Tho Satan Should Buffet

“These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

 

The second verse of “It Is Well with My Soul” puts persecution and troubles in perspective.

 

Tho Satan should buffet, tho trials should come,

Let this blest assurance control,

That Christ hath regarded my helpless estate,

And hath shed His own blood for my soul.

 

Paul was given “a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet” him (2 Corinthians 12:7). Almost every saint of every age could echo Paul’s concerns, for trials come to each child of God. “Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you” (1 Peter 4:12). God had a purpose in Paul’s life, and He has one in ours, although Paul couldn’t clearly see the purpose, and, at times, we can’t either. We can, however, “glory,” as Paul did; or “rejoice,” as Peter advises, in response to the knowledge of God’s loving oversight.

(John D. Morris, Days of Praise, Institute for Creation Research, September 2, 2009).

Earnestly Contend for the Faith

Jude is probably best known for this verse.

3. “Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.”

I would like to point out aspects of this verse and how it applied to us today.

“Earnestly contend for the faith.”

Let me rephrase this verse using terms from the dictionary.

1. Seriously assert for the faith.

2. Zealously struggle with those who oppose the faith.

3. Sincerely maintain the faith.

4. Speak forth the truth.

Even though I like, “speak forth the truth,” the words struggle and maintain are just as relevant. “Struggle” because as time goes on there will be more and more opposition and “maintain” because it means to retain or keep the gospel as it is in it’s original form. All these statements set forth what we are to do, but are we? Are we studying the Word daily with prayer so that we could recognize deception if we saw it?

“…which was once delivered unto the saints.” The truth was delivered once. It is not to be changed, altered or configured to one’s owns desires. “…unto the saints.”

 Who are the saints?

 Ephesians 1:1 “…the faithful in Christ Jesus.”

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Have You Failed God?

There are times in our lives that we are overcome with our sense of failure. Problems arise, you may fail in your business, or a child becomes entrapped in drugs or immorality. Satan wants us to think that we are indeed failures and will suggest it you. But you must resist Satan and he will then flee from you.

Moses failed. He killed a man. King David also killed a man and committed adultery. But God is amazing. These two men repented and were later used mightily by God. They were men of great faith. They submitted their lives fully to the Lord and then they were fully used.

If you have failed, turn to the Lord. Repent of any sin and turn away from it. Repentance is turning away from your sinful life and turning to the Lord which transforms you. Rely on Him for strength, pray for wisdom, and memorize His Word.

No more will God remember your failures. God said of Israel, “I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more” (Hebrews 8:12).

The Escape from Judgment – The Gospel

From “An Urgent Call to a Serious Faith”  Dave Hunt

In Hebrews 2:3 the  vital question is asked, ” How shall we escape, if we neglect so great a salvation?” The answer is unequivocal: there is no escape for those who reject Christ. The Bible makes that solemn fact abundantly clear. To reject, add to, take from, or otherwise pervert or embrace a substitute for “the gospel of God” is to perpetuate the rebellion begun by Adam and Eve and to leave one eternally separated from God and His proffered salvation.

No wonder Paul wrote, “Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men” (2 Corinthians 5:11). So must all who know Christ persuade men to believe the only gospel that saves! [pg. 77]

Faith must be in God and in Christ alone. To place it anywhere else is to admit a lack of faith in Him. Let us get serious about faith by believing what God has said. Therein lies our only authority and assurance.  [pg. 83]

The Faithful

The Faithful

 

Once I read a comment on a blog from a woman complaining that her church was focusing on faith. “Faith, faith, faith” she ridiculed.

 

I went to my concordance in the Bible and wrote down the most referred to subjects. A full page of verse references was 3 columns. Here is what I found were the top four words.

 

Lord – 9 columns

 

God – 8 columns

 

Love – 6 columns

 

Faith – 5 columns

 

Lord, God, and love are obvious subjects one would find in the Bible but are you surprised to find out Faith is the fourth most used term recorded in the concordance? Obviously, faith is a very important aspect of our walk with Christ. But strangely enough at the second coming of Christ, He will certainly find a lack of faith.

 

Luke 18:8

“However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?”

Hebrews 11 is known for its teaching on faith and tells us of the people of God throughout biblical history who lived by faith alone.

Let’s see who is mentioned. Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, the parents of Moses, and Moses.

All of these men are wonderful examples of their great faith and all were tested. None of them saw all the fulfillments of what was promised but they looked forward to the heavenly promises. When we realize that the things of this world are just temporary and we wait patiently for our true eternal home we begin to realize how important it is to walk in faith. Faith is storing our treasures in heaven ( Matt 6:20) where they are not seen with today’s lustful eyes.

We are told in Hebrews 11:6 that “without faith it is impossible to please God.” This is one of most important verses in Hebrews.

Lastly, I go to Habakkuk. Once I had my Bible open and someone inquired “What are you reading?” I replied, “Habakkuk,” to which I received a puzzled look in response.

But what do we find! Habakkuk 2:4 says “See, he is puffed up; his desires are not upright – but the righteous, will live by his faith.”  This verse is so important it is repeated in Romans, Hebrews and Galatians.

God is not out of reach for those who walk in the faith of the Word of God. We seek God by prayer, and reading His Word. Be content with what you have, because discontent is really a lack of faith. Expect tests and discipline from the Father who loves us. When a parent disciplines it is because of love, and so it is with our Heavenly Father. If we struggle on this path of faith think of others who also struggle and help them. When our faith strengthens we can take the focus off of ourselves, put it on Jesus, and begin to help others.