Losing to Win...

Bible readings...
“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.” Galatians 2:20
“Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: 13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.” I Peter 4:12-13
“But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. 8 Yea doubtless and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, 9 and be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: 10 that I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; 11 if by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.” Philippians 3:7-11
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Hello everyone! Happy Sunday and welcome this week, to Sunday Inspiration…thru the Risen Hope Ministries! I am so happy that you came to join me today and my prayer is that we will truly be given a glimpse of hope thru Jesus Christ…a glimpse of hope that will keep us pressing on…and will help us to have a new outlook, on whatever we may be facing at this time!
 
You know…I remember a time, as a young teenager, when I was going thru a lot in my life. Even through these depressing moments; I actually found myself taking out my Bible and reading God’s word and I guess that even though I never really saw it this way at the time…I was searching for hope and whatever God could offer me.
 
Anyways…one day, God led me to some Bible verses, which are a few of the Bible verses that I have chosen for this week’s Sunday Inspiration…which are found in Philippians 3:7-11. Little did I know at that time; that those verses were about to come to life, within my own life.
 
One thing I can definitely say about these verses in Philippians; is that anything in my life that was gain to me…ended up being counted as loss, for the sake of Jesus Christ. Many times, I have thought to myself…if I could have seen what was coming down the road; then maybe I would’ve went somewhere and hid…but do you know what? If I would have hid myself, from God’s will and purpose for my life; then I wouldn’t be living out His plan for my life right now.
 
You know…life can be difficult to figure out at times. There can be a moment, when we have been struck down…either thru our health or great loss…or even thru something that has brought deep heartache into our lives. We pray and pray; but where is God and what is happening? We watch others around us, who never seem to go thru much of anything, while we continue to suffer, thru the moments that just won’t let go of us.
 
I guess the question that I would like to ask you today is this…could it be that we haven’t taken the time, to see our situation thru God’s eyes? In other words…maybe He not only wants to be the remedy to our problem; but maybe He is also longing for us to let go of ourselves completely; that He might rise up and become even stronger…thru the problem.
 
You know…I remember the very hard and difficult times I faced in my past and for the longest time, I couldn’t figure out why God was answering other people’s prayers; but not mine. Could it be that God didn’t love me, in the same way that He loved others? Or could it be that I wasn’t good enough for Him? Actually, I found out in the end; that neither one of those questions even pertained to what I was facing at the time; but rather, I came to see that God loved me so much; that He wanted to become more of my life…but in order for that to happen, I would have to get out of the way and let Him reign supreme within my life.
 
As I experienced loss after loss in my life, I began to see a glimpse of hope that was allowing me to see that these moments of great loss, weren’t meant to make me feel empty and alone; but rather, these empty chambers within the heart had gone thru a cleaning process; that would clear out all the unneeded rubbish within my life; so there would be more room for God to reside within my heart. 
 
This cleaning process that took place came thru deep heartache and pain and as each room of the heart, was now being cleaned out and counted as loss; God was beginning to move in and begin a new work within my life.
 
You know…I think that sometimes we just need to remain silent, in the presence of God…and instead of trying to figure out what may be wrong; maybe we should just allow these moments of silence, to be a time, when God can step in and reveal the purpose behind these great moments of affliction.
 
You know…it seems like we’re always trying to figure out what is happening in our lives, when we really don’t have a clue, as to what is going on. We need to come to the realization; that God is the only One, who knows the purpose and reasoning, for which He is allowing these moments into our lives…and if we can see these difficult times, as a blessing, rather than torment; then we would also come to see in the end; that we have a God, who loves us so much; that He is willing to work within our lives, in such a way that would allow these moments of affliction, to work and clean out the things that He longs to count as loss; that we may win Him in the end!
Blessings so much on your Sunday!
It’s Always & Only Because of Him…
Diane
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