TODAY'S QUOTE

Image courtesy of: www.Pixabay.com  

"Have you ever thought that our disappointments

are God's way of reminding us that there are idols

in our lives that must be dealt with?"

-Erwin Lutzer

TODAY'S QUOTE

Images courtesy of: www.Pixabay.com  

"Disappointment:

God's way of dimming the glamour

of the world and deepening our ability

to enjoy Him. (Psalm 119:37) 

-Bill Gothard

SUFFERING

Have you ever felt like life is just toooooo much?

All the disappointments, discouragement, pain and

hopelessness is more than you can handle?

I have.

I have lived a long time.  I have walked (Tried to.) with

God for most of those years.  And in the process of trials, 

pressures of life, discouragements, pain, hospital beds 

and heart ache I have learned a few things about suffering.

One.

God uses any and all of these things to TRY to get our

attention.  He wants to draw us to him just like a crying

child will go to it's parent.  If you have been living your

own way - you have just figured out your problem.  Simply

turn to God.

Two.

As a child of God you will still be tested - severely.

If you think being a child of God and the Christian life

is a "joy ride" like some of the "televangelist" would 

have you believe, you better change stations.  It "just

ain't so".

Over the past year or so I have been seeing something

over and over and over in the Scriptures.  For example,

the apostle John who God use to write the book off 

"Revelation" said,

"... I am your partner in patiently enduring the 

suffering that comes to those who belong to his 

Kingdom."

(Revelation 1:9 GNT)

And this is because God has a purpose in it.  No, I don't

like it either, but he is training and strengthening me with

it.  He is preparing me to be with him forever.

Look at these guys below.  They are in army boot camp.

They are enduring training, hardship and suffering 

willingly - for their own good.

So, what am I do do?

TURN TO THE BOOK.

"Good people suffer many troubles,
but the Lord saves them from 
them all."
(Psalms 34:19 GNT)

H.W. Beecher said,

"God washes the eyes by tears until

they can behold the invisible land where 

tears shall come no more."

THE BLESSING OF PAIN AND DISAPPOINTMENT

Are pain and disappointment a blessing in disguise?

John Newton lived a despicable life admitting to being "an infidel and libertine." It eventually reduced him to "a servant of slaves in West Africa." Finally in a severe storm the ship he was on about sank, then he turned to God.

He ultimately wrote, Amazing Grace. A song that for several hundred years literally blessed millions of people.

Joseph's dreams shattered. Sold into slavery, and imprisoned for years. But prepared by God to save his family and nation.

Paul and Silas. In prison beaten and bleeding, but singing praises to God. An earth quake opened the jail, and opened the heart of the jailer saving him and his family.

Paul state, "I was given a painful physical ailment, which acts as Satan' messenger to beat me and keep me from being proud. Three times I prayed to the Lord about this and asked him to take it away. But his answer was: 'My grace is all you need. for my power is greatest when you are weak.'" - 2 Corinthians 12:8,9 (TEV)

Much of the New Testament was written and many churches started in Asia minor as a result.

Even Jesus was "made perfect" through suffering. "But even thought he was God's Son, he learned through his sufferings to be obedient. When he was made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all those who obey him..."-Hebrews 5:8,9 (TEV)

Above all, God wants our pain and disappointments to drive us to Him. That is where the real blessing will come to us.

"We know that in all things God works for good with those who love him, those whom he has called according to his purpose." - Romans *:28 (TEV)

Am I going to let God use my pain and disappointments in life? Or just complain about them?

************************

Would you like a free download of

THE HOLY BIBLE

Go to the link below for a free

download of the

Updated King James Version.

www.oocities.org/updatedkjv