Who has Borne the Scars

                                         

Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone wishes to follow Me [as My disciple], he must deny himself [set aside selfish interests], and take up his cross [expressing a willingness to endure whatever may come] and follow Me [believing in Me, conforming to My example in living and, if need be, suffering or perhaps dying because of faith in Me]. Matthew 16:24 Holy Bible Amplified Version

When I was in Asia, met Asian Christians and informed them I was a Christian the first question they asked was how much have I suffered for Christ. They call most Christians in the west marshmallows because they have the feel good Christ not the real one. When it comes time to suffer for Christ they either walk, or run away saying: “That is not what I signed up for!” Upon coming home to Canada it was shocking to see just how true this was.

Ask any so called Christian how much they have suffered for Christ and see how many answer in the affirmative and how many of them look at you like you are insane.

Oh we all suffer from time to time, welcome to life, but how many are willing to suffer intentionally for Christ?

We may not receive physical lashes but we will receive brutal verbal ones which slash much deeper ( especially when it comes from family and former friends).

Oh we may not be in a physical prison but we may be in a one in social groups where no one will talk with you at work or school ( believe me it makes for a long day and many times you feel as if you are the only person in the world).

We may not receive physical blows but we will receive verbal ones as we are viciously laughed at, mocked, tormented and made the butt of jokes at work, at school, in church or any other social setting. These hurt much more than physical ones.

Can you think of any other manner in which we will suffer for Christ or that you have suffered for Christ?

To see a true Christian is to see one who has borne the scars for Christ. Joseph a son of Jehovah

Prayer: Thank you Jesus ‘Immeku (The Lord Is With You) for the privilege of suffering for You like You suffered for me. I know that this suffering brings us closer together and blesses me with appreciating You more and more because You walk through the suffering with me. I praise You in Your strong name. Amen.

May the gentle assurance of Jesus’ sweet love encompass you today and every day.

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Repetition of Small Efforts.

Do not grow tired or lose heart in doing good [but continue doing what is right without weakening].2 Thessalonians 3:13 Holy Bible Amplified Version

When I was a boy a group I belonged to had the motto of practicing do a good deed a day every day.

Why not try it?

Start with little things.

Pray to Jehovah to show you where you can fulfill this assignment so that He prevents you from being made a sucker out of and when it will do the most good.

It is a great opportunity to share Jesus with others.

Pray that He gives you the strength to continue on even when you do not feel like it.

Over time this will become a subconscious habit.

Not every time will it be appreciated (for example when you hold the door open for someone and they do not say thank you or when you are a man holding the door open for a woman that hates men you will get an ear full. I just smile and say: You are welcome and walk away. Do not start a fight.).

Do not be discouraged and hold firmly in the belief that you are doing this for the glory and pleasure of Jehovah.

Yes He is very joyous when He sees His children being loving, even to unloving folks.

Every good deed done unto Christ, no matter how big or small is precious in His sight. Joseph a son of Jehovah

“The repetition of small efforts will accomplish more than the occasional use of great talents.” — Charles H. Spurgeon

Prayer: Please Holy Spirit Tsidkenu (The Lord is Righteousness) bless me with a reminder to not only continue my repetition of service unto my Heavenly King but to expand it. I humbly beseech Thee in the name He whose loving heart took Him all the way to the cross Jesus Christ. Amen.

May the gentle assurance of Jesus’ sweet love encompass you today and every day.

The Faith of Adherence.

 Then his wife said to him, “Do you still cling to your integrity [and your faith and trust in God, without blaming Him]? Job 2:9 Holy Bible Amplified Version

If anybody had the right to lose faith in Jehovah it is Job. Everything he had, his wealth family and health while remaining faithful unto Jehovah. Yet, through it all he persevered even though he did not understand while all the tragedy was happening to him.

There have been many times in my walk with Christ when I was suffering and not knowing why it was happening. I called out unto the Lord and He was silent. In the end I just told the Lord that even though it is tough and I do not understand why this is happening my faith in Him and His reason for allowing this was unshakable. It was later that I realized that some of them occurred to strengthen my faith while others were happening to burn off the dross. The final analysis though is that it was always for my own good.

“When I cannot enjoy the faith of assurance, I live by the faith of adherence.” — Matthew Henry

Prayer: Thank you Jesus Hamelech ( Jesus my Lord King ) that even though many times I do not understand what You are doing or why I have complete faith that You are doing this for my own good because You love me so much. I exalt You for this blessing in Your awesome name. Amen.

May the gentle assurance of Jesus’ sweet love encompass you today and every day.

You Cover and Shelter Them

 But let all who take refuge and put their trust in You rejoice, Let them ever sing for joy; Because You cover and shelter them, Let those who love Your name be joyful and exult in You. Psalms 5: 11 Holy Bible Amplified Version

Refuge is defined as a shelter or protection from danger or distress. We as children of Jehovah have free access when ever it is needed under His almighty protection from Satan and his minions.

That does not mean we will not under go times of trial and tribulation, sorrow and snares. These are required of every child to grow strong in our walk with Christ in our ability to with stand them and to have confidence in Divine intervention when they are too strong for us to withstand. The result of this is to be filled with love , admiration and joy towards our awesome God. We cannot but in exhalation sing songs of love and joy as a gift of gratitude towards our Heavenly Beloved.

Jesus is moved to happiness every time He sees that you appreciate what He has done for you. –Ole Hallesby

Prayer: I extol You oh Jehovah-Gador Milchamah ( The Lord is Mighty in Battle ) for the uncountable times You have come to my aid and rescued me from certain destruction the oh so many times when Satan or his minions have unmercifully attacked a weak soul like me with Your ultimate power. I thank You for the countless times You have allowed me to walk through the fire and You were there with me in my each and every time. I exalt You in the name of He who never deserted His disciples Jesus Christ . Amen .

May the gentle assurance of Jesus’ sweet love encompass you today and every day.

Product of Attitude and Thought.

 And blessed (happy, prosperous, to be admired) is he who trusts [confidently] in the Lord. Proverbs 16:20 Holy Bible, Amplified Version

Every day I pray for Jehovah to bless me with opening my eyes to all His blessings great and small. Joseph- Anthony: Green

When I do this my attitude is one of gratefulness and this creates a happy disposition in my daily life that flows out to those around me. Many times it brings light into anothers darkened day. They in turn share it with others. You may be surprised at just how much your positive attitude can change the environment you are in whether that be at school work or in society ( like on public transit). Now, the older we get the more deep wounds we have in our hearts from those who have abused us.

The devil will use these to play over and over again in your mind to steal away your happiness.

When this happens, why not pray for Jehovah to help you focus your thoughts on your amazing love affair with Him.

When you have a heart of gratitude there is no place for anger, fear or worry. Joseph- Anthony: Green

This is a blessing that must be asked for daily and be appreciated in the evening time with bed time prayers of gratitude unto the giver of these blessings.

Happiness is a product of attitude and thought. It comes from you, not to you. –Richard Daly

Prayer: Please Jehovah-Bara (The Lord Creator) bless me with creating a daily attitude and behaviour of gratitude for all the numerous blessing You abundantly graciously give me every day. Bless me with concentrating upon Your love to heal the deep wounds that have been inflicted upon my heart so that it will be filled with Your divine love to be shared with others through out the day today and every day. I sincerely request this in the name of He who taught His disciples gratitude as He walked with them Jesus Christ. Amen.

May the sweet sunshine of Jesus’ beautiful love bless you today and every day.

 

According to Who?

We know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28 New King James Version

Are you involved in ministry and no matter what you do it seems to fail?

Are you involved in ministry and no matter what you do it seems unfulfilling?

Could it be that you are not where you belong?

Could it be that you are doing ministry that you want to do instead of being where Jehovah wants you to be?

Notice we are called to Gods purpose not our own. Now where He leads us will be difficult and many times unglamorous.

 

It is good for it to be difficult because hat help us be more dependant upon Jehovah and not ourselves. In the process this leads us to a deeper love and appreciation for the Lord.

Could it be that it is unglamorous because the Lord does not want us to be full of pride but rather full of respect for Him?

 

Prayer: Please Jehovah Hesseh (God is love) bless me to concentrate on emulating Your divine love while fulfilling Your divine purpose in my dedicated life to You. I humbly request this in the name of He who followed Your purpose all the way to the cross Jesus Christ. Amen.                                                                                                      

May the sunshine of Jesus’ sweet love bless you today and every day.

Why Would He?

 

If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened. Psalm 66:18 New International Version

There was a man with two sons.

One son was obedient and loving with his father. As a consequence the father loved to show his affection and appreciation by showering the son with gifts.

The other son was arrogant, rude and unappreciative of the father. As a result the father gave that son nothing.

 

The first son is a Christian, the second worldly.

If you cherish the sinful life you are arrogant rude and disobedient to the Father. When you are like that and need His help why should He listen to you when you reject Him?

Prayer: I thank you Jehovah Abba (God our Father) for blessing me with an amazing loving relationship with you. Because of this I know You will always listen to this, Your loving child that You love so much. I praise you in the name of Your most holy son Jesus Christ. Amen.                                                                                                

May the sunshine of Jesus’ sweet love bless you today and every day