2 Corinthians 4:7-11 Strive To Arrive

“But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed – always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus’ sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh.”

2 Corinthians 4:7-11

The treasure of gospel light and grace is put into earthen vessels. The true ministers of the gospel are subject to the same passions and weaknesses as other men.

God could have sent angels to make known the glorious doctrine of the gospel, or could have sent the most admired sons of men to teach the nations, but The Lord chose humbler, weaker vessels, that His power might be more glorified in upholding them, and in the blessed change wrought by their ministry.

The apostles were great sufferers, yet they met with wonderful support. Believers may be forsaken of their friends, as well as persecuted by enemies; but their God will never leave them nor forsake them.

There may be fears within, as well as fighting without; yet we are not destroyed.

The apostle speaks of their sufferings as a counterpart of the sufferings of Christ, that people might see the power of Christ’s resurrection, and of grace in and from the living Jesus. In comparison with them, other Christians were, even at that time, in prosperous circumstances.

If your life as a Christian is only suffering minor or petty trivialities, or it’s simply full of drama, and you have not known persecution, personal rejection from family and churches, it does not necessarily mean you are not in the truth. However the thing to consider is that true faith cannot be proven without trial. Joy cannot be known without anguish.

Most people in the fullness of truth and awareness of reality are going to go thru painful hardships throughout their lives. Never take for granted that you are ready for Heaven.

We must always strive for more of God, for genuine truth. We never arrive …

Mark 4:35-41 Faith In The Storm

“On the same day, when evening had come, He said to them, “Let us cross over to the other side.” Now when they had left the multitude, they took Him along in the boat as He was. And other little boats were also with Him. ”

“And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling. But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?”

” Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. But He said to them, “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?” And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, “Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!”

Mark 4:35-41

And the same day, when the even was come … After He had finished his parables among the multitude, and had explained them to His disciples.

Let us pass over unto the other side – Our Lord was now by the sea of Galilee.

Even as He was in the ship – They took Him without making any preparation for the voyage; without providing any food or raiment.

He was sitting in a ship, or boat, instructing the people. In the same boat, probably ill fitted to encounter a storm on the lake, they sailed. This of course would render their danger more imminent and the miracle more striking.

There were with Him other little ships belonging probably to the people, who, seeing Jesus sail, resolved to follow Him.

… and the waves beat into the ship so that it was full of water and ready to sink. They were in imminent danger, in the utmost extremity.

And He was in the hinder part of the ship … That is, Christ was in the stern or rear of the ship.

And He arose and rebuked the wind … He arose from off his pillow, and stood up; and with majestic authority reproved the wind, as if it was a servant that had exceeded his commission; at which he shows some resentment.

and the wind ceased, and there was a great calm; which was very unusual and extraordinary; for normally after the wind has ceased and the storm is over, the waters of the sea are still agitated, and keep raging in a violent motion for a considerable time.

However here, as soon as the word was spoken, immediately, at once, the wind ceased, and the sea was calmed: a clear proof that Jesus must be the most high God, who gathers the winds in His fists and stills the noise of the seas and their waves.

Jesus asks “why are ye so fearful?” Since He was with them in person, they had no reason to question Him considering the miracles they had already seen Him perform.

How is it that ye have no faith? Next to none, or none in this case.

In Matthew 8:26 we read, “Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith?” Faith they had, for they applied to Christ for relief: but little, for they were afraid even though Christ was in the ship. Faith dispels fear, but only in proportion to its strength.

Its my belief that many events which occured in the Bible were used to set examples for our faith. Some stories, even seemingly impossible ones are great metaphors for tests of our own faith in the face of hardships and even persecution …

What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey Him? Surely this person must not be a mere man. He must be more than a man; He must truly be God Who has such power over the wind and sea.

Since the disciples must have known before who and what Jesus was, the truth of Christ’s deity would be all the more established and confirmed by this wonderful instance of such power.

1 Peter 3:13-14 Godly Protection

“And who is he who will harm you if you become followers of what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed. “And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled.”

1 Peter 3:13-14

And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good? – This question is meant to imply, that in general, they need not expect evil if they lead an upright and benevolent life.

The idea is, that God would in general protect them, though the next verse shows that the apostle did not mean to teach that there would be absolute security, for it is implied there that they might be called to suffer for righteousness sake.

While it is true that the Saviour was persecuted by wicked people, though His life was wholly spent in doing good; while it is true that the apostles were put to death, though following His example; and while it is true that good people have often suffered persecution, though laboring only to do good, still it is true as a general rule that a life of integrity and benevolence conduces to safety, even in a wicked world.

My life over the years is a great example of persecution by those who deny truth or those who have spirits which see me as a threat…

Persecution is not always physical harm or death. Just as slavery is not always whips and chains.

People who are upright and pure; who live to do good to others even in the face of persecution and who are imitators of God are those who usually pass thru life in the most faith and security, and are often safe when nothing else would give security but confidence in their faith.

A man of a holy and pure life may, under the protection of God, rely on that character to carry him safely through the world and to bring him at last to a place in Heaven.

Should he be spoken against with falsehoods and lies when living, and his sun set under a cloud, still his name will be vindicated, and justice will ultimately be done to him when he is passes on.

The world today ultimately judges unrighteously the lone, truth seeking and truth sharing character, but God renders “honor to whom honor is due.” Psalm 37:3-6.

No Concealed Weapons

Two Rivers, Wisconsin. The library here has a sign that states “No Concealed Weapons” … So I inquired “Does that mean we can be here openly armed?” … Answer: “No Weapons” … “You can take it up with the police” I responded “I don’t take anything up with the police and you should change your sign”

Meanwhile there was a carnival outside full of kids. The first thing I thought was that if a guman came here and started shooting, I might be the only one armed, and if I protected the people I would be the one to get in trouble. Why? Because the gunman would be a government hired hitman!

I could never have made the library supervisor understand that. This is the problem people are blinded from …

Police Agenda

If the police weren’t such tyrant bullies there wouldn’t be so many incidents that they get themselves killed. Chances are the people acting against the police have sufficient cause or are defending themselves.

Lets face it. 90% of what the police do is harrassment and charging people with stupid things to make money. Basically being dictator’s puppets.

The police forces are the only ones who show up at protests ready for a riot, then they do something to make sure there is a riot. Thats their job.

Law enforcement is what keeps crime on the streets and causes unsafe living environmemts. We ought be policing ourselves under moral, biblical based ideals.

Police are involved in most criminal activity. They are not undercover cops, they’re undercover criminals, drug dealers, etc.

Police work for criminal organizations run and controlled by government sedts, Mafia. Freemasons and so on.

Their jobs are to show up in numbers and create trouble. Face it people, they are not our friends!