Beggars Who've Found Bread
We Christians are real people living in the real world. We suffer pain and loss just the same as anyone else. Our faith is not based on comfortable living with no difficulties. And we don’t rely on that to measure our relationship to Christ.
Quite the opposite. We are no different than anyone else except that we have been found by Jesus. One preacher said it something like this: “We Christians are beggars who have found bread telling other beggars where they can find bread, too.”
We are not free from troubles. We are not free from loss. We are not free from tragedy. We have not been placed in a protective bubble.
But we do have hope. We do have the promise of Christ that, though we may experience trouble, even crushing loss, we WILL NOT BE CONSUMED. No weapon formed against us shall prosper. There is nothing that has the power to separate us from Him.
Our hope is in Christ. Our peace is in Christ. Our trust is in Christ. Our very lives are in Christ.
The temptation to be bitter is sometimes very strong and well justified. Resist it anyway. Like the martyrs past and present who displayed joy and peace in the face of oppression and murder, let your faith, hope, and love be steadfast during the trying of your faith. Testify of the enduring provision of Christ. Encourage those who are afraid.
Live a life of witness that the love of God is above all things, is greater than all things, brings us through all things. Remember, "many are the afflictions of the righteous. But the Lord delivers them out of them ALL."
Go to Jesus. Admit your fears and frustrations. Bare your heart and soul to Him. Ask Him again to be your God and your salvation. Ask Him to help you believe. Ask Him to show you hope and faith and love. Ask Him to provide every spiritual and physical need. Ask Him to help you trust Him.
And when you have done all that you can do, simply stand firm.
When the enemy comes rushing in like a mighty flood, God will raise up a standard against him. You will not be consumed. You will not be forsaken. You will not be defeated.
You are this very day the beloved child of God. In you He chooses to live. With you He chooses to be one. Through you He makes Himself known to a lost and dying world.
He loves you. He will never leave you. He will never forsake you.
Go to him.
But leave your strength behind. Leave your ability to stand strong behind. Go to Him in your weakness and fear. You will find Him right there.
I don’t know what’s coming. I don’t know what may yet have to be endured. But I know we are in Christ. I know we will not be defeated. It may be difficult. It may get really bad before it gets better. But it's going to get better.
I am absolutely confident that Christ will become more alive in us than ever before. I’m certain we will find strength and depth in Him that we never knew existed. I’m confident we will be lifted high in Him.
Quite the opposite. We are no different than anyone else except that we have been found by Jesus. One preacher said it something like this: “We Christians are beggars who have found bread telling other beggars where they can find bread, too.”
We are not free from troubles. We are not free from loss. We are not free from tragedy. We have not been placed in a protective bubble.
But we do have hope. We do have the promise of Christ that, though we may experience trouble, even crushing loss, we WILL NOT BE CONSUMED. No weapon formed against us shall prosper. There is nothing that has the power to separate us from Him.
Our hope is in Christ. Our peace is in Christ. Our trust is in Christ. Our very lives are in Christ.
The temptation to be bitter is sometimes very strong and well justified. Resist it anyway. Like the martyrs past and present who displayed joy and peace in the face of oppression and murder, let your faith, hope, and love be steadfast during the trying of your faith. Testify of the enduring provision of Christ. Encourage those who are afraid.
Live a life of witness that the love of God is above all things, is greater than all things, brings us through all things. Remember, "many are the afflictions of the righteous. But the Lord delivers them out of them ALL."
Go to Jesus. Admit your fears and frustrations. Bare your heart and soul to Him. Ask Him again to be your God and your salvation. Ask Him to help you believe. Ask Him to show you hope and faith and love. Ask Him to provide every spiritual and physical need. Ask Him to help you trust Him.
And when you have done all that you can do, simply stand firm.
When the enemy comes rushing in like a mighty flood, God will raise up a standard against him. You will not be consumed. You will not be forsaken. You will not be defeated.
You are this very day the beloved child of God. In you He chooses to live. With you He chooses to be one. Through you He makes Himself known to a lost and dying world.
He loves you. He will never leave you. He will never forsake you.
Go to him.
But leave your strength behind. Leave your ability to stand strong behind. Go to Him in your weakness and fear. You will find Him right there.
I don’t know what’s coming. I don’t know what may yet have to be endured. But I know we are in Christ. I know we will not be defeated. It may be difficult. It may get really bad before it gets better. But it's going to get better.
I am absolutely confident that Christ will become more alive in us than ever before. I’m certain we will find strength and depth in Him that we never knew existed. I’m confident we will be lifted high in Him.
posted by Greg at 1:51 PM
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