1 Peter 4:12-19
2 Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.
If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler.
However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name. For it is time for judgment to begin with the family of God; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God? And,
"If it is hard for the righteous to be saved,
what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?"
So then, those who suffer according to God's will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good. NIV
How many people associate pain and suffering with having "Done something Wrong"? And how many know beyond doubt exactly why they're suffering in any "God Given" set of circumstances?
Exactly "Who" in this world is it that "Justifies" their own suffering? Exactly who is it that also creates the type "Uninvited" suffering the Lord has NOT authorized?
If a man does NOT know when God is speaking to him, for him or about him, how can this same man also "Know' the Lord or His intentions?
Jer 29:11
For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
NIV
Consider the danger in an "Adopted" mantra that suggest, "There's nothing more that need be done"? To then truthfully consider the purpose and intent in the applied efforts of the "Renewal" of the mind. sw
When it's forgotten what the sharing of ones faith towards God was intended to inspire how much then does "Whosoever will" then find to do. sw
Exactly how is choosing wisely affected by way of truthfully considering the type of beauty that is seen in the "Eye's of the beholder sw
How does "In the sight of God" as though true "Insight" hopefully promote from within.sw
Within the type of understanding where "Real" strength does directly come from the "Joy of the Lord" who then also understands what "Real" beauty looks like. sw
In terms of what is true because it is believable, whose testimony also proves to be powerless? On whose behalf is any mans testimony given. sw
2 Thess 1:7-10
He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the majesty of his power on the day he comes to be glorified in his holy people and to be marveled at among all those who have believed. This includes you, because you believed our testimony to you. NIV
Is there a need to follow the trail of "Bread Crumbs" if clearly understood beyond doubt that man does not live by bread alone. sw
How many ways can anything be said, if the one spoken to has decided before hand God is Not for them. sw
1 Cor 2:10-12
The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the man's spirit within him? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us. NIV
It is the glory of God to conceal a matter; to search out a matter is the glory of kings. NIV
Lam 1:4
The roads to Zion mourn, for no one comes to her appointed feasts.
All her gateways are desolate, her priests groan, her maidens grieve,
and she is in bitter anguish. NIV
Would it be an accurate statement to suggest there are times when a person has to be seen as if cruel and uncaring before they're allowed to be considered Kind? And what if being left to chance does not always seem fair? And the "Only" difference between "Casting Lots" and the flip of a coin being EXACTLY what when peering into the face of "Indecision"?
Rom 3:3-4
What if some did not have faith? Will their lack of faith nullify God's faithfulness? Not at all! Let God be true , and every man a liar. As it is written:
"So that you may be proved right when you speak
and prevail when you judge."
NIV
Leaving that place, Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon. A Canaanite woman from that vicinity came to him, crying out, "Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is suffering terribly from demon-possession."
23 Jesus did not answer a word. So his disciples came to him and urged him, "Send her away, for she keeps crying out after us."
24 He answered, "I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel."
25 The woman came and knelt before him. "Lord, help me!" she said.
26 He replied, "It is not right to take the children's bread and toss it to their dogs."
27 "Yes, Lord," she said, "but even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters' table."
28 Then Jesus answered, "Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted." And her daughter was healed from that very hour.
NIV
Rom 1:4-6
Through him and for his name's sake, we received grace and apostleship to call people from among all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith. And you also are among those who are called to belong to Jesus Christ. NIV
How hard is to teach 'Obedience" without there "First" being a righteous example to follow as if a pattern? Does disobedience have a "Pattern"? Does righteousness also have a "Pattern"? Do the unrighteous also have a pattern they also "Choose" to "Follow"?
Is there anything wrong with exerting nearly every ounce of energy trying to hold onto the comfort of imperfection as if a "Life Line"? And if instructed to reach OUT for a different type of Life Line, what is required beyond overcoming "Fear'? Fear of what though?
Trying to teach someone HOW to overcome fear in the HEAT of a moment more often proves to be hazardous to whose health and well being? Have you ever figured out why even in the "Movies" getting the last and most reluctant one on board usually comes at a high price or cost the life of another?
Verses teaching and learning progressively over the course of time having been TAUGHT and persuaded as to WHY it does seem nearly IMPOSSIBLE over night to please God without FAITH?
Why do so many despise being compared to infancy? That is until it becomes conveniently obvious it's the only way out of an other 'Wise" difficult situation?
Even if you were born beautiful HOW LONG did it take before that TYPE of beauty became your go to source of dependency and possibly a source of confidence? Not to mention a possible hindrance to an even greater cause as compared, yet compared to what, who and "Why"?
What is it that attempts to take up residency within any given environment whenever thoughts of perfection are considered frowned upon? Especially if there's Only ONE who has been made "Perfect" by "Way" of the type of things He suffered? Have you ever studied a bucket full of crabs that has no "Lid"?
Is there such a thing as a righteous type "Jealousy" for the type of person who's a "Know It All"?
The same type of "Know it All" who has been despised and rejected very few are 'Willing" to "Seek Out"?
Rom 12:2
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is — his good, pleasing and perfect will.
NIV
Is there anything wrong with exerting nearly every ounce of energy trying to hold onto the comfort of imperfection as if a "Life Line"? And if instructed to reach OUT for a different type of Life Line, what is required beyond overcoming "Fear'? Fear of what though?
Trying to teach someone HOW to overcome fear in the HEAT of a moment more often proves to be hazardous to whose health and well being? Have you ever figured out why even in the "Movies" getting the last and most reluctant one on board usually comes at a high price or cost the life of another?
Verses teaching and learning progressively over the course of time having been TAUGHT and persuaded as to WHY it does seem nearly IMPOSSIBLE over night to please God without FAITH?
Why do so many despise being compared to infancy? That is until it becomes conveniently obvious it's the only way out of an other 'Wise" difficult situation?
Even if you were born beautiful HOW LONG did it take before that TYPE of beauty became your go to source of dependency and possibly a source of confidence? Not to mention a possible hindrance to an even greater cause as compared, yet compared to what, who and "Why"?
What is it that attempts to take up residency within any given environment whenever thoughts of perfection are considered frowned upon? Especially if there's Only ONE who has been made "Perfect" by "Way" of the type of things He suffered? Have you ever studied a bucket full of crabs that has no "Lid"?
Is there such a thing as a righteous type "Jealousy" for the type of person who's a "Know It All"?
The same type of "Know it All" who has been despised and rejected very few are 'Willing" to "Seek Out"?
Rom 12:2
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is — his good, pleasing and perfect will.
NIV
Is there a clearly and easily understood difference between "Obedience" and "Righteousness"? And if the answer seems complicated, exactly who is it that's complicating the matter?
Exactly how does someone who seems to enjoy the "Sense" of freedom that comes by way of the well understood "Knowledge" of their own Imperfection somehow "Learn" obedience?
Have you ever considered what was "Heard" embedded within the words of Stephen that could have caused such hatred to rise up? What did Stephen's declaration collide with within those who heard what he said prior to him being "Stoned to Death" by those who had heard?
Are Christians hated today for the same reason(s) or are they more hated for their blatant "Hypocrisy"? Was it the Gentiles or the extremely religious sect of Jews of that time who demanded Christ be "Crucified"?
The hand picked chosen "People" of God, exactly how far back does their self recognized "Heritage" reach? Cain and Abel? Exactly what does it mean to have been "Adopted"? Having been brought from some 'Outer" realm of existence over and INTO the sense of awareness and acknowledged "Beloved" of God?
Is the a reason any scholar would have need of somehow attempting to belittle or minimize those who are less "Learned"? Exactly how much room is there on the podium of those who are in "First" place or position? Exactly how many pairs of feet can fittingly stand on such a platform?
It's one consideration to "Claim" to have sired a type of "Progeny" by way of a the Inherited gene pool that was also "Given to you and I, yet in terms of having sired a "Spiritual Progeny"? Who is capable of such a task if NOT by "Way" the seed brought forth by way of One and the SAME spiritual guide that's also been handed down?
And the ONLY "Giver" of such a SPIRIT is WHOM?
And the manifested presence of this spirit that also comes by way of whose Power as if a well established INCREASE? And what does Patiently WAITING until this spirit does COME also interpret as? Exactly who decides when, where and under what conditions this spirit does COME? And preparation also promotes WHAT under the clearly understood terms of Increase and Decrease?
Not a second or third type of "Nature", but as if a persons "First Nature"? In terms of a pure white garment and the type of stain that's "Set in" that will forever be present, who in their right mind enjoys "Openly" (publicly) wearing such a garment as if flaunting their past?
Is a hypocrite remembered by others for the stain or the "Same" type of flowing white Garment worn to an event that no longer has a stain?
Whether recognizing someone for their blood soaked garment worn by the 'First Hand" murderer or a slightly splattered garment of a spectator who stood by and watched in close proximity? Exactly what does any type of stain speak to and about those who recognize same?
Both were present, whereas both did what as a result once found OUT? Remembering where You came from should also suggest what your eternal eyes have seen since the "Beginning". Having denied same would also suggest having denied what else in the Much Bigger picture of those who were lulled to sleep for a while.
Whenever it comes to what God has said just remember there's ALWAYS more! More than the physical eyes and ears are always WILLING to truthfully Behold!
There's poetry to be deciphered and there is the WORDS OF GOD.
Gen 2:15-17
The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it. And the LORD God commanded the man, "You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely die ." NIV
Eph 5:11-18
Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. But everything exposed by the light becomes visible, for it is light that makes everything visible. This is why it is said:
"Wake up , O sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you."
Be very careful, then, how you live — not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is. NIV
Whenever it comes to what God has said just remember there's ALWAYS more! More than the physical eyes and ears are always WILLING to truthfully Behold!
There's poetry to be deciphered and there is the WORDS OF GOD.
Gen 2:15-17
The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it. And the LORD God commanded the man, "You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely die ." NIV
Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. But everything exposed by the light becomes visible, for it is light that makes everything visible. This is why it is said:
"Wake up , O sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you."
Be very careful, then, how you live — not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is. NIV
Lev 5:1
'If a person sins because he does not speak up when he hears a public charge to testify regarding something he has seen or learned about, he will be held responsible.
NIV