Any problems?

Is anyone among you troubled?  Is anyone struggling, hurting, or grieving?

Many of us are suffering in problems and sickness even though we pray. It helps me to know that when I don’t get the answer I want there is a reason intended for our good.  GOD declares that our struggles are producing things in us (James 1:2-4) and that our temporary troubles benefit us and are achieving things for us that will last forever (2 Corinthians 4:15-18).

We who believe in and have called on the name of the LORD JESUS CHRIST, the eternal Word (John 1:1-3, 14), the SON of GOD (John 3:16) who took on a human body, was born of a virgin, died on the cross for man’s sins and was raised again for our justification believe the written word of GOD referenced as the Bible.  The Bible speaks to us today.  Do we pay attention to GOD’s word?

If we believe in JESUS we are born again and become children of GOD (John 1:12-13, John 3:5-7).

 JESUS in bringing many sons (believers) to glory -HE the ONE through whom GOD the FATHER created all things (Hebrews 1:1-3) that JESUS had to suffer in all ways that men suffer (Hebrews 2:10-11,18, 4:15), JESUS suffered not just to save us from punishment but also to prepare HIMSELF as our high priest. (Hebrews 2:17).

Therefore HE (JESUS CHRIST) had to be made like HIS brothers in every respect, so that HE might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of GOD, to make propitiation (atonement) for the sins of the people (Hebrews 2:17).

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love GOD, to those who are the called according to HIS purpose.  For whom HE foreknew (would believe in JESUS), HE also predestined to be conformed to the image of HIS SON, that HE (JESUS) might be the firstborn among many brethren (Romans 8:28-29).

The LORD JESUS CHRIST was prepared to be our Savior and High Priest through the things that HE suffered, and we also are prepared to be what GOD has called us individually to be through the things that we suffer.

Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of CHRIST’s sufferings, that when HIS glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy (1 Peter 4:12-13).

In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of JESUS CHRIST (1 Peter 1:6-7),

Therefore, since CHRIST suffered in HIS body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because whoever suffers in the body is done with sin (1 Peter 4:1).

Whatever you are suffering, or a loved one is suffering it is for your and their good and will achieve great things for both of you.

Hugs Sharon

Follow the leader

I remember playing follow the leader? If the leader went around a chair, so must you; if he bent down, you had to bend down; if he hopped, you had to hop. In much the same way one reason JESUS became a human so HE could go ahead of us to lead us in the way to go.

JESUS is our shepherd and we, HIS sheep therefore need to follow HIM.  That is we do things as we see HE did them.  We are to look to JESUS to see what to do. How to treat others and even how to cope in troubles.

“Looking unto JESUS the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of GOD. For consider HIM that endured such contradiction of sinners against HIMSELF, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.”

Hebrews 2:10 says that to lead us to glory JESUS had to go ahead of us even in suffering.

JESUS was called to suffer so we could be saved, GOD would be glorified, and JESUS would have many brothers and sisters (Romans 8:29).

The things JESUS suffered by taking on a body, during HIS earthly life, as well as in HIS agonizing death of the cross prepared HIM to fulfill HIS role as our high priest. For HIS suffering through HIS life on earth shows us HIS love and that HE actually understands what we go through.

It is written that the LORD was in all points tempted (tested) like as we are, yet without sin so knows how we feel and knows exactly what we need (Hebrews 4:14-15). 

I love the words in Hebrews 12:2 that HE did it all for the joy that was set before HIM. What was that joy?  The joy was to save you and me.

That puts an entirely different light on suffering for me. It helps me understand and accept the words of James more readily.

Count it all joy when you fall into divers (many) temptations (troubles) knowing this that the trying of your faith works patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that your may be perfect (able to complete) and entire, wanting (lacking) nothing (you will be able to complete the work GOD gives you to do.) James 1:2-4.

Our suffering prepares us for the work we are called to as JESUS sufferings showed HIM prepared for HIS calling as our High Priest.

In 2 Corinthians 1:3-8 we are told that CHRIST’s suffering overflows into our lives and declares that if we share in JESUS’ suffering we, like CHRIST, will share in bringing comfort to others.

It works this way. The sufferings of CHRIST flow into our lives and our Heavenly FATHER, the GOD of all comfort, then comforts us in all of our troubles that we may be able to comfort others who suffer, with the same comfort that GOD has given to us.

We are called to co-labor with GOD in helping HIS children. So, when CHRIST’s suffering overflows into our lives and we are called to suffer, it is so others might be helped, and GOD might get the glory.

As I ponder these verses two of realities clearly seen blow my mind:1) JESUS suffered so I could be HIS sister (Romans 8:29). 2) Suffering prepares me to follow JESUS and thus to co-labor with GOD in bringing many to JESUS.

Incredible truth, but since the Bible says it, I know it is true.

Following JESUS who is leading me to glory (Hebrews 2:10).

Hugs

Sharon

Strengthen

Under the New covenant (1 Corinthians 11:25) GOD has given the believer a new heart (Ezekiel 36:26) but we must renew our minds every day in the Word (Romans 12:1-2, Ephesians 4:23). 

Concerned about some of my extended family who are struggling, I cast my cares on the LORD and started to do my homework. For I always do a fresh copy of the lesson I am about to teach. As I looked up verses GOD reminded me of HIS amazing promise. “But the LORD is faithful, and HE will strengthen and protect you from the evil one” 2 Thessalonians 3:3.

Yes, the LORD is faithful and HE will strengthen and protect them from the evil one. Joy hit for it is so freeing to rest on the promises of GOD!

Continuing to do my homework, I came to the word sanctify. That word sanctify is used in many ways throughout scripture and can at times seem daunting, just too much to attain to. But GOD promises that HE is the ONE calling us, and HE will do it 1 Thessalonians 5:24.

“And the very GOD of peace sanctify (set apart for special use) you wholly; and I pray GOD your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our LORD JESUS CHRIST. Faithful is HE who calls you Who will also do it.” 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24

“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walks about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. But the GOD of all grace (GOD’s riches at CHRIST’s expense), who has called us unto his eternal glory (GOD’s divine nature 2 Peter 1:4, Exodus 33:18-19, 19:5-7) by CHRIST JESUS, after that you have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you” 1 Peter 5:8-10.

Look what GOD promises: HE will:

1)Make you perfect: restore, adjust thoroughly, to qualify and fully equip, complete

How is one perfected? James 1:2-4 Ouch, through trials and temptations.

2)Confirm: set you firm like clotheslines set in cement so they will stand straight under weight.

3)Strengthen: Acts 3 tells a story of a cripple from birth who sat begging by the temple. When Peter and John saw him he put out his hand asking for money. But they said to the man, Silver and gold we have none, but rise up and walk. Acts 3:7 says his ankles were strengthened and he jumped up and walk and leaped and praised the LORD.

4)Settle: establish or give a firm foundation. JESUS tells that the house built on the sand (no foundation/ one who has heard the truth but does not live it out) collapses when storms come. But the house built on the Rock (one who hears and does what JESUS says) will stand firm when storms come (see Matthew 7:24-27).

1 Peter 5:8-10 tells us that GOD HIMSELF promises to sanctify- set us apart to HIMSELF and after a while of suffering like boot camp training GOD HIMSELF will make us ready to cope and completely equip us for any work HE assigns to us. We will not totter but have strength to do what needs to be done and will be established in the faith even during the storms of life. And storms will come.

Meanwhile we have a job. We are warned that we have an enemy who wants to topple us. So, we are to be on watch against him and resist him- 1 Peter 5:8-9. James tells us that if we submit ourselves 1st to GOD, then and only then can we successfully resist the devil and he will flee from us -James 4:7.

We have an amazing GOD, don’t we?

Hugs

Sharon L Manning

HE feels it

Ever felt, “Nobody knows or understands what I am going through?”  Believe it or not, the truth is that is not so.

For we have not a High Priest (JESUS) who cannot sympathize with (literal Greek=suffers with us) our weaknesses, but was in ALL points tempted as we are, yet without sin.  Therefore (because JESUS feels/ suffers our weaknesses with us) let us come boldly to the throne of grace that we may obtain (get) mercy and find grace to help in time of need (Hebrews 4:15 NKJV parentheses added).

Doesn’t that blow your mind that JESUS feels how we are feeling?

Isaiah 63:9 says “in all their affliction HE was afflicted”

Think about your struggles, your temptations, your hurts and when others misunderstand you.  In all of that and more JESUS feels with us.

That puts so much more emphasis on JESUS words, that what we do to others we do to HIM (Matthew 25:40).

Since JESUS knows us so well and feels everything that touches, that is why HE can say in HIS word the Bible,  “Wherefore HE (Jesus) is able also to save them (us) to the uttermost that come unto GOD by HIM, seeing HE ever lives to make intercession for them (us)” (Hebrews 7:25).

So next time you are troubled, hurt or tempted remember JESUS not just understands but feels your perplexity, hurt and struggle. Call out to HIM.  For HE delivers those who call on HIS name (Psalm 50:15).

Hugs

Sharon

How did JESUS reconcile you to GOD?

How did JESUS reconcile you to the FATHER GOD?

During the Pandemic when our movements were strictly limited and gatherings forbidden, beside suffering the sickness, we suffered the isolation/being alone.  Many even became suicidal during that time.

Before we called on the name of the LORD (JESUS) and were saved (Romans 10:13) we were dead in trespasses and sins (Ephesians 2:1).  That means we were alienated from GOD.  Hebrew 7:25 states that those who come to GOD through HIM (JESUS) HE (JESUS) is able to save to the uttermost.

When we think of JESUS dying for us, many think of the awful beatings, the mockery and the horrible pain HE bore on the cross when HE carried our sins.  But that wasn’t all JESUS suffered.

In a recent lesson in Colossians, I asked my students. “How did JESUS reconcile you to GOD the FATHER? (Colossians 1:21-22, Matthew 27:46).

 ^“And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath HE (JESUS) reconciled.  In the body of HIS flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in HIS (GOD’s) sight” (Colossians 1:21-22).

 ^“And about the ninth hour JESUS cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My GOD (GOD the FATHER), my GOD (GOD the HOLY SPIRIT), why have YOU forsaken ME?” (Matthew 27:46).

Besides HIS pain and physical death, HE experienced alienation from GOD (spiritual death),  How can I say that?  I know that from Matthew 27:46.

JESUS suffered physical abuse yes, HE suffered physical death yes, and HE suffered alienation and separation from the GODhead.  That is also called death.

“we were dead in trespasses and sins” (Ephesians 2:1). 

“But your iniquities have separated between you and your GOD, and your sins have hid HIS face from you, that HE will not hear” (Isaiah 59:2).

When the sins of the world were upon HIM, JESUS was alienated from GOD.

That is why JESUS cried in anguish, “And about the ninth hour JESUS cried with a loud voice, saying, ‘Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?’ that is to say, My GOD (GOD the FATHER), my GOD (GOD the HOLY SPIRIT), why have YOU forsaken ME?” (Matthew 27:46).

As soon as JESUS paid the price for all sin in order that all who accept JESUS could be forgiven HE said, “It is finished!” (John 19:30) and JESUS HIMSELF was no longer alienated from GOD the FATHER and the HOLY SPIRIT.

We may not understand all this conveys, but you can know that whenever you feel all alone you can know that JESUS understands completely how you feel and if you turn to HIM JESUS will help you through it (Hebrews 4:14-16).  HIS suffering shows us HE understands and you can know that HE did it all for you.

Exalt the name of JESUS for HE is worthy to be praised!

Hugs

Sharon

PS my answer for “How did JESUS reconcile you to the FATHER?” has 2 parts.  JESUS reconciled me to GOD the FATHER by becoming alienated from GOD HIMSELF and dying for my sins on the cross.

Not a simple fix

This morning the faucet was broken in the bathtub and Mac had to go to the hardware store to get parts so he could fix it. It didn’t take him long and again we have water!

When something is wrong you have to fix it. But not all things are an easy fix.

I enjoy the fellowship of sitting around the table with friends eating together or just talking.  Best of all is when we discuss the Bible. Fellowship is a mutual sharing of interests and goals.  But since our thoughts are not GOD thoughts and our ways are not HIS ways (Isaiah 55:8-9) in order for GOD to have fellowship with mankind something had to change.

It wasn’t a simple fix, but to begin the process JESUS the eternal SON of GOD took on human body so HE could suffer (Hebrews 2:9). The eternal SON of GOD- the ONE through whom all things were made, got a human body formed in the womb just as all humans.  HE was unique in that HE had no human father, but GOD placed the eternal SPIRIT of GOD the SON/ JESUS within Mary’s womb.

JESUS had to have a human body so HE could suffer. Although so wonderfully great and earth-shatteringly crucial HIS death on the cross which paid for the sins of the world (Revelations 1:5) and disarmed the evil principalities and powers (Colossians 2:15) was just the conclusion of a life of suffering. For as we see in the wilderness at the beginning of HIS ministry (Mathew 4:1-11), during HIS life’s work enduring attacks, rebukes, insults, and then in the garden the night before HIS death (Luke 22:41-45) JESUS also suffered temptations of every kind.

Hebrews 4:14-15 Seeing then that we have a great high priest (JESUS), that is passed into the heavens, JESUS the SON of GOD, let us hold fast our profession (of faith in HIS finished work).  For we have not a high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points (JESUS was) tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

But WHY?

Hebrews 2:10-11 For it became HIM (it was a fitting according to GOD’s divine nature), for Whom are all things, and by Whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the Captain (leader) of their salvation perfect (ready for the work HE was to do) through sufferings.  For both HE (JESUS) that sanctifies (sets apart and makes holy) and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause HE (JESUS) is not ashamed to call them brethren,(fellowship).

Although I don’t know all the ends and outs of why JESUS had to have so many sufferings.  The verses we see here show us it was: 1-to pay for our sins so we could be reconciled (have fellowship with) to GOD 2-so we could see JESUS understands us in our weaknesses and so can help us when we are troubled or tempted 3-shows us that it is through suffering that we become perfect (made complete and ready for every good work).

#3 is what caught my eye as I read in Hebrews 2:14-17 this morning. JESUS (the ONE leading believers/ that is bringing many sons to GOD-sanctifying us) was made perfect (ready to help us) through sufferings (notice that is plural) so that we could see that suffering is a necessary part to get us ready (sanctify us) for whatever GOD has for us to do.

Like in the game ‘follow the leader’ the ones following are to do what the leader does.  In the same way we are to follow our leader JESUS in how HE lived and what HE endured (Hebrews 12:2-3).

Hebrews 12:2 Looking unto JESUS the author and finisher of our faith (Romans 10:17); who for the joy that was set before HIM endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of GOD.

Hebrews 4:16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace (to JESUS our High priest), that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

hugs

Sharon

Comfort

No one likes troubles and struggles can get us down unless we can look behind the scene at what GOD is doing.  HE gives us a glimpse in 2 Corinthians 1:3-8

CHRIST”S suffering flows into a believer’s life (verse 5) so the GOD of all comfort (verse 3) comforts the believer (verse 4) in order to prepare the believer so GOD’s comfort can overflow through us to strengthen and comfort another (verses 5-6) and thereby if we share in suffering we will co-labor with GOD as HIS love and comfort flows to us and overflows through us to meet the needs of others (verses 6-7).

“But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that its all-surpassing power is of GOD and not from us.”       2 Corinthians 4:7

I am an earthen vessel, just a little pot of clay. Without contents I’m worthless, unused, inane I lay. Til the tender master Potter fills HIS vessel from above with the living flowing water of HIS great eternal love. No longer am I worthless, nor inane, unused do lie now there’s water for the thirsty their needs HE does supply.

So next time you seem to be thrown a curve, seek GOD’s amazing comfort and you not just receive comfort but will get prepared to help another.

Hugs

Sharon