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April 19, 2017

Trust In Time Of Difficulty...



Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation. Habakkuk3:17, 18.



The children of God may rejoice in all things and at all times. When troubles and difficulties come, believing in the wise providence of God, you may rejoice. You need not wait for a happy flight of feeling, but by faith you may lay hold of the promises and lift up a hymn of thanksgiving to God....



Memory’s hall should be hung with sacred pictures, with views of Jesus, with lessons of His truth, with revealings of His matchless charms. If memory’s hall were thus furnished, we would not look upon our lot as intolerable. We would not talk of the faults of others. Our souls would be full of Jesus and His love. We would not desire to dictate to the Lord the way that He should lead. We would love God supremely and our neighbor as ourselves. When the joy of the Lord is in the soul, you will not be able to repress it; you will want to tell others of the treasure you have found; you will speak of Jesus and His matchless charms. We should devote all to Him. Our minds should be educated to dwell upon those things that will glorify God; and if our mental powers are dedicated to God, our talents will improve, and we shall have more and more ability to render to the Master. We shall become channels of light to others.



We can have a close connection with God and with our Saviour; and when we are connected with God, we shall be all light in the Lord, for in Him is no darkness at all.



As we learn of Christ, we shall understand how to keep our spiritual strength, we shall feed on the Word of God, and we shall have the blessed experience described by the apostle in these words: “Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory” (1 Peter 1:8).

1 Peter 1:8-9

8 Whom ye have not seen, and yet love him, in whom now, though ye see him not, yet do you believe, and rejoice with [joy] unspeakable and glorious,
9 Receiving the [a]end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.

Footnotes:

  1. 1 Peter 1:9  Or, reward.

1 Peter 1

V 1–2: PILGRIMS Peter, the apostle, writes to the Christian pilgrims who have been dispersed throughout what we know as modern Turkey. He wishes them multiplied grace and peace. Although geographically scattered, their position as the elect is focused in God. The Father’s foreknowledge, the Spirit’s sanctifying, and the shed blood of Jesus Christ are all highlighted in the greeting. Sanctification and obedience are to be priorities for them. V 3–9: PRECIOUS Starting with God’s mercy and their hope, through the resurrected Christ, Peter reminds them of an incorruptible and undefiled inheritance that awaits them in heaven, and of the preciousness of their faith which is being tried through grievous trials. This will lead to great rejoicing and the certainty of their eternal salvation. V 10–12: PRIVILEGE Prophets, and even angels, would love to know what these Christians now know about the sufferings and glory of Christ, made real to them through His gospel. They are privileged people! V 13–16: PRIORITY They are to reject former sins and lusts. They are to be holy because God is holy. Holiness is the hallmark of real conversion, and must be the priority of each Christian. V 17–21: PRAYER Those who call on the Father in prayer should have a consistent conduct that honours Him. The precious blood of Christ, shed in God’s economy before the world was founded, has redeemed them. Their faith and hope are in God, knowing that the once crucified Christ is risen from the dead. V 22: PURITY The Holy Spirit has given them purity through obeying the truth. Their love for one another is to blend purity with fervency. V 23–25: PERMANENT Just as God lives forever, so His Word endures forever. They have been born again spiritually through incorruptible and unchangeable seed. Their gospel blessings will also last for ever.


 King James Study Bible: 1 Peter 1:8-9:
  • Introduction to the First Epistle General of Peter

    • Introduction to the First Epistle General of Peter

    Ch. 12 begins the second half of Revelation. It is the first of seven visions in 12:1-15:4 and underscores the theme of persecution that appeared throughout chs. 1-11 and anticipates the intensified persecutions of ch. 13. It recalls the conquering promises of chs. 2-3 as well as the Lamb's conquest in 5:5.
  • 1 Pet. 1:3—2:10  The Christian’s destiny: salvation. Salvation means “deliverance.” Peter’s view of salvation is ultimate salvation, that is, when the believer will be rescued from this world into the... 

  • 1 Pet. 1:3–12  The plan of salvation: Peter does not look at time from a Western perspective. The Hebrews regarded the present as so fleeting that in their language they have essentially only two tenses:... 
  • 1 Pet. 1:6–9  The problem of salvation looks to the present. Earthly trials constitute a problem of our salvation, but they are only for a season, or temporary. Manifold temptations means diversified... 


1 Peter 1:8 "Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see [him] not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:"
“Having not seen”: This is in the sense of His appearing (verse 7; 1 Cor. 5:7). At that time, the fiery trials that believers have endured will benefit God by bringing Him “praise and glory and honor” eternally.
Jesus says that those who believe, who have not seen, are greatly blessed.
John 20:29 "Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed [are] they that have not seen, and [yet] have believed."
This is speaking of true faith. Abraham believed, and it was counted unto him as righteousness. When we have faith like Abraham, we are counted righteous in God's sight, as well.
Galatians 3:29 "And if ye [be] Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise."
It is our faith in Jesus Christ that saves us.
1 Peter 1:9 "Receiving the end of your faith, [even] the salvation of [your] souls."
“Receiving … salvation”: This could be translated “presently receiving for yourselves.” In some sense, Christians now possess the result of their faith, a constant deliverance from the power of sin. In another sense, we are waiting to receive the full salvation of eternal glory in the redemption of our bodies (Romans 8:23).
This is just saying that the reward for believing is salvation in Jesus Christ.
 
Verses 10-11: The prophecy of salvation looks to the past. This section is most important, for it reveals that salvation was the object of prophecy and reveals how much the Old Testament prophets knew of Christ. The “prophets,” that is, the Old Testament prophets “searched diligently:” This emphasizes the study involved in their search.
They wanted to know when the Messiah was coming and what would be the circumstances of His coming. “The Spirit of Christ,” that is, the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:9). “Which was in them”, indicates the prophets were indwelt by the Spirit.


Asbury Bible Commentary – II. God's Saving Grace: Rebirth to a New Way of Life (1:3–12)
Resources » Asbury Bible Commentary » Part III: The New Testament » 1 PETER » Commentary » II. God's Saving Grace: Rebirth to a New Way of Life (1:3–12):

Peter begins by praising God for the mercy of his saving grace. God has given his people an entirely new life through Jesus Christ. So new is this life that Peter employs the notion of rebirth, a notion used infrequently in Scripture despite its widespread use today. What sort of life does God give his people in their rebirth?
It is a life oriented toward the future. Those who are reborn have a hope that animates their present lives (1:3-5; cf. 1:13, 21; 3:5, 15). Accordingly, joy and exultation characterize the daily lives of Christians (1:6, 8, 9). Peter does not say that rebirth makes people happy, at least not in the way that word is commonly used. Peter does say that rebirth equips Christians with ability to see all of life in the light of the glory to be revealed when Christ returns.
The new life God gives in Christ is also a life of fulfillment, the fulfillment of all God's promises to Israel. What the prophets announced beforehand, what they anticipated in the sufferings and glories of the Messiah, is precisely that saving grace that has enlivened believers (1:10-12).
Peter does not, however, promise a life of ease. If God gives his people a life of hope, joy, certainty, and fulfillment, it is also a life subject to testing and trial. Saving grace comes through the Christ who suffered and then received glory (1:10-11). That same pattern, from present suffering to future glory, characterizes the life of those reborn. For that reason, just as he describes the joy and hope, he also describes the suffering that attends Christian life (1:6). Such suffering, however, serves as an aid to grace and becomes a basis for even greater joy and praise to God. In light of God's redemptive purposes, the sufferings of his people, like the fiery testing of gold, will prepare them for the glory that awaits them at Christ's return (1:7).
If Christians' sufferings are to serve this purpose, they must be true to their calling as God's people. Peter addresses the implications of that calling in the exhortations that comprise the bulk of his letter.



Dictionary of Bible Themes:
  • 4942 fulness  The totality of something, as it is brought to completion by being filled. Jesus Christ is seen as expressing the full nature and purposes of God, so that believers may rest assured that, through Christ, they know God as he really is. Believers are also being brought to fulness through the gospel, although the final fulness of joy and understanding will take place only in the future kingdom of God.
  • 4966 present, the  God’s blessings are available now and are to be received in faith and contentment. It is dangerous to live only for current blessings and pleasures.
  • 5020 human nature  Human nature was created by God, is corrupted by sin and can only be renewed and recreated through the grace of God. Redemption was achieved by Jesus Christ taking upon himself sinful human nature on the cross, so delivering from the power and penalty of sin.

    Human nature is created by God:

    God created humanity 
    God created human beings as male and female 
    God created human beings in his image and likeness 
    Human nature is created inferior to God himself 
    Human nature is given life by the Spirit of God 
    Human beings are dependent upon God
    Human beings have freedom to choose between good and evil 

    The components of human nature:

    The soul Ps 116:7 The Hebrew and Greek words for “soul” are translated in various ways by the NIV, including “breath” and “life”. It refers chiefly to the principle of life. See also Mk 8:35-37; Lk 1:46; 1Pe 1:9; 1Pe 2:11
    The spirit Jas 2:26 The Hebrew and Greek words for “spirit” are translated in various ways by the NIV, including “breath”, “heart” and “mind”. It often refers to the identity-giving aspect of human nature. See alsoJob 34:14; Ps 77:3; Ps 142:3; Mt 26:41; Lk 8:55; Ac 7:59; Ro 8:16; Heb 4:12
    The flesh Jer 17:5 The Hebrew and Greek words for “flesh” are translated in various ways by the NIV, including “body”, “flesh” and “human nature”. The term can refer specifically to the frailty of human nature or to human nature in opposition to God. See also Ge 6:3; Job 10:4; Ps 78:39; Mt 26:41; Php 3:3-5

    Human nature became corrupted by sin:

    Sin has its origins in the disobedience of Adam and Eve 
    Sin affects human nature universally 
    Human nature is trapped in its sinful condition
    Sin hardens human nature 
    Human nature is mortal on account of sin 

    Human nature can be redeemed through Jesus Christ:

    Jesus Christ took human nature upon himself 
    Jesus Christ mediated between God and humanity in his human nature
    Jesus Christ makes possible the reversal of Adam’s disobedience 
    Jesus Christ makes possible a sharing in God’s nature 
  • 5841 ecstasy  An exalted condition of spiritual joy or rapture; usually reflecting the experience of the Holy Spirit.
  • 6510 salvation  
  • 6511 salvation, nature of
  • 6512 salvation, necessity and basis of
  • 6513 Saviour, God as
  • 6514 Saviour, Jesus Christ as

    • 6510 SALVATION

    The transformation of a person’s individual nature and relationship with God as a result of repentance and faith in the atoning death of Jesus Christ on the cross. All humanity stands in need of salvation, which is only possible through faith in Jesus Christ.
  • 8020 faith  A constant outlook of trust towards God, whereby human beings abandon all reliance on their own efforts and put their full confidence in him, his word and his promises.
    This set of themes consists of the following:
    8021faith, nature of
    8022faith, as basis of salvation
    8023faith, necessity of
    8024faith, and blessings of God
    8025faith, origins of
    8026faith, growth in
    8027faith, testing of
    8028faith, as a body of beliefs
  • 8117 discipleship, benefits of  Joy, peace and happiness result from following Jesus Christ, together with the hope of being like him and with him in heaven. This is anticipated in the OT, which stresses the importance of obedience to the Lord.
  • 8289 joy, of the church  The church is to rejoice in the salvation brought about by Jesus Christ’s faithful life and death, and by the power of his resurrection. Even in adversity, believers know the joy of Jesus Christ.
  • 8296 love, nature of  Scripture offers an understanding of the source, character and value of love, based on the nature and actions of God.

    God is the source of love:

    His very character is love 
    The love of God is revealed in the cross of Jesus Christ 
    Love is part of the Holy Spirit’s fruit 

    The loving-kindness of God referred to in the OT

    The love of God in the NT:

    To describe God’s love for humanity 
    To describe love for God 
    To describe brotherly love
    To describe love expressed by eating together 
    To describe love in a negative sense 

    Characteristics of love

    Love is shown by deeds

    The pre-eminence of love

  • 8297 love, for God  Scripture teaches believers to love God and shows how such love should be expressed in worship and practical service.

    Believers’response to God’s love

    Love for God is commanded

    Loving God involves loving Jesus Christ

    Expressing love for God:

    Delight in worship and in God’s house 
    Love for God’s word 
    Self-sacrifice 
    Giving 
    Obeying God 
    Loving others 

    The blessings of loving God

    Examples of love for God and Jesus Christ

  • 8797 persecution, attitudes to  Scripture outlines the attitudes which believers should adopt in the face of persecution, laying particular emphasis upon the faithfulness of God, the example of Jesus Christ and the need for patience and hope by believers.

    The call to endure in the face of persecution:

    Passively 
    Actively

    Attitudes believers are to adopt in facing persecution:

    Living holy and forgiving lives 

    Rejoicing in suffering:

    Relying on the promise of God’s grace to endure
    Trusting in the promise of God’s presence 
    Praying always

    The certain prospect of victory over persecution:

    The triumph of Jesus Christ 
    The vindication of the saints 

    Believers are to take heart from the example of Jesus Christ in facing persecution:

    The persecution of Jesus Christ was predicted in the OT 
    The fulfilment of these predictions 
    The relevance of Jesus Christ’s innocent suffering to believers: suffering for the sake of righteousness; rejoicing at sharing in Christ’s sufferings

It is time for Christians to separate themselves from 'Traditional Christianity'....
Among the main groups of false Christianity are Catholics, Orthodox, and Protestants...
(Rev.18:4)

HERE IS PROOF THAT JESUS AND HIS DISCIPLES’ PROPHECIES IN MT. 24 AND THROUGHOUT THE NEW TESTAMENT ARE TRUE.  Our end-time is typified by incalculable church and other deception.  These evil spirits came from the depths of hell to deceive the whole world, but their main focus is on the Scripturally born again believing disciples of Christ.  It seems as if deception is in the air we breathe.  No one is safe.  The Only Lamp for our feet through this maze of darkness is the contextual Truth of God’s Word, and the power and leading of the Real Holy Spirit of the Bible, (Mt. 24:11-14; 2128.)  The idolatrous Roman Catholic, Christian Church, [Jesus’ real disciples were simply followers of Him, The Way, Acts 24:14; 22,] formed shortly after Jesus’ ascension. Through masonic orders, the Roman Church, through the 16th century Protestant Reformation, spawned many Christian divisions or denominations, actually dressing herself in different clothes. All the Protestant churches such as the Dutch Reformed and other Calvinism, Lutherism, Presbyterian etc. churches were birthed.  The Baptist church later joined them, reforming from the first assemblies of Christ, who were incredibly persecuted by Catholicism and Protestantism for adhering to Jesus’ teaching and example of the water baptism of believers, and other Scriptural beliefs.   However, (and this is how we know that this is he End Time,) most of the other Catholic/freemasonry founded schisms we know today, began in the 19th century, proliferating immensely during the 20th century, and growing aggressively from bad to worse in the 21st century.  
These are just a few examples.  Edward Irving’s Catholic Apostolic Church was founded in 1831, evolved into the Old Apostolic Church in 1832, and all the other ‘apostolic’ churches became this clown's family of jokers.  Freemason Joseph Smith founded Mormonism in 1820, which produced the Church of the Latter-Day Saints and her modern daughters, such as the Pentecostal Movement in 1901, and  the Charismatic Movement in 1960.  Messianic Judaism began in the 1960s-70s; which supposedly declares Jesus while taking His blood-bought believers back to Judaism's tradition, ritual and law, rejecting the New Covenant Christ and his full atonement in favor of the ‘Judaist messiah’ who still has to come.  The Seventh Day Adventists Church was founded in 1844;  Charles Taze Russell and Joseph Rutherford’s Jehovah Witnesses in 1870; Armstrong or the Worldwide Church of God in 1934; William Branham’s Jesus Only tabernacles in 1933; Cult Killer Jim Jones in1951 and Cult Killer David Koresh’s The Branch Dividian in 1955.   It seems that since the early 19th century, a dangerous, unscriptural cult is born every few years. And now, during the 21st century just before Jesus' return, it seems these dangers are evolving into something else on a daily basis.
~Renette Vermeulen
■■■▶ the Dutch Reformed Church supported free-masonry and also legalism. Reformed churches mix the Old and New Covenants in a ‘Covenantal’ theology instead of a New Covenant theology...
In the following articles it has been shown that the Dutch Reformed Church in South Africa, since the beginning of it’s history has been Calvinistic and Masonic. Piet Retief was a Freemason and the Pretoria Voortrekker monument is actually an altar for Sun Worship.  Please read all articles on this shocking information here:

☆ Freemasonry and the Dutch Reformed Church – Part 1

☆ Freemasonry and the Dutch Reformed Church – Part 2

☆ Freemasonry and the Dutch Reformed Church – Part 3

☆ Freemasonry and the Dutch Reformed Church – Part 4

■■■▶ Huguenots, John Calvin and Freemasonry:
the Huguenots were proud Calvinists.  Calvinism is a false gospel that God predestined mankind before the foundation of the world to either be Elect and go to heaven or a Reprobate and burn in hell.  Please read all articles on John Calvin here:

■■■▶ The Broederbond operated with the approval of the Afrikaans reformed churches;
Protestant churches, divided into the many denominations or divisions, are affiliated with the Roman Catholic Church 




☆■●☆■● What The Bible Says About The Roman Catholic Church:

 ■ “Come Out of Her My People!” 
http://www.freeme2.co.za/index_files/Page1634.htm

 ■ ECUMENIST DANGER OR DENOMINATIONAL UNION IN CHURCHES; THE ONE-WORLD CHURCH
 http://www.unbannedbiblepublications.com/index_files/Page37064.htm

 ■ Refuse to be the slave of a false church system. 
Find the truth behind the origins and sublime doctrines of this church
SOME of the subjects inside this article: 
http://www.mylife4jesus.co.za

 ■ “Come Out of Her My People!” 
http://www.freeme2.co.za/index_files/Page1634.htm

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