E13 - Suffering - Not If but When - Part 1 of 3

Hope's Harbor Podcast - Gritty Bible Devotions

Many people wonder why God would allow some of his children to suffer. Philippians 1:29 is clear on this and states Christians are granted the permission "to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake." Today I want to look at different aspects of suffering and draw from lessons imparted when we face certain types of suffering. By doing so - drawing out these lessons- will show us not only what God has tried teaching us through our pain, but how he loved us all along as well.
Hope’s Harbor - Gritty Bible Devotions

Episode #13 - Part 1 of 3

Title: Suffering – Not if but when

Date: 6/28/3031

Contact: [e-mail]

Key verses: James 1:2 - My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into [different] (many/various) temptations (trials/tests to show trustworthiness);

James 1:3 - Knowing this, that the trying (testing to show worth) of your faith works patience (endurance/perseverance).

James 1:4 - But let patience (endurance/perseverance) have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and entire (complete/mature), wanting (lacking) nothing (nothing is left to do concerning growth as mature Christians).

Intro:

In the previous 11 episodes, Luke 4:18 was the focus. This one verse contains 5 promises Jesus gave us and all have to do with relieving suffering.

1. He brought salvation to relieve the suffering of sin, especially eternal suffering

2. He offered to heal those who are broken in their hearts and minds and bring relief to mental pain

3. He made possible freedom from captivity to relieve the pain of destructive habits and thoughts

4. He offers sight to the spiritually blind to relieve the darkness of not knowing the truth which sets us free

5. And He sets free those who are in bondage, oppressed by suffering.

Now, concerning the next 3 episodes, keep these questions in mind as we go through this 3 part series on suffering.

Suffering = pain – So, what does God intend to do with our suffering?

What led to original suffering? (sin)

What can now lead to it? (sin or God’s will)

What do we do about it? (relieve it when possible, endure it when not)

What to do with it? (learn from it /use it)

Who suffers? (the sinner or the righteous?) Philippians 1:29 tells us: “For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake,”

What in creation suffers? (Heaven and earth – the whole creation groans: Romans 8:22 – “For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now.”

Today I want to look at the different aspects of suffering and draw from the lessons imparted when we face certain types of suffering.

By doing this – drawing the lessons out – I believe will give us the intended blessings of God in return for the pain we go through.

Also in this series, we’ll study different ways to comfort others who are suffering. By helping to meet their needs for consolation we’ll serve Jesus in deep and meaningful ways. (Matt. 25:35-36) – [Note: This passage in Matt 25 is tied in with the stern warning earlier in this chapter to serve God with all the resources He gives us.] We’ll go into Matthew 25 in more detail in E15.

Today’s Devotion focus:

· Not if but when (James 1:2-4)

Full show notes at Hopesharbor.net

Show notes at HopesHarbor.net