Posted: 11/22/06

The Blessing

Men Give Us the Choice to Not Stand for Jesus, but Yahweh Doesn't

"You can't suffer without Suffering"

In this season of gratitude maybe we need to examine how thankfulness truly should be reflected.

These words on suffering were the encouragement to a friend with which he was comforted by God as he contemplated the meaning of his physical and emotional trials in a bout with cancer that very nearly killed him.

We all have this tendency toward cowardice. That hurts, but it's true. None of us wants to suffer, but we, who are Christ's, are called to suffer sometimes. I'm not saying Cancer is everyone's path, but if suffering is considered necessary by God, then say "Amen" quickly.

In the last 5 years our country has had to endure some of the worst times in our history. We have endured fires, famines, plagues, drought, terrorist attacks (that's plural mind you), the shaming of the Office of the President, and our Country taking the name of Jesus with it into the slime in front of the whole world. And yet we still expect to be blessed by God. And now President Bush makes statements like the one he made back on October 20, 2006 where he said, "Islam is a great faith." Not only did this anger Christians everywhere but his frequent lies about Islam helped undermine his party, in the loss of the Congress to groups that will do their best to destroy Jesus and America. Yet the President still continues to say such things! No, you sir must realize you will be denied by Jesus if you continue denying Him and His sovereignty. Islam is a lie; only Jesus saves. I do agree we must always respect people, but is it respectful to lie to make them feel better, trying to redefine their religion as peaceful, when their "faith" encourages people to fly planes into buildings with the same war cry a Muslim's recent political victory here in the USA was celebrated with.

"Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people." Proverbs 13:34. And oh how America has sinned!

Let's be clear, "sins" are the violation of God's Law, the Ten Commandments. If you lie, steal, get angry without cause, lust, you violated the Law of God.  And considering none of us are good, then let us all humble ourselves, under Yahweh's Mighty Hand, and declare His Messiah Jesus to the world! Let there be no more hiding, or false declarations about false religions! We must be naked before the whole world and speak of Yahweh's wonderful works!

I am a coward at heart. But thanks to Jesus I have heard what He said to my friend, to all who will trust in Him for their salvation. And if Jesus ⁽¹⁾ suffered to learn obedience then why would any of us expect to be exempt from trials too? The words of Jesus had better be understood by every Believer ⁽²⁾ on denying God. And Peter clearly explained why we will suffer ⁽³⁾.

If you, professing Christian, refuse the suffering Jesus calls you to then you will be denied by God Himself ⁽²⁾. And that final judgment will be the deciding factor of whether we enter Hell or Heaven. And if Jesus denies you then you will be cast into Hell where the worm does not die and the fire is never quenched. You should be so grateful to God he has been so gracious to offer a way out of Hell you so richly deserve. Repent of your sin today, forsake your crimes against God, your sins, and trust in the finished work of Jesus on the Cross, and how He provides to overcome all things in the resurrection of Jesus. When you surrender to God He promises He will make you new, give you a new heart and new desires that are pleasing to God. And Jesus will be with you through all the trials and struggles to come.

What a good God!

God bless America? No, you be a blessing to Jesus this Thanksgiving Day and every day after.
And when God decides suffering is necessary say, "AMEN" quick.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Patrick James Burwell

http://OnlyJesusSaves.com

Footnotes:

⁽¹⁾ Hebrews 5:8
Although He was a Son, He learned obedience from the things which He suffered.

⁽²⁾ Matthew 10:33
"But whoever denies Me before men, I will also deny him before My Father who is in heaven.

⁽³⁾ 1 Peter 4:1
Therefore, since Christ has suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same purpose, because he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin,

By Patrick Burwell Click here for bio and archived articles