The past 4 weeks I have given my thoughts and reasons on "Why Christians Suffer". This past week one of my daily devotionals had an article by Arthur Christopher Bacon, which to me seemed to sum up everything I have been trying to say. The verse that is given is Matthew 6:32, "Your heavenly Father knoweth." (This was written over 100 years ago, so some of the words used may not be considered 'politically correct' today, but was written in love.)
"A visitor at a school for the deaf and dumb was writing questions on the blackboard for the children. By and by he wrote this sentence: "Why has God made me to hear and speak, and made you deaf and dumb?"
The awful sentence fell upon the little ones like a fierce blow in the face They sat palsied before that dreadful "Why?" And then a little girl arose.
Her lip was trembling. Her eyes were swimming with tears. Straight to the board she walked, and, picking up the crayon, wrote with firm hand these precious words: "Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in thy sight" (Matthew 11:26). What a reply! It reaches up and lays hold of an eternal truth upon which the maturest believer as well as the youngest child of God may alike securely rest--the truth that God is your Father.
Do you mean that? Do you really and fully believe that? When you do, then your dove of faith will no longer wander in weary unrest, but will settle down forever in its eternal resting place of peace. "Your Father!"
I can still believe that a day comes for all of us, however far off it may be, when we shall understand; when these tragedies that now blacken and darken the very air of heaven for us, will sink into their places in a scheme so august, so magnificent, so joyful, that we shall laugh for wonder and delight."
1. Article by Arthur Christopher Bacon
2. From the heart of CC
Monday, September 14, 2009
Monday, September 7, 2009
Why Do Christians Suffer? (Part IV)
These past 4 weeks I have given my reasons for "Why Christians Suffer". The first reason, and one that we cannot get away from, is that we live in this world of sin. The Bible says that it rains on the just as well as the unjust, so we can just expect suffering as we live this life on earth.
The second reason is that all sin has its consequences. This is the suffering that one might say we bring upon ourselves. The sad part of it is, whatever suffering comes as a consequence of our sin, it often causes suffering to others as well, and can be far reaching.
A third reason would be that some suffering is allowed by God to Glorify Him. Though we may not understand it, we know that He knows all things, and His Grace is Sufficient.
Reason #4 that answers the question of "Why Christians Suffer" is that it is used for discipline. Nearly 2000 years ago a Chinese sage wrote "when heaven is about to confer a great office on a man (or woman) it always first exercises his mind and soul with suffering and his body with hunger, and exposes him to extreme poverty and boggles all his undertakings. By these means it stimulates his mind, hardens his nature and enables him to acts otherwise not possible to him." These things of themselves cannot do anything but cause confusion, but with God's Hand in it, iron comes into the soul, and one sees all things working together, bringing wisdom and understanding.
Jeremiah 29:11 states "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you saith the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you an expected end." Our heavenly Father often allows suffering as a form of discipline to bring the expected end.
An example of discipline would be an Olympic athlete. The precision and skill that goes into a sport, whether it be ice skating, gymnastics, skiing, or some other fete, is not something that one picked up just by chance. It has taken years of discipline, self-denial, aching bodies, and even broken bones, to learn to perform a fete otherwise impossible.
In Hebrews 12:7 it states: "You must submit to and endure for discipline; God is dealing with you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not train and correct and discipline?" So, do not despair when suffering or trials come your way. Whatever it is for, you know it cannot reach you unless it has first gone through our Master's hand, because we are held in the palm of his hand.
My prayer:
O Lord, You have not promised a way free of stones and thorns, but I know You will go with me all the way. You have not promised me riches, but You have said You will provide all my needs. You have promised strength for each day, Your comfort to go with me; and You will carry me on Eagle's wings. You are my God and my King. You are my Lord God Jehovah; in thee will I trust!
Amen
1. Mencius, the Chinese sage
2. The Holy Bible
3. From the heart of CC
The second reason is that all sin has its consequences. This is the suffering that one might say we bring upon ourselves. The sad part of it is, whatever suffering comes as a consequence of our sin, it often causes suffering to others as well, and can be far reaching.
A third reason would be that some suffering is allowed by God to Glorify Him. Though we may not understand it, we know that He knows all things, and His Grace is Sufficient.
Reason #4 that answers the question of "Why Christians Suffer" is that it is used for discipline. Nearly 2000 years ago a Chinese sage wrote "when heaven is about to confer a great office on a man (or woman) it always first exercises his mind and soul with suffering and his body with hunger, and exposes him to extreme poverty and boggles all his undertakings. By these means it stimulates his mind, hardens his nature and enables him to acts otherwise not possible to him." These things of themselves cannot do anything but cause confusion, but with God's Hand in it, iron comes into the soul, and one sees all things working together, bringing wisdom and understanding.
Jeremiah 29:11 states "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you saith the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you an expected end." Our heavenly Father often allows suffering as a form of discipline to bring the expected end.
An example of discipline would be an Olympic athlete. The precision and skill that goes into a sport, whether it be ice skating, gymnastics, skiing, or some other fete, is not something that one picked up just by chance. It has taken years of discipline, self-denial, aching bodies, and even broken bones, to learn to perform a fete otherwise impossible.
In Hebrews 12:7 it states: "You must submit to and endure for discipline; God is dealing with you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not train and correct and discipline?" So, do not despair when suffering or trials come your way. Whatever it is for, you know it cannot reach you unless it has first gone through our Master's hand, because we are held in the palm of his hand.
My prayer:
O Lord, You have not promised a way free of stones and thorns, but I know You will go with me all the way. You have not promised me riches, but You have said You will provide all my needs. You have promised strength for each day, Your comfort to go with me; and You will carry me on Eagle's wings. You are my God and my King. You are my Lord God Jehovah; in thee will I trust!
Amen
1. Mencius, the Chinese sage
2. The Holy Bible
3. From the heart of CC
Monday, August 31, 2009
Why Do Christians Suffer? (Part III)
We have been considering reasons why Christians suffer. Often one hears that as a Christian, we should be exempt from suffering. Doesn't God really care?
Why me? The last two weeks we have had as reason for suffering simply because we live in this world of sin. A second reason is that all sin has its consequences, and just because one is a Christian, does not mean the consequences of sin committed do not have to be paid. As a Christian who is suffering, we have something an unbeliever does not have. We have our Lord, staying with us, going through whatever we go through, and giving us strength and comfort.
Reason #3 for why a Christian suffers is that God has allowed the suffering to glorify Him. In John 11:4 we read of an example of this. Jesus was told that His good friend Lazarus was sick. Everyone thought Jesus would immediately go to him, but He tarried and He told his disciples it was to honor God, to promote His glory, that the Son of God may be glorified. He waited another couple of days, and when He went to Bethany, Lazarus had been dead 4 days. Again in verse 40 He said to Mary, "Did I not say to you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?" And then, after thanking the Father for hearing Him, He called Lazarus forth from the grave.
In II Corinthians 11:9 we have the story of Paul with what he called 'a thorn' in the flesh. Whether this was a physical, mental or spiritual 'thorn' we are not told. We only know that Paul prayed, even begged the Lord to have it removed. The Lord's answer to Paul was that His Grace was sufficient. Down through the centuries, this reply to Paul has helped many Christians accept their suffering as unto the Lord, and lean on Him, finding His Grace sufficient. I have a dear friend who is wheelchair bound from M.S. She also suffers from other maladies, and is in constant pain. Yet she is always cheerful. When asked how she is, she says "I am blessed". Whenever she is in a doctors office, or rushed to emergency for some reason, whatever is going on, she is praising the Lord and witnessing for Him. I think that when she gets to heaven she will be greeted by a crowd of folks who would not have been there except for her praising the Lord in word and song and smile as she does even through her suffering.
Another example from the Bible is found in John 9, with the healing of the blind man. Jesus disciples asked who had sinned, the man or his parents. Jesus reply was: "Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents, but that the works of God should be made manifest in him."
In II Corinthians 1 we read that God is our God of all comfort. Verse 4 states "...who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God." Here we see that God teaches us how to comfort others, by allowing us to suffer afflictions whereby we experience His great comfort.
In Psalm 34:19 we are told that we are delivered 'out' of our afflictions, not 'from' them, and our Lord is with us all the way, to give strength, peace and comfort. We may wish we could fly away from all, but then we would miss the special blessings He gives us, the peace that passes all understanding. So dear Christian, instead of our asking "why me, Lord?", instead we should say "Lord, why NOT me?"
Next week will be the fourth reason, which I believe is that of discipline. What loving parent does not discipline their children in order to give them maturity and iron in their soul? Discipline is necessary to help us grow.
1. From God's Holy Word
2. From the heart of CC
Why me? The last two weeks we have had as reason for suffering simply because we live in this world of sin. A second reason is that all sin has its consequences, and just because one is a Christian, does not mean the consequences of sin committed do not have to be paid. As a Christian who is suffering, we have something an unbeliever does not have. We have our Lord, staying with us, going through whatever we go through, and giving us strength and comfort.
Reason #3 for why a Christian suffers is that God has allowed the suffering to glorify Him. In John 11:4 we read of an example of this. Jesus was told that His good friend Lazarus was sick. Everyone thought Jesus would immediately go to him, but He tarried and He told his disciples it was to honor God, to promote His glory, that the Son of God may be glorified. He waited another couple of days, and when He went to Bethany, Lazarus had been dead 4 days. Again in verse 40 He said to Mary, "Did I not say to you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?" And then, after thanking the Father for hearing Him, He called Lazarus forth from the grave.
In II Corinthians 11:9 we have the story of Paul with what he called 'a thorn' in the flesh. Whether this was a physical, mental or spiritual 'thorn' we are not told. We only know that Paul prayed, even begged the Lord to have it removed. The Lord's answer to Paul was that His Grace was sufficient. Down through the centuries, this reply to Paul has helped many Christians accept their suffering as unto the Lord, and lean on Him, finding His Grace sufficient. I have a dear friend who is wheelchair bound from M.S. She also suffers from other maladies, and is in constant pain. Yet she is always cheerful. When asked how she is, she says "I am blessed". Whenever she is in a doctors office, or rushed to emergency for some reason, whatever is going on, she is praising the Lord and witnessing for Him. I think that when she gets to heaven she will be greeted by a crowd of folks who would not have been there except for her praising the Lord in word and song and smile as she does even through her suffering.
Another example from the Bible is found in John 9, with the healing of the blind man. Jesus disciples asked who had sinned, the man or his parents. Jesus reply was: "Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents, but that the works of God should be made manifest in him."
In II Corinthians 1 we read that God is our God of all comfort. Verse 4 states "...who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God." Here we see that God teaches us how to comfort others, by allowing us to suffer afflictions whereby we experience His great comfort.
In Psalm 34:19 we are told that we are delivered 'out' of our afflictions, not 'from' them, and our Lord is with us all the way, to give strength, peace and comfort. We may wish we could fly away from all, but then we would miss the special blessings He gives us, the peace that passes all understanding. So dear Christian, instead of our asking "why me, Lord?", instead we should say "Lord, why NOT me?"
Next week will be the fourth reason, which I believe is that of discipline. What loving parent does not discipline their children in order to give them maturity and iron in their soul? Discipline is necessary to help us grow.
1. From God's Holy Word
2. From the heart of CC
Monday, August 24, 2009
Why Do Christians Suffer?(Part II)
The question is often asked, "Why do Christians have to suffer?" "As a Christian, shouldn't we be exempt? " "Doesn't God care?"
Last week I gave a reason for Christians suffering because we live in this world of sin. As long as we are alive in this world, marred by sin, we will experience what comes to all mankind. The Bible states that it rains on the just and on the unjust (Matthew 5:45). But the difference for a Christian is that we have the Lord, and He is always with us.
Reason # 2 for a Christian suffering, is that all sin has its consequences, whether one is a believer or an unbeliever. These consequences seldom only effect that one person who may have sinned. If one is a spiritual leader who wanders from the things of God, these consequences may be far-reaching, and cause suffering to many people. Just because one may become more mature in years, or has walked with the Lord many years, does not make that one immune to the old sin nature.
Let me use an example from II Samuel 12, when Nathan the prophet confronted David of his sin with Bathsheba, and against Uriah. David repented, yet he had to live with the consequences for the rest of his life. His baby died, misery was brought to many people, and his own children turned against each other so that his household had no peace.
In II Samuel 24, David again sinned when he ordered a census to be taken without God's leading, his greatest sin being pride. He again repented and was forgiven, but he had to pay the consequences, and as a result 70,000 souls died. Just think of all the many families who suffered, because of one man's sin. No man is 'an island', and what may seem a small hidden sin, can have far-reaching consequences, bringing suffering to oneself and others.
Even if our suffering is due to the consequences of sin committed, we still have a merciful, forgiving God. Whatever suffering follows as a consequence to sin, our Lord stays right beside us; He never leaves us. He suffers right along with us.
Sin often has to pay an awful price. The Old Testament is full of examples of man having to pay the consequences of sin. But in the New Testament we are shown God's Grace. Jesus paid the price, and through His Grace He forgives and stays with us through the consequences. He never leaves us. Oh What a God!
Next week we will discuss a third reason for a Christian to suffer. This one is that I believe God allows suffering when it will glorify Him.
1. Scripture from The Holy Bible
2. From the heart of CC
Last week I gave a reason for Christians suffering because we live in this world of sin. As long as we are alive in this world, marred by sin, we will experience what comes to all mankind. The Bible states that it rains on the just and on the unjust (Matthew 5:45). But the difference for a Christian is that we have the Lord, and He is always with us.
Reason # 2 for a Christian suffering, is that all sin has its consequences, whether one is a believer or an unbeliever. These consequences seldom only effect that one person who may have sinned. If one is a spiritual leader who wanders from the things of God, these consequences may be far-reaching, and cause suffering to many people. Just because one may become more mature in years, or has walked with the Lord many years, does not make that one immune to the old sin nature.
Let me use an example from II Samuel 12, when Nathan the prophet confronted David of his sin with Bathsheba, and against Uriah. David repented, yet he had to live with the consequences for the rest of his life. His baby died, misery was brought to many people, and his own children turned against each other so that his household had no peace.
In II Samuel 24, David again sinned when he ordered a census to be taken without God's leading, his greatest sin being pride. He again repented and was forgiven, but he had to pay the consequences, and as a result 70,000 souls died. Just think of all the many families who suffered, because of one man's sin. No man is 'an island', and what may seem a small hidden sin, can have far-reaching consequences, bringing suffering to oneself and others.
Even if our suffering is due to the consequences of sin committed, we still have a merciful, forgiving God. Whatever suffering follows as a consequence to sin, our Lord stays right beside us; He never leaves us. He suffers right along with us.
Sin often has to pay an awful price. The Old Testament is full of examples of man having to pay the consequences of sin. But in the New Testament we are shown God's Grace. Jesus paid the price, and through His Grace He forgives and stays with us through the consequences. He never leaves us. Oh What a God!
Next week we will discuss a third reason for a Christian to suffer. This one is that I believe God allows suffering when it will glorify Him.
1. Scripture from The Holy Bible
2. From the heart of CC
Monday, August 17, 2009
Why Do Christians Suffer?(Part I)
For the next 4 weeks I plan to cover this question: Why do Christians Suffer?
If we are God's children, why aren't we excmpt? Or you may have heard: It sure doesn't seem like God cares, what has He done for me? Why am I sick? Why is my child sick? I have come up with four reasons why I feel Christians suffer and will discuss one a week. If you have comments or have other reasons, I would appreciate hearing from You.
Reason # One: Christians suffer just because we live in this world which became imperfect when man sinned. Not only did man have to pay the consequences for that sin, but all of creation did too, from the smallest, tiniest organism, to the largest mountain. So much of our suffering comes just because we live in this world of 'sin'.
Oh yes, God could cause those Cancer causing molecules to change back to normal, He could reach down and give life to a dying saint; He is still a miracle working God. But He does not always intervene with the natural course of nature. Some of His children may be caught in a hurricane, or be lost in a blizzard, or have a terrible accident. These are catastrophes that come because we live in this world that is no longer perfect. But instead of always stepping in and saving us from disasters and illnesses, He has promised to go with us through it all.
Matthew 5:45 states: "...He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous." The difference is that we are not alone when we go through a storm, or when the shadows fall. He promises that even when we come to the 'valley of the shadow of death' He is with me.
We gain our strength from the one who went all the way to Calvary for me and for you, and He had to die alone so we would not have to.
So yes, Jesus cares. He cared enough to give His life for us. The days may be dark and long on this earth, but we have a future, this world is only temporary for a Christian, and our blessed Hope is in the Lord.
Remember, you are NOT left alone. You will have the help you need for any circumstance. "My God will supply every need of yours..." (Phillipians 4:19)
Next week: All sin has consequences.
1. God's Holy Word
2. From the heart of CC
If we are God's children, why aren't we excmpt? Or you may have heard: It sure doesn't seem like God cares, what has He done for me? Why am I sick? Why is my child sick? I have come up with four reasons why I feel Christians suffer and will discuss one a week. If you have comments or have other reasons, I would appreciate hearing from You.
Reason # One: Christians suffer just because we live in this world which became imperfect when man sinned. Not only did man have to pay the consequences for that sin, but all of creation did too, from the smallest, tiniest organism, to the largest mountain. So much of our suffering comes just because we live in this world of 'sin'.
Oh yes, God could cause those Cancer causing molecules to change back to normal, He could reach down and give life to a dying saint; He is still a miracle working God. But He does not always intervene with the natural course of nature. Some of His children may be caught in a hurricane, or be lost in a blizzard, or have a terrible accident. These are catastrophes that come because we live in this world that is no longer perfect. But instead of always stepping in and saving us from disasters and illnesses, He has promised to go with us through it all.
Matthew 5:45 states: "...He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous." The difference is that we are not alone when we go through a storm, or when the shadows fall. He promises that even when we come to the 'valley of the shadow of death' He is with me.
We gain our strength from the one who went all the way to Calvary for me and for you, and He had to die alone so we would not have to.
So yes, Jesus cares. He cared enough to give His life for us. The days may be dark and long on this earth, but we have a future, this world is only temporary for a Christian, and our blessed Hope is in the Lord.
Remember, you are NOT left alone. You will have the help you need for any circumstance. "My God will supply every need of yours..." (Phillipians 4:19)
Next week: All sin has consequences.
1. God's Holy Word
2. From the heart of CC
Monday, August 10, 2009
Praise to the Holy Spirit
In John 14:16 we read: "And I will pray the Father and he shall give you another comforter." Just who is this comforter? This comforter is none other than the Holy Spirit. Anne Graham Lotz refers to Him as "another Jesus". In a sense this is a good description as He is the 'Spirit of Christ'. His job is to show us Jesus, to manifest Jesus, and to help us have the 'Mind of Christ'. The Nicene creed pays tribute to the Holy Spirit as being Himself God and equal to the Father and to the Son:
I believe in the Holy Spirit
The Lord and giver of life,
Which proceedeth from the Father and the Son,
Who with the Father and Son together
Is worshipped and glorified.
My Prayer of Praise:
Spirit of the Living God, Sweet Heavenly Dove, Spirit of Truth, Spirit of Glory, fall fresh on me today. Teach me, melt me, mold me, and give me the 'mind of Christ'. Thank You for giving me a new life. Take over my whole being, fill me with Your love and comfort. Fill every nook and cranny of my heart, fill every cell of my body. Spirit of Prayer, teach me to pray. Thank You for presenting my prayers before the Father according to His will. Thank You for giving me the Spirit of Adoption, so that I may say "Abba, Father".
Amen
Monday, August 3, 2009
Praise to the Son
In Colossians 1:15 we find out who Jesus is: "He is the visible likeness of the unseen God (the visible representation of the invisible." When Jesus was on earth in human form, He did not hesitate to use a plural form when speaking of Himself along with the Father and the Spirit, yet He states that He and the Father are One (John 10:30). Mark 1:10,11 gives us a picture of the plural Godhead. "And when He (Jesus) came up out of the water, at once he (John) saw the heavens torn open and the (Holy) Spirit like a dove coming down (to enter) into Him. And there came a voice out from within heaven, You are My Beloved Son; in You I am well pleased."
John 1:14 states "The Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of Grace and Truth."
When the Nicene Creed was written it was to give a Statement of Faith honoring Christ's Deity and His claim to equality with God:
John 1:14 states "The Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of Grace and Truth."
When the Nicene Creed was written it was to give a Statement of Faith honoring Christ's Deity and His claim to equality with God:
I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ,
The only begotten Son of God,
Begotten of Him before all ages,
God of God, Light of Light,
Very God of Very God,
Begotten, not made,
Being of one Substance with the Father,
By whom all things were made.
My Prayer:
Jesus, Lord, Raboni, Begotten of the Father, Our Bright and Morning Star, Immanuel--God with us! You are the Lamb that was slain! You are the King of Kings! I bow before you, Lord; I am not worthy to touch the hem of Your garments--yet You have made me clean, You have covered me with Your righteousness. Without You I am nothing; without You I cannot do anything. Without You how lost I would be! I worship You and I adore You! "Jesus", what a beautiful Name! Amen
1. The Knowledge of the Holy by Tozer
2. The Holy Bible (Amplified Version)
3. The heart of CC
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