Our Suffering In Christ

 Our Suffering In Christ

A Word on Suffering and Abiding

When we get saved, we confess Jesus as our Lord, and believe in Him alone for salvation.

We are called to Walk in the Spirit, And to abide in Him.

We get great joy in the Lord. Prayers answered. Life changing experiences, and we see Him working to protect and grow us.

But, times of trouble do come.

There are many reasons, and we can debate each one. But the end answer is always the same.

Draw closer to the Lord. Lean on Him. Trust his goodness and His promises. Believe and abide.

I can tell you that when trouble comes, the first thing the devil does is whisper into my mind that God is far from me. That He is not listening. That He doesn't care. That He has made up His mind.

The devil says that God is all powerful, and would take the trouble away in a heart beat. That God is punishing me. That God is going to destroy me.

This is what happened with Eve. The enemy got her to doubt God's goodness and promises.

We see in Job, that he lost everything, even his own health. All to get him to blame God and cast Him aside. Satan even used Job's wife to torment him.

Job questioned. But he did not curse God.

Even Jesus when He was taken by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted, like we are. He refused to turn in to himself. He continued to rely on the father and trust the father.

When Eve turned from God, destruction came. When the Israelites turned from God, the enemy had reign to destroy them.

There is suffering in Christ, but joy comes in the morning, when we abide.

I'm not talking about sinning. Our sins are forgiven and washed. We are dead to sins. I'm talking about abiding through suffering.

The devil tempts us to turn away, back to our old life. Back to our old way of doing things. He tempts us to get angry at God and cast Him aside.

We do not lose our salvation, if we ever had it. But, if we turn from God, things will not get better. We have opened ourselves up for worse. And have rejected the only real friend we have.

But God is faithful. He will keep trying to draw us to Him, regardless of our rejection. Like Peter, He comes to see if we will confess Him and turn to Him.

When we suffer, and abide in Christ. He is with us and comes with us through the other side. Then we can see the truth. That He was with us the whole time, and our faith in Him grows.

As these last days get closer, things will get worse. The temptation will be to reject Him and join the Apostate Church.

But, stay with Him. He will see you through. It might be as if by fire, or by the skin of your teeth, but He is there. Trust Him

Like Job said "though He slay me, still will I trust in Him." (Job 13:15)

 

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Bio: Chris Bunton is a writer, poet and blogger from Southern Illinois. He has published in several magazines, and has written a poetry eBook called “Against the Man” and an Addiction Recovery eBook called “Made Free: Overcoming Addiction“ His newest book is called “The Future is Coming” and is a collection of dystopian short stories.

Follow Him on Medium: https://chris-bunton.medium.com/

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Photo by the writer, an old train tunnel in Southern Illinois. Tunnel Hill Trail.

God's Contract

 God's Contract

A Word on Service

 

God has moved in my life many times. He has moved to bless me. He has moved to correct me. He has moved to save me, and He has moved to protect me. He has also moved in ways that I have not understood, and still don’t understand. He is God, and we can trust Him.

In my life God often moves because I ask Him. Just simply because I ask. He loves me.

Other times, it’s based upon faith. I trust Him, and step out, believing His Word.

But, other times, it’s based upon sincere brokenness.

I am done.

I am spent.

I can’t do it anymore.

I give myself totally to Him, and I’m willing to take whatever comes.

God knows our heart. He knows if we are being real with Him. He knows when we offer ourselves, unleavened, to Him. He knows.

In the early days of walking with God, I was not living a life I’m proud of. God was working on me, but I was far from where I am today. Not that I’m Mr. Perfect. But, I was pretty jacked up at the time.

Regardless of that fact, Jesus saved me, and was working on me. He was calling me to serve Him, and to draw closer and have a relationship with Him.

I didn’t know what to do, but I knew He was calling. Just like He is calling you.

So, I spoke to a pastor friend of mine and told him what I was feeling from God.

The pastor told me, to pray to the Lord, and imagine in my mind a contract. Just a blank contract. Then, to imagine signing it and giving it to God. Allowing God, the freedom to fill it out as He saw fit. So I did.

This was not my salvation, I was saved long before this. But I do believe this was the beginning of my ministry. The beginning of my service to Him. I became His servant.

After that prayer, great movement occurred in my life. Things started to change, and shift.

I do not want to go into details, but there is no doubt it was Him.

So, if you are saved and confused about what direction God has for you. Try praying this prayer.

Be real with God and surrender totally to whatever He might have.

But, understand that He might remove people from your life. He might do things to make you totally dependent upon Him. He might remove a job. Or give you a different job. He might take your home, and cause you to move. He might shake things so bad that people just abandon you. You might meet new people, or have your life rocked, in order to remove problems, or make you a better person.

When you give yourself totally to God, He must mold you. He must burn off the dross to purify the Gold. He must shake you to get rid of the chaff. He might break you to reshape you, and make you more useful for His kingdom.

It doesn’t have to be all bad. It can be full of joy as well, as you spend more time with Him. But, often we see changes as bad, even when they are not.

God has a purpose beyond our own purposes. He cares for us, but ultimately our eternal security, and blessings are far more important than our current life. Our kingdom work, and helping to save others is what matters most.

So, no matter how God moves. The final purpose is to draw us closer to Him. Every thing that happens, works together for our good. Because drawing closer to Him, and having that relationship is the best thing we can imagine.

God knows you. He loves you. He has what’s best for you. Trust Him.

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Bio: Chris Bunton is a writer, poet and blogger from Southern Illinois. He has published in several magazines, and has written a poetry eBook called “Against the Man” and an Addiction Recovery eBook called “Made Free: Overcoming Addiction“ His newest book is called “The Future is Coming” and is a collection of dystopian short stories.

Follow Him on Medium: https://chris-bunton.medium.com/

Buy a cup of Coffee

Support the work on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=13514235&fan_landing=true&view_as=public

Photo by the writer,  an old train tunnel in Southern Illinois. Tunnel Hill Trail

But Without Faith...

 But Without Faith...

A Word on Faith  

“But without faith it is impossible to please Him: for He that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a Rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.”—Heb. 11:6

God has given each one of us a measure of faith so that we are able to believe in Him and believe His promises. That is why we are without excuse. We have the ability but we refuse, or become distracted or deceived by Satan.

God loves us and comes to each of us, asking to have a relationship with us. Trying to save us and give us a hope and get us out of bondage to the enemy.

When we turn to Him He delights in saving us and working in our lives. He rewards us in many ways for putting our faith and trust in Jesus Christ, and believing the promises that God has given us in His Word.

When we turn to Him, and acknowledge Him in all our ways He will direct our paths.

Just pray about everything. And you will find Him moving before you and showing where to go before you even get there. Your relationship will be such that you will see his pillar of fire and smoke, going before. You will hear His still small voice guiding your life.

He is real. He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. When you put your faith and trust in Him you will see His presence.

Are you really trusting Him?

When He says “Whatsoever you ask in my name I will do it?” Do you believe?

When He says “If you have faith as a grain of mustard seed…” do you believe?

Or do you create excuses for why it might not be true?

Stop caring about outcomes, and start delighting in seeing Him work.

He is able. He is able to save, He is able to release you. He is able to heal. He is able to solve the problem.

He is able. Say it.

He is willing because He loves you. Say it.

He is going to do it, one way or another. Say it and trust it. Say it over and over

He is there. He hears. He loves and He is moving. He delights in seeing your faith grow.

Your relationship with Him is all that matters.

Abide in Him and Trust.

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Bio: Chris Bunton is a writer, poet and blogger from Southern Illinois. He has published in several magazines, and has written a poetry eBook called “Against the Man” and an Addiction Recovery eBook called “Made Free: Overcoming Addiction“ His newest book is called "The Future is Coming" and is a collection of dystopian short stories.

Follow Him on Medium: https://chris-bunton.medium.com/

Buy a cup of Coffee

Support the work on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=13514235&fan_landing=true&view_as=public

 

Photo by the Author. Sunrise over Hot Springs, Arkansas

 

The Power of Thanksgiving

 The Power of Thanksgiving

A Word on Being Thankful

" Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."---Phil 4:6-7

Being thankful is something that wells up inside of us when we think of the great things God has done for us, and in us.

When we spend time thinking of what He has done it helps build our faith. We see that He is good. We see that he is faithful and we remember. Because the enemy wants to get us to think that God is out to hurt us, or that He doesn't listen. Remembrance and thankfulness is a defense against these attacks.

Thankfulness comes at two times. Before and After.

When we thank God before hand we are exercising our faith. We have prayed. We have asked, sought and knocked. We thank Him because we trust Him and we know that whatever he does is right and best. We know He will move. So, we thank Him for what He is about to do.

When we thank Him after the fact, we are praising Him for the great things he has done in our lives. When we tell people about God's greatness it is one of the most important things we can do. It is tied to the Gospel.

It says in Revelation that it is by the Blood of the Lamb, and our testimony that we overcome the enemy. That is our thankfulness to God. That is telling other people what great things He has done for us. That is being saved and running on the hills to shout the Good News of Peace. Just like Jesus told the Gadarene demoniac, "Go and tell the great things God has done for you"--Luke 8:35-39, Revelation 12:9-12

In Proverbs 3:5-6 is says to trust God and acknowledge Him in all your ways. That means that we pray to Him and thank Him. That means that we give Him credit for what He has done in our lives and we tell others. When we do this, He promises to direct our paths. So, if you are in confusion, try thanking God for the things He has done, and praise Him before others. He will direct your paths.

And as you can see in the very first verse. Thanksgiving is a necessary part of prayer. Phil 4:6-7

Understand, that God does not need our thanks. Our thanks to God, is a praise that comes from what He has done. It is a spiritual act of humbling ourselves and knowing that without Him we are nothing. Our thankfulness changes our hearts. It helps us to grow. It brings blessings into our lives, and fights against the enemy. 

Being thankful works to mold us into the likeness of Christ.

Be thankful in all things. Be thankful in the good and the bad. God is there and working.

Happy Thanksgiving.

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Bio: Chris Bunton is a writer, poet and blogger from Southern Illinois. He has published in several magazines, and has written a poetry eBook called “Against the Man” and an Addiction Recovery eBook called “Made Free: Overcoming Addiction“ His newest book is called "The Future is Coming" and is a collection of dystopian short stories.

Follow Him on Medium: https://chris-bunton.medium.com/

Buy a cup of Coffee

Support the work on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=13514235&fan_landing=true&view_as=public

Men Gather to Correct

 Men Gather to Correct

A Word on Chastening. 

 

There are false teachings that I would like to correct.  This one is based upon a loss of Salvation.

Jesus said "I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.

² Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.

³ Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.

⁴ Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.

⁵ I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

⁶ If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.

⁷ If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.

⁸ Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples. (John 15:1-8)

People will often use this passage to teach a loss of salvation. But, it is not.

The Lord calls us and if we turn to Him we are saved. God tries to work through us. But, if we are not bearing fruit he prunes us.

We are clean (saved) because we heard His Word and believed. We abide in Him.

If we are not bearing fruit we get pruned and we will not bear fruit. (This is not referring to sin. We are washed and dead to sin. This is service, and the fruits of the Spirit.) We can do nothing without Him. If we are not bearing fruit, it means we are not abiding, and we get pruned or cut off.

Now, we assume this is a loss of salvation. But, notice that it says MEN gather and cast into fire and the withered branches are burned.

MEN do not throw people into Hell. So this is not talking about hell or the lake of fire.

This is talking about chastening. God uses people to correct us. It can be persecution, or trials and tribulations, it can be any number of things that we fall into. 

Understand that when we turn to Christ we are saved. We are a new creation. Demons, and humans who are slaves to demons know this, and hate the spirit in us. So, God lets us go our own way. And these entities treat us terribly. Paul said, that he delivered some blasphemers unto Satan. (1 Timothy 1:20)  SO THAT THEY MAY LEARN. 

In Proverbs it says,

¹¹ My son, despise not the chastening of the Lord; neither be weary of his correction:

¹² For whom the Lord loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.---(Proverbs 3:11-12)

In Hebrews it says "

If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?

⁸ But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.

⁹ Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live?

¹⁰ For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness.

¹¹ Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.

¹² Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees;

¹³ And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed.

Then, it goes on to say that those who do not get chastened or who do not grow in the Lord, were never saved.

Now, understand that God is with us when He chastens us. He separates us out (Prunes) and let's the fire of this life and those who hate our spirit consume us. God himself is a consuming fire.

Like a loving father who is right there as his child is corrected. God is with us in chastening

Look in Malachi.

".² But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner's fire, and like fullers' soap:

³ And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness."---( Malachi 3:2-3)

A refiner sits as the silver or gold is boiled and he scrapes off the impurities. It purifies the silver and makes it usable. He does not abandon it. He controls the heat and the purification process. He is right there.  And he is with us when we fall and get chastened.

When we turn to Christ, He does not cast us out. He saves us, and grows us and molds us and shapes us and breaks us and chastens us and builds us up again.

He is with us always, even till the end of the World. Turn to Him. He is there.

Remember this in the Last Days. When things get worse and worse, and the pre-tribulation rapture has not come. Remember, this when persecution comes and things get worse, and deceit is everywhere, and destruction and death is all around you. Remember this when the Anti-Christ rises up and you are still here on Earth. Remember that God is with you and will protect you like He did the Israelites during the Plagues of the Exodus. Remember, that He is refining His church. He is weeding out the chaff and the goats, and the virgins, without oil.

You cannot lose your salvation. But, you best make sure you have it.  Do you know Him?

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Bio: Chris Bunton is a writer, poet and blogger from Southern Illinois. He has published in several magazines, and has written a poetry eBook called “Against the Man” and an Addiction Recovery eBook called “Made Free: Overcoming Addiction“ His newest book is called "The Future is Coming" and is a collection of dystopian short stories.

Follow Him on Medium: https://chris-bunton.medium.com/

Buy a cup of Coffee

Support the work on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=13514235&fan_landing=true&view_as=public