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Topic: Rejoicing (11/22/04)
TITLE: Eternal Life: A Relationship with God! By Cassandra Plummer 11/26/04 |
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study, when I discovered 1 Cor. 13:6 NIV "Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the
truth". It was a beautiful day and I was a babe in Christ. The joy of my salvation was very new
and so tender. For when I came to Christ, I came on fire with the truth of my need for
repentance. And in those early days I spent a lot of time studying God's word. It seemed the
more I studied the more God set me free. I rejoiced so much during the early days. Getting to
know God as my Father, my provider and as a being who desired an intimate one on one
relationship with me.
Soon the realities of life returned unto me. I knew I was forgiven of my
sins and had a clean slate. However, I expected to be changed and unable to make any more
mistakes. I thought being a Christian would somehow make me perfect. The trials and tests set in
and I committed myself to much fasting, prayer and bible study. I learned in James 1:2,3 NIV we
are to consider trials to be pure joy. So I begin to consider myself privileged to be found worthy
of suffering. Eventually I did grow weary.
I suffered trials in every area of my life, health trials, relationship trials, career trials,
financial trials, and homelessness. I was blessed to have a mother who took me in when my
health failed and I could no longer support myself financially. Then in bible study I discovered
"Rejoice in the Lord, Always. I will say it again: Rejoice" Phil 4:4 NIV
What I really came to believe, in all my trials, was in the divine nature of God who was
showing me mercy through it all. He would not allow me to find fault with myself. He was
covering all my sins (past, present and future) with sweet tender mercies. We got closer and I
studied his word more and more. I could hear him often speak to my heart, "I want you to learn
mercy". I want you to do for others as I have done for you. To see the need and fill it without
question as to why the person is in this situation. And even though outwardly everything I had
worked for was disappearing, God was revealing to me something inwardly that would never
fade or perish. Eternal Life: A relationship with him.
You know God can do what he will. He could have kept Shadrach, Meshach and
Abednego from being thrown in the fiery furnace. He could have caused Goliath to just drop
dead of a fatal heart attack. He surely could have stopped Christ from being brutally beaten and
nailed to a cross. But in his infinite wisdom, he decided to allow tragedies and to work in all
things for the good. Rom 8:28 NIV
Rejoicing is a luxury all Christians are afforded. It is not because we have accomplished
anything. It is because we have a Great Almighty God, who is love and worthy of our praise and
rejoicing. I could go on and on about God's greatness and about rejoicing in Jesus Christ our
Lord and Savior. For every need of mine, he has met and given me the faith I need to keep hope
Alive. What else but to rejoice, believing that if we share in his suffering we will also share in
his glory. Rom 8:17 NIV