Sometimes we face trials

In life we encounter many difficulties. Even as an organisation we can have to face trials or having to look at people who tell lies about us and have people defending the false accuser.

Sometimes we lack this necessary wisdom to face trials and persevere faithfully. These are the times when our suffering is so overwhelming that we are tempted to question whether God is either sovereign or good or to come to question if the organisation we are with might be the right one.

In such circumstances we may not forget that the adversary of God may be everywhere and in all sorts of disguises. There are enough people who shall try to get you away from your church or from your faith group. Their aim shall be to discourage you and to destroy your faith in that group you where doing so much for.

Though when we look at the matter, take distance form it we shall see some good things in it as well. It shall give us an opportunity to check if we are connected  with the right persons. Also it shall remind us that if we lack the wisdom needed to face such trials with faith and steadfastness, we can ask God.
We should ask God.

We must ask God.

In the very first chapter of his letter, James reminds us that the God we are to ask is not only sovereign, He is also faithful.

Many people may try to annoy us and get us so far that we start doing the wrong things; They may tempt us or want us to lure in saying things which can harm us more.

Many may use many ways to tempt us or to get us so far that we might react in the way they would love us to see, bringing damage to us. God does not tempt us to sin; He is good. He doesn’t make fun of us when we ask for wisdom; He is the God who gives generously.

James 1:5 The Scriptures 1998+  (5)  If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of Elohim, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it shall be given to him.

When tempted by evil doers, we should not be afraid to ask God for advice. At moments we may feel left abandoned. We may feel as if so many are turning against us. We also may feel like we once more failed.

When daring to talk to God and asking His advice, He shall come to us and by our guide. Our good and sovereign God will grant to us the very thing we are lacking, the very thing we need to face suffering well.

So, let us ask God for wisdom, believing that He is sovereign, faithful, and good, and that God uses our suffering to make us look more like Jesus.

James 1:4 The Scriptures 1998+  (4)  And let endurance have a perfect work, so that you be perfect and complete, lacking in naught.

Life might not always be easy and may demand a lot of us. Often we have to show a lot of patience.

When believing in God, trusting Him, we might find out that everything comes all right in due time.

Do you believe? Ask Him! He is a generous God who delights in giving good gifts to His children in order that we may patiently and faithfully endure to the end.

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Additional reading

1. An other look at the events of today by one of our magazines
2. Today’s thought “Be aware of what went on” (August 15) He that answers a matter before he hears it, it is folly and shame unto him.
3. The post-Christian world
4. Through much tribulation
5. About transgression, law and punishments
6. The ecclesia Facebook account from now on restricted access 
7. Golden rule for understanding in spiritual matters obedience
8. The Golden rule not always as easy as its sounds
9. Gates to different belief systems in this world
10. Matthew 6:1-34 – The Nazarene’s Commentary on Leviticus 19:18 Continued 1 Charity and neighbour love
11. Matthew 6:1-34 – The Nazarene’s Commentary on Leviticus 19:18 Continued 2 Prayer and neighbour love
12. Matthew 6:1-34 – The Nazarene’s Commentary on Leviticus 19:18 Continued 3 Forgiveness and neighbour love
13. Matthew 6:1-34 – The Nazarene’s Commentary on Leviticus 19:18 Continued 4 Treasures’ and neighbour love
14. Matthew 6:1-34 – The Nazarene’s Commentary on Leviticus 19:18 Continued 5 Matthew 6: 24-34: e) Anxiety and neighbor love
15. Matthew 7:1-11 – The Nazarene’s Commentary on Neighbor Love Continued 6: Matthew 7:1-5 Judgment and neighbor love
16. Matthew 7:1-11 – The Nazarene’s Commentary on Neighbor Love Continued 8: Matthew 7:6-11 Giving and neighbor love
17. Matthew 7:12 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Summary on the Torah’s Fulfillment
18. Matthew 7:13-14 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: The True Disciple #1 The Narrow Gate and the way to destruction 
19. Religious Theology – The wide gate!

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Remind

“So I will always remind you of these things, even though you know them and are firmly established in the truth you now have.” (2Pe 1:12 NIV)

 “Dear friends, this is now my second letter to you. I have written both of them as reminders to stimulate you to wholesome thinking.” (2Pe 3:1 NIV)

 “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain, a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace. What does the worker gain from his toil?” (Ec 3:1-9 NIV)

 “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, {Some manuscripts And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God} who {Or works together with those who love him to bring about what is good—with those who} have been called according to his purpose.” (Ro 8:28 NIV)

 “even us, whom he also called, not only from the Jews but also from the Gentiles?” (Ro 9:24 NIV)

 “God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful.” (1Co 1:9 NIV)

 “In him we were also chosen, {Or were made heirs} having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will,” (Eph 1:11 NIV)

 “according to his eternal purpose which he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Eph 3:11 NIV)

 “He called you to this through our gospel, that you might share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the teachings {Or traditions} we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter.” (2Th 2:14-15 NIV)

 “encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory.” (1Th 2:12 NIV)

 “"Food for the stomach and the stomach for food"—but God will destroy them both. The body is not meant for sexual immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body.” (1Co 6:13 NIV)

 “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” (1Pe 2:9 NIV)

 “But Moses and Aaron fell face down and cried out, "O God, God of the spirits of all mankind, will you be angry with the entire assembly when only one man sins?"” (Nu 16:22 NIV)

 “"May the LORD, the God of the spirits of all mankind, appoint a man over this community” (Nu 27:16 NIV)

 “"‘If the anointed priest sins, bringing guilt on the people, he must bring to the LORD a young bull without defect as a sin offering for the sin he has committed.” (Le 4:3 NIV)

 “because our gospel came to you not simply with words, but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction. You know how we lived among you for your sake.” (1Th 1:5 NIV)

In Dutch you can read some more thought around this subject / Lees verder > In herinnering brengen

Dutch version / Nederlandse versie > Herinner

Looking forward to God's faithfulness

"When we look back at the faithfulness of God,
we praise Him.
When we look forward to God's faithfulness,
we trust Him."
- Ken Watters

"Yet this I call to mind and
therefore I have hope:
Because of the LORD'S great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.
They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
I say to myself, "The LORD is my portion;
therefore I will wait for him."
Lamentations 3:21-24

I am so pleased that I can trust the faithfulness
of you my Creator.
On you and your son my hope is placed
and I am thankful that such an unimportant person as me
can be saved and be chosen to become
a participant of a new creation,
the coming Kingdom of God.

Dutch version / Nederlands > Vooruitkijkend naar Gods getrouwheid