Tag: Suffer

No Shame

Hebrews 12:2

Why do we suffer? Well, there are a few ways to respond to that question. Typically, many suffer from shameful decisions they made in their past. Others suffer indirectly from the choices made by someone else. We live in a fallen world, and a great number of us suffer simply for doing the right thing.

The Bible reads in 2 Timothy 3:12, the godly shall suffer persecution, so it’s inevitable that those who walk after righteousness will undoubtedly endure seasons of hardships in the earth.

While our suffering, at times, seem to drain us of all our energy and motivation, consider the suffering Jesus endured, on our behalf. When we go through hard times, we tend to duck and cover, while trying to avoid people, and keep them out of our business, but Jesus endured horrendous suffering without shame. While we cry and moan over late bills or not having enough money to buy gas, Jesus was beaten, bruised, battered, spit on, abused, tortured, and made a public spectacle. Yet, He took it without shame. Jesus endured the brutality of wicked men, so that you and I could have the penalty of our sins forever forgiven, and be reunited with the Father, as He originally intended. So, the next time you consider complaining, think on the night, when Jesus carried His cross, and took all that pain and suffering for you.

Wisdom Beyond This Point!

Proverbs 4:7

How did you arrive at your point of suffering? Were your hard times the cause of someone else’s doing, or do you spend your days in regret, contemplating on the choices you should not have made? While many today endure troublesome times, some suffer more, from the works of their own hands. Life will inevitability bring us into difficult seasons, but let’s not assist in making our days unnecessarily harder, by making the wrong choices. Let’s learn to use wisdom in all our doings, in order to avoid senseless suffering.

Just A Thought

Psalm 9

Why do some people work so hard, to tear down the good reputation of others? If those who plot evil against others would redirect all their efforts toward making themselves better, the world would be a more decent place to live. Wicked people fail to realize, their actions only work against themselves. With every trap set to hinder someone, the wicked will always ensnare themselves in the end.

“Once To Die…”

Hebrews 9:24-28

Every person you know, including yourself, will someday suffer a physical death. While the thought of dying in this earth oftentimes cause some to faint, we can rest assured that Christ made it possible for us to not have to endure spiritual death. Our hope and confidence rest in the fact that Jesus not only took care of our past, but our present and future are eternally secure as well. While we strive to live holy in an unholy world, we can trust in the Spirit of God to help us overcome all manner of evil and temptation. While it is appointed unto all men to die, our physical death will be the beginning of our spiritual eternity.

Eternal Inheritance

Romans 8:14-25

An heir is someone who is legally entitled to the property, or title of another, upon that person’s death. An heir also inherits and continues the legacy of one who preceded him or her. Typically, gaining an inheritance requires no work, and the beneficiary receives all claims after the death of the predecessor. As children of God, believers are heirs to the Father, and joint-heirs with Christ. The Greek word ‘heirs’, klēronomeō, means a receiver of an inheritance, or beneficiary. If we are children of God, then we are receivers of His inheritance as well. In the same way the child of a wealthy parent does nothing to receive what’s left for them except live to accept it, the inheritance we possess in Christ, is not based on works either. Although the children of God must endure suffering, as Christ did (to some capacity), their groans and toils will soon be rewarded with the adoption, and redemption of their bodies. All who are in Christ Jesus will someday be changed from mortality, to immortality, then all God’s people will spend eternity enjoying the wonderful inheritance of God their Father.

From Suffering To Praise

Acts 4:13-22

The power of God working through the apostles in the New Testament, was typically accepted by the crowds of onlookers, yet shunned by men who were of distinct sects including Pharisees, scribes, and Sadducees. These men were religious leaders, who held fast to the traditions of men, more than obeying the words of the Lord. Unlike the other heretical groups, the Sadducees did not believe in the physical resurrection of Jesus from the dead, and were vocal (in our text) in acknowledging their distaste with Peter’s teaching through Jesus, and the resurrection from the dead.

In the previous chapter, Peter had healed a crippled beggar who was lame from birth, which caught the attention of many who witnessed the man walking, leaping, and praising God, all the way to the temple. There are many today, who receive a great blessing from God, then turn around and continue in their sin, but the man who was healed, took a straight path to church, after receiving his miracle! Many who heard the words of Peter (while teaching in the temple) totaled nearly 5,000! Wowzer!

After those pesky rulers arrived to the temple, they inquired by what power Peter healed the man. Peter’s response was led by the Holy Ghost, and threatened the religious leaders, who were more concerned with their reputations and positions, than the mighty works of the Lord. Rather than accepting the fact that an obvious miracle had taken place in a man who was lame over 40 years, coupled with the fact this event was also witnessed by many who knew the man, the Sadducees and rulers tried hard to find something to accuse the apostles for. The evidence of a miracle was irrefutable and overwhelming, yet the religious leaders refused to submit to Christ, and continued their efforts to suppress the truth.

How much more evidence does God need to reveal to you, before you surrender your life to Him? The obvious miracle is, we’re still alive, and in decent health, but God has much more in store for those who submit themselves to His will. Don’t be like the Sadducees and religious rulers, who witnessed God’s great work with their own eyes, yet rejected His way. Instead, yield yourselves to the Father, and allow Him to perform great works through you, as you live according to His purpose in the earth.

The Only Wise God

Isaiah 57:14-21

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isa 55:8-9 KJV). The more I try to understand the intricacies and details of God the Father, the more my head hurts. I often quote Dr. Kent Hovind when he says,”if my little three pound brain could understand the Creator of all things, then He would not be worth worshiping”. Simply reading descriptions of the nature of the Creator and His dwelling place, makes me so excited to soon inhabit eternity with Him! The Lord our God is many wonderful things, including eternal, omnipotent, omniscient, in all places at all times, humble, just, righteous, consistent in love and judgment, and more! God inhabits eternity, and dwells in the high and holy place (with Christ), and His plan is to revive the spirit of those who walk in humility, and restore the hearts of those who’s were broken.

With the state in which the world is today, many, including Christians, have given up hope that God truly cares for those who suffer. But, know this; God never gives up on those He loves, those who walk in His ways, and keep His commandments. Even when we fall short, while trying to walk in the Spirit, God will pardon our iniquities, and restore us to a right place in Him. God sees our suffering and is fully aware that we need Him, but only in His perfect timing, will He step in to deliver His people.

We may not understand all that’s going on today, but focus your attention on being consistent in obeying God, because He made us, and He knows all about what we’re experiencing. In due time, the one whose name is Holy, will show Himself mighty in the lives of His children.