. . . as well as blessings in our lives. Believers suffer for different reasons. Our bodies change as we grow older, causing normal problems of life.Sometimes we're foolish, disobedient, and rebellious to the Lord. He may see fit to chasten us in His love, as He did King David
God may use suffering for building godly character. Paul, a man of rich Chrisian character, permitted God to mold and make him in the painful experiences of his life. He had letters to write, trips to take, sermons to preach, churches to visit, and dangers to face as he ministered.
He prayed three times that his affliction might be removed from him. God never promised freedom from sickness or suffering, but He does heal. God gave him a message that stayed with him.
2 Corinthians 12:9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee; for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities , that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
God's grace is sufficient to keep us and strengthen us in our times of suffering.
. . . He is for us, in us, on us, with us, and coming to take us to live forever with Him.
FOR US: Jesus took our place on the cross. I Peter 2:24 Who his own self bore our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.
IN US: As a child of God, Christ leads us, intercedes for us, and makes us overcomers. Romans 8:16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit that we are the children of God;
ON US: The light of Jesus should be on us, shinning to the world.Romans 13:14 But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfill the lusts thereof.
WITH US: We have assurance that we will never walk alone.Hebrews 13:5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee nor forsake thee.
Christ has our back, and He's coming to take us to heaven.
The morning after His triumphant entry into Jerusalem, Jesus is hungry as he and his disciples walk from Bethany where they spent the night. Seeing a fig tree a ways off, as they approach they find leaves but no fruit (figs) on the tree.
Mark 11:14 And Jesus answered and said unto it, No man eat fruit of thee hereafter forever. And His disciples heard it.
If Jesus had power to kill the tree, why didn't He use that power to make it produce fruit? Because He wanted to teach us two important lessons: Failure and Faith.
In the Old Testament the fig tree is associated with the nation of Israel. They had failed to be fruitful for God. Like the fig tree Jesus cursed, Israel had "nothing but leaves". They dispersed, never to be a nation again intil 1948. However, God will save a remnant of them.
The next morning when the disciples noticed the dead tree, Jesus said, "Have faith in God", meaning, constantly trust in God.
Mark 11:24 Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.
When life throws things at us, do we fall apart or do we have faith in God? The Bible also says that we also must be in the will of God, and abide in Him to expect answers.
Are we producing leaves or fruit?
. . . as we live and work together. When we try to walk with the world and with the Lord at the same time, we break this spiritual fellowship and create discord and division.
2 Corinthians 6:14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? And what communion hath light with darkness?
When a saved person marries an unsaved partner, it sets up an impossible situation and the same thing applies to business partnerships and religious fellowships.
God commanded His people to "Come out" -- "Be ye separate". Separation is not just a negative act of departure, its also a positive act of dedication to God.
In our desire for doctrinal and personal purity, we must not become so self-centered that we ignore the needy world around us. Our Lord was holy, harmless, undefiled, and separate from sinners, and yet He was a friend of publicans and sinners.
We must practice contact without contamination. Otherwise, we will isolate ourselves from the people who need our ministry the most.
