Jesus

In this world you will have trouble…

Faithful Stewardship 3 Comments

trialsWe are currently living in some stressful times. Even if you are blessed by  not being subjected to mainstream “news” media, you’ve undoubtedly heard from friends and family who are concerned about their lives and livelihood in the next several years. As Christians, we have been given the keys to life and living that we can use to reach the lost and the hurting. Unfortunately, there is a lot of false doctrine out there. Perhaps the most damaging, is the idea that if you just have enough faith (and do certain things in that faith) that you will be free from trials, tribulation, persecution, hunger, thirst, and every other imaginable hardship. That is not in keeping with the teaching given to us in the New Testament. Yes, God loves us, and has promised to meet our every need. We serve a sovereign God… He is Lord over everything. Nothing happens that He does not allow to happen. Lets begin with some references from the Gospels:

John 16:3 (NIV)
33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

Jesus stated very plainly that in this world we will have trouble. He is preparing His disciples for what was about to come, and His encouragement wasn’t “but if you have faith, you will be exempted from troubles”… it was “But take heart! I have overcome the world”. But why? Why allow us to face troubles? If God is sovereign, why not simply exempt His faithful followers? Let’s take a look at Peter, one of his star pupils.

Luke 22:31-32 (NIV)
31 “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat. 32 But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.”

Indeed, we see that we serve a Sovereign God. But there is a reason why God allows the trials to come. Do you know why wheat needs to be sifted? Because not all of it is fitting for consumption. If you don’t sift the wheat, you’ll end up introducing impurities into the food. Notice Jesus’s prayer on Simon’s behalf… “that your faith may not fail”. You see, faith isn’t designed to grant you the power to avoid trouble, its purpose is to sustain you in Him through the trials. These are general truths. In each of our lives, God also has specific goals and purposes in mind for our individual struggles. In this case, He wanted Simon to endure the trial, and when he had recovered from it, he was to strengthen his brothers. God continues to work through His Church in this same fashion. When we go through trials and struggles, God sustains us through it all so that we might give Him praise and thanks and that we might strengthen our brothers and sisters in Christ.

Without taking away a single letter of the Law or of the many promises of God for His Love, Mercy, Provision, and desire to answer prayer, I want to present several examples throughout the new testament of the reality of trials, tribulations, and hardships that we Christians should expect until the day of Christ’s return, or until God the Father has appointed each of us to leave this world. The Apostle Paul included this truth in many of his letters to the churches:

2 Corinthians 7:8-11 (NASB)

8 For we do not want you to be unaware, brethren, of our affliction which came to us inAsia, that we were burdened excessively, beyond our strength, so that we despaired even of life; 9indeed, we had the sentence of death within ourselves so that we would not trust in ourselves, but in God who raises the dead; 10 who delivered us from so great a peril of death, and will deliver us, He on whom we have set our hope. And He will yet deliver us, 11 you also joining in helping us through your prayers, so that thanks may be given by many persons on our behalf for the favor bestowed on us through the prayers of many.

And this was on a “missions trip” so to speak. This was not an isolated trial or event; rather, it became a way of life for Paul, something he learned to take joy in.

Colossians 1:24 (NASB)
24 Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I do my share on behalf of His body, which is the church, in filling up what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions.

Paul often wrote of how we are to identify with Christ in His death, resurrection, and ascension. He also recognized that while we walk this earth in our fleshly bodies, we are to share in Christ’s afflictions, for the Church is the Body of Christ, with Christ as the Head of the body (1 Cor 12). Just as Christ endured trials, suffering, and afflictions in obedience to God the Father, how much more so should we endure for His Name sake? But it is a point of rejoicing for Paul. And he was not alone in this view/mindset.

James 1: 2-4 (NASB)

2 Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. 4 And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

Again, as with Jesus’ plan for Simon (Peter), there is a purpose for the suffering/trials/tribulations. We are perfected in our faith and in our understanding of Christ and the Kingdom of Heaven through our trials. The athlete who never struggles quickly grows weak. The mind that isn’t challenged grows numb. The Christian that does not face hardship will slip into sin and fall away from the faith.

In closing, let us look at what the Apostle Peter had to say:

1 Peter 5:6-11 (NASB)
6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, 7 casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you. 8 Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world. 10 After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you. 11 To Him be dominion forever and ever. Amen.

In Him,
FS

Related articles

I can do all things…

Faithful Stewardship 2 Comments

Praise the Lord for His traveling mercies this past Thanksgiving weekend. I will have to learn to make time to update this blog while I’m on vacation, but all in due time.

Today, I’d like to share some quick thoughts on an often quoted verse, Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me” (NASB). Whenever I see or hear a verse of scripture presented or quoted in an encouragement, rebuke, or as basis for an opinion I become excited that someone is turning to God’s Word for Truth. If it is a verse I have not memorized or am unfamiliar with, I search the word for it, to see what else I have missed, and to be sure that the quoted verse is indeed a verse (“cleanliness is next to Godliness” isn’t in the Scriptures).

That is not to say that there aren’t some strong warning signs that flash. A surefire way to furrow my brow is to present a quoted scripture in written form without its reference. In the Internet age, there simply is no excuse to not include at least the reference for the scripture. None. Google allows you to start typing out the quote and usually within the first few results it becomes clear if the phrase is an idiom or a Scripture verse, and normally you can see the reference of the verse without following a single link. Additionally, if the quoted text is a single phrase or partial sentence, I hesitate. Why? Because I worry about the verse being used out of context. If the context is solid, and the audience is well versed, then a simple line or a partial quote is more than enough to bring the passage of scripture into the remembrance of audience and everyone walks away blessed. However, in a mixed audience, there can be room for error.

Now, getting back to Phil 4:13, it is a commonly quoted verse of scripture that has provided me with comfort and encouragement over the years. Even now, in my present-day struggles, I lean on this verse. Let us look at the verse in context:

Philippians 4:4-14 (NASB)
4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! 5 Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near. 6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. 9 The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.
10 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at last you have revived your concern for me; indeed, you were concerned before, but you lacked opportunity. 11 Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. 12 I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need.13 I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. 14 Nevertheless, you have done well to share with me in my affliction.

Paul is saying a lot in this chapter. We are commanded to Rejoice in the Lord always. We are given guidelines for what we should be focused on and meditated on.  I probably provided more than was needed, but I really wanted to show the slight topic shift. After presenting the commandment for us to rejoice in the Lord, Paul now moves to his rejoicing in being remembered in his affliction. Verse 11 is when it really gets heavy… Paul has already learned how to accept God’s provision regardless of circumstance. Here he simply explained that he has learned to get along “with humble means” or “poverty” and how to live in prosperity. The secret of being filled and going hungry… in abundance and in suffering need. That secret is in knowing that I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. What a blessing to be given such profound wisdom and encouragement!

Unfortunately, this verse is often misquoted. A key phrase within the verse is “through Him”. I’ve heard this verse used in a way that conveys more of a “I can do all things because Christ strengthens me to do everything”. Do you see what is missing? There is a limitation to the “all things” that can be done… they must be done “through Him” or “in Him”. We cannot simply go through life being our own bosses and expect Jesus to serve as our hired muscle. That isn’t how the scriptures read and it is not the example Paul led for us. Even Jesus deferred to the Will of God the Father, and Jesus is God. But He demonstrated how we are to live our lives in Him and through Him. More subtly, the verse is sometimes used (or received) as a pep talk implying that Jesus will fix our circumstances. Such an interpretation generally stems from ignorance of the verses immediately preceding v13.

So, what sorts of circumstances can we count on the strength of God to provide for us as we remain in Him? Lets look at a quick list Paul provided in his rebuke to the Corinthians regarding boasting. The greater context of chapter 11 is in regards to boasting and in the defense of his apostleship, but we are looking specifically for a list of the types of circumstances Paul had to endure in Christ:

2 Corinthians 11:23-33 (NASB)
23 Are they servants of Christ?—I speak as if insane—I more so; in far more labors, in far more imprisonments, beaten times without number, often in danger of death. 24 Five times I received from the Jews thirty-nine lashes. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, a night and a day I have spent in the deep. 26 I have been on frequent journeys, in dangers from rivers, dangers from robbers, dangers from my countrymen, dangers from the Gentiles, dangers in the city, dangers in the wilderness, dangers on the sea, dangers among false brethren; 27 I have been in labor and hardship, through many sleepless nights, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure. 28 Apart from suchexternal things, there is the daily pressure on me of concern for all the churches. 29 Who is weak without my being weak? Who is led into sin without my intense concern?
30 If I have to boast, I will boast of what pertains to my weakness. 31 The God and Father of the Lord Jesus, He who is blessed forever, knows that I am not lying. 32 In Damascus the ethnarch under Aretas the king was guarding the city of the Damascenes in order to seize me, 33 and I was let down in a basket through a window in the wall, and so escaped his hands.

Wow. My circumstances are quite comfortable by comparison. Yet, the Grace of God and of His provision is as accessible to me as it was to Paul. My appreciation and maturity pales in comparison, and I submit that it is greatly due to my comparative lack of trials. I Praise God that He has blessed me and kept me from such harm thus far. This isn’t shared that we might compare ourselves to Paul; rather, it was to highlight just how awesome our God is, and what He can do with an obedient servant.

So, whenever we think wrestle with trials and struggles, anxiety and doubt… we should return to Philippians 4. Rejoicing in the Lord always, getting our minds right (“think on these things…”) and then trusting on God to strengthen us regardless of our circumstances. I pray you find this encouraging. The next time you hear/see Phil4:13 taken out of context, I pray you will share the rest of the chapter in love and humility.

In Him,
FS

Teach us to pray…

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I often hear from Christians that they are uncomfortable praying or that they don’t pray well. So lets look at some of the examples we have in scripture.

First, let’s see how Jesus taught His disciples to pray in Matthew 6:5-14

5 “When you pray, you are not to be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on the street corners so that they may be seen by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. 6 But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.

7 “And when you are praying, do not use meaningless repetition as the Gentiles do, for they suppose that they will be heard for their many words. 8 So do not be like them; for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.

9 “Pray, then, in this way:

‘Our Father who is in heaven, Hallowed be Your name.
10 ‘Your kingdom come. Your will be done, On earth as it is in heaven.
11 ‘Give us this day our daily bread.
12 ‘And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13 ‘And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil. [For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.’]

14 For if you forgive others for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions. (NASB)

Often, the lesson of how Jesus instructed His Disciples in prayer is limited to verses 9-13; however, if we do that we lose some very important instructions. Jesus lived a life of prayer. Many times we see written in the gospels that He moved away to a quiet place to pray. Clearly the disciples noticed this was an important part of prayer (so important, they were prompted by the Holy Spirit to write it down, repeatedly). There is a difference between “praying as the hypocrites” do and “leading others in prayer”. Here, Jesus is primarily concerned with prayer as a communication with Our Father in Heaven. Remember that you are talking to a personal God, not a deaf stone. That our Father knows what we need before we ask Him, means that we simply need to ask Him, knowing that He hears and knows your needs. Don’t be impressed by how many different ways someone can ask God for the same thing… if you had some time and a thesaurus, you, too, could engage in meaningless repetition (now, if you are leading others in prayer and fear you might have used a phrase that could be confusing, then by all means restate for their benefit, knowing that the repetition isn’t needed by God). A danger of the constant repetition is that at some point you just need to accept on faith that God hears and will answer. This is not a ban on praying again for the same thing. But know that when you speak to God in prayer, He hears immediately.

So, how do we pray for others? I heard a short snippet on the radio of Dr. Charles Stanley giving a sermon on prayer and he referenced an excellent example found in
Colossians 1:9-14:

9 For this reason also, since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, 10 so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11 strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience; joyously 12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in Light.

13For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

What a wonderful prayer to be prayed over a brother/sister in Christ. I would very much love to know that this was being prayed over me.

  1. That I might be filled with the knowledge of His Will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding — Yes, please!
  2. So that I will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord — absolutely. We all know how difficult this can be on a daily basis, especially while under attack at work or school.
  3. to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work — Amen.
  4. increasing in the knowledge of God — again… awesome. That I might make the time to read the Word and that the Holy Spirit will help me grow in the full knowledge of God
  5. strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might — though my flesh is weak… that I be made strong in Him
  6. for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience –– okay… this is never “fun” but it is so necessary
  7. joyously giving thanks to the Father — that I remember to give all thanks, honor, glory, and praise to God the Father.

Wow. So, brothers/sisters… if ever anyone asks you for prayer but fails to specify (that’s another topic for another day)… pray this over them. Pray this prayer over your leadership and your family.

In Him,
FS