Life
is full of trouble and trials. Jesus guarantees that it will be like this for
all of us, just like it was for Him (Isaiah 53:3-12; John 16:33). His disciples
realized the same thing, and they encourage us to find the joy in each negative
circumstance (James 1:2-3).
We
learn in God's Word how to survive, with peace and joy in our heart, all of the
harsh issues of life (Philippians 4:9). So many Saints before us lived a
righteous life and consulted God each moment of the day (Hebrews 12:1; Proverbs
3:5-6).
Their
testimonies teach us to throw aside every hindrance to God's will that we
encounter, and to persistently run the race that God set for us before we were
ever born. We focus our efforts on Jesus' example and praise Him as He sits at the
right hand of God (Hebrews 12:2; Ephesians 2:10).
We
gain our strength to endure negative issues by focusing on Jesus, so that we do
not lose heart and grow weary (Hebrews 12:2-3). Even when God sees a need to
rebuke us, we draw encouragement from the fact that He loves us enough to
discipline us (Hebrews 12:4-7).
If
God does not discipline us, we are not His children, but children of Satan and of
this world (Hebrews 12:7-9). Therefore, we embrace His correction with
gratitude in our heart and humility in our soul (Hebrews 12:10-11).
Paul
encourages us from his experience of persecution and steadfast ministry for the
Lord, even while imprisoned for his stance as a follower of Jesus
(Philippians). He reminds us that Jesus began and will complete His perfecting
work in us (Philippians 1:6).
Prayer:
Father
God, remind us that for us to live on this earth is our privilege in Christ,
but to die is our reward for serving You with our life (Philippians 1:21).
Thank You for working in us, and giving us the power of Jesus' resurrection to
live for Your purpose (Philippians 2:13, 3:10).
Forgetting
about the past, we press forward to attain the prize that You prepared for
those who love you (Philippians 3:13-14). Help us to relinquish into Your safe
keeping all worries and stress about anything, and to live in Your peace,
because we know that You work out everything for our eventual good (Philippians
4:6, 9; Romans 8:28).
Thought
for the Day:
Since
Jesus abides in us by His Spirit, we can accomplish God's purpose for our life,
because Christ gives us His strength and contentment through it all
(Philippians 4:13); loving God with our whole body, soul and spirit produces a
joy-filled life.
