More Than Conquerors

"Yet in all these things, we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us." (Romans 8:37) The Apostle Paul was very honest about the fact that, in the Christian life there are battles to be fought.

Along with the blessings that God has for us in this life, there are challenges to be faced as well. Some would ask: Why does the Christian life have to have problems? Why do we have to go through times of suffering and trial? If we are walking in the care of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, why would He allow us to have to deal with these trials Paul mentions in v. 35?

Ever since our first parents disobeyed God in the Garden of Eden, man-kind has had to endure these things. The whole creation groans under the curse brought about by selfishness and sin. But one day, the curse will be lifted, when Jesus returns. But in the mean-time, Paul gives us an encouraging word, concerning our trials, and our relationship with God, through His Son Jesus Christ.

His word is given in the form of a question. "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?" (v.35) Jesus promises to love us, and care for us, no matter what the trials may be, or how severe they might be. And because He will always be with us, we can be "more than conquerors." We will be able to rise above anything that threatens to diminish us, and destroy us. Even if we die in this life, we have hope in Jesus Christ for the next.

Yes, God will always be" our strength, and a very present help in trouble."(Psalm 46:1) GP

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Expecting Trouble

"But they were scheming to harm me; so I sent messengers to them with this reply; 
"I am carrying on a great project, and cannot come down." (Nehemiah 6:2-3) 

You would think that everyone would appreciate the efforts of Nehemiah, in his work to rebuild the wall around Jerusalem. It was a labor of love for both the glory of God, and the protection of the people of Israel. But not everyone was supportive, in fact there were those (because of selfishness and jealousy) who were set on hindering the work, even hoping it would stop.

If we read the book of Nehemiah, we see that he put the will of God ahead, of what other people thought, or did. Nehemiah was a constant prayer warrior. He fought his battles on his knees before God. And God directed his actions. It was God's will that the wall be restored, and through the faithfulness of Nehemiah, and his faithful workers, this became a reality.

The question still remains; Why is there always oposition to the work of God? Many a faithful serviant has faced unexpectant conflict, in the process of accomplishing Kingdom work. Well the Bible makes it clear, that we have an enemy that is like "a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour." (1 Peter 5:8)

Satan will always try to work through people, to cause conflict and develop obstacles, in accomplishing kingdom work. Whenever you do something for the Lord, expect that there is going to be trouble.
To me this is evidence that Satan is alive and well.

But what Nehemiah knew in his heart, John reminds us of, in 1 John 4:4 "Greater us He that is in you, than he who is in the world." No matter what the battle is in our service for the Lord, if it is the Lord's will, that a certain project of program is accomplished, it will be accomplished. Because as Paul said: "If God is for us, who can be against us." (Romans 8:31) GP

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The Weaver

The Weaver

My life is but a weaving
between my Lord and me;
I cannot choose the colors
He worketh steadily

Oft Times He weaveth sorrow
And I, in foolish pride,
Forget He sees the upper
And I the under side.

Not til the loom is silent
And the shuttles cease to fly,
Shall God unroll the canvas
And explain the reason why.

The dark threads are as needful,
In the Weaver's skillful hand,
As the threads of gold and silver
In the pattern He has planned.

He knows, He loves, He cares,
Nothing this truth can dim,
He gives His very best to those
Who leave the choice with Him.

" Grant Colfax Tuller (1869-1950), is the author of this poem although I have noticed that at least one person online attributes the poem to himself. Tuller was a minister in New Jersey. His book titled "Written Because: and "An Autobiography," "Some Stories and Poems" explains the stories behind various hymns that he wrote.

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More Than We Can Bear

"...But God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able.." 
 (1 Corinthians 10:13b) 

I have heard these words from time to time:
"God will not give you more than what you can handle." I wonder about those words, when I think about David taking on the giant Goliath
(1 Samuel 17) or Gideon taking on the mass amount of Midianites, with just a handful of three hundred soldiers. (Judges 7:7)  

In our text, (1 Corinthians 10:13), the Apostle Paul is dealing with the temptation of sexual immorality. It is a strong temptation in our day, as it was when Paul wrote these words. He says that God, with the temptation, will give us a way to escape, if we have sense enough, and faith enough, to trust that God will lead us to a better way of satisfaction and joy in our lives.      

I question whether this Scripture is speaking to the subject of trials.
To give what I feel is an adequate answer. Death is the result of trials being more than what people can handle. But even though our situations can be more than what we can handle, the Apostle Paul said it very emphatically: "Yet in all these things (trials mentioned) we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us." (Romans 8:37)     

It may be more than what we can handle physically alone, but it will never be more than what our faith can handle. "Nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus." (Romans 8:39)

With our faith in the Lord, He will see us through! GP


Photo by marcolm. Published on 02 January 2011 Stock photo - Image ID: 10025694

When Trouble Comes

" I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

 In the middle of winter, in the middle of the night, our furnace decided to quit running. Not only are you dealing with the challenge of the cold, but also the challenge of getting the furnace repaired.

Trouble comes when we least expect it, and when it does, it can bring about a great amount of anxiety. Jesus said that we would have "tribulation." 
This world is never trouble free. Just when you're going along smoothly, everything is going great, and then it hits, out of nowhere. And you are left frustrated, wondering what you're going to do.

Even though we will have trouble, we have a Savior who not only has saved us from our sins, but promises to sustain us in our everyday lives. We can have peace in the midst of trials, because as Jesus said.."But take heart; I have over come the world."(v.33b). 

There is nothing that we and the Lord cannot figure out, and overcome. So when trouble comes, let's not lose faith, but trust in the one, who with just His voice, calmed the storm and the raging sea. GP 

Photo by David Castillo Dominici. Published on 08 January 2013 Stock photo - Image ID: 100131427 www.freedigitalphotos.com