Book reading: Bait of Satan
Surprise to see the bait is "Offense".
Matthew 24:10-13,"And then many will be offended, will betray one another...But he who endures to the end shall be saved."
Hebrews 12:26-27 "shake not only the earth, but also heaven...that things which cannot be shaken may remain."
Session 2: Commit everything to God
My reflection
It's not hard for me to understand "offense" looking at my life:
For a woman, marriage is the most important thing in her life, I started praying for my husband when I was just 11yrs old, prayed for children in 30's, prayed for healing at critical times (my dad, my aunt, even my rabbits), they all come tumbling down, gone and died, in my 40's everything I treasure went down the drain, nothing make any sense, I am offended, greatly offended. When I see a stray dog abandoned on the street, frightened and wandering, I see myself.
I don't know if I am just too wimp to leave God after all these offenses, I just know if at this point of life if I can't trust even God, there is nothing else worth living for. He did say His Words will not come down on earth in vain, He said He is not a man that will lie, nor will He changes His mind like human; Jesus did come, died and was risen, He did say offense will come, the day is evil, but those who will not be offended will be saved, He is the avenger and the rewarder...it was the Devil who came to steal, to kill and to destroy, indeed, one night a taxi driver "preached" death to me, suggesting suicide, if it wasn't the devil, I don't know what it was.
Jesus came to give us abundant life, but the blessings to us was hindered by our sin, I need to repent for all impurities in my marriage, my families, myself, after all these soul-searching, He said be strong, stand firm, He is faithful and good, all things work out for good for those who love Him, to love Him is to be obedient, so even in tears, I fight the flesh to say I trust in You Lord, and will not be offended. My hope is in You to see Your goodness. Submit to Him, resist the devil and he will flee from me.
My notes on the book
Spiritual growth is a function of obedience.The key to grow and mature in times of conflict and suffering is "obedience" to the Word of God.
"One way the enemy keeps a person in an offended state is to keep the offense hidden, cloaked with pride....Pride hardens your heart...keeps you from repentance-- that will set you free."
How to learn:
Ps 119:130. The entrance of His Word into our hearts, not just mind, illuminates and clarifies. E.g. when listening to annointed minister, don't just take note, listen and look for words/phrases that explode in our spirits, it's the revealed Word of God.
Trusting God's character - gift to the humble
"They (disciples) had decided God was all they wanted..We are rooted and grounded when we bear this intense love and trust in God, no storm... can move them, it's a grace to all who place their confidence in God,throwing away the confidence of self, but ..total abandonment (of self) you must know the One who holds your life."
"love the person of Jesus Christ, not love of principles or teachings"
Mark 4:16-17 no root, easily offended.
1 Peter 5:5 A study of Simon Peter was interesting. He was a courageous person but prideful (Luke 22), he defended Jesus when he was arrested (cut the soldier's ear out), but he was intimidated by a servant girl's challenge, and denied Jesus. (repent and return)
Joseph's life was full of offense, being betrayed, separated from his father, sold to a foreign country, forgotten, accused, jailed, but God used the adversity to teach him and train him, he was not offended, instead he was grateful and drawn closer to God. (be a victor not a victim)
(still reading, not done yet) |
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