When I was a kid my mom used to say, “That boy can do anything he put his mind to.” Those words catapulted me to accomplish things I never thought were possible. As a child I would always take things apart (electronics) to see how they worked, then put them back together again. Hah hah! When I was in the 7th grade I won the school’s science fair (1st place). What was my project? I wrote a poem about roaches of all things. Yes, roaches. At age 16 I beat my chess instructor 3 games in a row. Then I went on to beat a powerful chess computer on it’s highest level (tournament level). I learned how to create and produce music because of my mother’s inspiring words. I received many accolades in my field of endeavor (Salesmanship) as an adult inspired by my mother’s words. I became a # 1 sales rep at a Fortune 500 company.

You know, upon writing this a thought occurred to me: “This is one of the reasons why you’ve had to endure many trials since you’ve come to Christ. Throughout your life you’ve been so self-reliant because of your natural abilities. And God has to whip that thinking out of you to teach you how to rely on him.” (Hebrews 12:5-11) Amen!

Mom used to say, “If you know how to read you can learn anything.” Reading was my favorite subject in school. I have fond memories of my mother and I going to the library and checking out books on everything from dinosaurs to outer space. Anything I wanted to learn or master I went to the library or bought a book on it. And I was amazed at how following simple instructions could net positive results.

But now that I’m older I’m learning something else. That is, despite my best thinking or knowledge there are certain things I can not do. I’m now sometimes amazed at how we (I) can be so smart in some areas and be so dumb in others. My mother meant well by what she taught me. It did help me build confidence. But to be painfully truthful I’ve put too much confidence in my own abilities. It’s with tears that I write this and say I’ve been very proud.

OLD DOGS CAN LEARN NEW TRICKS

I’m now learning something new and VERY EXCITING:

Philippians 4:13 KJV “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”

This is the real way to do all things and succeed in life, through Jesus Christ. Through belief in Him and His omnipotence, not in ourselves and our abilities, is the true way to success. There have been days (you might be able to relate to this) that I’ve been faced with challenges, and in spite of my best thinking I could not figure a way out. In fact the more I tried to find a solution to the problem the more depressed I became. Sounds familiar? So you see I can not do anything that I put my mind to, truthfully. But I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.  😉

A TRUTH WE MUST ACCEPT

Ecclesiastes 7:13-14 KJV “Consider the work of God: for who can make that straight, which he hath made crooked? [14] In the day of prosperity be joyful, but in the day of adversity consider: God also hath set the one over against the other, to the end that man should find nothing after him.”

You and I will not always get what we want. There will be times of prosperity and times of adversity. God is in charge of both times. Being a Christian does not mean you have a get out of jail free card. On the contrary for many it means the very opposite. (Revelation 2:10) But just as God was with Joseph in the prison (Genesis 39:20-21) he will be with you and I in whatever we go through.

Most folks don’t know that when the apostle Paul said the famous phrase, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me,” he wasn’t just talking about prosperous times. He was also speaking about enduring hunger, yes famine, and other needs. And that through Jesus Christ he learned how to be content in whatever situation he found himself in. Here’s the proof. Paul said:

Philippians 4:10-13 NLT “How I praise the Lord that you are concerned about me again. I know you have always been concerned for me, but you didn’t have the chance to help me. [11] Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. [12] I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. [13] For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.”

For the Christian there is much more to life than physical prosperity. We must learn to do ALL THINGS, good and bad, with plenty or little, through Christ Jesus who strengthens us, just as Paul learned. And we must recognize that we don’t have the ability to think our way out of every situation. Man’s pride likes to believe he does. It’s a lie! But we do have the ability to pray in every situation:

Philippians 4:4-7 NLT “Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again-rejoice! [5] Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon. [6] Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. [7] Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.”

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If you had to pick between the two which would you choose? Comfortable, or wonderful? I know that I would be inclined to pick comfortable. But I also know that I’d be making the wrong decision. Let me explain. Better yet let the apostle Paul explain:

2 Corinthians 12:1‭-‬10 ESV “I must go on boasting. Though there is nothing to be gained by it, I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord. I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows. And I know that this man was caught up into paradise—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows— and he heard things that cannot be told, which man may not utter. On behalf of this man I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, except of my weaknesses— though if I should wish to boast, I would not be a fool, for I would be speaking the truth; but I refrain from it, so that no one may think more of me than he sees in me or hears from me. So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

Paul was made very uncomfortable (by God) through a tormenting messenger or demon from Satan. This was necessary for Paul to continue experiencing many great and wonderful things. Jesus knew just the right amount of suffering (uncomfortableness) needed for Paul to keep him from becoming conceited and destroyed because of his many wonderful visions and revelations.

Imagine yourself as Paul. You’re going through something that feels so bad you 3 times plead with the Lord to take it away. The Lord says, ‘No. You have my grace Paul. That’s all you need. My power is made perfect in your weakness.’ Wow. It’s moments like this that you find out whether you really believe God knows best. Paul did believe it. Instead of raging against the Lord for not making his situation more comfortable he accepted Jesus’ decision saying, “Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” Paul learned the secret of his sufferings. What awesome submission to Almighty God! Bravo!  😉

Of course you know that God is not partial. And He disciplines all of His children He loves. (Hebrews 12:5-11) He knows just the right amount of training we individually need. Will we accept our discipline from the Lord like Paul?

Matthew 16:24 KJV “Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.”

Matthew 10:38 NIV “Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me.”

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Ahh, the American dream. Many folks are learning just how hard it is to hold on to their homes these days. Hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, earthquakes, fires, etcetera, have caused many to become homeless over night. These folks had nice homes, jobs, cars, etcetera, and suddenly it’s all gone. Some will get these things back again. Others won’t be as fortunate.

But there is a home that is eternal. A home that is unaffected by what we call natural disasters. These homes have no rent or mortgages. There’s no costs for utilities. No homeowner’s insurance. No yearly taxes to pay. These homes are built by God for His children. And He has many of them.

John 14:2-3 KJV “In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. [3] And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.”

As you read the next few passages try not to just read them, meditate on what they’re saying. They’re talking about your home child of God. A home that you will never lose. A home that you will never have taken away.

Philippians 3:20 NIV “But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ.”

Revelation 3:12 BBE “Him who overcomes I will make a pillar in the house of my God, and he will go out no more: and I will put on him the name of my God, and the name of the town of my God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from my God, and my new name.”

Matthew 6:19-20 BBE “Make no store of wealth for yourselves on earth, where it may be turned to dust by worms and weather, and where thieves may come in by force and take it away. 20 But make a store for yourselves in heaven, where it will not be turned to dust and where thieves do not come in to take it away.”

Matthew 19:29 NLT “And everyone who has given up houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or property, for my sake, will receive a hundred times as much in return and will inherit eternal life.”

The apostle Peter knew from experience that the Christian life was one of a sojourner, a pilgrim. He knew that nowhere here on earth is really our home. Which is why he wrote:

1 Peter 2:11‭-‬12 ESV “Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.”

This next passage applies to Peter and all who have gone home to rest in the Lord.

Hebrews 11:13-16 “All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance, admitting that they were foreigners and strangers on earth. [14] People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. [15] If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. [16] Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.”

It’s almost time to go to our true home y’all. Hang in there.  😉

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Psalm 6:6-7 NIV “I am worn out from my groaning. All night long I flood my bed with weeping and drench my couch with tears. [7] My eyes grow weak with sorrow; they fail because of all my foes.”

Psalm 42:3 NIV “My tears have been my food day and night, while people say to me all day long, “Where is your God?” ‘

Psalm 119:136 KJV “Rivers of waters run down mine eyes, because they keep not thy law.”

Psalm 42:5 NIV “Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.”

When I first became a believer God gave me a friend and mentor who was in my life a very short time. He was an older gentleman who I believe was an angel from God. He once said, “David was a crying man. Whenever it gets so rough you feel like you can’t take anymore, just cry out to God like David did and say, “Oh Lord!” ‘ I didn’t understand what he was talking about back then but over the years I have been learning.

Sometimes the pressure feels so great you don’t know what to do or say. But that’s when it’s high time to do what my dear friend told me to do: cry out to God! Have a good old cry to him. Don’t worry about what to say. Just cry out, “Oh Lord.”

Romans 8:26‭-‬27 ESV “Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.”

Haven’t you been hurt so much that it’s too deep for words to explain? When we groan and cry to God in these moments we are praying in the Holy Spirit. And the Spirit intercedes for us in ways our words can never express. God still hears us because He knows the mind of the Spirit who is interceding for us. This I believe is one the most powerful forms of prayer. Because when praying like this a person is crying out from the depths of his/her soul. And the Spirit who is interceding for us is way more powerful than our minds, or any words that we could ever think to say.

I am not saying we shouldn’t pray with our minds, or in intelligible words we understand. I’m simply saying that we should pray in the Holy Spirit too.

1 Corinthians 14:15 ESV “What am I to do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will pray with my mind also; I will sing praise with my spirit, but I will sing with my mind also.”

My friend I told you about was teaching me how to pray in the Holy Spirit, not just with my mind. He knew there were turbulent times ahead for me and this was something I needed to know. In fact when we first met he told me, “You don’t pray in the Holy Spirit yet.” I didn’t know what he was talking about but he was right. He told me many other things about myself that no one else could have known but God. I look so forward to meeting him again.  😉

I hope this short piece encourages you in what to do when times get so tough you feel like you’re gonna pop. God; our Father,  🙂  has unlimited power, and He willingly shares it with all who humbly come to him.

James 4:6 NIV “But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.”

2 Corinthians 12:7-10 NLT “Even though I have received such wonderful revelations from God. So to keep me from becoming proud, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from becoming proud. [8] Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. [9] Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. [10] That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

Isaiah 40:30-31 NIV “Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; [31] but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”

Psalm 34:17 NIV “The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles.”

Yes, David too was a crying man. But he was also a man after God’s own heart. (Acts 13:22)

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Philippians 4:12-13 KJV “I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. [13] I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”

What powerful words! They are inspired words of God spoken through a man who really knew what he was saying. The apostle Paul experienced the best of times and the worse of them. But through them all he maintained his faith. That’s not as easy a task as some might think. It is a constant battle.

True​ Faith is not a possession of all people. (2 Thessalonians 3:2) Jesus Himself prophesied many would turn away from the faith. (Matthew 24:10 1 Timothy 4:1) And He encouraged many to believe and hold on to what they have. (Revelation 3:11) What makes people like Paul stay true to the faith despite going through the harshest persecution? They desire God more than anything else. They don’t put any other gods before Him, including themselves.

People like Job, Jeremiah, folks like David, Daniel, Deborah, and the best example Jesus Christ, valued their relationships with God more than anything else. Studying their lives shows us how to win the fight for the faith.

1 Timothy 6:12 KJV “Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.”

Jude 1:3 KJV “Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.”

“I CAN DO ALL THINGS?”

So often we hear people use the phrase, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” They are quoting Philippians 4:13. But many don’t know what verse 12 says. Verse 12 gives us the context of what verse 13 means. Paul by the Holy Spirit was saying that whether he was having it good or bad, whether well fed or hungry, he knew how to serve God acceptably in both circumstances. Not all people will serve God if they are hungry or in need. But a person with true faith will.

Are we willing to do and go through, “All Things,” for the name of Christ? Do not even true friends go through the good and bad times together? Isn’t this the test of a good marriage? Human nature teaches us that folks are willing to suffer for whatever they want. The question is, how much do we want God? Do we really believe in Him? Do we believe His word?

As we hold on to our Faith in our Lord and Savior ALL THE TIME, THROUGH BOTH GOOD AND BAD TIMES, we too will be able to truthfully say like Paul, ‘I can do ALL THINGS through Christ who strengthens me.’ Jesus gives us the secret to success in the next passage:

Matthew 7:24-27 NIV “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. [25] The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. [26] But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. [27] The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”

Did you catch the secret to success? Yes, we must hear Jesus’ words and put them into practice. That means we must study His words. They’re found in the Bible from Genesis to Revelation. The person who diligently studies God’s word and genuinely puts them into practice will have a healthy faith. He/She too will be able to say like the apostle Paul, ‘I can do all things through christ who strengthens me.’ “I KNOW BOTH HOW TO BE ABASED, AND I KNOW HOW TO ABOUND.”

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We must fight through distractions to do God’s will. We must use what the Lord has given us to gain even more for the glory of the King, and His kingdom. (Luke 19:11-27) What crazy times we’re in. What discipline the soldier of Christ needs to keep from being bamboozled by the Devil, and do his/her job.

Remember, our enemy is an expert at deceiving people. We must not lower our guard but keep strict watch over ourselves, and our doctrine. (1 Timothy 4:16) I was just reading in Revelation chapter 20 how at the end of the thousand year reign of Christ the Devil is let loose out of his prison where he had been bound for a thousand years. He then goes out and deceives the world again! The numbers that follow him are like the sands on the sea. He influences them to attack God’s faithful people. Then God suddenly makes fire rain down from heaven and destroys them all. Satan is then thrown into the lake of fire where the beast and false prophet had already been. There they will be tormented forever and ever, amen!

It’s good to know that Satan and all evil has an appointed time to end. But what also struck me when I read Revelation chapter 20 was that this devil will be able to mislead the whole world again! It made me think of how we can’t take anything for granted in this Spiritual Warfare we fight right now. We can’t lower our guard for a minute. Do not underestimate the power of evil. Don’t underestimate the Devil. Don’t become one of his many casualties.

2 Corinthians 13:5 KJV “Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?”

KEEP YOUR EYES ON JESUS

Look at all the distractions thrown at us everyday. Only don’t watch them too closely. Keep your eyes fixed on Jesus Christ. Remember, when Peter began to focus on the storm (the distraction) he bagan to sink? But when his eyes were fixed on Jesus he could walk on water. (Matthew 14:22-33) There’s a lesson for us here. If we focus too much on our storms we’ll sink. The challenge is to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus through all of our storms. Then we too will be empowered to do the miraculous; yes, even walk on water.

Hebrews 12:1-3 NIV “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, [2] FIXING OUR EYES ON JESUS, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. [3] CONSIDER HIM who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”

Concerning distractions the apostle Paul was inspired by the Holy Spirit to write:

1 Corinthians 7:29-31 KJV “But this I say, brethren, the time is short: it remaineth, that both they that have wives be as though they had none; [30] And they that weep, as though they wept not; and they that rejoice, as though they rejoiced not; and they that buy, as though they possessed not; [31] And they that use this world, as not abusing it: for the fashion of this world passeth away.”

To some that may sound a bit extreme. But we get the point: “THE TIME IS SHORT!” Therefore, normal things like your spouse, your family, mourning (grieving), rejoicing (being happy), buying stuff, doing business, etcetera, should not take center stage. Because if they do Satan will out maneuver us. A person can grieve so much that they become overwhelmed and defeated by depression. Or seek to be so happy that they no longer care about the needs and sufferings of others. You can make your spouse or family your God. Or make gaining a mate your main objective. Even our stuff can become idols and cause us to lose the race. What Paul was saying by the power of the Holy Spirit is, ‘Don’t let that happen. Be single minded in serving the Lord. This world will pass away like last year’s fashion. Don’t become old news with it.’

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We know the Lord, and are getting to know him better. God Loves Us! I’ll say it again: GOD LOVES US! You know and are known by the most important person in the universe! More than that HE IS YOUR FATHER! WOW! HE’S OUR FATHER! Let’s take a moment to reflect, meditate, and rejoice over the fact that GOD IS OUR FATHER!

STILL MEDITATING

STILL MEDITATING

STILL MEDITATING

OK

I know there’s some crazy stuff going on in the world today family of believers. But through it all we are still more than conquerors because GOD IS OUR FATHER! Our sadness because of what’s going on in the world doesn’t change that. Our personal difficulties don’t change that either.

Romans 8:28-39 NIV And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. [29] For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. [30] And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified. [31] What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? [32] He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? [33] Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. [34] Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. [35] Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? [36] As it is written: “For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” [37] No, IN ALL THESE THINGS WE ARE MORE THAN CONQUERORS through him who loved us. [38] For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, [39] neither height nor depth, NOR ANYTHING ELSE IN ALL CREATION, WILL BE ABLE TO SEPARATE US FROM THE LOVE OF GOD THAT IS IN CHRIST JESUS OUR LORD.

Matthew 19:29 KJV And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake, SHALL RECEIVE AN HUNDREDFOLD, AND SHALL INHERIT EVERLASTING LIFE.

Dear family of God it’s clear to see from these verses how much God loves us. Now the question is: Do we love Him? The scriptures show how easy it is to answer that question:

1 John 3:10 NIV This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not God’s child, nor is anyone who does not love their brother and sister.

1 John 3:17 NIV If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person?

1 John 4:20-21 NIV Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. [21] And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister.

Colossians 3:13 NIV Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

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Daniel 7:25–28 NIV [25] He will speak against the Most High and oppress his holy people and try to change the set times and the laws. The holy people will be delivered into his hands for a time, times and half a time. [26] “ ‘But the court will sit, and his power will be taken away and completely destroyed forever. [27] Then the sovereignty, power and greatness of all the kingdoms under heaven will be handed over to the holy people of the Most High. His kingdom will be an everlasting kingdom, and all rulers will worship and obey him.’ [28] “This is the end of the matter. I, Daniel, was deeply troubled by my thoughts, and my face turned pale, but I kept the matter to myself.”

What must happen regarding the oppression of God’s people must take place. “BUT,” the Heavenly Court will be seated, then judgment handed down on the evil king who harassed the people of God! His kingdom will be destroyed forever! Amen! “Then the sovereignty, power and greatness of all the kingdoms under heaven will be handed over to the holy people of the Most High. His kingdom will be an everlasting kingdom, and all rulers will worship and obey him.’” Oh what a great existence we will have for all eternity!

Before this eternal bliss comes we must go through trials just as Job, Jeremiah, Jesus, and many others have. And just as they proved faithful and showed the way to victory, God’s true children today will prove faithful, and be victorious:

Revelation 15:1–4 NIV [1] I saw in heaven another great and marvelous sign: seven angels with the seven last plagues—last, because with them God’s wrath is completed. [2] And I saw what looked like a sea of glass glowing with fire and, standing beside the sea, those who had been victorious over the beast and its image and over the number of its name. They held harps given them by God [3] and sang the song of God’s servant Moses and of the Lamb: “Great and marvelous are your deeds, Lord God Almighty. Just and true are your ways, King of the nations. [4] Who will not fear you, Lord, and bring glory to your name? For you alone are holy. All nations will come and worship before you, for your righteous acts have been revealed.”

Yes! God’s people will be forever victorious! But things will seem to get worse before they get better:

Daniel 11:33–35 NIV [33] “Those who are wise will instruct many, though for a time they will fall by the sword or be burned or captured or plundered. [34] When they fall, they will receive a little help, and many who are not sincere will join them. [35] Some of the wise will stumble, so that they may be refined, purified and made spotless until the time of the end, for it will still come at the appointed time.

Daniel 12:9–10 NIV [9] He replied, “Go your way, Daniel, because the words are rolled up and sealed until the time of the end. [10] Many will be purified, made spotless and refined, but the wicked will continue to be wicked. None of the wicked will understand, but those who are wise will understand.

Just as wickedness will increase in the time of the end, (Matthew 24:12–13) the purification and refinement of God’s Holy people will also increase. It will appear that evil is winning, but In reality God is:

Revelation 19:20 NIV [20] But the beast was captured, and with it the false prophet who had performed the signs on its behalf. With these signs he had deluded those who had received the mark of the beast and worshiped its image. The two of them were thrown alive into the fiery lake of burning sulfur.

Revelation 18:19–20 NIV [19] They will throw dust on their heads, and with weeping and mourning cry out: “ ‘Woe! Woe to you, great city, where all who had ships on the sea became rich through her wealth! In one hour she has been brought to ruin!’ [20] “Rejoice over her, you heavens! Rejoice, you people of God! Rejoice, apostles and prophets! For God has judged her with the judgment she imposed on you.”

Ecclesiastes 7:8 NIV [8] The end of a matter is better than its beginning, and patience is better than pride.

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