How could the Martyr Saints Endure?

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ebdesroches

Well-known member
Aug 20, 2022
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#1
Paul:
2 Cor 11:25

Three times i was beaten with rods, once I was pelted with stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and day in open sea.

How could Saints endure so much? How can we endure much, including the simple temptations life?

I can see that it was God’s presence in them. The sweet powerful love of the Father. The pain they experienced was intense, but the indwelling of God loving them was greater.

The way of how exactly how God works in my life and yours is far beyond me. So my guess a guideline might be the following:

James 4:8

Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, you double minded.

My experience agrees with this scripture.

I had a certain besetting sin that i finally wanted to get free of no matter how hard it would be. Not right away but after several weeks during temptation I came realized that He was close by and I loved Him far more than that sin. I looked forward to the temptation for His company. The temptations became less frequent but His company brought me through it.

A month or so later while listening to worship songs and worshipping Him, He said “I love you and you love me. “ After that a lot has changed. As much as possible i never want to lose the pleasure of conscious connection to Him.

My experience is that what James 4:8 said happened to me. I am not special, He loves you and wants all of you, jealously to guard you as His, and will gather you to Himself with great love. If you have sinned ask for forgiveness from Him, with the intention of never sinning again. Then, call out, worship, love Abba, Father!
 

Magenta

Senior Member
Jul 3, 2015
61,137
30,281
113
#2

James 4~ God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will exalt you.:)
 

JaumeJ

Senior Member
Jul 2, 2011
21,465
6,722
113
#4

James 4~ God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will exalt you.:)
Oh to be truly humble at all times. I hate that ego. All love and blessings from Jesus Yeshua I pray, so be it.
 

ebdesroches

Well-known member
Aug 20, 2022
976
495
63
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#5
When i feel the closeness of God He melts me to nothing.

Instead of even being like a small child, i feel like i am nothing and He is everything.

The work is His doing, nothing to do with me of my own accord trying to feel humble
 

JaumeJ

Senior Member
Jul 2, 2011
21,465
6,722
113
#6
When i feel the closeness of God He melts me to nothing.

Instead of even being like a small child, i feel like i am nothing and He is everything.

The work is His doing, nothing to do with me of my own accord trying to feel humble
May your screen name be said as ed des roches? My text aloud is in English so it comes out spoken very weirdly.
 

Lynx

Folksy yet erudite
Aug 13, 2014
27,704
9,636
113
#7
Scheme difference.

When you think this world is all we get, it hurts a lot when people take your stuff and beat you up. Your stuff is a measure of your success in life, and crippling you cripples your ability to earn more stuff and increase your measure of success.

When you know there's more to life than this world, it doesn't matter so much. We know we're going to lose it all anyway when we die, and even if we could take it there would be nothing to do with it in Heaven anyway. We even get new bodies there. Anything someone can do to us down here doesn't really seem quite as important anymore.
 

ebdesroches

Well-known member
Aug 20, 2022
976
495
63
76
#8
Scheme difference.

When you think this world is all we get, it hurts a lot when people take your stuff and beat you up. Your stuff is a measure of your success in life, and crippling you cripples your ability to earn more stuff and increase your measure of success.

When you know there's more to life than this world, it doesn't matter so much. We know we're going to lose it all anyway when we die, and even if we could take it there would be nothing to do with it in Heaven anyway. We even get new bodies there. Anything someone can do to us down here doesn't really seem quite as important anymore.
On this earth it is possible to enjoy the gracious presence of God. God is not far away since as He says He dwells in us. Very Gentle, He does not force Himself on us. When we make overtures to Him He will more than satisfy us with a touch of what Heaven is like.
 

ebdesroches

Well-known member
Aug 20, 2022
976
495
63
76
#11
Merci bien, tu es bien aimable! Sois toujour beni au nom de Jesus.... *It has been five decades since I have used ay French so please excuse my errors.
I actually only know a few French words even with a French name. Thanks
 

JaumeJ

Senior Member
Jul 2, 2011
21,465
6,722
113
#12
I actually only know a few French words even with a French name. Thanks
Please forgive my assumption. I thought you chose that for your screen name in CC. Ed of the rocks or perhaps stones. It brought to maind how Jesus Yeshua said He could make children of Abraham out of the stones.
 

ebdesroches

Well-known member
Aug 20, 2022
976
495
63
76
#13
Please forgive my assumption. I thought you chose that for your screen name in CC. Ed of the rocks or perhaps stones. It brought to maind how Jesus Yeshua said He could make children of Abraham out of the stones.
I hope He keeps my faith in Him as stone!
 

Magenta

Senior Member
Jul 3, 2015
61,137
30,281
113
#19
Amazing transformation
I am still tinkering with it, though it is essentially done - I minimally modified a few things things, the eyes especially.

It was a new background that propelled the beginning stages of this one :D


James 4 background

James 4:8-10
I already have over 12,000 individual items to choose from when designing,
but am still collecting new items off and on, and added more fonts as well :)
 

ebdesroches

Well-known member
Aug 20, 2022
976
495
63
76
#20
I am still tinkering with it, though it is essentially done - I minimally modified a few things things, the eyes especially.

It was a new background that propelled the beginning stages of this one :D


James 4 background

James 4:8-10
I already have over 12,000 individual items to choose from when designing,
but am still collecting new items off and on, and added more fonts as well :)
Women’s faces are very wonderful. You usually put women’s faces on you scriptural verses. Is there a reason behind that?