"Yet if anyone suffers as a CHRISTIAN, let him not be ashamed, but LET HIM GLORIFY GOD IN THIS MATTER" (1Peter4:16)
WOW! The statement above sounds like a command, doesn't it? But one thing I have learned over the years from reading GOD's Word is that His commands are actually promises! I mean, what GOD commands is not something we can do by our own effort. But rather, when we submit to GOD, He does it spontaneously by His own supernatural power and authority. For example, GOD said: "what GOD hath joined together let no man separate" (Mark 10:9) Many use this passage to condemn divorce. (And indeed, it is biblically unlawful to do so!) But this passage has much more significance than that! GOD is not simply pleading with believers that they should not divorce; rather, He is saying that, when 2 believers are truly united by HIs hand, they canNOT divorce. That sounds much more awesome, doesn't it? You have rest in knowing that it is GOD's will and therefore, it will stand...no matter what. So too, the above passage. How could we encounter painful and disappointing persecutions and still have the courage to give thanks to GOD? Simple. It is GOD that works this in us! So essentially in the above passage, GOD says that when we truly submit to Him and rest in His authority, even in the midst of great sufferings He will grant us supernatural joy and peace to continue glorifying Him. No wonder Apostle Paul and Silas suddenly started singing praise and worship after been beaten and put in prison. (Acts 16:16-40). How could they be so resilient? How could they maintain joy after such injustice? By GOD's supernatural grace. Wow. And I always wondered how Peter and John left the Sandhedrin rejoicing after been severely tortured. (Acts 5:41) This is great stuff! Brethren, when you stop looking at GOD's Words as just a set of commands and demands, you soon rest under HIs mighty hand, knowing that they are actually promises for you when you submit to Jesus. GOD said, "humble yourself under His might hand, and He will exalt You." (1Peter 5:6) Stop trying to figure out how GOD will do it, just submit and watch the LORD JESUS CHRIST demonstrate HIs love and authority. GOD's commands are simultaneously supernatural promises that can only be fulfilled by His Spirit. WOW! Praise the LORD! GOD BLESS --Ulysses
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Today's Verse
“Behold you are beautiful my love, behold, you are beautiful; your eyes are doves” Song of Solomon 1:15 ESV Quotations"A word spoken by you when your conscience is clear and your heart full of God's Spirit is worth ten thousand words spoken in unbelief and sin." Archives
January 2023
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