Sufferings & Testings

James 1:2-4 (NASB)

2 Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. 4 And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

Hebrews 12:6 NIV
because the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son."


2 Corinthians 7:10 NIV
Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.

Psalm 30:11-12 Amplified Bible (AMP)
You have turned my mourning into dancing for me;
You have taken off my sackcloth and clothed me with joy,
12 That my soul may sing praise to You and not be silent.
O Lord my God, I will give thanks to You forever.


John 15:2 NIV
He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.

Ecclesiastes 3King James Version (KJV)

3 To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:

2 A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;

3 A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;

4 A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;

5 A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;

6 A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;

7 A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;

8 A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.

9 What profit hath he that worketh in that wherein he laboureth?

10 I have seen the travail, which God hath given to the sons of men to be exercised in it.

11 He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end.

12 I know that there is no good in them, but for a man to rejoice, and to do good in his life.

13 And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labour, it is the gift of God.

14 I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever: nothing can be put to it, nor any thing taken from it: and God doeth it, that men should fear before him.

15 That which hath been is now; and that which is to be hath already been; and God requireth that which is past.

16 And moreover I saw under the sun the place of judgment, that wickedness was there; and the place of righteousness, that iniquity was there.

17 I said in mine heart, God shall judge the righteous and the wicked: for there is a time there for every purpose and for every work.

18 I said in mine heart concerning the estate of the sons of men, that God might manifest them, and that they might see that they themselves are beasts.

19 For that which befalleth the sons of men befalleth beasts; even one thing befalleth them: as the one dieth, so dieth the other; yea, they have all one breath; so that a man hath no preeminence above a beast: for all is vanity.

20 All go unto one place; all are of the dust, and all turn to dust again.

21 Who knoweth the spirit of man that goeth upward, and the spirit of the beast that goeth downward to the earth?

22 Wherefore I perceive that there is nothing better, than that a man should rejoice in his own works; for that is his portion: for who shall bring him to see what shall be after him?

Jesus' Miracles on bringing back the dead

Jesus' Miracles on bringing back the dead has some important lessons:

Jesus brought back to life three people when he was on the earth. Though these people died after that, they still bring God glory for they was once bought out from the death.

More than any other miracle or incident in the life of Jesus is his own life, death and resurrection. The fact that other people died after they have been bought to life is that they were still humans, but Jesus was God.

The Jews, Romans - Who thought Jesus life would bring them difficulties - In politics and religious views, They killed the Lord, but very soon they realized what they have done is wrong.

Why Blaspheming is condemned to death? Why was Jesus put to death?
Jews believed that God can't be in the form of Human, though the scriptures testified about Jesus, they could not accept him as God and Savior. This lead to their decision to bring an end to the claim that Jesus had, thinking if we put to death we can bring to an end of everything, His claims, his miracles, his blaspheming, his followers, his mission, everything. But they were wrong.

Leviticus 17:11 NIV
For the life of a creature is in the blood, and I have given it to you to make atonement for yourselves on the altar; it is the blood that makes atonement for one's life.

Leviticus 24:16 NIV
anyone who blasphemes the name of the LORD is to be put to death. The entire assembly must stone them. Whether foreigner or native-born, when they blaspheme the Name they are to be put to death.

The Great "I AM"

Jesus is the great "I AM".

Jesus' "I AM" statements in the Gospel of John indicates that he indeed is the great "I AM" who spoke to Moses. Exodus 3:13-14 (HCSB)13 Then Moses asked God, “If I go to the Israelites and say to them: The God of your fathers has sent me to you, and they ask me, ‘What is His name?’ what should I tell them?” 14 God replied to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: I AM has sent me to you.”

Jesus constantly was rebuked for being great, Many questioned about his authority, they asked, "are you greater than....." and they hurled him saying he is demon possessed and does the miracles with the help of "Beelzebul" Matthew 12:24 NIV But when the Pharisees heard this, they said, "It is only by Beelzebul, the prince of demons, that this fellow drives out demons."

But every time Jesus says with powerful words and with reference with the Patriarchs, Kings, Judges Prophets, etc. who worshiped God and spoke about God. Jesus reminds them that they were speaking about him only.

John 8:31-59 (NLT)

Jesus and Abraham
31 Jesus said to the people who believed in him, “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. 32 And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

33 “But we are descendants of Abraham,” they said. “We have never been slaves to anyone. What do you mean, ‘You will be set free’?”

34 Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave of sin. 35 A slave is not a permanent member of the family, but a son is part of the family forever. 36 So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free. 37 Yes, I realize that you are descendants of Abraham. And yet some of you are trying to kill me because there’s no room in your hearts for my message. 38 I am telling you what I saw when I was with my Father. But you are following the advice of your father.”

39 “Our father is Abraham!” they declared.

“No,” Jesus replied, “for if you were really the children of Abraham, you would follow his example. 40 Instead, you are trying to kill me because I told you the truth, which I heard from God. Abraham never did such a thing. 41 No, you are imitating your real father.”

They replied, “We aren’t illegitimate children! God himself is our true Father.”

42 Jesus told them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, because I have come to you from God. I am not here on my own, but he sent me. 43 Why can’t you understand what I am saying? It’s because you can’t even hear me! 44 For you are the children of your father the devil, and you love to do the evil things he does. He was a murderer from the beginning. He has always hated the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his character; for he is a liar and the father of lies. 45 So when I tell the truth, you just naturally don’t believe me! 46 Which of you can truthfully accuse me of sin? And since I am telling you the truth, why don’t you believe me? 47 Anyone who belongs to God listens gladly to the words of God. But you don’t listen because you don’t belong to God.”

48 The people retorted, “You Samaritan devil! Didn’t we say all along that you were possessed by a demon?”

49 “No,” Jesus said, “I have no demon in me. For I honor my Father—and you dishonor me. 50 And though I have no wish to glorify myself, God is going to glorify me. He is the true judge. 51 I tell you the truth, anyone who obeys my teaching will never die!”

52 The people said, “Now we know you are possessed by a demon. Even Abraham and the prophets died, but you say, ‘Anyone who obeys my teaching will never die!’ 53 Are you greater than our father Abraham? He died, and so did the prophets. Who do you think you are?”

54 Jesus answered, “If I want glory for myself, it doesn’t count. But it is my Father who will glorify me. You say, ‘He is our God,’ 55 but you don’t even know him. I know him. If I said otherwise, I would be as great a liar as you! But I do know him and obey him. 56 Your father Abraham rejoiced as he looked forward to my coming. He saw it and was glad.”

57 The people said, “You aren’t even fifty years old. How can you say you have seen Abraham?”

58 Jesus answered, “I tell you the truth, before Abraham was even born, I am!” 59 At that point they picked up stones to throw at him. But Jesus was hidden from them and left the Temple.




John 3:14 (NLT)

14 And as Moses lifted up the bronze snake on a pole in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up




John 8:28 (NLT)

28 So Jesus said, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man on the cross, then you will understand that I am he. I do nothing on my own but say only what the Father taught me.




Matthew 12:38-45 (NLT)

The Sign of Jonah
38 One day some teachers of religious law and Pharisees came to Jesus and said, “Teacher, we want you to show us a miraculous sign to prove your authority.”

39 But Jesus replied, “Only an evil, adulterous generation would demand a miraculous sign; but the only sign I will give them is the sign of the prophet Jonah. 40 For as Jonah was in the belly of the great fish for three days and three nights, so will the Son of Man be in the heart of the earth for three days and three nights.

41 “The people of Nineveh will stand up against this generation on judgment day and condemn it, for they repented of their sins at the preaching of Jonah. Now someone greater than Jonah is here—but you refuse to repent. 42 The queen of Sheba will also stand up against this generation on judgment day and condemn it, for she came from a distant land to hear the wisdom of Solomon. Now someone greater than Solomon is here—but you refuse to listen.

43 “When an evil spirit leaves a person, it goes into the desert, seeking rest but finding none. 44 Then it says, ‘I will return to the person I came from.’ So it returns and finds its former home empty, swept, and in order. 45 Then the spirit finds seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they all enter the person and live there. And so that person is worse off than before. That will be the experience of this evil generation.”





John 4:12: Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did also his sons and his livestock?"





John 9:28-29 (NASB) They reviled him and said, “You are His disciple, but we are disciples of Moses. 29 We know that God has spoken to Moses, but as for this man, we do not know where He is from.”

















Jesus' miracles has two significant meaning or message:
1. To prove that he is God
2. To resolve or to give the solution for a particular problem.

Jesus' choosing of those for healing or miracles, for forgiveness of sins:
Jesus chose most of them, healing the blind from birth(John, 9:1-12), the woman at the well(John 4:1-42) etc. This could also mean that this very events have been written in the Bible - The Holy Scriptures that many generations will come to know that Jesus is the God and he chose anyone, but not limited to those he chose, also for anyone who comes to him with humble heart - Ex: The Centurion(Luke 7:1-10), Woman who had blood issue Luke 8:43. etc

I am a friend of God

A friend of mine was discussing the implications of Micah
6:8 with his seven-year-old grandson: “What does the LORD
require of you but to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk
humbly with your God?” The little boy, who was memorizing
this verse, said, “Grandpa, it’s hard to be humble if you’re really
walking with God.” That’s great theology coming from a seven-
year-old. When we begin to get a glimpse of the unlimited
resources at our disposal—the power of God himself—then and
only then will we sense the assurance that we are fully equipped
to do whatever it is that God calls us to do.
We might feel like the little mouse who was crossing a bridge
over a very deep ravine with an elephant. As the elephant and the
mouse crossed the bridge, the bridge shook. When they got to the
other side, the mouse looked at his huge companion and said,
“Boy, we really shook that bridge, didn’t we?”
When we walk with God, that’s often how we feel—like a
mouse with the strength of an elephant. After crossing life’s trou
bled waters, we can say with the mouse, “God, we really shook
that bridge, didn’t we?” - Be All You Can Be - John C Maxwell


Abraham was called as "Father of Nations", "Father of Faith" and also "Friend of God".

James 2:23 (NASB)
and the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “And Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness,” and he was called the friend of God.

What does it mean, "Friend of God" means?
Walking with almighty God. Friendship with God is one of the best relationship anyone could have in the life. Jesus is said to be the "Friend of Tax Collectors and Sinners". He is willing to do(already done) anything for the sake of Friendship, not out of compulsion or need but because of his Love.


What does it take to be "Friend of God"?
Jesus says "You are My friends if you do what I command you." further in the verse 17... This I command you, that you love one another.

Just for the sake of Friends: Jesus:
did - The Greatest Sacrifice v.13
calls -  us Friends v. 15
makes -  us understand his will v. 15
He chose us v. 16
He appointed us v. 16
That we would go and bear fruit v. 16
Whatever we ask of the Father in Jesus' name He may give to you v. 16
Commands us to "Love one another" v.17

John 15:13-17 (NASB)
Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends. 14 You are My friends if you do what I command you. 15 No longer do I call you slaves, for the slave does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I have heard from My Father I have made known to you. 16 You did not choose Me but I chose you, and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit, and that your fruit would remain, so that whatever you ask of the Father in My name He may give to you. 17 This I command you, that you love one another.

Prayer and persistent

Luke 11:5-8 (NKJV)
A Friend Comes at Midnight
And He said to them, “Which of you shall have a friend, and go to him at midnight and say to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves; 6 for a friend of mine has come to me on his journey, and I have nothing to set before him’; 7 and he will answer from within and say, ‘Do not trouble me; the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give to you’? 8 I say to you, though he will not rise and give to him because he is his friend, yet because of his persistence he will rise and give him as many as he needs.

Jesus called as "Friend of Tax Collector and Sinner"

Matthew 11:18-20 (NASB)
For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon!’ 19 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Behold, a gluttonous man and a [a]drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and [b]sinners!’ Yet wisdom is vindicated by her deeds.”


Jesus the comforter:

1 Peter 5:7 (KJV)
Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

1. What a friend we have in Jesus,
   All our sins and griefs to bear!
   What a privilege to carry
   Everything to God in prayer!
   Oh, what peace we often forfeit,
   Oh, what needless pain we bear,
   All because we do not carry
   Everything to God in prayer!
2. Have we trials and temptations?
   Is there trouble anywhere?
   We should never be discouraged—
   Take it to the Lord in prayer.
   Can we find a friend so faithful,
   Who will all our sorrows share?
   Jesus knows our every weakness;
   Take it to the Lord in prayer.
3. Are we weak and heavy-laden,
   Cumbered with a load of care?
   Precious Savior, still our refuge—
   Take it to the Lord in prayer.
   Do thy friends despise, forsake thee?
   Take it to the Lord in prayer!
   In His arms He’ll take and shield thee,
   Thou wilt find a solace there.
4. Blessed Savior, Thou hast promised
   Thou wilt all our burdens bear;
   May we ever, Lord, be bringing
   All to Thee in earnest prayer.
   Soon in glory bright, unclouded,
   There will be no need for prayer—
   Rapture, praise, and endless worship
   Will be our sweet portion there.

Matthew 7

Judging Others

7 r“Judge not, that you be not judged. 2 sFor with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and twith the measure you use it will be measured to you. 3 Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but udo not notice the log that is in your own eye? 4 Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye.

6 v“Do not give wdogs what is holy, and do not throw your xpearls before pigs, lest they trample them underfoot and turn to attack you.

Ask, and It Will Be Given

7 y“Ask, zand it will be given to you; aseek, and you will find; bknock, and it will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. 9 Or which one of you, if his son asks him for cbread, will give him ca stone?10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? 11 If you then, dwho are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will zyour Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!

The Golden Rule

12 “So ewhatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is fthe Law and the Prophets.

13 g“Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy1 that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many.14 For the gate is narrow and hthe way is hard that leads to life, andithose who find it are few.

A Tree and Its Fruit

15 j“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are kravenous wolves. 16 You will recognize them lby their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?17 So, mevery healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. 18 A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. 19 nEvery tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus you will recognize them lby their fruits.

I Never Knew You

21 o“Not everyone who psays to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will qenter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who rdoes the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 sOn that day tmany will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we notuprophesy in your name, and cast out demons vin your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ 23 tAnd then will I declare to them, ‘Iwnever knew you; xdepart from me, yyou workers of lawlessness.’

Build Your House on the Rock

24 z“Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like aa wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. 26 And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like aa foolish man who built his house on the sand. 27 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.”

The Authority of Jesus

28 And when Jesus finished these sayings, bthe crowds were astonished at his teaching, 29 cfor he was teaching them as one who had authority, and not as their scribes.

Sermon on mount:

On Judging other - our judgment always falls short of the Judgment of God. His Judgment has mercy and forgiveness, ours are filled with punishments. Ex: John 8:1-11 - A Woman Caught in Adultery. Jesus did not ask them to stone as the Law states, but he asked them to see their hearts.

John 8:7 NIV
When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, "Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her."

moving on Jesus gives the example of logs. Before Judging others we have to look at our own life. This is why in many other situations Jesus says, "Forgive"

Matthew 6:14 NIV
For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.

Matthew 18:35 NIV
"This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart."

Paul says:

Ephesians 4:32 NIV

Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

Romans 2:21-23 (ESV)

you then who teach others, do you not teach yourself? While you preach against stealing, do you steal? 22 You who say that one must not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples? 23 You who boast in the law dishonor God by breaking the law.

“Do not give wdogs what is holy, and do not throw your xpearls before pigs, lest they trample them underfoot and turn to attack you.

Jesus said not to give the holy things to dogs to state that when we are under his control and will, we should not ignore the fact that we will be tempted. But our hearts should thing about holy things and not to give up things for pleasures and unholiness.

Matthew 15:21-28New American Standard Bible (NASB)

The Syrophoenician Woman

21 Jesus went away from there, and withdrew into the district of Tyre andSidon. 22 And a Canaanite woman from that region came out and beganto cry out, saying, “Have mercy on me, Lord, Son of David; my daughter is cruelly demon-possessed.” 23 But He did not answer her a word. And His disciples came and implored Him, saying, “Send her away, because she keeps shouting [a]at us.” 24 But He answered and said, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” 25 But she came and began[b]to bow down before Him, saying, “Lord, help me!” 26 And He answered and said, “It is not [c]good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.” 27 But she said, “Yes, Lord; [d]but even the dogs feed on the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table.” 28 Then Jesus said to her,“O woman, your faith is great; it shall be done for you as you wish.” And her daughter was healed [e]at once.

The woman suggests us that even the crumbs that falls from the master(God's) table is more than enough.

ASK SEEK and KNOCK

What to Ask?

Ask for the Holy Spirit.

Seek?

"Seek the Kingdom and Righteousness of God first"

KNOCK?

"I am the door"

The Golden Rule

So ewhatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is fthe Law and the Prophets.

Wider and Narrow Gates

Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy1 that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many.14 For the gate is narrow and hthe way is hard that leads to life, andithose who find it are few.

A Tree and Its Fruit