Hope is suffering pt2

So last time we spoke about Hope that can be found in suffering and touched on some

other areas as well, this time we're going to focus on the blessings that come when

you realize that suffering doesnt have to be in vain, we're also going to discuss how we should

approach suffering through a Godly manner so the suffering isnt in vain.

Lets start first with Galatians 3:2-4 I want to learn this from you:Did you receive the Spirit by

works of the flesh or by hearing with faith? Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit

are you now going to be made complete by the flesh? Did you suffer so much for nothing, if in

fact it was for nothing?

Lets start pulling this apart and get to the meaning, Of course we as Christians know we didnt

come to this relationship with Christ through any works we've ever done, It was by His spirit

through His sacrifice wasnt it?? So why is it when something happens in our life we think we

are going to be able to work it out for God through our on ways? Or why do we think we have the

best answer? Ive learned myself that any time life hits you with something that knocks you off your

feet that God is the one who truely raises you up again, you may think youve got it worked out

on your own but your only deceiving yourself, youve set yourself up for a bigger disappointment!

So we know no if we try to fix the problem we get a bigger problem

what If we let God be the one to fix our life what does that give us? Well many things

we talked about eternal blessings that God gives us through suffering, so if God is causing us to

grow in the Spirit It would be safe to assume that the suffering we are experiencing is not in

vain! It has a purpose, even it the only purpose you see is that Gods using the testimony He's

building in you to touch someone elses life! To me that is the greatest blessing of all!

So now we learned that its not by ourselves that we came to the Lord, and its not by ourselves

that we overcome things of this world, so it leaves the question of how do i make sure its

not in vain? Well first we have to look at a situation where suffering was in vain.

So lets say that a man looses his wife, up until this happened He was a awesome christian

but since his wife passed he's become distant from everyone, he suffers not only from the

lose but now hes starting to let himself slip into dispair, he starves himself, becomes sick

and eventually dies! So what in this example brings glory to God through His suffering?

Not much if anything, Now lets look at the ultimate example of suffering that has been used for

Gods glory, a purpose behind the suffering so awesome it explains the reason suffering was

required.

A man, a Godly man, used by God himself to touch many lives, He heals the sick, makes the

blind to see, spreads the message of the Father so greatly multitudes of people begin to

folllow, this man innocent and precious in the Fathers eyes is then condemned! He is

stripped down, whipped,beat,tortured and all the while the people who followed him are

asking what purpose could this hold?! Even though it looked like the biggest mess they have ever

seen, like God himself had lost control, through the entire process, we then realize later, Gods

plan was being fullfilled! Of course you realize im speaking of Christ, What seemed like madness

held purpose! I mean look at it this way, what if Christ had died and nothing came from it, no

salvation? wow that would have been a waste! However we know first hand as Christians Christs

suffering was not in vain through it we now can have a relationship with the Lord, salvation

an eternity with Him! What greater blessing could come from suffering?

The same can be said for the suffering we have in this life, If we allow it to completely

destroy us then it held no purpose, however if we allow it to bring us closer to God

what greater purpose could it have? He begins to start a testimony in your life that touches

other peoples lives and through that testimony He begins drawing people near to Him!

Im tellin you first hand that is the greatest blessing we'll ever receive, to be used of the Lord

to expand His kingdom, its an awesome feeling!!

Next we'll talk about the process God uses to bring us closer and help create the person

He wants you to become, We will examine this Sifting the Lord uses to cast out the

negative aspects of your life so that the pure Holy aspects He is building are revealed!

Until then have a blessed day I love each of you and may God be with us!

(sifting prt3 of this testimony will be next)