The 12 Disciples Weren't Random
Monday, October 5, 2026
Saturday, May 23, 2026
Should I Buy Gold For My Survival Kit?
A friend of mine was asking whether she should invest in gold as many of the podcasters she listens to talk about investing in gold and silver or other types of hard currency and/or goods in lieu of current events and a possible financial crash. She asked me if I had an opinion about it? She said, I know what Psalm 20:7 says. “Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God.” I believe that is the best and most important advice. Do you have any other thoughts along this line?
Here’s my response.
My Dear Friend, I agree with you totally, and similar to the verse you mentioned are my own line of thoughts. In Psalm 41:1-2 we read, "Blessed is he that considers the poor: the Lord will deliver him in time of trouble. The Lord will preserve him, and keep him alive; and he shall be blessed upon the earth: and Thou (Lord) will not deliver him unto the will of his enemies."
Proverbs 28:27 says, "He that gives to the poor shall not lack: but he that hides his eyes shall have many a curse."
In Proverbs 19:17 we see, "He that has pity on the poor lends unto the Lord: and that which he has given will He (the Lord) pay him again."
Isaiah 58:6-11 is another example. “Is not this the fast that I have chosen? To loosen the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke? Is it not to deal your bread to the hungry, and that you bring the poor that are cast out to your house? When you see the naked, that you cover him; and that you hide not yourself from your own flesh (your family who need your help)? Then shall your light break forth as the morning, and your health shall spring forth speedily; and your righteousness shall go before you; the glory of the Lord shall be your reward (or protection). Then you shall call, and the Lord shall answer; you shall cry, and He shall say, Here I am. If you take away from the midst of you the yoke, the putting forth of the finger, and speaking vanity; and if you draw out your soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul; then shall your light rise in obscurity, and your darkness be as the noon day: and the Lord shall guide you continually, and shall satisfy your soul in drought, and make fat your bones: and you shall be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not.”
It seems to me that they Lord is saying, we need to take care of the needy He brings along our way, and if we do, then He will take care of us. It’s like an if/then relationship. If we do such and such, God will do such and such. It’s like the verse, “Seek first the kingdom and then all these things will be added unto you.” [Matthew 6:33] It also comes down to the old saying: "For God's sake, and your own sake, and the sake of others, follow God." Apostle Paul wrote, "Do you have faith? Have it to yourself before God. Happy is the man that doesn't condemn himself in the thing which he allows." [Romans 14:22] In other words, don’t look around to what others are doing. Get a hold of God by prayer and fasting. Whatever God tells you individually to do, that do, and don’t feel condemned about it.
My wife and I live month to month with very little money in the bank. We rent. I'm 75 years old and have no government or old age benefits being a foreigner. We work for a non-profit and we each receive ¾ of a minimum wage as a monthly gift. We are just trying to follow God day by day. As we do, and as we look to Him, He provides our needs and saves us.
Build Community. We are trying to be faithful to God by
building community with our brethren of faith and with our neighbours and with others
we come in contact with in our work. We believe that if we are faithful to do
today, what He shows us as best we can, He will provide and do what we cannot
do for ourselves. He will open doors and do the miracles of supply that we
need. I Corinthians 10:13 says, “God will not tempt us above that we are able,
but will with the temptation, also provide a way of escape, that we may be able
to bear it.” He will supply manna from heaven, if we need it.
We are also strengthening the binds of love and friendship within our own family, which at times is the hardest of tasks, requiring lots of love and patience.
In Psalm 46 we read, "God is our refuge and our strength a very present help in time of trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea.[1-2]...The Lord of host is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah." [7] God is our refuge in times of trouble. We do what He shows us to do to prepare and then we trust in Him for what we can’t do. He promises to be a refuge for us. In Isaiah 25:4 we see God’s portion has been to be a refuge for His people. “For You have been a strength to the poor, a strength to the needy in his distress, a refuge from the storm, a shadow from the heat, when the blast of the terrible ones is as a storm against the wall.”
Proverbs 14:26 says, "In the fear of the Lord is a strong confidence.” In other words, by walking with Him day by day, by following and loving Him, we will have a strong confidence. What is strong confidence but a strong faith, a strong assurance. The second part of the verse shows us the results of walking in the fear of the Lord, "And his children shall have a place of refuge.” God promises a place of refuge for those who walk in the fear of the Lord, for those who put God first in their lives.
Proverb 18:10 tells us: "The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous runs into it, and is safe." What is a strong tower but a refuge. It’s upon these promises, which are vaults in the Bank of Heaven, where we should invest our life’s savings. "For all the promises of God in Him are yea, and in Him Amen." [2 Corinthians 1:20] God will fulfil His promises and provide a safe haven.
Let’s review some the promises we find in Psalm 71 on God
providing our needs in old age. "Let my mouth be filled with your praise
and with your honour all the day.[8] [Praise is an important part of our walk
with God.] Cast me not off in the time of old age; forsake me not when my
strength fails.[9]..But I will hope continually, and will yet praise thee more
and more. [14] [As we grow older, we should grow more praiseful, more
thankful.] My mouth shall show your righteousness and your salvation all the
day; for I know not the numbers thereof.”[15] [In other words, I don't know the
number of my days, but I will faithfully share my faith in You till my dying
day.]
“O God, you have taught me from my youth: and I have faithfully declared
your wonderful works. [17] Now also when I am old and grey-headed, O God,
forsake me not; until I have showed the strength unto this present generation,
and your power to everyone that is to come." [18] Our commission is still the
same: preach the gospel, and teach others about the glory of God, help them get
in relationship with the Creator of the universe, and the Lord will supply our
needs, for the Lord is our Shepherd and we shall not lack. [Psalm 23:1]
Another verse from the Old Testament where God promises to care for us in our old age is Isaiah 46:4. "And even to your old age I am He; and even to the grey hairs will I carry you: I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry, and will deliver you."
We, also, have promises in the New Testament. “But my God shall supply all your needs according to His riches and glory by Christ Jesus.” [Philippians 4:19] Ephesians 3:16-22 is another good section to claim and to access. “That He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might by His Spirit in the inner man; that Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; and to know the love of Christ, which passes knowledge, that you might be filled with all the fulness of God. Now unto Him that is able to do exceedingly, abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, unto Him be glory.” If we could understand how much God loves us, we wouldn’t worry so much.
Should we buy gold and silver as reserves and insurance for the future? My dear friend who prompted the questioned died a month later from a heart attack. She was a faithful witness and has gone to her heavenly reward. In the end, she didn't need the gold. She may be walking on streets of gold in the heavenly city at this moment. Her worries were fruitless. God took care of her in a way she wasn't expecting.
Nevertheless, here are some of the verses I found on gold when I researched. “The law of thy mouth is better unto me than thousands of gold and silver.” [Psalm 119:72] “Therefore I love thy commandments above gold, yea, above fine gold.” [Psalm 119:127] “Receive my instruction, and not silver; and knowledge, rather than choice gold. For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it.” [Proverbs 8:10-11] “How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! And to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver!” [Proverbs 16:16] In Ecclesiastes 9:14-18 we find an interesting story. A poor man by his wisdom helped deliver a city from their enemies. The conclusion being, “Wisdom is better than weapons of war.” [Ecclesiastes 9:18a] It seems wisdom, or in other words, our close relationship with the Lord, is more important than having a supply of gold or silver, or even a gun.
Here are two good verses from the New Testament about gold. “Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but as such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.” [Acts 3:6] Apostle Paul also chimed in on the subject with, “I have coveted no man’s silver, or gold, or apparel.” [Acts 20:33] It doesn’t look the Apostles were worrying about their survival needs.
Psalm 19:9b-10 reminds us that, "The judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb." In other words, having a good relationship with the Lord even through the hard things we go through in life, the chastisements, is more important than having gold stored away in our survival kits.
Of course, if you are able, and have money to invest, you might want to have a little gold or silver on hand to barter with or as a survival fund. If you have more to invest you might buy a property, or give more to missions. Or you might decide something else. It usually requires that we get a hold of the Lord and get an answer straight from Him on what He wants us to do. “One-size fits all” does not exist. It comes down to one of the first classes I had when I first became a Christian, "For God's sake follow God.” We should remember Apostle Paul’s warning to Timothy, “Don’t trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy.” [1 Timothy 6:17 ] In the end we need to trust God. “Trust in the Lord with all your hearts and lean not to your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your paths.” [Proverbs 3:5-6] That sounds like good advice.
Originally published February 4, 2024.
Wednesday, May 20, 2026
Saturday, February 7, 2026
"Não se ponha o sol sobre a vossa ira" - Eis o porquê! - A Voz Diária
"Não se
ponha o sol sobre a vossa ira".
Por Jason Chen,
Lifehacker, 19 de Janeiro de 2012: Comentários de Dennis Edwards
O velho ditado
popular que diz que nunca se deve dormir zangado acaba de ser comprovado pela
ciência, graças aos neurocientistas da Universidade de Massachusetts em
Amherst. O estudo concluiu que, se tiver uma resposta emocional negativa — os
exemplos referidos foram a visualização de uma imagem perturbadora ou a
experiência de um evento traumático —, essa resposta é reduzida se permanecer
acordado posteriormente. Se adormecer imediatamente, a resposta fica
"protegida", o que significa que, quando for novamente exposto ao
efeito, a sua resposta negativa será tão negativa como da primeira vez.
Os cientistas
citaram doentes com Perturbação de Stress Pós-Traumático (PSPT) ou testemunhas
de acidentes como exemplos de como a sua conclusão é aplicável na prática. Se
uma testemunha de um acidente horrÃvel permanecer acordada após o sucedido, da
próxima vez que vir uma reprodução ou fotografia da cena, a sua resposta
emocional será muito menor do que se tivesse adormecido logo a seguir. Os
investigadores chegaram mesmo a afirmar que os seus cérebros são, na verdade,
avessos ao sono, como mecanismo de defesa.
O facto de
provavelmente não presenciar um acidente horrÃvel não significa que estas
descobertas não possam ser aplicadas à sua vida. Qualquer emoção negativa, como
uma discussão com o cônjuge ou um desentendimento no trabalho, pode causar
emoções negativas. O estudo aponta para a prática de tentar resolver estes
sentimentos antes de dormir, para que tenha uma reação menos visceral ao
problema de manhã.
Comentários de
Dennis Edwards:
É o que nos diz a
BÃblia há 2000 anos, desde que Paulo escreveu na sua carta aos crentes de
Éfeso:
"Não se
ponha o sol sobre a vossa ira". [Efésios 4:26]
Por outras
palavras, não vá dormir sem antes resolver as suas diferenças ou pedir
desculpa, caso tenha discutido. No entanto, pedir desculpa não é uma tarefa
fácil, mas é melhor do que destruir a sua saúde e a relação que está a tentar
construir por não pedir desculpa e não fazer as pazes.
Todos nós lutamos
com estes problemas de perdoar e tentar consertar as coisas. Mas, quando
adquire o hábito de não resolver as suas diferenças com o seu cônjuge ou colega
de trabalho, as coisas acumulam-se e caminha para um encontro destrutivo no
futuro. A amargura começará a crescer e, se não for corrigida, transformar-se-á
em ódio e inveja. A BÃblia diz:
"... para
que a raiz da amargura não vos perturbe, contaminando muitos." [Hebreus
12:15]
Veja, a sua
amargura crescerá e afetará negativamente os outros.
Por isso, tente
seguir a admoestação bÃblica e agora cientÃfica e resolva as coisas antes de
dormir. Peça desculpa e demonstre arrependimento. Use a humildade e o amor
verdadeiro, nunca falha. Peça a ajuda de Deus e Ele dar-lhe-á certamente o amor
e a humildade necessários para dizer "Peço desculpa" ou "Estava
enganado". É difÃcil, mas isso irá mantê-lo saudável e fazer com que a sua
relação com os outros cresça e melhore. Experimente. É melhor do que ficar
doente mais tarde ou destruir uma relação pessoal importante.
Vamos aqui
concluir com as próximas frases do texto de Paulo à EpÃstola aos Efésios:
"Não dêem lugar ao diabo". [Efésios 4:27]
Por outras palavras, ao não acertarmos as coisas com o nosso cônjuge ou colega de trabalho, estamos a dar ao diabo a oportunidade de causar danos na nossa relação e nas nossas vidas. Não se deixem levar por isso. Resistam ao diabo perdoando-se e acertando as coisas, ou seja, pedindo desculpa antes de apagar as luzes.
"Não vos
saia da boca nenhuma palavra torpe." [Efésios 4:29]
Todos sabemos o
que significa torpe. Paulo está a falar daqueles comentários desagradáveis,
exagerados ou falsos que fazemos sobre os outros. Não devemos deixá-los sair da
nossa boca. Jesus disse que o que sai da boca vem do coração.
"Mas o que
sai da boca vem do coração, e é isso que contamina o homem". [Mateus
15:18]
Por isso,
precisamos de uma purificação do coração para nos livrarmos destas palavras.
Esta purificação pode envolver pedir oração ou confessar as nossas falhas a
alguém espiritualmente forte o suficiente para nos ajudar. Jesus também disse:
"Agora estão
limpos pela palavra que vos tenho dito". [João 15:3]
Por isso, talvez
precise de um tempo em meditação silenciosa na Sua Palavra, deixando que ela
fale ao seu coração e o convença do seu erro, além de lhe dar força e convicção
para seguir em frente no caminho que Deus lhe pede. Talvez também precise de
pedir perdão à pessoa sobre quem tem falado mal. Jesus disse:
"Portanto,
se estiveres a levar a tua oferta ao altar e aà te lembrares de que o teu irmão
tem algo contra ti, deixa aà a tua oferta diante do altar, vai primeiro
reconciliar-te com o teu irmão e depois volta e apresenta a tua oferta."
[Mateus 5:23-24]
Mais uma vez,
outra coisa não tão fácil de fazer. Por outras palavras, se perceber que alguém
tem algo contra si, deve ir e tentar acertar as coisas. Estou a lutar com este
mandamento neste preciso momento, mas decidi avançar e seguir esta sugestão,
fazendo a minha parte pela minha saúde, tanto fÃsica como espiritual. Voltemos
a Paulo e aos seus comentários finais aos Efésios:
"Não saia da
vossa boca nenhuma palavra torpe, mas apenas a que for boa para promover a
edificação, conforme a necessidade, para que dê graça aos que a ouvem."
[Efésios 4:29-30]
Por outras
palavras, as suas palavras devem ser uma bênção para os outros e trazer consigo
a presença de Deus. Jesus disse:
"As palavras
que vos digo são espÃrito e são vida". [João 6:63]
As suas palavras
podem abençoar ou amaldiçoar. Jesus disse que terÃamos de prestar contas de
"toda a palavra vã" no dia do juÃzo. Se soubéssemos que terÃamos de
prestar contas, talvez tivéssemos muito mais cuidado com o que e como falamos,
para garantir que as nossas palavras ministram graça ou fé àqueles que as
ouvem. Em Provérbios lemos:
"A morte e a
vida estão no poder da lÃngua; o que bem a utiliza comerá do seu fruto."
[Provérbios 18:21]
Por outras
palavras, comeremos do fruto das nossas palavras, para o bem e para o nosso
bem, ou para o mal e para o nosso mal.
E agora Paulo
continua a admoestar-nos a evitar especialmente o seguinte:
"Livrai-vos
de toda a amargura, indignação, ira, gritaria e calúnia, bem como de toda a
maldade (ódio)." [Efésios 4:31]
E Paulo termina
com a resposta:
"Sede
bondosos e compassivos uns para com os outros, perdoando-vos mutuamente, tal
como Deus vos perdoou em Cristo". [Efésios 4:32]
Mais uma vez, o
amor, o perdão e a misericórdia são a resposta que Deus dá à nossa dureza de
coração. Oremos para que hoje possamos caminhar em amor uns pelos outros,
perdoarmo-nos uns aos outros e tentar de novo. Que Deus os abençoe e ajude na
sua busca por perdoar e viver em amor!!
Para estudo de Salmo 37
Publicado
originalmente a 23 de janeiro de 2012.
"No se ponga el sol sobre vuestro enojo." - ¡Aquà está el porqué! - La Voz Diaria
"No se ponga
el sol sobre vuestro enojo."
Por Jason Chen,
Lifehacker, 19 de enero de 2012: Comentarios de Dennis Edwards
El viejo dicho de
que nunca hay que irse a dormir enfadado acaba de ser respaldado por la ciencia
gracias a neurocientÃficos de la Universidad de Massachusetts en Amherst. Su
estudio concluye que si se tiene una respuesta emocional negativa (como por ejemplo
ver una imagen perturbadora o experimentar un evento traumático), la respuesta
se reduce si se permanece despierto después. Si uno se duerme inmediatamente,
la respuesta queda "protegida", lo que significa que al volver a
exponerse al efecto, la respuesta negativa será igual de negativa que la
primera vez.
Los cientÃficos
citaron a personas con TEPT o a testigos de accidentes como ejemplos de la
aplicación práctica de su conclusión. Si un testigo de un accidente espantoso
permanece despierto después del suceso, la próxima vez que vea una reproducción
o fotografÃa de la escena, su respuesta emocional será mucho menor que si se
hubiera dormido inmediatamente después. Los investigadores incluso afirmaron
que sus cerebros, de hecho, tienen aversión a dormir, como mecanismo de
defensa.
Que sea
improbable que presenciemos un accidente terrible no significa que estos
hallazgos no puedan aplicarse a nuestra vida. Cualquier emoción negativa, como
una discusión con la pareja o un desacuerdo en el trabajo, puede causar
emociones negativas. El estudio sugiere que debemos intentar resolver estos
sentimientos antes de dormir para que podamos tener una reacción menos visceral
al problema por la mañana.
Comentarios de
Dennis Edwards:
Eso es lo que la
Biblia nos ha estado diciendo durante 2000 años, desde que Pablo escribió en su
carta a los creyentes de Éfeso.
"No se ponga
el sol sobre vuestro enojo." [Efesios 4:26]
En otras
palabras, no os vayáis a dormir sin antes resolver vuestras diferencias o pedir
disculpas si habéis tenido una discusión. Sin embargo, pedir perdón no es tarea
fácil, pero es mejor que arruinar tu salud y la relación que intentas construir
al no disculparte y enmendar tus errores.
Todos lidiamos
con estos problemas de perdonar y tratar de arreglar las cosas. Pero una vez
que te acostumbras a no resolver tus diferencias con tu pareja o compañero de
trabajo, las cosas se acumulan y te encaminas a un encuentro destructivo en el
futuro. La amargura comenzará a gestarse y, si no se corrige, se convertirá en
odio y envidia. La Biblia dice:
"...para que
no os perturbe una raÃz de amargura, y por ella muchos sean contaminados."
[Hebreos 12:15]
Verás, tu
amargura crecerá y afectará negativamente a los demás.
Por lo tanto,
intenta seguir la advertencia bÃblica y ahora cientÃfica, y arregla las cosas
antes de acostarte. Dile que lo sientes y discúlpate. Usa la humildad y el amor
verdadero; nunca falla. PÃdele a Dios su ayuda y Él te ayudará a tener el amor
y la humildad necesarios para decir "Lo siento" o "Me
equivoqué". Es difÃcil, pero te mantendrá sano y tu relación con los demás
crecerá y mejorará. Inténtalo. Es mejor que enfermarte un poco más adelante o
destruir una relación personal importante.
Terminaremos con
las siguientes frases del texto de Pablo a los Efesios:
"Ni den lugar al diablo." [Efesios 4:27]
En otras palabras, al no arreglar las cosas con nuestra pareja o compañero de trabajo, le damos al diablo la oportunidad de hacer daño en nuestra relación y nuestras vidas. No lo hagan. Resistan al diablo perdonándose mutuamente y arreglando las cosas, o pidiendo perdón antes de apagar la luz.
"Ninguna
palabra corrompida salga de vuestra boca." [Efesios 4:29]
Todos sabemos lo que significa corromper. Pablo se refiere a esos comentarios desagradables, exagerados o falsos que hacemos sobre los demás. No debemos permitir que salgan de nuestra boca. Jesús dijo que lo que sale de la boca, del corazón sale.
"Pero lo que
sale de la boca, del corazón sale, y eso contamina al hombre." [Mateo
15:18]
Por lo tanto,
necesitaremos una limpieza de corazón para poder deshacernos de ellos. La
limpieza del corazón puede implicar pedir oración o confesar tu falta a alguien
lo suficientemente fuerte espiritualmente como para ayudarte. Jesús también
dijo:
"Ahora
ustedes están limpios por la palabra que les he hablado." [Juan 15:3]
Por lo tanto,
quizás necesites un tiempo de meditación tranquila en Su Palabra, dejando que
hable a tu corazón y te convenza de tus malas acciones, además de darte fuerza
y convicción para seguir adelante en el camino que Dios te pide. También
podrÃas necesitar pedir perdón a la persona de la que has estado hablando mal.
Jesús dijo:
"Por tanto,
si traes tu ofrenda al altar, y allà te acuerdas de que tu hermano tiene algo
contra ti, deja allà tu ofrenda delante del altar, y vete, reconcÃliate primero
con tu hermano, y entonces ven y presenta tu ofrenda..." [Mateo 5:23-24]
De nuevo, otra
cosa no tan fácil de hacer. En otras palabras, si te das cuenta de que alguien
tiene algo contra ti, debes ir y tratar de arreglar las cosas. Estoy luchando
con este mismo mandamiento en este preciso momento, pero he decidido seguir
adelante y seguir esta sugerencia, y hacer mi parte por mi propia salud, tanto
fÃsica como espiritual.
Volvamos a Pablo
y sus comentarios finales a los Efesios:
"Ninguna
palabra corrompida salga de vuestra boca, sino más bien la que sea buena para
la necesaria edificación, a fin de dar gracia a los oyentes." [Efesios
4:29-30]
En otras
palabras, que vuestras palabras sean una bendición para los demás y traigan la
presencia de Dios con ellos. Jesús dijo:
"Las
palabras que yo os hablo son espÃritu y son vida." [Juan 6:63]
Vuestras palabras
pueden bendecir o maldecir. Jesús dijo que tendrÃamos que dar cuenta de
"toda palabra ociosa" en el dÃa del juicio. Si todos supiéramos que
tendrÃamos que dar cuenta, tendrÃamos mucho más cuidado con lo que decimos y
cómo lo decimos, para asegurarnos de que nuestras palabras ministraran gracia o
fe a quienes las escuchan. En Proverbios leemos:
"La muerte y
la vida están en poder de la lengua; y el que la ama comerá de su fruto."
[Proverbios 18:21]
En otras
palabras, comeremos el fruto de nuestras palabras, para bien y para nuestro
bien, o para mal y para nuestro mal.
Y ahora Pablo
continúa amonestándonos a evitar especialmente lo siguiente:
"Que toda
amargura, ira, enojo (parece que repite el punto para aclararlo), griterÃa y
maledicencia (todo esto que manifestamos con nuestras palabras) sean quitados
de ustedes, y toda malicia (odio)" [Efesios 4:31]
Y Pablo termina
con la respuesta:
"Antes bien,
sed benignos unos con otros, misericordiosos, perdonándoos unos a otros, como
Dios también os perdonó en Cristo" [Efesios 4:32]
De nuevo, el
amor, el perdón y la misericordia son la respuesta que Dios da a nuestra dureza
de corazón. Oremos para que hoy caminemos en amor unos con otros, nos
perdonemos y lo intentemos de nuevo. ¡Que Dios los bendiga y los ayude en su
búsqueda de perdonar y vivir en amor!
Para estudio sobre Salmo 37
Publicado
originalmente el 23 de enero de 2012.
Wednesday, February 4, 2026
The Daily Voice - February 4 - If we suffer, we shall also reign with Him
Hebrews 2:17-18 Wherefore in all things it behoved Him to be made like unto His brethren (you and me), that He might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. For in that He Himself has suffered being tempted, He is able to succour, (which means to assist and support in times of hardship and distress), them that are tempted.
Jesus was tempted in the Garden of Gethsemane to give up and
quit. Instead, He prayed and called out to God and committed Himself to God’s
will, not His own. Having gone through that experience and the other life
experiences He faced, Jesus is a high priest who is touched with the feeling of
our infirmities. He's been here. He will send us help in our hour of temptation,
if we seek to Him with strong crying and tears, or with all our hearts.
1 Peter 4:1 Forasmuch then as Christ has suffered for us in
the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind.
Just as Apostle Paul has said, we need to put on the mind of
Christ, Apostle Peter reinforces that idea. Peter says that putting on the mind
of Christ enables us to withstand suffering. It empowers us to trust God during
it. Jesus learned obedience through the things that He suffered. We can also
learn obedience to God through the things we suffer.
Hebrews 12:6 For whom the Lord loves He chastens, and scourges
every son whom He receives.
If we trust God through our suffering and commit what we are
going through into His hands, He will use it for our good. We will come through
our suffering without the smell of smoke.
Hebrews 12:11-12 Now no chastening for the present seems to
be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit
of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby. Wherefore lift up the
hands which hang down, and the feeble knees.
God doesn’t want us to get discouraged and faint in our
struggles and sufferings. They are for a good purpose and will yield good in
our lives, as long as we continue to trust and give Him thanks.
1 Thessalonians 5:18 In everything give thanks for this is
the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
Romans 8:28 We know that all things work together for good
to them that love God.
1 Peter 4:19 Wherefore let them that suffer according to the
will of God commit the keeping of their souls to Him in well-doing, as unto a
faithful Creator.
1 Peter 4:2 -3 That (we) no longer should live the rest of (our) time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God. For the time
past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, (or
unbelievers), when we walked in lasciviousness (sexual pleasure), lusts, excess
of wine, revellings, (from the Greek kosmos,
which is wild, boisterous, and unrestrained partying, often involving excessive drinking, gluttony, and
immoral behaviour, or orgies), banquetings, (sinful indulgence, excess, or
idolatrous drunken revelry), and abominable idolatries.
Apostle Paul, also, warned.
Galatians 5:16-17 Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to another: so that you cannot do the things that you would.
1 Peter 4:7 & 12-13 But the end of all things is at
hand: be you therefore sober, and watch unto prayer. … Beloved. Think it not
strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange
thing happened unto you: but rejoice, inasmuch as you are partakers of Christ’s
suffering; that when His glory shall be revealed, you may be glad also with
exceeding joy.
2 Timothy 2:12 If we suffer (with Him), we shall also reign with Him.
Suffering now, but reigning later; or reigning now, and suffering later. That's the option.
Romans 8:17b-18 If so be that we suffer with Him, that we
may be also glorified together (with Him). For I reckon that the sufferings of this
present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be
revealed in us.
1 Corinthians 2:9 Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, neither has it entered into the heart of man, the things which God has prepared for them that love Him.
Let us keep our eyes on Jesus and take our suffering joyfully. A crown of glory is waiting for us, if we faint not. Hold on to your crown. It will be worth it!
