Tag: Suffering

Posted in Bible study, Devotion, From the Insideout, God is good, Journey Through The Word, LGG Study, Quiet Time, Triumphs over Trials

One Day

Posted on by

based on the Love God Greatly Study, Triumph over Trials / w4d4

THE JOURNEY (SCRIPTURE AND OBSERVATION)

Scripture: 1 Peter 5:10-11 and SOAP: 10-11

And, after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace who called you to his eternal glory in Christ will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. 11 To him belongs the power forever. Amen.

1 Peter 5:10-11 NET

One day our suffering will end! Peter’s words are full of life, hope, and peace as he points out what will happen “after we have suffered”. Peter tells us that God, who has saved us by grace through faith and promised us eternity with Him – “will restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish us!” To fully appreciate the life, hope, and peace this promise is meant to bring let’s look beyond the words on the page.

Restore: Gotquestions.org explains that, “The Greek word for “restore” conveys the idea of making something whole again. Sin and suffering have left us broken, and we will not be fully restored this side of eternity. However, at the right time, God will restore all things, including us.1 Revelation 21:4 holds a promise of restoration, where the current world will pass away and God will bring about a new reality. The verse states, “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

“Additionally,” gotquestions.org goes on to say, “God promises to confirm, strengthen, and establish us. He fully acknowledges that we are His, that He gifts us with strength, and that He will establish us, that is, He will keep us rooted. Through it all, “our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all” (2 Corinthians 4:17).

LIVING THE JOURNEY (APPLICATION)

This isn’t a passage with instructions so much as hope and encouragement from a promise of God. So, how, then, do we apply this knowledge? I believe we take the knowledge to heart and rejoice in the hope that one day, our suffering will end, and God will wipe away our tears. Then, I believe we take hold of the promise and let it bring us hope and courage as we wait for our ‘suffering” to end. And – since Peter has told us that believers everywhere are suffering – I believe we are to share this promise with others so that they, too, can rejoice and look forward to this hope of eternity.

Question FOR THE JOURNEY

In your current season of life, how can you intentionally shift your focus from your pain to God’s promises of restoration and the joy of eternity with Him?

PRAYER FOR THE JOURNEY

Father, one day You will wipe away all our tears and there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain; but for now we still know times, even days of ongoing troubles – so I echo the prayer of the LGG team today and pray that you will anchor our hearts to the promises that our suffering is only momentary compared to the eternal glory You have set before us. Form us more into Your image during this season of suffering. Restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish us. In all things, may You be glorified. Amen

Posted in Bible study, Devotion, From the Insideout, Journey Through The Word, LGG Study, Quiet Time, Triumphs over Trials

Perspective in Suffering

Posted on by

based on the Love God Greatly Study, Triumph over Trials / w4d1

THE JOURNEY (SCRIPTURE AND OBSERVATION)

Scripture: 1 Peter 4:12-19; SOAP: verses 12-13

12 Dear friends, don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you. 13 Instead, be very glad—for these trials make you partners with Christ in his suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing his glory when it is revealed to all the world.

1 Peter 4:12-13 Nlt

Peter makes it clear that as believers, we should not be surprised or caught off guard by circumstances of suffering. Actually, when we live lives that are “set apart” for God and we have “set apart Christ as Lord,” we must not only expect suffering but be on alert and ready for it! Peter will make this clear in the next chapter of this letter.

Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.

1 Peter 5:8

We might wonder why God allows His children to suffer for following Jesus and doing good. This is a natural question, and Scripture repeatedly answers it – my favorite reference for this is found in James 1:2-4: Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. 3 For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. 4 So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing. Suffering and times of testing stretch and strengthen our faith, and from my experience – each ‘episode’ prepares us for the next.

That being said, as I read and studied today’s passage, one question kept coming to mind: Do I really suffer because I follow Jesus? As I began praying and searching other passages, I found this helpful and encouraging commentary by gotquestions.org.1 I’ve only shared a snippet, but I implore you to take the time to read it in its entirety. I am confident that it will be a blessing in the days and years to come as we continue to live out our faith.

“The Bible talks a lot about suffering for the sake of Christ. In the era in which the New Testament was written, followers of Jesus were often ostracized by their own families and communities. …

Often those of us in free nations shudder at the thought, but we feel relatively safe. We understand that there are thousands who suffer daily for the sake of Christ and are thankful we don’t have to. But is there only one kind of persecution? …

Often our greatest suffering comes from within as we battle for control over a heart that must die to its own will and surrender to Christ’s lordship (Romans 7:15–25). In whatever form suffering comes, we should embrace it as a badge of honor and a privilege that we, like the apostles, have “been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name.”

LIVING THE JOURNEY (APPLICATION)

Peter goes on to teach believers not only to expect suffering but to “rejoice” or “be very glad” in it. Now, you may be wondering, as do most, why on earth we should be glad about suffering.

It’s not about taking on a falsely spiritual attitude; it’s about correcting our perspective in the moment of suffering to fit our actual beliefs about who we are in Christ.2

bibleref.com/1 Peter 4:14

Peter’s explanation is that it is a badge of honor, so to speak, to suffer for the cause of Christ, saying: “If you are insulted because you bear the name of Christ, you will be blessed, for the glorious Spirit of God rests upon you.” It’s important to note that these words weren’t original to Peter – they were words Peter had heard Christ speak during the “Sermon on the Mount.” They were words he had undoubtedly learned represented a truth about the real and present suffering believers face when they are true and faithful followers of Jesus. -But, how and why can we rejoice? Both questions are answered beautifully in verse nineteen: “ So if you are suffering in a manner that pleases God, keep on doing what is right, and trust your lives to the God who created you, for he will never fail you.” – This isn’t to say that we won’t want the suffering to stop but that we must hold to the truth that it will be worth it all.

Peter is quick to say, though, that not all suffering is equally honorable. A Christian who experiences the natural consequence of sinful choices, including being punished by the state for criminal activity, should not make the mistake of thinking he or she is suffering for Christ.3 

bibleref.com/1Peter 4:15
Question FOR THE JOURNEY

How can you shift your perspective on the trials you are facing, viewing them not as burdens but as indicators that you are making an impact for God? How can this mindset prepare your heart for the joy that will come with Christ’s return?

PRAYER FOR THE JOURNEY

Father, suffering or trials of any kind are not easy. The enemy is quick to use them to distract our attention from You and to prompt complaining or attitudes that do not reflect Your Spirit in us. Only by Your grace can we rejoice in the sufferings in this world, whether they are from the consequences of our sins or because we have chosen to take up our cross daily and follow Jesus, as true and faithful servants. I pray that You will help us bear every insult we receive for the name of Christ as a badge of honor. I pray that our responses to any suffering will always bring You glory. I ask that You will help us to encourage one another so that we can bear up under the pain of suffering and not grow weary in doing good and rejoicing in You – entrusting our souls to You, our faithful Creator God – who uses even our suffering for Your glory and our good. – In the name of Jesus I trust and pray! – Amen

Music for the Journey
THE MORE WE KNOW

For more insight please visit lovegodgreatly.com

Posted in Advent, Advent, Bible study, From the Insideout, Journey Through The Word, LGG Study, The Promised Messiah, Uncategorized

So Great A Love

Posted on by
read: Matthew 8:14-17; John 9:1-7; 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 / SOAP – Isaiah 53:3-6

He was despised and rejected—
    a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief.
We turned our backs on him and looked the other way.
    He was despised, and we did not care.

4 Yet it was our weaknesses he carried;
    it was our sorrows that weighed him down.
And we thought his troubles were a punishment from God,
    a punishment for his own sins!
5 But he was pierced for our rebellion,
    crushed for our sins.
He was beaten so we could be whole.
    He was whipped so we could be healed.
6 All of us, like sheep, have strayed away.
    We have left God’s paths to follow our own.
Yet the Lord laid on him
    the sins of us all.

Isaiah 53:3-6

There are several passages to read to day but none very long and all of them examples of Christ taking the infirmities, griefs, weaknesses… sorrows, pains, and sufferings from others. It was an action born out of yielding to the Father’s will and of love for those He came to save, including us.

I would encourage you to read the verses out loud and slowly. Then read them again and replace the pronouns “we” and “our” with ‘I” and “my.” Let it soak in until you can taste and see the love and goodness of our God and Savior. This passage is a perfect demonstration of God’s love and faithfulness to us! It is the vividness of the depth and riches of His love as He poured out on Christ the wrath and punishment that so clearly belonged to us! Oh the grace and mercy we see played out in His Word when we pay attention, when we read, not just with our eyes, but with our mind and heart engaged in the unfolding love story. It is then we see that He didn’t suffer at His own doing but because all of us, like sheep, have strayed away. We have chosen our own paths over God’s. We have turned our backs on Him and looked the other way. We’ve seen Him despised, and we have not cared. Yet, even still He willingly carried our weaknesses and was weighed down by our sorrows. His troubles were not a punishment from God or for His own sins but rather it was our sin and rebellion that caused Him to be wounded. As Isaiah wrote, “The Lord laid on Him the sins of us all.”

Oh the sweet deep love of Jesus who willing took our place and what great and faithful love our God continues to lavious on us without fail. I don’t think I will ever completely understand it, but oh what it does for my mind and soul to read these truths and others like them and to know the trustworthy and committed characters of our God and Savior. When we see them for who they are and what they’ve done our natural application of the Scriptures will be to respond in praise, worship, and prayer. – To the eternal glory of our God and King!

Going Further

The Suffering Servant: Is the “The Suffering Servant” prophecy in Isaiah 53 about Jesus?

Man-of-sorrows: https://www.gotquestions.org/man-of-sorrows.html

Despised and Rejected: https://www.gotquestions.org/despised-and-rejected.html

Bore our Griefs: https://www.gotquestions.org/surely-borne-griefs-carried-sorrows.html

Posted in Bible study, Choosing God Instead of the World, LGG Study
Posted on by

Skip to content

Fruitful In Suffering

WEEK 4, DAY 5 OF CHOOSING GOD INSTEAD OF THE WORLD, A LOVE GOD GREATLY STUDY

Scripture Reading: Genesis 41 (SOAP – Genesis 41:51-52)

Joseph named his older son Manasseh, for he said, “God has made me forget all my troubles and everyone in my father’s family.” 52 Joseph named his second son Ephraim, for he said, “God has made me fruitful in this land of my grief.”  NLT
OBSERVATION:

THE GENESIS SAGA: PHARAOH’S DREAM

Two years after the cupbearer was released from prison and returned to Pharaoh’s service, Pharaoh had a dream but none of his ‘diviner-priests’ or any of his ‘wise men’ were able to tell him what it meant. BUT… the chief cupbearer, whose dream Joseph had interpreted, finally remembered Joseph and made mention of him to Pharaoh, telling him how Joseph had interpreted his dream and the dream of the royal baker exactly as it had happened.

Because of this, Joseph was summoned to interpret Pharaoh’s dream and he was brought out of the dungeon and taken to Pharaoh. When they met Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I had a dream and there is no one here who can interpret it. But I have heard about you, that you can interpret dreams.” Can you imagine the hope this must have given Joseph? Perhaps this is why his reply to Pharaoh wasn’t simply, ‘yes I can,’ but rather one of clarification that it was not within his power to interpret dreams – but that God would speak concerning the welfare of Pharaoh.

God had used Joseph’s dreams, his faithfulness through the temptation of Potiphar’s wife as well as all other matters, his time in prison, and his gift of interpreting dreams to position him right where He wanted him.

ME-From the Inside-out

Pharaoh seemed unfazed by the response and proceeded to tell Joseph the dream. Joseph’s explanation and revelation from God made sense to Pharaoh (37), and he placed Joseph (an Israelite) in authority over all the land of Egypt. God had used Joseph’s dreams, his faithfulness through the temptation of Potiphar’s wife as well as all other matters, his time in prison, and his gift of interpreting dreams to position him right where He wanted him.

TODAY’S FOCUS VERSEs (also week four recap)

To truly appreciate the emphasis of these verses let’s recap one more time. Joseph was placed in a pit by his brothers, then with a change of greedy plans he was taken out by the brothers and sold for profit, ultimately he became a slave in the house of Potiphar. He was faithful in all of his duties and even in the proposition of Potiphar’s wife. Because of her actions and accusations against Joseph he was thrown into the prison, finding favor with the guard things went well for him but years passed despite hope of release following the interpretation of the cupbearer’s and royal baker’s dreams. Finally, the day came when he was released to interpret the dream of Pharaoh and as we’ve just read, the rest of the story is somewhat like a fairytale. Joseph, the Israelite, becomes second to none under Pharaoh and benefits more than he could have imagined as a 17 year-old teenager betrayed by his brothers. Yet even in all, beyond all the doubts that I imagine he had and all the heartache of the betrayal of his brothers, and all the disappointments where hope was risen and dashed to the ground, and even after all he had gained Joseph had not forgotten the God of his fathers. So when he is blessed with two sons he chooses names that honor God by recognizing His presence with him through it all.

APPLICATION: HOW THEN SHOULD WE LIVE?

Clearly, Joseph remembers that God is with him even in the “land of his suffering”. He may have ruled Egypt but by this reference it appears he didn’t consider it home. He didn’t forget his God and as we will see in the coming week, he didn’t truly forget his family. All of these are good examples for us … While we may not actually be ‘happy’ about our hard circumstances of life or truly forget family or friends that have betrayed or hurt us – we will find that God often brings good things, seasons of hope, and even joy in the difficult times. I have often found it helpful to make note of God’s goodness in the past and to look for His goodnesses even in the present affliction. For remembering whose we are and that He is always with us is essential in the dark and difficult days of our life that bring fear, doubt, and pain.

Prayer: Response to God’s Word.

Father, thank You for Your presence with us – especially in the difficult seasons or moments of life. Thank You for using these times to prepare us and position us for where you want and need us to be. Help us to be alert to Your presence and to see Your fingerprints even in times of troubles, that we might remember You are direct ing our paths – so that we do not doubt and lose hope.

YOUR TURN:PERSONAL REFLECTIONS
  • When has God been faithful to redeem you from a season of suffering?
  • If you are enduring a season of suffering right now, what can you do to remind yourself of His faithfulness?
Posted in Bible study, From the Insideout, LGG Study
Posted on by

The One Worthy of Praise!

Every day I will praise you.
I will praise your name continually.
The Lord is great and certainly worthy of praise.
No one can fathom his greatness.

Psalm 145:2-3
Praise is a choice

Praise is a choice, a way of life. It has a focus and a reason and when the focus and reason are good and right, when they are the LORD and His greatness, when they are real – then the praise will never end – for God will never cease to amaze us, even in the midst of our suffering.

How then should I live?

It is good to read and even pray through the Psalms but to truly apply them we must seek the relationship with God and the knowledge of God that the Psalmist has. Otherwise our focus will be only words on a page – quickly forgotten or laid aside because they hold no real value.

My Prayer Response

Father, truly no one can fathom, or understand, Your greatness! But from the time I was given even a glimpse of Your greatness I learned to say – with or like the Psalmist – LORD, You are great and worthy of PRAISE; and I am certain I will praise Your name and deeds forever!

Posted in Bible study, From the Insideout, LGG Study
Posted on by

Praise the LORD

Today’s Reading: Psalm 116 (SOAP verse 48)

The Lord God of Israel deserves praise,
in the future and forevermore.
Let all the people say, “We agree! Praise the Lord!”

Psalm 106:48
A Recounting

This is one of those readings that make it tempting to skip right to the soap/focus verse – but as always I encourage you to read the whole passage. It’s actually a beautifully written cliff notes version of God’s people during the exodus and the conquest. While it opens and ends with the Psalmist praising the LORD, much of the chapter focuses on repentance through a recounting of Israel’s failures. We can certainly learn a lot from it – such as failure to appreciate and remember God’s work and love for us leads to rebellion (7) and the importance of God’s reputation (8). We read of how they praised God and then would quickly forget what He had done (12-13). They resented their Spiritual leaders, Moses and Aaron (16) and did evil in the sight of the LORD – like making and worshiping idols and rejecting their true and living God (19-21). Even after His mercies were shown to them they still lived in rebellion (23-25). Because of these things God would eventually make them die in the wilderness (26-27), again and again they angered God by their hideous and rebellious deeds (29-40) so “He handed them over to the nations, and those who hated them ruled over them”(41). He delivered them many times but their attitudes were still rebellious (43). Yet, “He took notice of their distress when He heard their cry for help and relented because of His great loyal love” (44-45) – Because of the recounting of these things and because of all of God’s mighty acts the Psalmist acknowledged that God was worthy of praise now and forevermore and he encouraged the people to praise Him.

The Recounting Results

A “recounting” of God’s ‘mighty acts’ will always lead us to praise Him. Praise Him not only for the present but for the future and forever. The Psalmist not only realized that God deserved praise but he encouraged all the people to agree with him and praise the LORD.

How Then Do I Live?

I should be faithful to “recount” God’s mighty acts. I should be quick to realize and always be aware that God is worthy of my praise. I should also encourage ‘others to see and agree and praise the LORD’.

Why does it matter?

Because others will ‘see and agree’ only when we are faithful to recount and actively praise Him – sparking a fire in those around us and for generations to come.

Prayer Response

Father, help me. Help Your people to notice Your mighty acts. To remember them from days of old. And to recount them faithfully as edification and encouragement for ourselves and others to PRAISE You. For truly You are worthy, both now and always! Help us not only to learn to PRAISE You from the recounting but may the recounting also be a warning and reminder of where rebellion and discontent and grumbling and forgetfulness lead us. Thank You for Your loyal love and faithfulness to forgive – to relent. All Your deeds are praiseworthy – this we know and give you praise. Let all the people agree. – Amen!

Posted in Bible study, From the Insideout, LGG Study
Posted on by

Turning Lament into Dancing

Today’s Reading: Psalm 30 (SOAP: Psalm 30:11-12)

A song used at the dedication of the temple: by David

David’s Response to Answered Prayer

This psalm begins with an acknowledgment that a prayer has been answered. It seems to be a recounting or a testimony of what it was all about and how David’s sorrow turned into joyful dancing. However, don’t miss the line of lament in verse 7 where David says the Lord rejected him and he was terrified. Note the progression from there, David cried to the LORD (8), David’s focus was the Lord (9), and David seeks the LORD’s mercy – indicating he knew that he deserved God’s displeasure and rejection. Suddenly David’s lament is turned into dancing and he says he can no longer stay silent. Oh that we would all respond so joyfully with praise when God answers our prayers.

You have turned my mourning into joyful dancing.
    You have taken away my clothes of mourning and clothed me with joy,
that I might sing praises to you and not be silent.
    O Lord my God, I will give you thanks forever!

Psalm 30:11-12

In these two verses David realizes, with great joy, that his prayers have been answered and he gives God the credit. He makes his joy known and pledges to always give God thanks.

How then should we live?

When God removes or improves our suffering we should make it known. We should not be silent when God acts on our behalf. Instead, we should, without hesitation or timidity give thanks to the LORD. Our responses not only bring delight to God but they have the power to make His name known to others around us, which may in turn encourage them to pray or praise God as well.

My Response

Father, Thank You for all the times You have turned my mourning into dancing! Let me never withhold praise that is due Your name. Let me dance and sing with joy – making Your goodness, greatness, mercy, grace, and love known! And in this, may You be glorified.

Going Deeper

Don’t forget to read the LGG Blog Post lovegodgreatly.com/blog/

Posted in Bible study, From the Insideout, LGG Study
Posted on by

The Power of God’s Love

Today’s Reading: Romans 8:18-39 (SOAP – 8:38-39)

And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 8:38-39
Even If

Even in our sufferings – whatever they are, Scripture assures us that no troubles or distress, no persecution, no hunger, no dangers, or even violent death can separate us from God’s love that is ours in Christ Jesus our Lord. Even in these, we have complete and guaranteed victory through Him who loved us enough to die in our place.

How then do I live?

Regardless of what life brings, I can live in confidence. I do not have to be afraid because I know that the living God is with me and loves me and I rest secure in His love demonstrated on the cross.

I have set the LORD always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices;

my flesh also dwells secure. For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol,

or let your holy one see corruption. You make known to me the path of life;

in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

Psalm 16:8-11
My Response

Father, what an important truth for Your children to remember and to truly believe – so that when troubles come – and they will- we will not be shaken! We can both stand and rest secure, and we can even rejoice because we know Your love and Your power are always with us – Of this I am convinced, in Jesus’ Name! 

Music and video are not mine - but I'm sharing because shortly after completing and scheduling this post this song started playing on my spotify  - what a perfect companion for the devo and and awesome song - I just had to share. I pray it leads you into worship and awe of how our God works.
Want to Go Deeper?

Check out today’s blog on this passage at https://lovegodgreatly.com/lgg-blog/https://lovegodgreatly.com/lgg-blog/

Posted in Bible study, From the Insideout, LGG Study
Posted on by

Help in Weakness

Today’s Reading: Romans 8:18-39 (SOAP – 8: 26)

 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness, for we do not know how we should pray, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with inexpressible groanings.

Romans 8:26
The Holy Spirit and the Believer

Have you ever reached the point, either because of tiredness or emotions or even sin – that you just couldn’t or didn’t know how to pray? I have, more times than I can count, which is why I love the truth of this verse. Even more, I love that God has provided a way for us to always connect with Him, even to the point that He will provide the content of our conversation through the intercession of His Spirit. The Spirit plays many roles in the lives of believers and even in the lives of unbelievers, whom He convicts of their sin (Jn 16:8), Two of my other favorites are:

  • Ever feel like you can’t remember God’s Word? Well, the Spirit remembers and according to John 14:26, He has been sent to teach us all things and remind us of everything Jesus said. I don’t know about you but I forget more and more these days – so I take great delight in this role of the Holy Spirit in my life
  • I also love that He is the reason that we are able to bear fruit of the new nature God has given us. Because of the Holy Spirit we are able to show love, have and spread joy, live in and know peace, be patient in trying circumstances, be kind and good, faithful and gentle, and practice self-control. (Galatians 5:22-23)

If you’d like to know even more about what the Holy Spirit does and what it means to “walk in the Spirit” visit gotquestions.org/Spirit-walk.html and dig deeper.

The One Who Intercedes

Paul has just finished writing about hope and how big of a part it plays in the believer’s life, from salvation to strength to carry us through times of suffering. Here, he continues that same thought line only this time he says, “In the same way as the “hope” works – the Spirit works to help us in our weakness. Whether physical or emotional or spiritual, like knowing how or what to pray for – the Spirit’s job is to intercede on our behalf and according to God’s will (27) – so it’s a win-win!

How then Shall we live?

Just as I/you live in “HOPE” of the promises of God through Christ – we need to live in the power of the Spirit for all of life’s needs. We need to trust that God has provided, through the Holy Spirit, all that we need to live a godly life. (2 Peter1:3-4). Perhaps Paul’s best instruction about the Spirit is found in chapter five of Galatians where we find these helpful and inspiring words: 

 But I say, live by the Spirit and you will not carry out the desires of the flesh. 17 For the flesh has desires that are opposed to the Spirit, and the Spirit has desires that are opposed to the flesh, for these are in opposition to each other, so that you cannot do what you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. 19 Now the works of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, depravity, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hostilities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish rivalries, dissensions, factions, 21 envying, murder, drunkenness, carousing, and similar things. I am warning you, as I had warned you before: Those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God!  22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,  23 gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Now those who belong to Christ have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also behave in accordance with the Spirit.   Galatians 5:16-25
Prayer Prompt

Father, thank you for the gift of the Holy Spirit. Thank you that He works in us, according to Your will. Just as You have taught us to put our hope in You, help us to live by Your Spirit and trust His guidance – in prayer, in relationships with others, in living out Your will and call upon our lives in this world. Thank you that He helps us in our weakness and empowers us to live the godly life. We are most blessed!

Posted in Bible study, From the Insideout, LGG Study
Posted on by

Our Coming Glory

Today’s Reading: Romans 8:18-39 (SOAP, 8:18)

For I (Paul) consider that [the sufferings] of this present time are not worth comparing with [the glory] that is going to be revealed to us.

Romans 8:18
from groans to glory

While in most Bibles verse 18 starts a new “section” of Romans chapter 8, Paul is actually continuing a train of thought that he had just mentioned in verses 16-17, where he wrote: The Spirit Himself testifies together with our spirit that we are God’s children, and if children, also heirs—heirs of God and coheirs with Christ—seeing that we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him. It’s important to understand this if you want to understand the “suffering” he refers to throughout the rest of the chapter.

Clearly the suffering is related, at least in part, to our belief in and relationship with Christ. Whatever the suffering is – every day pain on this sin-cursed earth or persecution as His follower, or both – clearly we will face suffering. However, Paul’s point of hope seems to be that our suffering will be far outweighed by the glories of God revealed to those who belong to God – enabling us to transition from groaning over our situations to rejoicing in the glory to come, our inheritance in Christ and the fulfillment of God’s promises of eternity.

A Change Of Focus

When we suffer, whether it is from petty hurts, great sorrows or persecution, an anguishing illnesses or catastrophic event – as God’s children we can suffer with hope. However, our hope is different than the hope that the world has. The hope of the world says things like, “keep your chin up things will get better” but our’s is the hope of the glory to come. Please don’t misunderstand me, this doesn’t change the realness of the “present suffering” but it definitely can and should change our focus. To borrow from another of Paul’s letters, we must “press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us, Phil 3:14.

Prayer Prompt

Father, how exciting it is to know that one day our present suffering will be over! One day we will stand before You taking in Your glory and majesty. Every pain and sorrow will be gone! Thank you for this hope and may it be our focus over today’s suffering. In Jesus’ name I pray –