In search of God

James 1:12, 'Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him.' When we are born again and surrender our life to Christ, there is a struggle between the soul that wishes to please the self and the Spirit of God deposited within us that wishes to please God. The Devil through trials, tries to cause us to loose faith in God, to remove our trust in Him who conquers all and to trust ourselves. But those that love Him are called to stand firm, never loosing heart but trusting in Him who is the author and perfecter of our faith that He is faithful and will complete the work He has began in us. Jesus tells us in John 14:23 that we display our love for Him by living in obedience to Him, keeping His teachings that will lead us to life eternal that He gave unto us through His amazing grace at the cross. So despite all the enemy, who steals, robs and kills, might bring your w...

1 Peter 5:10, ‘And the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will Himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.’ Life as a follower of Christ is fraught with trials, persecutions and sufferings. This does not mean that we are called to live a life of anxiety or despair but because of His peace that He has given us and His boundless grace in our lives, we are able to live joyful lives even in the midst of our misfortune and suffering. We who are called and have heeded to that same call to follow and obey Christ need to persevere and exercise patience in our lives. We need to look at things in perspective which is that the time spent on this earth is small compared to the eternity of the life to come and also that God is faithful to His word and will keep the promises He has made to us in Christ. He will restore us and make us strong, firm and steadfast not only in the life to come but also in this that ...

Isaiah 25:4,5, ‘You have been a refuge for the poor, a refuge for the needy in his distress, a shelter from the storm and a shade from the heat. For the breath of the ruthless is like a storm driving against a wall and like the heat of the desert.’ Lord when I am in distress, I will always run to you for shelter. I will hide myself in thee from the distress of this world. Hide me and give me respite from the ceaseless scorching heat of hate from my enemies. Be a barrier in my life to the storm of strife brought to my door step by those that wish harm upon me. Even though they are numerous, I will not fear, I will remain calm because I know that my refuge is secure. In the Lord will I always place my trust and hope.

Habakkuk 3:2, ‘Lord, I have heard of your fame; I stand in awe of your deeds, O Lord. Renew them in our day, in our time make them known; in wrath remember mercy. Often when we are faced with tough times, trials and tribulations of this world, we feel forsaken by God lamenting and crying out to Him, asking why He has forgotten us. We focus so much on the current crisis and the darkness enveloping us in the pit we are in that we forget about the crisis that we had faced in the past and how the same God we are crying out as having forsaken us helped us then and lifted us out of the pit that we were in. The God we serve is the same yesterday, today, tomorrow and forever and therefore if He has saved you once He will do it again. All we need to do is be patient and trusting. Whenever we are faced with these situations and we feel despair creeping in, remind yourself of the times past, that you have seen the saving arm of the Lord in your life. Our God is a merciful God and He will show...

1 Peter 1:7, ‘These (all kinds of trials) have come so that your faith – of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire – may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.’ This world is full of trials and tribulations and many of us when faced we go around sad and feeling persecuted. But look at it this way, our Lord controls everything of this world, because control was given to Him, and if you are facing a trial, He has allowed you to face it for a reason, and the reason is for you to be shaped, molded and matured spiritually. Just like a pearl is shaped due to an irritation, a believer’s faith in the one who called us to Himself is built up. So when you face these trials, do not despair but rejoice because He that is in you is still doing His work in you to make you whole and without blemish, a pure bride for His second coming.

Jesus himself told us that this world we live in is full of trouble that we encounter on a daily basis but reassured us that he had already overcome the world. So how are we supposed to live in this world of strife? By being joyful in hope, patient in affliction and faithful in prayer. The scriptures tells us the attitude we need to have when faced with trials and tribulations in James 1:2-4 ´Consider it pure joy , my brothers whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete not lacking in anything.´ We face these trials as a necessity for growth and strengthening of our faith in God and in order to overcome our sinful nature so that eventually we are able to live naturally in the reborn state of righteousness in Christ Jesus. We are God´s workmanship continually being afforded this opportunities of discomfort that are ultimately meant to make us into c...