Hello siblings, excerpt: "Why is it many people don’t understand that being called to become a disciple of Jesus Christ involves suffering; that rather, they believe it is supposed to be a comfortable life filled with material blessings?" I can't forget a conversation that I had with a "pastor" once. He and his wife invited me to dinner at a restaurant. They knew about stuff I have been through, at the restaurant, I got a headache. I put my hand on my head and the guy asked me what's wrong, I said I had a headache. He suddenly snapped and said in a harsh voice something like this (don't remember exact words) "what kind of horrible sins are you committing in your life that God has to keep punishing you?"" I looked up and said: I haven't done anything. ( I know we are all sinners but I was so shocked that I just looked at him and gave that answer) and he said: oh, so you don't want to admit that you are a sinner. His wife was so uncomfortable but she did not stand up for me. Many Christians are happy with everything God has "blessed" them with and might wonder about other Christians who are not doing as well. well the truth is that most of the time if you are suffering then you are right with God or that he has chosen you for a purpose and it will always involve suffering. Jack Van Impe said if you are suffering then usually it's a sign of godliness. so for those of you who are suffering, hang in there, and don't let other Christians blessings cause you to wonder what is going on. Remember how temporary life is and all the rewards you will have in heaven. there was an article on RR months ago with the title: where are your blessings coming from? I did not have to read it, I think I knew what the writer was going to say. https://www.raptureready.com/2019/07/19/called-suffer-gary-ritter/ thank you for posting this. suffering serves many good purposes in the lives of Christians who allow God to use it (for His purposes in their lives and others') i am slowly learning this and needed this today...it is helping with some things i've heard and prayed for discernment about recently as well as confirmation that recent prayers my husband and i have prayed were/are truly in line with His will and thank Him for helping us finally see this and be willing to fully submit to His ways even when we don't like them or Satan tries to keep us from fully trusting God's ways by enticing our minds with fear I will say a prayer for you and your husband. Are you new to Ritan? Yep, its a given ... why? Because those who serve the Lord are on the front lines of the battlefield so the attacks from the enemy will happen to try to discourage us and to get us to quit. But we are not going to, right? Keep living for Jesus and serving Him whether its preaching the Word, teaching, witnessing and praying for others. Let your Light shine in this dark and evil world. The race is almost over with ... keep pressing on ... II Timothy 3:12 Thank you Geri. The race is almost over! I love that. I think you are right. Great word! This includes the whole council of God. Many teachings out there deny our need to carry our cross. He suffered, we sometimes also suffer. He died, we are called to die to self. Some are called to martyrdom. Not a popular teaching but a scripturally valid one! Sadly many run to teachings, teachers, prophets and apostles rather than seeking Christ's will. He often said not my will, but God's will be done. Few of us ever cross over that spiritual portal. For if we didn't experience suffering and challenge where would our rewards come from?! He promises help through the storm, not from the storms of life. Sadly, many think themselves wise and mature. But most are still in need of milk, rather than meat! Memorizing scriptures is great, understanding doctrinal truths is helpful. But rightly dividing the Word of God is greater yet still! And the greatest endeavor that any believer can ascend to is knowing the heart of Christ and being able to accept His will in our lives! Sadly legalism still lives and thrives. Many are still bound by the law. Even messianic Jews still embrace Jewish traditions for traditions sake, few ever enter into the knowledge of God's grace! IMHO But even in God's grace, His will still remains sovereign. For in denying this, many Christians stunt their growth and understanding of God! Let us with a crown of wisdom better glorify God, rather than ourselves! TR We are diamonds in the rough, God’s chooses to chisel out those rough edges to make us shine more brilliantly for His Glory. We are in trials, not always because of sin, but to mold us more into His image. I was watching Huckabee last night, he had a short clip of an incredible believer.. I would encourage you to watch it. The man born without limbs, motivational speaker for God https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=8jhcxOhIMAQ Remember the verse that Jesus stated in John 9:2-3 “And his disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind? Jesus answered, “It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him.“ So I join the others and refute the ignorance of those who do not understand God in His refining of His children and it is not because they are in sin, so sorry you had to be subject to such ignorance. Prayed for you! Healing and remember a pain free, glorious body will be ours so very soon! :yahoo: :prayer-hands: sorry forgot “fair use” Thank you Tammie for your post and beautiful words. I love that man. He is sweet. What an inspiration. Thank you.
Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.
