CSB Experiencing God Bible, Hardcover, Jacketed. Hebrews 2:5-18, Denomination: Or perhaps just a needed break from our pain and suffering. We can only live one chapter of our lives at a time, and none of us knows exactly what the next chapter will bring. He heals and binds our wounds (Psalm 147:3). Admittedly, I still dont welcome the suffering that draws me that close, often preferring to know about Christs sufferings intellectually rather than through experience. Nothing is beyond Gods ability to redeem. Something about that connection offers encouragement and strengthens you. It has been said that there are only 2 things that are certain in life . You can know God on two levels. He searches us, and He knows us. Enter to win by leaving a comment here. A people without hope. I hadnt realized how much I needed them. In Ephesus, Pauls had what might be his most successful ministry anywhere, preaching there fore more than two years until all who lived in the province of Asia heard the Gospel. But somehow, knowing that God had not forgotten me stirred me to press into him with renewed hope. The king looked into the furnace and exclaimed, Look! We live in a day of proliferating knowledge. Given the culture that he grew up in, he was probably judged and talked about because he: Jesus went through what youre facing and he felt the things that youre feeling. He knew the physical pain of the cross, and the personal pain of betrayal. You wake up face down on the pavement You look to see the birds outside your window and see nothing but buzzards Your B-day cake .read more. We're sorry, an error occurred. He works in ALL things to produce Christ-like maturity. By faith, I believe that God has a reason and purpose for my pain perhaps thousands of reasons and they are all for my good, regardless of what it looks or feels like on the surface (Romans 8:28; Genesis 50:20). But for Joseph, time was moving in agonizing, painful slowness. In the pictures of the ancient Roman method of threshing grain, one man is always seen stirring up the sheaves while another rides over them in a crude cart equipped with rollers instead of wheels. Bishop TD Jakes - Sermon: God Knows When! How Can We Determine God's Will for Our Lives? Even more mysteriously and astonishingly, sharing in Christs sufferings means we will one day share in his glory, a glory that will make todays sorrows seem light and momentary (Romans 8:1718; 2 Corinthians 4:17). & Peazy, nobigdyl. read more, Scripture: That is not to say I do not like to be around crowds or visiting with people, it does mean that it is something I have to work at. All of our resources exist to guide you toward everlasting joy in Jesus Christ. . Unfortunately, it is in that place of greatest pain, and there alone, that the discovery can be made. Charismatic. John 16:17-24, Denomination: Today we will finish our study of Johns letter. There is a nearness, a personalness to God that David immediately feels in trouble. Introduction Like Paul, perhaps most of us cant see the purpose of our pain right at first. Luke 4:18, 2 Corinthians 7:9-10:10, Denomination: Those who deny pain. To know God is the furthest thing from their minds. As far as an oyster is concerned, what we call a pearl is nothing more than great suffering. In verse 29, we get Gods definition of good. He defines good as conforming us to the likeness of his son. We must gain pain perspective. End of Life: Our Fear of Pain Romans 8:28, Pain Perspective However, I would add a third certain to that list. No matter what your pain is, God sees you too! Paul didnt get a pass from pain. The power of pain? One of the most difficult things about pain is the feeling that its pointless. But it does mean that he can give even our senseless pain a purpose. Luke 8:40-50. He knows what disappointmentfeels like and He knows how stubborn mankind is because He created all things (Colossians 1:16), knows all things (Psalm 139), and can experience in perfect matrimony, all things. He comprehends the unexplainable anguish that invades our lives like an intruder bent on stealing valuables our self-esteem, purity, health, hope, future and more. The Junior Bible Quiz Sermon Series 6 Things God Wants To Tell You In The Middle Of Your Pain. This sermon describes 10 ways to know we are saved from the book of 1 John and why knowing this is so important (in light of 1 John 5:13). So, while we may have to suffer some now, we can find hope knowing that something even better than ice cream is coming. TEXT: Hebrews 2: 5-11, 14-18 Psalm 139:1-6, Denomination: Please take my pain and use it for good in my life, drawing me closer to You. For those who will dare search for pains purpose, there is one more thing. Pain management with prescriptions, exercise, massage, etc. I picture my Savior yielding to the spike-like barbs, wholly embracing his own suffering to rescue me. Pt. 4 Before a word is on my tongue you know it .read more. read more, Scripture: But the lessons of life are almost always taught in the classroom of suffering whether youre suffering through a elementary-school spelling quiz, dealing with the excruciating pain of disease, or the heartbreak of grief. read more, Scripture: $( ".billing_Date_of_Birth" ).datepicker({ dateFormat: 'dd/mm/yy' }); Author of the award-winning and bestselling book, not a fan. INTRODUCTION Theres a fine line here that must not be crossed, lest we cause even more pain to someone who suffers. Christian Rap & Urban Christian Culture's most visited destination has been Rapzilla.com, since 2003. If the Devil can use your pain to drive a wedge between a believer and Christ; he is doing his job. God wants to work in your pain to make you more like Jesus. Copyright 2003-2023 | Outreach, Inc., All rights reserved. I want to say to each of you right now: GOD KNOWS ABOUT IT ALL. Stay here and keep watch.. He's been taking care of most of the hard stuff that life keeps throwing at you and only allowing those challenges that are most important for your growth. This sermon reminds the believer that God is a God of absolute knowlege. So we must know God. If we invite Christ to meet us right where we are, knowing full well that He knows our pain and without masking our emotions, we can be triumphant in our defeats. Going Back in Order to God Forward full of fake relationships. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. (NIV), Genesis 16:11, The angel of the LORD also said to her: You are now pregnant and you will give birth to a son. You are currently impersonating {{userSessionData.email}}. "I know their sufferings, and I have come down to deliver them" (Exodus 3:7). Navigating the challenges and joys of ministry life. Jesus said, in John 14, that we will never be left alone, that he would send the Holy Spirit to be with us and to give us peace. He knows! During my last pregnancy on that faraway island, this psalm became especially meaningful to me. Furthermore, the more we share in Jesuss sufferings, the more we understand the power of his resurrection, and the more we can see his glory. God uses all things, even painful things, for our good. People used Jesus, flattered him, criticized him, lied about him, betrayed him, abandoned him, mocked him, humiliated him, whipped him, and watched him die an excruciating death. And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. In Philippi, Paul and Silas were beaten in public and taken away to the town dungeon. We all long to be known, understood, and valued. Click here to view our policy on 3rd party links. And so it is with us. read more, Scripture: If you are struggling today, remember God has not forgotten you. If the pain is great enough, youll find out where the strength of a person really lies. Like a wicked taskmaster, it can enslave us. In Psalm 23, David begins by talking about God and his tender care, saying, The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want (Psalm 23:1). We may soon look back at todays trials and marvel at Gods faithful hand in them. He gives life to the dead and calls into existence things that do not exist (Romans 4:17). 19Then said they unto him, Where is thy Father? All rights reserved. Jesus knows all about pain and He knows your pain. During the beating the day before, Paul and Silas must have been screaming their prayers to God, begging for relief. The next sentence says, We should never regret His sending it., God also uses pain to make us more like Jesus. Jesus Christ, the Highest Priest and the only Savior of mankind, is all we need. read more, Scripture: We may not know Gods plan for our pain until heaven, but we can be assured, as Hagar was: He sees us and loves us. And most importantly, God was working on Josephs own heart, testing and probing and forming a young man who simply would not waver from his faith in God, even if life took him to the bottom of the dungeon, or the height of power and prosperity. Illustration: The beauty of a single pearl, or a string of the precious stones, is unmistakable. Let's pray. Paul also had a vision, however, of a man from Macedonia (Acts 16:9) and an angel of the Lord (Acts 27:2324). You are the church, and Lifeway is here to serve you with biblical resources for everything life brings your way. The Deliverer is on the way! But one day I will see face to face and understand fully (1 Corinthians 13:12). None of those New Testament heroes had a personal appearance from the Lord at every beating, scourging, or arrest. This will hurt a little bit. A little bit! The only doctor available believed my child was not viable. It is not wise, or even biblical, to tell someone in pain that God wont give them more than they can bear. After all, that passage (1 Corinthians 10:13) is clearly about avoiding temptation, not overcoming pain. Barbara Brand, who has MS and brain lesions that cause excruciating pain in her head, gets regular injections into her skull and neck (about forty at a time) just to relieve the uncontrollable pain and nausea. And as we behold Gods glory, we are being changed into his image (2 Corinthians 3:18), becoming more like him. Will a professing Christian go to hell if he never shares the gospel? Perhaps 10, 15 years pass. Fellowship is an irreplaceable means of grace in the Christian life and offers us two priceless joys: receiving Gods grace through the helping words of others and giving his grace to others through our own. Hed been the focus of riots and death threats, and after one harrowing, near-death experience, he was snake bitten! read more, Scripture: All of our resources exist to guide you toward everlasting joy in Jesus Christ. In just a few weeks, Paul had another supernatural experience in Jerusalem, when he saw the Lord speaking while in a trance (Acts 22:17). God Knows This message is for anyone who is suffering pain, affliction or tribulation. All good words. Im guessing youd do it. And He is doing something about it. Maybe its no accident that the 12 gates of the New Jerusalem (Rev. Psalm 139:1-24. You shall name him Ishmael, for the Lord has heard of your misery. (NIV). Youll see the character on the inside that inspires all of us. read more, Scripture: That leads to a fourth thing I think you might hear God tell you in the middle of your pain. He is using your suffering and pain in ways you would not believe if someone told you. Kyle has contributed to 8 of our products including AHA, gods at War, H2O, Not a Fan, Not a Fan Teen Edition, and The End of Me. Paul was saved about five years later, on the road to Damascus. He hadnt always had enough food, clothing, sleep, or friends. Evangelical/Non-Denominational. This still does not ease the oyster's suffering. But how can we tell if we really know God? God has all of eternity to lavish his kindness on us (Ephesians 2:7). They want to live like they want. Hed been chased by bandits, and infuriated religious leaders. Presbyterian/Reformed, Where is God when life hurts? A. Being reborn doesnt 12:7-10 To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. And after, say, 572,282,325 years of heaven, I dont think youll even remember the pain you had on earth. Where are you, God? Christian/Church Of Christ. For more uplifting devotionals, grab a copy of Pam Tebows Hope for a Womans Heart. 3 - People, Permanent, And Perfected Pain, Pain Perspective - Pt. As I heard those words, I was flooded with emotion. God knows your heartaches! It looks at the things that John says we need to know. God sees us in the dark because it is as bright as the day to Him. But God sees us, and He cares deeply. Suffering brings an intimacy with God, a mysterious and sacred fellowship that cannot be captured in words. In fact, the only thing that seemed to discourage Paul were the problems in his young churches. It also means that he can bring good out of all thats bad. Take a chance on Him. And now is doubling at the rate of every 18 months. Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.. He doesnt cause all things, but he does cause them to work together for our good. God Knows Our Suffering | Theology of Work Psalm 56 begins with David's cry for mercy because his enemies are attacking him. He is faithful and will do what He says (1 Thessalonians 5:24). Struggle with debilitating physical and mental illness. Isaiah 43:18-19, Denomination: Please, God.Please, God.Please, God.. In order to not cause confusion, I am naming each of the sermons in this series after whatever were covering in the Emotionally Healthy Spirituality book that week. What if we limp? Pain strengthens our faith in God. You will be marked by power, by destiny, by purpose, by anointing, etc. He says, Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me (Psalm 23:4). But sixteen years, at least, passed before Paul had another such recorded experience. In our world today. According to most scholars time-lines, Jesus was crucified about A.D. 30. Or if you have ever begged God to remove your anguish, and God denied your desperate request, you can know a little of Christs fellowship in suffering. As it turned out, God was very much at work, right in the middle of the pain. On the other hand, God invites us to draw near to him that we might experience his peace, healing . As I share in Christs suffering, I find an unusual closeness to Jesus that offers a rare glimpse of his glory. That means your pain is never in vain. You know it's going to be a tough day when. 1. But we can be certain that, as Joni Eareckson Tada says, Well thank God endlessly in heaven for the trials he sent us here.. He sees us when we wander. Well I just wanna welcome everyone here to Embrace From a logical point of view, it would seem that God would reward those who do good with less pain. Mark 5:21-43, Denomination: And now, there was a thorn in the flesh. How bad was this particular pain? But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." If you havent already, be sure to join our, Special Note: This post may contain affiliate links. (01) Lord, thank You for being a God who sees me and knows me completely. All Rights Reserved. Low tolerance of pain vs. high . There are many other ways to deal with pain but those are the three every Christian can utilize. You wake up face down on the pavement God is constant in His goodness. You are loved. Free shipping on books, Bibles, gifts, VBS, and church supplies of $50 or more. He says, Be still, and know that I am God; A cord of three strands is not quickly broken. Those simple words turned my mind and helped me focus on the truths that I needed to remember. That tiny little irritant slips inside the tight seal of an oysters shell, and immediately causes discomfort. Copyright 2023 Proverbs 31 Ministries. Deals with one of the reasons people give for taking thier lives into thier own hands near the end of life, the second part of a 3 part series. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. Here are six things that God wants to tell you when you are in the middle of your pain. Like nothing else, it can introduce us to the power of God. *, Forgot your password But heaven may feel like little comfort as days of pain on earth stretch into months and even years. Like the saints throughout Scripture, who didnt see Gods promises realized in their lifetime, we will have to trust that God has something better in store for us (Hebrews 11:1316). God loves you in your finest moment and your darkest hour. Psalm 139:1-6 Pt. As God worked, the waiting was hard for Joseph bitterly hard. Sharp stones and rough bits Perhaps a person going through the excruciating process of cancer treatments could tell us how bad pain can become. Thats why the Bible says we can go to him with confidence: For we do not have a high priestwho is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we areyet he did not sin. Life starts with a good slap to a babys bottom, and in some aspects, goes downhill from there. Few Jewels capture the eye quite like a perfect pearl. But make no mistake about it. I want us to look into the Bible and look at some Bible characters and at some lives transformed in 40 days. There will be no pain in heaven. Matthew 10:22, Denomination: Try being stoned, scourged (five times), and being beaten with fists, rods and words. But remember: You are Gods child. Will a professing Christian go to hell if he never shares the gospel? read more, Scripture: All of us want deliverance in this life, and many of us will see it. If you have ever been betrayed by a friend, someone you loved and trusted, you can know a little of Christs fellowship in suffering. We live in a world that is filled with hurting people. If you were to die today and stand before God seated upon the great white throne of judgment, would He or would He not let you into We will die from wasting disease. Scripture: He knows your deepest fears. In places like Athens, Ephesus, and Corinth, the once powerful temples and the religion of the Greek gods that so dominated his culture are in ruins. For more information, see our, But, my friend, Im here to tell you that this is not how the rest of your life will look! Pain Perspective Todays subject is How to Know God. But wait a minute; a good majority of people dont really care to know God. There is some pain so great, it seems impossible to bear. Your B-day cake The three of them were thrown into a giant furnace to be executed. Surely if we knew exactly what steps were needed in order to get out of our pain, then well be happy again. For he is constantly looking to devour and deceive (1 Peter 5:8). Their refusal was the result of their allegiance to God. In theology, this is The Greek word for the Holy Spirit is literally translated to, The one who comes alongside. Remember that, when youre standing in the hospital or funeral home, or when you hear the words you never thought youd hear. He had seen rejection and disappointment as surely as you have. The slate has been wiped clean; were starting over fresh and clean. Everyone experiences pains, and while the size and scope may vary, our source of help does not. *, Password That's a long time to spend parked on a dead end. Nothing is beyond God's ability to redeem. Or if you have experienced tormenting, all-consuming physical pain with no relief, you can know a little of Christs fellowship in suffering. Sunday, August 18, 2002 After all, those early letters were filled with corrections, some of them quite harsh. There is no suffering we can experience that our Lord cannot relate to. His resume of suffering appears near this very passage (2 Corinthians 11:23-29), and it includes multiple imprisonments, beatings, floggings, canings, life-threatening experiences, a stoning, shipwrecks, and a night and a day floating in the open sea. Heres the really important question: Will you find the positives in your pain? We must trust that God is using our suffering for something greater than we can see now. Jesus Christ, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords,was overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. The greatness of this truth can only be seen when we consider the vastness of space and the trillions and trillions of stars. In the midst of pain, there is an opportunity faith maturity that could accelerate your Christian growth like nothing else possibly could. The law of Your mouth is better to us . read more, Scripture: 2 Cor. Its easier to persevere when theres a reward for being faithful during times of testing. No matter where we live or who we are, God sees us, and He knows every detail of our pain. That had the biggest impact on her ability to persevere. Yes Jeremiah 9:23-24, Denomination: God loves us as we are, but He loves us too much to leave us that way. You must lean into God in order for Him to guide you. Yes, there remain unanswered questions. It, I can quote scripture to you. In the midst of the suffering, it is extremely difficult to find the purpose of our pain, and to celebrate that purpose.
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