Suffering as a Christian

1 Peter 4:12-16(NIV)
Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name.

Power Points

This scripture is a hard pill to swallow because no one wants to suffer.

But it is inevitable that as Christians we will suffer just as Christ did.

However we must remember to rejoice, not because of the suffering but because of our relationship with Christ.

When we suffer for Christ's sake, His glory is revealed in, on, through, and for us.

Being insulted, persecuted, or suffer for being a Christian means that the glory of God is resting on us.

We should not be ashamed but PRAISE God that we are associated with Christ and bear the name of a Christian.

Take comfort in knowing that all things are working together for good to those who love the Lord!

God is AWESOME...that's All I Know. -Tevin C. Jordan

The End is Near

1 Peter 4:7-9
The end of the world is coming soon. Therefore, be earnest and disciplined in your prayers. Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins. Cheerfully share your home with those who need a meal or a place to stay.

Power Points

The end is near!

PRAY!!!

LOVE!!!

Thank You, God!

James 1:17-18

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.

God is AWESOME...that's All I Know. -Tevin C. Jordan

Endure Temptation! Don't Err!

James 1:12-16

Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: but every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death. Do not err, my beloved brethren.

Power Points

We are blessed when we endure temptation.

Our ability to continuously endure is totally derived from our ability to trust and believe God.

God is well pleased with that state of mind.

God desires us to be totally dependent on Him and not to succumb to our own desires and ways.

The temptation we face does not come from God but from our own lust.

When that lust is conceived (takes form), it leads to sin.

When the sin is finished it leads to death.

Don't err (go astray; sin)!

God allows us to be in situations and circumstances for us to see where we stand in Him.

Our response to temptation shows our growth.

God wants to reveal His power and glory in us.

God wants men to be able to look at our lives and see how awesome He is!

God is AWESOME...that's All I Know. -Tevin C. Jordan

Don't Waver Back and Forth...Just Believe!

James 1:5-8
If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.

Power Points

If we are in need of anything, we can ask God for it.

He will give it to us according to His promises and will for our lives.

Here we are told that He will give us wisdom liberally (freely, willingly).

When we inquire of God, we must do so in faith believing that He is willing and able to supply all our need.

The first verses of this chapter of James talk about how God develops patience in us.

Here is where the patience plays a great role.

Here we read that we should not waver in our faith like a wave of the sea tossed and driven by our current situation and circumstances.

We must patiently endure and remember that God is faithful!

God is AWESOME...that's All I Know. -Tevin C. Jordan

Count It Joy!

James 1:2-4

My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

Power Points

Counting temptations as joy seems to be an odd request.

We have to learn to look at the big picture.

Being faced with temptation is an uncomfortable situation.

It is those situations that build and strengthen our faith, when we are able to resist and remain faithful to God.

When we resist temptation, we let God know that we are patiently awaiting his salvation, promises, and purpose for our lives.

God is in control.

Whatever He allows to come our way serves a purpose.

We must remember that as we trust God and patiently wait on Him, we will want for nothing!

God is AWESOME...that's All I Know. -Tevin C. Jordan

Continue to Love

Hebrews 13:1-2
Let brotherly love continue. Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.

Love All You Can! -Tevin C. Jordan