August 23, 2020
Greetings and blessings to all of you. “My God my God why have you abandoned me? Why are you so far away when I groan for help? Every day I call to you, My God but you do not answer. Every night I lift my voice, but I find no relief.” Psalm 22:1-2 Jesus knows our suffering. He was called the Suffering Servant. The suffering maybe physical or emotional. But God; He feels a compassion to help. Everyday God grants us grace and mercy. In First Peter 5:6-10 the Word says, “Humble yourselves therefore under the God’s mighty hand that he may lift you up in due time. Cast your anxiety on him because he cares for you. Be self- controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings. And the God of all grace who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while will himself restore you and make you strong firm, and steadfast.” What is causing all this suffering? Sin. But since God is perfect Why would he do this to us…Well, I assert there is a higher purpose. If Jesus did not escape suffering you and I will not either. Saints, there is growth in suffering. First of all, become aware that our suffering increases our trust. Your faith is being tested and we must learn to look to the cross. Second, your trial is teaching you to rely ONLY ON THE LORD provisions. Instead on believing that we can handle life situations on our own. That trial will leave you feeling powerless thereby turning your mind/attitude towards Christ. Third, God wants us to be a living example for the conduct and character of Jesus Christ. He will use that trial to sift, sand and prune whatever doesn’t belong in our life. In that trial, know this… he will sustain us. Finally, our sufferings will help you SEE GOD. It is by faith. It is SUPERnatural. That happens when our hearts are being purified by the fire/trials. We will WANT TO desire Christ. Therefore, you will SEE HIM. Saints remember this in times of suffering, the Bible says, “Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will reveal to us later. For all creation is waiting eagerly for that future day when God will reveal who his children really are.” Romans 8:18 Question? Are you really his child?
With the Love of Christ
First Lady Vivian C. Currie
Pastor ALC