Growth The Christian Life Series

[jeremiah7]

The Christian Life Series- 1- Trevor

Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. (Isaiah 41:10)

Trevor has been CEO of a Media Company since many years. He is a born again Christian, a worship leader in a interdenominational Church. He suffers from Bronchial Asthma and every winter he has severe breathing problems. He trusts in God and is praying that God heals him of the sickness. Despite his troubles, he has never stopped leading worship and glorifies God for his goodness. A good testimony that we should not give up amidst the troubles that we face in our lives but keep worshiping God till we have breath.

I will sing to my Lord as long as I live; I will sing praise to my God while I have my being. (Psalm 104:33)

 

[Eugene]

Despite his troubles, he has never stopped leading worship and glorifies God for his goodness. A good testimony that we should not give up amidst the troubles that we face in our lives but keep worshiping God till we have breath.

This reminds me of the effectual work of Paul being sent forth with a thorn in the flesh. Glorious? You bet! Being kept in need of Christ, God succeeded in the work He wanted in the ambassador He sent forth

1 Cor 11:1 Be ye followers of me (Paul), even as I also am of Christ.

2 Cor 12:7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.
2 Cor 12:8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.
2 Cor 12:9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
2 Cor 12:10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

 

[for_his_glory]

It is only by Gods strength and His righteousness found in us that we are more than conquerors. Each one of us face battles everyday by the oppressor that tries to weaken us, but he (Satan) will never win the war as Jesus has already won it for us. Glory and praise be to the name of Jesus, amen.

Rom 8:35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
Rom 8:36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.
Rom 8:37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
Rom 8:38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
Rom 8:39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

 

[jeremiah7]

This reminds me of the effectual work of Paul being sent forth with a thorn in the flesh. Glorious? You bet! Being kept in need of Christ, God succeeded in the work He wanted in the ambassador He sent forth

1 Cor 11:1 Be ye followers of me (Paul), even as I also am of Christ.

2 Cor 12:7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.
2 Cor 12:8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.
2 Cor 12:9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
2 Cor 12:10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

Very true...................Thanks Eugene

 

[jeremiah7]

It is only by Gods strength and His righteousness found in us that we are more than conquerors. Each one of us face battles everyday by the oppressor that tries to weaken us, but he (Satan) will never win the war as Jesus has already won it for us. Glory and praise be to the name of Jesus, amen.

Rom 8:35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
Rom 8:36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.
Rom 8:37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
Rom 8:38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
Rom 8:39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Yes....Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Thanks for_his_glory

 

[jeremiah7]

The Christian Life Series- 2- Martha

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. (Psalm 46:1)

Martha suffers from Diabetes. Her blood sugar keeps fluctuating and she is often frustrated that she cannot eat the foods that she loves. She suffers from hair loss too and it is embarrassing when people comment about it. She has tried various remedies for her hair loss, but nothing has worked as yet. She finds peace and solace when she prays to her Savior Jesus Christ. His promise to never leave her nor forsake her gives her strength to endure her troubles. She believes that when she is weak, she is strong because Jesus is her strength. How about you? Is Jesus your strength? If he is, you can be strong, even when your body is weak. Jesus will give strength to his people; Jesus will bless his people with peace.

My flesh and my heart fail; but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. (Psalm 73:26)

 

[for_his_glory]

What is our thorn in the flesh and how do we deal with it!

2Co 12:7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.
2Co 12:8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.
2Co 12:9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

 

[Eugene]

What is our thorn in the flesh and how do we deal with it!

2Co 12:7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.
2Co 12:8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.
2Co 12:9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

Good morning dear sister.
Though not original with me, I believe Paul to have suffered weak eyes, possibly the result of:
Act 9:8 And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man: but they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus.
Act 9:9 And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink.
A revealing example of that might be Gal 6:11. Ye see how large a letter I have written unto you with mine own hand.

I’m pasting this following excerpt from: Lessons in Corinthians
The Divine Order of the SONS OF GOD By A. S. Copley.
http://www.gracegod.com/Study Books/Corinthians - Devine order Established1 - Copy.pdf

“Paul's thorn;” many articles have been written advancing various theories about it; but how very few have learned, or cared to learn the meaning and purpose of the thorn. “My grace” and “My strength,” God‟s interests should be our chief concern. “Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake; for when I am weak, then am I strong.” This is indeed strange language to the flesh, which clamors to be strong, to be honored, to be self-sufficient and never know a need, to be commended, to be at ease and in comfort. To endure the above five unfortunate experiences is one thing; but to be well pleased with them, to welcome them, to boast in them; that is victory; that is power: for when I am weak; when I cannot get along without God anywhere; when I must bear the insults of men till God delivers me; when I dare not ask for help, or use my brain and strength to supply my needs, or those of my suffering family, and hence suffer want; when persecutions flame high, and straits press me above measure; so that I am as nothing: then, if I have learned the Source and Supply of unfailing strength, I am strong. (In Paul's case there was no if; for he had learned it.) I am “strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.” Any strength other than that is an abomination to the Lord; because it robs Christ of His place in us. Any dependence upon money, men, methods, manners, movements, managements, multitudes, anything whatever, is not an attitude of weakness; hence, God's working and power are hindered, the Spirit is grieved, and Christ is circumscribed and veiled. People get anointed with the Holy Spirit because they feel weak; but no sooner they are filled, they start out in their own strength, guided by their own judgment, prompted by their own impulses, thinking to use the Spirit, or His power, to do what they think ought to be done. They do not go to the Word in study, and to God in worship, depending upon the new Instructor and Guide. What follows? Defeat, depression, discouragement, despair and a wasted life.

 

[for_his_glory]

Eugene, thank you for that as many seem to put God in a box and only open that box when all else fails. It's sad, especially when they have been indwelled with the Holy Spirit, but yet have no understanding of that power that indwells them.

 

[jeremiah7]

The Christian Life Series- 3 - Wilfred

For we know that if our earthly house, this tent is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. (2 Corinthians 5:1)

Wilfred was 28 years old when diagnosed with End stage kidney disease. A member of the Assemblies of God Church, he believed that God would heal him of his sickness. He had to undergo dialysis thrice a week to keep his kidney functions within acceptable limits. He was transfused blood on several occasions to keep his hemoglobin at least half of what a normal person of his age should have. Over the years, he testified again and again in many churches of how God had kept him alive despite his ailment which doctors said was terminal. This gave hope to many believers in their suffering. Here was someone who could have shut himself up or sulked because such a catastrophe had befallen him.

With high blood urea and creatinine levels and with very low hemoglobin, he looked like a walking corpse often, yet he had a smile on his face when he stood before congregations and spoke of Jesus Christ and the salvation offered freely by God through Jesus. He was not healed totally of his sickness, but God gave him enough strength to stay alive several years and testify of his love for all.
We too need to be faithful witnesses of Jesus Christ. He will strengthen us despite our bodily ailments and weaknesses. His grace is sufficient for us.

And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my strength is made perfect in weakness." Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. (2 Corinthians 12:9)

 

[jeremiah7]

The Christian Life Series- 4- Trudy

Restore us, O God of our salvation, and cause your anger toward us to cease. (Psalm 85:4)

Trudy was proud because she was wealthy, successful and loved by all. She taught budding pilots in an aeronautical college. One morning she woke up and saw that one side of her face was paralyzed. She could not close one eye and could not chew her food properly. Saliva drooled from one side of her mouth. Her doctor told her that she had Bell's palsy. She was horrified that this had happened to her. She feared facing her colleagues, students and friends. Even though her doctor assured her that her sickness would heal in a month or two, she feared that the paralysis would spread to her body too. She prayed fervently and called upon many servants of God to pray for her.

During her illness, she felt that it was her pride that had caused this sickness. She repented of it and cried out to God to heal her. God was merciful and her face was restored to it's former state in a few weeks time. She turned a new leaf in her life and was never proud of her wealth or success again, knowing now that there were some situations in life where only God could help.

Sometimes sicknesses can come to us because of certain sins in our lives. It may be pride, selfishness, anger, stubbornness or any other sin. But God restores us when we cry out to him with repentance. God is loving and compassionate; he is a merciful Father to us who have trusted in his son Jesus to be our Savior.

Restore us, O God; Cause Your face to shine and we shall be saved! (Psalm 80:3)

 

[jeremiah7]

The Christian Life Series- 5 - Matt

I will open rivers in desolate heights and fountains in the midst of the valleys; I will make the wilderness a pool of water and the dry land springs of water. (Isaiah 41:18)

Matt went to Dubai with hopes of working hard and supporting his family back home in Cameroon. Things did not work out as he expected and he had issues with his work permit. He had to leave the country after a while, not having earned as much as he had expected or dreamed. His Christian friends prayed and supported him as best as they could. Though he had to go back to his home country, God opened a new way for him. He got a job in a security firm in another gulf country. He supports his family with his earnings now. He now strengthens other believers who are in dire straits by testifying that God is able to open new doors for those who trust in him.
Yes, our God is Almighty. We can trust him to open new doors for us, when one that was open until now shuts. He is the God who can make a road in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. Praise be to his holy name.

Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; Shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness And rivers in the desert. (Isaiah 43:19)

 

[jeremiah7]

The Christian Life Series- 10 - Toby

Even today my complaint is bitter; my hand is listless because of my groaning. (Job 23:2)

Toby felt God was unfair to him. His wife was suffering from depression and had altered mental behavior which troubled him much. His children had moved out and he had to deal with his wife's problems alone. There were relatives who helped him, but he felt lonely. Though he prayed and attended Church, he felt that God did not love him. As he aged, he was diagnosed to be suffering from brain cancer. It was in an advanced stage and he had very little time left to live.

One of those days, as he heard a minister speak to him about the great love that God had for him and that life did not end with death on earth, he repented of his grudges against God and accepted Jesus as Savior. Now, he believed that a new life with God in eternity awaited him and that gave him renewed hope despite his sufferings and knowledge that he was to die soon.

Sometimes we hold grudges against God and others. We may justify it saying that it is because of all the sufferings that we have endured or are enduring in our lives. God understands us, but he doesn't want us to be bitter, because that will hinder our relationship with him.

If you have been holding grudges against God for the pains you have endured in your life or for the pains you are enduring now, it is time to confess them and restore your broken relationship with God. He loves you and desires that you stay in close fellowship with him. He promises never to leave you nor forsake you. He is faithful.

For I know that my Redeemer lives, and he shall stand at last on the earth; after my skin is destroyed, this I know, that in my flesh I shall see God.. (Job 19:25, 26)

 

[jeremiah7]

The Christian Life Series- 11- Paul

For this child I prayed, and the Lord has granted me my petition which I asked of him. (1 Samuel 1:27)

Paul had been preaching the Gospel for around 25 years. 55 years old, he had a loving wife and a flourishing church. The only sorrow that he had in his life was that he had no child. He had prayed for many childless couples and God had answered his prayer for them, giving them one or more children. He did not understand why God had not answered his prayer for a child. His wife would comfort him, telling him that perhaps it was not God's will that they had a child. They had stopped praying for the past 5 years. Then one day, Paul's wife had to be taken to the hospital for repeated vomits and the doctors found that she was pregnant. It was a difficulty pregnancy, but after 9 months and much praying, a son was born to Paul and his wife. Their joy knew no bounds. They had stopped praying for a child, but God had remembered them in his mercy and gifted them a son.

Sometimes we may get frustrated and stop praying for matters that we have prayed for long periods of time, but for which we have not seen any answers from God. But God remembers all our prayers regarding a matter from the first to the last.

We serve a merciful God, who hears and answers our prayers in his time. Jesus exhorted his disciples to keep praying and not give up on their requests to God.

Have you ceased praying for that which you prayed for and did not see a result? Do not be disheartened. Keep praying. Trust in God. He will answer you in his time, like only he can.

Be strong, and let your heart take courage; all you who hope in the Lord. (Psalm 31:24)

 

[jeremiah7]

The Christian Life Series-12- Vasanti

O Lord my God, I cried out to you, and you healed me. (Psalm 30:2)

Vasanti was bitten by poisonous snakes twice in a year's time, as she worked in a rubber plantation. Her limbs ached continually and they often became so numb that she could not feel any sensation in them. She had tried different kinds of medicines for the same, but the condition seemed to relapse after a short period of relief. She was not from a Christian family, but one evening, a friend of hers invited her to attend a Christian prayer meeting. There the preacher spoke about salvation through Jesus Christ and his power to heal sicknesses. As she heard the preacher speak about Jesus, she believed that she could be healed of her debilitating sickness and that very evening, she received her healing, when she prayed to God for forgiveness of her sins and for healing. Jesus revealed himself to her as Savior and healer and since then she has been living to bring glory to his name, worshiping him in spirit and in truth.

All around us, there are many who are languishing in their sins, suffering from various ailments and there are many who are in satanic bondage. We need to tell them the good news that Jesus Christ is the Savior of all who would believe in his sin atoning sacrifice on the cross and that he still heals and delivers from satanic bondage. The Psalmist exhorts us in this manner...Declare his glory among the nations, his wonders among all peoples. (Psalm 96:3)
Let's take up the challenge.

I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the Lord. (Psalm 118:17)