Morning by Morning, September 1 - “Through Many Tribulations” We Overcome and Come Into the Character of Christ Good morning, Lord Jesus. Like every day, I want to begin my day looking to You, listening for Your leading -- embraced by my Father, centered in Christ, and filled with Your Holy Spirit. ... As I wait, what comes to my heart today is this Scripture from the Book of Acts of the ministry of Barnabas and Paul: “And when they had preached the gospel to that city and made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch, strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying, ‘We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God’” (Acts 14:21-22). One thing the apostles Paul and Barnabas discovered on their physical journey and their spiritual journey was that entering the kingdom of God was as much about getting “through many tribulations” as it was about obtaining much education, or building up a firm financial foundation, or sitting around waiting for the next moment of fun exhilaration. No, they found that “through many tribulations” we must “enter the kingdom of God.” Getting through the tribulations is part of our journey to spiritual maturity. Like it or not. And mostly, I like it not! But that’s where You develop our character and form our nature. We can’t have a testimony unless we’ve been tested. We can’t be overcomers unless we’ve overcome something. We can’t be more than conquerors unless we’ve conquered something. And most of all of that is learning that we need You and Your mercy and grace through it all, every step of the way, that “Without (You), (we) can do nothing” (John 15:5). The apostle Peter was learning the same thing during the same time of the early church and expressed it this way: “In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, receiving the end of your faith--the salvation of your souls” (1 Peter 1:6-9). “Grieved by various trials” is just another way of saying “through many tribulations.” It’s the “trials” and “tribulations” along our journey, it’s the being “tested by fire” in the challenges we face that provide our opportunities to overcome that develops “the genuineness of (our) faith” and the character of Christ in us. In fact, You gave us that same encouragement Yourself when You expressed it this way: “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). That’s how we keep our “good cheer” and take heart when we’re going through the tribulation of this world -- we keep our eyes on You; we keep turning our hearts to You, we keep following the One who has already overcome. And as we do, You keep making us more like You. For we are in the world, but You are in us! “For the kingdom of God is within (us)!” (Luke 17:21) Your Word gives us this Promise through whatever tribulation this world has to offer us, through whatever trials would try to consume us: “For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world -- our faith!” (1 John 5:4). By the grace and power of God at work within us, we will overcome because You have overcome! You will form Your character in us because You are in us! “Christ in (us), the hope of glory!” (Colossians 1:27) In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
Be encouraged today. In the love of Jesus, Tommy Hays
My friend, may you overcome every tribulation you face as the Lord develops the character of Christ in you, in Jesus' name. God bless you, my friend! And you have a great day!
Tommy Hays | Messiah Ministries Mailing Address: 412 S. Adams Street #148 Fredericksburg, Texas 78624
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