Paul tells us in his letter to the Philippians, " I want to know Messiah - yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death...." Philippians 3:10
Just take a moment and think on that.
Is this actually attainable?
Yes, it most certainly is attainable.
Not only is it attainable but it is very relevant and for every believer in Messiah.
The sufferings of Messiah, even unto ones death, should be a part of a believers every day life. It is called "dying to ones self," laying our life down, humbling ourself. Placing the interests of others before ours. It is the way Yeshua lived his life. We should strive to live as he did.
Philippians chapter 2 talks about us imitating the humility of Jesus - it's quite beautiful.
Therefore, if you have any encouragement for me from your being in union with the Messiah, any comfort flowing from love, any fellowship with me in the Spirit, or any compassion and sympathy, then complete my joy by having a common purpose and a common love, by being one in heart and mind. Do nothing out of rivalry or vanity; but, in humility, regard each other as better than yourselves — look out for each other’s interests and not just for your own
Let your attitude toward one another be governed by your being in union with the Messiah Yeshua:
Though he was in the form of God,
he did not regard equality with God
something to be possessed by force.
On the contrary, he emptied himself,
in that he took the form of a slave
by becoming like human beings are.
And when he appeared as a human being,
he humbled himself still more
by becoming obedient even to death —
death on a stake as a criminal!
Each time I find myself going through a really hard time.
It can be relational, emotional, financial, spiritual. When ever I get to that point that I find myself asking of God, or crying out to God or maybe I am just really worried or I think you get my point.
This is so beautiful - this is it.
The Lord in his awesome grace. In total patience - He always - without fail - asks me the very same question,
"Amy, has anything changed?"
A simple matter of fact, quite profound question.
And of course, I have to answer,
"No Lord. Nothing has changed."
Understand, I haven't always been able to answer that question.
In the beginning, I didn't really understand the question, or better yet the answer.
It took me a little while. Sometimes I would answer a wee bit harshly. (Just being honest with you.)
NOW....I fully understand.
But it took some time for me to understand what the Lord was asking me. What and why he was asking me.
I understand now and take great comfort in his voice when I hear the my name and the question that is soon to follow.
God hasn't changed at all.
He is the same yesterday and today and forever.
He knows my coming in and my going out. My first breath and my last.
I have delighted myself in Him and He has given me the desire of my heart.
I need not fear. I need not worry. The Lord has my life in his charge. Everything under his control. God is still on His throne.
I need only to live. To Love and to REST in HIM.
This is the same for you.
Who ever you are. Where ever you have been.
You are loved with an everlasting love.
Remember this -
...." though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Messiah is revealed. Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls."
1 Peter 1:6-10
"A righteous man may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all;"
Psalm 34:19
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