Pentecost!
From a worship perspective the two most popular dates each year are Christmas Eve and Easter. If only Pentecost could annually be raised to this same level! … More Pentecost!
From a worship perspective the two most popular dates each year are Christmas Eve and Easter. If only Pentecost could annually be raised to this same level! … More Pentecost!
There is always a risk that we embrace Jesus’ human nature while downplaying his divine nature. This passage is a powerful reminder that Jesus was equally human and divine. … More Jesus Glorified
It is rare to receive a gift that will last a lifetime. Yet God has given us a gift that will last through eternity. … More Lasting Gifts
This is a popular Bible verse, especially the exhortation to be prepared to make a defense of our hope in Christ. But exactly how can we prepare to share this hope? Here are three ways: … More Prepared to Share Our Hope
How do we know we’re hearing the Good Shepherd’s voice today? … More Hearing the Good Shepherd Today
It’s amazing how a verse that starts so somber can so quickly become hopeful. … More Hope from the Word of God
For all of us who have attended Good Friday services, this passage creates a seeming contradiction. Let’s resolve it. … More Sent
How do we know for certain that we have a right relationship with God? The missionary apostle Paul lays it out for us in this passage of Scripture. … More Certainty in Our Relationship with God
Palm Sunday is the gateway to Jesus’ passion. In his passion, Jesus became our gateway to righteousness. … More The Gate of the Lord
During Lent we not only meditate on Jesus’ passion but also apply lessons from Jesus’ passion to our lives. One lesson from Jesus is about suffering.
American society values happiness and contentment. As such, our culture is averse to discomfort and suffering. It’s difficult to find examples in our society where suffering is considered beneficial or a blessing.
This is why it’s essential that we learn from Jesus. Everyone mentioned the beginning of John chapter 11 suffered. Lazarus suffered death. Mary and Marth suffered grief and loss. There is no questioning the pain that they all experienced. Yet their pain had purpose:
First, Lazarus’ death and resurrection foreshadowed Jesus’ death and resurrection.
Second, Jesus said that God the Father was going to be glorified through the suffering of Lazarus.
When we suffer, we do well to reflect on whether God is working through our suffering. Is the Lord maturing our faith? (James 1:2-4, Romans 5:3-5) Is God somehow being glorified?
I am not promoting suffering as a Christian discipline. Not am I suggesting that somehow suffering might make us “super” Christians. I am saying that God can work through our suffering or in response to our suffering. … More Purpose in Suffering