1 Timothy 1:8 Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God, 9 who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began, 10 but has now been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who has abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, 11 to which I was appointed a preacher, an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles. 12 For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day.
2Corinthians 4:16Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. 17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, 18 while we do not look at the things, which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things, which are, seen are temporary, but the things, which are not seen, are eternal.
Prayer…. Our heavenly father, give us ears to listen to you. Speak to us Holy Father we need you. Every time we come to you… your table is ready and prepared with food, come quench our thirsty hearts, the bible said: its not by bread alone does a man live but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God…. Our spirits need your grace, your word is the light that can get to the darkest places to change us and reshape us, don’t let anyone get out of this place the same way they came tonight, your love will be enough to encourage us and lift us up…. Amen.
One of the most worrying things in this world (which we were part of one day, but thanks be to our lord who saved us from) is the FUTURE!
What’s in the future? What does the future hold for me?
Many claimed to know the future; some scientists now believe that the brain really CAN foresee events before they happen.
They designed machines that can travel into the future called TIME TRAVEL! It is a plot device of science-fiction tales; through some means or another character are taken away into the future. But is it possible? Could we ever travel into the future? Absolutely NOT!
Fortune-tellers or psychics try to predict the future! Many religions teach on future too, but end up with this saying: “GOD KNOWS” … Or nobody knows because it’s not clear.
The bible said: 1Cor 13:9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part.
In our lifetime, not every problem will be solved, and not every question will be answered.
We cannot afford to stop the wheel of life to get an answer for our question! Because the wheel of life in continuously going with my question, and me… life goes on!
Some people stopped to get answers for their why’s…and got trampled on and got crushed by this wheel and got run over! Then they started to ask more unanswered questions…why did I stop? Why did I lose this and that? Why me? Where was the church when I needed them? Where were my brothers and sisters in Christ? Where was God? Why did I fail and others succeed?
The answer to all of this is…because there are unanswered questions in this life!
But with all this…God is saying to us: THERE IS CERTAINTY THAT DOESN’T NEED DOUBT IN LIFE. He wants to speak into us certainty, faith, assurance, and believe. Psalm25:14 The secret of the LORD is with those who fear Him, And He will show (demonstration, confirm, illustrate, teach) them His covenant.
Jesus our lord and saviour is our good teacher, He said: learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
Learn from me means= I will reveal to you my secrets, and the future…I’m going to teach you so you can understand my revelations to you and the desire of my heart for you.
Daniel prayed and the angle came to him saying: “O Daniel, man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak to you, and stand upright, for I have now been sent to you.” Dan10:11.
Psalm 119… Containing 176 verses, is the longest single chapter in the Bible. The author of Psalm 119 is unknown, but most scholars agree that it was written either by David, Ezra, or Daniel. Each of these proposed authors suffered serious difficulties in their lives, and the author of Psalm 119 reflects that in descriptions of plots, slanders and taunts against him persecutions and afflictions. The major theme of Psalm 119 is teach me, give me understanding, incline my heart, revive me in your way…. teach me teach me!
The problem with us the believers is that we have forgotten that we are disciples! A disciple is a person who’s still at school learning…has not graduated yet!
Someone might ask…when will we as disciples graduate from the school of the lord Jesus Christ?
This school is for this corruptible body in this life and then when we go to heaven we don’t cease learning!
My life both here and in heaven is spent in learning and teaching.
Every talent and skill given to you by God will be used forever; God does not give us talents and gifts for nothing. He intends that anything he gives us be used for His glory. He is not going to give you a talent, and then just let you die, and not fulfill your purpose.
Talent and personality are crucial elements for heaven. I ask you this one question: For what reason are we perfecting our talents, abilities, and character if it goes nowhere when we die? Don’t you think He might have a great use for our perfected talents in heaven?
What do you think a chef will be doing in heaven?
I believe that God knows what will truly delight me in heaven. I think he’s preparing a very colourful mansion. I believe I’ll sing, write, and speak. These are the talents God gave me specifically. But he also gave me a love of learning, a desire to know people and their stories, and a deep love for him.
So, heaven holds amazing opportunities to share my talents to please God and that in doing so, I’ll have an awesome sense of fulfilment. I think because he made me with an intense curiosity, I’ll get to talk to people to learn more about them throughout eternity. But also, to write or tell their stories.
Will there be an enormous library? I don’t know, but why not since God seems to like the written word too? I see the perfection of joyous activities like reading, dancing (remember David danced before the Lord), and even eating. We know angels eat because the manna sent from heaven is described as being the food of angels. I love to cook and my wife to bake. I wonder what a heavenly stove will be like. YES THERE IS KITCHENS IN HEAVEN!
I’ll walk on streets of gold, eat at banquets with God and angels, and be fascinated by the talents of others. I believe I’ll be so in awe, so overwhelmed by the beauty and variety that the only thing my heart will want to do is praise God all the time for the miracles… I’ll see around me all the time. I think that’s where the constant praises will come from, a heart so swollen with astonishment that it can’t help but sing praises.
Have you ever stopped and stared at something that was so beautiful you just wanted to soak it all in for as long as you could? What is beautiful to you? A baby, stars, tropical beach, sunsets? Now multiply those times by millions. Imagine soaking in beauty above anything you’ve ever seen on this earth and trying to process it…YOU SURLEY NEED ETERNITY FOR THAT!
For we know in part, and we prophesy in part, but God wants and desires to teach us/reveal more and more….
In the midst of all this confusion in life… our government wants to cut the pensioners pay, charging us $7 to visit a doctor, not sure if we get up tomorrow and find Tony abbot still our prime minister or not, persecutions on Christians are increasing, petrol and electricity are getting more expensive…. There are many unanswered questions and uncertain thinks…
As a believer, how do I get this certainty of Faith? How do I get stable, firm, solid, steadfast FAITH?
There are many things, which are certain that can give me this kind of Faith…
Psalm 4:6 here are many who say, “Who will show us any good?” who can ensure tomorrow?
Isaiah 3:10 “Say to the righteous that it shall be well with them, For they shall eat the fruit of their doings. (Contemporary English version)… Tell those who obey God, “You’re very fortunate—you will be rewarded for what you have done.
I have good news for you all…its well with us! 1 Timothy 1:12 For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded, convinced, certain, sure, definite that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day.
I know whom I believed despite of the challenges, failure, persecution, storms, troubles, curses, sickness, floods, death, sword, and dangerous rides of this life.
My certainty of Faith is not in circumstances but in the person of Jesus Christ himself. For circumstances change, today is well with me, tomorrow is not, today I’m loved but tomorrow I’m hated, today they are with me tomorrow they leave me. Today I have tomorrow I lack!
But Jesus Christ never changes! He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. He will stick by you… our government minister’s promise us many wonderful things before they are elected…when they get the position they tend to forget all about you and me! See you later mate!
Jesus Christ is the Lord of Lords, and king of kings, he is not an MP to vote him in he was and is and is to come….In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. 4 In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.
We’ve been raised believing in things (we should have money…then the market collapses we lose it all) then we say…this life is not fair, people betrayed me, but the lord said BELIEVE IN ME AND MY WORDS!
What’s your certainty in? Who are you trusting? Who’s got your faith?
Put your trust in Jesus
Put your hope in Jesus
Put your belief in Jesus
Put your confidence in Jesus
Put your certainty in Jesus
Put your assurance in Jesus
Put your expectation in Jesus
He will give you grace, power, authority, strength, and his spiritual gifts to fulfill his calling for your life.
Your life on earth has cost God almighty his son! Philippian2:5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. 9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
He became limited, saved us with his precious blood. But here on earth they made you believe that you are cheap and worthless, they harassed you with all kind of harassments and did whatever to you, they spoke negative things about you and they made you as if you are nothing.
But God is saying: as for me… you are the most expensive created thing; I purchased you with the precious blood of my son all for your sake.
I have no problem to place my trust and certainty in our God, when he says Go right I will not hesitate, I will do it with gladness and no questions asked.
As people of God we need to understand that when the Lord speaks a word, it’s not to confuse you or puzzle you but to give you glory, dignity, respect, grace in which was given to us in Christ Jesus who brought many to the father, “if I am lifted up, I will draw many unto me”
Lord lift up our faith, our certainty, it is you who ensures today and tomorrow, do not trust your work, there is no assurance in it, they can make you redundant at any time.
Do not trust in your doctor, he has no assurance of healing for you; he can make you worry more and more and make your sickness greater than what it is.
Trust in Jesus, who gave you his life and said, “I am with you and will never forsake you”.
Through circumstance and hard times which happens to us, you can be more than certain that God desires to reveal himself to you, to reveal his plan and show his right hand in your situation.
? How do I know that you are Jehovah Jireh?
It is when I go through a time of need.
? How do I know that you are Jehovah Rapha?
It is when I go through sickness. I don’t get scared
Or fearful or worried, but I thank the Lord for I know
That it is my chance to see his healing hand.
James 1:2-4 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.
When you are certain with this verse your sorrow will change into joy because you are assured that He is there for you. So every persecution and test is there to teach us one more thing about God.
Conclusion
Every morning we wake up, the Godhead is planning my blessings for the day, what grace is this? what an assurance!
I get his attention and interest; he is concerned for me,
But when I disobey him and harden my heart and trust in other things but him, this breaks his heart because his children do not believe that he can do all things or even that he can be trusted.
If I say to my girls that I will be back at 4pm with dinner, but they call their aunty at 2pm and ask her to bring some food, saying “daddy looks like he will be late and we are starving…please bring some food for us!” Imagine when I arrive at 4pm and my girls have already eaten, I wouldn’t be concerned about the money I spent or for the food, but what would hurt me the most is that they didn’t believe in me and didn’t trust me.
God took Israel out of Egypt with mighty signs and wonders, he destroyed the most powerful man and army at that time, then the Israelites sent 12 spies into the land of cannon, 10 of them “We are not able to go up against the people, for they are stronger than we.” 32 And they gave the children of Israel a bad report of the land which they had spied out, saying, “The land through which we have gone as spies is a land that devours its inhabitants, and all the people whom we saw in it are men of great stature. 33 There we saw the giants; and we were like grasshoppers in our own sight, and so we were in their sight.”
Their trust was not in God but the men of Israel and this is when God said, until when you don’t believe in me or trust in me.
Get rid of the unbelief from you, banish it, put it away for our God is able to do all things, out God is faithful in his words, whenever Jesus came to his disciples he would give them these words “peace be with you”. Job 19:25 For I know that my Redeemer lives, And He shall stand at last on the earth; 26 And after my skin is destroyed, this I know, That in my flesh I shall see God,
When you trust him with your life, you would never need any tablets to calm you down or put you to sleep. Because all we need is Jesus who is the author of finisher of our faith. amen
