Learning Through Suffering

For a few days we are going to pitch our tent on the subject of suffering -in and through- trials and tribulations.
I’ll begin by sharing a phrase I read today. The author is encouraging us to learn from our trials and writes, “Don’t waste your pain.” The idea conveyed is to invest it rather than waste it. Hmm? Not a new lesson, but a way of saying it that I’d never heard before. “Don’t waste your pain. The encouragement is for us to invest our pain in personal/spiritual growth and then, moving beyond ourselves, help someone else who may be struggling through suffering in their own life.
I had the privilege, recently of gathering with a group of people to pray. Some of us were indeed suffering in spirit over circumstances occurring in our lives that were having a significant impact, spiritually, emotionally and physically.
The question on my mind is “what is God up to?

Elizabeth Elliot calls suffering a gift.
Paul says, “Unto us it is given, not only to believe, but to suffer.”
In my little brain, suffering is one of those words that I am not all that comfortable with. That might be true for most of us. For sure, we don’t want to experience it on any level -especially not the kind that strips away all our defenses, all our arguments, all our self-righteous thinking, all our comfort and ease.
Suffering forces us to the only place we can or will grow from -The Cross. Suffering like this is not really on the register of our conscious thinking. Who imagines or dwells on that kind of suffering?

As believers we all encounter it at least once at the moment of salvation. In that moment we saw ourselves as sinners deserving of death, deserving eternal separation from a Holy God and we catch a glimpse of the suffering sinless Savior.

The movie released last year, “The Passion of the Christ”, was as close as most of us have ever come to viewing a fraction of His true suffering.
What was the point of all that suffering? The simple point was and is to restore us to right relationship with a Sovereign Holy God; relationship which He designed for us from the beginning.
So again, I ask the question, “What is God up to?” He’s up to the same thing He always is. It is in our suffering that God gets our attention. It is in our suffering that we cry out to Him with fervor and passion. “Lord, rescue us! Lord save us; deliver us!” Lord, release us from this trial and restore us to our former days when everything felt so much better and all was right in our world.”
Sisters, are any among you suffering? You can be sure that God has something He wants to say to you. Something, that is for your good. As I shared in a previous Victory Call, God showed me through a recent season of suffering that it was time to let go of my hopes and dreams for my children and let Him be God in their lives. Big Mama had to decrease wanting to be all and everything and trust God to be Father.
Slow down, stop and listen. Don’t waste your pain!
Stephanie

A Preacher’s Wife

I recently had the privilege of joining some ladies for dinner who happen to hold the above title. I really enjoyed being with them. They all were very different yet in some ways very much alike. It’s interesting to see them with their hair down, so to speak. Now I’m not a pastor’s wife, or even a wife at the moment; but I am in ministry and I understand there are times when it can be difficult to just relax. The funny thing is they were the ones telling us Keswick ladies it was ok to let our hair down with them! Ironic, they usually hold the position of ministering and yet here we were doing that for them. They were very gracious and appreciative.
I couldn’t help but think of my own Pastor and his wife, how great they have treated me all these years. How many times I have asked for prayer or have needed them in some way and there they were. Not that they could fix everything but for support, prayer, encouragement, teaching and love. That’s what I picked up on that night; they loved what they do for Jesus.
As usual I had a very loaded question rolling around in my mind. So of course I posed it to them: What is the best thing about being a pastor’s wife? In essence they all gave the same two answers!
First: it was their husbands. Being able to minister beside them, work with them toward the same goal, and spend their time together not just at home but often at work. What was really cool was the look on their faces when they spoke of their husbands; I saw adoration, appreciation, love, pride, thankfulness and above all respect. One of the ladies put it this way; she said; “When I watch him preaching and he’s really going for it and giving it his all, it’s just the best.” I was really pleased to hear that and I told her to make sure she often tells him that, she said; “Oh, I do.” They said the second best thing is when they pour their hearts out to someone and love them in Christ and they respond, and lives are changed. However, the other side of that coin when they pour out their hearts and it is not fruitful. Or when someone they have tried to love returns that love with unkindness, gossip or turning away.
I was sharing a special story with them about my own pastor and his wife and how good it makes me feel that they are so much in love and it shows. I would be discouraged if they had difficulty there. But one of these wise pastor’s wives reminded me of something very true, she said; “just remember they are not perfect, only human.” So true! I can sometimes forget that we are all works in progress, me included. I do believe in holding each other accountable especially if you have been called to lead. The enemy works hard at attacking those in leadership, and we need to pray for them. How quick we are to call on them for help and should when we need to but how often we do we neglect to encourage our pastors and their wives as they serve. When was the last time I prayed for them, brought them a meal, sent them a card or called just to say hi or ask, “how are you guys doing”? When was the last time you did? Today would be a good day to let them know they are appreciated.

Romans 10: 14-15,
How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written:
“How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, who bring glad tidings of good things!”
Dina

Psalm 119:103, “How sweet are Your words to my taste, Sweeter than honey to my mouth!”
Do you yearn for the word? Do you immerse yourself in it as often and as long as possible? For some of us that might be moments stolen through the day, for others we have the freedom to sit for extended periods of time and read to our hearts content. Do you look forward to being in the word as much as you look forward to that sticky bun?
I remember as a kid, more than a few years ago, when I knew mom had made her famous caramel buns; I found it easier to get out of bed in the morning. In fact, you couldn’t keep me in bed when I knew one of mom’s sticky, gooey caramel rolls was waiting for me. I have long since given up eating sticky buns, but I still remember being motivated to get up because of them.
Are God’s words sweet to your taste? Do you sit and savor every bite? Are you enticed to get out of bed, or to forgo television or your favorite novel to nourish your soul with the very words of God? Do you find your endeavor satisfying even satiating to your soul hunger?
Jeremiah 31:14, “I will satiate the soul of the priests with abundance, and My people shall be satisfied with My goodness, says the LORD.”
Deuteronomy 8:3, “…man does not live by bread alone; but man lives by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the LORD.”
Psalm 34:8, “Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good;”
Psalm 63:1, “O God, You are my God; early will I seek You; my soul thirsts for You; my flesh longs for You In a dry and thirsty land where there is no water.”
I have found that the more time I spend in the Word, the more time I want to spend in the Word and the less time I spend in the Word, the less time I want to spend in the Word.
How are you doing with your pursuit of Christ through the Word?
Diane

Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning. Psalm 30:5b

Are you going through a season of suffering in which you find your heart weeping? One of the difficulties when we are in the midst of suffering is that we begin to believe the lie that it will never end. Every day seems just like the day before and tomorrow is sure to be more of the same. Is that about where you find yourself today? Do not lose hope.
Suffering always has a purpose. Whether you brought it on yourself or it is through no fault of your own, God can redeem it. God’s timing is perfect and you will not be in this season one week longer, nay one moment longer that God determines.
If you are a child of God, redeemed by the Blood of the Lamb, your suffering is temporary. One day, either on this side of heaven or the other, joy will rise in your heart and overwhelm you with its delight. On the other hand, for those that have not yet surrendered their heart and life to Jesus Christ, this suffering will pale in comparison to the eternal suffering that awaits those who through refusal or neglect fail to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ to be saved.
In some 15 years counseling, I have found that, that which breaks our hearts is for a season and either through a change of circumstance or a change of heart, our weeping turns to joy. I have walked through my own time of suffering and through suffering with many, many others (that the nature of my call to ministry); and without exception, those that submitted to the Hand of God in their life, found that joy came in the morning.
Typically when we are suffering we are looking for a way out. We want delivered. I like what Beth Moore says in her book: Praying God’s Word, “Never forget that God is far more interested in our getting to know the Deliverer than simply being delivered.” (pg. 128)
Can you look forward with hope, that the time will come that your heart will sing and soar with joy, once again, if only because of Jesus?

“The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places; Yes, I have a good inheritance.” Psalm 16:6
I was going through a season of sinful discontentment in my life when God used this very verse to redirect my thinking.
It is so easy, natural and fleshly to see and focus on the negative things in life. Let’s face it, we all have those things. After a while, it can become all we think about and surely it affects our entire attitude and behavior. We process all of life’s events through the grid of discontentment. It becomes a burden that robs us of our joy.
I remember reading Psalm 16:6, “The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places; Yes, I have a good inheritance.” As I sat back in my chair, it occurred to me that truly I had a good life with many positive and good things to be thankful for.
I have not met a person yet that didn’t have something to be thankful for; in fact, many things to be thankful for. However, I have met many people who were discontent. I think for most of us, it is a matter of where or what we choose to set our thoughts on.
Discontentment is not only dissatisfaction with our situation or circumstance; it is ultimately displeasure with God’s provision for you.
Our focus can change in a moment when we call to mind God’s abundant provision on our behalf. “I will sing to the LORD, because He Has dealt bountifully with me.” Psalm 13:6; “He also brought me out into a broad place; He delivered me because He delighted in me.”
Where is your focus today? Can you believe together with me that our boundary lines have fallen in pleasant places?

Diane

“Show me Your ways, O LORD, teach me your paths; guide me in Your truth and teach me, for You are God my Savior, and my hope is in You all day long.” (NIV)
Psalm 25:4-5

I don’t even remember setting out to commit these verses to memory but over the years it has some how become one in my repertoire of verses. I find myself praying them frequently, sometimes without even realizing it. I love these two verses. They express my hearts desire, in my spirit.
Why is it then that far too often I live contrary to that longing? Why do I often seek my own ways and try to get others to get on my path? Why do I know God’s truth but fail to apply it and hear God’s teaching but prefer my own way of doing things? Why do, at times, I act like I had anything to do with my salvation? Perhaps worst of all, to outside observers, it is likely to appear at times as if my hope is in myself all day long? See, in my flesh, I do not seek God, I do not desire His way, His will or His salvation. In my flesh, I want what all of us want and that is my own way.
I am so thankful that Jesus came and things can be different. “Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.” Romans 8:5

It is my heart’s desire to know and follow the ways of God. I eagerly seek Him for the guidance of His truth. He is a wonderful, gentle teacher. “Come to me, all you who are wary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30
Oh, how my heart soars when I recall the gentle guiding hand of Jesus. I remember asking Jesus over and over again, “What lesson do you have for me today?” He is always faithful, always gentle, and always true. I truly have found that my hope is in Him all day long.

Diane

Many years ago, I was in a women’s Bible study with my friend, mentor and instructor Joann. She was sharing about a woman friend of hers that was in her 80’s that she had recently visited in a nursing home. This dear woman’s health was failing and she wasn’t able to do much but Joann shared how she delighted in reading and having the Psalms read to her. They brought her such peace and comfort. It was Joann’s next statement that I never forgot. She said, “My friend did not develop her delight in the Psalms in her 80’s, she started cultivating that comfort in her much younger years so that now in her 80’s they are her delight.” I remember making a mental post-it note, “cultivate a delight in Psalms early.” Well, not much happened for about 15 years. In 2003, during a year of preparation to do a retreat on “Intimacy with God: Delighting in our Heavenly Husband” I immersed myself in the Psalms. That entire weekend retreat was taught out of Psalms except for 2 verses.
Just recently I was back reading through the book of Psalms and was reminded once again the depth of meaning, truth, and relationship nestled within. So, we are going to meander through the Psalms this week.
Psalm 119 is one of my favorite Psalms. Let me just share a few excerpts from the longest Psalm with 176 verses. “I have rejoiced in the way of Your testimonies, as much as in all riches.”(119:14); “Your testimonies also are my delight and my counselors.” (119:24); “Behold, I long for Your precepts; revive me in Your righteousness.” (119:40); “And I will delight myself in Your commandments, which I love.” (119:47); “Remember the word to Your servant, upon which You have caused me to hope. This is my comfort in my affliction, for Your word has given me life.” (119:49-50); “Let Your tender mercies come to me, that I may live; for Your law is my delight.” (119:77); “Oh, how I love Your law! It is my meditation all the day.” (119:97); “how sweet are Your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!” (119:103); “Your testimonies I have taken as a heritage forever, for they are the rejoicing of my heart.” (119:111); “Therefore I love Your commandments more than gold, yes, than fine gold!” (119:127); “Consider how I love Your precepts; revive me, O LORD, according to Your lovingkindness.”(119:159); “I rejoice at Your word as on who finds great treasure.” (119:162); “My soul keeps Your testimonies, and I love them exceedingly.” (119:167);

Let us join the Psalmist in delighting in God and His word.

Diane

The Church with the Lighthouse

Isaiah 42:6
“I, the LORD, have called You in righteousness,
And will hold Your hand;
I will keep You and give You as a covenant to the people,
As a light to the Gentiles,
Last month we celebrated Valentine’s Day. I really like this holiday because it reminds me of so many people I love. Growing up in my family all the kids got boxes of chocolates shaped like hearts and usually a stuffed animal. I knew I was loved but the outward signs are still nice. Nothing wrong with affirming your love for someone, whether it is your kids, parents, friends or spouse, but maybe especially your spouse. Recently a pastor’s wife shared with me that she loved lighthouses and that her husband had the steeple removed from their church and built a lighthouse in its place. How cool is that! Talk about an affirmation of love!
It turns out that the Lord not only used this in their lives but in the lives of the community they live in. People who never attend the church comment often on how nice it looks, how they look out their window from home and can see “The Church with the Lighthouse.” They hope to one day renovate the foyer so that people can see up into the lighthouse from inside the church and how awesome it would be to actually have a beacon of light in there.
You never know what will draw a person to Christ. One thing that drew me to my church was the sign they had out front; it read “No Jesus No Peace, Know Jesus Know Peace.” I’d been reading that sign as I drove by for weeks but when it came time to choose a place for help I remembered the church with the sign outside. I was saved there five years ago and I can say the sign was true! If the lost can be drawn in by a symbol of light imagine when they see the True Light in the eyes of a believer how great that light will be! I’m sure the Lord is using “The Church with the Lighthouse” to be as the Word says; “As a light to the Gentiles.”
Dina

EL Shaddai – The God who can do anything

Genesis 17:1 “When Abram was ninety-nine years old; the Lord appeared to Abram and said to him, I am Almighty God; walk before me and be blameless.”

He God must introduce himself as the God who can do anything because he is about ready to tell him that He would give them a child and that Abram would be the father of a nation. You must believe that God can do anything to believe that! And they did – when the finally trusted in God he gave them Jacob. Yes, they tried to do it their own way through Hagar, but when we fall, God does not fail. See God holds us His promises even when we don’t hold up our end. We have to quit trusting in ourselves too and trust our lives with the God who can do anything.

As long as we depend on our own skills, abilities, and intellect, we will never know the power of “El Shaddai”. But when we do completely depend upon God, we can experience the truth of 2 Corinthians 12:9 – we can have “the Power of Christ”.

I know in my life I have often relied on my own strength, my own knowledge and figured I could get through life just fine because of my abilities. Unfortunately God taught me through some tough times, even literally taking away my “physical” strength that I needed Him. No matter how much I think I know – I don’t know enough to make it through life without “El Shaddai” working in my life. Note in Genesis God tells Abraham to walk before Him – remember El Roy? This is a direct reminder that you are never out of His sight and therefore He can take care of anything. Then God says “be blameless” – living a life above reproach. That is all that is required if you can the power of God in your life.

God blessed Abraham with a son – Isaac, who had a son Jacob. It is through Jacob’s sons that God established his Nation. In Genesis 35:10-11 God changed Jacob’s name to Israel because the name Israel means “having power with God”. Could God call you Israel? Do you have the power of God in YOU? You can – just get out of the way and let him be the strength and power in your life.

LDJ

EL Roy – “The God Who Sees”

Genesis 16:13 “Then she (Hagar) called the name of the Lord who spoke to her, You are the God Who Sees; for she said, “Have I also here seen Him who sees me?”

We read in Job 34:21 that His eyes are on us and He sees our steps. In Psalms 33:13-14 we are told that He looks from Heaven. God is looking at US! He sees you every minute of everyday. He knows what is going on in your life. Most of all He knows what life is doing to you. Please note that God sees everyone – not just those people that are noticed by the world. God sees the lowly, the insignificant, the nobodies, the ordinary, the plain – no one is missed by God. You may feel unnoticed or unimportant in your job, your family, your community – but not to God – HE NOTICES YOU!
The most exciting thing about Him noticing me is that He can then care for me.

Do you sometimes get discouraged in the ministry? Are you a faithful behind-the-scenes worker? Do you wonder if anyone really knows what is going on in your life? Do you sometimes wish you could be an “upfront” person? Remember 1 Samuel 16:7; God sees the heart, not the outward appearance.

Have you been hurt or struggle with being abused – He knows. Nothing we do is missed by Him, even if no one else sees. We are introduced to these verses by Hagar who was hurt by Sarai. God saw, God responded and God took care of Hagar. He will do the same for you. Deut. 32:10 reminds us that God guards and protects us with His eyes.

If you need a reminder of all God does for you read Psalms 18 – Our God misses nothing in our lives – He is there for us, because He is the “God who Sees”.

LDJ