Monday, May 14, 2012

GRIEF TO JOY (05-14-12)

John 16:20
“Amen, amen, I say to you, you will weep and mourn, while the world rejoices; you will grieve, but your grief will become joy.”

We all live in a troubled world.  But that doesn’t mean that we have to accept them in our lives.  We need to come to the point in our lives where we relinquish to God whatever others - or our circumstances - would take from us.  Being a Christian doesn't make us somehow immune from the ills and afflictions of our common fallen humanity, nor does it guarantee us protection from evil acts which others may perpetrate. 

Trouble and disaster – whatever their cause – are never the final word.  Be still!  The Lord is God! The Lord is in our midst! God is our refuge and strength! Put our trust in Him!  Live under his grace! Know his peace in this troubled world! 

When we learn to follow Jesus, we will be able to feed the lambs, tend the sheep, and feed the sheep.  Jesus commissioned Peter to do these things, but he has also commissioned us.  Let us be willing to follow Christ and so fulfill the calling he has placed on our lives.  Love Him.  Follow Him. 

Our greatest challenge for this age, then, is to live as God commands, to proclaim the gospel of the Kingdom of God in all the world, to make disciples in all nations and to care for the disciples God adds to His Church today.  Love Him.  Follow Him.  Be with Him, today. 

Let us pray + 

Almighty Father, may You enlighten our mind to think only of whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is fair, whatever is pure, whatever is acceptable, whatever is commendable – and if there is anything of excellence and if there is anything praiseworthy – may we keep thinking about these things (Philippians 4:8).  Amen +

The Lord has revealed to the nations his saving power.

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