There are soldiers in the U.S. Army who make a decision to serve in a more profound way. They choose to join with the elite and go into Special Forces and try to win the Green Beret! There is no wining and dining on the army's part. It is no invitation to vacation. Instead, it's a twelve mile run followed by a mile swim with your uniform on, including boots. And that's day one! It's called TRAINING and prepares this elite group to accomplish missions under the toughest conditions, not unlike the kingdom life! We are in training to ready us for the wonderful glory coming. God doesn't thrive on tormenting His sons. He knows the big picture in ways we don't that pain prepares us for. Those that are successful through these painful situations are those God can trust for the glorious opportunities awaiting. He is making us ready for the glory of His Kingdom. Training that will show up as we go through the process and find ourselves ...IN HIM!!! Then the scripture Romans 8:18-19 comes alive in us. I consider the sufferings of the present time are not worth comparing with the glory about to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God...
Exodus 34:6 And the Lord passed before him and proclaimed, "The Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering , and abounding in goodness and truth... In this verse IS the disposition of Messiah. The early church used this important verse to judge prophecy and conduct in the church atmosphere. There were three elders who were in charge of hearing and deciding if what was said and done in that time was in the disposition of Messiah. In this very shaky and explosive time we are living in (exciting & wonderful time I might add) it would serve us well if we would write this verse on the tablet of our heart and in every circumstance, situation we find ourselves apply it rightly and justly. By doing this, we, as the body of Christ, will start looking like the "church" the public has never seen!!!
Fred, this is so true! John and I have been walking through this time of training and finally feel as though we are on the verge of crossing over into our Promised Land. We are finally moving from our church home for the last 6 years. (John has been on staff - maintenance). Beginning our 7th year here in Washington state this month, we are preparing to move to a house (we don't know where yet) and begin working with a pastor who embraces us as ministers Sept 1. This is Mary Trask, author of The 12 Gemstones of Revelation and Weapons of Peace.
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