September 9th, 2022
by Jon Cochran
by Jon Cochran
Good morning with a word for the day-
l Peter 4:19 says "therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God."
We in America can not understand this statement as many do overseas where some are put to death because of their faith in Christ Jesus. To suffer is the way of a Christian.Yes, I said suffer. I know in today's preaching we only hear about the love, mercy, and the grace of God which are all true in Christ Jesus. We also only testify of how God has blessed us or how He will prosper you. But how would we suffer? If we spend time in serious prayer, giving above our tithe, when we visit the sick, cook for those who can't, drive those who need a ride, pick up others to take to church, spend time reading our Bible instead of other things, forgive when we have been the ones wronged, encouraged those who need encouragement, love the unlovable, or restraint from sinful desires.
To suffer does not always mean to be in chains, prison, or even to be beaten. It means to die daily to those things we should be doing, to die to those things we desire or even deserve, to give to God what belongs to God, our very lives daily. Paul said, "for me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain", Philippines 1:23. What Paul said was for me to continue to live, and suffer, is to live for Christ.
Paul was in chains. But we are not. For me to live for Christ should cost me something. I thank God I am not in literal chains as Paul was. But God has my heart and life chained to a cross, so I must live for that one who hung on that cross, and pray that my chains are worthy of the one who died for me.
Serve others today and suffer for Christ.
l Peter 4:19 says "therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God."
We in America can not understand this statement as many do overseas where some are put to death because of their faith in Christ Jesus. To suffer is the way of a Christian.Yes, I said suffer. I know in today's preaching we only hear about the love, mercy, and the grace of God which are all true in Christ Jesus. We also only testify of how God has blessed us or how He will prosper you. But how would we suffer? If we spend time in serious prayer, giving above our tithe, when we visit the sick, cook for those who can't, drive those who need a ride, pick up others to take to church, spend time reading our Bible instead of other things, forgive when we have been the ones wronged, encouraged those who need encouragement, love the unlovable, or restraint from sinful desires.
To suffer does not always mean to be in chains, prison, or even to be beaten. It means to die daily to those things we should be doing, to die to those things we desire or even deserve, to give to God what belongs to God, our very lives daily. Paul said, "for me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain", Philippines 1:23. What Paul said was for me to continue to live, and suffer, is to live for Christ.
Paul was in chains. But we are not. For me to live for Christ should cost me something. I thank God I am not in literal chains as Paul was. But God has my heart and life chained to a cross, so I must live for that one who hung on that cross, and pray that my chains are worthy of the one who died for me.
Serve others today and suffer for Christ.
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