In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence. Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered. And being made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him. – Hebrews 5:7-9 ESV
Warrior;
What we believe we are supposed to do, and be, dictates everything. Everything we do or do-not- do, is based on our beliefs. If you think something to be true then you ACT- AS IF. You wouldn’t give your life for a lie- let’s be honest, most people would not give their life for the truth. If someone says they love you, and you DO NOT believe they love you- you will ACT, or THINK- AS IF, they didn’t love you. This is why it is so important to know the WORD of God for yourself and NOT depend on others to tell you what it says. “For he grew up before him like a young plant, and like a root out of dry ground; he had no form or majesty that we should look at him, and no beauty that we should desire him. He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces, he was despised, and we esteemed him not.” (Isaiah 53:2-3)
Leader, the prophet Isaiah is talking about Jesus, our LORD- when He sojourned in the flesh on this planet. It is amazing that so many people who walk with Jesus think that their lives are going to FLOW, and be these EASY, FUN, HAPPY things while we are getting closer and closer to God and becoming more like HIS SON. After all that is the purpose of this life, to become more and more like Jesus. Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. (James 1:2-4) Perseverance is a word that can be replaced with LONG-SUFFERING; Another trait of our God. Do you hear the word; One who suffers LONG. And if we are to do it properly, to the glory of God, then we must do so with Joy; a good disposition- without whining about it. See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone. Rejoice always, Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! (1 Thessalonians 5:15-16, Philippians 4:4)
Conduit, if you don’t know the TRUTH, then you can’t be free of false BELIEF SYSTEMS. Adversity is God’s way of growing us into the image of CHRIST. It is through adversity that we realize; In MY WEAKNESS, HIS STRENGTH is perfected! But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” (2 Corinthians 12:9) We must think of trials, struggles and disappointments as training! God is training His children, His troops. It is a choice; we can choose to let our struggles make us BETTER or BITTER. One is from the devil and glorifies him, and one is the WAY OF THE WARRIOR and honors our Father in heaven! When we use the garbage of this world to make us into the image of the CHRIST, then we become BETTER and ALL GLORY and HONOR go to GOD THE FATHER and HIS SON, JESUS! It’s all about the GLORY- who are you GLORIFYING by HOW you are going through your struggles? In the immortal words of Charles Spurgeon,” Trials teach us what we are; they dig up the soil and let us see what we are made of.” You are made in the image and likeness of God, be LIKE JESUS!
Way of The Warrior- A Daily Devotional 