“Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you” (1 Peter 4:12).
We can be certain of God’s love for us, no matter how unexpected or difficult any trial might be. Reassuring words are vital as we strive to deal with trials and sufferings in our Christian lives. Peter opens with a pastoral term (“beloved”) that conveys tenderness, love, and concern for his audience. It reinforces in a single word the concepts of fervent love for one another and love that covers sin (1 Peter 4:8). Such love is a welcome reality to lean on whenever anyone is undergoing suffering or persecution.Trials can easily tempt us to be discouraged and doubt God’s love. In Peter’s time the emperor Nero coated many, including children, in pitch and used them as human torches. With such cruel persecution going on, we can see why Peter wrote to fellow Christians—which includes us—to reassure them of God’s love. We should not be surprised at our trials, they should be seen as part of life. They might catch us off guard at first, but we can confidently deal with them, knowing that God’s loving care for us never fails.
00Philip Holderhttp://www.hoperoadnazarene.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/hrn-logo-520x140-1.pngPhilip Holder2016-05-20 03:39:562016-05-20 03:39:56Be Not Surprised
Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. (James 4:7)
The more real Satan appears in our day, the more precious the victory of Christ will become to those who believe him.The New Testament teaches that when Christ died and rose again Satan was defeated. A time of limited freedom is granted to him, but his power against God’s people is broken and his destruction is sure. “The Son of God appeared to destroy the works of the devil.” (1 John 3:8) “Christ took on human nature that through death he might destroy him who has the power of death, that is, the devil.” (Hebrews 2:14) “God disarmed the
principalities and powers and made a public example of them, triumphing over them in him.” (Colossians 2:15)
In other words the decisive blow was struck at Calvary. And one day, when Satan’s time of limited freedom is over, Revelation 20:10 says, “The devil .. [will be] thrown into the lake of fire and brimstone . . . and will be
tormented day and night for ever and ever.” What does this mean for those of us who follow Jesus Christ?
“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” (Romans 8:1)
“Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies!” (Romans 8:33)
“Neither angels nor principalities nor powers nor anything else shall separate us from the love of God in Jesus Christ.” (Romans 8:38)
“He who is in us is stronger than he who is in the world.” (1 John 4:4)
“We conquer him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of our testimony.” (Revelation 12:11)
Therefore, “Resist the devil, and he will flee from you!” He has been defeated, and we have been given victory. Our task now is to live in that victory and make Satan know his defeat.
00Philip Holderhttp://www.hoperoadnazarene.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/hrn-logo-520x140-1.pngPhilip Holder2016-04-11 02:30:442016-04-11 02:30:44SATAN IS DEFEATED
His mother said to the servants, “Whatever He says to you, do it.” John 2:5 NASB
Jesus performed His first miracle at a wedding celebration. When the wine ran out, his mother said to the servants: “Whatever He says to you, do it.” (John 2:5) Our obedience opens the door to see God’s power manifested in our lives. Scripture says, “If you consent and obey, you will eat the best of the land.” (Isaiah 1:19 NASB) In other words, as long as you are obedient to God’s word, you will continue in the quiet and full enjoyment of all the blessings of it. Our blessings are hindered when we approach God seeking His help pertaining to a particular situation, whether it is physical, social, financial or spiritual and all the while we are failing to be obedient in other areas of our lives, for example, harboring unforgiveness toward another person. My question this morning, “Are you doing all that God commands you to do through His word?” Today, ask the Lord to search you and whatever He says to you, do it!
PRAYER: Father, I humbly come to you in total submission. I desire to be obedient to your Word. Father, remove from me all that is not pleasing to you; transform me that your name may be glorified. I love you Lord in Jesus’ name.
00Philip Holderhttp://www.hoperoadnazarene.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/hrn-logo-520x140-1.pngPhilip Holder2016-04-04 13:18:332016-04-04 13:18:33WALKING IN OBEDIENCE
Be Not Surprised
/in Steadfast Hope“Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you” (1 Peter 4:12).
We can be certain of God’s love for us, no matter how unexpected or difficult any trial might be. Reassuring words are vital as we strive to deal with trials and sufferings in our Christian lives. Peter opens with a pastoral term (“beloved”) that conveys tenderness, love, and concern for his audience. It reinforces in a single word the concepts of fervent love for one another and love that covers sin (1 Peter 4:8). Such love is a welcome reality to lean on whenever anyone is undergoing suffering or persecution.Trials can easily tempt us to be discouraged and doubt God’s love. In Peter’s time the emperor Nero coated many, including children, in pitch and used them as human torches. With such cruel persecution going on, we can see why Peter wrote to fellow Christians—which includes us—to reassure them of God’s love. We should not be surprised at our trials, they should be seen as part of life. They might catch us off guard at first, but we can confidently deal with them, knowing that God’s loving care for us never fails.
SATAN IS DEFEATED
/in Steadfast HopeResist the devil, and he will flee from you. (James 4:7)
The more real Satan appears in our day, the more precious the victory of Christ will become to those who believe him.The New Testament teaches that when Christ died and rose again Satan was defeated. A time of limited freedom is granted to him, but his power against God’s people is broken and his destruction is sure. “The Son of God appeared to destroy the works of the devil.” (1 John 3:8) “Christ took on human nature that through death he might destroy him who has the power of death, that is, the devil.” (Hebrews 2:14) “God disarmed the
principalities and powers and made a public example of them, triumphing over them in him.” (Colossians 2:15)
In other words the decisive blow was struck at Calvary. And one day, when Satan’s time of limited freedom is over, Revelation 20:10 says, “The devil .. [will be] thrown into the lake of fire and brimstone . . . and will be
tormented day and night for ever and ever.” What does this mean for those of us who follow Jesus Christ?
“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” (Romans 8:1)
“Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies!” (Romans 8:33)
“Neither angels nor principalities nor powers nor anything else shall separate us from the love of God in Jesus Christ.” (Romans 8:38)
“He who is in us is stronger than he who is in the world.” (1 John 4:4)
“We conquer him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of our testimony.” (Revelation 12:11)
Therefore, “Resist the devil, and he will flee from you!” He has been defeated, and we have been given victory. Our task now is to live in that victory and make Satan know his defeat.
WALKING IN OBEDIENCE
/in Steadfast HopeHis mother said to the servants, “Whatever He says to you, do it.” John 2:5 NASB
Jesus performed His first miracle at a wedding celebration. When the wine ran out, his mother said to the servants: “Whatever He says to you, do it.” (John 2:5) Our obedience opens the door to see God’s power manifested in our lives. Scripture says, “If you consent and obey, you will eat the best of the land.” (Isaiah 1:19 NASB) In other words, as long as you are obedient to God’s word, you will continue in the quiet and full enjoyment of all the blessings of it. Our blessings are hindered when we approach God seeking His help pertaining to a particular situation, whether it is physical, social, financial or spiritual and all the while we are failing to be obedient in other areas of our lives, for example, harboring unforgiveness toward another person. My question this morning, “Are you doing all that God commands you to do through His word?” Today, ask the Lord to search you and whatever He says to you, do it!
PRAYER: Father, I humbly come to you in total submission. I desire to be obedient to your Word. Father, remove from me all that is not pleasing to you; transform me that your name may be glorified. I love you Lord in Jesus’ name.