Why Is There Suffering In The World? Part 2

“My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline and do not resent his rebuke, because the Lord disciplines those he loves as a father the son he delights in.” –Proverbs 3:11-12

Some suffering that occurs in the life of the believer in Christ is for the purpose of correction. For instance, if a believer falls into sin with his unbelieving neighbor and gets drunk tonight, both men will suffer a hangover tomorrow morning. For the unbeliever this is just what one suffers for a night of "fun." But for the believer in Christ the hangover is also corrective discipline by which God shows His child that this choice of action is not God's will for his life. Believer and unbeliever alike will suffer a hangover as a result of excessive drinking but the suffering has purpose in the life of the believer. Apart from Christ the headache, nausea and general misery associated with the morning after a night of binge drinking has no purpose at all. (By the way, I am not advocating drinking but the illustration was too good to pass up.)

Sometimes our suffering is the method God uses to direct us to a better way of living; His way of living! God loves us and wants the very best for our life. God's discipline, even when it comes through some type of suffering, directs us to His very best for our life.

Part 3 tomorrow,

James

Why is There Suffering in The World? Part 1

"I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." -- John 16:33

Why is there suffering in the world? Regardless of our race, age or position in life we all ask this question. And it is very important for Christians to give an answer! If we have no answer for why an all powerful God allows bad things to take place we leave the world questioning the love and goodness of an infinitely loving and good God. We must be clear and honest so people might know the true character and nature of the God we serve!

We have to understand the ultimate reason for all suffering is sin. God never intended for any of us to suffer. He created a world with no trouble, hardships or suffering of any kind. But, when mankind chose to rebel against Him by sinning (any thought, word or deed contrary to God's will) the perfection of God's created order was changed forever. No longer was the world free from the consequences of sin. Man was thrust into a world of his own doing; a world of sin, sickness, corruption and death.

After man's rebellion against God, we were all left to live in a broken world. And our future in the next world looked bleak as well! We were all destined for an eternity separated from God in hell. But God initiated a plan in order to redeem (buy back) our future. God came to earth in the person of Jesus Christ to live and die on the Cross in order to pay for our sins. Now, if one believes Jesus died on the Cross for his sins and gives his life to Him, he or she can be saved from their rebellion against God and a future separated from Him in hell. Through Jesus Christ, God assured us of a future restored to His original intention for us; a life free from suffering of any kind.

But what about now? We still live in a sinful, imperfect world and there will be hard times on occasion. In fact, Jesus says there will be tribulation and suffering! Of course we know God can deliver us from suffering and certainly He does that on occasion. We will never know this side of Heaven just how much God has spared us while we live here on earth. However, because we are in a world tainted by the affects of mankind's rebellion against God, none of us can completely escape all suffering.

Now here is the real meat of our story today: If you are a believer in Christ something positive can come from anything you suffer in this life! God allows suffering into the life of His children because we are a part of the human race and live in a world marred by sin. However, when believers in Christ endure such, they do so knowing God will take the painful hurt of the moment and produce something good.

There are three kinds of suffering in the life of a believer in Christ. We are going to look at these and what God accomplishes for us through each of them over the next three days...see you then!

James

Christ Says No To The Oprah Winfrey Gospel

The following article READ HERE is the transcript of a speech President Obama recently gave at the White House in honor of the Muslim holiday Ramadan. Many Americans are falling for the key ideas in Mr Obama's speech; the idea that faiths are equally good and all people are children of God. This is an unbiblical idea! The children of God are those who place faith in Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of their sins and give their life to Him. Do not be fooled into believing the "Oprah Winfrey" false gospel; a gospel that teaches there are many ways to God and you may simply choose which is best for you. Jesus clearly taught His disciples, "I am the way, the truth and the life, no one comes to the Father but through Me." We cannot passively sit by and let our leaders attempt to influence the public with such heretical lies. We must lovingly, gently, proclaim what is true...God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son Jesus so that whosoever would place faith in Him doesn't have to perish but will instead be saved!

James

Praying For Barack Hussein Obama

"'I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone...for kings, and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness." -- 1 Timothy 2:1-2

It doesn't matter one iota who you wish had won the election of 2008. It doesn't matter if you are a Republican or a Democrat. It doesn't matter who you hope will win the election of 2012! God wants us to pray for our leaders and right now our leader is Barack Obama.

I do not pray for all of President Obama's policies to succeed. In fact I often pray just the opposite of what Mr Obama hopes to succeed. I pray according to what I believe God wants for our country on moral and social issues so at times this puts me at odds with the president. I pray for an end to abortion. I pray for the defense of Biblical marriage. I pray for a revival of Christianity to the point our nation is once again thought to be a Christian nation. I do not believe Mr Obama hopes or prays for these same things. In fact, it appears he may hope and pray for just the opposite on some or all of these. But, I do pray for President Obama. I pray for the salvation of his soul, that God would guide him and give him wisdom. I pray that Mr Obama would follow God's ways of doing things and make good decisions for our country. I pray these things because I desire to live a quiet life in all godliness and holiness. I pray for President Obama because God has told me to do so and I will obey Jesus my Lord!

How are you praying for our president, congressmen and judges today?

James

Ultrasound Changes Minds and Saves Lives

Great article which begs the question, "Why would 80% of women who see an ultrasound of their baby change their mind about getting an abortion?" The answer: "There's a baby in there!" God's grace is extended to those who have had an abortion! Let's pray for an end to this horrible practice!

Read Article Here

James

The Remedy For Worldwide Unrest

"All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" -- Romans 3:23

This week has been a very tumultuous one in Great Britain. Riots have overwhelmed the police in London as looters and hooligans have taken to the streets. But the riots and unrest don't stop with the UK. Syria, Spain, Greece, Portugal and even Philadelphia have experienced riots in the last few days. Whatever the reason, and most of it is economic, there are a lot of unhappy people who have decided the best way to vent their anger is to destroy or take the property of others.

What makes a person believe it ok to steal or destroy what belongs to another? How does hurting someone else solve one's own dilemmas in life? I wondered this almost 20 years ago when I watched Los Angeles blow up after the Rodney King verdict. We even had a rather bizarre congresswoman remark at the time, "No justice, no peace" in response to questions from those like myself; those looking for answers to the insanity.

Peaceful protest and civil disobedience have their place in the life of a democracy. When there is an injustice of some kind people should do what they can to call attention to it and demand change. But rioting is at best the worst response of fallen mankind to perceived injustice. Rioting and looting are often not even a response to perceived injustice at all but rather the greed of those who believe they can make a quick getaway with another's property during a crisis or satisfy their hatred toward neighbors.

It should never really surprise us to see what mankind is like once the niceties of civilization breakdown and mob rule takes over. Scripture teaches us in Romans 3 that everyone is a sinner and fallen; apart from Christ men and women are totally and completely depraved. When we see this depravity rear its ugly head during riots we are really just seeing the visible manifestation of what had been kept secret and hidden from the public view.

Christ is the only hope for fallen mankind. Jesus is the only remedy for our depravity and only hope for salvation. Those who place faith in Jesus for their forgiveness and life are changed into a person who would rather please God that steal a television set.

James

Should We Only Vote For Christians in 2012?

"Providence has given to our people the choice of their rulers, and it is the duty, as well as the privilege and interest of our Christian nation, to select and prefer Christians for their rulers."

-- John Jay (First Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court)

Some ask whether the faith of a political candidate matters and my answer is a resounding yes! Why would believers ever consider a candidate who does not obviously have a relationship with the Living God? Why would we ever consider someone for office who is not led by the Holy Spirit and does not have Jesus for their Lord?

Popular culture and the media have done all they can to remove faith from the public discourse. Candidates are considered fringe or just shy of raving lunatics if they speak of their faith in anything more than hushed, almost embarrassed tones. This has not always been the case! As Jay's quote demonstrates, we once were a nation driven by faith and ideology rather than charm, looks and salesmanship. It is high time the church demand principled, christian leadership from our government. We have a responsibility, as christians living in a democracy, to demand no less!

Pray for our nation and be ready for 2012!

James