SUFFERING. None of us like it. None of us run after it. Most of us dread it. Some even fear it. And it is never an invited guest. Yet, it can and does effect great changes within and without. Most often, suffering has a negative connotation. Webster defines it as: “undergoing pain and unpleasantness”. Who of us can identify with those feelings? Yes, we hear you. We know. Because we’ve been there, too. We’ve been in those hurting places … in body and soul. While at the outset, suffering is better known as physical, it is just as painful when it is emotional or mental or financial. It is multi-dimensional. It is also spiritual. WHAT? Yes, we heard that, too! No, we haven’t “lost it”! While God wants us free and healed and victorious in our lives as believers, there is also another facet to suffering that we often overlook. And what might that be? Well, believe it or not, there’s actually a positive side to suffering. After all, who of us would want to suffer for no reason at all? What’s that saying … “no pain, no gain”! Be that as it may, we don’t know of anyone that gets really excited about suffering, but perhaps we should take a second look at what God has to say about it. In Romans, chapter 5, the apostle Paul writes … “we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance.” (verse 3) So first of all, this lets us know that God doesn’t expect us to be joyous because OF the trials, but IN the suffering. We can be assured that God has a purpose that goes along with whatever we are going through, and that is to develop more character in us – in this context, patience. The Message Bible puts it this way: “ … We continue to shout our praise even when we’re hemmed in with troubles, because we know how troubles can develop passionate patience in us, and how that patience in turn forges the tempered steel of virtue, keeping us alert for whatever God will do next. In alert expectancy such as this, we’re never left feeling shortchanged. Quite the contrary – we can’t round up enough containers to hold everything God generously pours into our lives through the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 5:3-5) This part of scripture is about us and what God wants to do in us. But the part that follows is about Christ and what He did for us on that rough-hewn cross on Calvary. It’s hard for us to even imagine not only WHAT Christ did for us … but WHY He would go to such great lengths by laying down His very life and suffering the agonizing death that a crucifixion produced. Let’s see what the next few verses tell us: “Christ arrives right on time to make this happen. He didn’t, and doesn’t, wait for us to get ready. He presented Himself for this sacrificial death when we were far too weak and rebellious to do anything to get ourselves ready. And even if we hadn’t been so weak, we wouldn’t have known what to do anyway. We can understand someone dying for a person worth dying for, and we can understand how someone good and noble could inspire us to selfless sacrifice. But God puts His love on the line for us by offering His Son in sacrificial death wile we were of no use whatever to Him.” A love like that is difficult to wrap our minds around. That’s why it’s totally a heart thing. It’s the ultimate gift that anyone can ever give to another. The “WHY” is explained in the next set of verses, 9-11. God longed for us to be His children, and since we couldn’t become a part of the family through anything we could do, He sent His Son to do what we couldn’t. And He signed our adoption papers in red, with the ink of Jesus’ blood. Listen: “Now that we are set right with God by means of this sacrificial death, the consummate blood sacrifice, there is no longer a question of being at odds with God in any way. If, when we were at our worst, we were put on friendly terms with God by the sacrificial death of His Son, now that we’re at our best, just think of how our lives will expand and deepen by means of His resurrection life! Now that we have actually received this amazing friendship with God, we are no longer content to simply say it in prodding prose. We sing and shout our praises to God through Jesus, the Messiah!” Dear ones, we have so much to look forward to, even in the midst of our sufferings, as we experience His resurrection power and get to be a partner with Him in His suffering! (Philippians 3:10) As Palm Sunday approaches and we remember the events leading up to Christ’s death, may we be focused afresh on His sacrifice that forever changed our lives – here on this earth, and for all of Eternity!!!
IN A NUTSHELL . . .
IN A NUTSHELL . . .
- CAN YOU HAVE FUN IN GOD’S HOUSE? Well, we sure did, as we experienced the drama skit that played out the message about “Hidden Prejudices in our Hearts” on Sunday! We love how God uses a variety of ways to teach us and pin-point it straight into our souls! Thanks to Cierra and Isaac for helping round out the team!
- SPECIAL ANNIVERSARY WISHES to James and Tina, who celebrated 20 years together on March 24th! May God continue to bless your lives and your love!
- LOOKING AHEAD . . .
- THIS SUNDAY, MARCH 28TH, PALM SUNDAY:
- 10:00 A.M. – WORSHIP & PRAISE – Come and celebrate with us on this Easter Week journey as we ponder the scriptural accounts of Jesus’ last days on earth before His crucifixion. Pastor Doug will be preaching another message in our 50-Day Spiritual Adventure as we focus on “Promises Worth Keeping: Influencing Our Worlds With The Love of Christ.” Who do we know around us that needs life-saving? We just may be their rescuers!
- 11:15 a.m. – SUNDAY SCHOOL – with classes for all ages, giving you opportunity to learn more from God’s Word! Don’t miss out on this time of sharing in discussions with your church family!
- 6:00-7:30 P.M. – YOUTH – RE: FUEL session with Justin at Clinton Falls! Come and participate in the planned lesson, the fun events, and as always, some great snacks! Feed your soul along with your body – and grab your cell phone and invite not just one, but several of your friends to share the evening with you!
- EASTER MISSION PROJECT – this is your opportunity to share a gospel message and an Easter meal with someone who needs to know that God died for them and loves them! Two dollars is all it costs … how many meals can YOU provide? Checks can be made out to: Union Gospel Mission. Thanks for helping and giving!
- EASTER SERVICES:
- APRIL 2ND, 7:00 P.M. – GOOD FRIDAY SERVICE with Communion (a change from Thursday service plans)
- APRIL 4TH, 9:00 A.M. – RESURRECTION SUNDAY WORSHIP CELEBRATION, with an Easter Egg Hunt that follows for the Sunday School children, and juice & rolls & fellowship for everyone!
- MAY 1ST, 2:30 P.M. – MOTHER/DAUGHTER TEA is being planned by Hazel; start inviting your family & friends!
- PRAYER OPPORTUNITIES . . .
- Each new day presents new things to praise God for, and new needs to lay at His feet! This week please lift up Tina & Sean as they travel to be with her mom for a heart procedure; Mary and Chaya as they travel; Julia and her brothers, for Helen, for Jeff, for Michael – all for healing; for Nancy & Pam at new jobs; for God’s provision for a place to worship with classrooms and more space for our Elevation North church family, for our nation and a return to godliness; and that God will use each of us mightily to advance His Kingdom work every day!
- THIS WEEK . . . Remember, “God whispers through pleasures, and shouts through pain.” ~ C.S. Lewis
Serving Christ Joyfully . . .
Pastor Doug and Debbie
