Consolation and Spiritual Suffering

By Anita Mondragon
 
I saw this on Facebook, and was able to relate.  I have been in this place more than once, but when I become still and remember that God is still in control, I am able to wait for His help in my situation.  Just wanted to share this because I know I’m not alone in these feelings.
*****
 
great quote from one of Charles Spurgeon’s sermon, Consolation Proportionate to Spiritual Sufferings.  Here is the verse he was preaching from:
 
2 Corinthians 1:5, NLT: “For the more we suffer for Christ, the more God will shower us with his comfort through Christ.”

Delivered on Sabbath Morning, March 11, 1855, by the
REV. C.H. SPURGEON
At Exeter Hall, Strand.

 
 
“There is a man here quite despairing-almost every hope gone. Brother, shall I tell thee what to do? Thou hast fallen off the main deck, thou art in the sea, the floods surround thee; thou seemest to have no hope; thou catchest at straws; what shalt thou do now? Do? why lie upon the sea of trouble, and float upon it; be still, and know that God is God, and thou wilt never perish. All thy kicking and struggling will sink thee deeper; but lie still, for behold the life-boat cometh; Christ is coming to thy help; soon he will deliver thee, and fetch thee out of all thy perplexities.”
 
-C.H. Spurgeon


The Quick and the Dead

By Clem Fitzsimmons
 
The return of Jesus Christ is imminent. It’s gonna happen.
 

But this time it won’t be as a babe wrapped in swaddling clothes. “He shall come again in glory to judge the quick and the dead, and His kingdom shall have no end” (1 Corinthians 15:23). Jesus is coming back as Judge and this is sobering. Are you ready?

 

A good place to start would be to know that you are truly saved. I know that when I stand before Him on that great day I want to hear “well done, good and faithful servant” (Matt. 25:23). No one wants to hear those horrifying words “I never knew you. Depart from me, you who work iniquity” (Matt. 7:23).

 

It’s important to remember that God’s kingdom, Christ’s kingdom, is one of power and not pretense. It is one of righteousness and obedience and not a mere profession of fruitless words and empty show. For Jesus said, “Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit” (Matt. 7:17). Read more…



AN OPEN BOOK

By Anita Mondragon
 
Have you ever heard that old saying, “You think you’re pulling the wool over my eyes, but it’s 99 % cotton!” ?  
 
Most of us walk around every day, wearing a fake smile, ‘doing good things’ but with wrong intentions and motives, acting holy…but not even close, etc.  And be sure…I’m not just preaching to you!  I’m preaching to myself as well!  So today, I want to be transparent…an open book, and confess to you what God already knows.
 
The Bible says Galatians 6:9, NIV: “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” … Galatians 6:9, KJV: “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.”
 
Here’s the deal…I’m weary!  I admit it!  I’m ready to faint!  I’m tired.  In fact, for the last two Sundays, I’ve had to make myself climb out of bed, get dressed, and go to church.  Sad… but true!  Am I angry at God?  Hardly!  Read more…


HOME IS WHERE THE HELP IS!

By Anita Mondragon
 
I was watching the movie GI Joe the other night.  That’s where I heard the above quote which I used for the title of this post.
 
Remember the old hymn, ‘Lord, I’m Coming Home’ by William J. Kirkpatrick?  It goes like this…
 
  1. I’ve wandered far away from God,
    Now I’m coming home;
    The paths of sin too long I’ve trod,
    Lord, I’m coming home.

    • Refrain:
      Coming home, coming home,
      Nevermore to roam;
      Open wide Thine arms of love,
      Lord, I’m coming home. Read more…


ADDICTIONS

By Eileen Martinez
 

Jude 1:24-25 Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, To the only wise God our Savior, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen

Addiction – noun

The fact or condition of being addicted to a particular substance, thing, activity or practice.

Synonyms: dependency, dependence, craving, habit, weakness, compulsion, fixation, enslavement: informal monkey: informal jones 

Jealous – adjective

Fiercely protective or vigilant of one’s rights or possessions.

Synonyms:  protective, defensive, vigilant, watchful, heedful, mindful, careful, solicitous, attentive.
 
Addictions… we all have them.  They disguise themselves as good habits like exercise, money makers, clout chasers, and for some just plain bad habits.  These are just a few:  Alcohol, nicotine, bad thoughts, low self-esteem.  Read more…


WHY CAN’T I FORGET

By Esther Hernandez
 
Genesis chapters 37-47 tell the story of Joseph, Jacob’s 11th son.  Joseph was favored by his father Jacob and his brothers were jealous.  They mistreated him, talked about him, hated and rejected him.  They even sold him to a caravan of Midianite merchants going by in the field where they were.  Joseph landed up in Egypt.  But Joseph trusted God even in the strange land where he was.  In Genesis 41:51 he named his first son, Manasseh, because God helped him forget all his trouble and all his father’s household.

Sometimes we can’t forget because we don’t fully accept or receive all that God has done for us in bringing us back to Himself.  Isaiah 64:6 says all our righteous acts everything good we’ve done are like filthy rags.  We forget what God has done for us in giving us life, redemption and forgiveness of sin – past, present and future. Read more…



HERE AND THERE

By Anita Mondragon
 
Have you ever become unsatisfied with your life?  Have you ever looked around and thought…”I wish I wasn’t HERE in this place! “?  When you observed the success of your friends, have you longed to be THERE in their shoes?  I think we have all had a bite out of that apple.
 
I went to a gathering last night.  It turned out to be a rip-roaring party.  Mostly family, a few new acquaintances, and some folks I’d never seen before.  It started out with light conversation and food but soon turned into something else.  I have to admit I felt pretty alone and uncomfortable.  I was shocked and saddened by those closest to me.  I thought Jesus and His teachings had rubbed off on them a little more.  I sat quietly and refused the drink offered to me.  When asked “Why?”, I merely said, “I don’t drink.”  Now being a Christian, I could have started quoting Scripture to them.  I could have pulled out my Bible and slapped them upside the head with it, but instead, I was a quiet witness. I hopefully let them SEE the Jesus in me.
 
There are four things we can do when we find ourselves in this situation.  They are as follows:
 
1.  Stand firm in the truth.  If we are firmly grounded in the truth of God’s Word, we will not be swayed to join in.
2.  Continue in every good work and word.  We must keep the attitude, speech, and conduct that will reflect Christ.
3.  Have a prayer life.  You can pray quietly to yourself and ask God to give you an opportunity to share the truth.  Your simplest words done in love can have an amazing effect on someone when those words are directed by the Holy Spirit.
4.Stay in obedience to the Lord!  Godly influence on others will only come if we ourselves are obedient to our Father in Heaven!
 
People watch us.  They listen to what we say, and they watch how we respond and act.  You can’t say one thing and then live differently.  Folks want to see if you really believe what you’re saying is TRUTH.
 
I used to be in that place of HERE, wishing I could be THERE…  Then someone showed me the only difference between HERE and THERE was the cross.  Jesus in my life made all the difference.
 
BE A LIGHT.  SHOW OTHERS HOW TO GET FROM HERE TO THERE!


COVID 19 VERSUS ROMANS 1:16

by Art Herrera
 
Today at the gas station a man yelled at me using some very colorful language…! He said for me to use hand sanitizer that way I do not infect him and his wife with this virus that is going on. I didn’t see any hand sanitizer so I asked him to show me. He came over next to me really close and showed me where the sanitizer was attached. I pointed out to him that he was only two feet away from me and if one of us was infected now both of us are. The man asked me why I am so calm with all of this that is going on in our world. I told him I have great peace because God is the one that has given me the peace.


UNUSUAL TIMES

by Clem Fitzsimmons
 
What if God has taken away the things that (we think) are so important to give us more of what we really need: Himself. The very Giver of life, the One who made everything (John 1:3) and in Whom ‘we live and move and have our being’ (Acts 17:28) knows what we need. Many times I have held regret over certain things not coming to pass in life, or have lamented certain things that have happened. I think most of us have.
 
This is a fallen world and a land this side of Heaven. And yet, I can’t help but wonder that if Christ is who He says He is, namely the Word, the One who made us and in Whom we have our being, then there must be no other Person who would know us and what it is we need like He does. Call on Him today, throw yourself on the mercy of God for He delights ‘to show mercy’ (Micah 7:18). Read more…


WINDSOCK CHRISTIANITY

By Anita Mondragon 

We’ve all seen them around town.  They attract attention to businesses.  They are long, bright-colored tubes with faces and arms.  When the power of the blower (wind machine) is turned on, they beckon folks to come in.   They are inviting.

But to be a windsock Christian is a distraction!  Christians are supposed to be stable, confident, and steadfast!  So I ask you…

Are you a windsock Christian?  

Are you on fire for God one minute, but unsure of your beliefs the next?  Do certain ideas of the world confuse you and cause you to question if you’re too old fashioned because you just believe God’s Word?  Do you dabble in astrology, New Age, or Eastern thoughts as a way to “cope” with everyday life? As a Believer, do the sanctimonious, self-righteous attitudes of some throw you for a loop and cause you to stumble?  These are questions we should all ask ourselves from time to time because there’s so much out there coming at us on a daily basis…even in the church! 

Yesterday, this came to mind as I pondered on the pastor’s sermon-especially the last part of it where he was talking about the attacks of faith sent to us by the enemy. Read more…