Thoughts from the Book In His Face by Bob Sorge

In the days to come I would like to share snippets form a wonderful book called "In His Face" by Bob Sorge. In hopes it will be a blessing to you.

1) When trials and troubles come, sis from Satan or is it from God? The answer just may be, "YES". This was true for Job.

2) Even though Job was under spiritual attack, he never entered a militant kind of warfare against the enemy. The only one Job ever spoke to was God.

3) Job counselors were very Scripture based, good, and accurate counsel. It was the right counsel- - for the wrong situation. Job's friends erred because they judged by what they saw rather than by what they heard.

4) There is 2 kinds of discipline. Some discipline is punishment; some discipline if training. (Hebrews 12:11) Some discipline of God os simply because He's wamtomg tp bring you to a higher place in Him.

5) Much of the stability we think we have in our lives is nothing but the gracious way God insulates us from grief.

6) No matter how difficult things get, I can always bless the name of the Lord. "The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe." (Proverbs 18:10)

7) It is not enough to cry out (complain, mourn and weep), you must cry out to the Lord. God doesn't have a problem with us wrestling with questions of life, even anger, self pity, depression and indignation as long as we keep our face towards God, and keep our faith and hope in God. Job experienced all these things, and God wasn't upset at Him as long as he recognized God is God and you can trust Him.

8) There are season we go through in life: good, bad, ugly and indifferent. If you are in an unpleasant season, know it will last only for a time.

9) Sometimes we do everything we know and can do in the midst of our trial. We pray, praise, repent, fast, surrendered to God, rebuked the devil, read Christian help books, quote scripture, spend quantity time in God's presence, and all seeming to no avail. It is then we may need to fall back on Ephesians 6:13 - ".. and having done all, to stand." What does this mean? It means you don't have any more to give, and no clue what to do, but you simply trust God knows what He is doing. He loves you and will fight for you.

10) A PASSION FOR HIS HOUSE - PLACE OF WORSHIP. 

Psalms 69:9 - "zeal for your house consumes me..."

"I never cease to be amazed at the low priority many saints  give to their attendance of corporate worship. Somebody said, "you don't go to church to be a Christian." I can tell you who told you that - the devil. (I Timothy 4:1). Show me the Christian who doesn't think church attendance is necessary, and I'll show you an anemic, cold Christian with the pall of death on his countenance. Don't tell me you have a passion for Jesus if you don't have a passion for His house."  (Bob Sorge)

Then there is those Christians who faithfully attend church out of tradition, duty, paying their dues to God or as social event. They look in the mirror at themselves through the Word of God, and go away the same way they came. They are no better then those who choose not to attend. They both have the same problem. One doesn't come because he or she is not passionate about corporate worship, fellowship or instruction in the Word of God and more than likely doesn't want to sit under any spiritual authority. The other who faithfully comes out of duty, but like the other is not passionate about corporate worship, fellowship, instruction in the Word of God either. (from Roger Clark)

The both are lacking in zeal or passion for the things of God and/or ignorant of the importance the local church plays in the life of the body of Christ. (from Roger Clark)

Finally, the building is not the church. It is those who are born of God who are the church, and as the church we live our lives for Christ on a daily basis.

Co-heirs with Christ

Romans 8:17- "Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory."

You are a child of God. You have everything you need to be everything God desires. Divine resources have been deposited in you. 

You share in the same inheritance as Christ! Your portion isn't a pittance. Your portion is Jesus portion.  

When we speak of the inheritance we have in Christ, many believers look at it as something that is future, not a present inheritance. While their is definitely a future inheritance, the inheritance is presently ours to enjoy. 

The parable of the lost son or prodigal son, most of us know well. Luke 15:11-31.  

The younger son asked for the share of his Father's estate. The Father gave it to him, and went and wasted it away on high living and self-indulgence. When he came to his senses, he came back to his father and repented. The father took him in gladly, and threw a big celebration. The older son who who had worked faithfully and obeyed the father was not very happy. 

Luke 15:28 - "“The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. ²⁹ But he answered his father, ‘Look! All these years I’ve been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. ³⁰ But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!’³¹ “‘My son,’ the father said, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours."

The key verse here is verse 31. He already had everything the Father had. He lacked nothing. All the Father's resources were at his disposal. Neither the younger or older son understood this principle. They were looking forward to their future inheritance on the father's passing away, but not enjoying the present benefits.

In other words, as believer and co-heirs of Christ, all Christ has is ours now. 

Understand your place in the family. You come to God not as a stranger but as an heir to the promise. You approach God's throne not as interloper but as a child in whom the Spirit of God dwells.... He will provide what you need to face the challenges of life. So trust God's great promises. 

I have taken some excerpts from Max Lucado "Unshakeable Hope"