Wednesday, August 7, 2013

It's a God Thing





    Why do we have to suffer through things in our life?  Is it just to get thru it or is there a purpose?  Suffering is a 'God thing' that is allowed to produce in us perseverance, character, and hope.  James 5;10-11  'Brothers and sisters, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. As you know, we count as blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.'
    'The fire turns spiritual wimps into spiritual warriors.'  Don't you find that to be true?  We draw nearer to God when our need of Him is more acutely in front of us.  Our own suffering is not just about us either.  It can turn up the desire to pray in other people around you.  It can give them an opportunity to serve in a helpful, giving way.  It can give endless ways to show Christ-like love.
    'I'm thanking God today that life doesn't have to be a meaningless parade of days that replay the same old questions and the same old emptiness. On the day we step into the relationship we were made for, we step into the "more" God put us here for, and the search is over.'  When we say 'Lord, use me for your glory', we don't just to choose how it will be done.  Our choice lies in our response and the ripple effect goes beyond what our eyes can see.
    Ecclesiastes 2;11  'Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind; nothing was gained under the sun.'  This verse clearly points out how what we consider as important means nothing without it being centered around God's will and purpose.
    May what seems painful or uncomfortable for you at the moment be seen as glory in the end.

6 comments:

  1. This blog reminds me that we may be the only Bible many people read, and reading me most days is not good. I will try to do better.
    Thanks Angie, Love you--Dad

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  2. I can honestly say that some of my most glorious times with the Lord were those times when my heart had to cry out to Him while in some form of distress or suffering. The trials of life are not meant to be carried alone; we have a Great Shepherd of the Sheep who suffered in every way as we did, yet without sin or complaint. Hebrews tells us to "Consider Him who endured from sinners such hostility against Himself, so that you may not become weary or faint in your mind." Praise God for His help in time of need!

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  3. God didn't promise us an easy life....He promised us help to live it! Thank you, Jesus. James 1:2 says, "WHEN" you encounter various trials, not "IF". It is a given that we will suffer, but it is a wonderful promise that we will not suffer alone. Gloria is so right....when we find that Jesus is all we have, we find that He is all we need. Love you, sweet friend...T.

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  4. Praise the Lord! Thank you angie for this encouragement. So true. I want to remember this daily love you!
    susan f.

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  5. One day it will all make sense
    debbie d.

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  6. I printed this up and carried it with me on the trip. So glad I did.

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