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In this issue...
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| Standing Up Under Trials
By Mark Hiehle
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Have you ever felt as though there is something missing in your Christian walk and experience? Have you ever wondered if there is a truth that you are missing, and if you only knew it, you could achieve real peace in the midst of trials, trouble, or pain? During times of intense pressure or even attack, do you feel overwhelmed or at a point of no return? There are truths within the Bible that, as Paul stated, are mysteries that once were hidden, but now are revealed. They can open our eyes to spiritual power and inner peace.
Within scripture, there are particular verses that are known as transformational verses. Truth that is capsulated within one verse, when understood, has the power to revolutionize your Christian walk and experience. A couple of these famous verses would include, Ephesians 2:8-9, "For by grace you have been saved, through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast." Another is John 3:16, "For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." These are just two of many well-known verses. However, there is one verse that is unknown to most people but has phenomenal transformational power. It is a verse that, when understood, brings about liberating freedom, peace, and confidence in the midst of trials, troubles, and pain. What is that verse and truth that so many Christians overlook or miss that can transform and change their spiritual lives?
Here is the context and the verse. In John 14, Jesus is speaking to His disciples and comforting their hearts as He explains to them about His leaving them and returning to the Father. Jesus told them in verse 1 not to be troubled, but to continue to trust in God as He was going to prepare a place for them in heaven. He then told them in verse 6 that He is the way, the truth, and the life, and no one comes to the Father except through Him. Following those powerful statements, Jesus told them in verse 15 that after He left, He would send the Holy Spirit who would be with them forever. In verse 20, Jesus then set forth the truth that we need to understand to experience the freedom, power, and peace that will change and revolutionize our Christian walk. In verse 20 Jesus said, "In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you." Please don't miss this powerful and life-altering truth by glossing over it, but camp on it, and let its meaning wash over you again and again. What does that verse really mean?
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SOMETHING FIRST MUST BE ALLOWED BY GOD
AND PERMITTED BY JESUS BEFORE IT COMES
INTO YOUR LIFE. LIFE IS NOT OUT OF CONTROL.
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Allow me to help you picture the reality of John 14:20 in the following word picture. I first heard this illustration from a woman named Anna Bell Gilliam, and it changed my spiritual life. In your imagination or literally, take a large envelope and write "GOD" on the outside of it. On a smaller envelope, write "Jesus." On a smaller envelope yet, write your name and on a piece of paper that can fit inside the smallest envelope, write again the name of "Jesus." Now, reread (even out loud) verse 20. The truth of that verse, illustrated with the envelopes, means first that Jesus is in you. So, place the piece of paper in the smallest envelope, for Jesus said in verse 20 that "I am in you." If you have asked Jesus into your life, that is reality (Revelation 3:20).
Next, insert the envelope with your name, with Jesus inside it, into the envelope with Jesus' name on it, for Jesus said in verse 20 that "you are in me." Finally, place the envelope with Jesus' name on it, which includes you with Jesus inside you, into the largest envelope, which is GOD. Do this because Jesus said in verse 20, "I am in the Father." Now, visualize the truth of verse 20—Jesus is in you, you are in Jesus, and Jesus is in the Father. Wow! Do you see the spiritual dynamic of the reality of what Jesus just said? Literally, you are protected, enveloped, and surrounded by God's love, power, and grace. Nothing can get to you or be allowed to touch your life until it first goes through God and through Jesus before it can get to you. Then you have Jesus inside of you to handle whatever it is.
This amazing truth means that something first must be allowed by God and permitted by Jesus before it comes into your life. Life is not out of control. A trial or pain may be uncomfortable, unpleasant, or even debilitating. In the spiritual realm, however, the God that lovingly created you and the Son that loved you enough to die for you has permitted it. Now that that pain or trial is in your life though, Jesus is right there to give you the peace, patience, or ability to endure and become victorious over it.
When difficulty or pain comes into our life, the natural response is to question, resist, or run. Understanding the truth of verse 20, the right response should be, "Since God has allowed this into my life, I am giving it to you, Jesus, to provide the grace and power I need to go through it victoriously." This is exactly what James said in James 1:2-12. Paul echoed this truth as well in 2 Corinthians 12:7-10.
If you are facing the pain of a difficult illness, the trial of an intensely pressure-filled situation, or the seemingly paralyzing prospect of something out of your control, stop and allow the envelope illustration to give you a different perspective. God is on the throne, and you are the apple of His eye. He loves you and cares for you more than you will ever be able to fully comprehend. Your heavenly Father always has your best interests in mind, and He will never give you more than you can handle. Why? Because He is always with you and in you, and nothing is too hard for Him. Why was Paul able to say that he could do all things in Christ who strengthened him in Philippians 4:13? Because Paul knew that Jesus was in him, he was in Jesus, and Jesus was in the Father. Jesus is in you, you are in Jesus, and Jesus is in God. You too can do everything through Him who gives you strength. It is not about you, but what Jesus can do in you and through you for God's glory.
| Mark Hiehle is the executive Director of the Sarasota Medical Pregnancy Center in Sarasota, FL. You can reach him at mark@sarasotapregnancy.com or by phone at 941-330-CARE. |
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