Busy Life

Hello, my praying friends. Are you struggling in your prayer time alone with God? Or what about faithfully reading the Scripture weekly? Or fail to pick up your Bible until Sunday morning. Wow, has this really happened to us? Yep, it does, and it’s okay to admit this to ourselves. Would a genuinely saved believer bring himself/herself to admit that to another believer? Absolutely not!

Have I personally gone through this desert place? Yes, of course. It was during a short depression that reversed the joy of reading, praying, and studying Scripture to a complete halt. Also, the busy life of homeschooling three kids, many great activities, and services to the church kept me from being in Scripture alone with Him. I prayed effortlessly with a group of ladies and attended women’s bible study, but when it comes to being Alone with Him, that is my lack of discipline. Right now, I would rather write on my blog than pray. See, it does happen. Often, when those times hit me, I read one chapter a day and prayed a short prayer just to keep it flowing. The Psalms are the best during self-lacking discipline or during moments of suffering.

The Best Remedy

When you lack interest in praying and reading the Scripture, repenting of your unfaithfulness and lack of desire for His word is the best remedy to this fault. It is imperative to share this mindless struggle with another believer so that person can provide you with accountability and encouragement and stir your heart to want to abide in Him. Be honest with yourself and the person you confide this lack of zeal for Him. We are image bearers of our Lord Jesus Christ. Please Him by seeking refuge in His Word and pray with tears and supplication to HIm who cared, loved, and gave Himself for you. We are at war physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. Equipe yourself for battle!

 "By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. 9 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. 10 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. " John 15:8-10

Prayer for the Saints

“Oh, Father in Heaven, see how much I’ve struggled in my prayers and reading faithfully your word daily. Forgive your servant for this sin and show Your steadfast love and patience toward your servant. Teach me how to be mature, faithful, self-controlled, and wise in the truth. Shake off the temptation of laziness that has settled in my heart and contrite my relationship with You. Renew and revive my desires to do Your will. Let this prayer encourage others to confess their drought of prayer alone with You before the throne of grace with assurance we’re forgiven.”

What about Now?

If you asked me this minute if I’m still struggling with prayer and reading scripture. Yes, I do and will until I’m with Jesus Christ. It’s a battle to no end, and I’m willing to persevere in NOT letting the world and its evil get the best of my love for my Savior. He loved and gave Himself for me, and I will fight to be nearer Him.

I’ve enrolled in an Inducituve women’s study that has helped me understand and love His world more profoundly. Used an old bible and used it for prayer over His attributes. And memorized scripture that is meaningful at the present. Also, I’m part of a very small group of young women who have encouraged, uplifted, rebuked, and provided joy in my life. And I thank God for guiding my husband in leading our morning devotion.

"Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” ~ Matthew 11:28-30

Resources

• Biblegateway

Foolish Wisdom

18 Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you thinks that he is wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise. 19 For the wisdom of this world is folly with God. For it is written, “He catches the wise in their craftiness,” 20 and again, “The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are futile.” 21 So let no one boast in men. For all things are yours, 22 whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future—all are yours, 23 and you are Christ's, and Christ is God's. ~ 1 Corinthians 18-23

Mighty God, Father of our hearts, let not the foolishness of this world tempt our hearts and minds to wander away from the truth. Forgive us if the craftiness and things of this world catch us in the vulnerability of our pride life and fleshly desires. If we boast in our folly, be gracious when you discipline us. Let Your word convict us of our sins and turn away from them. Any thoughts that are not pure, profitable, or impartial are not of You but futile to our spiritual growth.

A Wise Heart

My son, if your heart is wise,my heart too will be glad.16 My inmost being will exult
when your lips speak what is right.17 Let not your heart envy sinners,but continue in the fear of the Lord all the day.18 Surely there is a future,and your hope will not be cut off.~ 
Proverbs 23 15-18

O God, see how we are trying to know You better by reading Your word and prayers of thanksgiving and supplications. Let not our hearts be deceived by envying those who do not fear You but continue provoking You to anger. Teach us the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. Your excellent and righteous understanding.

A Light to this World

And Jesus cried out and said, “Whoever believes in me, believes not in me but in him who sent me. 45 And whoever sees me sees him who sent me. 46 I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness. 47 If anyone hears my words and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world. 48 The one who rejects me and does not receive my words has a judge; the word that I have spoken will judge him on the last day. 49 For I have not spoken on my own authority, but the Father who sent me has himself given me a commandment—what to say and what to speak. 50 And I know that his commandment is eternal life. What I say, therefore, I say as the Father has told me.”

O Jesus, You said it all! Whoever believes in You will be a light to this world and will not remain blind to Your ways of living a godly life, even if there is persecution, trials, and testing of our heats. In prayer, we will win those battles, for You’ve won them all for us. This world is passing away, and the new one is ahead. Oh, Jesus, do not delay Your return, for Your servants are anxious to see Your face again.

Let’s Go Pray!

Resources

• BibleHub.com

Test our Hearts

"I appeal to you, therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing, you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. ~ Romans 2:1-2

O God, teach us not to desire the things of this world and not become conformed to the trend of this world. Let not the desires of the flesh, eyes, and our pride of life be caught in it. Test our hearts and mind so that we may discern Your will.

Set Apart for His glory

 “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. 19 If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world; therefore the world hates you. 20 Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours.~ John 15:18-20

Thank you, Jesus, for choosing us out of this world; by grace, you’ve saved us and given us life in You. The world hates You, and we must remember that the world will hate us too. We’re grateful for Your word that will guide us to live godly lives even if we’re persecuted or hated.

Desires Pass Away

 "Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. 16 For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. 17 The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever. ~ 1 John 2:15-17  

O Father, forgive us when our desires for the things of this world preceded those of the heavenly things. By reading Your word and prayers, guard our hearts and minds to seek You above all things. Do not burden us with temptation or trials that are unbearable. Show us the love of Christ in all seasons of our life.

Awesome God

"And I looked and arose and said to the nobles and to the officials and to the rest of the people,"“Do not be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your homes.” ~Nehemiah 4:14 

Forgive us when we fear for the wrong reasons, and remember that You’ve already won and written all history. You have got the power to save and destroy. You’re ahead of the fight for our sons and daughters. Bring them all home to us, for our hearts sank when we heard of their misfortune or rebellion. You’re our great and awesome God!

Let’s Pray!

Resources

• Biblegateway.com

Hello everyone, with all the spring projects on the go, I didn’t realize I caught up with the last entries on the draft blog. Also, I started a personal bible study on the Book of Ezra that takes over an hour a day because I’m digging deeper into the scripture to ground me solidity in His redemptive plan and seeking His promises.

Another thought here, as much as I love the Morning and Evening devotional of Spurgeon that I usually post on Friday, I will cease posting them.

1. Genuine Love

How do you keep an eagerness for God and not live in continual spiritual sleepiness? Have you reached a point in your Christian life when you’ve said, “Is this it?” You might even have questioned your faith. Sadly, this will happen to us at one point or another. Getting ourselves into spiritual sleepiness is dangerous and unhealthy. One must fight to get out of that dormant stage, or sins will abound at every corner like a roaring lion ready to devour us from the little efforts made to stay close to Christ.

Our relationship has to start with God at the center of our life to extend our love to others.

Now that we have established that our relationship with God is the most significant part of our Christian life, we must learn how to love one another( John 13:34). I met many believers gifted in hospitality, mission work, servitude for their local church and a great love for their community, enough to inspire the most reluctant and inexperienced newborn believers such as I was in my early days. The love shared for one another was unbelievably comforting and peaceful.

In truth, this feeling of belonging to a local church deteriorated over time. Each time our family moved to another city, we felt outcasted and rejected by our fellow believers. It wasn’t entirely their fault; making short-term relationships with them was part of our doing.

2. Fervent in Spirit, Serve the Lord

If it is significant to devote our time to a personal relationship with Jesus Christ(John 1:1-3), we must build relationships with one another. “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you” (John 15:12). This can only be achieved by sharing the love we’ve for Christ and showing perfect courtesy toward all people (Titus 3:2). Yes, it’s risky, too personal, hurtful, and on a few occasions, burdensome. I’ve experienced all of those at one point or another. My beloved people, I have exhausted my energy mentally, physically, and spiritually, but I continued exercising in all good faith, for my task is: To love.

If you’re like me, you pour yourself into serving your local church in every possible way. By doing this, I’ve acquainted myself with many believers only in a few months. After that, it became evident that only a few individuals in the congregation ‘clicked’ with my temperament; I learned to appreciate their wisdom and knowledge of God for those believers who didn’t. Through them, I’ve learned it was significant to accept our God-given gifts and use them to build up each other. You see, even if we don’t have the same skills, goals, or temperament. Christ should be the center of our conversations.

Another danger I’ve seen in many churches recently is that many believers have become complacent and traditionalists. Their zeal for God was subdued to sinning in behaviour and opinions. Do not be surprised when an individual in this state of mind declares he/she isn’t a Christian. A very shameful and dangerous ground to linger with those who have no desire for God. “Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord” ~Romans 12:10 . So what should we do then?

The Sasquatch music festival 2009 shows one individual dancing alone. His persistent and rather comical dancing enticed others to join in the frenzy. It’s clever to watch. In the same way, as believers, we want to follow someone that will inspire us to grow and live for Christ. It’s a fact that we tend to copycat or emulate someone in behaviour or under cultural pressure.

This “perception-behavior link” refers to the unintentional, nonconscious effects of social perception on social behavior. Several consequences arise from the close link between perception and behavior. When we perceive the behaviors of others, we may proceed to unconsciously copy or mimic those behaviors

Sematic Schoolar

We should not have to dance foolishly to demonstrate our joy and love for Jesus Christ.

9 Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. 10 Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.11 Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord.12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. 13 Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality
~Romans 12:9-13

3. Rejoice in Hope

Rejoice that Jesus Christ was also tempted and understands our difficulties. In our afflictions, we tend to let our guards down, despair will sink into our hearts, anger will arise, and unbelief will disconnect us from God. We will go as far as to question God on everything, believing He doesn’t care at all. But that is a lie! God’s steadfast love endures, and he’s currently watching over us, sanctifying us in every possible way that we may glorify him. His gift of faith gives us the tools to endure anything thrown at us if we only believe it. “We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair;  persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed” ~2 Corinthians 4:8-9.

Rejoice Jesus Christ has redeemed us and freed us from God’s wrath. We’re adopted daughters and sons of God. His unconditional love and mercy surpassed any other love man or woman gave. In our joy, we should thank God for his grace. “Rejoice always,  pray without ceasing,  give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” ~ 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18.

Rejoice in His sufferings because we would all be condemned without it. Our hope of salvation was revealed to us through scripture. A beautiful message of redemption and reconciliation is proclaimed worldwide (1 Peter 4:14). My dear Believers, lift your eyes to Jesus and praise His holy name, for you will not find better hope than the one Christ offered us on the cross. You’re free, no longer a slave. Rejoice in that promise!

4. Constant Prayer

Another sad fact is the absence of constant prayer. I’ve attended churches where there were no prayer meetings. But if they did, the prayer sounded feeble and like a medical convention, Praying for everyone’s mental and physical problems, forgetting that Jesus Christ is our Healer. There is nothing wrong with praying for healing for our friends and family, but we should respect God’s will. Our Creator should be revered before we go into supplication and confession. Remember the ACTS? “Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name give glory, for the sake your steadfast love and your fervently pray.”

Further, we fervently pray with friends, spouses, and children but often fail to pray alone with God. Then how do we expect to understand His will or be convicted by the Holy Spirit through scripture? We cannot grow spiritually if we do not disconnect ourselves from this world. Being alone with God should give us a sense of assurance and intimacy with our best Friend. I’m as guilty as any of you, not seeking that much time with my Friend. But my consolation is that Jesus Christ forgave that lack of relationship with Him where I was at his feet like Mary. I rejoiced, cried, and poured my supplication and confessions to Him there.  “Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.”  ~Colossians 4:2.

Complacency doesn’t start in our churches; it begins in the privacy and comfort of our homes. Are we only praying when we’ve time or decided to do something else instead? Then we have given over to complacency. A dangerous place to be as a Christian.

The most dangerous prayer a human being could every pray, Lord, make me like Christ

~ Paul Washer

RESOURCES:

SematicScholar: https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/Beyond-the-Perception-Behavior-Link%3A-The-Ubiquitous-Chartrand-Maddux/ad13059645ee32de6c567518b60cc2c3b62d7a33?p2df

Hello everyone,

I wrapped up the book of Romans this morning, which I started in January 2023. What a rich text to study, read, and pray over! Reading and taking notes from each chapter slowed the pace tremendously. I’ve been a Christian for 28 years and still learned a few new things.

The Holy Spirit sanctified our hearts and mind so that our faith grows in obedience to the Scripture and His will. Abiding in Him is something dear to my heart, and I cannot develop this relationship with my Beloved Jesus if I’m not reading His word or praying. Yes, I do fail, like any believer, to be more in prayer, but in my failure, I asked Jesus to forgive my lack of obedience toward Him.

Reading & Note Taking

I’ve used Scripture Journal ESV by Crossway and underlined: God’s attributes or Character, our responsibility, and his promises. And sometimes, I highlighted the unrighteous action of the unbelievers and their warnings. Then I transferred the essential passages in my Bible. I used coloured pencils.

Journaling

Also, journaling and praying over the book of Romans gave me a different spiritual learning curve. In doing so, I was convicted of sins that dragged on for months. I prayed that God would crush them with His word. In our weakness, we present ourselves with vulnerability to a merciful God.

Make your journaling fun and straightforward, or be very creative with stickers. The last word, even if you’re participating in a woman’s bible study at your church, I encourage you to be in His word and prayer alone with Him. Oh, my soul. Abide in Him!

Let’s Go Pray!

My friends, let us continue to pray faithfully to Him. Read and meditate on his Words. Seek fellowship with other believers and bring the gospel to life for those who haven’t heard it yet.

Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. 
3 At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word,
 to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison—
 4 that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak.
Colossians 4:2-4

Many of us start the New Year with resolutions or goals, perhaps a new Bible reading plan. But how long do you stick with it? For my part, I’ve never been into new resolutions because I cannot control the outcome or events that will strengthen or test my faith. What I’ve done over the recent years was to take verses that would comply me to be moved by the Spirit and live by it. As the apostle, Paul said, “Walk in a manner worthy of the Lord.” We can only achieve this by living by His word and praying that He gives us wisdom and understanding.

And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you,
 asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding,
 10 so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: 
bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;
 11 being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy;
 12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.
 13 He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son,
14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
Colossians 1:9-14

My verses last year were: Be strong and courageous (Joshua 9:6). This morning’s saying by Charles H. Spurgeon is precisely how I want to start my new year. What verses or words will you anchor in your heart and live by it for this coming year?

“Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;”— Colossians 4:2

It is interesting to remark how large a portion of Bible is occupied with the subject of prayer, either in furnishing examples, enforcing precepts or pronouncing promises.

We scarcely open the Bible before we read, “Then began men to call upon the name of the Lord;” and just as we are about to close the volume, the “Amen” of an earnest supplication meets our ear. Instances are plentiful.

Here we find a wrestling Jacob—there a Daniel who prayed three times a day—and a David who with all his heart called upon his God. On the mountain we see Elias; in the dungeon Paul and Silas. We have multitudes of commands, and myriads of promises.

What does this teach us, but the sacred importance and necessity of prayer? We may be certain that whatever God has made prominent in his Word, he intended to be conspicuous in our lives. If he has said much about prayer, it is because he knows we have much need of it.

So deep are our necessities, that until we are in heaven we must not cease to pray. Dost thou want nothing? Then, I fear thou dost not know thy poverty. Hast thou no mercy to ask of God? Then, may the Lord’s mercy show thee thy misery! A prayerless soul is a Christless soul.

Prayer is the lisping of the believing infant, the shout of the fighting believer, the requiem of the dying saint falling asleep in Jesus. It is the breath, the watchword, the comfort, the strength, the honour of a Christian.

If thou be a child of God, thou wilt seek thy Father’s face, and live in thy Father’s love. Pray that this year thou mayst be holy, humble, zealous and patient; have closer communion with Christ, and enter oftener into the banqueting-house of his love.

Pray that thou mayst be an example and a blessing unto others, and that thou mayst live more to the glory of thy Master. The motto for this year must be, “Continue in prayer.”

Charles Spurgeon

Resources

• BibleGateway
• https://spurgeonsmorningandevening.org/2023/01/02/morning-january-2nd-2023/

This prayer is dated May 17/22

ADORATION (v.1-7)

Paul, a prisoner for Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother,To Philemon our beloved fellow worker and Apphia our sister andArchippus our fellow soldier, and the church in your house: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I thank my God always when I remember you in my prayers,  because I hear of your love and of the faith that you have toward the Lord Jesus and for all the saints,  and I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective for the full knowledge of every good thing that is in us for the sake of Christ. For I have derived much joy and comfort from your love, my brother, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you

Oh, Lord, the testimony about our Lord Jesus’s sacrifice for our iniquities, his death, and that he rose again has been told from one generation to another. I thank my God for his grace and peace toward his people. He showed us how to love and share our testimony with others. Renew this generation’s mind, heart, and soul and increase our love for Him.

CONFESSION (v.8-16)

8 Accordingly, though I am bold enough in Christ to command you to do what is required, 9 yet for love's sake I prefer to appeal to you—I, Paul, an old man and now a prisoner also for Christ Jesus— 10 I appeal to you for my child, Onesimus, whose father I became in my imprisonment. 11 (Formerly he was useless to you, but now he is indeed useful to you and to me.) 12 I am sending him back to you, sending my very heart. 13 I would have been glad to keep him with me, in order that he might serve me on your behalf during my imprisonment for the gospel, 14 but I preferred to do nothing without your consent in order that your goodness might not be by compulsion but of your own accord. 15 For this perhaps is why he was parted from you for a while, that you might have him back forever, 16 no longer as a bondservant[c] but more than a bondservant, as a beloved brother—especially to me, but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.

Oh Father, forgive your servant for not wanting to be more in prayer, more in your word, more in relationship with you and other believers, more of service. Hear my request, O Father, and let me still learn of your goodwill for my life. Teach me to do your will and notice and become bolder for Christ. Give me wisdom that I may be able to give instruction and teaching that are sound in doctrine and rebuke those who contradict it.

“Prayer change things, all kind of things. But the most important thing that changes is us. As we engage with this communion with God more deeply and come to know the One with who were are speaking more intimately, that growing knowledge of God reveals to us the all the more brilliantly who we are and our need to change in conformity to Him. Prayer changes us profoundly.” ~ R.C. Sproul

THANKSGIVING (v.17-20

17 So if you consider me your partner, receive him as you would receive me. 18 If he has wronged you at all, or owes you anything, charge that to my account. 19 I, Paul, write this with my own hand: I will repay it—to say nothing of your owing me even your own self. 20 Yes, brother, I want some benefit from you in the Lord. Refresh my heart in Christ.

Oh, Father, thank you for our home, land, gardens and friends. Thank you to our churches that have stayed faithful to you as a bride awaiting his beloved’s return. Let my mouth continue to praise your glorious name and teach me to be humble, patient, kind, loving, and wise. Help me retain the memorized scripture more efficiently to cherish it in my heart and mind longer.

“Our prayers cannot force God to do anything, but He used them as His own instrument to bring about His will.”~ R.C. Sproul

SUPPLICATION (v.21-25)

21 Confident of your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I say. 22 At the same time, prepare a guest room for me, for I am hoping that through your prayers I will be graciously given to you. Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, sends greetings to you, 24 and so do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my fellow workers. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.

I pray for my children and my friends. It is with confidence that I approach the throne of grace. Prepare my heart today by writing a word of encouragement in my blog so that others will desire to pray and read your comment.

Let’s go pray!

RESOURCES

• R.C Sproul quotes: https://www.azquotes.com/quote/868045
• Gateway Bible

 

"One of his disciples, whom Jesus loved, was reclining at table at Jesus' side." John 13:23

What do you read first thing in the morning that helps you cope for the day ahead, and what will you read in the evening that will give you rest after a long day of struggles? Do you read your Bible during the week or listen to it on audio? Our bodies will deteriorate if we don’t eat or sleep, so why do we cast our souls into a long period of spiritual starvation as Christians? It can be an entire week or a few months you haven’t prayed or read your Bible. This deprivation will cost you in the end. You will weep in shame, cry out in desperation for forgiveness or be crushed consciously by your lack of interest in your Savior. My dear friend, stay at the bosom of Jesus Christ, like the Apostle John, lean against Jesus’ chest and be loved.

This is one of my favourite passages in the Book of John, as it is the perfect reminder of where I should be as a Christian.

 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. 5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. 7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. 9 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. 10 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. 11 These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. John 15: 1-11

God encourages us to abide with Jesus Christ!

Joyful Harvest

“Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby. ”— Hebrews 12:11

How happy are tried Christians, afterwards. No calm more deep than that which succeeds a storm.

Who has not rejoiced in clear shinings after rain? Victorious banquets are for well-exercised soldiers.

After killing the lion we eat the honey; after climbing the Hill Difficulty, we sit down in the arbour to rest; after traversing the Valley of Humiliation, after fighting with Apollyon, the shining one appears, with the healing branch from the tree of life.

Our sorrows, like the passing keels of the vessels upon the sea, leave a silver line of holy light behind them “afterwards.” It is peace, sweet, deep peace, which follows the horrible turmoil which once reigned in our tormented, guilty souls.

See, then, the happy estate of a Christian! He has his best things last, and he therefore in this world receives his worst things first. But even his worst things are “afterward” good things, harsh ploughings yielding joyful harvests.

Even now he grows rich by his losses, he rises by his falls, he lives by dying, and becomes full by being emptied; if, then, his grievous afflictions yield him so much peaceable fruit in this life, what shall be the full vintage of joy “afterwards” in heaven?

If his dark nights are as bright as the world’s days, what shall his days be? If even his starlight is more splendid than the sun, what must his sunlight be?

If he can sing in a dungeon, how sweetly will he sing in heaven! If he can praise the Lord in the fires, how will he extol him before the eternal throne! If evil be good to him now, what will the overflowing goodness of God be to him then?

Oh, blessed “afterward!” Who would not be a Christian? Who would not bear the present cross for the crown which cometh afterwards? But herein is work for patience, for the rest is not for today, nor the triumph for the present, but “afterward.”

Wait, O soul, and let patience have her perfect work.

Charles Spurgeon

We are not alone in our failure to be reclining at Jesus’ side, so let us strengthen each other by reading His Word and praying faithfully to our holy God and Savior, Jesus Christ. The happy estate of a Christian will be found at Jesus’ feet. “Abide in me, and I in you” (John 15:4a).

Let’s go pray!