TheRebelution.com: The Modesty Survey

Wednesday, December 13, 2006

Faithful and True

"As I look back, on this road I've travelled/I've seen so many times He's carried me through/If there's one thing I have learned in my life/My Redeemer is Faithful and True
"My Redeemer is Faithful and True/Everything He has said, He will do/And every morning, His mercies are new!/My Redeemer is Faithful and True." ~Steven Curtis Chapman

"My God is Faithful/Not a promise He has made/Has gone unfulfilled/All according to His Will/And He is able/For by His grace He supplies/My every need/Oh, His faithfulness exceeds/Beyond what I can see." ~Larnelle Harris

"Have faith in God." ~Jesus Christ

God has always kept His promises to us. The problem is that we don't know what His promises are, because we don't read His Word.

One of the main promises Jesus made to any who would follow Him is that they would be persecuted for righteousness' sake by those they loved the most (Luke 14:25-33; John 15:18-16:3). People often overlook this reality, quite simply because we don't tell them about it. We would rather they believe that God always does good things for us. And that is true--but who defines what is good?

Romans 8:28 says, "And we know that God works all things together for good to them that love Him, to them that are called, according to His purpose." Paul, who wrote this, suffered many persecutions. If you don't think so, just read 2 Corinthians 11:21-33. In fact, Paul says that he will boast in his infirmities! Why?

Because suffering for righteousness' sake makes us like Jesus. 1 Peter 2:19-23 says, "for this [is] gracious, if because of conscience toward God any one doth endure sorrows, suffering unrighteously; for what renown [is it], if sinning and being buffeted, ye do endure [it]? but if, doing good and suffering [for it], ye do endure, this [is] gracious with God, for to this ye were called, because Christ also did suffer for you, leaving to you an example, that ye may follow his steps, Who did not commit sin, nor was guile found in his mouth, Who being reviled -- was not reviling again, suffering -- was not threatening, and was committing himself to Him who is judging righteously..."(Young's Literal Translation)

When we say that we have faith, are we just speaking words into thin air in hopes that all of our troubles will go away? Or are we actually reading and trusting in the promises that God has given us? God keeps all of His promises. Do you know what they are?

16 comments:

Sam Hailes said...

wow, great blog brother!
I have a very similar one- i call it a "spiritual blog" as it focusses intirely on my christian faith.

Its designed to build other christians up, please feel free to check it out and comment!

Lovin this blog, though, great stuff!

laters
Sam

(samspiritual.blogspot.com)

-blessed holy socks, the non-perishable-zealot said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
JOSHUA S BLACK said...

Thanks, Sam. I haven't been over there for an extended look, but the surface looked pretty good.

Can't say the same for the other dude that tried to post here--that's why I deleted his comment. I don't want to give an impression that I endorse everyone who names the name of Jesus. Jesus Himself said that many who call Him Lord, are, in fact, workers of iniquity. I'm not condemning anybody, but I am praying for Mr. Kold--whatever his nickname is.

Unknown said...

Thanks for dropping by and commenting. Come back any time

Wesley Tamkin said...

Hey, its always good to see other believers in Christ!

Maranatha

ryewood9 said...

I was checking the "Comments" on another blog and found yours:

And if you do win the Cup, then what? When you die, what will that mean to you? Have you prepared for death at all? Death comes at the wrong time. Always. And ten out of ten people die. 150,000 everyday. Take a moment to prepare yourself for the journey of all mankind. Please.

I think what you are saying is that, according to scripture, we are all going to hell when we die because we just are not "good enough" for heaven in God's eyes.

I think so too.

My blogspot:

www.monicasmother.blogspot.com

Take a look if you get a chance. I have a huge problem and God isn't listening!

JOSHUA S BLACK said...

Actually, ryewood9, what I am saying is that, even though we can't measure up to God's Holy Standard, God Himself provided a way so that we could repent of our sins and be saved from the punishment that we deserve.

Now, concerning your problem that you think God is not listening to. I don't know what God is doing in your life or the life of your daughter. I can tell you this: God never fails to keep His promises. We just need to make sure we know what they are.

josh said...

so you posted a coment on my blog and i thought I would reciprocate:
I don't know if juggling 4 blogs is the best idea for someone who is "very opinionated who needs to constantly be reminded that my opinion does not count in the ultimate scheme of things". Especially considering that one of them is titled "Wanna Get PREACHED AT?"

Regarding God's promises: I think saying that "God always keeps his promises, but we just don't know what they are" is a bit empty. Plus it rather conveniently lets God off the hook for alot of stuff that is just alot easier for christians not to think about. I could give you examples, but then you would just quote verses back to me and we would be right back here again. So here instead is a poem from Miss Emily Dickinson for you to read, and hopefully digest.
I don't want a response; i don't want an answer; I don't want anything except you to hear this poem. And when you think you know what it means, hear it again. Keep in mind William Stafford's comment regarding his poetry (I think it also applies to hermeneutics) "There is a mean part of me that wants to let people have what they impetuously claim for themselves."

VICTORY COMES LATE

Victory comes late --
And is held low to freezing lips --
Too rapt with frost
To take it --
How sweet it would have tasted --
Just a Drop --
Was God so economical?
His Table's spread too high for Us --
Unless We dine on tiptoe --
Crumbs -- fit such little mouths --
Cherries -- suit Robbins --
The Eagle's Golden Breakfast strangles -- Them --
God keep His Oath to Sparrows --
Who of little Love -- know how to starve --

JOSHUA S BLACK said...

Don't really care what you think--it's a free country. Besides, I have the other blogs because I have other things to say that don't fit here.

In regards to the promises of Goid: God promises to punish evil and to reward those who obey His commandments. God doesn't get let off the hook at any time. He always keeps his promises.

Furthermore, I have yet to see a sparrow starve, though I suppose it could happen. But I doubt that either E.D. or you have seen it.

a new leaf said...

heeyyy. thanks fer droppin by my blog! do comment often yah. =D my-unseen-flaws.blogspot.com

JOSHUA S BLACK said...

For those of you who don't know, I honestly just randomly go to different blogs, hoping to leave the message of salvation somewhere to someone. I usually leave links from Ray Comfort's websites, because they have a clear Gospel message. Hers ^ is one such targeted blog. Just so you know.

Emma Petersen said...

It's okay to be opininated but giving an opinion when it is not asked for or warranted does not help people see things the way you think they should see them. Matter of fact it does the exact opposite. Until you are nailed to a cross for my benefit you have no right to judge me or anyone else.

JOSHUA S BLACK said...

Quick question, Emma: how am I judging anyone? I know I have no right to judge, that's why I don't do it. I only seek to persuade those who are, in Jesus' words, "condemned already" to repent so that they should not perish but have everlasting life. Isn't that what the Christian life is all about?

Emma Petersen said...

I only seek to persuade those who are, in Jesus' words, "condemned already" to repent so that they should not perish but have everlasting life. Isn't that what the Christian life is all about?

What helps you come to a specific conclusion when you run across someone's blog. For example you could come to my blog and assume certain things about me because of my layout or things that may be written on my blog, all the while never really knowing anything about me. What if I had the word hammered at me my entire life and your little message was the last straw?

Thank God that isn't the case but like I told you in another post, is there a possiblility you are hindering more than helping. I don't place my belief or faith in man, it's a sure way to get let down everytime. I know why I am here and I know its at His mercy that I've lived and thrived the way that I have.

You or no one else is going to sway me or make a difference in my journey because He mapped it out the day I was born.

I wish you peace and I wish you wisdom.

JOSHUA S BLACK said...

Emma, I can't tell who is saved or who is not, but I will tell you this: when dealing with eternity, it is much better to be safe than sorry. I would much rather offend a brother or sister in Christ who is going to Heaven than offend God by acting as if this person doesn't need to hear about the blood that Jesus spilled so that we could all be freed from sin.

If I am wrong about someone's eternal destiny, great!! I'd love to be wrong about the people whose lives and blogs tell me that they are going to Hell. But I'd hate to be wrong about the people I would like to think are going to Heaven. I'd hate that very much.

Misty said...

Happy New Year Josh!