Welcome!
Today: The glory of suffering!
Passage: Eph 3, Prov 31
13I ask you, therefore, not to be discouraged because of my sufferings for you, which are your glory. (Eph 3, NIV 84)
In the U.S, we celebrate the Memorial day, remembering those who laid down their lives for their fellow citizens
The sufferings and sacrifices of those men and women saved the lives of others
Apostle Paul mentions about his sufferings that became a glory for others
Rev. Jonathan Ramsey was preaching at a convention the other day, about sufferings of the child of God. When you go through various trails and sufferings, it is not only the sufferer who is blessed, but also others
The one who suffers will come out clean and promoted; sufferings change our vision and view for good. We become less self-centered. Finally, our sufferings and endurance become an encouragement for many others
Paul chose suffering. He was told in the early days of his conversion that he will have to suffer for the sake of Christ, yet he will proclaim the name of Jesus to Kings and other noble men and women. For Paul, it was like a pleasure to suffer for Christ; he rejoiced in his sufferings for Christ!
Today, we have many issues in our lives as well as in Churches, caused by our own mistakes; that is not what is meant by suffering for Christ. The majority of problems in the Church community today, are because people focus on their own benefits and then they compare themselves with others; not with Christ.
For Paul, his only comparison was with Christ. The more he suffered for Christ, the more he became like Christ.
3 Not only so, but we[c] also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. (Rom 5, NIV 84)
Sufferings of a Christian are the wounds from the stones and the thorns in his/ her race towards the love of their life, Jesus Christ. When Jesus finally sees those wounds, He will only be pleased to shower His love and mercy upon such
He suffered and died for us. It is worth suffering for Him
When people misunderstand and mistreat, God understands us
When we do the right thing, God takes care of us. He takes it on Himself, on our behalf. We just keep going and not stopping or quitting
God bless you
BG
Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you for your sufferings and your death and resurrection for me, without which I would not have been saved. Help me to suffer for you with joy and gladness, whenever I get an opportunity. Amen
Proverbs 31 (NIV 84)
2 “O my son, O son of my womb, O son of my vows,[b]
3 do not spend your strength on women, your vigor on those who ruin king
30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
31 Give her the reward she has earned, and let her works bring her praise at the city gates.