Purple

One of my favorite colors is purple. Purple is probably my #1 favorite color. I was curious what purple means in the Bible. I started in the New Testament and found these verses: Mark 15:17 They put a purple robe on him, then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on him. Mark 15:20 And when they had mocked him, they took off the purple robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him out to crucify him. John 19:2 The soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on his head. They clothed him in a purple robe John 19:5 When Jesus came out wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe, Pilate said to them, "Here is the man!" Book of Revelations mentioned purple about 3 times. According to Christian tradition and biblical history, purple (and blue) were derived from a small shellfish found in the Mediterranean, and were very costly, and therefore they were the royal colors.

Biblical Sufferings

I studied this a long time ago and this came from my older journal. Understanding the Bible's perspective on sufferings really helps alot. The Lord has placed us in an environment with a certain supply of the gifts of His grace, and we didn't earn any of them. Everything we have, and everything we are able to obtain, comes as a result of the Grace of God; we have deserved nothing. Christians suffer for many reasons,sometimes through no fault of their own. A Christian will experience a normal amount of suffering as part of human existence. But if a believer stays in fellowship with God and grows in Christ consistently. The following is a list of reasons why believers in fellowship suffer undeservedly in order to bring blessing to themselves or others. 1. Suffering for the glory of God: Book of Job; Isa. 48:9-11 2. Suffering to comfort others: 2 Cor. 1:3-6 3. Suffering to demonstrate the power of God, the provisions of grace: 2 Cor. 12:8-10 4. Suffering from spiritual growing pains; the testing that strengthens faith: Deut. 8:1-10;James 1:1-6; 1 Pet. 1:7,8; Rom. 5:3 Faster growth means more frequent testing; there is a refining process: Job. 23:10; Isa. 1:18-27; 1 Pet. 1:7 5. Suffering to keep down pride: 2 Cor. 12:6,7; Matt. 26:31-75 (the scattering of the disciples) 6. Suffering to illustrate doctrine (for advanced believers): Book of Hosea 7. Suffering by association occurs when we have some relationship with someone who is suffering: Rom. 14:7; 1 Cor. 12:26; 1 Chron. 21 8. Suffering to show the fruit of the Spirit and the results of edification: 2 Cor. 4:6-11 9. Suffering to learn the value of doctrine: Psalm 119:65-72 10. Suffering as a witness to Christ: 2 Tim. 2:8-12; John 15:18-21; Acts 5:40-42; 1 Cor. 4:9-16 11. Suffering as a result of exercising a spiritual gift; illustrated by the life of the Apostle Paul 12. Suffering from involvement in spiritual battles, the angelic conflict: Eph. 3:8-13 PROMISES TO BELIEVERS WHO SUFFER Psalm 34:19,20; Isa.43:2; 2 Cor. 4:17 and 12:9; 1 Peter 5:10 God allows us to go through these difficult things because He wants us to be more like Him, and He is with us each step of the way. I Peter 2:20-21 - If you are beaten for doing wrong, there is no reason to praise you for being patient in your punishment. But if you suffer for doing good, and you are patient, then God is pleased. This is what you were called to do, because Christ suffered for you and gave you an example to follow. So you should do as He did. I Peter 3:14 - But even if you suffer for doing right, you are blessed. "Don't be afraid of what they fear; do not dread those things." I Peter 5:10 - And after you suffer for a short time, God, who gives all grace, will make everything right. He will make you strong and support you and keep you from falling. He called you to share in His glory in Christ, a glory that will continue forever. Our God is good. Our pain allows us to identify with our Lord, who suffered for our sin in our place, being without fault and undeserving of the suffering. So, why should we expect better? It draws us closer to and more intimate with Him. God will actually enter into the pain with us. So if there is no healing, He is just working harder in us! God will use our suffering for the greater good that is His purpose. Consider it fertilizer to the garden of life. Giving our burden to God through prayer, as Paul did, will allow us to grow in greater depth spiritually. Remember that God is working even when we do not feel it. The chief purpose of God's Will for us is to grow us closer to Him! It is not about money, or power, or our bodies, or work, or anything else! The focus on Christ and His character will perfect our character to be more Christ like and be in His will. Suffering is not being a martyr; rather, it is valuable for our living as we learn to surrender everything to Him. Never force suffering on yourself for attention, as this does not glorify God, only yourself! When we are filled with joy, even in the mist of suffering, we mirror to the world the character of Christ. The main theme of suffering is not how we answer the ways and whys, but how we live our lives so to still give God the glory! How do we allow Him to use us, and then share our experiences for the benefit of others. We need to take to heart that when life is at its darkest, God is there. He understands, and loves and carries us though it. We need to accept the fact that God is in control, even if we do not understand. It is by faith we can endure it. We can place such faith in Him because of the assurance we have through His Word, even when we do not understand. Our true home and purpose is not here; it is still to come. We are not made for this world, we are just here to learn all we can, and with what Christ has given to us, make the best and most of the situations in which we find ourselves. Then, one day, we will be called to our true home in eternity, in Heaven. So, let us cling to the hope we have, not the things we experience!

Circumstances and Blessings

Throughout my life, I have observed people who are looking for pity due to their personal circumstances. I don't want anyone's pity. I do want to find common ground to help those who really need help. Special ministry for them by spiritually educating them that God can use them. My life is full of sorrow however I am careful not to let my self-centered (which is considered sinful) desire for pity be part of my life. I have learned that God wants me to take joy over my circumstances (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18). As a human being, I understand that sorrow is a healthy and natural emotion which God have created. "God's goal is not to make sure you're happy. . . Life is not about your being comfortable and happy and successful and pain free. It is about becoming the man or woman God has called you to be. . . Life is not about you! It's about God." Chuck Swindoll In my practice of faith, I ask myself: "How does God want me to respond to this situation?" Faith always pleases God, because it comes to grips with our own reality. Christian who have faith understand the reality of their lives. Faith in God allows us to go as far as we can while trusting in God's grace to overcome the difficulties we face. God is asking us to stay strong in faith, keep at it, to carry on, to stick with it, as we trust in HIS possibilities. I have learned that God can only use believers who have limitations,which are weaknesses (i.e. physical and etc) that the believer inherited or has no power to change, such as a physical disability or an emotional disability or an intellectual disability. My life as a Christian takes work and requires the commitment of my heart, mind and body. I have seen people who overcame their situations into positive and actually glorify God. That's what God wants me to do. I am deaf, I have multiple sclerosis, I have diabetes and other circumstances in my life. As a Christian, I am happy that God have taught me with those circumstances. The Beatitudes of Jesus Christ are one of the wonderful examples that God is able to provide us. Matthew 5:3-5 (NLT) "God blesses those who realize their need for him, for the kingdom of Heaven is given to them. God blesses those who mourn, for they will be comforted. God blesses those who are gentle and lowly, for the whole earth will belong to them." God also said, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness." (2 Cor. 12:9). God does answer our prayers, but not always in the way that we would have liked. In Philippians, "I know what it is to have little, and I know what it is to have plenty. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being well-fed and of going hungry, of having plenty and of being in need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me." (Philippians 4:12-13) Read Joni's DEVOTIONAL by clicking on "Circumstances and Blessings"