Life Matters - God helps with life's troubles

In Sunday morning Bible study we've been talking about suffering...and how even those of us who are Christians sometimes suffer.

Do we suffer like Paul suffered? Do we suffer like Job suffered? I would say "no", but sometimes we do have things in our lives that sure make us feel like the world is crashing down on us. I get that feeling everytime I have a plumbing problem at my house... : )

If there is good to come of suffering, it would be that it helps us grow spiritually. Suffering keeps us dependent on God.

Endurance...I'm sure you've all seen some of our Olympic swimmers in their races. It's amazing to me how much training and endurance these athletes have!! I have a hard time doing the back-float let alone swimming the way they do. We, as Christians, need to have the spiritual endurance to meet the challenges that life and the world throws at us every day. Is it easy? Can we do it alone? No.

We must rely on God to help us. He promises us that much in Romans 8. "no temptation or trial can separate us from God." Our goal is to be like Christ. Hebrews 12 says, "looking unto Jesus, ...who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." If Jesus can endure the cross, we can endure life's trials and sufferings.

Philippians 4:13 - I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

http://www.godtube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=3a44ada9659d13ab2f1a

Enough said...

At Sunday Night Evening Service, Bro Lee talked about a passage from Matthew 10. Jesus is talking to his disciples about going out and spreading the Good News. But He also warned of persecution. I'm not going to try and elaborate on some of the things that Bro Lee talked about. I'm going to just give you the Word and ask you to think, ponder, and pray about it this week.

Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves, but beware of men, for they will deliver you up to councils and scourge you in their synagogues. You will be brought before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles. But when they deliver you up, do not worry about how or what you should speak. For it will be given to you what you should speak; for it is not you who speak, but he Spirit of your Father who speaks in you.

Now brother will deliver up brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death. And you will be hated by all for My name's sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved. When they persecute you in this city, flee to another. For assuredly, I say to you, you will not have gone throught the cities of Israel before the Son of Man comes....Therefore do not fear them. For there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, and hidden that will not be known. ~Matthew 10:16-26