The Joy I (1 Peter 5:4-10)

 

  Every morning I wake up to a new battle for a new day. 
  If it isn't fleshly pleasures, than it's an headache.  
  If it's not a headache, than it's a dry cough.  
  If it's not a dry cough, than it's heart palpitations. 
  If it's not heart palpitations, than it's anxiety formed by thoughts that have very little to do with nothing as it regards to my reality.   

  However, all of this physical torment goes numb when I get on my knees to pray to the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.     

  While in prayer we ask God for different things based off our needs. 
  Hench the fact that we are all different, our needs differ depending on the season. 
  Although every prayer comes with a different response God always gives us what we need.   

  Walking in faith is more about needs than wants (whether one knows it or not).   
  A staunch believer in divine intervention I support the saying "And we all know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose."    

  To walk in the Christian faith is a paradox,   
  The paradox to walking in faith is a mind-blowing existence.  
  As we go on with Christ the more our sorrow will turn into joy. 
  The older and older we get the more we'll see God, the more sin we'll see, the more broken we'll become, and the more our joy will be multiplied.
  In the end we're going to be more broken than we've ever been before.  

  We will have seen more of our sins than ever before.   

  And yet we are rejoicing more than we have ever did before, because we're seeing Christ more than ever before.        

  What is the reward for all this suffering?  
  The man with the best answer is Peter the Apostle.  

  In the book of 1 Peter he is writing to Jewish believers struggling in the mist of persecution.  
  Chapter five and verses four to ten seals the deal and puts the icing on the cake for those that suffer and are persecuted.  
  Soon and very soon the chief shepherd will appear and we all shall receive crowns of glory that won't fade away.  
  Together as the body of Christ we must submit ourselves to the elders, be subject to one another, and be clothed with humility: for God resist the proud and gives grace to the humble.  
  We must humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt us in due time: 
  Casting all of our care upon Him: because he cares for us.  
  We must be sober and vigilant; because our adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walks about seeking who he can devour: Who resists steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your fellow man that are in the world. 
  But the God of all grace, who has called us unto his eternal glory by Jesus Christ after that you have suffered a while, made you perfect, stablished, strengthen, and settle you.    

  Understanding the art of suffering is the key to a strong relationship with God.  
  One of the reasons why I am the person that I am today is all due to God's grace and mercy.  
  It is in the name of Jesus Christ that we can find joy, peace, everlasting life, and real transformation.  
  The Word of God is the bread of life.    
  Praise and worship is our daily exercise.  

  We all should submit ourselves to God and be thankful each day we have breath in our lungs.   

  Malcolm Darius Montgomery, a living manifestation of God's grace and mercy, writes to you in the name of peace and tranquility. 
  I urge members of the body of Christ to not be fixated on the things of this world. 
  Praise and worship God every second, minute, hour, and day of the week.  
  Give all of your abilities and gifts to help build up the church. 
  Make our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ your only idol. 
  Be steadfast and diligent in everything you do. 

  Remember that God's time is upon us.   
  Keep each other in prayer and be of good cheer.  
  May peace and blessings be with you in the name of Jesus Christ.  
  Amen.