Trying Times
Dec. 7th, 2006
Priscilla van Sutphin
Rom 5:1-5 NKJV Faith Triumphs in Trouble
Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; 4 and perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
NT:2347 thlipsis (thlip'-sis); from NT:2346; pressure (literally or figuratively):
KJV - afflicted (-tion), anguish, burdened, persecution, tribulation, trouble.
Rom 8:35-39 NKJV Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation , or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36 As it is written:
"For Your sake we are killed all day long; We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter."
37 Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.
38 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come,
39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
James 1:12-13 NKJV Loving God Under Trials
Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.
Rev 2:8-10 NKJV "And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write,
'These things says the First and the Last, who was dead, and came to life: 9 "I know your works, tribulation, and poverty (but you are rich); and I know the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. 10 Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life .
The Lord spoke:
“These are the times that will try men’s souls and that will test the fabric and being of every human. Sifting, sifting, sifting is happening. Shaking and shifting all that can be shaken and sifted. I will cleanse My threshing floors, and I will cleanse the floors of your hearts till they are spotless and without wrinkle. You are counted to be worthy of suffering and it is in the suffering that I will bring forth LIFE inexpressible and overflowing with miracles and healings for all who will receive the LOVE I pour out through you.
Drink, drink, drink deep of My SPIRIT in this hour. DRINK, DRINK, DRINK. For I am pouring out NEW WINE in the midst of trials and troubles and I will fill you with my peace and JOY in ways you have not heretofore imagined. Nothing will separate you beloveds from My love - NOTHING, NOTHING, NOTHING. Keep on keeping on.
Stir up the gifts within you by laying on of hands. Lay your hands on the sick. Lay your hands on the demonized. Lay your hands on the broken hearted. REACH OUT AND TOUCH someone for the KINGDOM sake. Listen for the still small voice as you go to work. Listen for my instructions as you go to the grocery store, to the dentist office. Look for who I may want you to touch. BE GOD INSIDE MINDED ! Think on the Word. Meditate on My goodness. Keep your mind focused on ME, and I will give you all the peace you need.
My heart is grieved over the many who have counted the cost and laid down their lives, still many go on mocking those in poverty, mocking those who don’t have the “stuff”, mocking those who are not sophisticated. Know that I will not endure much longer such mockery, for I am coming to cleanse and I will burn off all that cannot withstand the test.
Jer 23:29 AMP Is not My word like fire [that consumes all that cannot endure the test]? says the Lord, and like a hammer that breaks in pieces the rock [of most stubborn resistance]?
The FIRE of My burning comes ! Ask for the fire, for I am like a REFINER’s FIRE and a fuller’s soap, and I will wash away the sins of My people and break the rod of the oppressor !
I will break the chains that have bound My church and humble the proud and arrogant, the greedy and all those who have stolen MY GLORY. When I commissioned the apostles, I did not say take the rich to dinner so they will give you money. I did not say to them, buy all the things of this world to make you “comfortable” and then you can sit and watch the poor struggle. I said TAKE UP YOUR CROSS AND WALK ! I SAID GIVE AND IT WILL BE GIVEN TO YOU. I SAID, FEED THE HUNGRY, GIVE DRINK TO THE THIRSTY, CLOTHE THE NAKED. LOVE THOSE WHO HATE YOU. I SAID STORE UP TREASURES IN HEAVEN WHERE EARTH AND MOTH CANNOT DESTROY ! I SAID THE FIRST SHALL BE LAST. I SAID TO LOVE ONE ANOTHER AS I HAVE LOVED YOU.
HOW HAVE I LOVED YOU BELOVEDS ? HAVE I NOT GIVE YOU OH WESTERN CHURCH GREAT THINGS, GREAT FAVOR, GREAT WEALTH. YET YOU DON’T CARE FOR THE POOR AND THE HURTING. YOU STORE UP WEALTH AND ARE ALWAYS THINKING WHERE YOU CAN SPEND IT NEXT. YOU DON’T REALIZE WHAT YOU’VE GIVEN YOURSELF TO ! WHILE OTHER STARVE YOU FEAST. WHILE OTHERS ARE PERSECUTED YOU ARE WARMED IN YOUR CHURCH PEWS. NO MORE. I COME TO RESTORE ALL THINGS. I WILL RESTORE MY JUSTICE. I WILL RESTORE MY IDEA OF EQUITY. I WILL RESTORE HEARTS AND MINDS, NATIONS AND VILLAGES. I WILL RAISE UP THE HUMBLE AND HUMBLE THE PROUD IN HEART.”
