Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Devotional Snapshot 82 - Trouble

"There are always some who are going through sharp trial, and who will fail unless they remember whom they are following - not a Christ at ease, but the Christ who was crucified." Thou Givest...They Gather by Amy Carmichael

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith...Consider Him who endured...My son, do not make light of the Lord's discipline, and do not lose heart when He rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines those He loves, and He punishes everyone He accepts as a son." Hebrews 12: 2,3,5,6

Would it be accurate to say that all of my troubles are because of sin --either someone else's or my own? Even if my trouble is illness it, too, dates back to sin-- the day the Lord told Adam that if you eat of this tree you shall surely die...Genesis 2:17. Would it be accurate to say that all of my trouble is also from a loving God--either for discipline or testing?

So as my 'fav' author, Amy, would say we must, at times like these, remember our Christ crucified, not our Christ at ease. We must fix our eyes on Jesus who has begun our faith and just as He promised He will complete and perfect our faith. He, blessed Savior, knows how to bring me safely to Heaven, not without divinely planned bumps and bruises.

This life is temporary. It's not our real home. It is preparation. Move on! Go on! Endure! Repent of today's sins and get up! Look up and fix your eyes on Him who died for you today. And don't be surprised by the means He uses to get your attention. There are times His love is punishing according to scripture, but you are His! Always and forever, His.