Things happen because
LIFE HAPPENS.
And when
LIFE HAPPENS
it brings some THINGS
that you wish weren't
HAPPENING.
Have you been so stunned by what may or may not have HAPPENED in your LIFE
that it shakes your world
that you look up and just ask
"WHY GOD?".
And then HE reminds you~
"Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you,
as though something strange were happening to you" (I Peter 4:14).
And even though we
"know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything"
(James 1:3-4)
it is still so very hard.
BUT JESUS told us at the very beginning~
"If anyone wishes to come after ME, he must deny himself, & take up his cross and follow ME. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it;
but whoever loses his life for MY sake will find it" (Matt. 16:24-25).
THE COST OF DISCIPLESHIP
is
PRICELESS.
It isn't in the FOLLOWING JESUS
that is so hard,
it is in the
TRUSTING HIM IN ALL THINGS
when the ALL THINGS are not what you signed up for.
The COST of FOLLOWING JESUS may be hard at times,
but it is so worth it because HE told us~
"Friends, when life gets really difficult,
don’t jump to the conclusion that GOD isn’t on the job.
Instead, be glad that you are in the very thick of what CHRIST experienced.
This is a spiritual refining process, with glory just around the corner" (I Peter 4:12-13).
So if you ever feel like throwing the towel in
the MOMENT when the MOMENT does not make sense,
DON'T!
Just keep your feet
PLANTED IN HIM at all times
so that you are
experiencing
THE COST OF DISCIPLESHIP
that makes you
BLOOM in ALL THINGS
at ALL TIMES~
"Be joyful always. Pray Continuously. Give thanks in all circumstances,
for this is GOD'S will for you in CHRIST JESUS" (I Thessalonians 5:16-18)
Because
The "BATTLE BELONGS"
TO GOD~
(listen to the song below)