1 Peter 1:6-8, NKJV - "Therefore it is also contained in the Scripture, "Behold, I lay in Zion a chief cornerstone, elect, precious, and he who believes on Him whill by no means be put to shame." Therefore, to you who believe, He is precious; but to those who are disobedient, "The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone," and "A stone of stumbling and a rock of offense." They stumble, being disobedient to the word, [c]to which they also were appointed." [c]=Romans 9:22.
Romans 9:21-24, NKJV - "Does not the potter have power over the clay, from the same lump to make one vessel for honor and another for dishonor? What if God, wanting to show His wrath and to make His power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath prepared for destruction, and that He might make known the riches of His glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had prepared beforehand for glory, even us whom He called...."
"For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God. For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps...." 1 Peter 2:20-21, NKJV.
"For it is better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil." 1 Peter 3:17, NKJV.
"Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator." 1 Peter 4:19, NKJV.
"Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake in Christ's sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you." 1 Peter 4:12-14, NKJV.
"But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen." 1 Peter5:10-11, NKJV.
"In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ." 1 Peter:1-6-7, NKJV.
anyone who says being a follower of Christ is supposed to be easy is flat-out lying. the choice is easy: fleshly indulgent life now, and eternal wrath later; or temporary suffering now, and an eternity in glory later.... but the walk is hard.
and yet the peace of knowing that God has ordained my struggles, that He is using them for my benefit, and to display His glory in this world... and that one day there will be no more tears in my eyes.... yeah. now that is what i call peace.
i have often said one can be in the depths of despair, and have the joy of the Lord... in the deepest depression, yet know the peace of God in our hearts..... because our joy and peace is not in our circumstances, it is in the hope that we have, the surety of our calling, the promise of an eternal inheritance as sons and daughters of the Most High God.
oh, for the day i am standing in the waves of eternal worship at His throne... "holy, holy, holy...." oh, for the day that i am the little girl sitting on my Daddy-God's knee and He wipes the tears from my eyes... oh, for the day that i am free from this body of death and am present with the Lord.
oh, how i look toward that day.....
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