Written By Deborah Negron
October 12, 2018
Scripture tells us that we would face adversity. Jesus himself said, in the book of John,
John 16:33,
These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
James 1:2-7, 12.
My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.
When we are pushed, hurt, passed over for that promotion, looked down on, treated wrongfully because of our faith, it is time to look up.
Dont throw in the towel of your determination of faith. Often times the attacks come fro. Within. The ones closest to you are the very ones who fail you. The bones you thought we fe e on your side, are the ones who cause you heartbreak. But in the midst of this contradiction God’s word offers us a glimpse of knowledge
Yes, Proverbs 27:17 tells us,
Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.
That is to say, that as we face these disagreements, these things that seem to want to destroy us, we are to understand that God is using this to perfect us in our faith walk. We are yet not what we will become.
We are still beeing shaped and molded in to the stature of the perfect man, that is, Christ Jesus. Ephesians 4:13.
Jeremiah 18 tells us of the prophet Jeremiah whom God told to go to the Potter’s house.
Such a powerful lesson. He saw a vessel being made. It appears complete. It seemed just right in the eyes of Jeremiah. But suddenly he observed with shock, as the Potter destroyed the vessel on the wheel. He then made a new vessel.
We are being formed in to the image of Christ. Diverse trials, difficult situations. Job loss, illness, loss of loved ones, fear and attacks may come. Rest easy my brother. You are still on the Potter’s wheel.
The Potter is not done with us yet.
We are on the wheel of life. We have yet to be cut and shaped. Every impurity, every blemish is being taken out of us.
These trials we face grow our faith and our resolve.
Dont throw in the towel. Dont give up. Endure. Paul writing to Timothy says it best, and I quote,
2 Timothy 2:1-12
“You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus, and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also. Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him. An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. It is the hard-working farmer who ought to have the first share of the crops. Think over what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything. Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, the offspring of David, as preached in my gospel, for which I am suffering, bound with chains as a criminal. But the word of God is not bound! Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. The saying is trustworthy, for: If we have died with him, we will also live with him; if we endure, we will also reign with him; if we deny him, he also will deny us;”
Oh hang on brother. Come on sister hold on. Don’t fret because of evil doers. Ps. 37
Don’t forget that the kne who called you, also, is with you. The power of the Holy Spirit will enable you to stand, to kneel, to surrender every weight and burden.
Lord I pray right now for those enduring hardship. Those who are facing ridicule, pain, false accusations. Lord I pray for every man and woman suffering for the faith. Those in distant lands where they cannot serve you openly and freely, as some of my dearest friends. And for those here in the states, who have been facing sponsorship, threats of job loss. Lord those who have been mistreated by their employers, by their families and by life.
Oh God, give them the wherewithal to stand. Lord even if no one seems to recognize their efforts. Even if no one considers their contributions, God I pray you console them. I pray you strengthen them. I pray you remind them that their reward is great.
Christ is our reward. He is our defender. He is our advocate and He is our Judge.
Lord I pray for healing of hearts and a greater determination in them, to serve you regardless of the afflictions. A greater resolve to be the light and salt in this world.
Lord we need you. We can do nothing without you. But through Christ we can do all things.
Life and Faith By Deb 
Leave a Reply