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I think that a question many people wrestle with is why is there evil in the world? When God created the world He never intended there to be evil and pain in the world. The fall of man is what introduced sin into the world and created a broken world. In Genesis 3 the serpent slithers into the garden of Eden and twists the truth just enough so he succeeds in getting Eve to eat of the tree of knowledge of good and evil. She then pulls her husband into the mess as well. This ends with the serpent and Eve being cursed, and Adam and Eve exiled from the garden. Guys when Satan was cast out of Heaven, he made it his personal mission to take down as many people as he possibly could. Ephesians 6:12 tells us we do not wrestle against flesh and blood but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Guys I have good news, when God sent His only Son to die for your salvation, He offers reconciliation and restoration. Revelation 21:4 reminds us of God’s promise to believers to take away sorrow, pain, death, and more. Because of the first sin life can be really hard, but Jesus can help you through it all. If you don’t know Jesus as your Lord and Savior I challenge you to get to know Him. He changes lives and shows love we can’t even begin to comprehend.
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This reminded me of a post I saw that said we think we are not enough but people thought that five fish and two loaves was not enough either. God can use anything and make it more than enough. You may feel like you are not sure you have what it takes to do something, but God equips the called. Just look to the Lord and He will guide you through it.
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In Genesis 19:26 Lot and his wife are rescued from Sodom and Gomorrah before God has it destroyed. God gave specific instructions not to look back, however, Lot’s wife lingers continually and longingly to her beloved possessions. She is turned into a pillar of slat and buried by an explosion from the destruction of the city, How many times are we worried about what life used used to look like or just worldly possessions that in the end will not matter? Sometimes following Jesus Christ involves us leaving what is comfortable and stepping into uncertainty. Sometimes following Jesus Christ involves us leaving what we think we love and wholeheartedly serving the living God. We have to be careful what we allow to paralyze us. For the past few years I have been like Lot’s wife. I refused to to let go of past hurts and expectation and I let life just pass me by. I have let these things affect how much I let the Lord in. The Lord is the only one I should have been seeking. He is the only one that can heal the soul wrenching pain you may have. In the grand scheme of things once we enter eternity possessions do not come with us and most of the experiences we thought were so detrimental will not even matter. What does matter is if you have salvation and were obedient and followed the will of God. Sometimes that’s the hardest thing to pray that God’s will be done. What we want is not always what’s best for us and we should trust God because He has the whole picture. I challenge you to lay everything at Jesus’ feet and allow Him to work in your life.
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During my recent bible study in Ephesians one section really stood out. Ephesians 4:1-3 I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of your calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. God through His Son Jesus has given us these fruits of the spirit. Once you are saved by accepting Jesus as your Lord and Savior and surrendering all to Him, you are made new. You will begin to see things change in your life and you will begin to show love, joy, peace, self-control. patience and more. Once you are saved God sets you apart and there is a standard to live by, In Paul’s letter to the Ephesians he urges us to walk worthy and to be a light in the darkness. Walking with these attributes help point others to Christ. This verse really stepped on my toes. I struggle with some of these things daily. I struggle daily with things like patience and gentleness and self-control. It’s always important to remember in Luke when Jesus tells us to take up our cross daily and follow Him. I have to fight my flesh and desires. I saw a post that said David defeated Goliath, but was defeated by Bathsheba. Our desires can really send us off course. We have to fight daily against what we want and what’s comfortable and follow God’s will. Are you walking worthy? Is your life reflecting Jesus in your life?
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I was watching a video online recently and a person was talking about how Christianity is not inclusive. Jesus is the only person I know that came willingly to suffer and die on a cross to save an entire world. I have been reading in the New Testament and in Acts Peter is in a trance and sees a sheet that is let down from heaven and all things that were considered unclean are encompassed as well. Peter tells the Lord he has never eaten anything unclean. But the Lord tells Peter to never call anything unclean that He has cleansed.. When he leaves, he then runs into a centurion that also was given a vision and was instructed to find Peter. Peter then shares the gospel and then he was saved. It is revealed to Peter that the gospel is not just for the Jews, but is to reach everyone. Everyone has the ability to be included in the family of God. You just have to be willing to surrender your life to Jesus Christ. If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and Savior you shall be saved. Believe in your heart that Jesus is the Son of God, was crucified, and rose three days later. Jesus did all of this to reconcile you to God. Be bold and share the good news.
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I saw a post online the other day and it said you can’t beg God to heal you and stay loyal to what’s killing you. I do think that everyone struggles with something and absolutely none of us are perfect. This is why we have Jesus. But how often do we do this? Beg for something to be taken from us and continue to turn back to it and end up where we started. I think it’s about total surrender and obedience. If we are going to ask God for help we also have to be willing to do what He says.
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I was reading a devotional this morning and it used a verse I think we are all familiar with. Philippians 4:13 that states for I can do all things through Christ, who gives me strength. It discussed knowing God’s strength and Him equipping you with what you need. I thought yes that was a good idea to keep in mind but we also need to apply this truth in the not so good times as well. As followers of Jesus Christ we should remember that even when things feel dark and like we are not gonna get through it, that if you lay this at His feet He will pick you up and carry you through it. Jesus lends His strength in all areas you just have to ask and lean on Him.
FaithfullyFiredUp 