Welcome To The Deeper Studies Of
God's Word...
Were You Hurt?
It is a fact of life that many times we will be or have been hurt and feel sure we didn't "deserve" it.
What should be our reaction when this happens? First, we must appraise the situation. Were we attacting someone without provacation and they merely responded with something that we did not wish to hear? Or did they attack us for no reason, saying hurtful things?
If you were persecuted while speaking God's Word, Do not be offended.. It is to be expected..
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.But look how unimportant the opinions of man are in the overall big picture..
M't:5:10:Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 12: Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
We must remember that each and every one of has a bad day from time to time, with many things prying on our mind. This could either have been a bad day for you when your feelings were extra sensitive, or the other person could have been having a bad day and never gave what was said a second thought. Not even being aware that they had hurt you..
The Most High has given us some feedbact to go by on this matter..
James, "a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ," writes in his epistle (James 1:2-4):My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; 3: Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. 4: But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.If you think of those who have most deeply influenced every day or spiritual life, you will discover that every one of them has suffered, often in ways which seem greatly "undeserved." If it is accident or illness we may label it merely "fate," but if it is wrong done to them by a human being it seems highly "unfair."
But being the mortals that we are, we seldom understand God's reasons for things that happen.. We are sometimes being tested and molded by our Father. If that be the case, we can rest assured that we will emerge a better person for it..Christ Himself experienced far more hurts, injustice and pure hatred than you and I will ever know. What makes us think that we can travel through this life without suffereing some of the same things?
You can be sure that if you try to teach God's Truth that you will indeed be under attack! Example: Try telling someone who has been taught the "Rapture Lie" that there will in fact not be a rapture. They will waste no time in getting up in arms at you.. Even though the Bible plainly states that He hates those who teach it..
Eze:13:20:Wherefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against your pillows, wherewith ye there hunt the souls to make them fly, and I will tear them from your arms, and will let the souls go, even the souls that ye hunt to make them fly.Should you let this bother you? Of course not! Who do you want to please, God or man? We all know what the answer to that should be!!
M'r:6:11:And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear you, when ye depart thence, shake off the dust under your feet for a testimony against them. Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city.
Before we speak God's Word, we must be certain that what we are speaking is in fact God's Word and not some tradition that we have heard or learned..We should never, ever deny God's Word just because someone doesn't agree with it.
M't:6:1:Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven.We sure don't want to end up in this group!!
1Co:10:5:But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness.Dare we suppose we do not need the lessons of suffering? Shall we refuse to get in the Meat of His Word? Without Him we are lost. It matters little what the opinions of men are as long as we are pleasing God! God never fails to reward His children when they try to do the right thing!
Ro:8:18:For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.Confess all [anger, hatred, desire for revenge, self-pity]. Both you and the one who wronged you now need the same forgiveness which our sinless Savior can provide. Repent! This is a 180 degree turn-around. Pray! "Wash me with Your blood, cleanse me." Forgive the one who hurt you. Forgive him so that you may be forgiven!
Eph:1:7:In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;
"Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed"
(I Peter 4:12,13,14).Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: 13: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. 14: If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.Suffering is a gift. "It has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for him.
Ph'p:1:29:For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;God never promised us a smooth ride through this earth age.. He did say that He would comfort us ..
Joh:14:18:I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.He promised that if we try to follow His commands and try to do His work that He would never forsake us..
Heb:13:5:Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.Stay in His Word.. Every day is a beautiful day, even those with troubles as long as we are in His word..
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