Can suffering feel good?

There is suffering in this fallen world.  It is a given. Not only does mankind contribute to suffering, BUT where man's suffering might be put to an end, power and money seem to rule. We can't ask why God allows such suffering. But, as followers of Jesus, we can ask God how we need to respond.

God is always looking for ways to discipline us, to mold and shape us into Christlike children. He can use suffering as opportunity for us to learn from Him and to lean on Him. We can trust Him with the same confidence we have for the parent who properly disciplines their child. We should accept God’s discipline as a vital part of His love.  Think of what happens when a child is not disciplined, or better yet, imagine my dogs who take me on a walk instead of me leading them. I am to blame for my lack of training them.

Hebrews 12:4-11

Believe me, it’s no fun to be the one responsible for disciplining.  Witnessing a child suffer is painful. It's so unpleasant that we become "helicopter" or "bulldozer" parents protecting children from hardship to the point that our kids become fragile.

written by Nancy Gleeson

We need to see God's discipline as resulting in a harvest of righteousness and peace. When we are suffering, we must stop turning to false idols that can't bring us comfort and restoration. Knowing God's plan is to transform us through suffering, submit to Him, and endure suffering as His loving discipline.

Why, God? Why?

 

READ: Ezekiel 20:8-13, 30-36

As a young man, I had great difficulty reconciling the God who sacrificed his only son for the sins of the world with the God who judged his chosen people through exile, slavery, rape, and execution. I much preferred the former and oft asked of the latter, “Why, God? Why?”

Why did you hand the people you created over to such cruelty and suffering? Would you do the same to me or to the people I love?

I thought he would, and perhaps justifiably so. 1 Peter 3:12 says, “The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.” 

I have done evil by breaking God’s commandments, as have my loved ones, as had God’s chosen people. In fact, Romans 3:12 says, “All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one.”

Do we then deserve to be spared from the evil of others if we ourselves do not do good?

Perhaps, then, we should question not the God who judges, but the God who shows mercy.

Did God not drown the world in the time of Noah? Burn to ashes the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah? Has he not reserved the present heavens and earth for destruction by fire? (2 Peter 2:4-6, 3:10-11)

Why, then, should Jesus come into the world that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life? (John 3:16)

Because we’re sorry? Because we repented? Because we’re going to try harder and do better?

No. The Lord says, “But for the sake of my name …” (Ezekiel 20:9)

The name (or reputation) of God. That’s why the Israelites were delivered from slavery in Egypt, that’s why they were returned from exile in Babylon, and that’s why Christ died for the sins of the world. Because God’s name is synonymous with love, mercy, and grace.

In Ephesians 2:4-5, Paul puts it like this: “Because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.”

Christ-Centered Suffering

READ: Colossians 1:24-29

Everyone suffers. We fail ourselves and suffer internally. Then come the attacks of the world. We work hard, but our bosses don’t appreciate us. Friends and family return our affection with negligence, betrayal, and animosity. Even God torments us with disease or the premature deaths of people we dearly love.

Yet, bound up by all this suffering, we’re expected to proclaim Christ to the world by embodying the fruits of his Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). How is this even possible?

If we are focused on ourselves, it’s not, but if we, like the apostle Paul, are focused on Christ it’s actually quite easy.

Paul writes his letter to the Colossians from a prison cell where he is awaiting execution. For him, this is a natural consequence of the purpose God gave him: to proclaim the Gospel. His life’s suffering is probably far greater than what you and I have endured, yet he rejoices because he’s focused not on himself, but on Christ, whose mission is being fulfilled in him.

I can be incredibly self-centered at times, which causes me to wallow in sufferings when they come and lose sight of the purpose God gave me, namely to proclaim his love and grace to the world through my words and actions. I pray that soon the words Paul spoke in Acts 20:24 will echo in my heart as well: “I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.”

Success! It's Not What You Think It Is

I Peter 5:5-11

Our society tells us that 'the early bird gets the worm.' And success is only achieved through our own efforts. You've certainly heard the expression "the harder he worked, the luckier he became." We nod sagely and say, yes, it's all about hard work. No one cares more about your success than you do.' 

And yet....and yet. Scripture offers a radically different view. In today's passage, Paul tells us to 'clothe yourselves with humility toward one another.' He also instructs us to 'humble yourselves under God's mighty hand.' And did I mention that scripture talks about suffering? A lot? (Be sure to read v. 10....and just google 'suffering in the Bible' and you will get pages and pages of verses to examine).

So what does an American Christian, steeped in the "pull yourselves up by your bootstraps" ethos, do? We open our Bibles, we ask God to show us how to live. And we 'cast all our anxiety on Him, because he cares for us.' (v. 7). We don't cast some of our anxiety on Him. We cast it all. And when we want to reel it back in to handle it ourselves, we confess our sin, and we give it back to him. Again. And again. And again....

Lord, I want to live for you. Help me to draw closer to you, and to cast all my cares on you. Amen.

The Suffering Servant

READ: Isaiah 53:3-6

Isaiah 53 paints the sad picture of one who took upon himself rejection, suffering, and the punishment that brought peace. The temptation is to look upon Calvary; say, “Thanks, Jesus;” and then settle into a quiet life of comfort and complacency. 

Jesus instructs us otherwise. “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.” (Matthew 16:24)

And be rejected?

“Blessed are you when people hate you, when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil, because of the Son of Man. Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven.” (Luke 6:22-23)

And suffer?

For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him but also to suffer for him. (Philippians 1:29)

And take upon ourselves the punishments that bring peace?

If he has done you any wrong or owes you anything, charge it to me. I, Paul, am writing this with my own hand. I will pay it back. (Philemon 18-19)

Really, Paul?

I speak the truth in Christ -- I am not lying, my conscience confirms it through the Holy Spirit … For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my people … (Romans 9:1,3)

More than a scapegoat, Christ is a prototype. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. (Romans 8:29)

JOB’S EXPERIENCE

Reading: Job 42

 

Job faced tremendous trials – far greater than any we probably will encounter in our lifetime. Yet there is strong evidence that he remained true to the Lord:

·         “Then he fell to the ground in worship, saying, ‘May the name of the Lord be praised (Job 1:20-21).’”

·         “In all this, Job did not sin in what he said (Job 2:10).”

·         “Though He slay me, yet will I hope in Him (Job 13:15).”

 

And the result of Job’s great faith? “God blessed the latter part of Job’s life more than the first (Job 42:12).” That is, he experienced more of God – His presence, His blessing, His provision, His restoration – as Job came through suffering to the other side.

 

How did Job come to experience more of God and His blessings?

 

·         He recognized God’s ability to do anything (vs 2)

·         He confessed his inability to understand God and His ways (vs 3)

·         He confessed speaking of things about which he had no knowledge (vs 3)

·         He saw God, not just heard about Him from someone else (vs 5)

·         He interceded for others, and saw God answer (vs 10)

 

Let us take note and do the same, that we also may experience God more deeply.

 

Thank you, Father, for recording this part of Job’s life for us to see and be reminded that Your ways are beyond our comprehension, but, by faith, we can see You and trust that Your ways are good. Amen.

Job's Life Turns Inside Out

READ: Job 2:11-13

Ever seen the Disney movie Inside Out? If not, drop everything and go watch it. Seriously. I’ll wait. Just bookmark this page so you remember to read the devotional when you’re done.

Welcome back. Great movie, right? And now you understand that sometimes people just have to be sad. In fact, Matthew 5:4 says sadness is a blessing: Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

Not comforted by joy, but by the blessing of those willing to mourn with them. That is what Job’s friends do when they tear their robes, sprinkle dust on their heads, and sit with him in wordless silence. And that is what Paul instructs us to do: Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. (Romans 12:15)

Mourning is good. It’s purposeful. We glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. (Romans 5:3-4)

Hope, not joy. For hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? (Romans 8:24)

But what great hope we have in the Lord! 

The Lord with surely comfort Zion

and will look with compassion on all her ruins;

He will make her deserts like Eden,

her wastelands like the garden of the Lord.

Joy and gladness will be found in her, 

thanksgiving and the sound of singing. (Isaiah 51:3)

Now that hope is a comfort worth sharing!

You Are My Sunshine

Philippians 1:3-11

What is the worst thing that has ever happened to you? Was it the unexpected loss of a loved one? The loss of your job or maybe even your career? The breakup of a relationship? For me, it was our first child who was still born.

We were young and excited to become parents. In preparation, we wallpapered the nursery; refinished the high chair that I had used as a baby; my wife’s sister gave us the crib her son had used; and we got lots of gifts at a baby shower. One of the gifts was from my Mom. It was a little stuffed wind-up sun that when you wound it up it played, “You Are My Sunshine”.

That night my wife stayed in the hospital and I came home to an empty house. It wasn’t a house filled with the joy of a newborn, but a house filled with emptiness. The high chair was in the kitchen never to hold our daughter. The nursery would never hear her cry or see her sleep. She would never hear “You Are My Sunshine”.

Paul knew what it was like to experience loss. In fact, he wrote to the Philippians while in prison; so he had lost his freedom to come and go as he pleased. One of the ramifications of that is he lost relationships because he couldn’t travel freely.

 Paul also wrote about being a “slave to Christ” which means that he willingly gave up

certain rights and relationships that he might have enjoyed otherwise. For instance, he might have gotten married had he not been so driven in his commitment of following Christ. All this to say that Paul knew the pain of loss.

Most of us will never experience the pain and suffering that Paul did due to persecution. But in this world you either already have experienced loss, pain and suffering, or you will at some time. When that happens Paul’s words to the Philippian believers should encourage you.

⁶ And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.    NLT

 It is Paul’s concern, goal and prayer for the Philippian church, as well as for you and me, that God’s good work is completed in us; that we keep our focus on our Lord. Maybe the writer of Hebrews said it best.

And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, ² fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.           Hebrews 12:1b-2a NIV

Voice of the Martyrs

http://www.icommittopray.com/

Hebrews 10:32-35

Remember those earlier days after you had received the light, when you endured in a great conflict full of suffering. 33 Sometimes you were publicly exposed to insult and persecution; at other times you stood side by side with those who were so treated. 34 You suffered along with those in prison and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, because you knew that you yourselves had better and lasting possessions. 35 So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. 

Have you ever had to suffer because of your faith? Have you ever been publicly exposed to insult and persecution? Our scripture passage today from Hebrews 10 is one that I admit, I can't relate to. 

I have never lived in a place where being Christian was cause for such conflict. Sure there are tensions today toward the church, but we still live in a free country where being a Christian is accepted. Others though, are not as lucky. I thought it would be good to share a story from, Voice of the Martyrs website, The following true story was posted on September 14th.

"Police in India arrested nine adults traveling with a group of 60 children to a Vacation Bible School (VBS) program this summer. The children and their chaperones sang Christian songs and read the Bible as they traveled by train, attracting the attention of a group of Hindu extremists. As soon as the train reached its destination, the militants called the police. When the police arrived, they arrested the adults and called the children’s parents to come pick them up. The adults were charged with kidnapping and converting people to another religion by force. After more than 40 days in jail, three of the adults were released on bail. The other six, however, are still being held. Pray that the jailed Christians will be released and that this experience will strengthen the faith of the children involved."

Here is another posted on September 14th.

“Vu” placed her faith in Christ earlier this year while working in the Laotian capital of Vientiane. Several months later, she shared her faith with her parents and brother in hope that they, too, would become Christians. Instead, they cursed her. They insisted that she abandon her Christian faith immediately or they would disown her as their daughter. Vu told them that she respected them but would not leave Jesus. Her parents later sent her brother and sister to persuade her to leave Christianity, but instead her sister became a Christian. “The younger sister is a new person now,” a VOM contact said. Please pray for these two young women as they minister to their family and encounter further hardships because of their faith.

If you, like me, have never had to endure such persecution we have much to be thankful for.  Let's take some time and pray for those who do struggle daily to stand firm in Christ.  Click here to read more stories and pray for those who are being persecuted.

Read today's entire passage here. HEBREWS 10:32-29

Gladly Enduring

The Kingdom-focused Church gladly endures suffering. I don't know if I would use the word, "gladly" as it refers to enduring suffering. I know suffering is part of life and I cannot escape it, but honestly, to gladly endure, requires more than I have to give. While I would like to be that person, I am not.

Acts 8:1 (NIV)
On that day a great persecution broke out against the church at Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria.

The story of Stephen, whom we look to as the first martyr for Christianity, is beautiful to hear. His eloquent words of testimony are gripping (Stephen's Speech to the Sanhedrin), his subsequent death by stoning is awful and stunning at the same time.

I know, there are Christians in the world now, who are suffering for their beliefs, and who are willing to die for them. I'd like to say I am also willing, so I pray for faith this strong and enduring.

Acts 8:4 (NIV)
Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went.

But, as I have been learning, faith comes from the trials and hardships we encounter on this journey called life. Every time I am knocked down, it takes strength, faith, to get back up again. Each time I do, I am stronger and more able to withstand the next onslaught.

I pray that one day I will be able to say, “I will endure suffering gladly”.
Acts 8:1-6

Do You Want to Get Well?

 ⁶ When Jesus saw him lying there and learned that he had been in this condition for a long time, he asked him, “Do you want to get well?”

⁷ “Sir,” the invalid replied, “I have no one to help me into the pool when the water is stirred. While I am trying to get in, someone else goes down ahead of me.” -John 5:6-7

Do you want to get well?  That was the question Jesus asked. The answer to illness and disease was standing in front of this broken man asking if he wanted healing.  Without answering him directly, the man explains how he has tried to receive curing continuously, with no success.

Jesus immediately heals him and tells him to take up his mat and go home.   In an instant. 38 years of suffering, gone.  With a simply question, the answer comes. 

Let me ask you, “Do you want to get well?”  What suffering are you enduring?  It may or may not be a physical illness or disease.  Perhaps you suffer from depression, anxiety, loneliness, addiction, fear, anger, shame, guilt, hopelessness or anything else.  

The answer is standing in front of you waiting for you to pour out your heart to him.  Jesus still heals today.  He is still able to tell you to, “Take up your mat and go home.”

Why God?

Genesis 39:13-23

 

 

In this story, Joseph finds himself between a rock and a hard place. If he gives in to the aggressive advances of his bosses’ wife, he betrays the trust of Potiphar and sins

against God. On the other hand, if he resists Potiphar’s wife, he runs the risk of finding the truth of the saying, “Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned”.

 

From the text we read that he did indeed resist her, but with apparently disastrous consequences as Potiphar’s wife makes up a boldface lie.

Here’s how the Living Bible states it.

 

¹² …she came and grabbed him by the sleeve demanding, “Sleep with me.” He tore himself away, but as he did, his jacket slipped off and she was left holding it as he fled from the house. ¹³ When she saw that she had his jacket, and that he had fled, ^14-15 she began screaming; and when the other men around the place came running in to see what had happened, she was crying hysterically. “My husband had to bring in this Hebrew slave to insult us!” she sobbed. “He tried to rape me, but when I screamed, he ran, and forgot to take his jacket.”

 

Joseph was in a situation where he could have easily cried out, “Why God? Why did you let me be thrown into prison even though I was being faithful to you? Why did you let my brothers sell me into slavery bringing me to this god-forsaken place? Why have you turned your back on me? Why God?”

 

You may have cried out like this yourself at some time. “Why God did you let our child die? Why did I lose my job when I have a family to provide for? Why did you let my marriage fall apart? Why did our house burn to the ground? Why did my spouse contract cancer? Why do I struggle with this addiction? Why God?”

 

And yet, being thrown into prison was not the end of the story for Joseph. Although he could have responded by turning away from God or dwelling on his desperate circumstance, he didn’t. Instead he remained faithful to God, and was eventually placed in charge of the whole prison. God didn’t forget him. God didn’t leave him. God had a plan even in the midst of hopeless circumstances.

 

Therefore, the next time you find yourself in a situation where you are crying out “Why God”; remember this. God is in control and He is always at work in your life drawing

you towards Him. He is always with you. He loves you unconditionally and nothing can separate you from His love. He has a plan for your life and is faithful.

 

 

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis%2039%3A13-23&version=NIV;TLB
https://www.biblegateway.com/audio/mclean/niv/Gen.39.13-Gen.39.23


 

Psalm 22

Prayer is Crying

The amazing Bible is set apart from any other book for many reasons, one of them being fulfilled prophecy. In this psalm alone, hundreds of years before the Romans came to power, David prophesied that the Jewish Messiah would be crucified. The details he included are incredible. Check this out for yourself:

Prophecy                                                                     Fulfillment

Messiah would be forsaken (verse 1)                           Matthew 27:46

Messiah would cry out in darkness (verse 6-8)             Matthew 27:45-46

Messiah would be mocked (verse 6-8)                         Matthew 27:39-40, 43-44

Messiah would be “poured out like water”                    John 19:34

(verse 14)

Messiah would be thirsty (verse 15)                            John 19:28

Messiah would be crucified by non-Jews                     Matthew 27:27-31, 35-36

“dogs” (verse 16)

Messiah’s executioners would gamble for                    Matthew 27:35

His robe (verse 18)

Jesus cried out to the Father, just as we do. His pain was real as ours is. God allowed him to go through intense agony for a far greater cause, as he does with us. The difference is that the pain of Jesus was to save us…......wait, isn’t that the reason for ours as well? Are not the burdens and struggles we face similar to those of our savior? God waits for us to cry out to Him as Jesus did. He longs for us to seek his love and mercy through all our trials, so go ahead and cry out to Jesus! He's "been there, done that." He understands.

Read/Listen to Psalm 22

Listen to Cry Out To Jesus by Third Day

Colossians 4:2-6

PRAY!

Pray alone with your God! Pray with a congregation of other believers! Pray with a small group! Pray with one other Christ follower! Pray with and for non-believers!......and when you have finished, Pray some more!

Once again Paul reminds us of his suffering for the Lord, and how he was in chains for proclaiming the mystery of Christ. Then he says, "Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should." He doesn't ask for prayer to be freed of those chains, but that within his bondage God's message is made clear.

Our lives on this earth are filled with great suffering and bondage as well. God was up front about this with us right from the get go. He did not promise us that following His Word would bring us a wonderful life here. He clearly offered an honest view of what it would be, using words like persecution, suffering, and pain. Though there are many happy moments in our lives, the older we become the more we realize the reality of his claim. Through our trials however, the importance of maintaining a relationship with Him becomes even greater. Prayer is key. We have been directed many times in the Bible to pray, because prayer is powerful!
Please click here and listen:

Attitude Is Everything, 1 Peter 4

My dad is a Marine. Growing up I was often confused by his attitude on life. He never seemed afraid or intimidated; he didn’t know a stranger or care what other people thought of him. My response to his seemed indifference was embarrassment. Today I see things differently. I recognize my father’s actions as confidence, which he learned in the Corp.

1 Peter 4 reminds me of my father, “Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because he who has suffered in his body is done with sin.” I love the phrase, arm yourselves with the same attitude. Before my son was one, my dad sent him a Marine Corp T-shirt sporting the phrase, Attitude is everything.

As a Christian, life should not be easy, we ought to live so different from the world that we stick out. If we truly are living holy, we’ll need our attitude to keep focused. 1 Peter states, "Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ…” We should actually be surprised if we are not suffering. In the same way I didn’t understand my father, the world will not understand us.

1 Peter calls us to find hope in our suffering, “However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name.” Do you need to be accepted by God, or by the world?  If your choice is God, attitude is everything.

Read today's entire scripture on Biblegateway 1 Peter 4

Joseph's family's first visit to Egypt -- Genesis 42

Yesterday we witnessed Joseph's rise from jailbird to top dog;  from lowly servant to exalted Governor.  Today we watch Joseph experience yet another life changing event.  As Joseph is meeting with people who have come to buy grain, he spots his brothers.  They have bowed down, not recognizing Joseph, but he knows who they are.  Is this a moment he has waited for or one he has dreaded?

I imagine myself in Joseph's place.  I would be playing the old tapes in my mind; perhaps remembering the last time I saw my brothers.  I am recalling my cries to them, begging them to help me.  My heart would be heavy.  This is a normal reaction, but there is not much normal about Joseph, is there?  God has been working with and for Joseph, preparing him for this moment in time.

God does that for us too.  All the pain and suffering we have endured to this point, God will use to further His kingdom.  Scottish author and missionary, Daniel Crawford wrote: "There is never a majestic mountain without a deep valley, there is no birth without pain."

Can you relate to Joseph's dilemma?  His mind is racing with questions. He is wondering if they have changed as he has.  He may be questioning their motives; are they here to spy or are they truly hungry?  Where is my younger brother, Benjamin; have they eliminated him too?  Don't you find these Bible stories just keep pulling you in?  Aren't they just as relevant today as yesterday? 

To read all the text for today go to Biblegate and Genesis 42.  To return to this posting hit the back arrow.

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