Christmas

Christmas is over, are you disappointed or are you relieved?  Some people are so sad and depressed at this time of year with good reason and there are others who could care less one way or the other and others who feel very joyful.  We need to try to be very sensitive to each individual person and where they are at this time in their lives.  There are people who have lost loved ones at this time of year and their hearts are very tender if not completely shattered and they need our compassion, patience and love.  This can be a very critical time, even in a believer’s life.  It is possible for a believer to be so injured that they don’t think clearly and they start blaming God instead of the enemy of our souls or the sin that has not only polluted our own existence and our bodies but the world itself.  

When God created the heavens and the earth, and all the other things that He created, He said that it was good.  That happened before Adam and Eve sinned and polluted the whole world.  If you find yourself between a rock and a hard place, so to speak, at this time of year or any other time don’t blame the Lord and always try to remember that He loves you.  Read Romans 8:28, “Now we know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to His purpose.”

Sometimes we are tested and we go through trials, not because God doesn’t know what our reaction will be, but so we will know how we will react.  Think about Job, when he was tested did God know how he would respond?  Sure He did, but Job and his family and friends didn’t.  People can say this or that about situations they may find themselves in but they really don’t know until it happens.  Some believers endure heavy persecution or trials and they don’t give in, while others are tested and get bitter and even become atheists, denying the very existence of God.

Please read James 1:1-4, “Jacob, a slave of God and of the Lord Yeshua the Messiah, to the twelve tribes in the Diaspora: Shalom! Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect work, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”

None of us likes to face trials but they will come as time goes on, along with persecutions. Please read what Paul wrote to Timothy in 2 Timothy 3:10-12, “You, however, closely followed my teaching, manner of life, purpose, faithfulness, patience, love, perseverance— as well as persecutions and sufferings that happened to me in Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra. What persecutions I endured! And the Lord rescued me from them all! Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Messiah Yeshua will be persecuted.”

If we live a godly life we can expect problems, trials and persecution and remember we live in a fallen world and many of the things that take place in our lives are not the Lord’s fault.  Can the Lord stop anything?  Yes, He can but He doesn’t always choose to.  But let me encourage you with this, whatever He does allow in our lives is for our good, if we believe His Word that all things work for the good of those who love Him.

Now read what it says in 1 Peter 4:12-19, “Loved ones, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal taking place among you to test you—as though something strange were happening to you. Instead, rejoice insofar as you share in the sufferings of Messiah, so that at the revelation of His glory you may also rejoice and be glad. If you are insulted for the name of Messiah, you are fortunate, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. For let none of you suffer as a murderer or thief or evildoer or as a troublemaker. But if anyone suffers for following Messiah, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this name. For the time has come for judgment to begin with the house of God. If judgment begins with us first, what will be the end for those who disobey the Good News of God? Now, “if it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what shall become of the ungodly and the sinner?” So then, those who suffer according to God’s will—let them trust their souls to a faithful Creator while continuing to do good.”

We live in a time where persecution is on the rise, where our faith is being bombarded and tested every day and I guess we will have to face it or run and hide.  We know that if we are faithful, we will face trials and tribulations. Read what Jesus said about this in John 16:33, “These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have shalom. In the world you will have trouble, but take heart! I have overcome the world!”

So let’s not give in but let us stand strong in the faith and be overcomers and let us be patient and sensitive to others that are struggling, without compromising the truth!!  We know that trials, troubles and persecutions will come but let us be faithful to the truth and we will be overcomers and there will be a crown of glory awaiting us, praise the Lord!!  I have given you something to think about and my prayer is that the Lord will use this Tidbit to further His Kingdom and encourage the downhearted!!  May the good Lord bless you and yours and may you have a special day!!  Remember to thank and praise the Lord, for He is worthy!