This Too Shall Pass

Dear ones, does it feel all dark, so overwhelming at times? 

When you go to pray, does it feel empty, you know not  where to start?

We live in such a sad, broken world. 

Saints before us have trod this path, as Jesus Himself said: "These things have I spoken unto you, that in Me ye might have PEACE. 

In the world ye shall have tribulation, but BUT be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." John 16:33

Below is a prayer by a German in World War 2, fighting for the right, in prison for Christ, weak, feeble.. in the Bonhoeffer movie this was a prayer he prayed with a young man weeping inconsolably in the cell next door. Bonhoeffer cried out to him, the guard remonstrated at first, then allowed him to speak. Dietrich put his outstretched arms raised on the wall, he told the young man to do likewise,  and prayed this prayer he'd written with him. 

"In me there is darkness,
But with You there is light;
I am lonely, but You do not leave me;
I am feeble in heart, but with You there is help;
I am restless, but with You there is peace.
In me there is bitterness, but with You there is patience;
I do not understand Your ways,
But You know the way for me.”

“Lord Jesus Christ,
You were poor
And in distress, a captive and forsaken as I am.
You know all man’s troubles;
You abide with me
When all men fail me;
You remember and seek me;
It is Your will that I should know You
And turn to You.
Lord, I hear Your call and follow;
Help me.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Letters and Papers from Prison.

The youth was quiet after praying that prayer, line by line repeating Pastor Bonhoeffer’s words, at peace at his death. Impressed, the guard asked that a copy might be given to help the other prisoners. 

Bonhoeffer died one month before war's end, like other good Germans who tried to bring down Hitler. (For brief moving biography, see this link here).

This too shall pass, or more truly as the bible says, it "..is but for a moment”. 

The persecution in first century believers by Caligula, Nero, then onto Tyndale, Wycliffe for bible translation: the dark depths of Dark ages, with many plagues, the fire of London, which purged the mice causing the plague! All is God at work.

God alone brings good from bad.

 What seemingly is trial upon trial, all of it has a higher Heavenly purpose!

We serve a suffering Saviour, as He suffered, so do we. The servant is not greater than his Master.

Moving on into 20th century, the war to end all wars, World War 1. Followed swiftly by the Spanish flu which killed 50+ million worldwide. Many more than current Covid-19 deaths of 4 million worldwide (world average death rate of approx 1 to 2% of those infected from Covid-19). Aust. as of today has had 965 deaths (820 in Victoria) from Covid-19. In a much smaller 1918 Aust population - 55,000 died with 1918/19 influenza, and 40% of population fell ill with it. History truly gives us a clearer perspective than the daily news.

Then in World War 2 came such dreadful minutes, hours, days, weeks, months, years of overwhelming darkness.

 Yes! 

Now though for some is deep darkness, praying much for the grief of poor nations like Afghanistan, that is real sorrow of heart.. but such grief, despair surely drives the spiritually hungry to seek the One Who alone is truth. 

We, who believe in the Living God, it should cause us to pray more earnestly for them, all of them, their salvation and for ourselves. 

Look not in, but wholeheartedly out and up.. that is a Godward look. 

“Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.” Gal 6:3

"This too shall pass" can be said of it all, till Christ comes. Hallelujah! What a Saviour!

Paul knew well that fact,  as he penned these words, it "..is but for a moment"...

For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.

 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; 

While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

2 Corinthians 4:16-18

In Pauline fashion we are pointed to Christ, our Saviour, and to the Heavenlies where, by salvation we are now seated (link to Eph 2:4-6) and thus to ETERNITY.

Yes, let us keep our eyes 👀 on ETERNAL things. 

"Looking unto Jesus the Author and Finisher of our faith.." Heb 12:2

This flesh and the place we physically inhabit, mercifully it is a temporary thing, "it is but for a moment", it will pass .. in the twinkling of an eye! (see 1 Cor 15:52)

So when you enter the closet of your heart to pray ... and your heart fails you for fear! 

Go to the living Word, praying as Jesus' disciples did, "Lord, teach us to pray". Therein read, feed, heed and pray the scriptures you love, or those which challenge you! I have many prayers in notes in my online bible, all are based on a verse or scripture passage, which daily I pray as able. 

God's Word is our very foundation, it must be the woven into the very fabric of our Christian walk. It is the basis for all our communication in prayer with our Heavenly Father.

Start simply as a stumbling little child, as Dietrich did.. stating the obvious THEN looking to what we have in Christ.. Our Lord, our Anchor, our Stronghold in time of trouble. God loves it when we cling to Him.

If not showing. Hymn link here.

Oh, Jesus is a Rock in a weary land,
A weary land, a weary land,
Oh, Jesus is a Rock in a weary land,
A shelter in the time of storm.

The Lord's our Rock, in him we hide,
A shelter in the time of storm;
Secure whatever ill betide,
A shelter in the time of storm

A shade by day, defense by night,
A shelter in the time of storm;
No fears alarm, no foes affright,
A shelter in the time of storm.

O Rock Divine, O Refuge dear,
A shelter in the time of storm;
Be thou our helper ever near,
A shelter in the time of storm.

Hymn by Vernon J. Charlesworth

So as we go to pray, in the constant, frequent moments of our day, let us remember to pray, simply as a child, resting in, clinging to our Rock, our Hope of salvation. 

Without Christ, the world is a scary place (as that young weeping prisoner found). 

Christ is HOPE fulfilled. 

Praying for you today, in whatever you maybe facing in your life, or in the lives of those you love, remembering with you that our wonderful Father God is only ever a prayer away! Surely He giveth more grace!

Grace for the day, and strength for the way!

Thanks to all who pop across to read this blog and Thank YOU, too if you’re able to leave some love and encouragement.

Prayer hugs,🙏🤗

Shaz in Oz. X

PS. Bonhoeffer movie link Here.

Below is a prayer from the Common Book of Prayer. Those who penned these prayers gave their blood for their faith: as applicable now as then. Note how scripture is woven in, as it was in Bonhoeffer’s prayer.

For those who've subscribed and are wondering why you've two different subscription in your inbox? 

It’s because Feedburner hasn’t made up it’s mind what it’s doing it seems. I don’t want to cancel it and just keep follow.it, as I really prefer Feedburner’s simpler format, with no adds.

Nor do I want to cancel follow.it as took ages to set up. Not sure what Feedburner will do, so just will wait and see?!... apologies. 

*****

PS If you haven’t I'd love it you to join as a wonderful encourager of this blog ...  link HERE.  Thank YOU to those who have done so already. It really encourages me to keep on. 😊

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.. yet a little while - Watch unto Prayer

A day seems more fleeting the longer we live,.

We need to daily live in the light of:

 “Perhaps today,” yes, dear ones, perhaps today!

Glory! the Lord will return for His own. 

Oh, yes, to catch us up together in the air to be with HIM!

THEN we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever o be with the Lord. 1 Thess 4:17

This excerpt below from Daily Light meditates on this. 

Brethren, the time is short. I Cor. 7:29

Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble. He cometh forth like a flower, and is cut down: he fleeth also as a shadow, and continueth not. Job 14:1, 2

The world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever. I John 2:17

As in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. Death is swallowed up in victory. I Cor. 15:22, 54

Whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's, Rom. 14:8

To live is Christ, and to die is gain. Phil. 1:21

Cast not away . . . your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward. For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry. Heb. 10:35-37

The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light. Rom. 13:12

The end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer. I Pet. 4:7

How precious is the theme carried through these verses, starting with "the time is short "...

To "The end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer."

Prayer something I'm doing more these days, which is why I’m not blogging much.

*** We're the watchmen of the night, dear ones!

The very MOST important thing, (apart from sharing the gospel) which we can do is “watch unto prayer”!

Oh, may our loving Heavenly Father help us to be truly serving, watching unto prayer.
As I started to read, Heb 10:37 flashed into my mind..  marvellous, there it was!
Who else but God?
I've  Hebrews on CD, listened to it hundreds of times. Played once or twice a night in sleepless patches.

Verse 37 is my current joy:

".. a little while,

 and he that shall come 

will come, 

and will not tarry."

Amen! Glory! hallelujah! 

Even so come, Lord Jesus!

Link here https://youtu.be/lkvSJHC3v5M, if not showing 

Isn't that thrilling.. a little while!

Yet a day with the lord is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as a day. It's been two thousand years, so it must be soon! Soon, Lord Jesus.

Thanks to all who pop across to read this blog and Thank YOU, too if you’re able to leave some love and encouragement.

Prayer hugs,🙏🤗

Shaz in Oz. X

PS If you haven’t I'd love it you to join as a wonderful encourager of this blog ...  link HERE.  Thank YOU to those who have done so already. It really encourages me to keep on. 😊

If you'd like these posts in your inbox, you can add your email to email link option on side bar. If you're on a mobile device on which there is no sidebar, then scroll down and select "View Web Version" at very bottom of post. This will bring up sidebar and "follow by email" link, which is on the top of sidebar. Thank YOU! 

Learning in Suffering - Annie Johnson Flint

Annie Johnson Flint - a great hymn writer. 

Truly the crucible of suffering brings forth pure gold!

Video link here is not showing. 

Most of this post is a direct quote with some summarising taken from this post HERE. See link for more details. 

Annie Johnson was born in Vineland, New Jersey USA on Christmas Eve 1866. Nearly three years later, Annie’s mother died at the age of 23, soon after giving birth to Annie’s sister. Her Father was not well and for two years the bereaved family of three lived with a widow friend. She had children of her own and it became evident that Annie and her sister were not really welcome in the home, they were simply an added burden.

By a remarkable providence, a childless Christian couple in the town, Mr and Mrs Flint, adopted them as their own. The father was willing to do this on two counts, firstly his serious illness, which resulted in his own death not long afterwards and secondly the fact that they were Christians!

The couple offered a loving and warm-hearted Christian home to the two girls and after the adoption, their surname was added to Annie’s. Through their childhood years the girls were taught the Christian gospel and the teaching of the Bible framed every aspect of life.

At the age of eight, two great changes took place in the young life of Annie. The Flints moved from their rural home in the countryside, into the small town nearby. Despite this, Annie always retained her love for the natural world around her and it coloured the rest of her life. In God’s providence, the move coincided with a number of evangelistic meetings taking place in the town. She was taken along by her adopted parents, and there, at the age of eight, she was brought to saving faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. In later life she testified of the reality of that experience and although she was so young, she was convinced that God had truly saved her that day.

Before she became a teenager, Annie began to develop a keen interest in reading and writing – particularly poetry. This was fuelled by Mr Flint’s extensive library. She and her friend from school formed a two-member literary society! Every Saturday afternoon they met together to read material by their favourite poets; and then attempted to write poems themselves.

Her powers of observation were particularly keen. One contemporary speaks of her comment much later in life that Annie had noticed that the robin outside her window had changed its song. “We are going to have rain today. My robin has just changed his note. He never sings in that tone unless the rain is coming”. Sure enough, the rain came!

The Lord was working in her heart, sanctifying her through her life’s experiences. She did have troubles with a flaring temper at times but over the years learned the lessons of grace in overcoming this sinful tendency. She speaks of her impatience and her tendency to persist at something without waiting patiently for the outcome in the appointed time. The Lord would need to teach her much in this area of her character. Deeper trials were to come which would test both persistence and patience to the extreme.

An indication of those trials manifested itself quite soon into her working life. She began her first position as a school teacher in her home town, teaching at the school where she had once been a pupil. There, symptoms of arthritis began to appear. These grew steadily worse, causing her to have to give up her post, as she was almost unable to walk.

Then tragedy struck again when both of her adopted parents died within a few months of each other. Annie was left overwhelmed with sadness and loss. Her own health continued to deteriorate rapidly and it was not long before the Doctors sadly had to tell her that she would soon become a helpless invalid, crippled by the advancing arthritis running through her body. In her sadness, her illness and her desperate financial predicament, Annie was cast upon God.

A contemporary writer says, “Annie was in a condition where she was compelled to be dependent upon the care of others… In after-years she always stated that her poems were born of the need of others and not from her own need; but one knows full well that she never could have written as she did for the comfort and help of thousands of others if she had not had the background of facing those very crises in her own life”.

Those poems, notes and letters were wonderfully the means of her sustaining by the Lord. The very best of her God-given gifts of writing, poetry and prose were drawn out of her in her deep trial. She could not properly hold or use a pen, but her dogged determination forced her to somehow push her pen into her swollen and bent fingers and despite her wrists being in great pain she wrote of her deepest spiritual experiences. At first it was for her own solace but she began to make hand lettered cards, gift books, and cards with verses beautifully written on them.

Many of these poems, etc. were published during her own lifetime. (Most of this post is a direct quote taken from this post HERE, see link for more details. I have read an excellent biography on Annie, several decades ago, I think it’s the one below.)

Annie became thoroughly convinced that God intended to glorify Himself through her – in her weak, earthen vessel. Like the Apostle Paul there came to her, with real assurance, the promise which said, “My grace is sufficient for you: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.” She reached the place where she could also say with Paul, “Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities that the power of Christ may rest upon me”. (2 Cor 12:9)

No one can tell what suffering she endured as the disease became worse with the passing of the years, but through it all her faith in the goodness and mercy of God never wavered. There were many times, no doubt, when her soul would be burdened with the mystery of it all and the “why?” of what she was called to endure. For more than forty years there was scarcely a day when she did not suffer pain and she became increasingly helpless. Her joints had become rigid, although she was still just able to turn her head. In great pain she could write a few lines on paper. 

On September 8th 1932, her last words before she died were to her doctor in front of a visiting couple who knew her well. He asked if there was anything she wished to say before he gave her a painkilling injection. “I have nothing to say, it’s all right” she said. 

In a few minutes, she had gone to be with the Saviour, Whom she loved and served so well. In a life that seemed to have so much “all wrong”, she was given remarkable grace and strength to proclaim, in fact it was, “all right”.

Among her collection of poems that remain, “He giveth more grace” stands out as a wonderful statement of her Biblical theology of pain, trial and suffering and of the boundless store of grace that is found in the Lord Jesus Christ. 

When Paul urges Timothy, his son in the faith, to “be strong” (2 Timothy 2v1), it is in this grace alone that he will be able to endure the hardships that he will face. It is no different for us as Christians today, Annie’s lovely hymn has a timeless message! Not often is the third stanza used though, sadly.

He giveth more grace when the burdens grow greater,
He sendeth more strength when the labours increase;
To added afflictions He addeth His mercy,
To multiplied trials, His multiplied peace.

His love has no limits, His grace has no measure,
His power no boundary known unto men;
For out of His infinite riches in Jesus
He giveth, and giveth, and giveth again.

When we have exhausted our store of endurance,
When our strength has failed ere the day is half done,
When we reach the end of our hoarded resources
Our Father’s full giving is only begun.

His love has no limits, His grace has no measure,
His power no boundary known unto men;
For out of His infinite riches in Jesus

He giveth, and giveth, and giveth again. 

Fear not that your need shall exceed His provision,
Our God ever yearns His resources to share;
Lean hard on the arm everlasting, availing;
The Father, both you and your load will upbear.

His love has no limits, His grace has no measure,
His power no boundary known unto men;
For out of His infinite riches in Jesus
He giveth, and giveth, and giveth again.

Video link here is not showing. 

Praying for you today, in whatever you maybe facing in your life, or in the lives of those you love, remembering with you, that our wonderful Father God is only ever a prayer away! Surely He giveth more grace!

Grace for the day, and strength for the way!

Thanks to all who pop across to read this blog and Thank YOU, too if you’re able to leave some love and encouragement.

Prayer hugs,🙏🤗

Shaz in Oz. X

PS If you haven’t I'd love it you to join as a wonderful encourager of this blog ...  link HERE.  Thank YOU to those who have done so already. It really encourages me to keep on. 😊

If you'd like these posts in your inbox, you can add your email to email link option on side bar. If you're on a mobile device on which there is no sidebar, then scroll down and select "View Web Version" at very bottom of post. This will bring up sidebar and "follow by email" link, which is on the top of sidebar. Thank YOU! 

True Beauty.. in God's Eyes?

(Excerpt from Daily Light)

The Lord was my stay. Psa. 18:18

Truly in vain is salvation hoped for from the hills, and from the multitude of mountains: truly in the LORD our God is the salvation of Israel. Jer. 3:23

The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower. Psa. 18:2

Cry out and shout, thou inhabitant of Zion; for great is the Holy One of Israel in the midst of thee. Isa. 12:6

The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them. The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles. Psa. 34:7, 17

The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms. Deut. 33:27

So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me. Heb. 13:6

For who is God save the LORD? or who is a rock save our God? It is God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect. Psa. 18:31, 32

By the grace of God I am what I am. I Cor. 15:10

Except for Hebrews and 1 Corinthians, all these extremely encouraging uplifting promises, statements are from Old Testament, including 2 verses of Psalm 34. Love the Old Testament, its so rich and uplifting

We see in it the reality of life, all its ugly sinfulness, but also all its glory.. the glory most of all in the transforming power of God, Whose hands bring beauty in the ugly sinfulness. 

eg. Moses, David - a man after God's own heart. 

And so He, our wonderful Saviour will bring beauty in our hearts.. beauty from ashes, joy for mourning, a garment of praise for heaviness! 

That we might be righteous in His eyes!

Isaiah 61:3

To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness...

Amen!

Glorifying Him is God's purpose in us, may our Lord and Saviour,  Jesus Christ  indeed be glorified in us today. 

”For the LORD seeth not as man seeth....the  LORD looketh on the heart.”

Praise His name above all names. 

Hymn Here, if not showing.

Be still, my soul, The Lord is on thy side

Bear patiently, the cross of grief or pain 

Leave to thy God, to order and provide 

In every change, He faithful will remain 

Be still, my soul, thy best, thy heavenly friend 

Through thorny ways, leads to a joyful end 

Be still, my soul, thy God doth undertake 

To guide the future as He has the past 

Thy hope, thy confidence, let nothing shake 

All now mysterious shall be bright at last 

Be still, my soul, the waves and wind still know 

His voice who ruled them while He dwelt below 

Be still, my soul, the hour is hastening on 

When we shall be forever with the Lord 

When disappointment, grief and fear are gone 

Sorrow forgot, love's purest joys restored 

Be still, my soul, when change and tears are past 

All safe and blessed, we shall meet at last.

Translation from German hymn (c.late 1600s?) original by 

Kathrina von Schlegel, translation by Jane Borthwick, the well known tune is Finlandia.

Praying for you today, whatever you maybe facing in your life, or in the lives of those you love, remembering with you, that our wonderful Father God is only ever a prayer away!

Thanks to all who pop across to read this blog and Thank YOU, too if you’re able to leave some love and encouragement. I’ve had a wee break from blogging, busy, then unwell and then busy! Sorry if not commented on your blog lately, limited online time.

Prayer hugs,🙏🤗

Shaz in Oz. X

PS If you haven’t I'd love it you to join as a wonderful encourager of this blog ...  link HERE.  Thank YOU to those who have done so already. It really encourages me to keep on. 😊

If you'd like these posts in your inbox, you can add your email to email link option on side bar. If you're on a mobile device on which there is no sidebar, then scroll down and select "View Web Version" at very bottom of post. This will bring up sidebar and "follow by email" link. Thank YOU! 

Does God Give Cancer? Or Suffering?

(Last June 2020, I began this post, however was unable to finish it. Before that month ended my very precious sister in Christ went to be with the Lord and I was in hospital, the cardio care unit, with a heart attack. The main part of this post was written before that event, but for many months it was not the right time to publish. God’s  ways are never our ways, as Isaiah wisely opined.)

(An illumination of Psalm 118:8, middle verse in the bible - to read the post on it look HERE!). Truly it’s better to trust in God rather than man!

This part of post below was begun June 2020.

Recently I was asked this question:

“Why did God give mum cancer?”

 

  A similar question I’ve asked my God for many years - from when saved at 12 years, till finally dealt with at 25yrs (some are slow learners! 😁).

My questioning was not because of cancer, like our dear sister in the LORD, but a life-threatening condition none the less. I've nearly died through medical mismanagement of my complex condition 6 times (now 7). The last was in 2016 (+ 26 June 2020, since this post was begun). I shared briefly then on my craft blog (here, 2016).

This is the answer the Lord gave me, and I gave to that dear one, in answer to our question..

“First of all God did not GIVE mum cancer.

As part of fall of Genesis 3 and the disobedience of Adam and Eve, sickness, sorrow, pain are now part of the curse on earth. 

We are the offspring of Adam and Eve, and hence we suffer from the results of that sinful disobedience.

God ALLOWED your darling mum to have cancer.
THAT is a very big difference!
God is love.

He does not willingly afflict us.
"For He doth not afflict willingly nor grieve the children of men."
 Lam. 3:33

In Job 1 (read here), a very godly man, had all, everything but life, including health taken from him by Satan.

Satan is our Adversary, not God!

This was allowed by God. 

Why does suffering bring good?

“Because only one short life will soon be past,

Only what is done for Christ will last.”

Until cancer, your dear mum had salvation, but she admitted that she had little treasure laid up in heaven.

Now she has, through her faithfulness in suffering, great treasure laid up in heaven.. 

1 Cor 3. 11-15 see this important passage here

Not the previous wood, hay, stubble, but now silver, gold, precious stones as Paul shared in Corinthians..

Your darling, faithful and true mum will now hear her Heavenly Father's great welcome into glory:

"Well done, thou good and faithful servant, 

enter thou into the joy of the Lord ".

And all who do not know our Lord Jesus?
... they will hear:

Matthew 25:41

Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, 

prepared for the devil and his angels: 

For I never knew you."

How much better to come while we can!?

 

Speaking personally now, I remember saying, as regained consciousness in ICU in 2016, "Well, I seem to collect these close calls, one of these days I won't make it! I guess God isn't finished with me yet." 😊

I said afterwards to the Lord that the severe pain and suffering was worth it all, as my relationship with the LORD was sooo much deeper and richer.

 
*****

A book I am currently reading prompted this addition to this post..

"Surely He hath borne our sorrows and carried our griefs." Is 53.4

As believers, we are Christ's disciples. 

So suffering, false accusations, etc. are part of the walk as followers of Christ.

A devotional I'm reading, called "Music at Midnight" by A. Donald Miller, is about lepers, who through extreme suffering  become believers, in an Indian Leprosy mission.

Lepers who are now truly alive eternally, in spite of their outwardly dying, decaying body. 

They thank God for their leprosy! 

.....

This grabbed me two days ago! 

The quote from the book begins with a Bengali saying: 

" 'Cheer up brother, 

suffering is God's gift.' 

It is a testing part of Christian discipleship to commend God's love to those who wilfully hurt us, even when we are trying to help them. 

Often they themselves are people hurt and frustrated in spirit. 

The quality of the response to the suffering they inflict can help them to perceive their own suffering as a gift of God.

 'The cross as a dogma is painless speculation; 

the cross lived as suffering is anguish and glory,' 

writes Thomas Kelly in his Testament of Devotion.  

'Yet God, out of the pattern of His own heart, has planted the Cross along the road of holy obedience.

 And He enacts in the hearts of those He loves the miracle of willingness to welcome suffering and to know it for what it is 

- the final seal of His gracious love." 

Phew! 

Yes! Hard it is, but the road to the cross was hard!

 

 We believe in a SUFFERING SAVIOUR, a suffering God - Isaiah 53 

Indeed, we are so privileged as believers to suffer as Christ did, bearing His cross. (see Gal 2:20)

With unbelieving ones, God allows it to save hearts souls for eternity, as with the lepers (if you want to know Who or What is a Christian, please read this post HERE 😊).

 I wish you could read the glory of those leper’s testimonies, but then we see it day by day around us, don’t we?

 If only we look with the eye of faith. 

 

Another aspect of suffering, is at Paul said  in 2 Cor. 12: 7

..."lest I be exalted above measure, there was given unto me a thorn in the flesh"... (see passage here). 

It's a humbling purpose.

It brings us closer to God - to realise our inadequacy and God's ALL sufficiency.

"My grace is sufficient for thee, 

My Strength is made perfect in weakness..." 1 Cor.12:9

As our Saviour learned obedience through suffering, so do we!!

 

For it became Him, for Whom are all things, 

and by Whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, 

to make the Captain of their Salvation perfect through sufferings. Heb 2:10

Though he were a Son, yet learned He obedience by the things which He suffered; Heb 5:8

It’s ALL for His glory and His purpose. 

There is an ETERNITY in view. 

We count the cost now, for the glory that is to come.

The world often frets that time is passing swiftly, that its desires are not accomplished.

I'm so grateful I have a Loving Heavenly Father, Who is All-Wise and only ALLOWS what is best  for me. 

It was best for our dear sister to have cancer, best for me to have a heart attack, etc., our omniscient God sees what we cannot!

No ease is promised ..(video here if not showing).

GOD HATH NOT PROMISED

God hath not promised skies always blue, Flower-strewn pathways all our lives through; God hath not promised sun without rain, Joy without sorrow, peace without pain. But God hath promised strength for the day, Rest for the labor, light for the way, Grace for the trials, help from above,   Unfailing sympathy, undying love. God hath not promised we shall not know Toil and temptation, trouble and woe; He hath not told us we shall not bear Many a burden, many a care. God hath not promised smooth roads and wide, Swift, easy travel, needing no guide; Never a mountain, rocky and steep, Never a river, turbid and deep. But God hath promised strength for the day, Rest for the labor, light for the way, Grace for the trials, help from above,   Unfailing sympathy, undying love.

	All this God does promise us *an eternal home, by faith in Jesus *with a new glorious body, and *He will never leave or forsake us.

Grace for the day,

Strength for the way!

Thanks to all who pop across to read this blog and Thank YOU, too if you’re able to leave some love and encouragement.

Prayer hugs,🙏🤗

Shaz in Oz. X

PS If you haven’t I'd love it you to join as a wonderful encourager of this blog ...  link HERE.  Thank YOU to those who have done so already. It really encourages me to keep on. 😊

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