PERSECUTION OR ATTACK? : FAILER OR VICTORY?
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                   KEY TEXT; Phil 1:6 and Phil 3:10-16

 1) With each failer that I make, I get a chance to experience a greater
    depth of Gods love for me. I get a chance to see the blood of Jesus
    in a new and exciting way. Through my failer I get to see His ability
    ( power, Acts 1:8 ).


 2) Phil 3:10 , "I want to know Christ and the power of his resurection
                 and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings."

    (a) Failer is not an event; it is an opinion!
    (b) How far is failer? Is it actually measureable?
    (c) If it can be measured, then how long of a period of time or what
        level of severity measures failer?
    (d) Actually in section (a) the answer is already givin; failer is an
        opinion.
    (e) Failers and mistakes are not a problem with GOD. Where did the 
        church ever get the idea that He looked upon our failers anyway?
        The devil! And as usual, it is a lie, because all he can speak is
        lies.
    (f) How dare we try to make GOD in our image and think that our opin-
        ions effect the mighty will of God.


 3) 1 Pe 5:10 , "And the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal
                 glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while,
                 will Himself restore you and make you strong, firm and
                 steadfast." (NIV)
  

    (a) The key element to see here is that God WILL HIMSELF RESTORE YOU.
    (b) Not just restore you, but make you strong, firm, and steadfast!


 4) Matt 5:11 , "Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you 
                 falsely and say all kinds of evil against you because 
                 of Me."
    Matt 10:22, "All men will hate you because of me, but he who stands
                 firm to the end will be saved."


 5) 1 Pe 1:3-7,   "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
                 who according to his abundant mercy has begotten us again
                 to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ
                 from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptable and un-
                 defiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven
                 for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith
                 for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time."
                  "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 prec-
                 ious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire,
                 may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revel-
                 ation of Jesus Christ."  (NKJV)

    (a) Our faith may be proved genuine. Remember this.
    (b) Jesus said, "persecutions MUST come." ( John 15:20 )
    (c) Why?  ( John 15:21 )  Solely because we bear the name of JESUS.


 6) 1 Pe 1:5 , "who through faith are sheilded by Gods power until the 
                coming of salvation that is ready to be revealed in the
                last time."   (NIV)

    (a) Gods promise to us is that we are sheilded. ( see Ps 91 )


 7) 2 Tim 3:12 , "Infact, everyone who wants to live a Godly life in 
                  Christ Jesus will be persecuted."  
                               ------------------
    (a) You must know that you will be persecuted, ok?
    (b) But Paul also states in the earlier verse ( vs 11 ), " yet the
        Lord rescued me from all of them.
                             ---
    Ps 3:3 , "But you are a sheild around me, O Lord, my glorious one,
              who lifts up my head."


 8)   God is never going to give up on you. He loves you enough where you
    are not to leave you there. I beleive that He wants all of us to move
    with his cloud, just as the children of Isreal had to follow the cloud
    in the desert. He is in the wilderness with us. He also promises to
    lead us to a sabbath, a rest, a promise land.
      My final comments are, follow the Spirit. In this we will have no 
    troubles to great to handle with joy and expectation. And remember
    that God does not judge you by your failers, He looks at you according
    to your faith.
      Probably a good idea for us all would be to desire, pray for, and
    seek for answers to greater faith in Him. I know this, it begins with
    love for our brothers and a desire for spiritual gifts. ( 1 Cor 13 )

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     I hope that this has been a help in your spiritual growth. I pray for
 your encouragement and fullness of joy in Jesus Christ. You please pray
 for me as well, that I will remain faithfull to Him- since I have wavered
 on other occasions. May I never be unfaithfull to the Spirit of God again,
 and also with you.


                                              Sincerely, Your brother;

                                                     Mike Erwin









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