Trials and tribulations? I have had, and do have an exceeding supply of them.

Very painful. But gainful. And I am thankful.

Why?

“For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more Exceeding and Eternal Weight of Glory,” 2 Corinthians 4:17.

“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with The Glory which shall be revealed in us.” Romans 8:18.

“My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your Faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing….
…Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive The Crown of Life which THE LORD has promised to those who love Him.” James 1:2-4, 12.

There is a self-serving, ^*specious statement (born by deception) that some brethren find fashionable to say: “Forgive GOD”, or “I’ve forgiven GOD…”

You mean THE RIGHTEOUS GOD committed a wrong for which He should be forgiven?

You mean THE RIGHTEOUS GOD committed a wrong against you for which you have forgiven Him?

He is called “JESUS CHRIST THE RIGHTEOUS” (1 John 2:1).

JESUS? “…I find no fault in Him…“ John 18:38;19:4, 6.

If you claim to have forgiven GOD, you declare that He sinned against you.

And that’s blasphemy!

Can a mortal charge GOD with wrongdoing?

“Which of you convicts me of sin?“ He asked. (John 8:46).

“Can a mortal be more righteous than GOD? Can a man be more pure than his Maker?” Job 4:17.

Please beware and be warned: If you are offended at JESUS CHRIST The Righteous, you are permiting Herod and Herodias spirits to decapitate you in any area of life: death of life itself, death of health, death of finances, etc.

This is how serious the consequences of being offended at JESUS are.

When John the Baptist was offended at JESUS, he was soon decapitated by Herod. The Hedge of Protection he had had around him all along, was removed because of offence. The spirit of death went through Herod’s wife, Herodias, to get her daughter to request the prophet’s head on a platter.

Offences are self-imposed death sentences. Bitterness kills.

Herodias was the wife of Philip, Herod’s brother. Herod stole her from Philip, and John spoke against the treacherous sin.

Herodias held it against John. Herod subsequently put John in prison.

‘For Herod himself had sent and laid hold of John, and bound him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife; for he had married her. Because John had said to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.” Therefore Herodias held it against him and wanted to kill him, but she could not; for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just and holy man, and he protected him…‘ Mark 6:17-20.

But, when imprisoned by Herod, if John had not wondered about JESUS and was even offended at Him because His Intervention didn’t immediately come into his situation, John will not have been beheaded by Herod as wished by Herodias.

‘And when John had heard in prison about The Works of CHRIST, he sent two of his disciples and said to Him, “Are You The Coming One, or do we look for another?” ‘ Matthew 11:2-3.

The Man John had discerned and declared The Lamb of GOD, and baptised, he was now wondering about because of offences.

As part of His response to John’s surprising query, JESUS said: “And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me.” (Matthew 11:6).

This means, cursed is he who is offended at Him.

And there is no greater curse than death: death of life, death of health, death of finances, death of career, among others.

GOD is blameless in all things, at all times.

Even if what you suffered/ are suffering/ will suffer is by GOD, you have to bear in mind that one of the reasons why we have The AMAZING Privilege and Eternal Glory to believe in JESUS, is to suffer for His Sake.

“For to you it has been granted on Behalf of CHRIST, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His Sake” Philippians 1:29.

But there is the expected end: To do you good.

“My brethren, take the prophets, who spoke in THE NAME OF THE LORD, as an example of suffering and patience. Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by THE LORD — that THE LORD is very compassionate and merciful.” James 5:10-11.

THE LORD urgently wants me to put this warming out: That there are many allowing death in various areas of their lives because they are offended at Him.

If you are, please humble yourself and repent to THE LORD. He will forgive and restore you.

One way to deal with the temptation to be offended at GOD, is to thank Him. When the sense of offence is creeping in, just thank THE LORD for His Goodness.

Thanking Him releases His Goodness.

“Oh, give thanks to THE LORD, for He is good! For His Mercy endures forever. Let the redeemed of THE LORD say so, Whom He has redeemed from the hand of the enemy” Psalm 107:1-2.

^*specious : adjective : seeming to be right or true, but really wrong or false (Cambridge Dictionary).

 

“The LORD Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Grace be with you. Amen.” 2 Timothy 4:22.
“Farewell” Acts 15:29.
~ Jacob Addison Awagah

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Jacob, an apostle of JESUS CHRIST by The Will of GOD, according to The Promise of Life Which is in CHRIST JESUS, (2 Timothy 1:1).
Like John, I like to put my head to The Heart of JESUS so as to know and do His Will always. What’s in His Heart is what matters now and FOREVER. His Heart’s Desire is my only desire. My will is to do His Will.
As John was, I am the disciple whom JESUS loves. And like Paul, I am “the prisoner of CHRIST JESUS” (Ephesians 3:1) for His Purpose forever: to obey Him always.
NB. Surely, the disciple whom JESUS loves and “the prisoner of CHRIST JESUS”, like ALL The Promises of GOD, are available to every believer to obtain, just as John and Paul did.
“And having been perfected, He [JESUS] became The Author of Eternal Salvation to all who obey Him,” Hebrews 5:9.

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