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Suffering For Jesus
Richard Waialeale1 Peter 4:12-13 (NIV)
12 Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you.
13 But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.
I don’t consider myself a martyr and I pray I don’t have to suffer anything like the first Christians did back in the days. But in our society today, we suffer a different persecution and we’re judged wrongly from the way the first Christians suffered for Christ in the past. All that to say that the faith we have today, doesn’t spare us from pain and testing from people who oppose Christians.
Peter warned his readers about the oncoming pain and intense period of persecution. The key is to be in mental readiness.
Peter says to rejoice in the sufferings with Christ because the rewards are waiting for us in Heaven. The difference between the unbelievers and Christians is that we have secured a place for all of eternity, and the unbelievers have not. God’s promise for my life will be fulfilled in eternity with Christ and for everyone else that believe and said YES to Jesus. I must get as much people into Heaven while I’m here on this earth.
Thank you Jesus for going before us and the sacrifice You gave for us. I pray that this Christmas the seeds we plant will arrive during our services and we bring in the harvest. Lord may all the churches prosper and reap the fruits of our labor - in Christ Name I pray. Amen.
