suffering

If it is true that we are "sanctified (made holy; purified) by the truth. His word is truth,(John 17:17)" then I suppose we ought to make sure that truth gets DEEP into our souls. So, here is a little truth today on SUFFERING.

SUFFERING- to undergo or sustain something painful, injurious, or unpleasant. To feel pain or distress, or endure evil, injury, loss, harm, or death.

"In bringing many sons to glory, it was fitting that God, FOR WHOM AND THROUGH WHOM EVERYTHING EXISTS, should make the author of their salvation PERFECT THROUGH SUFFERING (read that phrase again). Both the one who makes men holy, and those who are made holy are of the same family." Hebrews 2:10-11

"During the days of Jesus' life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with LOUD CRIES and TEARS to the ONE who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his REVERENT SUBMISSION. Although he was a son, he LEARNED OBEDIENCE FROM WHAT HE SUFFERED......" Hebrews 5:7 & 8

"Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, ARM ( prepare oneself for warfare) YOURSELVES (no one else can do it for you) also with the same ATTITUDE, because he who has SUFFERED in his body is done with sin. As a result, he does not live the rest of his earthly (indicating there is another life coming) life for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God." 1 Peter 4:1 & 2

"I consider that our present SUFFERINGS are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us."
Romans 8:18

My friends, according to Scripture here is what is true:

1. You exist for God. You exist through God

2. If Jesus was made perfect through suffering, guess who else will be made perfect through suffering?
3. There is one who is making you holy (that is, if you've given him permission and asked him to)
4. YOU ARE BEING MADE PERFECT! HE IS VERY INVOLVED IN YOUR LIFE.
5. Jesus knew way more suffering than you or I will ever know. How did he handle it? He cried out to the ONE (there is only ONE) who can save us from death.
6. Jesus "reverently submitted" ( yielded to God's will and plan without complaining,trusting completely that His All-powerful, All- loving Father knew what was best)
7.We learn obedience through what we suffer
8. We have to make a conscience choice each day to engage in a battle of the mind,having the attitude that if my Master suffered - I will accept suffering as a part of this life as well. If we call ourselves, "Christians" which means "Christ followers" we must know how he lived and we must seek to live as he lived.
9. If we learn to deal with suffering in our body we will be done with sin (any wrong doing. Anything that doesn't bring life, beauty, peace, joy....)
10. We have a choice. We can live to please Him (do His will) or please ourselves (do our own will).In the end, which one do you think will reap greater reward?
11.The glory that will be revealed in us in the end is going to be sooooo great all our suffering will be worth it!

So, may I encourage you this day to MEDITATE ( reflect on;ponder) on God's words all day long, cry out to God with loud cries and tears, engage in the battle arming yourself with the attitude of Jesus, embrace suffering as part of life this side of heaven, and "set your hope FULLY on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed."
1 Peter 1:13.

Blessings from Bombadil! May your soul be watered and may you go water another's soul for the sake of His Name!