Mark Vestal Supporter Proud of nothing of myself. Freed by Christ who did it all!

This verse is regarding the spiritual blessings we have through faith in Christ (vs. 35-39 below). How do these blessings "work together for good to them that love God"? It is where the very hope and promise originates (Christ crucified for us) that believers now work from for the remainder of their carnal lives. Believers recognize the difference in their past carnal life without God (spiritually), and through growth in faith become more separated (less dependent) from this "present evil world" (Gal 1:4). This living hope that now manifests itself within the believer is what helps them become "content" over time with whatever state they find themselves, in this temporal life on earth. The believers focus transitions from their carnal being to their new spiritual positional standing with God that is "hid in Christ" (Col 3:3). The spiritual gifts are of heaven (nothing of earth), and where true joy, peace, and love resides.

Col 3:1-2
"If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.
2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth."

Eph 1:3
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:"

Phil 4:11-13
"Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.
12 I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.
13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."

2 Cor 12:10
"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."

Rom 8:35-39
"Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.
37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

February 28 2025 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Kelli Trujillo Supporter Loving Wife, Mother, Grandmother, Teacher, Musician

Several years ago, I needed a hip replacement, and at the time I found out about it, I had no insurance. My husband was trying to get a new business off the ground, and as a teacher, I had no job because we had just moved to Washington, and I hadn’t had the money to go through the process of getting my Washington teaching license. 

My only choice was to get a teaching job at a Christian school (no license required) so I could get insurance and eventually get the surgery done. I started teaching 1st grade, and I had to wait 1.5 years before I could get the surgery. The longer I waited, the more painful my damaged leg became. At the age of 47, I walked with a cane constantly.

I can never forget waking up every work day and thinking, “As soon as my feet hit the floor, I’m going to be in pain. And I’m going to be in pain all day long. And all day long, those kids are going to push me to the limits as I gimp around the classroom with only one free hand, trying to keep up with everything that’s expected of me. Oh, God, why are you making me go through this!

I daily leaned on two Bible verses that year: 2 Cor. 12:9a: “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness,” and Phil. 4:13: “I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” Prayer, God’s grace, His word, and constant closeness to Him got me through that teaching year.

The summer after I completed that year I was able to get the surgery, and my life returned to normal once again. And as a bonus, God and I had grown closer than ever.

I continued to work at the same school, and a couple years later, a woman joined our staff who was waiting for a hip replacement. Since it was a Christian school, we gathered for prayer and devotions every day, where she often shared her struggles. She was our music teacher, and there was a LOT of pressure on her because our concerts and programs were always considered our biggest PR opportunities. Friends and family of the students attended these events, and our admins wanted everything to go smoothly and to come across as super impressive.

One morning, this sweet lady was especially stressed due to an upcoming concert, and I felt for her as I listened to her pour out her heart in tears. I identified all too well with her feeling so limited and feeble, and so misunderstood. I remembered feeling unable to do my job at full capacity due to pain and the constant need of a cane to get around; but even worse was the sense that everyone watching me viewed me as incapable and a slacker. No one understood how hard I was working, how much effort it took just to stand in front of a classroom full of children all day, how my heart desperately wanted to be the best teacher possible for these dear children–but my body truly couldn’t do it at the time. She was reliving all that I had gone through a few years earlier.

When we were dismissed, I followed her out, and then pulled her aside. I looked her in the eyes and told her, “Listen, I remember feeling just like you’re feeling right now, and I know how hard you’re working. I know Jesus is pleased with you, and you’re doing a great job.” 

These words were so simple, so unrehearsed, but they were like music to her ears. She burst into tears, pulled me into a strong, wet hug, and thanked me from the bottom of her heart for taking the time to encourage her. She told me, “It’s such a relief to know that someone understands!” We talked for a brief moment after that, and then we both went on our way to our respective classrooms. I swear she had a little more spring in her step as I watched her go.

Heading to my classroom, I had a little conversation with God: Huh! I see what you did there, God. You took all the pain I went through and used it as a blessing to her. That’s pretty cool! But then I had a question for Him: But, Father, that conversation lasted about 5 minutes, tops. I went through 1.5 years of excruciating pain! How does that equal out, 5 minutes to 1.5 years? How is that a fair exchange?

His answer floored me: Because I love her that much. Mic drop. And I knew that what He meant in that statement wasn’t just that he loved her, I knew that He meant He loves ALL of us that much. And by “that much” I mean that He would spend 1.5 years working on me to turn me into a refreshing source of comfort so He could pour me out at a time when a dear sister needed just 5 minutes of sincere empathy. But then I had more questions…

Ok, but why me? Why not use someone else? Why did I have to be the one to go through all I went through? His gentle answer floored me again: So you could participate in my business with me. Just like little children follow their parents around imitating their every move, God wants us to work alongside Him as He works in the lives of others. As Jesus said in John 5: 19: “I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself. He does only what he sees the Father doing. Whatever the Father does, the Son also does.”

I had just one more question: Ok, but what about me? What about the times in my life when I have needed someone to comfort me? And in a flash, memories of countless people who had just the right things to say to me at just the right time flooded my mind. God had done the same thing for me, time and time again. And I bet He’s done the same things for you, more times than you can count.

Here’s my big takeaway from this: Suffering is never for no reason. God always has a purpose for it. If you’re suffering in any way right now, lean on God, learn from it, and know that you’ll come through it more like Jesus and better prepared to help a dear sister or brother in need.

March 05 2025 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report