have u ever wondered...

04DEC2016

have u ever wondered y Jesus had to suffer all the things we do? have u asked yourself y Jesus just didn't make it all good while He was here on earth?

many times i have wondered these things. and each time, the answer is the same. Jesus wanted to totally identify completely with those He wanted to redeem, even if they rejected Him.

this total identification brought validity to all Jesus said and did.

and the answer to y Jesus did not make it all good while He was on earth is becuz God, the Father, was not done with His work. u and i were not yet here along with many others. as God waits for His appointed time to fulfill all that is written, we r to follow Christ Jesus' example of how to live life to the fullest even thru the suffering.

when u look at the early believers, u see them rejoicing in the midst of suffering, hardship, as well as in times of rest and fellowship.

what can u see is the key that allowed their suffering to be turned into a time of joy with peace?

the answer, which can be found thru out the epistles, is OBEDIENCE.

from LASB devotional is a good question:

Hebrews 2:10 NASBS

For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things, and through whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to perfect the author of their salvation through sufferings.

Hebrews 2:10 MSG

It makes good sense that the God who got everything started and keeps everything going now completes the work by making the Salvation Pioneer perfect through suffering as he leads all these people to glory. 

How was Jesus made perfect through suffering?

His perfect obedience (which led him down the road of suffering).

in order to walk this road of obedience, u must have discipline in your life. and spiritual discipline starts with u and i being willing to put aside what we want and discover what God wants.

NIV365-DAY

Hebrews 6:11-12 NASBS

And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence so as to realize the full assurance of hope until the end, so that you will not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

Hebrews 6:11-12 MSG

And now I want each of you to extend that same intensity toward a full-bodied hope, and keep at it till the finish. Don't drag your feet. Be like those who stay the course with committed faith and then get everything promised to them.

Growing in Christ

Spiritual discipline is essential for Christian growth and development. Though at first painful, spiritual discipline resulting from obedience and faith produces abundant blessings (Heb 12:11). Every believer should seek to become disciplined in order to grow spiritually.

Spiritual discipline is a continual process that helps the believer mature in Christ and know God’s will. It is as much an attitude of commitment as it is an activity in holiness. Specific spiritual disciplines may include personal training in Bible study, prayer, worship, fellowship, service or witnessing, among other godly practices. A conscientious, creative pursuit of these spiritual disciplines should continue throughout a believer’s life (Heb 6:11–12).

Spiritual discipline is essential to deliverance from the power of sin and obedience to God’s will. Without spiritual discipline, believers cannot walk with Christ, grow in faith or receive the heavenly rewards awaiting those who diligently practice spiritual discipline.

Taken from The Woman’s Study Bible

now look around u.

what do u see?

is there a need u can meet?

is there a job u can help with?

is there someone who can use a smile, a hug?

sometimes, the hardest thing is to take the first step. but as the song says, "put one foot in front of the other, soon u r walkin' across the floor."

our spiritual discipline will help us move forward in obedience to Christ's command of reaching people and drawing them in to a relationship with God.