Hosanna Restoration Church

We all realize that just because there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, that it does not remove our responsibility of living the way God says. In the same way, we must realize that sharing God’s treasures do not remove the trials in this lifetime.

After all, how would we know God’s provision if we never had a need? How would we know God’s protection if we were never in danger? How would be know God’s comfort if there were never anything causing us to need comfort? The same is true of His love, deliverance and everything else that comes up in life. We have all heard it, but I will say it again; Jesus said that we would have tribulation in this world, but when we do we can look forward to how He overcomes it. However, I don’t think this scripture refers just to the normal trials of life. It specifically speaks of “His” suffering.

We know that He died once for all, so we are not talking about being crucified, though some were and some still are. And Paul said that he died daily and we are all required to do that as well. Something in us has to move so the life of Christ can take its place.

There is another thing that keeps coming to my heart when I think of this. The thing that tormented Jesus the most was unbelief and unrighteousness. Does this stuff ever bother you? I will be honest and say that sometimes I spend more time praying about much smaller things! Of course God does tell us to pray about everything, but I feel like I need to share a bit more in His suffering! Not that we need to agonize continually, but that we need to be touched by it and pray about it.

We should also be sure to pray for one another. It is a fact that the enemy is out there to steal, kill, and destroy anyone he can. Recently another very visible Christian leader was exposed to the world. Our prayers need to be for his restoration, and also for all the people who will declare all Christians hypocrites and use this as an excuse to turn away from God. Oh how these things pain the Lord.

There are also people in this world that hate Christians and anyone else who do not believe the way they do. In their countries and in ours they declare their hatred for our whole nation. The devil tells people the end is coming and there is nothing we can do about it so live anyway you want before there is no more life. Sadly, many Christians join in declaring the deserved destruction, but they do not bother to say that this is not what God wants and that there is way of life.

Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life! Don’t you want people to come to Him and share His treasures? He has earthly treasures and heavenly treasures. I really believe that the more involved we are in the things that matter to Him, the more the windows of heaven are opened to us.