•A Prayer to Live with Eternity in Mind•
By Anthony Valente
👉 “He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart, yet no one can fathom what God has done from... View More•A Prayer to Live with Eternity in Mind•
By Anthony Valente
👉 “He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart, yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.”
(Ecclesiastes 3:11)
Eternity is a simple word but a complex concept. Charles Spurgeon once said, “Time is short. Eternity is long. It is only reasonable that this short life be lived in the light of eternity.”
• We waited in line at the DMV for an eternity.
• We think spring will never come; winter has lasted for an eternity.
• We have a vacation planned for only a few weeks away, but it feels like an eternity on the calendar.
The reality is that, as humans, we can’t truly fathom eternity. We know that God has provided eternal life to those who trust in His Son Jesus, but understanding the weight of eternity is beyond our comprehension.
Recently, I’ve come across numerous sermon series, articles, and books encouraging believers to live with eternity in mind. But what exactly does that mean? Paul encourages us in 2 Corinthians 4:18, “So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever (NLT).”
Life in a fallen world is tough; there’s no escaping the effects of sin in our lives. But, we can shift our perspective, focusing on the things that matter to God (the eternal) and letting go of things that don’t matter (things of this world). As one of my favorite teachers says, “preaches easy lives hard.” We are easily distracted, discouraged, and disillusioned daily. It can be challenging to persevere, push forward in our faith, and remain steadfast. The world’s message is “live your best life now,” but God’s word preaches,“ your best life is yet to come.“
If we back up a verse to 2 Corinthians 4:17, “Paul reminds us, “For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison.” What we are experiencing today will one day come to an end. Even if the season of sorrow drags on or your difficult circumstances continue to stay the same day after day, God will make everything new one day. And in this new world, His eternal kingdom, there will be no more tears and pain (Revelation 21:1-4).
I am not sure what you are going through today but take heart; God sees and cares for you. On this side of Heaven, you may continue to experience the consequences of sin, but God’s great mercy provided a way for you to have eternal peace through salvation in Christ Jesus. Cling to the eternal hope we have in our salvation, and let the presence of the Holy Spirit fill you as you live with eternity in mind.
Let’s Pray.
✝️ Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for being a God who cares about our burdens. We know that You are God who sees and hears the cries and prayers of Your children. Help us to live with eternity in mind. Be with us as we focus on the eternal, shifting our perspective from temporary things that distract us from living a life for Your glory alone. Forgive us when we sin against You, and be with us as we pursue holiness.
We love You, Lord; we are undeserving of Your grace and mercy but thankful that You freely grant us both. We ask that You strengthen and help us as we share the Gospel in a broken world. Guide our conversations, and direct our paths to those who need to experience the eternal hope of salvation through Christ Jesus.
In Jesus’ Name,
AMEN 🙏
“So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal”
(2 Corinthians 4:18)
For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes—the Jew first and also the Gentile. This Good News tells us how God makes us right in his sight. This is accomplished from start to finish by faith. As the Scriptures say, “It is through faith that a righteous person has life.” But God shows his anger from heaven against all sinful, wicked people who suppress the truth by their wickedness. They know the truth about God because he has made it obvious to them. For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God.
(Romans 1:16-20)
For we know that when this earthly tent we live in is taken down (that is, when we die and leave this earthly body), we will have a house in heaven, an eternal body made for us by God himself and not by human hands.
(2 Corinthians 5:1)
For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
(Romans 6:23)
Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart. Pray for us, too, that God will give us many opportunities to speak about his mysterious plan concerning Christ. That is why I am here in chains. Pray that I will proclaim this message as clearly as I should. Live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone.
(Colossians 4:2-6)
Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.
(John 5:24)
I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better.
(Philippians 1:23)
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
(John 3:16)
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 14:2-3)
No longer will there be a curse upon anything. For the throne of God and of the Lamb will be there, and his servants will worship him. And they will see his face, and his name will be written on their foreheads. And there will be no night there—no need for lamps or sun—for the Lord God will shine on them. And they will reign forever and ever. Then the angel said to me, “Everything you have heard and seen is trustworthy and true. The Lord God, who inspires his prophets, has sent his angel to tell his servants what will happen soon.” “Look, I am coming soon! Blessed are those who obey the words of prophecy written in this book.”
(Revelation 22:3-7)
(pic verse)
“Everyone who acknowledges me publicly here on earth, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven.
(Matthew 10:32)
•Prayer for the Filling of God’s Power and Love•
By Anthony Valente
👉 “I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ ... View More•Prayer for the Filling of God’s Power and Love•
By Anthony Valente
👉 “I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge – that you may be filled to measure of all the fullness of God.”
(Ephesians 3:16-19)
God is powerful and loving. And He desires to fill our lives, our days, with that same power and love through His Holy Spirit. Paul prayed this prayer over the Ephesians. He had spent over 3 years with these people, working with the church of Ephesus, he loved them and longed to see them walking closely with God. His desire was that they would be continually strengthened with God’s power, and living out their faith with the example of the love of Christ.
We can know this in our heads, yet find it difficult at times to walk it out in daily life. We’re busy. We’re tired. We feel alone or broken. We’re distracted. We get offended. We harbor bitterness or resentment.
But no matter what we might be facing or feeling, when we’re willing to stand together as the body of Christ, dependent on God for the Spirit’s fresh filling of power and love, all other things lose their hold on us.
For God’s love encompasses all. It reaches every dark crevice and fills every need or longing. It gives power to forgive and to let go of the past. It releases sin’s hold and gives peace to the hurting. It is powerful and surpasses our own knowledge and understanding.
— It is “wide.” It stretches to a greater expanse and extent than we can ever imagine.
— It is “long.” It encompasses the length of our days, before and all beyond.
— It is “high.” It reaches to the highest heavens.
— It is “deep.” It extends to the deepest pit.
His love never fails.
✝️ Dear God,
We thank You that You indeed are powerful and loving, that out of Your glorious riches You strengthen us through Your Spirit in our inner being. We ask You for the fresh filling of Your Holy Spirit, we ask for Your power and love to fill us. We thank You that as believers we know that Christ dwells richly within our hearts through faith. We pray that You would strengthen our roots and establish our lives firmly in Your love.
When the world shouts hate, help us to love. When the past won’t let go, help us to love. When the enemy taunts with lies and surrounds us with darkness, help us to love. When a relationship feels broken or we’re betrayed or rejected, help us to love.
Help us to love, and to keep on loving. By the power of Your Spirit.
Even when it seems impossible.
Even when it doesn’t make sense.
May our lives be filled with Your goodness and power, today and every day, as we walk in Your Spirit of love.
In Jesus’ Name,
AMEN 🙏
So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.
(1 John 14:16)
He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. The world cannot receive him, because it isn’t looking for him and doesn’t recognize him. But you know him, because he lives with you now and later will be in you.
(John 14:17)
Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them.
(John 14:23)
He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless. Even youths will become weak and tired, and young men will fall in exhaustion. But those who trust in the LORD will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.
(Isaiah 40:29-31)
I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
(Galatians 2:20)
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
(2 Corinthians 12:9)
For when we place our faith in Christ Jesus, there is no benefit in being circumcised or being uncircumcised. What is important is faith expressing itself in love.
(Galatians 5:6)
And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
(Philippians 4:19)
“Can you find out the deep things of God? Can you find out the limit of the Almighty? It is higher than heaven—what can you do? Deeper than Sheol—what can you know? Its measure is longer than the earth and broader than the sea.
(Job 11:7-9)
Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.
(1 Corinthians 16:13)
I am in them and you are in me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me.
(John 17:23)
But you are not controlled by your sinful nature. You are controlled by the Spirit if you have the Spirit of God living in you. (And remember that those who do not have the Spirit of Christ living in them do not belong to him at all.) And Christ lives within you, so even though your body will die because of sin, the Spirit gives you life because you have been made right with God. The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you.
(Romans 8:9-11)
For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us.
(Psalm 103:11-12)
In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us. By this we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit.
(1 John 4:9-14)
Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.
(John 15:13)
“Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends.
(Revelation 3:20)
If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.
(James 1:5-6)
Some people began bringing little children to Jesus so that he would touch them. But the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said, “Let the little children come to me! Do not hinder them, because the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Amen I tell you: Whoever will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”
(Mark 10:13-15)
(pic verse)
And when Jesus had cried out with a loud voice, He said, “Father, ‘into Your hands I commit My spirit.’ ” Having said this, He breathed His last.
(Luke 23:46)
Artist 👨🎨
I Am With You Always - David Delfeld
•A Prayer to Kill the Sin of Gossip in Your Life•
By Anthony Valente
👉 “Stay away from ungodly babbling because it will only lead deeper into a godless lifestyle.” “Once these empty voices start to ... View More•A Prayer to Kill the Sin of Gossip in Your Life•
By Anthony Valente
👉 “Stay away from ungodly babbling because it will only lead deeper into a godless lifestyle.” “Once these empty voices start to speak, Timothy, they infect and spread; and soon the body is consumed with its cancer.
(2 Timothy 2:16-17)
If I’m honest, it’s easier speaking about someone else’s life rather than my own. I even get a little joy out of hearing someone else’s problems. For a moment, it seems like my life is better than someone else’s. I can temporarily indulge in the spiritual high of knocking someone else off their pedestal in a pathetic attempt to keep me on my pedestal.
Perhaps, you, like me, have experienced the high of hearing about someone else’s problems. Have you thrived even a little bit on the idea that someone who on the outside is better looking than you, thinner, prettier, or better than you is crumbling on the inside? Have you thrived on hearing about someone else’s past or current relationship experiences?
God meant for words to have power. God used words when He spoke the world into being. Jesus used them to calm storms, heal the sick and rebuke the Pharisees. In the same way, our words can have a positive or negative effect on people, depending on which we choose to use.
Are you speaking words that heal, or words that hurt?
Let’s pray together now for the power we need to kill the sin of gossip:
🙏 Lord, thank You for Your mercy and grace, even when we sin and gossip. Help me see this sin for what it is—hateful, hurtful, and ultimately sin that separates me from You. Lord, give me a greater affection for You. Help me love You so much that it spills over into everyone I meet. Help me love You so much that the temptation to gossip melts away in the midst of my thankfulness and joy. Help me long to build others up, not tear them down.
Lord, praise You for godly friends who hold us accountable. Thank You for illuminating the deceitful power of gossip, that we all entertain within earshot daily.
Forgive us for listening to it instead of walking away. We confess that often we don’t speak up out of fear of rejection, and pray that You help us to have the courage to honor others with kind words when their character is being publicly slain.
Bless and heal those who have been mangled by gossip, and others enslaved by its addictive habit. Heal our insecurities, and help us learn to turn to You for affirmation. Make us busy serving others in love to give You glory, instead of sitting in circles of babble and participating in chatter-filled phone calls. Empower us with Your Holy Spirit to head Your warnings, and steer our conversations with Your love.
In Jesus’ Name,
AMEN 🙏
A troublemaker plants seeds of strife; gossip separates the best of friends.
(Proverbs 16:28)
“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.”
(Ephesians 4:29)
There are six things the LORD hates— no, seven things he detests: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that kill the innocent, a heart that plots evil, feet that race to do wrong, a false witness who pours out lies, a person who sows discord in a family.
(Proverbs 6:16-19)
No one who gossips can be trusted with a secret, but you can put confidence in someone who is trustworthy.
(Proverbs 11:13)
Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.
(James 5:16)
A gossip can never keep a secret. Stay away from people who talk too much.
(Proverbs 20:19)
Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble.
(Proverbs 21:23)
Fire goes out without wood, and quarrels disappear when gossip stops.
(Proverbs 26:20)
If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person's religion is worthless.
(James 1:26)
Gossip is so tasty! How we love to swallow it!
(Proverbs 26:22)
I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak.
(Matthew 12:36)
We say this because we hear that there are some people among you who live lazy lives and who do nothing except meddle in other people's business.
(2 Thessalonians 3:11)
Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit.
(Psalm 34:13)
Never gossip. Never endanger your neighbor's life. I am the LORD.
(Leviticus 19:16)
But no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
(James 3:8)
But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.
(1 John 1:9)
Now repent of your sins and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped away.
(Acts 3:19)
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
(Philippians 4:8)
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.
(2 Corinthians 5:17)
But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.
(John 14:26)
(pic verse)
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.
(Isaiah 43:2)
Artist 👨🎨
I Am With You Always - David Delfeld
•Conviction or Condemnation?•
By Joshua Adams
One of the greatest problems in the Church today is that conviction is often mistaken for condemnation.... View More•Conviction or Condemnation?•
By Joshua Adams
One of the greatest problems in the Church today is that conviction is often mistaken for condemnation.
Hebrews 4:12 says the Word of God is living, powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword. It doesn't exist to affirm our opinions. It exposes our hearts. It separates what is of the flesh from what is of the Spirit.
That is why Scripture can be uncomfortable.
When the Bible confronts something we've always believed, every one of us has a choice.
Will we submit to the Word...
Or will we explain it away?
The Word wasn't given to make us comfortable.
It was given to make us holy.
Before we use Scripture to examine someone else, we should allow it to examine us first.
When was the last time the Word of God changed your mind instead of simply confirming what you already believed?
#Hebrews412 #WordOfGod #BibleTruth #Repentance #ChristianFaith — in Palestine, TX.
•A Prayer for Those Who Fear the End of the World•
By Anthony Valente
👉 "Peace I leave with you; My peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and ... View More•A Prayer for Those Who Fear the End of the World•
By Anthony Valente
👉 "Peace I leave with you; My peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid”
(John 14:27)
The world is sensing the coming of what Isaiah 51:6 describes, of the earth wearing out like a garment and the heavens vanishing, yet as Christians, we know God’s salvation will last forever, and His righteousness will never fail. Still, with the growing number of doomsday films, television shows, books, headlines, and world events filled with natural disasters, threats of nuclear war, and talk of terrifying zombie and alien invasions, people are fearful.
With eyes full of unimaginable end-of-the-world apocalyptic and catastrophic images, many are up at night, unable to sleep or find rest, living in a perpetual state of terror. For some, it’s paralyzing, causing them to give up hope and stop planning for the future, feeling like it doesn’t matter because it’s all going to end soon. However, as believers in Jesus Christ, we have a hope greater than a fear of the world ending and celestial invasions. We have the promise of eternal life with God, free from darkness, pain, sorrow, and death (Revelation 21:4). The end of the world is just the beginning for us.
Because we have this hope, we can continue to grow in the knowledge of the Lord, share His truth and love with those around us and keep moving forward in our lives. Rather than being paralyzed by fear, we can walk in peace knowing it doesn’t matter if the earth ends tomorrow because we have much more to look forward to ahead of us than what we’ll leave behind. Because God has already planned our amazing future with Him, preparing a place for us to live with Him forever, what could possibly ever be better?
“And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and He will dwell with them. They will be His people, and God Himself will be with them and be their God’” (Revelation 21:3).
There is no uncertainty concerning our future, so we don’t have to feel shaken by world events or live in fear of what might happen next because Jesus offers His comfort and refuge to us.
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in Me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with Me that you also may be where I am”(John 14:1-3).
Let’s Pray.
✝️ Dear Father,
Thank You, Lord, that I don’t have live in fear of the end of the world or what tomorrow might bring upon the earth because my life is in Your hands, and my steps are established by You (Proverbs 16:9). Today, Lord, fill me with Your peace. Let my heart and mind be guarded by it, knowing, “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:7).
I praise You for Your peace and comfort in my life to carry me through life’s daily stresses, troubling headlines, and disturbing occurrences. Thank You for Your divine protection over my life, as John 10:28 assures, “No one has the power to take us away from You. ‘I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of My hand.’”
Help me, Lord, to not stay up at night trying to figure out what’s coming next in the world, but instead to fully trust in You with all my heart and lean not on my own understanding. Each day helps me to submit to Your leading in my life (Proverbs 3:5-6). I praise You that my life ahead is set with You and because it is, I can rest peacefully each night knowing You have planned and prepared me a home with You.
Lead me, Lord, to walk out each day confident in Your faithfulness and Your covering over my life, knowing You cover me with Your feathers and under Your wings I find refuge. Your faithfulness is my shield and rampart (Psalm 91:4).
In Jesus’ name,
AMEN 🙏
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.
(Romans 15:13)
Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.
(1 Peter 5:7)
Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.
(Matthew 24:35)
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
(Romans 8:28)
Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.
(James 5:16)
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
(John 3:16)
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
(Isaiah 41:10)
“That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? “And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith? “So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. “So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.
(Matthew 6:25-34)
Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday. A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you. You will only observe with your eyes and see the punishment of the wicked. If you say, “The LORD is my refuge,” and you make the Most High your dwelling, no harm will overtake you, no disaster will come near your tent. For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone. You will tread on the lion and the cobra; you will trample the great lion and the serpent. “Because he loves me,” says the LORD, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call on me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.”
(Psalm 91:1-16)
“Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.
(Revelation 22:12-13)
While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”
(John 9:5)
Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.
(Romans 12:12)
(pic verse)
and you, Mary, will suffer as though you had been stabbed by a dagger. But all this will show what people are really thinking."
(Luke 2:35)
Artist 👨🎨
I Am With You Always - David Delfeld
•A Prayer to Find the Good in Suffering•
By Anthony Valente
👉 “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us”... View More•A Prayer to Find the Good in Suffering•
By Anthony Valente
👉 “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us”
(Romans 8:18)
What word comes to mind when you reflect upon suffering, trials, storms, pain, difficulties, and struggles? Most likely, the word “good” seems a bit out of place to describe such life challenges. Yet, we see in the life of Job that although he experienced tremendous pain and loss in his life at the hand of the enemy, God allowed it to happen and used it for good so that Job would know the Lord more deeply.
The “double for his trouble”(that Job received double the material blessings for his suffering) teaching that you hear so often in the prosperity gospel message tries to take the focus off the entire point of the book of Job that reveals to us the beautiful attribute of God’s sovereignty over all things that happens in our world, including pain and suffering. When we try to give more power to Satan than we should, we infer that he “got one passed God” like God was completely unaware it was going to happen. The fact of the matter is that God allows suffering and pain to come into our life for a reason.
God will use all things to conform us to the image of Christ, and often in the life of the believer, that includes pain and suffering. In times of suffering, we can pray for God’s mercy to come and cry out for His help in time of trouble, yes, but we must remember Jesus promised that “in this life, there will be trouble” (John 16:33). Yet, we know that He overcame the world for us, and we will one day taste of that victory in full when we meet Him face to face!
The Apostle Paul in the book of Romans reminds us that even in the midst of our suffering, we can keep our mind set upon the future glory that awaits us in heaven one day:
“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us” (Romans 8:18).
That is why we must keep our eyes fixed upon the hope of eternity and not on this life. And that is why faith in God is so important because it is the rock on which we stand when trials and the storms of life come because they will. We must remember that our faith in Him means that because of the cross, we are forgiven and now we can have the hope that He never leaves our side and walks with us through the valley and the mountain top experiences, and we have the ultimate hope that there is a glorious eternal life that awaits us in Christ Jesus. That is our anchor…the hope of eternity. There is a day that awaits believers where all pain and suffering will cease. But until then, we continue to declare “And if not…He is still good” and trust our life in His sovereign hands no matter what comes our way and know that He is working all things for our good because we love Him and are called according to His purposes (Romans 8:28).
Let’s pray.
✝️ Father,
Please help me find Your mercy and goodness when trials and the storms of life come my way. If I am prone to grumble and complain, may the Holy Spirit convict my heart quickly and remind me to be thankful for Your promise of eternity because of the cross. May I look for opportunities to comfort those around me who are suffering as well, so we can help hold each other up. We live in a fallen world, and although we cannot escape suffering, we know that heaven is our home and that the crown of life awaits those who stand firm in the faith, trusting that You have overcome the world and there is no reason to fear. Help me see the good that will come out of me walking through every dark trial. I give You praise and thanksgiving that You will never leave me alone to walk through suffering by myself.
In Jesus’ name,
AMEN 🙏
And though the Lord give you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, yet your Teacher will not hide himself anymore, but your eyes shall see your Teacher. And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left.
(Isaiah 30:20-21)
And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.
(1 Peter 5:10)
In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.
(1 Peter 1:6-7)
The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.
(Psalm 34:18)
The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
(Philippians 4:5b-7)
Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
(2 Corinthians 4:16-18)
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.
(Isaiah 43:2)
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
(James 1:2-4)
Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.
(Romans 5:3-5)
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
(Galatians 6:9)
Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
(Psalm 23:4)
There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance.
(Ecclesiastes 3:1-4)
(pic verse)
The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.
(John 10:10)
Artist 👨🎨
I Am With You Always - David Delfeld
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