternal life. And do you know if you accepted God’s free gift available in Jesus Christ, you got the best gift package you could ever receive? God gives many gifts in our lives- family, job, children, health, peace, etc., doesn’t He? However, the best gift of all is God’s salvation package. When you receive God’s gift you got the best one anyone ever could imagine or get. Nothing else can beat this gift.

Now God does not take back His gift, as some people think or worry about. First of all, did you notice it says it is God’s gift? People would not dare to take back the gifts they give to others. If so how much more applicable is this truth to God’s gift? Bible says in Titus 1:2, ” hope of eternal life, which God, who does not lie, promised before the beginning of time.” God does not lie. The one who does not lie promised eternal life in Christ Jesus. God guaranteed with His promise.  

Our insight says, “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” You see, you work in a company and they pay for your works. Same way, when you and I sin and disobey the law of God, we earn wages each time we sin. The Bible says that wage is called death. Sin is the reason for people’s death. Everybody dies because all are sinners. Bible says in Romans 3:23 “all have sinned and fell short of the glory of God”. 

However, God’s redemption story does not end there. Keep reading the insight. It says, “but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Even though you and I earn death by our sins, God offers a free gift in Christ Jesus to you and that is called eternal life. It clearly says “eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” The reason is Jesus, the Son of God, our Lord took our sins on his divine body, went to the cross and fully paid for it. Bible says this about Jesus, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29).

As I said before, the Bible affirms it is a free gift of God. A gift is free. You do not pay for a gift. God says I offer you the free gift of eternal life if you accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and savior. What a deal! The best deal you can ever receive. Much greater than any other gift you would ever accept here on this planet earth. You get eternal life because the sin issue that separated you from God was fully resolved by the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ on your behalf. The sacrifice of Jesus, the lamb of God, is fully accepted by God to offer you salvation, the forgiveness of all sins and reconciliation, resulting in eternal life. 

However, as in the case of all gifts, a gift becomes yours when you accept. I saw an unopened gift bag in my friend’s house. He said he did not like the person who gave the gift. Therefore he did not open it. Eventually, he ignored and threw the gift away. You see, you must accept the gift so that it will become yours. This is what God is asking you to do. Accept God’s free gift of the lamb of God, Jesus Christ, and say thank you for the wonderful gift. Then the free gift becomes yours. God loves you and that is why He offers you a free gift. Salvation, the forgiveness of sins, reconciliation with God and eternal life are God’s gifts. The Holy Spirit is also a free gift upon repentance of your sins and acceptance of Jesus. Acts 2:38-39 says, “Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.  For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.” 

Beloved, Bible also says many may not accept God’s loving and free gift (like my friend). John 1:11-12 says this about Jesus, “He came to his own people, and even they rejected him. But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God.” 

“Father in heaven, I thank you for the gift of eternal life available in Jesus Christ our Lord. I accept and believe Jesus died, buried and rose again for my sins. I  know my future is safe and secure when I place my life in your hand by trusting in your Son and my savior Jesus Christ. I repent of my sins and turn to you for your free gift of salvation, the forgiveness of sins, reconciliation, and eternal life. Thank you for adopting me in your heavenly family as your child. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.”

Faith In God and Risk-Taking!

“But the righteous shall live by faith.” Habakkuk 2:4

I work in the risk management department of a worldwide bank. Specifically, we as officers look into the credit risk of the portfolios in an early warning mindset. We want to see early the credit risk emerging in our portfolios so that we can take steps to avoid big risks for the bank.

However, faith in God and risks go hand in hand. Exercising faith in God involves risk because we do not walk by sight but by faith. God already made a mandate by saying regardless of the circumstances, God’s righteous ones shall live by faith. Are you declared righteous by God? Then this applies to you. You must live by faith. The verse in Habakkuk is repeated three times in the New Testament to highlight the importance of the concept. They are in Romans 1:17, Galatians 3:11, and Hebrews 10:38.
In 2nd Corinthians 5:6-8 Apostle, Paul wrote this. Listen: Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. For we live by faith, not by sight. We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. Did you listen it says, for we live by faith, not by sight? This is because we are now in this body and away from the Lord. This is why true believers in Jesus say- I prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord.

When it comes to the Christian life, when you allow yourself to live by faith and not by sight, then you will have to face and take many risks. The Christian life is full of unexpected risk-taking. A true follower of Christ would move into unknowns even if you like it or not. This is part and parcel of faith life.

You see when you face risks and challenges, that God in his sovereign will allow, so that He can stretch out your faith and mold you to become a strong follower and witness of Jesus Christ, literally you are divinely forced to step out of your comfort and security zones. This causes alarm in us.

When God called Abraham, he had to leave his familiar surroundings and go to an unknown land. God’s plan to make Joseph a blessing for his brothers involved rivalry, severed jealousy, times of abandonment at home, and later in a well and prison for something he had not done. Before God called Moses for His unique commission, he had to suffer the consequences of his anger by hiding for 40 years and shepherding the sheep of his father-in-law. David had to leap faith head-on by Lord and a few pebbles, thereby he killed a nine-foot giant called Goliath and freed the nation from fear and hopelessness. David always stands as a big risk taker in the pages of the Bible. He had to run away from his throne due to the evil conspiracy of his son and almost all people in the nation became the enemies of David. Before this, he was constantly under the attack of an evil king called Saul because he made up his mind not to fulfill God’s calling in David’s life. Foolishness, but he looked for opportunities to kill God’s anointed, David.

You see, you cannot advance in faith without facing some serious risks. However, God is closer to you than at any other time. Such risks and challenges are the best seminary curriculums from God. No earthly theological seminary can teach certain valuable lessons as you learn through your faith stretching experiences God allows. Of course, theological seminary studies are good and I am not decreasing the value of it in serving God. However God approved tests, trials and challenges have superior value in shaping you to become who God wants you to be.

If you are not yet faced with serious risks, you will if you are a true believer in Christ. However, when you are faced with risks and challenges in your faith life, you should say to yourself this. I know I am confused and afraid. However, I am going to move forward-leaning on the power and strength of God. I will take one day at a time and walk with God through it. I am going to pray to God to take away my fear and confusion. I am going to pray to grant me strength and courage. I will pray to God to give me wisdom and discernment. I pray to God to protect my dear ones from harm. I pray to God to grant them true discernment and wisdom in these difficult times.

I witnessed and also experienced some Christians ignore and forget those who are faced with serious trials and tests in their faith life. Such pious acting hypocrites are there. However, that is the worst thing you can do to a co-believer, especially if he or she somehow contributed to your faith and growth. More than anything else, when a believer is faced with serious risks in faith life, true Christians would pray, support, encourage and be with the one who is suffering. Do not try to put him out and throw him off. I believe such behaviors are serious sins against the living God. God takes note of such behaviors and you do not want to face the consequences. Beloved, may such people do not discourage you. Remember, there are sincere and genuine Christians out there. We all need support from them.

Father in heaven, I understand when I obey your command to live by faith and not by sight, I am prone to risks and dangers. You commanded I shall live by faith. However, this is how you make me grow strong in the grace of the Lord. Lord, I pray to take away confusion and fear. Give me and my closer one’s clarity of thought, discernment, and wisdom with the help of the Holy Spirit. Be with me like you been with Daniel in the fire and in the lion’s cave. May I know intimately your love, compassion, care, and deliverance? Make me strong to produce the beautiful fruit of the spirit through it all. In Christ’s name, I pray. Amen.

Living hope out of dead hope!

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable, undefiled, and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.” 1 Peter 1:3-5.

What God does for you is beautifully described in today’s insight. Listen! Three things God does for you.

1. According to His great mercy, he causes you to be born again to a living hope through the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. God makes you be born again to a living hope. You see, many these days have dead hope. They lost their hope and purpose in life due to repeated bad things that happened to them. However, God is merciful, and He makes you born again into a living hope. This living hope God grants you based on the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus for your sins and shortcomings.

Do you want to enjoy living a hope and purpose-filled life again if you lose hope? You can receive living hope out of your dead hope.

Listen! God does this to hundreds and thousands of people every day when they call the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.

2. God causes you to obtain an inheritance in heaven. There are two unusual characteristics to this inheritance. First, it is imperishable, undefiled, and will not fade away for any reason. All our inheritance here now can be perishable, defiled, and has the potential to fade away. The eternal inheritance God grants you is different. The second nature of the inheritance is that it is reserved in heaven for you. It is uniquely placed and kept there for you because you are born again into God’s family by your faith and trust in Jesus.  

3. A believer in Jesus is now protected by the power of God when they live here on this planet earth until the complete salvation is ready to be revealed in the future. God’s power protects you. God takes full responsibility and accountability for you if you trust Christ Jesus as your savior until the day you stand before Him soon. 

Beloved, God is the source of living hope, enduring inheritance, and solid refuge and protection because his omnipotent power is released to help you. He grants these based on the resurrection of Jesus from the dead, on your behalf.  

Would you pray with me now?

“God, I want the living hope, enduring inheritance, and your powerful protection. I heard you grant all these based on the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ for my sins and shortcomings. I repent of my sins and call for your help. Please save and bless me today. In Christ’s name, I pray. Amen.”

What would you do when your prayer is not answered?

“Three times, I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
2 Corinthians 12-8-9.

When I look back in my life, God answered many of my prayer matters. However, there are few He has chosen not to answer the way I requested in His divine will and plan. Of course, I felt weak and helpless in those times.

The great Apostle Paul also had unanswered prayers. He wrote that he pleaded three times to take away his pain. He described it this way – “I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me.” Make a note- He says he was given. He didn’t have a choice in this matter. He was given this thorn called some torment or pain. However, each time he prayed to remove it from him, the Lord kept on saying, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” You see, this difficulty made him weak. The Lord said His power would be made perfect each time he felt inadequate due to this difficulty.

I believe this difficulty of pain or torment remained with him all through his life. However, what Jesus said to him – He and His grace were sufficient for him. Paul remained faithful in his calling and ministry.

What would you do when the Lord does not answer your prayer for your satisfaction? You must remain faithful to his calling as Paul did. Why should you do it? The reason is that God has a more extensive and better plan for your life regardless of your pain, losses, and frustrations. NLT translates this way, “My power works best in weakness.” Think about it for a moment! God’s power works best in your weakness, period!

Therefore the great missionary and apostle Paul concluded this way. He stated that because of Christ’s assurance that His power works best in his weakness, he is even willing to delight in weakness, insults, hardships, persecutions, and difficulties. He learned the truth that when he is weak, then He is strong in his life.

Beloved, what was that you were praying? Like we discussed yesterday, even if the good Lord does not say yes to it, you can still be joyful in the Lord, and your joy will be complete. The reason is He has a bigger and better plan in and through your weakness and difficulties. Listen! The Lord would prove His power is sufficient in your weakness.

May the lesson Paul learned to be our lesson as well in our unanswered prayers.

Would you like to pray now?
“Father in heaven, I heard Jesus say to Paul that somehow your power works best in his weakness and difficulties. I also learned this is the same in my difficult situations. I surrender my life to you. I know your all-powerful grace is sufficient for me. I believe Jesus carried my sins on his body, died, buried, and rose again for me. And you have a wonderful and extensive plan for my life. Thank you for teaching me these wonderful lessons. Please forgive my sins as I repent of it all and trust in Jesus as my savior.  Please save and grant me your presence all through my life. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.”

Listen! Your Joy Will Be Complete!

“So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy. In that day you will no longer ask me anything. Very truly I tell you, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.” John 16:22-24

The disciples were grief-stricken when Jesus said to them they would see him no more, and then after a while, they would see him again. They were perplexed and sad because Jesus was everything to them. With Jesus with them, they lacked nothing. 

They left all to follow Jesus. They found their shelter, food, protection, and all in Jesus. Now He said he was going to leave them. 

Jesus also said, yes, they would grieve, but their grief is temporary and will turn to joy. He gave an example of a woman to bring home the point in the preceding verse. A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time of pain has come, but when her baby is born, she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world. Jesus said it is the same with you. Now is the time of grief in His physical absence with them, but when they Jesus see again, they would rejoice, and no one would take away the joy from them. 

On that day, the day they would see Jesus again (referring to his second coming), they would ask him nothing. Jesus, all-sufficient Savior, would be with them. However, when Jesus is away from them is a time of grief. 

Beloved, so is with us. We believed in Jesus. However, the absence of His physical presence, although his spiritual company and Holy Spirit is inside us, could create sorrow and grief. Sadness and despair come in different shapes and sizes due to living in this sin-bound world and mingling with people who have the propensity to sin. 

So what would we do?

Jesus answered- “Very truly I tell you, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. Until now, you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask, and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.”

Make a note of four things:

• God the Father would give what you ask when you pray in the name of Jesus Christ
• Until now, you have not asked for anything in the name of Jesus
• Now on, ask, and you will receive 
• And your joy would be complete

Did you notice that God waits on you to ask Him? Second, when you ask, pray in the name of Jesus Christ. Then the promise that you will receive when you pray in the name of Jesus.

Beloved, you need to take time to ask in the name of Jesus if you want to get something from God. It is the first step. Bible elsewhere in James 4:2, “Yet, you don’t have what you want because you don’t ask God for it.” Certain things you don’t have simply because you never asked for it in the mighty name of Jesus. God waits for you to pray in the name of Jesus. He promises you will receive, and as a result, your joy will be complete.

When you think about it, if you get all that you ask, it still does not guarantee joy for you. Joy is not just receiving what you want. Joy is the result of your intimate friendship/fellowship with the God of the universe in the person and work of Jesus Christ. 

Listen! the joy comes from the knowledge that God cares for you, he wants you to ask in prayer, and he knows what is best for you because he knows all about you and your future. He has already seen your future and is well aware. The calm assurance that you will receive what is best for you when you pray in Jesus’s name because of his divine knowledge about it all. That gives comfort and grants joy inside you, and your resultant joy would be complete. 

“Father in heaven, although there are griefs and sorrows while I live on this sinful and rebellious earth, like the early disciples, I believe in your promise. You said I could pray in the name of Jesus Christ, and you will grant my requests. So I ask for your divine intervention and help in my struggles. I believe Jesus is the Savior who saves me from my struggles and sins because he paid for my sin with his blood on the cross. I accept Jesus as my Savior. Thank you for the resultant joy you grant me. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.” 

God is faithful in your temptations, tests, and trials. 

“No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.” ” Ist Corinthians 10:13.

We were discussing the passages that say God is faithful in the last few daily sessions. In prior lessons, we have seen God’s faithfulness by which He promised He would be faithful to you and will not leave you alone, God’s faithfulness in your salvation and preservation, His incomparable faithfulness through and through it all, and His staggering faithfulness in forgiving and purifying.

Today’s insights say God is faithful when you face tests or temptations of all sorts. You may think your particular temptation is only yours. However, there are two truths that come out-the temptation has the potential to overtake you. Second, all temptations that you face in your life are common because others have the same temptation in their lives. It says no temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man. Listen! temptation has the potential to overtake you. But remember, you are not alone. They are common to all people.

The most important thing to remember is the next phrase in the middle of the passage- It says, ”God is faithful.” You see, God who called you into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ, is faithful amid your tests and temptations. How many of us want to hear this assurance that God is faithful when temptation overtakes us? Yes, I do. So are you. God is faithful even in the midst of severe tests and temptations that you struggle with.

The question is, how is God faithful amid trials and temptations? It says two things – God will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able to. Second, with the temptation, He will make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.

This is not an easy topic to understand for many of us. The word used in 1 Corinthians 10:13 could mean ”test” also. Therefore, the Corinthian ‘believers’ test at the time of this Epistle could be the temptation to go back to the old idol worship system with all its immoralities.  The same type of temptation the children of Israel faced as the context of this chapter teaches us – to go back to the bondage in Egypt because life became hard and difficult for them. Moreover, the believers in Corinth then could avoid social, family, and economic ostracism from the people there. However, God’s presence and power are with them, and He would not allow them to be tested beyond what they are able to. Besides, God would provide the way of escape that they may be able to bear it. Many first and second-generation Christian believers can attest to this truth because we had witnessed God’s sustaining and redeeming power in our parents and our lives.

 I also think we need to understand the passage in the light of the whole counsel of the Bible. Joseph had severe temptations when he was faced with his brothers’ jealousy and later in Potiphar’s house from his wife. Of course, those were severe ones. Both promises- God will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you can bear, and He will make or show you a way of escape were true in Joseph’s life. With the repeated temptation from Potiphar’s wife, Joseph ran away. Of course, running away from the spot of temptation is one way of escapes God shows us. It is still true. 

Paul says in 2 Corinthians 1:8-9 his experience in the province of Asia. He says, “we were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired of life itself. Indeed, we felt we had received the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead“. This, of course, was a test far beyond their ability to endure in Paul’s own words. Therefore we cannot say God would never give me more than I can bear or handle. We all know, and we felt certain times in the Christian experience things beyond our ability to endure, humanly speaking. 

However, truth emerges from Paul’s statement in 2 Corinthians 1:8-9, and this is this. Even if things happen that we feel beyond our ability to endure and despaired of life, we as believers in Christ can say with Paul-” this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead.”

You see, God’s faithfulness is there even amid your temptations/tests and trials. He says He would not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able from His perspective because He is the all-powerful God who would divinely help you. It may be a little hard for us to comprehend in human terms. Secondly, He would undoubtedly provide the way of escape and look for that door of escape because He promised it.

Finally, suppose you feel the test you face is beyond your ability to endure, as Paul experienced in Asia. In that case, there is, of course, a reason why it happens. Why? So that you might never rely on yourself but only on the faithfulness of God, who raises the dead. You would completely put your trust in God and His promises and nothing else. The Bible says about God’s steadfast love and faithfulness, “Your steadfast love, O Lord, extends to the heavens, your faithfulness to the clouds.”

Recall your mind the previous daily insights of God’s faithfulness. Because He called you, He will not leave you alone. Remember God is faithful in your salvation and preserving you to the very end (referring to the day of Christ’s return), Remember, His incomparable faithfulness through and through it all, and His staggering faithfulness in forgiving and purifying. For details, refer to the previous daily insights.

Would you pray with me?

“Father in heaven, I thank you that you are faithful in my temptations and tests. You will not allow me to be tempted beyond what I am able and you will make the way of escape that I may be able to bear the burden of temptation/tests. Now if I feel unbearable, Lord you are faithful because I rely on you who called me into fellowship with your Son, Jesus. I rely on steadfast love and faithfulness which has no limit at all. I praise and worship you. I thank you for saving me in and through Jesus Christ. Jesus died, buried, and rose again for my sins and shortcomings and He is my savior all through my life and all the time.  In Christ’s name, I pray. Amen.”

 

You Need Only Two Things- God and Time!

“And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28

God will make it all good at the end for his redeemed child is not just a wish or positive statement. God and his faithfulness back up this amazing promise. Bible does not say all things that happen to you are good, neither does it say each incident that happens would end up in happiness. Many incidents that happened to you were not good. Many incidents happen won’t end up with happy endings.

However, when your whole life is evaluated at the end, every piece of your life’s puzzle would work together to look good. You and others around you would see, every piece, even the piece that hurt you the most, God turned it around for good. Your life as a whole would look good, amazing, and beautiful by the wonderworking and powerful hand of God if you are a true follower of Jesus Christ. 

Bible declares God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God and are called according to His purpose.

What does it mean to you? It means this-You do not worry too much or spend sleepless nights if bad things happen to you. If it is hard to make sense now, you trust in God who promised ‘all things would work together for good. In fact, you lean more on Him when things hurt you. Stick with Him when fire tests your allegiance to Him. Be quick to admit and confess sins to the Lord. Be open and seek the face of the Lord. Seek the help and counsel of the genuine people of God. Spent more time reading the Bible and praying, although you may not feel like praying or reading the Bible.

Either way, the Bible says, “all things” are going to work together for good. It is not based on anything on your side. It is fully based on His commitment and faithfulness toward you. Is it hard for you to doubt what God says to you? I hope not. All things mean all things that happen to you when you live here on this planet earth. Good, bad, evil, and in-between things. God causes all things -good, bad, evil, and in-between-to work together for good. You relax, cling to the Lord.

This is the promise of God for all who love God and are called according to his purpose. Do you love God? Do you know in your heart God called you according to his purpose? You see, if God did not call you, you would not love him. If God did not call you, you would not do His work. Your heart’s love for God and your work for the Lord prove you are called according to His purpose.

You see, from our viewpoint, we mess up sometimes. We also see other people would try to mess up our lives and name. Such things are often surprising to us. From God’s viewpoint, these are no surprises to Him. And his views about what happens to you are different from yours. Without His approval, nothing would happen to you. And if He approved it, He is willing and able to cause all things good for you because you belong to him and are called by His purpose.

In the end, you need two things – God and time. That is it. I know the road is tough. However, hang on tight. One day you will look back and testify – in my dark days, God carried me in his loving and strong shoulders. You would worship and adore Him. 

“Father in heaven, I believe what you promised that you cause all things to work together for good to those who love you and are called according to your purpose. I do not know how you are going to work all together for good. However, I believe your word and I place my trust in it. I believe you gave your only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, and he died, buried, and rose again for all of my sins. I call upon the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Please save me and guide me with your powerful hand. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray, Amen.” 

Staggering Faithfulness in forgiving and purifying.

 

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9.

Many people think God would not forgive them. Many in the world end up suicide because they felt terrible about their sins and mistakes. However, the thinking that God would not forgive you is far from the truth about God. Many ancient religions and their followers are scared and feared God and think God’s wrath is on them because of their sins and shortcomings. However, the Bible settles this matter and says, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” 

You see, God’s faithfulness and justice are the two bases of forgiveness. Because God promised forgiveness in the pages of the Bible, He will forgive. God promised in the old testament in Jeremiah 31:34, and this is repeated in Hebrews 8:12, “I will forgive their iniquities and will remember their sins no more.” Psalms 103:12 says, “He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west.” Micah 7:18 says, “where is another God like you, who pardons the guilt of the remnant, overlooking the sins of his special people?” Verse 19 says God will trample our sins under His feet and throw them into the depths of the ocean. Verse 20 says all these are based on “His faithfulness and unfailing love as he promised to our ancestors and Jacob long ago.” 

You see, God would forgive your sins and mistakes because He promised. God’s forgiveness is based on His unshakable faithfulness to His word/promise. Secondly, it is also based on the fact that He is ‘just.’ Romans 3:24-26 says God presented Jesus as a perfect sacrifice. People are made right with Him when they believe that Jesus sacrificed His body, shed His blood for them. Then it says there, “God did this to demonstrate His righteousness, for He himself is fair and ‘just,’ and he makes sinners right in His sight when believing in Jesus.” You see, God himself is ‘fair and just’ by making sinners right (or just) with Him by forgiving their sins and trespasses because Christ paid for their sin by his blood. Did you get it?

Now because God is faithful to his promise that He would forgive and because God is just and proved and satisfied His justice by making Jesus pay for humanity’s sin according to His eternal plan of redemption, God’s forgiveness is available. 

God’s forgiveness is available in the person and work of Jesus Christ. When you come and accept what God did for you in and through Jesus, you are forgiven all your sins. The blood of Christ covers your sins, and you are justified before God. Now, as we, Christ believers, live on this earth and walk in the light of God, the blood of Jesus, His Son, cleanses us from all our sins. This is a simple present tense. It means the blood of Jesus cleanses the sins of a believer who walks in God’s light on a going basis. How does it work in a believer’s life is what our today’s insight says. 

The way it works is by our confession. Confession means you agree with God from your sincere and obedient heart that you did sin. You see sin as sin itself and feel sorry about it. You are broken over the fact that you sinned. Therefore you are saying to the Lord in prayer, Lord, I agree what I did is sin. I am sorry for it. Please forgive me. This is how you allow God to cleanse you and get you back into His fellowship. Now, if God does not forgive, then He would be unjust. Why did I say this? Because God put all your sin on Jesus, and He paid it all for you. Now, if God does not forgive your sins that Jesus already paid, that is total unfairness and injustice. God would never be unjust. He will always be just.

Remember, God is faithful each time you ask him for forgiveness. He is faithful and just to do it for you. Do not feel wrong about going to Him. Why? Listen to what the verse before and after today’s insight says. It says, “if we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth.” Verse 10 says, “If we claim we have not sinned, we are calling God a liar and showing that His word has no place in our heart.” What does it mean? It means we all are sinners saved by the love and grace of God that is displayed in Jesus Christ. Until we get to heaven, we live in this sin-bound world with all our imperfections daily. 

Understanding this truth, 1 John says God is light, and as children of God, we must walk in His light. In his light means in the light of the word of God and illumination of the Holy Spirit inside us. As we walk in the light, the blood of Jesus, His Son, cleanses us on a going basis. The way to get cleansing is the confession of our sins to the Lord God in the name of Jesus Christ.

“Father in heaven, I believe you presented Jesus as a sacrifice for all of my sins and shortcomings. I accept Jesus as my savior and Lord. I believe He died, buried, and rose again for me and my sins. Lord, help me to walk in your light, and I am thankful that the blood of Jesus, your Son, cleanse all my sins when I walk in your light. Help me agree with you about my wrongdoings and not hide them from you or act like I do not have sins. May I allow you to cleanse me with my sincere and heartfelt confessions? In the name of Christ, I pray. Amen.”