Praise Amunition: Something's Coming

Romans 8:24–25 NKJV

24 For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance.

Bad is going to happen.

Whether you serve God or not, there is going to be bad.

Many, many believers were lied to when they started serving God, or when they grew up in a Christian household.

If bad happens, are you going to blame God? Be bitter at God? Lessen your prayer life? Lessen your excitement about Him?

2. We are part of the ONLY belief system in the world where bad has a purpose!

James 1:2–4 NKJV

2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.

Romans 5:3–4 NKJV

3 And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; 4 and perseverance, character; and character, hope.

Perseverance: steadfast endurance n. — the power to withstand hardship or stress; especially the inward fortitude necessary.

Character: dependability n. — the quality of being proven to be dependable or reliable.

Hope: hope (feeling) n. — the general feeling that some desire will be fulfilled.

Hebrews 12:3–11 NKJV

3 For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls. 4 You have not yet resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin. 5 And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons: “My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, Nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him; 6 For whom the Lord loves He chastens, And scourges every son whom He receives.” 7 If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten? 8 But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons. 9 Furthermore, we have had human fathers who corrected us, and we paid them respect. Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live? 10 For they indeed for a few days chastened us as seemed best to them, but He for our profit, that we may be partakers of His holiness. 11 Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

Chastening: discipline n. — the imposition of painful consequences or other disadvantages upon someone for their disobedience as part of a process of improving someone’s character or actions.

we can despise that chastening. What happens if we do?

John 15:1–2 NKJV

1 “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit.

So what do we have in all of this?

being tested produces patience, which makes us perfect!

tribulation produces perseverance, then character, then hope.

none of these things can be “given” to you. They must be formed in you. God has to take whatever’s there in you, and form, out of it, these deep-rooted, unshakable, life-changing attributes?

Do you want people in your life with some perseverance? What do people with perseverance do?

What about character? What do people with character do for us?

Chastening (discipline) is evidence God loves us! Jesus went through it. BIG time!

Finally, “pruning” is evidence God sees fruit in our lives and is preparing us to produce even more!

What is our response supposed to be?

Count it joy!

do not despise it!

What if we did despise it? What if we did become bitter?

3. We are part of the only FAMILY in the world, where bad always ALWAYS ALWAYS works out for our good!

Romans 8:28 NKJV

28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

If you are God’s child, if you love Him, NO MATTER WHAT YOU ARE FACING, IT WILL WORK FOR GOOD! NO MATTER WHAT! NO MATTER WHAT!

Don’t just not be bitter! don’t just *not* blame Him!

PRAISE HIM FOR THE BAD!

The moment “bad” shows up, you know this is about to work together!

Praise Him that He accepted you into such a wonderful family that even bad can’t bring you down! even bad is in your father’s hands~!