Re: POWER of PRAYER- No Matter Which Faith You Follow=GOD is With You
Who Is Greater than Our Heart?
"Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you" (1 Peter 4:12, NKJV).
Peter reminds us that the struggles we go through are not strange. They are prescribed, as Jesus said, "In the world you will have tribulation" (John 16:33). We will be opposed. There really is a devil. Some people are in league with the powers of darkness and are jealous of what God is doing in our lives.
Peter continues, "But rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ's sufferings, that when his glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part he is blasphemed, but on your part he is glorified" (1 Peter 4:13-14).
However, what if you feel that Jesus Christ is not being glorified in your life? People are reproaching you, but you think maybe they are right. You have the foundation of salvation in your life, but it seems everything is at a standstill.
The apostle John reminds us, "For if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things" (1 John 3:20).
If your heart is condemning you, God is greater than your heart. He called you to rebuild a life that is a testimony for him. You will be opposed. There will be accusations and times of discouragement and difficulty, yet King David encourages, "I have been young, and now am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his descendants begging for bread" (Psalm 37:25).
Be encouraged; you will not fail, and you will not be overcome. Search the Scriptures. You have a righteousness given to you by God, and no one can take that righteousness from you. "For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 8:38-39).
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I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people -- for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. 1 Timothy 2:1-4
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