I want to share with you three verses on the topic of facing trials, along with some brief pastoral commentary… 1 Peter 4:12-13 “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.” (1 Peter 4:12-13, ESV) We have reason to relish in the … Continue reading →
Evil is becoming common place in our society and it challenges us to wonder why. When we open the Bible we can find help in making sense of evil. In Isaiah 14:11-15 and Ezekiel 28:11-15, we understand that evil was birthed in the free-will heart of a created angel named Lucifer who is now known as Satan, and who has brought his war against God to the human family. In 1 John 3:8 we read that “For this purpose the Son of … Continue reading →
I just read an article titled “Christianity Promises Suffering and Persecution: Here’s How to Prepare.” The author Zane Pratt, of the Southern Baptist Convention International Mission Board, states that we “need to include the subject of suffering well in our immediate follow-up with new believers” and he gives eight biblical points which I want to pass on… “Followers of Jesus should not be surprised or caught off guard by suffering (1 Peter 4:12). They need to endure suffering without compromising … Continue reading →
Evil is the result of sin in our world, but we sometimes wonder why God doesn’t stop it all now. 2 Peter 3:8-10 shares this “But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. But … Continue reading →
