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Bondman · 05-14-2008, 05:05 AM

Message #73

HARD - or WONDERFUL?

Those who've read my messages for some time know well how often I speak about the Christian life not being easy, and that if you're gonna live it, then you can expect it to be hard. In the previous message I quoted where JESUS said this - and He couldn't have possibly have said it any clearer!

HARD - BUT...

The same people know that tho my Christian life is tough, and has been for a long time, they also know the other side of the coin that I experience - that there are so many wonderful plusses to being SOLD-OUT to the Lord and totally His and seeking a life of obedience to Him! I recommend it without reservation!!!

PLEASING GOD

Is it hard to obey the things He commands us to do? IT CERTAINLY IS! But do I "suffer" by the things set down in the New Testament that I've made a determined to OBEY? NO WAY!!! Gives me the GREATEST OF PLEASURE TO PLEASE HIM BY BEING OBEDIENT! Many of you know of our ill-health and life-struggles and hardships - but do I sound like life is really awful for me? I TRULY HOPE NOT - cos exactly the opposite is true!!

THREE WONDERS!

Let's see now... I have the absolutely wonder of DEEP-DOWN JOY IN MY LIFE, that not one single thing can ever, or does ever affect in any way! (I'm not talking about 'happiness', which can ebb and flow because it's a surface thing. Holy Spirit JOY, however is ALWAYS there!!) Another wonder is DEEP-DOWN PEACE that nothing can disturb either! And of course DEEP-DOWN LOVE from Him that's, well... it's always there, it's stabile, and it's FOREVER!!! ALL of these are aspects of the Fruit of the Holy Spirit of the living God!!! Whooo-hoooo and hallelujah to His glorious name!!!

HAVING A FORM OF GODLINESS

Does the UNBELIEVER have constant deep-down JOY, PEACE and LOVE? Of course not! - these come SOLELY from the Lord God!! But let me tell you something that truly IS awful. Do you know who are THE most unhappy and UN-JOYFUL people on the planet? They are those who the New Testament describes as "having [just] a form of godliness, but denying the power of it." 2 Timothy 3:5. That is, church folk, even good church folk, but who have NEVER been born a second time (born again) by the Holy Spirit. Oh dear!!

These dear folk can't "enjoy" the pleasures of the world, because their religion says not to, and they're trying to be GOOD - BUT without any of God's power to enable this! Neither can they enjoy real, fair dinkum Christianity either, because they've never entered in to the narrow way (also in the previous message). They are to be pitied, and I mean that most sincerely. Remember how the Lord said in Revelation 3:16 So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. STRONG WORDS, and a serious warning!

THE VERY BEST "WAY"

Don't sit on the fence as many religious, supposedly Christian folk sadly do. GET ONTO THE NARROW WAY AND START TRULY ENJOYING WHAT LIFE IN GOD CAN GIVE YOU!!!

- BM, with his Beloved

COMMENTS, QUESTIONS WELCOME!