Wisdom for suffering

Wisdom in the midst of Suffering

Jesus wants us to be people with a heart full of the Holy Spirit. A Kingdom of God living and having our being in Father God YahWeh(YHWH), His only begotten Son Jesus, and FLOWING in Holy Spirit ! We are a Holy Priesthood and will be Ruling with Jesus as He is our King and Bridegroom through out all of eternity. Our lives should contrast with this ungodly world. We are not to conform and look like the world. So in the contrasting, the world will take notice of us as individuals as well as a church. They will study us and render an opinion. Most will ridicule and speak words of criticism, hate , and disdain. They will have some that speak as an “oracle of the worldly spirit” of what is right in their own eyes. We who live by the Holy Spirit will be targeted as well as the church to conform to the worldly spirit ways or be persecuted by the worldly spirit driven people. We will walk in a time of suffering as we are being persecuted. During the season of persecution, we will get to rejoice that we have been deemed worthy to suffer for Christ Jesus. We have been noticed for contrasting against a worldly view of morality, spirituality, and Human interactivity by not conforming to the worldly spirit. Apostle Peter reminds us of the words of Christ Jesus in that those who follow Him would suffer persecution. We are not greater than our Master, for he was persecuted for telling the Gospel Truth, as well as exposing hypocrisy in the religious leaders of the children of Israel. As we live a godly and spirit led life, we will be persecuted by unbelieving church people as well as the world. Church people being defined as “in name only christians” who do not follow the teachings of Jesus and His disciples. they are easily recognized. 128They are very religious but deny the power of God and refuse to love as Christ Jesus told them to. They hardly ever read the Bible or pray a warm genuine prayer to Jesus or Father God. They really do not want Holy Spirit in the service and claim he was there if their emotions were stirred. They have no idea about covenant relationship with Jesus or that a Personal relationship with Jesus is possible. Yet unbiblical advice and criticism are their contribution to the church. God forbid that any of us take this advice or criticism to heart. Jesus loves us and sent Holy Spirit to help us in our Christian walk of Faith, Hope and Love as we are about the Father's will. Walk with Jesus and be guided by Holy Spirit and we will be fine. Let us look closer to this morning’s Biblical text:

1 Peter 4 (NKJV)

Therefore, since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind, for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will of God. For we have spent enough of our past lifetime in doing the will of the Gentiles—when we walked in lewdness, lusts, drunkenness, revelries, drinking parties, and abominable idolatries. In regard to these, they think it strange that you do not run with them in the same flood of dissipation, speaking evil of you. They will give an account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. For this reason the gospel was preached also to those who are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit. But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers. And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins.” Be hospitable to one another without grumbling. As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen. Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified. But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody in other people’s matters. Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter. For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God? Now “If the righteous one is scarcely saved, Where will the ungodly and the sinner appear?” Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator.

They will give an account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. For this reason the gospel was preached also to those who are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit. But the end of all things is at hand.

We all will give an account of our actions, ministries, and how we loved Jesus by keeping His commandments of love. To be told” Depart from me. I never knew you.” would be devastating and eternal banishment would be horrifying.

A remedy, or better said, a prevention of those words being spoken to us is this: fall deeply in love with Jesus by actively pursuing and obeying His commands to love!! He would know you then. We must meet Jesus on His terms not our own. Submitting to our Lord is of the utmost importance. We need a heart after Jesus and all of God including Father YHWH and the Holy Spirit.

What Shall We Say to All of This?

Jesus should have all of us. Our heart, mind and soul as it should be; All of us joined in the Spirit of Christ, one with Jesus. Being Holy Spirit led during persecution is wisdom in that Holy Spirit gives us our comfort in Jesus and trust that the suffering will build character as well as draw us closer to Jesus that we would grow in living a joyful and peaceful life, even through the suffering. What a testament to holy christian living. When a man or woman of God has a deep commitment to the Covenant with Jesus and sealed with the Holy Spirit as a down payment as it were for us to treasure. The Treasure is Jesus promised He would come again to get His Bride The Church and bring us to the Marriage Supper of the Lamb. The Church will be without spot or wrinkle and adorned with His mercy and grace, blameless before the Father God YHWH. what a day that will be.

Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator.

Yes Lord Jesus!! Help your people to go after you with all their hearts, mind, souls, spirit and strength. Help us to know you and hold nothing back for worldly pleasure that war against our souls and spirit. We want to serve you not from the carnal flesh but with submitted flesh, soul and spirit. May the three parts of us worship, adore and praise You and our God from a humble and submissive heart in Spirit and Truth. What a privilege and honor to serve an Awesome God . Holy , Holy Holy is The Lord OUR God; our faithful Creator!

Lets honor God with a spirt that speaks truth and love as God has specified in His Holy Scripture. Let our souls desire God with all our Mind, soul and strength. May Jesus draw close to you as you draw close to Him. May He richly bless you!

Conclusion

We are to be Holy Spirit saturated to overflowing in the Holy Spirit. This keeps us spiritually fresh and right on top of what Holy Spirit is doing. We have a direction that is accurate and flowing and is very fluid. Holy Spirit can be flowing in a direction and then flow completely in another direction. This is unnerving if you are not flowing in and with Holy Spirits’ current in the river of God. It is glorious and exuberantly fulfilling.

Trusting Jesus, and Holy Spirit during these times of suffering persecution will actually bring us to a deeper relationship with Jesus and Holy Spirit as well as build faith as we pray to the Father. This keeps us focused on the mission that God has given to each of us to accomplish. We fit into Gods will and plan for expanding His Kingdom.

Suffering is character building in so many ways. Peter says in this chapter of suffering to speak as oracles of God. In the state of trusting God that His word and will be done in Heaven and earth, we move on point in going after what we have assigned. Suffering and staying focused is just part of our training in small things as we qualify in them to move and graduate into bigger ministries. Perhaps even greater suffering and persecution. Remember this you will become a mighty man and woman of God through this whole process.

We thank you Jesus for helping us draw close and helping us to be faithful useful servants. Help each of us to really have your seeds of love grow deep into the fertile soil of our hearts. We need Holy Spirit and your Holy Word to make us fertile in our heart, speech and lives in You, while serving in your Kingdom our Awesome and Mighty God! We pray for focus on the Mission you have tasked us with. May we join our brothers in all ages who served you with great joy to be considered worthy to suffer for the savior Jesus. We Smile Big in our hearts for we know we are near the End of all Things as Peter reminds us. We trust you Mighty God to keep us in you, your word is a lamp unto our feet. Thank you for walking with us in this fantastic life in Christ Jesus in the Kingdom of our God.