Rejoice in Suffering

"Not only so, but we also rejoice in our suffering, because we know that suffering produces persevereance; perseverance, character; and character, hope." - Romans 5:3

Some people don't believe in this statement - rejoice in suffering.

And that is true. How can one truly rejoice in suffering? Most of us are enabled with sight by our eyes, and all we see is before us. At times, we clearly see the situation and circumstances flashing in our lives, tough times, heavy times - suffering times.

We turn to the left and to the right, seeking resolve from our emptiness and our circumstances. Some may indulge in self pity and sink into dejection. At times we even throw our tantrums with God, asking Him why He allowed for this to happen.

Dear brothers and sisters, remember God the Father allowed Jesus to go through suffering as a man on earth. But yet at the end, Jesus rose in victory and is now sitting on the right hand throne of God. God has a purpose for everything, and He is sovereign always.

Certainly we question at times, why did God make me go through this? God may put you in certain circumstances at times, for you to overcome it. God created and intended for us to be overcomers - problem overcomers. God never gives us problems too difficult for us to handle. When He places a problem before us, He will provide the solution. For God is the God who provides!

I learnt heaps at live group yesterday. I went there with a flu worn-out body, lacking in spiritual zeal, hoping to understand what God was intending for my next step in life, or in ministry. I couldn't understand the spiritual gift that God was intending for me to have and what God wanted me to do with it. But after yesterday, I received God's answer and have learnt to be faithful with little things. :)

I just wanna say that I really thank God for even bringing us closer together in unity and I really wanna thank my leaders too. God has placed leaders above us and He has anointed and selected every single one of them. None of us are perfect yet, but God has promised that we will be made perfect and whole when He is done with us. All of us are made in the image of God and we all have different personalities as God created and intended for us to! God is a creative God, so let us admire each other's differences and practice contextualisation!

"God saw all that he had made, and it was very good." - Genesis 1:31a

God has also taught us the true meaning of "contextualisation" and given us practical usage during yesterday's live group. Just as God contextualised by coming to earth as a man that He may become one of us and tell us the Good news in a way that we will understand. Just as Jesus spoke of the old testament to the Jews, because He spoke in a context that the Jews will understand. In this day, what are we going to do and say to a person cross culturally to help us understand one another, or even the Gospel?

"Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God's law but am under Christ's law), so as to win those not having the law. To th weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible ans I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings." - 1 Corinthians 9:19-23

I feel really blessed to be placed within such diversity in cultures and I really treasure this opportunity as God brings us together as a family in Christ, in His house. Let all problems be laid and resolved within His house. For in all trials and obstacles that we face, God is ahead of us, winning the battle for us, and making the victory His! So be courageous in overcoming mountains, because the Lord our God is with us!

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." - Joshua 1:9

If you focus on your giants, you will stumble. If you focus on God, your giants will stumble. So brothers and sisters, make your choice today. God is the author and perfector of your lives, and He will bring you through and out of problems, just as he led the Israelites out of Egypt and provided for them day and night in the desert for 40 years. The same way, would not the Lord our God do the same for the people He loves now and for those who love Him?

God is always with you. And in times of trials and suffering, be glad that you are experiencing God. I've come to a conclusion from the past months that yes, it may be hard work at times, but be glad that you are experiencing God and know that He is teaching you something. It's much better to experience Him, then not feel Him at all. Amen?

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perserverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be matured and complete, not lacking anything." - James 1:2-4

"Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him." - James 1:12

So my dearest brothers, let us keep running this race. I have learnt that at times, I can't run alone, but I have to slow down, and hold another sister/brother as I run. I may have found it fulfilling to be able to run ahead so quickly, but if it is not God's timing, I will eventually fall back and grow tired.

I thank God for bringing me back to basics with Him, and slowing me down in the race. Last night I saw the need to hold my sister as I ran. Last night, I saw the effectiveness of constant running with the right heart.

"Do you not know that in a race all the runers run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such as way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize." 1 Corinthians 9:24-27

Yeah, let us run together to win this prize - a prize God has intended for everyone who loves Him. Let us not run aimlessly, but run for Him, for His purposes. Let us hold on and obey God our trainer, as He puts us through this time of strict training too, that we may win victories after victories for Him. God is smiling each time we win, and as we win in unity as a family of Christ, God is pleased and glorified. Let not the enemy have a foothold in our lives, but let's run this race together!

"Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me." - Psalm 51:10-12

To side track a little... here's something to bless your hearts. You might have seen it before, but it blesses my heart each time I see it.