Posted on 03/06/2006 10:25:28 PM PST by .30Carbine
Paul was speaking here of the things that might seem likely to separate a saint from the love of God. But the remarkable thing is that nothing can come between the love of God and a saint. The things Paul mentioned in this passage can and do disrupt the close fellowship of our soul with God and separate our natural life from Him. But none of them is able to come between the love of God and the soul of a saint on the spiritual level. The underlying foundation of the Christian faith is the undeserved, limitless miracle of the love of God that was exhibited on the Cross of Calvary; a love that is not earned and can never be. Paul said this is the reason that "in all these things we are more than conquerors." We are super-victors with a joy that comes from experiencing the very things which look as if they are going to overwhelm us.
Huge waves that would frighten an ordinary swimmer produce a tremendous thrill for the surfer who has ridden them. Let’s apply that to our own circumstances. The things we try to avoid and fight against— tribulation, suffering, and persecution— are the very things that produce abundant joy in us. "We are more than conquerors through Him" "in all these things"; not in spite of them, but in the midst of them. A saint doesn’t know the joy of the Lord in spite of tribulation, but because of it. Paul said, "I am exceedingly joyful in all our tribulation" ( 2 Corinthians 7:4 ).
The undiminished radiance, which is the result of abundant joy, is not built on anything passing, but on the love of God that nothing can change. And the experiences of life, whether they are everyday events or terrifying ones, are powerless to "separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord" ( Romans 8:39 ).
In 1910 Chambers married Gertrude Hobbs. They had one daughter, Kathleen, who still resides in London (as of 1992).
In 1911 he founded and became principal of the Bible Training College in Clapham, London, where he lectured until the school was closed in 1915 because of World War I. In October 1915 he sailed for Zeitoun, Egypt (near Cairo), where he ministered to Australian and New Zealand troops as a YMCA chaplain. He died there November 15, 1917, following surgery for a ruptured appendix.
My Utmost for His Highest, his best-known book, has been continuously in print in the United States since 1935 and in this, the last decade of the century, remains in the top ten titles of the religious book bestseller list with millions of copies in print. It has become a Christian classic. [from the flyleaf of the book]
Last Saturday marked the 10th anniversary of my father's death. Reflecting back on that day, it was hard to remember feeling much sorrow. Sure, we were all saddened with the thought that Dad would no longer be there to call on the phone, or sit and chat for a while.
Instead, we rejoiced in the knowledge that he had indeed entered into the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ. Sorrow turned to joy, as we speculated in our minds the joyous reunion he was having with his sisters and brothers, mom and dad, and numerous other friends and relatives.
A regular practical joker, we wondered what jokes he was pulling on the saints around him.
We feel joy in our emotions knowing of his salvation, but even deeper, we feel joy in our hearts because of him and Him.
The testimony of Darlene Rose comes to mind, which I have heard on Focus on the Family. HERE is a Web page with some of her story in print, with a link at the bottom of the page to her book. I have wept over the provision of God and His Presence with her as I've heard her tell her story. She is an Overcomer in Christ. Even if we are never so tested, may we also walk in such fellowship with Him through every trial.
Amen, dear Kitty Mittens!
LOL! (:
I so appreciate your testimony. I felt and feel similarly in the death of my mom, who is with Jesus since 1996.
Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope. We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him.
1 Thessalonians 4:13-14
Is it up yet?
You know when I was about 19 years old there was a terrible blizzard here in Western NY, the blizzard of '77.
I was bound and determined that I was going to go out that night. My Father forbade it. I wasn't listening though. I was in the bathroom putting the finishing touches on myself, and getting ready to go out into this blizzard, defying his order. I had the bathroom door locked, and my Father stood outside of it prediciting that I was not stepping a foot outside of the house. I was being protected by the door so I was jaw- jawing back: "oh, yeah. I'm 19, I can do what I want and neither you or anyone else is going to stop me!"
My Father is a stone cutter, his forearms were, oh let's say, very well developed. As my jaw-jawing grew more strident, he hit the door with this fist and the bolt lock on the inside flew off the door. He stood outside as I walked past him and walked up to my room. I didn't say word one until I got to the top of the stairs then I started up again: "yeah, you may have won this one, but if you think it's over...."
We laugh about it now. With my Mother and the look in her eye that says to my Dad, "she's just what you deserved, she's just like you."
Weak, small and frail: what happens to our parents? When does this occur? All of a sudden there they are, needing our full protection and nurturing.
I have a blizzard-and-Dad story too! I was 16 and we lived alone together in Goshen, VT. If you've never heard of it, don't feel alone; most Vermonters haven't heard of Goshen either: it is way up and out there, off Brandon Gap. So we needed to take a trip to town and it was starting to snow. Dad said, "You'd better change your clogs for some boots; we may be walking home later." Remember how back in the 80's all clogs had open backs? (: Of course I pooh-poohed him, knowing best. And of course we couldn't make it up the unplowed hill (even in 4-wheel drive) 2 hours later and I ended up walking in those clogs nearly a half a mile in snow up to my knees! We were both silent the whole way, lol.
OH, how we laugh about that now, and how I always thank my dad for training me so well. I don't head out on any trip now without at least bringing the right gear with me! A father's love is very practical.
May Our Jehovah-Rapha, the God Who Heals, bless your mom with health to endure this time of transition and grant her joy in her journey. Amen. I will keep praying for you and your folks as the Holy Spirit brings you to my remembrance. We are One Body and Christ Our Head so faithful and concerned for all that concerns us!
.30, I've not seen God being referred to as Jehovah-Rapha. Is this name in any way connected to Jehovah's archangel Raphael, who is reputed to be the patron Saint of good health? You'll have to forgive me, if it's a stupid question, I just want to understand, is all.
And from that site I see "Rapha" is also spelled "Rophe"--my spelling came from Kay Arthur's Bible Study on the Names--
JEHOVAH-ROPHE:
"The Lord Who Heals"
Ex. 15:22-26.
From "rophe" ("to heal"); implies spiritual, emotional as well as physical healing.
( Jer. 30:17, 3:22; Isa. 61:1 )
God heals body, soul and spirit; all levels of man's being.
Thanks for the info, the links, your words of encouragement and for your prayers on behalf of my folks.
Amen to #16!
Sadly, no, we're missing cables - so it's sitting on the desk next to me. Oh well, all things work together for the good for those who love God and are called according to his purpose - even a sickly computer. LOL!
Amen...even a sickly computer! I'm so glad your old one is still up to the task!
I'm glad too, dear .30Carbine!
You are very welcome. It delights me to be a member together with you of the House of God here and now. His love is shed abroad in our hearts.
Amen! And thankyou.
New day's thread upcoming... (:
God Bless
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.