Tag Archive | Christian

Sufferings to Glory

Feb19

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us. — Romans 8:18

Life is tough. I don’t know of anyone who has not suffered in some form or another — loss of a loved one, illness, disabilities. Then there is the sufferings of strained relationships – marriages, parent/children, employer/employee, etc. – the stress of life-changing decisions and so many more that you could come up with yourself that you have experienced or are experiencing.

Far beyond all comparison are these momentary, light afflictions which will produce for us an eternal weight of glory. They may not seem to be light afflictions at the time but when we compare them to the glory of God, His glory overshadows our afflictions or sufferings. Seek the Lord and rely on Him instead of focusing on the situation, ailment, disability. Reminding ourselves that He loves us and will never leave us nor forsake us, He also promises that glory will be revealed to us!

Our reliance and trust in the Lord during suffering strengthens our faith. Even when our faith is tested by fire our faith is refined and more precious than gold which is perishable. Our refined faith will result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Suffering is a part of life but we don’t need to be defeated. Endure to strengthen your faith, leaning on the everlasting arms until that glory is revealed to us.

Can we even begin to compare our sufferings to the sufferings of Christ? Oh what He did on the cross for all humanity. Oh the sufferings He endured for us. In our sufferings let us keep on rejoicing so that at the revelation of Jesus Christ’s glory we may rejoice with exultation.

To God be the glory revealed in Jesus Christ.

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, — 2 Corinthians 4:17

so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ; — 1 Peter 1:7

but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation. 1 Peter 4:13

Show Me Your Glory

Feb17

Then Moses said, “I pray You, show me Your glory!” — Exodus 33:18

and it will come about, while My glory is passing by, that I will put you in the cleft of the rock and cover you with My hand until I have passed by. — Exodus 33:22

Moses is my favorite Bible person. I love reading about his interactions with God. He and the Lord met together many times from the”burning bush” to Moses’ dying day. They had the kind of intimate relationship that I would like to have with our Lord.

In this particular passage of Scripture God said, “You have found favor in My sight”. Moses boldly said, “I pray You, show me Your glory”. As we see in verse 22, God showed him!!!

I often pray asking God to show me His glory and He does!!! In answered prayers, in blessings, in watching His master work in restoring relationships, in spiritual growth in believers, etc. When we ask to see His glory He opens our eyes to see. God is amazing!

On one occasion Moses’ meeting with God lasted 40 days and 40 nights. Moses was so overtaken with the glory of God that he didn’t even eat or drink that whole time. When Moses returned to the people of Israel the skin of his face shone from speaking with God. The Israelites were afraid so Moses put a veil over his face. Whenever Moses went in before the Lord he would remove the veil.

I have known Christians in my time who’ve had a special glow about them, a twinkle in their eye when they spoke of the Lord. I wonder if it is because they spend intimate, quality time with Jesus. I’m guessing that is the reason. In the meantime I am going to work on that glow of glory that comes only from a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. How about you? Will you join me in the quest to glory in the Lord and for the Lord?

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

Baptism Testimony

Jan20

At the age of 12 my brother and I went to a church and took a course to learn how to be a Christian. We studied for a few weeks, not remembering how many weeks it took looking back that long ago, but we learned about Jesus and the sacrifice on the cross He made for us, about baptism and reading our Bible and praying. After the course we were baptized. I can tell you now that I did not personally know Jesus Christ at that time. I was going through the motions because that is what we were supposed to do to be a Christian.

The Lord found me and entered my heart at the age of 15 (please see my salvation testimony). This time I really knew Him and knew I was different because of my decision. I read my Bible every night because I desired to do so and I prayed every night before bed. Things were different. Well, life goes on and many things happen but Jesus was always with me. He never left me nor forsook me even though I wandered many a time.

In 1994 I was taking a course at church on how to witness. The second semester focused on baptism. As I studied I was convicted because I was baptized before I really knew Jesus. I had been a Christian for 19 years and the Lord was telling me to be baptized. At the first thought of being baptized after walking with the Lord for 19 years was frightening. What would people think? I could easily just move on and no one will know that I didn’t get baptized after the fact of salvation. But as I pondered the thought and prayed about it I knew it didn’t matter what others thought, it mattered what Jesus thought. He was the One who wanted me to follow through in obedience for His sake, for a testimony to Him.  It is a sign of obedience just as Jesus through His obedience to the Father was baptized.  Baptism doesn’t save, it is a sign to proclaim the transformation that happens when one accepts Jesus as their Savior and Lord. I knew what I had to do . . .

I approached my pastor and told him that I wanted to be baptized. He basically blew me off thinking I was joking with him or something. Of course in his defense I said this in passing on a busy Sunday morning. It took about 3 attempts of asking to be baptized that he finally looked me in the eye  and asked why I needed to be baptized. I told him as I have explained above. So, one Sunday morning I was baptized to the glory of God. I understood what baptism was about and grateful that He led me to follow Him in obedience and be baptized.

Conveniently, it was also pot-luck day, to this day I say it was a celebration of my baptism (LOL). I sat across from a fellow parishioner who said, “I didn’t know you weren’t saved”. Please know that baptism does not save you. It is an outwardly demonstration of an inward decision. Baptism is done as a witness to others of your decision to walk with Jesus. It is your first act of obedience to the Lord Jesus Christ, your God. To God be the glory in all that we do.

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon