The Teaching of Adversity - if you are a child of God, you will certainly encounter adversities, but Jesus says you should not be surprised when they come. God never gives us strength for tomorrow, or for the next hour, but only for the strain of the moment. Our temptation is to face adversities from the standpoint of our own common sense. But a saint can “be of good cheer” even when seemingly defeated by adversities, because victory is absurdly impossible to everyone, except God

"In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." - John 16:33

The typical view of the Christian life is that it means being delivered from all adversity. 

But it actually means being delivered in adversity, which is something very different. 

“He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. No evil shall befall you, nor shall any plague come near your dwelling…” - (Psalm 91:1,10)

— the place where you are at one with God.

If you are a child of God, you will certainly encounter adversities, but Jesus says you should not be surprised when they come. 

“In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” 

He is saying, “There is nothing for you to fear.” 

The same people who refused to talk about their adversities before they were saved often complain and worry after being born again because they have the wrong idea of what it means to live the life of a saint.

God does not give us overcoming life — He gives us life as we overcome. 

The strain of life is what builds our strength.

If there is no strain, there will be no strength. 

Are you asking God to give you life, liberty, and joy?

He cannot, unless you are willing to accept the strain.

And once you face the strain, you will immediately get the strength. 

Overcome your own timidity and take the first step.

Then God will give you nourishment - “To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life…” - (Revelation 2:7 ). 

If you completely give of yourself physically, you become exhausted. 

But when you give of yourself spiritually, you get more strength. 

God never gives us strength for tomorrow, or for the next hour, but only for the strain of the moment. 

Our temptation is to face adversities from the standpoint of our own common sense. 

But a saint can “be of good cheer” even when seemingly defeated by adversities, because victory is absurdly impossible to everyone, except God.

Bible in One Year: Psalms 60-62; Romans 5

WISDOM FROM OSWALD CHAMBERS

Beware of isolation; beware of the idea that you have to develop a holy life alone.

It is impossible to develop a holy life alone; you will develop into an oddity and a peculiarism, into something utterly unlike what God wants you to be.

The only way to develop spiritually is to go into the society of God’s own children, and you will soon find how God alters your set. 

God does not contradict our social instincts; He alters them.

from Biblical Psychology, 189 L

The Life of Oswald Chambers

Oswald Chambers was born in Scotland and spent much of his boyhood there. His ministry of teaching and preaching took him for a time to the United States and Japan.

The last six years of his life were spent as principal of the Bible Training College in London, and as a chaplain to British Commonwealth troops in Egypt during World War l.

After his death, the books which bear his name were compiled by his wife from her own verbatim shorthand notes of his talks.

odb.org

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Out of the Wreck I Rise - “Shall tribulation …?” - tribulation is never a grand, highly welcomed event; but whatever it may be — whether exhausting, irritating, or simply causing some weakness — it is not able to “separate us from the love of Christ.” Either Jesus Christ is a deceiver, or some extraordinary thing happens to someone who holds on to the love of God when the odds are totally against him. Never allow tribulations or the “cares of this world” to separate you from remembering that God loves you

Your Faith Is Being Tested - life is often disappointing. The most disappointing thing in life is people. People disappoint us when we expect them to meet a need that only God himself can meet. The people in your life aren’t your problem. The problem is your response to those people. When you expect other people to be your savior, you’re setting yourself up for disappointment. People also aren’t the answer to your problem. The answer is God

Problems Prepare You for Eternity - the trials you’re going through now don’t compare to the rewards of heaven. The troubles you’re experiencing now aren’t fun. They may even be painful. The Bible makes it clear that they’ll make your faith stronger and will produce perseverance. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while. These trials don’t compare to the rewards of heaven. Have hope, no matter what’s going on in your life right now