Trials Reveal and Build Character

For those charismatic "Christians" who say a believer should never be sick or encounter hardship, this is for you.

James 1:2-4 "2 Consider it all joy, my brothers and sisters, 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."

2 Coriinthians 11:23-29 ". 23 Are they servants of Christ?—I am speaking 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 adrift at sea. 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 at sea, dangers among false brothers;

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 such external 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?"

All believers experience hardships and physical ill-health as long as they live on this earth.

James 1:12

"Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him."

Romans 5:3-5

"Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us."

Romans 8:28: "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose"

There is no special holiness for those who do not experience difficulties, it is possible that those who have no been through trials do not grow in holiness. There is no need to trust in Christ fully when we live a life without trials.

No spiritual or emotional maturity occurs in those who have not had to endure struggle, trials and tribulation.

Our greatest trust in Christ develops when we have to go through testing, knowing He goes through with us.

They "REMOVED" This Verse From The Bible!! (WHY??)

When We Have Love in Our Hearts

When we love people we don't focus on the wrong they do when we see them sin, we focus on how we can bring them back so they can enjoy the Lord again.

And, we never go to someone in anger to show them how little they are, we go in brokenness for them, tears and empathy because of our deep concern for them.

Those who love to hammer and diminish others are not those who want to edify and help up those who have fallen or are in trials.

We know love when we see it, and it is rare in our world today.

1 Corinthians 13:4–7

"Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things."

The Angels Joined Us

Years ago when we were attending a very small church gathering in the country I became overwhelmed with sadness that there were only six people in the pews that day.

Yes it doesn't matter how many people are in the gathering or where we meet I had the sense of grief that there were so few who wanted to be together to edify one another and sing praises to God.

I began expressing this sorrow to God in my heart and within minutes I heard the back door of the building open, then footsteps and the sound of people filing into the pews.

As I looked around to see who was coming in I saw that no one was there. I would have questioned my own observations except that one other lovely believer turned around too and said; "I think angels came to join us today."

It was as though God was comforting me in letting me know we were not alone, and that His messengers came to join us.

I know angels are all around us all the time but we don't often get to sense or see them. They are learning from us and they are God's messengers to us. I am thankful that God sees every tear, every heartache and every injustice, He has our back all the time in everything.

Hallelujah!!!!

What the Bible REally Says About Resisting the Devil

The Accuser of the Brethren

When we face accusations about thinking I am better than someone else for following Christ we can say; "I have to be me whether or not you like it is unimportant to me.

Accusations that we think we are better is just another way for the narcissist to demean us so they can feel better about themselves.

When a narcissist says to you; "you think you're better", what they are really saying is; "I think you're better and I don't like it."

Sometimes accusations about us, especially if they are behind our backs are silly because they reveal the turmoil that is going on in the soul of the one who refuses Jesus Christ and wants to project their own hate onto us.

The devil is the one using his thoughts in their minds to cause them to believe what they want to believe because of their own rebellion against Christ.

The devil is continually approaching the throne to accuse the brethren, which is us. One day he will no longer be able to do it.

Revelation 12:10: "For the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down"

The lake of fire is awaiting the final judgment for the devil and those who do his bidding.

An Authentic Christian

Taken from Generative AI
According to the Bible and Christian teachings, you can tell if someone is "really a Christian" by observing their life and actions, looking for evidence of a genuine relationship with Jesus Christ, including a transformed heart, consistent love for others, a commitment to living according to the Bible, and a desire to share their faith with others; essentially, their life should demonstrate a change brought about by their faith in Jesus, not just a label or outward church attendance.

 
Key points to consider:

Personal relationship with Jesus:
A true Christian has a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, accepting him as their Savior and Lord, and actively seeking to follow his teachings.

 
Transformation in life:
Their life should show evidence of a change in character and behavior, reflecting the values of Jesus such as love, compassion, forgiveness, and integrity.

 
Obedience to the Bible:
They actively study and strive to live according to the teachings of the Bible.

 
Fruit of the Spirit:
The Holy Spirit's work in their life should be evident through qualities like joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

 
Serving others:
A genuine Christian will actively seek opportunities to serve others and show love to those around them.
Important considerations:
Not judging by appearances:
While observing outward behavior is important, it's crucial to remember that only God can truly know someone's heart and the depth of their faith.

 
Growth and maturity:
A Christian is constantly growing in their faith and seeking to mature in their understanding of God's word.

 
Challenges and struggles:
Even true Christians will face struggles and temptations, but their commitment to Christ will guide them through difficulties."

Faith First and Works Second Working Together

There are those who think their works are the most important, but God says it is the faith that is first and because of the faith the works follow.

Rahab "did" because she "was." She "was" first and then she "did."

James 2:25

"And in the same way was not also Rahab the prostitute justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way?"

Rahabs faith produced works. Someone can have good works to elevate self and have no faith. Faith and works are two sides of the same coin to be justified by God.

Hebrews 11:8-19

"8 By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed by going out to a place which he was to receive for an inheritance; and he left, not knowing where he was going.

9 By faith he lived as a stranger in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, fellow heirs of the same promise;

10 for he was looking for the city which has foundations, whose architect and builder is God.

11 By faith even Sarah herself received ability to conceive, even beyond the proper time of life, since she considered Him faithful who had promised.

12 Therefore even from one man, and one who was as good as dead at that, there were born descendants who were just as the stars of heaven in number, and as the innumerable grains of sand along the seashore.

13 All these died in faith, without receiving the promises, but having seen and welcomed them from a distance, and having confessed that they were strangers and exiles on the earth.

14 For those who say such things make it clear that they are seeking a country of their own.

15 And indeed if they had been thinking of that country which they left, they would have had the opportunity to return.

16 But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; for He has prepared a city for them.

17 By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and the one who had received the promises was offering up his only son; 18 it was he to whom it was said, “Through Isaac your descendants shall be named.” 19 He considered that God is able to raise people even from the dead, from which he also received him back as a type."

Many people do good works who are not saved, they are on their way to hell because their faith was in self and not in Christ.

Matthew 7:21-23 "21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.

22 On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’

23 And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’

It is vitally important who we place our trust in and why we do the good works.

God Dwells in Believers not Temples of Stone

Because God no longer dwells in temples as in the Old Testament we do not meet in buildings treated as though they are temples. Our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit.

1 Corinthians 6:19 "Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own?"

When we have trusted Christ and He lives in us we no longer need to have a temple to go to as in the Old Testament.

The modern day buildings that are representative of "Christianity" are not necessary for the believes gathering, they are a burden for many reasons.

These buildings have created a mindset that thinks they have to "go meet God somewhere" as if He is not with us unless we go to that place.

We have created a "priest" or mediator between us and God with the one-man-paid-pastor system in which the people view as having authority over them. The Holy Spirit is the only Authority over every believer.

Looking to man is usurping the Holy Spirit. It takes faith to trust in the Holy Spirit we can not see, it is easier to trust in a man we can see and easier to allow a person to dictate our beliefs than it is to take the time in prayer to seek the Holy Spirit.

The modern Christian is lazy and indulgent, depending on men rather than Christ.

We are not forsaking the gathering by not attending those buildings called "churches." Whenever we gather wherever we gather is the gathering of believers as described by God in His Word.

Matthew 18:19-20

"For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.”

Doing things man's way to satisfy our lust for sight that replaces faith has created a trust in the way things are done and not in Christ.

Mark 7:13. "thus making void the word of God by your tradition that you have handed down. And many such things you do."

Much of what goes on in those church buildings is against the word of God creating a dependence on the building and the appointed one-man who has been deemed worthy by his education and not by His walk with Christ.

Colossians 2:8

"See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, which are based on human tradition and the spiritual forces of the world rather than on Christ."

Using one phrase from the bible those who follow their traditions pressure others to do things the way they do them. That phrase is "do not forsake the gathering together." They interpret this phrase in terms of their own ideas that it must be in a building away from your home, it must have paid preacher, pews facing him and him lifted up hight to be above the attendees.

A prayer, a song, the worship team and other traditions are seen as the way we must experience the gathering for it to be the "right way", and yet, God never describes these things in His Word, they are man's concoction. A hierarch is created in the gathering that God never endorsed and yet everyone attending believes it is the only way to walk with God.

When we read God's word seeking His truth we see how perverted and distorted the modern church is and how displeasing to God in many ways.

2 Timothy 4:3-4

"For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths."

2 Peter 3:16

"As he does in all his letters when he speaks in them of these matters. There are some things in them that are hard to understand, which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they do the other Scriptures."

We must free ourselves from the clutches of man's thinking and begin to fly with the wings of eagles as we follow God's ways. It will not be easy and there won't be many friends who come with us but we will have the joy of the freedom to follow Christ even if no one supports us.

An Authentic Christian

Taken from Generative AI
According to the Bible and Christian teachings, you can tell if someone is "really a Christian" by observing their life and actions, looking for evidence of a genuine relationship with Jesus Christ, including a transformed heart, consistent love for others, a commitment to living according to the Bible, and a desire to share their faith with others; essentially, their life should demonstrate a change brought about by their faith in Jesus, not just a label or outward church attendance.

 
Key points to consider:

Personal relationship with Jesus:
A true Christian has a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, accepting him as their Savior and Lord, and actively seeking to follow his teachings.
Transformation in life:

Their life should show evidence of a change in character and behavior, reflecting the values of Jesus such as love, compassion, forgiveness, and integrity.

 
Obedience to the Bible:
They actively study and strive to live according to the teachings of the Bible.

 
Fruit of the Spirit:
The Holy Spirit's work in their life should be evident through qualities like joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

 
Serving others:
A genuine Christian will actively seek opportunities to serve others and show love to those around them.

 
Important considerations:
Not judging by appearances:

While observing outward behavior is important, it's crucial to remember that only God can truly know someone's heart and the depth of their faith.
Growth and maturity:

A Christian is constantly growing in their faith and seeking to mature in their understanding of God's word.

 
Challenges and struggles:
Even true Christians will face struggles and temptations, but their commitment to Christ will guide them through difficulties."

Submit and then we can Resist