Joh 15:9 “As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.”
Please don’t make the mistake and assess God’s love or favor in your life by whether or not you prosper in the worlds goods. Many teach that, as a Christian we can be completely free from suffering and intervals of lack.
I am writing this today as I see many that feel like God has forsaken them, or that He loves them less or that they are less than the rest of the “super Christians” that teach prosperity of the worlds goods is a sign of God’s favor. So many that right now are sick, hungry, living outdoors, with huge trials and persecutions think perhaps they are the forsaken of God.
The Words of Jesus
Joh 15:19 If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.
Joh 15:20 Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.
If you are in Christ, you live in the favor of God
This is the one requirement to have God’s favor in your life. Nothing else required!
If you were to ask most humans the definition of “Prosperity”, you would get many answers that would include worldly riches and supply.
If we were to ask God the same question we would get a totally different answer.
Prosperity is every spiritual and earthly blessing that allows us to fulfill and walk out God’s plan for our lives. Prosperity is Christ in you, the Hope of glory. Prosperity is the Word becoming flesh in us and that our character be conformed to that of Jesus Christ. Prosperity is fully believing and trusting in the sacrifice of Jesus and His bodily resurrection from the grave and appropriating His grace in our lives by faith.
Affliction! A subject it seems no one wants to talk about.
Many preach that Jesus suffered for so we don’t have to suffer. Jesus did suffer 100% for us of the wrath of a Holy God that was ours and, without Him, we would have surely suffered. Because of Jesus, if we are truly His, we will not have to face the second death. Paid in full by Jesus!
Many rate how pleased God is with us based on how smoothly our life is going. Bills paid, no problems! Blessed! And on the other hand, problems, suffering, heartache and we equate this to not having the favor of God or that God is displeased with us.
This is not how the Bible reads! 1 Per 4:12, says for us to not think it strange the fiery trials even temptations that we experience.
We are meant to face each trial in faith and with Jesus!
Point! As soon as you think what you are going through is worse or different than what others are going through, the devil has a foot hold to defeat you. If your situation is unique, then maybe the cross of Jesus did not have a solution for “my” situation. Or possibly God does not understand.
The scripture says our brethren all over the world are going through the same things.
The good news is trials are normal! God’s favor is because you are in Christ and you are not alone or forsaken.
And God’s Word says we have a High Priest (Jesus) who easily touch by our feelings of weakness as He Himself suffered and was tempted in all points as we are.
The Good News! It is normal for a Christian to suffer!
Act 14:22 Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.
Entrance into the Kingdom of God is through the door of much affliction!
Anyone can say that they are people of faith when all is well! It is when the entire world is falling apart around you and you are still faithful, this is why our faith is tried. To see if it is genuine.
The Bible says even Jesus learned obedience through suffering!
Jesus is the answer for our trials and afflictions!
He is our example!
The good news is that just because things are currently going really bad, life is difficult, you’re being tempted and even sometimes losing! God is with His son and daughter. If you fail, ask for forgiveness! If you fall, get back up! Abide, humble yourself, be completely honest and open with God.
As you pass through the fire! Not a trip around! Passing through, where you feel the heat, the character of Christ is being formed in you! Our greatest goal is to be like Jesus!
Jud 1:24 Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,
God’s favor is for one reason! If you are truly in Christ, you are God’s offspring, the apple of His eye. You are accepted in the beloved! God loves you equally as He does Jesus. You have His favor! Rest in the promise and go forward with confidence and faith. You are not forsaken!
A few thoughts from a missionary!
Blessings!
