GOD’S STRENGTH TRAINING REGIMEN

Edward O’Hara…

Is needed because the whole world is currently going through a great time of uncertainty. And while it may be that these things are leading to the soon return of Jesus as some are saying. These hardships are not so different from things the world has gone through before. Paul says as much here saying, “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry.”

People are living in fear of things they do not understand. They are suffering in ways they never thought could happen. Especially in this “land of plenty” we call the USA. Rioting, lockdowns, job loss, hunger, and natural disasters are just some of the reasons people are suffering and are in fear. 

But, why is there suffering in the world? Answer, because death reigns here. Suffering most certainly comes from the reign of death. So where do we get the spiritual grit that as Christians we need to run the race of life? We actually get it from how we respond to these trials and tribulations. When we respond by trusting God in these trials we grow stronger to endure. But, as Paul said in 1Cor.10:14 for us to have this endurance we must first flee from idolatry. We must first turn from idols to serve the true and living God as 1Thes.1:9 says. 

James 1 says this about the person who has turned from idols to trust in Jesus. He says “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.” And Paul tells us that “we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;And patience, experience; and experience, hope:And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.” Our spiritual endurance therefore grows through the testing of our faith.

The world does not think this way. They can not think this way because they are not spiritual but natural just as Adam was when he was made. Therefore the world relates only to what their natural senses tell them. They have no other way of dealing with what is going on around them because they have not been born of the Spirit. And because they live in the fear of death all their lives they can not live as those who have trusted in Jesus do. Because we who have trusted in Jesus have been delivered from the fear of death that Heb.2:14,15 says all our lives held us in bondage. 

So by growing stronger in our faith by hearing the word of God we are prepared in our minds to endure hardship. The Bible says that Jesus too learned patience through suffering. This ability to endure hardship comes by the renewal of our minds that happens when we read and believe God’s word that helps us learn to think as God thinks. So that when a trial or hardship comes God has already equipped us to handle it. 

Trials are sort of like God’s gym, where our muscle is broken down so we can build it up. That’s why the Christian gets stronger through the trials and tribulations that Jesus said we would have in this life. Because the mature Christian has the mind of Christ because of the renewing of their mind. A mind that sees God’s hand in all that happens to us. A mind that knows from experience that “all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”

This His why He also said that we should not be afraid of these tribulations. Because He has already overcome the world. Because with His leading and guiding through the Holy Spirit that dwells in us we know we will be safe even in the midst of the trials that may come our way. Because we know that greater is He that is in us than he that is in the world!

Would you like to have this kind of endurance to be able to face life’s trials without fear? If you would then you will need to know and learn from Jesus. Would you like to be free from the fear that has gripped the world so that it will not be able to take hold on you? So that you can make decisions based on truth and not on fear? Would you like to know the God that made you? To learn of His love for you that desires only what is best for you? And that he continually works on your behalf to make that a reality? 

If you would then pray with me now.

Dear Jesus, I believe in you. I turn from idols to serve only you. I thank you that you died for me. I receive your gift of love that is eternal life. Help me to know the greatness of your love for me. Give me the endurance to overcome the things that grip the unbelieving world in fear. Thank you for saving me from death’s power so that I can live with you in your kingdom forever. In Jesus’ name, Amen. 

If you prayed with me then praise Jesus! And welcome to God’s family. Now read and believe what the Bible plainly says so that you will have endurance to deal with the trials of this life in God’s power. And come back here often to hear the word of God so you can grow to the mature person that God wants you to be. See you there or in the air!

This message can also be heard at YouTube