Expect a Fight

Do not expect to do right without a fight.

-- James Spruill

Fight the good fight for the Christian faith. Take hold of everlasting life to which you were called and about which you made a good testimony in front of many witnesses.

-- 1 Timothy 6:12 (GWT)

Let us not forget these words recorded in God's Word:

This is what the Lord says to you: Don’t be frightened or terrified...
...The battle isn’t yours. It’s God’.
-- From 2 Chronicles 20:15 (GWT)

Faith is the Victory!

Grateful 

Do You Really Expect God to Answer?

Two verses in the New Testament Book of James really challenged my faith recently:

(6) But when you ask Him, be sure that you really expect Him to answer, for a doubtful mind is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. (7) People like that should not expect to receive anything from the Lord.
--James 1:6-7 (NLT)

In the wake of these two verses, I can only cry out with the father who came to Jesus on behalf of his demon-possessed boy. Yes with him I echo...

"I do believe, but help me not to doubt!"
-- Mark 9:24 (NLT)

Perhaps this "Third Day" classic song will encourage:
Click > http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VeGNgBwPTMA

Lord, add to my feeble faith an abundance of anticipation, yes an enhanced expectation that believes when I cry out? You will answer! In Jesus' Name. Amen.

By Faith! In Faith! (Hebrews 11)
Grateful

Yes, Ascension Is Just Above Suffering!

On my multiple pilgrimages to the Holy Land, one particuarly geographical reality is very inspiring: The Place of Jesus' Ascension, The Mount of Olives, is located just above The Place of Jesus' Suffering, Gethsemane. This visual surely inspires hope.

Standing there, I hear my Granny's death-bed chant resounding in the depths of my soul. Yes, simply and profoundly because my Granny's death-bed chant was in reality a delightful cheer: If I suffer with Him, I shall reign with him. (My Granny's Paraphrase of 2 Timothy 2:12 KJV)

Be encouraged, friends of Jesus. Let us keep our heads up while our knees are down, because The Gate of Suffering always leads to The Mount of Celebration for those Who belong to Christ. Indeed, the bitterness of Gethsemane's Olive Grove is but the entry way to the blessedness of The Mount of Olives! Earthly suffering with Jesus ultimately gives way to Eternally reigning with Jesus.

Yes, if we endure suffering with Jesus today, we can expect celebration with Jesus tomorrow.

IF MY PEOPLE... WILL? I WILL! God's Promise in 2 Chron. 7:14.
Grateful