The Blessing of Suffering

November 28, 2012

By Michael Youssef, Ph.D. In 1 Peter 1:6-9, we’re introduced to another blessing—the blessing of suffering for the sake of Christ. There is a lot of confusion about this question of suffering for Christ. There are different types of sufferings in the world. There’s a suffering that is a consequence of our sin. There are sufferings that are the result of Satan’s attack. There are sufferings that are the result of other people’s stupidity. And there’s suffering just because we live in this fallen, sinful world. None of these are what Peter is talking about here. Peter is speaking about suffering as a direct result of your obedience and commitment to following Jesus as Lord in your life. If you lose your job or you’re passed by in a promotion or if you lose a business deal simply because you are a follower of Jesus Christ, then you are suffering for Christ, and Christ will reward you for that. But if you lose your job simply because you are lazy or incompetent, that’s not because of your faith. That’s not suffering for Jesus. If people call you names and they drag your reputation in the mud because you are a follower of Jesus Christ, that is suffering for Jesus Christ and He will bless you through it. When you are allowed to go through suffering that is specifically directed at you because of your unwavering commitment to Jesus Christ, God will use that suffering to bless your life in ways you can never understand otherwise. God will use that suffering to refine your life like precious metal. If and when the time of suffering comes, we will be able to count it a blessing to suffer for Christ. Peter said these times of sufferings are “for a little while” (1 Peter 1:6). But in the midst of those times you will experience joy beyond human comprehension. Prayer: God, thank You that when we suffer because of You, we are promised that You will bless us through it. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen. “Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory” (Romans 8:17).

News & Notes

Hello Holland First Family, Here are some reminders for this HOLIDAY week and next week….  *NO Wednesday classes tonight in light of Thanksgiving. Classes will resume Wednesday, November 28th at 7pm *Offices will be CLOSED Thursday and there will be NO men’s fellowship at Rich Hardenburgh’s house. Happy Gobble, Gobble Day! *On Sunday, Pastor Mike will finish out his series “The Mount” with a message entitled, “Build On The Rock” *Sunday is also Life Group Sunday. Note: Kris and Lisa Horton’s Life Group will not be meeting. Continue the journey through Soul Detox on Sunday, December 9th at their home from 1-3pm. *Help NEEDED with “Hanging of the Greens.” Come out and help decorate the church for CHRISTmas Mon-Wed, Nov. 26th-28th from 8am-3pm or 6-9pm. *WeR3 couples movie night Friday, November 30th at 7pm. Bring a snack and beverage to share. Childcare is provided! *Don’t forget to grab a tag from the Salvation Army Angel Tree in the narthex. Purchase a gift and return it unwrapped by Sunday, December 16th!!! Have a BLESSED Thanksgiving!

Great devotional by Dr. Michael Youssef

Reflecting vs. Correcting the Culture By Michael Youssef, Ph.D.

When we look at the life of Samson, we find him to be the reflection of his culture and society of the day. If there’s one verse that summarizes the entire book of Judges, it is Judges 21:25 “. . . everyone did as he saw fit.” Samson represented that attitude. When I think of Samson and how he became a reflection rather than a correction of his culture, I think of how many Christian leaders today are reflecting the culture instead of correcting it. We have become a reflection of the culture instead of standing up against the culture. Israel continued in a downward direction, so much so that even God’s men became part of the sin. Let me summarize Judges 13: Israel’s heart had become so hardened, to the point where they were occupied by and harassed by the Philistines, but they did not cry to God for deliverance. Beloved, that is what you call the bottom of the barrel—when you are seeing all of the pain and suffering of sin and oppression, but you cease to cry to God. Prayer: God, I pray that I would not be a reflection of the culture, but rather, would correct the culture by standing up for Your Truth. Help me to always be humble before You and to be aware of my desperate need for You. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen. “For this people’s heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them” (Matthew 13:15).

Power devotional from David Wilkerson

David Wilkerson Today THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2012 THE IMPOSSIBLE MISSION by David Wilkerson [May 19, 1931 - April 27, 2011] "For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost" (Luke 19:10). Christ said, "I came into this world for one reason — to reach and save lost souls." Yet this was not only the mission of Jesus, He made it our mission also: "And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature" (Mark 16:15). Jesus was speaking here to a small band of believers, about 120 people who had gathered in the upper room. And what an impossible task He laid before them! "Go to foreign nations, live with the people and study their languages. Lay hands on the sick, cast out devils, proclaim the good news. Go to the very seat of Satan and preach the power and victory of the risen Savior." We must realize that Jesus was talking to ordinary, insignificant, uneducated men and women. He was placing the very future of His Church on their shoulders. They must have been overwhelmed. Can you imagine the conversation that must have taken place once their Master ascended to heaven? "Did I hear Him right? How could we start a worldwide revolution? We're penniless and the Romans are beating and killing us. If we are treated this way here in Jerusalem, how will we be treated when we witness and preach in Rome?” Another might have said, "How does our Lord expect us to go into all the world with the gospel when we don't even have enough money to go to Jericho? How are we to learn languages when we haven't been educated? This is all impossible." It was indeed an impossible mission. Yet our challenge today is just as daunting! If all who read this message would allow the Holy Spirit to make this word real to them — to seek Him for His burden and guidance — there is no telling what kind of harvest the Spirit might reap. The truth is, the greatest works for eternity are done not in mass crusades, but with one saint reaching one lost soul.