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Faith in Tribulation

Tribulations shall come; and we are told to glory in them (Romans 5:1-5 NKJV). 

1Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; 4and perseverance, character, and character, hope. 5Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

I don’t know about you, but I can’t say that I glory in times of testing.  At times I have been so gripped by fear that I was virtually stuck – powerlessly overwhelmed by worry, doubt, and loss.  My nights were sleepless and when I called out to God in prayer for peace of mind, it did not come.

What is wrong with me?

I was not earnestly contending for the faith (Jude 1:3).  I lacked boldness and confidence in my Lord that He not only provides for all my needs, but He is more powerful than any circumstance.  I was not living by faith in Jesus, but faith in myself. 

I can’t fix anything!  Once I turned everything over to Him, my burdens were lifted as He carried me through one difficulty after another.  The more I trusted Jesus to take control of my life, my prayers were heard and answered according to His will.  I can now see how giving God the glory fits with tribulation, as his solutions to problems are perfect compared to mine. Where was the evidence of my faith? Sadly – gone. But praise God, once I repented and began to live according to His Spirit guiding me, I learned:

16For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also to the Greek. 17For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.”  ~ Romans 1:16-17 NKJV

3Trust in the LORD, and do good; Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness. 4Delight yourself in the LORD, and He shall give you the desires of your heart. 5Commit your way to the LORD, Trust also in Him, And He shall bring it to pass… 7Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for Him;

8Cease from anger, and forsake wrath; Do not fret – it only causes harm.  ~ Psalm 37:3-5,7a, 8 NKJV

Jesus keep me from stumbling!  Keep me from taking back any burdens You have freed me from so I can rest in You always.  Thank You LORD!

28Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29Take my yoke upon you and learn of Me, as I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls, 30For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.  ~ Matthew 11:28-30 NKJV

And also:

20But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, 21keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.  ~ Jude 1:20-21 NKJV

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Today’s Nugget | Jesus Prayed

Before His arrest in the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus prayed for Himself, His disciples, and for all believers in Him.  Did you know that?  Yes, He spent His last hours of freedom on this earth in prayer.

That shows how important prayer is to God and how much Jesus loves us.  He put everything else aside at the end of His life to pray. 

First, He prayed to the Father for glorification as God’s Son to finish the work He was sent to do (Read John 17:1-5). He also included that His glory would in turn glorify the Father by Jesus becoming the eternal life that would save all who believe; that people would know both God the Father as the one true God and Jesus, His Son.  So, He included all believers in this prayer as well!  Jesus also asked the Father to restore Him to the glorious standing He had with the Father prior to the creation of this world.  Wow!  That confirms the apostle John’s claim in the beginning of this book, Chapter 1:1-5:

1In the beginning was the Word (Jesus), and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2He (Jesus) was in the beginning with God. 3All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. 4In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5And the light shines in the darkness (the world), and the darkness did not comprehend it.

Next Jesus prayed for His disciples. He declared them as belonging to God the Father, Who in turn gave them to Jesus.  He entrusted them into the care of the Father:

15I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one. 16They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 17Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth. 18As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. ~John 17:15-18

And by example, Jesus showed how the Gospel was to be spread throughout the world.  Even today, each teacher makes disciples to take the Good News further and further to the lost.  No one can improve on God’s perfect plan.

Before He headed on over the Brook Kidron to meet up with His accusers in the garden, Jesus prayed one last time for US – all believers! Isn’t that pure love on His part to not leave out one single person who comes to Him?  Even facing capture and certain death, Jesus prayed these words:

20I do not pray for these alone but for also those who will believe in Me through their word; 21that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me.

And Jesus nails it down to endow all believers with even more!

22And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: 23I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me. ~John 17:20- 23

It is hard to comprehend, how much Jesus interceded on our behalf!  He established our bill of rights, so to speak, with the Father.  We are to be as one with God and Jesus, and be glorified as Jesus was from before the world was formed.  We shall be made perfect in Jesus, so that the world will see that Jesus was truly sent by God the Father to earth to be the Redeemer of men.  And that God loves people just as much as He loves His own Son, Jesus.

What a message!  Join me today with joy and thanksgiving to praise our loving God in Heaven for His gift of salvation to all who believe!

These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world. ~John 16:33

I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. ~John 14:6

Bless you for visiting this blog.  May it encourage you with the message of God’s love, joy, and peace, until Jesus returns for His own.

And thank you for following Importantstuff.Live!

Photo credit: ©Canstock Photo Inc / AntonioGravante

Listen to this podcast episode on Spotify, Breaker, Google Podcasts, Radio Public, & Pocket Casts ….

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Normal Daily Wage

“For the Kingdom of Heaven is like the landowner who went out early one morning to hire workers for his vineyard. He agreed to pay the normal daily wage and sent them out to work.”

~Matthew 20:1

Now the payment for a full day’s work during the time of Jesus in the Greek was a denarius.  The original value of a denarius was about the same as a U.S. penny today.  It was a silver coin used by the Greeks and Romans for about 400 years.  Due to inflation its value changed quite a bit and by the time it fell out of use it was equal to about two dollars U.S. today.   

What could one buy with a denarius?  If I am not mistaken, roughly 10 asses.  A Roman soldier’s annual wage one or two hundred years after Christ could have been a denarius (10 asses); while a Roman officer’s annual wage may have equaled 2400 denarius (24,000 asses!). 

So how does all that relate to Jesus’ Parable of the Vineyard Workers, as our topic is commonly referenced?  Hop down to verses 12 & 16 for Jesus’ answer to protestors of His reward system for workers:

12 ’Those people worked only one hour, and yet you’ve paid them just as much as you paid us who worked all day in the scorching heat.’

16“So those who are last now will be first then, and those who are first will be last.”

The scorching heat reminds me of those workers who harvest the fields of lost souls which Jesus commanded us and of persecution of His followers down through the centuries.  Yet Jesus died for all.  His gift of salvation is equal to all who believe; whether rich or poor; slave or free; regardless of our accomplishments, gender, race, or AGE.  My understanding is that a person who accepts Jesus as a youngster and walks closely with our LORD for an entire lifetime of diligent dedication to sharing His Gospel with others, will be rewarded the same as a person who comes to Jesus later in life – or even at the end of life.  Yes, this parable is talking about Jesus comparing His followers’ rewards to His money – that He can spend as He pleases.  He mentions it as a demonstration of His kindness to all who will come to Him.

Isn’t that a lot to grasp? There’s more …

And jealousy!  Jesus warns against it – in favor of kindness.

Then on the way to Jerusalem, Jesus takes His disciples aside and privately reveals that He will soon face betrayal and false accusations by religious leaders who will sentence Him to death. He will be tortured and crucified by the Romans (Matt. 20:17-18). But Glory to God! He will arise from the grave on the third day. What a powerful victory! But sadly, their recorded reactions are basic questions of who will benefit the most when Jesus rules the Heavenly Kingdom of God. Personal status and reward are foremost in their minds. Nothing is recorded here pertaining to reactions of sorrow or grief about the coming sufferings of their LORD on the part of the disciples.

This Resurrection (Easter) Week may we seek empowerment by the Holy Spirit; to walk as Jesus did by encouraging both the lost folks and faltering believers alike.  Receiving a spiritual normal daily wage as reward from our Savior in the future age to come binds us.  It doesn’t separate us.  It defines us.  It marks us as His; for what He suffered for us in order that we might inherit life everlasting. Our works are in His keeping as we trust His promise:

13‘Friend, I haven’t been unfair! Didn’t you agree to work all day for the usual wage? 14Take your money [reward] and go. I wanted to pay this last worker the same as you.’ 

~Matthew 20:13-14

The message of Jesus never changes. He leaves the 99 sheep to go look for that one lost little lamb. Is that you today? We experience many trials in life, but know that He is always there when we place our trust in Him.  We do not walk alone after we commit our life to Jesus. Get this taken care of now, friend! Eternity is long and time is short. Click here for God’s Plan of Salvation and my prayers go with you on your journey to discover just how generous our Landowner Jesus is with His Normal Daily Wage …

God bless you all, and Thank You for following Importantstuff.Live!

Listen to this podcast episode on Spotify, Breaker, Google Podcasts, Radio Public, & Pocket Casts ….

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Thoughts in the Night

Tonight is not the sort of night that brings restful slumber or peace.  The day’s activities went mostly as planned and nothing went sideways like things sometimes do.  We got a tiny scrap of snowfall.  No big deal for our northern climate.  My neighbor shoveled the sidewalk, so I didn’t have to bother.

Only one meeting today and that went well, too.  Yes, it was an easy, productive day… until I got that phone call at three pm from the hospital.  I have been uneasy ever since.  The news is not good concerning my beloved inpatient there.  In this case, “there” is over 160 miles away, and it appears that things have deteriorated health-wise since yesterday. 

Oh, Dear Father in heaven: prayers for mercy and healing for our loved one who is so, so sick.  Help and guide the staff who cares for this one, that all treatments will be for betterment.  May his relationship with you be on solid ground so that angels can attend his every need according to Your will.  Bring him peaceful slumber tonight and may he breathe easily in comfort on room air.  Bring him through this time of illness; ease the painful suffering and renew his bones and flesh to a physical strength of his former good health.  Restore him to home and family, according to Your perfect will, in the Holy Name of our LORD JESUS!  Thank you, Father.  Amen

What about you and yours tonight?  Do you have anyone who needs prayer for healing and comfort? Do you have a prayer partner to sit with you and intercede for those on your prayer list?  I am honored to pray with you if you ask in a comment below, for James 5:14-18 teaches us to lift each other up in prayer.

14Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the LORD. 15And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the LORD will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. 16Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. 17Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain; and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months. 18And he prayed again, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit. 

I am one of the most blessed persons on earth as my stepsister is a real prayer warrior who jumps right into spiritual prayer battle if any of our family has a need.  I am so proud of her faithful walk with our LORD.  I will only know when I graduate to heaven how many of her intercessions have saved me from the fiery trials of life.  You know, it is a special blessing to pray for someone, so please never refuse if anyone offers to pray for you.  That would be like stealing their opportunity for great reward!  We each have a calling for the LORD, and He brings opportunities for fulfillment. 

Being on the independent side, I usually try to go it alone in most of my pursuits.  Often, I think thoughts like, “I have Jesus with me – who else do I need?”  Or, I stay up with thoughts in the night that somehow my tired crazy mind can solve problems instead of simply praying to my Father in heaven for the answers. One would think that spending a lifetime of night-owl-nonsense would have taught me the folly of my ways, but – not so much, until after 3 or 4am!

Then one day someone asked if she could help me with something; and before I could decline the sweet offer, she said, “Before you say ‘NO’, don’t rob me of my blessing!”

Wow, I had never thought of it that way before.  What a concept!  From that day on, I have tried to be on the lookout for God working on the blessings of others.  If I detect such a situation, I try to shut my mouth and get outta God’s way quick!  Yes, I love to see my brothers and sisters lining up their rewards in heaven for being perfectly faithful in doing good works.

Pardon my ramblings tonight as I do my usual stinkin’ thinkin’ before I settle down to my prayers. Can anyone out there tell me why my motor mind doesn’t skip to the prayer first at night? Thank you for listening as I face my fears over loved ones who hurt, pray as I should, and waste a perfectly beautiful night created for our perfect rest …

And thank you for following Importantstuff.Live! Here and on Breaker, Google Podcasts, Radio Public, Pocket Casts, & Anchor!

In case you want to hear my voice before I finally go to sleep …

Goodnight All! God Bless you everyone ♥

Photo Credit: ©Canstock Photo Inc /lisafx

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Photo of the Month | February 2021

A valentine from King David to Jehovah God:

“I love you LORD, my strength. The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.”

Psalm 18:1-2

This month we claim God’s love over us; our nation, those in authority over us, those who protect and serve us, and our enemies. The meaning of love is often debated but seldom practiced between humans.

LORD, we aspire to love You like David. Make us strong in your wisdom. May we thirst after Your Word and cling to Jesus – the Horn of our Salvation. Create in us a new heart for You now and forever. We remember the kindness of our Savior, who submitted to the most insulting filth that man could heap upon Him. Forgive our arrogance, Father, in the most Holy and Righteous Name of our King and Refuge, Jesus. All glory and thankfulness to You for Your love toward us. Amen.

May Jehovah bless, protect, and heal each and every one of you this month. May love abound in your hearts toward God and each other;

And thank you for following Importantstuff.Live.

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Photo of the Month | December 2020

Mt. Redoubt – One of Our Local Treasures as viewed from Clam Gulch, Alaska

…behold, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came and stood over where the young Child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshipped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

Matthew 2:9-11

We celebrate what we have, and our trip to Israel was cancelled this year due to you-know-what. This photo is but a tiny glimpse into our daily scenery around here. Thanking God – for He is so good. His gifts are cherished treasures; just like the Magi brought to Baby Jesus so long ago. PRAISE AND HALLELUJAH!! as inheritors of His free gift of salvation, we feel especially blessed this Christmas.

Thank you, Tonya, for sharing with us your beautiful photo; and THANK ALL OF YOU for following Importantstuff.Live!

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Today’s Nugget | Out of the Pit

Sometimes it seems like we get bogged down with the cares of this life.  Do you linger in a place of miry clay?  Let God help.

1I waited patiently for the LORD; and He inclined to me, and heard my cry. 2He also brought me up out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my steps. 3He has put a new song in my mouth – Praise to our God; Many will see and fear, And will trust in the LORD.

~ Psalms 40:1-3

A few years back I managed to fall and break a leg. I was in a helpless state of being alone, and unable to get up off the ground. I was pinned under a hand truck which was also pinned under a heavy concrete block.

“LORD, I need help!” I cried out. I didn’t wait patiently for His answer either. The pain was significant and I almost blacked out. But the Lord heard my cry and I believe sent an angel who helped me get free and use the hand truck as a crutch to lean on. I was contemplating my next move when a neighbor’s truck came down the road so I waved the driver over. He was very kind and helped me get medical attention.

Many times I wondered why God allowed my foot to stumble.

11For He shall give His angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways. 12In their hands they shall bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone.

Psalms 91:11-12

He quickly set my feet on solid ground and His angels helped me; but afterward I began to wonder if God had a bigger plan for me than what I was doing with my life at that time. First He needed to get my attention and stop my program. He had to remove me out of the horrible pit I was in.

Praise God! He allowed this trial but used it to put a new song in my mouth. My prayer life got a complete overhaul. People have noticed a change in my life since the accident. My spiritual growth has caught fire. It didn’t take me long to realize after surgery that the Lord now had my full attention. I could not run or escape my predicament. I began to watch a lot of Christian TV from the couch, study my Bible, and seek God’s will in my life. Soon I was in church again enjoying Christian fellowship, worship time and hearing God’s Word preached.

Have any of you had a similar experience? Let me know in the comments. I would love to hear your testimony of how God has rescued you from the pit and changed the course of your life.

Thank you for stopping by and for following Importantstuff.Live!

Photo Credit: © Can Stock Photo / Balefire9