Mat 5:2 And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying: Mat 5:3 "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Mat 5:4 "Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Mat 5:5 "Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. Mat 5:6 "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. Mat 5:7 "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. Mat 5:8 "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Mat 5:9 "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. Mat 5:10 "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
1Pe 1:6 In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, 1Pe 1:7 so that the tested genuineness of your faith--more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire--may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
1Pe 4:12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 1Pe 4:13 But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. 1Pe 4:14 If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.
Do you see a pattern here? When you hear the word "blessings of God" what do you think of? I know alot of people in many of our American churches think; wealth, health, life of ease, happiness, nice relationships. We obtain those things and we think, "Oh how blessed I am!" God can bless us in these things, I think most of the time He doesn't though. What is God's goal in our lives? For us to be happy? I Think He is more interested in us being conformed into the image of His Son. Does money help us to do that? Most of us would have to honestly answer, "no". Do trials? Most definitely!
Rom 5:3 More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, Rom 5:4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, Rom 5:5 and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.
So what do we see as true "blessing" from God? Money or Trials ( sufferings) Which conforms us into the image of His Son?
This might help you to look at your trials differantly. Not that they are fun, but when we know the purpose we can appreciate what the outcome will be, and then we can see them as blessings.
In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God- John 1:1
such a well thought out post. I find this so much more comforting since it has to do with the Word of God, so much more hopeful than anything WoF people would try to teach. So many supposed 'Christians' do not understand this and therefore burden those who follow them.
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