Today is the anniversary of the day that Jesus experienced the ultimate betrayal; "abuse, neglect and surrounded by those who claim to be faithful" by the very people he was dying for. They tried him as a criminal against God, his own Heavenly Father; they tortured him, pierced him in the side as he hang slowly dying. Yet, he continued to love even those who persecuted him when he said "And Jesus said, Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do. And, parting out his garments, they cast lots." (Luke 23:34) His Father is the one Christ turned to. He prevailed in his faith in his Father in Heaven. And now Christ is our King and mediator with God....what a reward. When his faith was tested he kept his focus on his purpose. Which was to buy humans out of sin, to restore everlasting life and peace as God originally intended. Pain and suffering is not of God's design. If we blame God for the evil that the devil and men do, then we push him out of our lives. We can only draw close to his protection by taking in knowledge by reading the Bible regularly, study and mindful meditation on what God is telling us.
The best testimony anyone can give is how we know God and share his truths. That only comes from personal time spent in prayer and reading the scriptures. I find that when I go to God before opening the Bible, I get more out of it. Like a deeper understanding that reaches my heart in a way that glossing over common scriptures doesn't do. I feel stronger when I walk away with a sense of just discovering something for the first time or differently. That "something" could just be a change in myself. But that's what it feels like when God is helping us. We need to pray for his Holy Spirit to direct our understanding and help with, whatever, we need help.
Sometimes we feel guilt when we are victims that can hold us back from approaching God. He doesn't want that to stand between us. He already sent his ONLY begotten son, because HE, Jehovah/YHWH has ALREADY FORGIVEN US. That includes anyone who has hurt us. He just wants us all to get on the same page as Him and Christ, so that we can survive his judgment when they put an end to all wickedness. If we don't follow the "House Rules" we can't stay. If we apply his principles and have hope in Christs sacrifice, our lives change for the better, happier. And it's even better when more of us are on that same page with them. Then we are all stronger. Love binds us, but we must first be loving YHWH/Jehovah and his ways as Christ set the example for us too. Especially, the example of how he let everything go on his God/Father when he was at his weakest. Jesus learned and knew the scriptures and went to those words in all things. That's what God wants you to do LostSoul. Don't look to others to model your own personal relationship with God, they are in their own personal battle against the devil's influence and attitudes. You'll feel God's feelings, when you look to Christ as your model.
This is my testimony, that God is at work and he wants us speak guiding words. Pick up your Bible and Pray. Don't stop until you feel like you know HIS heart. Then you will feel bound to something much bigger than you ever new. It's not a warm, fuzzy feeling. It's more powerful and absolute, unwavering than that. Don't let pain be the barrier between you and Jesus. He knows the pain we experience. He is the perfect representative to God on our behalf. He is our perfect King who is building a kingdom that will rule over people who are seeking true knowledge about that kingdom. He needs something from us. There are two sides, a kingdom ruled by Christ that is being established as we speak, and the one you're on now. His is the only one making things "right".
