http://charismanews.com/us/32911-bringing-america-back-to-life
Out Of Many One Faith
No Matter How Bleak
Earlier today my son took the above picture at some intersection in South Florida and posted it on Facebook with a comment saying “No matter how bleak, God always shows He’s there for you.” At that moment, I really needed to see that comment as I was wrestling with news from friends of mine who are dealing with situations that seem to point to a very bleak future. I looked at the picture and wondered, how do you stay faithful, when for years you battle cancer, see signs of remission for a period of time, only to receive news that it has metastasized in another area more aggressively? And if that’s not enough, while you try to find the courage to face the new occurance with another round of treatment, you receive a more devastating news that your wife is now facing an equally aggressive form of cancer. I hurt for my friend and try to find the right words to say. Then in the midst of my confusion, I receive word of another trajedy. A young mom, fighting to start a life with a newly formed family, grasping for a little hope and security, trying to stay positive as she embarked on the blessed experience of family, only to have it suddenly ripped apart because of a legal issue. I was led to this passage which served as a great source of comfort. Roman 8:18-39. The Apostle Paul wrote,
From Suffering to Glory
“I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God. We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently. In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God. And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And those He predestined, He also called; those He called, He also justified; those He justified, He also glorified.
God’s Everlasting Love
What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for us all—how will He not also, along with Him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: “For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Please keep these folks in your prayer, and intercede on their behalf that God’s healing and grace will be on them.
SUFFERING FOR DOING GOOD
1 Peter 3:8-22
Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. For,”Whoever would love life and see good days must keep their tongue from eviland their lips from deceitful speech. They must turn from evil and do good;they must seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer,but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.” Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened.” But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit. After being made alive, he went and made proclamation to the imprisoned spirits— to those who were disobedient long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water, and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at God’s right hand—with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him. (1 Peter 3:8-22 NIV)
Disrespect To Christians and Women
Here we go again…there are two issues at play here and ABC should be ashamed of itself. 1) Why is it always acceptable to degrade Christianity? What if we were to change the “C” to an “M”? Just imagine what the outcry would be like! This shows the new level of depravity that our society has sunken to. 2) Where are the Women’s Rights Movement folks? This whole week, national news and syndicated talk shows were preoccupied with the rights and dignity of women, especially in regards to the contraceptive issue; ABC was the network that spearheaded the debate. Well, here is ABC being as disrespectful to women as one can be by using one of the most derogatory words there is to degrade women, and no one is challenging them on it. Is it ok and permissible to use such words to describe Christian women? All those who love Jesus and are concerned about the way women are viewed within our society should let ABC know that this kind of programming is not appreciated, but do so in a Christ-like manner. Let them know that we are a people, living within the tremendous love of the Lord and are not ashamed of the Cross.
http://www.charismanews.com/opinion/32941-abc-blasphemes-jesus-with-new-show-gcb
The Branch Life 