From guest contributor
Pastor April Hunt
2 Thessalonians 1: 5:
And God will use this persecution to show his justice and to make you worthy of his Kingdom, for which you are suffering. As we live for Christ, we will experience troubles because we are trying to be God's people in a perverse world. Some people say that troubles are
the result of sin or lack of faith, but Paul teaches that they may be a part of God's plan for believers. Our problems can help us look upward and forward, instead of inward. (Philippians 3:
13-14 No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and
receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.), they can build strong character (Romans 5:3-4 We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials,
for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation.), and they can provide us with
opportunities to comfort others who also are struggling (2 Corinthians 1: 3-5 All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort.
He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. For the more we suffer for Christ, the
more God will shower us with his comfort through Christ. ). Your troubles may be an indication that you are taking a stand for Christ! When you do so, you are experiencing the privilege of
showing that you are worthy of God's Kingdom (2 Thessalonians 1: 11 So we keep on praying for you, asking our God to enable you to live a life worthy of his call. May he give you the power to
accomplish all the good things your faith prompts you to do. )
God, we praise You in our storms! We lift our eyes to You, Lord. We call out to You in our times of trial, trouble, and problems.
We trust that In You, we can find peace and freedom. Thank You for Your Holy Spirit that guides us and guards us. We love You Lord!
May we remain steadfast and with our eyes and hearts fixed on You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.. |
