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Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Myth: A Christian Life is Easy.

I have always thought that, if whatever I am doing is right,
God will open the doors and it will be smooth sailing.
OR if everything is against me, then it is not right by God?
Yet when I read how the Apostle Paul suffered continually in his walk with Christ,
I see my understanding is wrong.

Faith is believing in what we cannot see, but also in knowing, God is with us.
Besides that, it is accepting Gods Will.
NOT demanding our own. He knows best!

I read the following by the Paul and it shows his suffering for his faith.
It also shows suffering brings out the heart of a true believer.

Will we remain strong no matter what?
Or will we cave in, complain and give up?

Read and apply this to yourself...NOT to someone else...
Be Honest!!

2 Corinthians 11:23-29 (New International Version)

"(Paul says)I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently,
been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again.

Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one.

Three times I was beaten with rods,

once I was stoned,

three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea,

I have been constantly on the move.

I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits,

in danger from my own countrymen, in danger from Gentiles;

in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from
false brothers.

I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep;

I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food;
I have been cold and naked.

Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches."




Paul's conversion, When Jesus spoke to him on the road to Damascus.

It changed his life forever.  Has it TRULY changed yours?

14 comments:

  1. Hello again,

    I love your message today. Crystal Mary,I try so hard to accept what God has given me to bear but sometimes it is so very hard to accept it as God's Will.
    Sometimes I cry in pain and wonder if I can go on, but I try, I try.

    With love xxx

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  2. Wonderful encouragement Crystal Mary. Resting in Jesus when we are in the midst of anguish is the only way to endure. When I am weak, He is strong, praise God. I need not be afraid of my weakness, as it brings glory to the Father.
    Blessings
    Dorothy :)

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  3. Hello June, I understand pain. I had an accident three years ago and suffer almost constant pain. I have learnt to live with it. It does get you down, but for myself, I believe it keeps me humble. There is a reason for everything. If we could see the huge picture we would understand. Our life on this earth is very short in comparison to our time after, when we reach Heaven. That is where I look forward, that is my hope. I have read many "Near Death Experiences" and all say, they did not want to return here, but they had to finish their mission on earth.
    You and I are so blessed to suffer, because it gives us the love and compassion to reach out with kindness to others. What a blessing June. xxxxx

    Hello Dearest Dorothy,
    Well said my sweet friend. God Bless Your day. xx

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  4. When I look at my own life, I see that every good thing came from God. Unfortunately, almost every BAD thing came from me, and the poor decisions that I've made over the years. As a result, I have a pretty hard time getting away with asking "Why?", knowing that the answer is uasually "Me".

    Still, I've met people that have had nothing but bad luck from the day they were born. I often find myself praying for such people, and with them, I STILL find myself wondering "why". But, I don't ask the Lord that question any more, somewhere along the way, it finally sunk in that He has His reasons, but I probably wouldn't understand if He told me.

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  5. Hi Georges, What you are saying about 'bad luck'...my son said to me the other day.
    He said no matter what you do, sometime nothing goes right.
    When I look at the life of Jesus, there are many negatives. Blessing Crystal

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  6. Great post Crystal Mary.

    Paul was also bitten by a snake if I remember rightly.

    God bless.

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  7. This post does put a lot of things in my life into perspective. As you have just come from my blog you know how I am on martyr mode at the moment...ha-ha!

    Then I come to your blog and read this... wham! I'm back to reality.

    Stop the self pity party...and get on to kingdom living!

    Thanks so much for this post! Takes the focus off me and on to Him!

    Love
    Lidj

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  8. Oh Lidj, You are such a blessing.
    I am, we all are, in need of remembering that life difficulties are part of the classroom to grow more into our spiritual life.Love CML xx

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  9. Hi Crystal Mary,
    Thank you for this post and also the one about cholesterol...they are both very helpful--in different ways but very pertinent!

    I am so glad that you and your husband could see the picture of Jesus...I couldn't wait to post it when it appeared on paper...I was so surprised...

    I didn't put this on my blog (because my mom asked me not to) but she is very ill and it happened suddenly...I heard the news the night after getting that picture on the paper....I hope you will keep her in your
    prayers...

    Hugs,
    Cindy
    xox

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  10. The more I pursue God the more difficult things become but the more peace and joy I receive! Great insights!

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  11. Respected sister,
    So many thanks for encoraging me and appriciating my and my daughter's work.my daughter Nitya was so happy to read yor words about her.
    and your this post is really giving a nice message to our life.thanks again for this post. with regards.
    Hemant

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  12. I’ve been following your blog for some time now and would like to invite you to follow me back. I just noticed on this visit that I have you on my mailing list but that your not a follower...which is fine to.
    I like your comments and your visits. Either way I remain your follower.

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  13. I think I knew... as a little girl, that life wouldn't be easy, even though I had accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior, and I loved God so much.

    Some of us start learning the hard lessons early on. Those hard lessons? They have made me love and appreciate God more each day.

    Paul... such a good teacher.

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Dio ti ama così siamo connessi.