I have thought a lot about suffering and why God allows it. Some answers are well know: maturing, developing endurance, earning rewards, being a witness to those around us.

But, this morning the Spirit showed me another reason. 2 Cor. 1:3,4 which says: “Praise be to…the God of all comfort…who comforts us in ALL our troubles, SO THAT we can comfort those in ANY TROUBLE with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.”

There it is! If we didn’t ever suffer we could never comfort those who do. Our suffering is the vehicle to equip us. We don’t have to suffer the same as everyone, but the comfort God gives us is adequate to pass on to others no matter their suffering.

But, there is a condition for being a “comfort receiver and a comfort giver.” We must trust God in the midst of our suffering, taking up His grace by offering the sacrifice of thanksgiving. We can do this because we know that He has a plan

As it says in Hebrews 12:15, “See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.’ To fall short means you don’t take up God’s grace, but instead become angry and bitter, spreading this poison to all the  people around you.

But, if we remember this one purpose for suffering–to receive and pass on comfort–it will help us decide to take up God’s grace by offering the sacrifice of thanksgiving.

Picture from Jesus Film: Jesus comforts all His children

Sin can slip into our lives on little cat’s feet, entering unnoticed to sit quietly in a corner and grow. Fortunately, the Holy Spirit is very much aware of these intruders in the Kingdom and knows when to bring which ones to our attention.

As we came home from the Middle East and had two weeks in the States to prepare for our classes for new workers, a serious sin crept into my life, disguised as diligence. But  God had me meditating on Colossians 3 in preparation for the exposure.

After our arrival, I set to work on different projects, laboring from early morning until late in the evening. I got a lot done. But, I was becoming more and more tired; there was tension in my relationships; my quiet times were not as deep; and I wasn’t sleeping well.

Then the Holy Spirit turned on the lights and revealed that I had become an idolater! Colossians 3:5 spoke clearly to this: “Put to death therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature,” and then goes on to list four sins, adding at the end, “and greed which is idolatry.”

There it was: I was being greedy to accomplish more and more, focusing on the things not done rather than on “the things above,” failing to turn goals, projects and desires over to God, instead seeking to do them in my own strength.

All the work I was doing was good but it was corrupted by my greed of wanting to do more and more rather than being thankful for what could be done in a normal workday. Doing the right thing for the wrong motive is not good.

Praise God that He is able to break through our delusions and give us clarity of vision, bringing us to confession and repentance, thereby bringing cleansing and freedom from the tyranny of the flesh. And just to make sure I got the message that slowing down is important, He let me break my toe so I had no choice but to limit myself! God is good all the time and shows His love to us in so many ways.

Any idol creeping into your life on little cat’s feet?

“I love you, LORD, my strength. The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer….” Psalm 18:2

We praise you that you have ushered us into the fortress of your love and grace where we are protected from the onslaught of Satan and his forces, as well as from the impending flood of righteous wrath you will pour out upon the world at the appointed time.

Safe, protected, cared for, loved—this is what we are in you, Lord Jesus. That is what you desire for every human being, if they will only come to the Truth and enter your shelter.

Our response to your great love and provision can only be worship and praise, thanksgiving and gratefulness, leading us to loving you back in obedience and humility.

“As I live before you today, Lord, the Mighty and Majestic Ruler of all, help me to live in the light of your love, in the shadow of your greatness and in the wisdom of your Word. I bow before you in awe and rise up to obey you in love today. Amen.”

Picture: Jesus our fortress
(from travel channel.com)

“Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up.” Luke 18:1

Sometimes we pray for years, and nothing seems to happen. The people we pray for seem to just continue on the same painful path. Behind the scenes, however, God is at work, bringing change in deep and powerful ways that will break through to the surface at the right time.

I think of a friend, Issac. When we first met Issac, he was a small, sad boy of 14; he had dropped out of high school during his first year and was working as an apprentice to a glazier. Being from a family of 5 siblings with an absent father, he and his sister of 16 had to earn whatever they could to feed the hungry mouths. His future was most unpromising.

But, after becoming a believer, the most important decision  Issac’s life was whole-heartedly forgiving his father for abandoning the family. As he willfully followed the Lord in this counter-cultural, counter-emotional obedience, every area of his life began to go uphill. He was reading his Bible every day, went back to high school and finished, while working part time. At 19 he became one of the “elders” of a new church.

the development of his character preceded development in other areas and is the basis of his effective ministry. Today he is a university grad, the director of a national ministry, while also leading a new church planting effort.

Naturally a very quiet fellow, he has developed the ability to lovingly but firmly confront people with the truth. What a difference from the shy and sad apprentice we met so many years ago. And he continues on an upward path of growth and effectiveness for the King, because he is willing to deny self, obey the Word and do what is right.

A part of this difference can be attributed to the faithful prayers of many who interceded for Issac and his family over the years. This is a great example of why we need to “always pray and not give up.”

Prayer: “Father, help me to trust you through prayer, continuing on when I’d like to give up. Help me to remember that you are the God of Moses, the God of Abraham and the God of Jacob who hears our prayers, just as you did theirs, and will answer powerfully and definitely at the right time. Amen.”

Follow Issac’s example and choose to follow God’s way of persistent prayer!

Thoughts on what Jesus thinks about us, His children.

Psa 147:11  the LORD delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love.

When we come into His presence in prayer, or worship or thanksgiving, Jesus exclaims, “Oh!! It’s you!! I’m so glad you came!!! I am delighted to hear from you!!

“I was just thinking about you, how much I love you, how you are one of my favorite ones—of course, all my children are my favorites, but that doesn’t diminish my love for you. I am so glad you are my child.

“I have no regrets about choosing, calling and adopting you; in fact, every time I think of you I am pleased; I delight in you; you are fully accepted in my heart.

” It is such a pleasure to have you in our family, to know you, to spend time with you.

“Come to me more often, I enjoy your prayers, your intercession, your praise time, your thoughts of me throughout the day. I look forward to eternity where we can spend unbroken time together in heaven, where you will be continually in my presence spiritually, mentally, emotionally, and physically.

“Live now in my love, live in obedience to Truth so that we both may have more pleasure and joy.”

And my soul and spirit respond with, “Yes!”