Chosen by God!
We must avoid giving the impression that following Jesus Christ is an experience that is free from problems and difficulties. The Bible tells us we are going to have trials, tribulation, distress, and frustrations in this life. It also tells us that we can have peace in the midst of all of this because Jesus has deprived these things of power to harm us and have conquered them for us.
“I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace and confidence. In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you.]” (John 16:33 AMP)
When we have surrendered our lives to Jesus we have peace no matter what storm we may face. When we are in Him the storms of life that are meant to take us out, cause us to lose faith, will not be able to touch us, our hearts.
Being a believer does not mean we won’t face troubles and persecution because we will. We live in a sin based world so there will always be evil running rampant. However, as believes we can be assured that evil will not conquer us. Our eternal destination is secure.
“And now you Gentiles have also heard the truth, the Good News that God saves you. And when you believed in Christ, he identified you as his own by giving you the Holy Spirit, whom he promised long ago. The Spirit is God’s guarantee that he will give us the inheritance he promised and that he has purchased us to be his own people. He did this so we would praise and glorify him.” (Ephesians 1:13-14 NLT)
We must be careful that we don’t mistake persecution as an expression of God’s anger. This is not the character of God. No matter what we face God’s love for us is eternal and unchanging. He will always be there to walk us through our trials giving us the peace and strength we need to be victorious.
"For He [God] Himself has said, I will not in any way fail you nor give you up nor leave you without support. [I will] not, [I will] not, [I will] not in any degree leave you helpless nor forsake nor let [you] down (relax My hold on you)! [Assuredly not!]" (Hebrews 13:5b AMP)
We have God’s promise that He will not leave us without support, leave us helpless, forsake us, let us down, or relax His hold on us.
Be Encouraged! ❤
Leisa Wilkins Ministries
"Encouraging and Empowering you to become who God created you to be, God's Masterpiece, a Divine Original!"
Pastor | Author | Bible Teacher | Speaker | Encourager
www.leisawilkins.com