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You’ll Be Rewarded

Christ4Ever

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Joined
Oct 26, 2007
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But recall the former days in which, after you were illuminated, you endured a great struggle with sufferings: partly while you were made a spectacle both by reproaches and tribulations, and partly while you became companions of those who were so treated; for you had compassion on me in my chains, and joyfully accepted the plundering of your goods, knowing that you have a better and an enduring possession for yourselves in heaven. Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward. Hebrews 10:32-35 NKJV

American Christians have generally been spared the persecution believers in other times and nations have suffered. But those days of ease may be passing. Now, in what some call a “post-Christian culture,” committed Jesus followers may soon find themselves like their New Testament forebears. The big question is whether we’ll respond with joy and hope.

Nobody wants to be insulted. Or to end up in prison. Or to have his home or livelihood stolen away by haters of Jesus. But the early Christians accepted these things “joyfully.”

That’s only possible by taking the long view of life. If this world is everything, persecution is a tragedy to be avoided. But if we have “better and lasting possessions” in a world to come (and we do), our losses on earth are so minor as to be almost invisible. Pray with the apostle Paul:

Prayer: I consider my present sufferings not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in me (Romans 8:18).
 
Greetings in the Lord

Will the circle
Be unbroken, by and by Lord, by and by
There's a better
Home awaiting
In the sky Lord, in the sky...

Came to mind

For myself, I hate this world more and more everyday, and welcoming deliverance from it. I have nothing left in this world to hold on to. When I asked God to remove everything that stood in the way, that's exactly what He did. I had no idea what I was saying. There is something about counting the cost... I didn't realize the cost of following the Lord. I said an earnest prayer one day, many years ago, Lord, if I'm to follow you, I want to do it just like you cause I know you did it right. Yep, I said it and He blessed it. Again I had no idea what I prayed. Then He started teaching me all that I would endure. Wow, I mean WOW!!!

He showed me things that came to pass, like 9-11, three years before it happened. A white rain fell on me, while I stood under a big tent, soaking me to the bone, but in the physical, I was bone dry. He set an open door in heaven for me, that no man can close, He showed me the New Jerusalem. He taught me the Way, the Truth, and the Life...still is. I have felt the weight of sin. He introduced me to His power as it unfolded on someone right before my eyes, as an angel told me to "watch this". He strummed a guitar cord for me, while I asked for Him to play me a tune. He handed me the coldest and best tasting wine cooler I had ever drank, in the middle of the woods, because i asked for it. I sat down by the tree, where I picked it up from. And so much more.
Then one day He asked me "would you die for me?"
I pondered that in my heart.
I said "yes my Lord, it would be an honor."
Again, I had no idea what I had said, not really.
But that was the day I was truly baptized in the Holy Ghost.
He has a baptism to be baptized with.
Then the scriptures and training really opened up.
He taught me I had made an oath with God. And I would pay every last mite of that oath.

He taught me about brother Joseph going in the desert to die with God, rather than stay one more day in sin and death.
He taught me about my brothers; Noah, Job, David, Solomon, and Jonah; which i ran away like Jonah for a spell. Do you know once you belong to God, you are His? I tried to go back to pick up past life, yea that was a big mistake. Nobody should try to mess with the anointing of God upon His child's life. People lost their life, and the deceiver suffers with prostate cancer.

He taught me about my brothers John the Baptist, Simon, James, Matthew, Peter, Judas, Stephan, Paul and John. He taught me about the queen of the south, and what really condemns us. He taught me about the good Samaritan, and the woman at the well, the high priest and elders, and the Eunach. He taught me the Acts and how the church coming together in one accord should really be; not a strong arm, one man show. And He taught me about Himself, and the fire that burns bright in me. He taught me the Holy Ghost is the only true Teacher, and another resides within called the Spirit of truth. He taught me, let no man take my crown.

I am not educated by man, but God.
I am what the old testament church would call uneducated or unlearned; but how does she know these things, having never learned? Man does not receive me, for I am not ordained by their hand; but the hand of God.

I praise God for it all. He taught me how to read, watching punctuation, and capital letters. He taught me how to pray; pray according to the Word of God. Sometimes the Holy Ghost takes over my prayers, and does it for me.

If you will revolve you life around Him, the very being of who you are; He will revolve around your life and become your very being.

An earnest heart seeking Him...is a good place to start.
Today is the day of Salvation.
He's coming back for me and you.
I need your help, I need earnest prayer.
The prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
The spirit is willing, but the flesh is so, so weak.
I fear what the unrighteous can/will do to me...tears.
But I fear God more, for He has the power to cast into hell.
I would pray that He would take this cup from me, however not my will, but His will be done.
I already know the answer.
Where much has been forgiven, she will love much.
I love my Lord so so much. I am worthy to die the death; for many sins He has forgiven me.
Only through Jesus, will I make it to heaven.
I am scared...so scared...tears...of the accusers, the torture, beatings and pain.
No I am not prideful, but very humble indeed. I put you all above me. I am the least, and the last. I am not worthy to loose His shoes: but kiss His feet, yes that I do.

The devil hits me from every side, trying to tear my faith apart and destroy me; he knows his time is getting very short.
But I am focused on the Lord, and still... counting the cost.

All praise glory and honor be unto God. Amen

Ain't no grave... can hold this body down.
Look way down the river, what do ya think I see
I see a band of angels and their coming after me...
 
{To the chief Musician, to Jeduthun, A Psalm of David.} Truly my soul waiteth upon God: from Him cometh my salvation.
He only is my rock and my salvation; He is my defence; I shall not be greatly moved.
Psalm 62:1-2

Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil; whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.
Hebrews 6:19-20


My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from Him.
He only is my rock and my salvation: He is my defence; I shall not be moved.
In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God.
Trust in Him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before Him: God is a refuge for us. Selah
Psalm 62:5-8

Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto Himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
Titus 2:13-14
 
{To the chief Musician, to Jeduthun, A Psalm of David.} Truly my soul waiteth upon God: from Him cometh my salvation.
He only is my rock and my salvation; He is my defence; I shall not be greatly moved.
Psalm 62:1-2

Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil; whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.
Hebrews 6:19-20


My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from Him.
He only is my rock and my salvation: He is my defence; I shall not be moved.
In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God.
Trust in Him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before Him: God is a refuge for us. Selah
Psalm 62:5-8

Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto Himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
Titus 2:13-14
Greetings in the Lord
Brother I know all these things.
And I say faith without works is dead.
God has taught me...everybody, even the unrighteous scoffers, is waiting upon the Lord.
And He is waiting on one that believes.

Everyone ready for the wedding party, but while He is delayed, some are going to buy oil.
The oil, the anointing, the Holy Ghost can not be bought.
He resides in us, or He don't.
He resides in me. For we are one.
He is in me, I am in Him, and we go unto the Father.

All praise glory and honor be unto God
 
{To the chief Musician, to Jeduthun, A Psalm of David.} Truly my soul waiteth upon God: from Him cometh my salvation.
He only is my rock and my salvation; He is my defence; I shall not be greatly moved.
Psalm 62:1-2

Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil; whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.
Hebrews 6:19-20


My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from Him.
He only is my rock and my salvation: He is my defence; I shall not be moved.
In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God.
Trust in Him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before Him: God is a refuge for us. Selah
Psalm 62:5-8

Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto Himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
Titus 2:13-14
Brother has He not come into your heart, and baptized you in the Holy Ghost?
Just as Jesus told his disciples to (wait) for the Holy Ghost to come; then that great day of pentacost came. Now, having waited and prepared by God to go to work now.

If the Holy Ghost is in you and me, He has taught you these same scriptures too. There is one way, one truth and one life, by one Spirit; in Him, by Him, for Him. Many are called, but few are chosen.

All praise glory and honor be unto God
 
I asked the Lord that I might grow
In faith, and love, and every grace;
Might more of His salvation know,
And seek, more earnestly, His face.

’Twas He who taught me thus to pray,
And He, I trust, has answered prayer!
But it has been in such a way,
As almost drove me to despair.

I hoped that in some favored hour,
At once He’d answer my request;
And by His love’s constraining pow’r,
Subdue my sins, and give me rest.

Instead of this, He made me feel
The hidden evils of my heart;
And let the angry pow’rs of hell
Assault my soul in every part.

Yea more, with His own hand He seemed
Intent to aggravate my woe;
Crossed all the fair designs I schemed,
Blasted my gourds, and laid me low.

Lord, why is this, I trembling cried,
Wilt thou pursue thy worm to death?
“’Tis in this way, the Lord replied,
I answer prayer for grace and faith.

These inward trials I employ,
From self, and pride, to set thee free;
And break thy schemes of earthly joy,
That thou may’st find thy all in Me.”

John Newton 1725 - 1807
 
Dear Sister @watertolive
Thank-you for sharing a part of your testimony, life, with me, with us here. It was not easy, but it is what it is. Praise, and Glory to His Name!
Even in the not knowing, you have been, will be blessed all the more for it. Appropriate for the Devotional, and verse used to lead into it, is what you posted here.

Again, Thank You, Big Sister, for I can no longer call you little sister. :)

Prayers Heavenward for you.

With the Love of Christ Jesus.
YBIC
Nick
\o/
<><
 
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