Love through trials

   Do you and I really love God, even when life experience bring hard to understand trials and difficult to get through moments?

    We all have experienced seemingly unnecessary hardships and challenges. What is our attitude about these often BIGGER THAN LIFE HURDLES? 

   Even Jesus faced God in prayer before going to the cross saying, “Father, all things are possible for You. Take away this cup from me. Nevertheless, not that I will, but that you will.” In other words, father, if this cup can pass, let it pass, yet it’s not what I want that counts, but your will be done.  

   It takes a submissive attitude toward God to be able and willing to pray these words to God. 

    Read Hebrews 5:7-9 for a strong snapshot of Jesus’ submissive attitude after God heard His prayer. READ IT AND THEN MEMORIZE IT! Let’s see if i can quote it. “During the days of Jesus’ life here on earth, He offered up prayers and petitions with LOUD CRIES and TEARS to the one who could save him from death. AND HIS PRAYER WAS HEARD BECAUSE OF HIS REVERENT SUBMISSION. Although he was a Son, he learned obedience from what he suffered. And once made perfect (or complete). He became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey Him.”  (I’m not going to check for accuracy. That’s very close to the exact message in those three verses!) 

    What a submissive example for us to follow!

   Let’s pray, Heavenly Father, We all suffer losses, as Jesus did, in this life, but when we put our faith and trust in You, those losses become gains in glory (like Jesus gained for us). Thank you, God, for all our promises in Christ. We praise you in Jesus’ name. Amen.  

I Corinthians 2:9“No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him.”

   To me, that means “to those who love Him enough to obey and trust Him”. Loving God is where we started these thoughts. Trusting, loving, and obeying are different actions, yet deeply connected. Let us determine to let God have his way, as Jesus did. 

How true when the hymnist wrote: 

“His power can make you what you ought to be.
His blood can cleanse your heart and make you free. 

His love can fill your soul, and you will see,
’twas best for Him to have His way with thee.”