12 For we are not wrestling with flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the despotisms, against the powers, against [the master spirits who are] the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spirit forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) sphere.
As we are used by our Lord to wrestle with darkness, our Father becomes stronger within us, so through the power of Christ we can actually welcome the battles in this life. As our Father causes us to triumph in them, it proves to us that we do have an eternity to be spent with our Him.
Moreover [let us also be full of joy now!] let us exult and triumph in our troubles and rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that pressure and affliction and hardship produce patient and unswerving endurance. And endurance (fortitude) develops maturity of character (approved faith and tried integrity). And character [of this sort] produces [the habit of] joyful and confident hope of eternal salvation. Such hope never disappoints or deludes or shames us, for God's love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit Who has been given to us. Romans 5:3-4
Our Father causing us to continually triumph in trials, even unthinkable trials, gives us a character that produces confident hope in our eternal salvation through Christ. So when someone asks you why are there trials and tragedies in this world, Romans 5:3-4 are the verses that answers that very real question!
Yesterday there was probably the most severe trial that anyone will ever have to face in this flesh. Twenty little children were shot and killed in their classroom. The trial that their families, that school, and that community will face is unimaginable to most of us. I ask that all who are led to this posting to join with me in praying that our Father’s Word of Truth here will not fall void to the earth for those who have been affected by these horrific killings. And all who have been affected by equally horrific events in their lives as well.
Together in Christ we ask You Father that You will absolutely cause the victims families and their community to endure in the power of Your might. Father be greater in them then the grief, sorrow, guilt, and anger that is in this world. Cause them Father to see that the horrific death of their lovely young children only resulted in victory for their little ones. Give them peace that passes all understanding that their babies are now living in Paradise with You. Father allow them to rejoice in the victory of where their children actually are and empower them to not be consumed with the grief of their loss. Empower their parents, families, and friends to be confident with an absolute trust that they too will spend eternity with those little children who were taken. Cause those affected Father to reach out in Your complete power to serve others and cause them to gain strength from being used by You. Father use the surviving children in that school to be the greatest witnesses of You that the world has ever seen. In Jesus' Name Father empower them fully with the Holy Spirit to not suffer depression but to be inspired to witness Your Truth.
For no temptation (no trial regarded as enticing to sin), [no matter how it comes or where it leads] has overtaken you and laid hold on you that is not common to man [that is, no temptation or trial has come to you that is beyond human resistance and that is not adjusted and adapted and belonging to human experience, and such as man can bear]. But God is faithful [to His Word and to His compassionate nature], and He [can be trusted] not to let you be tempted and tried and assayed beyond your ability and strength of resistance and power to endure, but with the temptation He will [always] also provide the way out (the means of escape to a landing place), that you may be capable and strong and powerful to bear up under it patiently. 1 Corinthians 10:13
Father give these victims families an escape from this event through You.
Our Father will never allow us to get in a wrestling match with evil that He will not cause us to win. This is our confidence and this is our peace. As our Father leads us, and causes us to be victorious, through more and more persecutions and trials, our confidence in Him grows. Not only do we grow in confidence as He uses us, others see our Father working through us and this causes their confidence to grow in Him as well. Amen! We are one with the victory of Jesus, and as He is, so are we in this world. This holds true for the families of these children in Connecticut as well. They have been asked to carry an extremely heavy load, but our Father will never leave them or forsake them and He will cause them to be a light to a world that desperately needs a light.
Father cause all of us to have peace that You will never leave us or forsake us even when unimaginable things happen around us and to us. And empower us with Your knowledge of the Truth that all things work out for good.
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