The War We Must Win!

"Is it such a fast that I have chosen? A day for a man to afflict his soul? Is it to bow down his head as a bulrush, and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him? Wilt thou call this a fast, and an acceptable day to the LORD? 

Is not this the fast that I have chosen? To loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke? Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? When thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh? 

Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the LORD shall be thy rereward. Then shalt thou call, and the LORD shall answer; thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I am. If thou take away from the midst of thee the yoke, the putting forth of the finger, and speaking vanity; And if thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul; then shall thy light rise in obscurity, and thy darkness be as the noonday: And the LORD shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not." Isaiah 58:5-11

 The following is an important message from Min. B.H. Clendennen entitled, "The War We Must Win."

• Let God deal with ourselves before we ever go pointing fingers at anyone else.
• When a man is born again, he is a new creation; but there is still that old man to be dealt with.
• The flesh - the old nature - is the body of the devil just like the spiritual born again man is the body of Christ.
• The warfare we are up against is the warring of the flesh against the spirit; and it has to be won on an individual basis.
• There must be a burnt offering to bring about the death of the old man in order for Christ to increase within us.  This is the purpose of the fast.
• Fasting is not a bargain with God or a way to force God to accept the ways of the flesh.  Fasting chastens the flesh.
• It is the flesh which stomps up the outpouring of God's Spirit, bot the Devil.
• Every appetite of the human is fed by a spoon.  If we are intemperate with food, then we will be intemperate in other ways, i.e. prayer, bible study, etc.
• When we are broken by fasting, then the light of God will break out from within us and the river of living waters will flow.
  

The Power of the Secret Place

"He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence. 

He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler. Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday. A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee. 

Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked. Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation; There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling. For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone. Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet. 

Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name. He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him. With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation." Psalm 91



This Is My Holy Place from thelatterdays on GodTube.

Fool Hardy

"We are fools for Christ's sake, but ye are wise in Christ; we are weak, but ye are strong; ye are honourable, but we are despised." I Corinthians 4:10

Some weeks ago, I asked the Lord, "When are you going to bring about a change?  When are you going to stand up and let your power be seen to put down all the mockers, for your name's sake?"

He then asked me, "Is it truly my name that you want vindicated or your own?"

That really made me to stop and think.  I realized that there was truth in what God said (of course).

I truly desire to see God's name glorified and to have His power seen because He is worthy of all praise.  I also realize that this is the only way in which souls will be saved (I Corinthians 2:4-5).  Yet, a part of me was also tired of looking like a fool to others.  This - being concerned with how others see you - is an example of pride and I had to repent.     

One of the most viscous type of minds which adamantly stands against Christ is the Greek "educated" mind.  This is in part why I think Jesus tells us that we must become as little children in order to receive His kingdom (Matthew 18:4; Mark 10:15; Luke 18:16-17).  The education systems of this world raise people to be humanists.  Unless the hand of God is upon you to safeguard your mind, you will graduate from these institutions as an educated fool, believing that man himself has become a god by obtaining knowledge (Genesis 3:5). To such persons, the very idea of faith in God and obedience to His word is ludicrous.  We can see this as evident even in the days of Jesus.  It was the educated religious leaders who sought to persecute & silence the "unlearned" disciples of Christ.

In recent years, I have spoken with numerous professionals - the top in their fields - as they looked down upon me and chastised my professed faith in Christ.  "How foolish", they have told me, "to ignore their expert advise and choose instead to be led by this God."  Yet, it is not the anti-christ mind in these individuals which concerned me, but any remnants of that mind in myself.  Why would I care what these individuals thought unless that spirit still had some influence over me?

When we think of pride, it is easy to visualize someone puffed up, but what about the insidious and more subtle ways in which pride presents itself?  What about the pride which makes us ashamed to speak up and confront error? Makes us prefer to go renegade versus submit Godly authority?  Makes us unable to receive correction?  Or as in my case, makes us tire of being seen as fools for Christ?

Another common way in which this can trip us up is in deliverance.  I remember in the early days when I first began to see the casting out of devils, I thought, "Wooo...I would never want anybody to see me like that!  Yelling, face contorted, laid out on the floor, coughing up mucus..."  Well, you know what?  Such persons will never get delivered! I am not saying that all of those manifestations are necessary to receive deliverance; you can be delivered with no outward manifestations at all.  However, I am saying that your preoccupation with how you look to others will be a hindrance to receiving deliverance.  You will never let the Holy Spirit have His way because you are trying so hard not to look foolish before people.

"Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men. For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: that no flesh should glory in his presence." I Corinthians 1:25-29

The Bible is clear that we should not be as fools (Ephesians 5:15; Titus 3:3; I Peter 2:15); but it is equally as clear that we may appear as fools to those in the world.  When such offends us, it is because our flesh is trying to steal from the glory of God.

It is righteous to want vindication against the enemy (Psalm 58:10-11, 74:9-10; Luke 18:7-8; Revelation 6:10), and there will be a day of vengeance. The Lord will also stand up for and defend His people with a mighty arm (Numbers 116:28-35; I Kings 18:36-38; II Kings 1:11-13, 2:23-24; Psalm 105:15; Revelation 11:5).  However, it is not our own flesh or pride being defended, but His righteousness.  We must have a heartfelt desire to see Christ as Lord over all (II Corinthians 10:6).  If the flesh gets offended at the prospect of appearing foolish before men for Christ's sake, then it is evidence that we have not decreased enough so that Christ may increase within (John 3:30).

"But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ; How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts. These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit. But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life." Jude 1:17-21

As the days grow darker, the mockers will increase.  Yet, don't be offended by this or dismayed; it is written.  These are the days in which we must be building ourselves up. These are the days of perfecting.  God is taking time to purge His Bride in preparation for His return (Ephesians 5:27).  There is no thing too small as God examines every nuance, every thought, and every desire to ensure it is in line with His will.  This is His mercy and grace so that we will be able to stand and withstand in the evil day.

Jesus became of no reputation (to the world) so that He could glorify the Father, and we must likewise do no less.  If we are to glory in anything, let it be in Christ alone.

"Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong. I am become a fool in glorying; ye have compelled me: for I ought to have been commended of you: for in nothing am I behind the very chiefest apostles, though I be nothing." II Corinthians 12:10-11

Operating in the Spirit Realm

The following is a series from Pastor John S. Torell and is entitled "Operating in the Spirit Realm". 

"The purpose of this series is to mentally prepare you to face the antichrist régime and damage it with the spiritual weapons that have been provided by God.

If you live during the reign of the Antichrist, it is because God has selected you to live during this time period and be a soldier for Him. If you understand this truth and start to think in the supernatural, you will be a shining light in a dark world!"

I believe this is a message which needs to be heard.  When you have some quiet time, take time to listen to each video, which includes the following titles:

1. Supernatural Intervention
2. Satan's Final Shots
3. The Modern Church vs. Jesus
4. Despair to Victory
5. Fire From Above
6. Holy Ghost Power
7. The Story of Pentecost
8. What is Holy Ghost Power?
9. The Mystery of Iniquity
10. The Dawn of the Antichrist
11. Manna in the End Times
12. Protection from the Antichrist
13. Thinking Supernaturally
14. Keeping the Faith

Key Points in the Series

• We are living in the physical world, but the time has come where we need to break into the spiritual world.  Not by the power of Satan, but through access to the power of God via the Holy Spirit.
• Demons cannot be cast out unless you enter the spirit world and attack them by the power of the Holy Spirit.
• The Holy Spirit wants you to move in and out in the spirit world doing damage to the kingdom of Satan.
• The decision to be led and filled with the Holy Spirit may mean you have to make a choice between Jesus and your family & friends.
• The Kingdom of God is within you and you establish a small part of the Kingdom of God wherever you are.
• We need to expand our minds and recognize who we are in Christ.
• Do not settle for unbelief! You can do all things through Christ.
• Americans are the hardest to believe the power of God because they have been educated in unbelief via the school system.
• Most people believe that God can do anything, but they struggle with their own personal connection to Him in whether He would do it through them. 
• Oftentimes, we erroneously project the perceived failures of our earthly parents on to God.  We must get to the point of believing that if God has said something to us, then He is faithful to perform it and He will not let us down.
• The birth of Jesus Christ was a supernatural intervention of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit into the physical world.
• You must fight the devil every day because he does not give up.
• Satan and his demons needs bodies to do their evil work.
• Unbelievers are possessed by demons and citizens of Satan's kingdom. When you are dealing with someone demon possessed, you are not necessarily looking at the characteristics of the person, but the personality of the demon.
• A demon cannot touch you unless you have fear.
• Many church people are afraid of demons, but if you have learned the power of Jesus' name then demons will flee.  Unbelievers and many church people are also afraid of Spirit-filled people.
• God is tired of religion and people playing church.
• Every single person is called into the ministry, whether your mission field is where you live, work, or if you are in full-time ministry.  
• Do not be part of a church which does not preach the baptism of the Holy Ghost or does not cast out demons.
• We need the baptism of the Holy Spirit because it is how we access the power of God.  To be baptized by the Holy Spirit means to be possessed by the Holy Spirit.
• When you receive the baptism of the Holy Ghost, you will not be able to contain the Gospel, but you must share it.
• The primary purpose of the Church is to destroy the works of the devil, but instead of fighting, most churches are focused on recreation and entertainment.
• In the last days, we must preach the hard truths of the Gospel in power in order to impact lost souls.
• The moment you come closer to Christ, you become a target of Satan.  The way he treated, taunted and killed Jesus he will attempt to do to you and me.  Yet, we do not have to be defeated in battle with him; it is your choice to be defeated.
• Unbelievers despise Christians mostly because the Christians do not have the power of Jesus Christ available in their lives.
• We are to confront Satan in order to move him down.  You must learn to fight.
• There is power in fasting.  A lot of Christians want the power, but don't want to pay the price.
• Fasting is denying yourself as a sacrifice of sincerity to God for our desire to receive an answer to prayer.  Some demons only come out by prayer and fasting.
• The power of God is available anywhere on this earth.  The question is, "How do you harness it?"
• God knows in advance the plans of the enemy.
• We must recognize that we cannot fight spiritual enemies with physical weapons.
• God will fight the battles on our behalf and even send confusion into the camp of our enemies so that they be destroyed.
• God is looking for people who will be strong and do exploits.
• Instead of lamenting that the end times are bearing down upon us, praise God that He is wrapping up the earth and we can be part of the last harvest.

Put Me In My Place

As I prayed the other morning, I said, "I don't care what anyone else is doing or not doing.  It doesn't matter.  Lord, put me in my place."

As soon as those last words were out of my mouth, I thought, "Where did that come from?".  I then began to contemplate what that could mean.

"Our Place in Relation to God"

To the world, somebody being "put in their place" references a person being knocked down a peg or two after being perceived to be too lofty.  Certainly God also warns us against thinking too highly of ourselves.

"For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith." Romans 12:3

One common way in which people think more highly of themselves is to disregard God's ways in favor of their own understanding (Isaiah 55:9; Proverbs 3:5).  When you see someone who justifies disobedience to God's word, then you are looking at the fruit of pride.

Being high-minded may also cause you to become impatient with God, taking matters into your own hands and creating an Ishmael instead of waiting for God's promises to be revealed.  God had promised Abram that He would provide him a son.  Yet not waiting for God to bring this to pass, Sarai had Abram conceive a son through her handmaid Haggar (Genesis 16:1- 18:15).  Yet, Ishmael was not the son God promised.  From then to this day, the family feud which resulted continues to plague God's people.

At times, God may need to remind us that He alone is God and He alone knows what is best for us. Gd is not looking for man's ability, but is looking for vessels through which He can do even the impossible.  Just as we should not think too highly of ourselves, we should also not think too lowly.

Being "in my place" means that I am a redeemed child of the Most High God and a member of the Body of Christ.  It means I should be able to speak to a mountain and by faith have it moved and cast into the sea (Matthew 21:21).  It means I have been given authority over all the power of the enemy (Luke 10:19).  It means that the power of God is available to flow through me, casting out devils, healing the sick, and showing forth miraculous signs and wonders to confirm His word (Mark 16:17-18).

Yes Lord, put me in my place.

"Our Place in Relation to Each Other"

"For the body is not one member, but many...But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him." I Corinthians 12:14, 18

There is also a "place" we are to have in relation to each other.  There is a place for men, a place for women, and a place for children (I Corinthians 11:3; Titus 2:2-8; Ephesians 6:1; Colossians 3:20).

There is a place for each individual member of the Body of Christ (Romans 12:5) and even a place for church leadership (Hebrews 13:7, 17).  Why?  Because God's people are also a family...His family.  For there to be a "place" for each of us means that there must be an order which God has established.  We see this order in creation, in the family, and in the church.

"God setteth the solitary in families: he bringeth out those which are bound with chains: but the rebellious dwell in a dry land." Psalm 68:6

A family is not a solitary unit.  In God's family - in fellowship with other like-minded believers - we find freedom from demonic hindrances. Only those who are rebellious prefer to stay on their own, with no living water to satisfy the soul.  Such is not the place God would have for us.

As members of the Body of Christ, we are called into communion with each other, in service and care towards one another (Galatians 5:13; I Corinthians 12:25).  We are endowed by God with spiritual gifts to unify, edify, strengthen, comfort, perfect, and when necessary, even rebuke each other (Romans 12:6-8; I Corinthians 12:4-31; I Corinthians 14:3-31; Galatians 6:1-2; Hebrews 10:24-25). As each living stone is set in place, we create a spiritual house for God to inhabit, becoming visible representations of the wisdom & power of God (I Peter 2:5; Ephesians 2:20-22; 3:10-11).

Yes Lord, put me in my place.

"Our Place In this World"

"For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring." Act 17:28

Being "in our place" also brings the comfort of knowing that there is a specific place for each of us, here and now.  The Lord God who created the universe - in doing so - carved out a special place just for you. This is not merely a place where we exist, but where we fulfill what we were created to be.

We don't have to wander aimlessly or wonder endlessly, searching to find where we belong or what we are to do with our lives.  The meaning for our lives is revealed to us in Christ.  Before we were even conceived, God had the plan for us (Jeremiah 1:5).

Even though God has designed a place in this world for us, He is clear that this world is not our home (Hebrews 13:14).  This is not a "best life now" scenario, but it is a still place where every need is promised to be met (Philippians 4:19).  In fact, Jesus told us that those in Him would not fit into this world at all and would be persecuted as outcasts (John 15:19), while still being overcomers through it all (I John 5:5).

Just think about it.  The One who created you and who knows you better than anyone else has designed the optimal life for you...but how many ever receive it?  How many people waste their God-given potential and talents daily - never finding peace, joy, or purpose - because they never find who they are in Christ? Instead, they waste their entire living seeking the approval of man. 

I do not want to live one day coming short of all that God has for me.

Yes Lord, put me in my place.

"Our Place in Eternity"

"In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you." John 14:2

Being "in our place" also means having a place of eternal rest set aside for us by Christ. It is the assurance that - although this life is temporal- we have the gift of eternal life in Him.

When this life is over, we do not mourn as they who have no hope because we know that we shall be with Him.  We will see him face-to-face and forever be with Him in glory.

Yet this is the kicker.  If we do not have our eye single on eternity now, we will never find "our place" in relation to God, in relation to others, in this world, or after this life.  In fact, not having our mind set on eternity will leave us distinctly out of place and altogether lost.

We are to have a certain "looking for a city whose maker is God" such as propelled Abraham to endure in the faith (Hebrews 11:8-10).  Not focusing on the cares or allures of this life, but counting it all dung as we look for and hasting to the coming day of the Lord (II Peter 3:11-12; Philippians 3:8).  This will only happen as we see ourselves in the eternal place God has for us.

"And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus." Ephesians 2:6

As has been said before, "Heaven is a prepared place for a prepared people."  Now is the time to prepare for now is the day of salvation.

Yes Lord, put me in my place.

A Place of Order, and Thereby Rest

Don't get distracted by what is going on around you, no matter how chaotic. 

Some people get offended at the thought that there is a "place" they are supposed to be.  Yet God has a place for every person who gives their lives to Him.

May we each strive to enter and abide in that place of rest in God which He has designed especially for us.

Yes Lord, put me in my place.

Wicked Counselors

"Lo, their good is not in their hand: the counsel of the wicked is far from me." Job 21:16

"Hide me from the secret counsel of the wicked; from the insurrection of the workers of iniquity." Psalm 64:2

"The thoughts of the righteous are right: but the counsels of the wicked are deceit." Proverbs 12:5

"Then said he unto me, Son of man, these are the men that devise mischief, and give wicked counsel in this city." Ezekiel 11:2

"There is one come out of thee, that imagineth evil against the LORD, a wicked counsellor." Nahum 1:11

The following message from Omega Ministries is entitled, "I Am Possessed".

When you think of demon possession, you will often think the most far out, bizarre, and fringe types of personalities.  However, some of the most demon-possessed persons look extremely normal to the naked eye.  They may even appear to be humble, charitable, pious, and holy as they move in religious circles. 

Satan sets up his ministers in the so-called churches for the express purpose of ensnaring the people and filling them with unclean spirits as a way to keep them from Christ.  Such persons actually become anti-christ in their thinking, all while falsely believing that they are serving the Lord.

• Our minds need to be anchored to the Lord.  In a storm, this is the only anchor who can keep us.
• People will be terrified as they realize that they have imagined being saved, but never really knew the Lord Jesus.
• Fearfulness will overtake the hypocrites (Isaiah 33:14).
• We are in the middle of a supernatural, metaphysical war.
• Demons are insatiable.
• Deliverance is good news and the children's bread (Matthew 15:26; Mark 7:27).
• Satan sends the spirit of anti-Christ into man's souls as a preparation for receiving the the Anti-Christ to come.  He sends you a wicked counselor to yoke you to itself, advise you, and lead you astray (Nahum 1:11).  The anointing from Jesus Christ can break this yoke, but you still must separate from the lies and the liars which had you bound.
• Everything concerning the Christian experience is all about the conquest of inner space.
• People have been conditioned by religion to think that fantasy, feelings, and emotions are Godly.
• The Holy Ghost does not confirm false doctrine.   The truth is a freedom maker!
• Success in Christ is to have a pure heart, clean lips, live righteously before God and have every demonic entity purged from your personality.  To accomplish this, we must be filled with, and led by, the Holy Spirit as an obedient child of God.
• Satan's forte is as a magician and sorcerer who can mesmerize and deceive...and so are his ministers (II Corinthians 11:15).  He has to always stimulate your temporal life as a replacement for eternal life.
• The churches serve as the foundation of the Devil's kingdom by soulishly sodomizing people and filling them with unclean spirits.
• We must patiently do what is necessary to possess our own souls (Luke 21:19).  This lets us know that the part of a person which can be influenced by demons is the soul.
• The soul is supposed to be the vehicle of expression for your spirit.
• Demons desire access to the soul to express themselves because they need a body in order to feel.  They are disembodied spirits seeking incarnation.
• Souls house the area of the will, emotions, intellect, reasoning...The mind is the control center for the soul.  This is why the human mind must be transformed and metamorphisized to reflect the mind of Christ.
• Your emotions should not just be experienced helter skleter.  Your spirit should be governing your emotions.   
• Jesus never appended feelings to love, but to obedience.  Feelings can change, but love is a constant so love can never be defined by a feeling.
• Love is selflessness, not a feeling.
• The parameters of demonic possession are souish entry points (sight, sound, smell, taste, touch, etc.) and improper attitudes of the heart such as pride.
• Demons attempt to build a habitation for themselves - and other demonic reinforcements - within you.  According to the demon, your soul is the their house (Matthew 12:44).  Demons have a will and they pit their will against your will.
• Demons are armed to fight against anything which will try to remove them from their home, your soul (Luke 11:21-26).  
• The demonic root and strongman for most people is the spirit of rejection.  As a result, such persons do everything necessary to be rejected by others because that is what that unclean spirit enjoys.
• There is a final separation coming between those who deal with demons and those who do not.
• In the last days, those who have been seduced by doctrines of devils and filled with selfishness & all unrighteousness (I Timothy 4:1-3, II Timothy 3:1-2; Romans 1:28-32) will be pitted against those who have been transformed in their minds through deliverance & renewal (Romans 12:1-2). 
• You will be possessed, but will it be by God or the Devil?

Additional Resources:

Rejection

Breaking Curses

The Authority to Cast Out Demons

Getting to the Demonic Root of a Problem

What is Flesh & What is Demonic?

Keeping Your Deliverance

Lord, What Are You Doing?

I had a conversation with the Lord last week about some situations with which we are dealing in our lives.  I asked the Lord, "God, I just don't understand the purpose behind all of this and why they seem to be dragging on so."

At that point, He asked me,"With all of these situations you are raising to me, which one would you have me to take away if I gave you that choice?"

Well, I really thought about that...I mean I thought about it long and hard.  There were many possibilities which came to mind, and I was initially excited about being able to tell the Lord which one burden I wanted Him to immediately remove.  Yet, the more I considered the question, the more trepidatious I became.  Which one would I choose??  I realized that attempting to do so would have me playing with fire.

"And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us." Romans 5:3-5

"Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.  But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing." James 1:3-4

You see, what if I chose the wrong thing?  What if I chose a situation that God was using to perfect me?  Was I willing to forgo being perfected in order to have some momentary comfort in the flesh? Yes, it might make my current days on this earth a little easier, but what if the resulting ease meant that I would fall short of the glory of God and not become what He has proclaimed that I should?  Did I want a trouble-free life or did I want to made perfect and entire, wanting nothing?  I could not have both.

So, I realized my answer and said, "Lord, I would have you immediately remove nothing.  You are the only one who is all-knowing, not me.  If you deem that I must go through a situation, then I know it is ultimately for my good.  I apologize for trying to take the easy way out.  I esteem pleasing you more important than this temporal life."

"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28

"Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ."  II Timothy 2:3

There is something wrong with always seeking the easy way out.  Such is a lazy mindset which will never walk continuously with Jesus.  As the Scriptures say, it illustrates a strength that is small (Proverbs 24:10).  Yet our strength is only small when we attempt to be self-sufficient.  If we would but just rely on Him fully, we will always find the strength to face and overcome any challenge.

"These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." John 16:33

There are no short cuts in God.  Either we will follow the path He has for us unto perfection or we will choose our own way and head for destruction.  There is no in-between.

As tribulations come, remember that Jesus said it would be so, but that He also provided a way for us to get through them.  The burdens in our lives only become too much to bear when we are not depending on the Lord (Matthew 11:28-30).  As the older generations used to say, "If He brings you to it, then He will bring you through it!"  In a time of trouble, He is still a very present help (Psalm 46:1).

Be encouraged in the Lord.  Trust Him and know that He hears your cries and He has already provided the answer.  Even when He does not reveal to you His purposes in a trial, know that He always has one - and usually more than one.  He is causing all things to work together for your good.

"Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." Philippians 4"6-7

Additional Resources:

Situations

Your Cross Is Meant to Bring You to Self-Denial

See It Through!