Endurance Part 1

“…no one should be shaken by these afflictions; for you yourselves know that we are appointed to this. For, in fact, we told you before when we were with you that we would suffer tribulation, just as it happened, and you know.” 1 Thessalonians 3:3-4.

A friend of our son Caleb served in Russia as a missionary until the government banned him from the country. He then went to Crimea to tell people about our amazing God. But, before long Russia took over Crimea and he was forced to leave again. For the past few years he has been serving the Lord in Ukraine and now his stay there is beginning to look uncertain. Do you think he will finally give up on telling people of our wonderful God? No, I am sure not. Just as the verses quoted above make clear “no one should be shaken by these afflictions.” In writing these words Paul referred to difficulties coming from those opposed to the truth of God’s word and the persecution then was ever bit as real as it is today in nations hostile to the true God. The endurance God gives to His people who suffer for Him outlasts any other kind of endurance in the world. When we as followers of Christ have the proper outlook on life, we fully realize tribulation and afflictions are normal—we are not in Heaven. If we expect life to be smooth sailing, storms shock and discourage us. But, if we see storms as normal and allowed by God to bless us, our whole perspective changes.

Plan to meet with our great group of ladies this Thursday morning as we encourage one another to face the trials of life with beautiful endurance.

If you would like to be on Caleb’s “Suko Family Ministry Update” on Messenger, let me know and I will add your name to his regular updates on the situation in Ukraine.

HAVE YOU FOUND TRUE JOY?

A study through the Psalms points us over and over again to finding our joy in the Lord. Oh what a source of comfort and help He is to everyone that leans hard on Him; the only source of true, lasting joy. Consider the following two quotes from Spurgeon on this subject.

“This morning being myself more than usually compassed with infirmities, I desire to speak, as a weak and suffering preacher, of that High Priest who is full of compassion: and my longing is that any who are low in spirit, faint, despondent, and even out of the way, may take heart to approach the Lord Jesus…

…Jesus is touched, not with a feeling of your strength, but of your infirmity. Down here poor, feeble nothings affect the heart of their great High Priest on high, who is crowned with glory and honour. As the mother feels with the weakness of her babe, so does Jesus feel with the poorest, saddest, and weakest of his chosen.”

“In the old Pilgrim’s Progress I used to read in my grandfather’s house, I remember the picture of Hopeful in the river holding Christian up; and the engraver has done it very well. Hopeful has his arm around Christian, and lifts up his hands, and says, ‘Fear not, brother, I feel the bottom.’ That is just what Jesus does in our trials; he puts his arm round us, points up and says, ‘Fear not! the water may be deep, but the bottom is good.’”

Study Psalm 98 this week and consider where you seek your joy; EVERY source gives false promises except for the Lord. See you Thursday morning.