Great word! This includes the whole council of God. Many teachings out there deny our need to carry our cross. He suffered, we sometimes also suffer. He died, we are called to die to self. Some are called to martyrdom. Not a popular teaching but a scripturally valid one! Sadly many run to teachings, teachers, prophets and apostles rather than seeking Christ's will. He often said not my will, but God's will be done. Few of us ever cross over that spiritual portal. For if we didn't experience suffering and challenge where would our rewards come from?! He promises help through the storm, not from the storms of life. Sadly, many think themselves wise and mature. But most are still in need of milk, rather than meat! Memorizing scriptures is great, understanding doctrinal truths is helpful. But rightly dividing the Word of God is greater yet still! And the greatest endeavor that any believer can ascend to is knowing the heart of Christ and being able to accept His will in our lives! Sadly legalism still lives and thrives. Many are still bound by the law. Even messianic Jews still embrace Jewish traditions for traditions sake, few ever enter into the knowledge of God's grace! IMHO But even in God's grace, His will still remains sovereign. For in denying this, many Christians stunt their growth and understanding of God! Let us with a crown of wisdom better glorify God, rather than ourselves! TR We are diamonds in the rough, God’s chooses to chisel out those rough edges to make us shine more brilliantly for His Glory. We are in trials, not always because of sin, but to mold us more into His image. I was watching Huckabee last night, he had a short clip of an incredible believer.. I would encourage you to watch it. The man born without limbs, motivational speaker for God https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=8jhcxOhIMAQ Remember the verse that Jesus stated in John 9:2-3 “And his disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind? Jesus answered, “It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him.“ So I join the others and refute the ignorance of those who do not understand God in His refining of His children and it is not because they are in sin, so sorry you had to be subject to such ignorance. Prayed for you! Healing and remember a pain free, glorious body will be ours so very soon! :yahoo: :prayer-hands: sorry forgot “fair use” Thank you Tammie for your post and beautiful words. I love that man. He is sweet. What an inspiration. Thank you.
