God's Mighty Men I went to Spearfish SD this weekend to visit with my youngest son and we attended his church. Pastor Steve preached on ‘Suffering for God” and utilized the passage that we all enjoy. You know the one about being glad in your suffering – It is one of those hard passages that is difficult to live up to. I do know that when you are going through those hard times it helps to be positive through the experience and it helps those who surround us.
Here are the verses: 1 Peter 4:12-19 >
Suffering for Being a Christian
Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name. For it is time for judgment to begin with God’s household; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God? And, “If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?” So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.
Pastor Steve shared a couple of other verses that helped..
- Acts 14:22 > strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. “We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,” they said.
- Philippians 1:29 > If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know!
Pastor Steve did finish with an uplifting line: “Through are suffering this will put us exactly where I am supposed to be. God I working through me…..”
I do not know what you are going through at this time – it may be:
- A death in the family.
- A family member or friend who is really sick.
- Someone who has betrayed you.
- Financial difficulty.
- Someone close who is having problems with drug, alcohol or some other type of addiction.
**The list goes on. **Some of these are current to me.
I would tell you to listen to the words from Peter above and remember God has a purpose and will get you through it. Peter is speaking from experience… I do have to remember to be Positive when I am going through the molding process and know that when it is accomplished I will be much stronger.
Bobbyg
