"SEVEN REASONS WHY WE SUFFER"
#1. TO PROVE REALITY OF FAITH
1 Pet 1:6-7
"Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: These have come so that your faith of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed."
When it talks of heaviness through manifold temptations, what does that mean to us as Christians?
#2. TO STRENGTHEN FAITH
Luke 22:31-32
"Simon , Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers."
James 1:2-4
"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."
Did you notice where we are to strengthen our brothers, could it be why we had the test?
#3. TO DISCIPLINE AND EDUCATE US
Hebrews 12:5-7
"And you have forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as sons: "My son, do not make light of the Lord's discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son." Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father?"
Remember the discipline of our youth, do you now see how much love was given looking back?
#4. TO HUMBLE US
Deuteronomy 8:2-3
"Remember how the LORD your God led you all the way in the desert these forty years, to humble you and to test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands. He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your fathers had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD."
Do you think the Lord humbles us to teach us to trust Him for our every need?
Do you have any sin hidden in your heart?
Is it a struggle to keep His commands?
#5. TO PURIFY US
Daniel 12:10
"Many will be purified, made spotless and refined, but the wicked will continue to be wicked. None of the wicked will understand, but those who are wise will understand."
Can you remember a time when the Lord was pruning and purifying you?
#6. TO QUALIFY US TO HELP OTHERS
2 Corinthians 1:3-6
"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows. If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer."
Romans 15:1-2
"We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. Each of us should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up."
Romans 15:5-7
"May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God."
We have gone through struggles with sin and the Lord helped us through it do you see how you can be a comfort to someone else by your sharing how the Lord helped you?
When we see how the Lord gives to us endurance and encouragement can you share that with someone? Notice where the request in Romans was to be given a spirit of unity. The Lord wants and desires that we accept one another.
Do you fully understand that Jesus Christ accepts you completely as you are?
#7. TO PROVE SUFFICIENCY OF GOD'S GRACE
2 Corinthians 12:9
"But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me."
Is this talking about the weakness of sin? Or the power of the LORD over sin?
1 Peter 4:12-13
"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, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed."
Help us lord to always seek You and give praise to You in all our circumstances. That our lives will be a blessing unto You, and we will be found worthy to share in Your sacrifice... Praise You Jesus!
BE BLESSED....
by Linda-Marie Ward
SONG
"WHITE AS SNOW"
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