I purchased a MI Fit band which is much less expensive then many other brands and I let you know what my thoughts are on it. I also made some more granola but changed up the recipe a little.
In today's devotion I talk about how the Bible tells us He came to give us rest, comfort and joy… however, these gifts are alongside the commitment to share in His sufferings...
Luke 6:22, Blessed are you
when the people hate you, and when they exclude you, and insult you, and scorn
your name as evil, on account of the Son of Man.
I cannot begin to tell you how many times I have heard people ask, why God doesn’t take their away unwanted temptations or the pain and problems in their lives.
But after pondering on this… perhaps at the heart of the matter they’re really asking, why isn’t Christianity working for me?
Recently, I was reading in the gospel of John, on Jesus’ last evening with His disciples. He gives them much comfort by telling them about the Helper who is coming, and assuring them that He would be with them, answering their prayers and giving them strength.
Yet, in the middle of this distressing goodbye speech, Jesus is clearly warning his disciples of the pain and persecution that is coming.
He tells them, “The world will hate you because they hate me. They will reject your teaching because they rejected me. The time is coming when people who kill you will think they are doing a service to God.”
Jesus is preparing them for a difficult life. …Why?
Because when they experienced pain, rejection and even death, He did not want them to turn away from their faith but to remember He warned them that this would happen.
In the Western world, many of us have been taught a shallow version of Christianity. We have been told that Jesus died to save us and to give us a great life. Some pastors and may devotionals will sometimes “cherry pick” verses that assure us that only good is in store for those who love God.
Verses like: “I know the plans I have for you... All things work together for good… I can do all things through Christ Jesus who strengthens me.” Which are wonderful verses.
However, we are not promised happy marriages, or healthy children, or comfortable bank accounts or the respect of the world.
We don’t want to think that a God who loves us would ever require us to endure loneliness, suffering or to daily battle temptations in which we need to say no to.
So often when we encounter pain and we wonder why God has failed us. Or perhaps we conclude that we have failed Him and the pain we are going through is now our punishment.
Nonetheless, Jesus’ own words bluntly prepares Christians for a life of sacrifice, self-denial and persecution.
Not only is every life filled with difficulty, but following Jesus will likely multiply your trials, for this is not our home.
Yes, Jesus told us that He came to give us an abundant (full) life. And yes, He promised to give us rest, comfort and joy… yet those gifts are alongside the commitment to share in His sufferings.
To put it plainly, we cannot experience the resurrection power of Jesus unless we are first willing to walk with Him in death.
Our life is fuller because we know Jesus. It is richer because we have surrendered to His Lordship. We, as Christians, have great purpose and comfort in following Him.
Yet at times, life is also more difficult, painful and lonely. When we read the Scriptures, we’re reminded that this is right where we should be. …Rejecting Jesus means that you can pursue life as you please. Satan doesn’t ask you for anything, but in the end, he will take everything.
If you are following Jesus and your life is hard, be encouraged…
If every step towards godliness is met with temptation and doubt, you’re not alone… Press on.
Jesus warned us that in this world we would have trouble. But He also told us to take heart because He will always be with us, and ultimately, He has overcome the world.
Along with Jesus’ words predicting how His disciples would suffer, He gave them the great promise of the Holy Spirit. He promised He would answer their prayers -- whatever they asked in His name. He promised to prepare an eternal home for them where He would always be.
Life Happens…
My friends, don’t wiggle
out of the Lordship of Christ because it is uncomfortable and causing you to
bear burdens the world would quickly take from you. Christianity without a
cross is no Christianity at all. Sometimes carrying a “cross” means enduring
seasons of loneliness, and loving when no one is loving you back and walking by
faith when you can’t hear or feel God. But it is worth it… He is worth it!
This devotion is based on a devotion by: Juli Slattery
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