What good is being a child of God?

Problems abound.  Turmoil comes time and time again. Highs are met with stunning lows and bitter betrayals.  And sometimes, if we aren't careful... faithful... woke and prayed up we wonder... so what good is it? 

If I ache now, am broken now, homeless, jobless, divorced, widowed young, childless, betrayed and battered as a child of God, what good is there?  If I pray and fast and yet clouds loom and blessings "seem" to wane, why?  What good is this?

Truthfully speaking, I know your pain.  I know the thoughts and the gut wrenching feeling when trouble knocks at 5:00 a.m., and further disappointment arrives at 5pm.  I know what it is like to wake at midnight to wonder why, and ask if the trials will end.  I know broken.  I know hurt.  I know betrayal. So hear me when I share this encouragement as a fellow traveller.

Being a child of God does not free us from the pain and problems of the world.

I know that probably didn't sound like the encouragement you were looking for, but hold on, let me finish.  Being a child of God does not free us from the pain and problems of the world, but it does prepare us for them, gives us strength to face them, grants us wisdom to navigate them, provides a comforter to abide with us in them, and fills us with the undiminished hope that one day troubles will all be ended. 

Being a child of the King of kings doesn't give us the free pass from pain, but it does give us a nail pierced Savior who understands.  And even more so, it gives us the promise and the promise of our eventual and sure triumph in the resurrection.

So keep getting up.  Keep bothering with it, kneeling for it, asking for it and waiting for it.  Keep holding on to it and fighting for it.  Hang on, hang in and keep the faith in God and the hope in the resurrection...

It's worth it because this earth is not our home and the pain will not, cannot be permanent 《Revelatons 21:4》.  Remember also that, Jesus has said:

"In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world 《John 16:33》."

"Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me.  In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also 《John 14:1‭-‬3 ESV》."

It's worth it because the fight is about more than jobs, homes, marriages, money and temporal things. 

As Eph 6:12 says, "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places"

Most of all, hang in and hang on because in the final chapter we crush it!

"And He who was seated on the throne said, 'Behold, I am making all things new.' Also he said, "Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true《Revelation 21:4‭-‬5 ESV》."

"And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great, high mountain, and showed me the holy city Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God, having the glory of God, its radiance like a most rare jewel, like a jasper, clear as crystal《Revelation 21:10‭-‬11 ESV》."

Have a great day. Love you, Cassius

Praying... His Name glorified

"Lord, as we look at our city and our nation, we cry out to you for help. May this nation be a place where, once again, your name is honoured. May the churches be filled with people worshipping you. May crime be reduced dramatically and peace prevail. May your kingdom come and your name be glorified."

 --
Quotes taken from Nicky and Pippa Gumbel , Bible in One Year 2016 

Even in the dark...

"Even in the direst of situations, Jesus can bring hope."

He is able to rearrange situations, mend brokenness, and make "all things new". He is supremely able, capable and willing to bring new life, and send upon us a refreshing and renewing joy.

May the extraordinary and supreme goodness of God's love and presence brighten your face, feed your soul and give you peace (lasting, unshakable, and uplifting).

May all of today be blessed and all of your week rich and wonderful.

With love you I ask you to remember that even the darkest of nights will give way to the morning. Even the darkest darkness is no match for the Light.  And even if right now seems dark and grim, I want you to remember that even the most despairing and desperate times are not too big for the resurrected Christ. 

Abide and bloom...

"It is so [critically abd infinitely] important that you seek God’s guidance and help – [for your life] and in your life. With God, you can achieve so much more than you could ever dream of in your own strength."

Jesus said, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing 《~Jn 15.5》."

 --
Quotes taken from Nicky and Pippa Gumbel , Bible in One Year 2016 

Good Morning Theophilus

Sharing a timely and great prayer from Nicky and Poppa Gumbel:

"Lord, thank you for the spiritual highs, the visions, the experiences of the Holy Spirit and for the times of hearing your voice. Thank you for the times of deep assurance that I am a child of God, an awareness of your love for me and a knowledge of your pleasure.
Thank you also for the times of testing. Thank you that although these seem very painful at the time, I can look back and see how significant they were in preparing me for what lies ahead. Help me to grow in authority in my words and actions. "

The response to an extraordinary love...

"Jesus' extraordinary love for us was demonstrated on the cross, and our appropriate response is to 'Love the Lord' (Psalm 31:23a)."



Quote taken from Nicky and Pippa Gumbel, Bible in One Year 2016,

Good Morning Theophilus 6.19.17

May the Lord who is great, our saving help and our Sovereign God, give us passion, purpose and power. May He make today an excellent and exciting start to a wonderful, beautiful and blessed week. Happy Monday! Love you, Cassius

Stop doubting... only believe!

John 20:24-28

24 Now Thomas (also known as Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.” 26 A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.” 28 Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!”

The Scriptures are true.  The Word is alive!  "Jesus really was raised from the dead. The tomb really was empty on Easter morning. Jesus’ followers really did meet him alive again. The resurrection did happen. 

The best historical explanation for the origin of Christianity is that it really is true. 

The wounds of Jesus are there for all time to reveal the humble and forgiving love of Jesus. Jesus accepts Thomas just as he is. He accepts his challenge without complaint or criticism.

Do not feel guilty about having doubts."  

Furthermore, as Nicky Gumbel suggests, like Thomas, we need to "be honest about our doubts and bring them to Jesus."  When we are honest with ourselves, honest with our doubts, and honest with our God, he will answer us, just as He did with Thomas and the other disciples.  

"When Jesus answered his doubts, Thomas’ response was the pinnacle of respect, reverence and awe. He said, ‘My Lord and my God!’ (v.28). From a place of having doubted, Thomas makes perhaps the strongest statement of Jesus’ divinity in all of the Gospels. He is the first person to look at Jesus and call him ‘God’."

Like Thomas, we too need to lo look into the bold and beautiful face of majesty, see His nail pierced hands and move from doubt to honest belief.  The word of the LORD to each of us is this... "Stop doubting and believe!"

 --
Quotes taken from Nicky and Pippa Gumbel , Bible in One Year 2016