Suffering

April 18th – Matthew 26:36-46

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Matthew 26:36-46

Located at the foot of the Mount of Olives, the Garden of Gethsemane, (which literally means “oil press”) consisted of a small grove of olive trees. A fitting place since it was there that Jesus was spiritually pressed. It’s often said that our true nature is revealed during times of pressing. And how we face trials and suffering shows the depth of our relationship with God. At any time Jesus could have walked away. He could have returned to His glorious throne in heaven and never once suffered for our sins. But instead He choose God’s will over His own, and obedience regardless of the consequences. And when God didn’t remove His cup of suffering, Jesus let nothing stand between Him and that cup.

There will be times when we will find ourselves face down in our own Garden of Gethsemane. When God permits suffering and we are pressed spiritually to the point of agony. It’s then when we need to follow the example of our Lord. First, in fervent prayer we are to cry out to our Abba, Father. Emptying before Him our hearts filled with fear and sorrow. And when His answer is for us to endure, we are to humbly submit before God saying, “Not my will, but Yours be done.” Drinking the cup of suffering is never easy. But we need to trust that God’s plans are always best, and used for both our benefit and His glory. Most of all remembering that His grace is everything we need to carry us through. (2 Cor. 12:9)

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February 9th – 1 Peter 4:14

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1 Peter 4:14

It’s hard to consider suffering a blessing. But for the Christian, suffering is God’s “refining fire”. A fire that burns away the impurities of our flesh nature, producing in us a new nature. One reflective of the purity of Christ. Those who suffer on behalf of Christ do so because they have a unique perspective.  They are focused on the eternal instead of the temporal, they value God’s opinion more than the opinion of mere man. And they know that if God allows suffering, it is to serve the higher purpose of His will. God promises that such suffering has eternal merit and reward.

If we are submissive to His will, God will give us the strength and resources to endure whatever circumstances He allows into our lives. He wants us to trust even when we don’t understand and challenges push us to our utter limits. To depend completely on Him and trust that He has a higher purpose. Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.  (2 Corinthians 4:16-18)

Blessings….Becky

February 9th – 1 Peter 4:14 Read More »

December 31st – Romans 8:18

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Romans 8:18

Today is the last day of the year. And as we reflect on the happenings of 2021, many are more than ready to say goodbye. Yet the same things we are so eager to be rid of, will undoubtedly follow us into 2022. But we needn’t fear. For the Savior we celebrate at Christmas is the same One who will safely carry us into the new year ahead. There’s no way to sugarcoat it. We all, Christians included, will have rough times. But whatever circumstances the new year holds, we know the Lord has a purpose in them. And His glory will shine through each one. I love how Dr. Charles Stanley says, “God’s blessings are worth the sacrifice and obedience. And we cling in hope to the Lord with eager expectation for the rewards that accompany our faith.” So as we venture into the unknown of the new year, we can have confidence knowing we won’t be venturing alone. Happy New Year!

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November 6th – 1 Peter 4:16

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1 Peter 4:16

Some scholars say that back in Peter’s time, being called a Christian was used as an insult by unbelievers. But we know there is nothing more wonderful than being known as a follower of Christ. And what an honor it is to suffer for Jesus’ sake. For one day, His glory will be revealed to all. And every knee will bow, every mouth confess Him as Lord. So any pain we experience as a Christian, we will do so thankfully, boldly, and without shame. Because nowhere do we resemble Christ more than when we endure hardship for His name and glory. In a world that tries to remove God from everything, Christian’s will face mockery, abuse, and even death. But oh the rewards we will receive when we stand before the Lord as overcomers. For just as we share in Christ’s suffering, we will share in His glory!

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October 12th – Hebrews 2:10

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Hebrews 2:10 

Some wonder how a loving God could send His only Son to die an excruciatingly painful death. Why would He allow Jesus to suffer on behalf of a world of undeserving sinners? Because of His amazing, unmerited love towards us, God was willing to pay any price to call us His. In His deity, sitting at the right hand of the Father, Jesus was already perfect. Yet God sent Him to suffer on this earth to make Christ even better. But how could suffering make our perfect Savior better? Because it was through the pain and suffering Jesus endured, that He got a perfect picture of who we are. How frail, limited, desperate, and hopeless humanity is. He felt the same pain, agony, despair, and loneliness we, God’s children feel. And because of that, He perfectly knows how to help bring us to God, and transform us into His likeness. And through His sacrificial death, Jesus fulfilled God’s plan of reconciling His children back to Himself.

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Hear My cry O God – Psalm 61

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Psalm 61

What a week it has been for our country.  I’m sure that like me, your heats have been heavy over the tragedies that have unfolded. We look around at the world today so filled with hate violence, and suffering, and our hearts cry out to God for deliverance. In Psalm 61 David too cries out, “Hear my cry O God.” Even though he was a great king, David knew that he desperately needed God. …

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August 31st – Hebrews 11:25

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Hebrews 11:25

Would you willingly leave a life of comfort and ease for one one of suffering and certain death? Silly question right? Yet that’s exactly what Moses did and he’s in great company. Because our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, did the same. Living a privileged life in Pharaoh’s house, Moses had it all. Yet he walked away to serve God and His people, fulling knowing the suffering he would endure. Moses purposely choose the everlasting joy of serving God than the fleeting pleasure of a life of sin. Not to say that it was easy. Moses faced persecution, suffering, and death, time and time again. But he knew the heavenly reward waiting for him would surpass anything this life can offer. Jesus did the same. King and Creator of all, the Lord left His throne of majesty to come to earth to die a criminal’s death to offer us life. Both of them chose God over the riches of the world, and so should we.

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August 30th – 2 Corinthians 1:7

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2 Corinthians 1:7

Some in the Corinthian church were questioning Paul’s qualifications as an apostle. After all shouldn’t a representative of God appear majestic and royal himself? And what was with all of the suffering Paul endured. A true “apostle” should have an easy life right? Such misconceptions about Christianity are common. But we know that suffering comes to everyone’s life, Christians included. Yet, as hard as they are, God always has a purpose for our pain and struggles. In Paul’s case, the suffering he experienced led to the gospel being heard by thousands. And in the hands of God, our struggles will be used for our good as well. For as Dr. Charles Stanley says, “We often learn more in our valley experiences than on our mountaintops.” And in the meantime we can trust and rejoice. For the same comfort God gave to Paul, He will generously give to us.

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August 29th – Acts 5:41

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Acts 5:41

When the Council of Pharisees and the chief priests had Peter and the apostles beaten for spreading the message of Jesus, you’d think they would have stopped preaching. But instead, bloodied and bruised, they rejoiced for being worthy of suffering for the Lord. As Christians we risk persecution and even physical safety for sharing the gospel. Yet like Peter, instead of defeating us, it should empower us to stand firm in faith. For God tells us to consider it a great blessing to suffer and identify with our Savior. Because the Enemy saves his greatest attacks for the strongest of Christians. Those who are actively working for God in expanding His kingdom. The last thing he wants is for us to share the Good News of Jesus and rip souls out of his hands. But that’s what we are called to do, and we need to have courage and determination to serve God above all else. So rejoice when you have the honor of suffering for Jesus, the One who suffered to save you!

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August 26th – John 16:22

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John 16:22

His disciples were grief stricken when Jesus told them about His approaching death. Yet in the very same breath, the Lord also gave them hope through His resurrection, that they would be seeing Him again. Sadly, living in a fallen world means pain and suffering are are a given. But through Jesus, we can have an everlasting joy no sorrow can take away. For the Lord promises to those who believe in Him, pain and suffering are temporary, as compared to the blessings offered by a life in Christ. Jesus uses the example of a woman giving birth. Her labor pain is intense, unbearable, and agonizing. But once that beautiful baby is placed in her loving arms, the pain becomes a distant memory. And in its place is a heart filled with overwhelming love, joy, and thankfulness. In this world pain and persecution will come. But when we are in Christ, and He in us, our grief will be turned to joy. A lasting joy that no one or nothing will ever be able to take away!

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