A DREAM RESURRECTED/Resurrected Dreams

John 21:1-19

This  blog is dedicated to all of you who dared to dream once.  You dared or are daring to do something impossible for God.  You acted on something you felt God told you to do.  It was against the odds.  You may have come up against obstacles and nay-sayers.  There are killers of dreams and visions...there are apparent realities that kill dreams like lack of money or other resources...your own self doubt may stunt your dream.  And there are others of you who haven't dared to allow God to put a dream in you.  This is also dedicated to you.  You are afraid to open up your heart to Him.  There are others your dream has died and it's somewhere in the forgotten land of impossible and impractical.  There is hope today and God has a message for you.  The dream is not dead.  The stump is still there.  As long as you have life in your lungs and the blood is flowing through your veins.  The dream is still alive because He lives!  Will you dare travel with me to the land of the impossible where giants are fallen with a single rock, where red seas open and axe's float.  In a land where the Sun stands still at the command of a man and small band of misfit warriors defeat massive armies where barren women have babies and old age isn't the end but it's the beginning.  Come with me to the land of Resurrected Dreams.

I want to take you back the first day of the week 2 thousand years ago.  Jesus is Risen.  He has risen from the dead.  He has done exactly what He said.  Jesus said if you tear down this temple, I will build it again in 3 days.  He had accomplished the impossible.  He was the perfect sacrifice for the entire world.  He paid the ultimate price.  He had become the atonement.  Jesus we are blown away you actually did what you said.  You came back from the dead.  We've even got to see you.  You've appeared to many of us.  You've walked through walls…you shown doubting Thomas the imprints in your body…you've mysteriously walked among us and we didn't know until you spoke or broke bread with us.  That's well and good Jesus but what about us.  What about me…says Apostle Peter  It's not the same.

Jesus you were our dog.   You were our main man.  We hung out with you.  We were with you 24/7.  Your words were life to us.  We slept next to you.  We ate our meals with you.  We went to celebrations and weddings with you.  We endured storms with you.  We worshipped you.  We depended upon you.  We listened to every syllable.  We were considered nobodies.  We used to be Ordinary.  And you chose us.  We were your Talmidims (Disciples)…  Jesus we were your boys….your homies.  We embraced the dream you set before us.  We truly believed that the Kingdom of God was at hand.  And you the King of that Kingdom.  We saw the healings and the exorcisms.  We saw how you forgave sins and set the captive free.  We got out of our comfort zones didn't we leave our homes, some left our wives, our professions.  We became spiritual…we were religious nobodies.  Even Jesus you taught us not to fear the religious bullies.  Yes we were to honor their position but no longer were we intimidated by their words that brought oppression.  Jesus those were the glory days.  Hanging out with you were the glory days.  But…it's not the same…we don't get to see you anymore.  The other talmidims make fun us.  They say we are just hallucinating…maybe we are.  They continue to remind us that we're not qualified to be a disciple.  How could we ever be a teacher.  We're not ready…we only had 3 years with you.  What are we to do now.  What am I to do now.  Wow this was all a bad nightmare.  I think I better go fishing.

 John 21:1-3

1Afterward Jesus appeared again to his disciples, by the Sea of Tiberias.^] It happened this way: 2Simon Peter, Thomas (called Didymus), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together. 3"I'm going out to fish," Simon Peter told them, and they said, "We'll go with you." So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.

How many of us can relate to Peter and the disciples?  Have you ever had your hopes and your dreams dashed.  Have you ever had this conversation: "But I thought I heard Him?  That dream/vision it wasn't mine in the first place.  You called me I was happy doing my own thing.  Well at least I thought I was called?"

When one is disappointed like the disciples were, he/she becomes despondent…Despondency leads to feelings of being disqualified for the task…then Depression.  Depression is the number one killer of dreams.  The word depression means to push down.  Depression pushes down and out any vision.  What do you do when you are depressed…you disconnect and go fishing.  I'm taking my toys and go back to the way it used to be.   Back to the familiar.

But I have good news!  In the midst of your depression…in the midst of your despondency…God will show up.  You may not be looking for Him.  But He is certainly looking for you!

Out of nowhere…He will show up.  He shows up in places that He shouldn't even be at.  It may look like a disaster to you.  But God is right in the midst of it.  It may seem like a desert and wasteland to you.  You may not be catching a thing.  But God is right there.  He's right in the midst of your situation.  You may try to run from Him.   But He is right on your tail.  King David tried run from the Lord but found out…He couldn't run.

Psalm 139:2-12

 2 You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O LORD. You hem me in—behind and before; you have laid your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
too lofty for me to attain. Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?  If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, ^[a] you are there.  If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea,  even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.  If I say, "Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me,"  even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day,  for darkness is as light to you.

The disciples (especially Peter) must have been even more frustrated because going back to their old life wasn't working.  They weren't catching any fish.  There must have been a feeling of pure dread and defeatism.  Have you ever been trapped in no man's land.  In tennis it's the area where you're not in the back at the base line to hit a nice ground stroke and you're too far from the front to volley at the net.  So you are easy prey.  You're trapped in a wasteland.  Spiritually this is a desert.  You're prey to all kinds of predators.  The way it use to be always looks better than the present.  But you can't go back…you become despondent and that leads to depression.  But just when you're about to give up and do something foolish, Jesus will show up!  It may be through a sermon, a friend, a song, a book…He will show up on the shore of your life.

 John 21:4-6

 4Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus.  How many situations that we are in and we don't recognize the Master, because we are to disappointed, to depressed.. to self absorbed.  Sometimes it's so dim and cloudy that we can't see Jesus anywhere.   5He called out to them, "Friends, haven't you any fish?"
      "No," they answered.  6He said, "Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some." When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish.

This scene would have been very reminiscent to Peter…it was very similar to the one in which Peter was called to be a Talmidim of Christ.  Let's look at Luke 5:1-11

1One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret,^[a]with the people crowding around him and listening to the word of God, 2he saw at the water's edge two boats, left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets. 3He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat.  4When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, "Put out into deep water, and let down^[b] the nets for a catch."  5Simon answered, "Master, we've worked hard all night and haven't caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets."  6When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. 7So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink.  8When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus' knees and said, "Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!" 9For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, 10and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon's partners.    Then Jesus said to Simon, "Don't be afraid; from now on you will catch men." 11So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.

For those who feel like giving up.  Those who want to go back to the way it was.  Remember the Calling.  Remember when He first called you.  What were you doing?  What did He say?   What you do or will do for God must rooted in what He said to you.  He gave Peter a promise in v. 10 Don't be afraid; from now on you will catch men.

What has God told you that has been clouded by discouragement? What did God say to you in the light that you have forgotten in the dark?  Go back to the circumstances of when, how and what never forget WHO called you.

When Peter's memory was jarred back to his calling…He immediately responds.

John 21:7-13

 7Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, "It is the Lord!" As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, "It is the Lord," he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water. When you recognize the Savior you will run to Him.   Recognizing the Master is the greatest feat when you are despondent or depressed.  You're really not looking for Him.  Sometimes you're running away from Him.  There are so many other voices and imitations of life.  That even when He is standing right in our midst it is hard to recognize.  But once you do.  He is irresistible.  Peter runs to Jesus.  Quite the contrast of what he did before. 

8The other disciples followed in the boat, towing the net full of fish, for they were not far from shore, about a hundred yards.^[a] 9When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread.  

Again this scene of the "burning coals" would have brought back memories for Peter memories of denial John 18:18.  Where he denied the Lord 3 times.  But even the negative memories become faded in light of the whose standing in front of Him.  Jesus has come back for Him.

10Jesus said to them, "Bring some of the fish you have just caught."  11Simon Peter climbed aboard and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 11, but even with so many the net was not torn. 12Jesus said to them, "Come and have breakfast." None of the disciples dared ask him, "Who are you?" They knew it was the Lord. 13Jesus came, took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish.

And typical Jesus He is the epitome of hospitality.  He feeds them again.  It is in this setting that the best conversations are made around the dinner table.  Jesus has a profound conversation with Peter in front of the others.

John 21:15-17

15When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?"       "Yes, Lord," he said, "you know that I love you."       Jesus said, "Feed my lambs."

 16Again Jesus said, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me?"       He answered, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you."       Jesus said, "Take care of my sheep."  17The third time he said to him, "Simon son of John, do you love me?"  Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, "Do you love me?" He said, "Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you." 18Jesus said, "Feed my sheep.

Do you love me more than these? 

These could be the fish…could be the nets & boats.  But maybe Jesus again was reminding Peter. Do you love me more than your fellow disciples/talmidims?  Not long before  in Matthew 26:33  Peter had boasted if all fall away on account of you, I never will.

Jesus asked Peter with agape (unconditional love) yet Peter responds with phileo (friendship).  Yes Lord you know that I love (phileo) you.  Peter has been humbled.  God brings restoration in our humility.  Peter no longer boasts of his unfailing unconditional love.  He has found out and others also that our love is very conditional.   He readily admits that his love is fragile.  Like ours...our loves is so fragile…as the hymn writer wrote, prone to wander Lord I feel it.  Like Peter I often and deny Him, when love competes with my flesh.  But be encouraged…the God who placed the Dream and Vision in you is greater than your ability to accomplish it.  "Greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world."  God has great confidence in you more than you know.  Remember, He chose you...you didn't really chose Him.

Jesus recognizes the humility and commands Peter to 1. feed the lambs  2. take care of the sheep 3. feed the sheep.  Jesus doesn't want love shown only by fickle boisterous emotions.  Real Love isn't characterize by how you feel but what you do.  Love is an action verb.  This is how you love me…it is through your actions.  "Peter…talk is cheap."  You say you love me.  Then remember "the dream".  Peter everything I've put in you.  Everything that I have shown you, Now's the time!  You say you love me.  Then fulfill the dream and vision that I placed in you.  I haven't given up on you.  Don't you give up on your dream.  Peter you have not disqualified yourself from accomplishing the dream that I placed within you.  Because I am alive the dream is very much alive.  Therefore be my shepherd.  Remember these are my lambs, these are my sheep.  You are to carry on.  Peter this is graduation!  Now Peter more than ever Follow me.  Everything I have done…you do.  You are the teacher now.  You are the shepherd now!  

Peter was in great company in his installation service to be a shepherd.  Moses, David and Jesus himself were great shepherds.

God is about bringing back to the life that which has died.  Each of you who are reading this... has great purpose in you.  God has put dreams and visions in you that only He can accomplish through you.  Lions tigers and bears…Giants and Red Seas…have gotten you discouraged, despondent and depressed.  You feel that you have been disqualified from living your dream.  God is saying I am the Resurrection and the Life.  If you love me, then show me.  Accomplish what I placed in your heart.

If Jesus were here today, I believe He would say this...

Put away the fishing pole of self sufficiency and Follow Me.

Wade through the mirky water of disappointments and failures and come back to me…your DREAM GIVER

Your Vision and Mission are motivated and sustain through your Love for Me [Jesus]

Remember my friend…remember the when, how and what of Your Calling and trust that you really heard me.

Lastly…tell someone…tell someone who you trust of the Dream I have put in you.  Tell a Barnabus your dream.  As you live your dream, God receives much praise and Glory.

Because He lives...we can live in the Land of Resurrected Dreams. 

Shalom.

God so wants us to approach Him with a child's attitude.  Sunday morning I was getting ready for church.  My 4 children had shortly awaken and were playing together and making a lot of noise as soon as they bounced out of bed.   My little 3 year old, Noah, peeked around the door in my bedroom and with big eyes and a big smile with a giggly voice said...GOOD MORNING MR. DADDY!  And quickly ran back with the rest of the fun.

I was overwhelmed.  He didn't want anything, he just wanted to express his love by saying Good Morning.  The Lord quietly said to me...that's all I want...just for you to take some time out of your busy life and say how much you love me.  Not that you want anything but out of the abundance of your joy greet me with a big smile. 

Remember my friends, take the time and let your Daddy know how much you love Him and that He's the best Papa in the Cosmos.  P.S. A 'smile' goes a long way with your Daddy.  

PD

Do not be afraid has been the admonishment from our Creator ever since Adam and Eve introduced sin back in Genesis 3.  Fear instantly crept into the hearts of humankind and we have been gripped with fear ever since.  Adam told the Creator, I hid because I was afraid of my nakedness.  It seems the further we get away from our Creator the more our hearts are gripped with fear because we are nakedly exposed.  I think it might be the lack of intimacy with Him causes us to focus on ourselves.  And the horrible truth about self is instinctively known...we are weak, helpless and totally lacking and there's an incredible desire for self preservation.  A matter of fact social scientists assert that we are born with fear: the fear of noise and the fear of falling.  And from birth on we accumulate more things to be scared of.  There are over 7 thousand phobias.  Everything in our society (as a result of sin) has a hierarchy of fear.  From our family structures to our governments and political systems.  Just think of it so many decisions are made based on fear.  So it's no wonder after 400 years of Israel not hearing a peep from God, God shows up and the first utterances are "DO NOT BE AFRAID".  This is the first herald of the first Christmas.  There are four powerful instances in the Christmas story that God is preparing and consoling humanity with the words, Do not fear: 1) The angel comes to Zechariah, the aged priest and father of John the Baptist and tells him that he will have a son who will be the forerunner to the Messiah. 2) The angel appears to teenage Mary and announces she will be the mother of the Messiah, the Savior of the World.  3) Then the angel announces to the Shepherds the lowest caste in society that the Savior has come. 4) And lastly the Angel announces to Joseph a lowly carpenter that he will be the surrogate father of the Son of God.  It's powerful to note that whenever God declares throughout scripture for his people not to be afraid, he is about to share with them an impossible assignment yet He never leaves them hanging.   He always tells them why they don't have to fear!  God never states that the assignment isn't huge or that FEAR is False Evidence Appearing Real.  The Evidence is very real but God will accomplish a great feat through a willing weak insignificant vessel namely us.  This Advent what has God called you to do that is impossible?  Are there Giants and Mountains that are in your life?  God is saying...I am here do not be afraid.  Yes your mountain and giant are real but they are nothing to me.  Nothing is impossible with God!  May the assurance of His presence subside your fears.  There is something great and spectacular the Lord has for you to do.  Whatever the task do not be afraid, remain close to Him and believe and do not doubt.  Allow the gift of Faith to overpower your fear of the impossible.  When is the last time you accomplished something that only God could do?

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

This past weekend my brothers (pastor friends) and I went on a mini retreat in the mountains in Virginia.  We had a great time of teaching, worship and fellowship.  We were taught by our brother and friend, Dr. Noah Manyike who wrote one of the most incredible books called the 'Challenge to Leadership'.  Our time with him was so life changing as we gleaned through some powerful concepts in his book.  Dr. Manyike is from Zimbawe and brings a perspective that surpasses much of our 'consumerism spirituality' here in the U.S.  He has incredible spirtual insight...here is a blurb from the chapter entitled, 'The School of Betrayal'..."No sane person enjoys being betrayed.  We don't pray that we would be betrayed so that we can become better people.  We all wish to never experience betrayal.  We learn however from the life of Christ that there  is betrayal  that comes with the mission of leadership, and  that the  treachery  of others can be our stepping-stone to glory."  

Amen...God will use the most heart wrenching experiences for our growth and His Glory!  Like Dr. Manyike stated we wouldn't by choice choose such a painful course of growth, but that's why He's the Potter and we are the clay.  He is molding us daily.  Submission to Him in suffering in my opinion is the greatest act of Worship to our Lord.

I had an incredible encounter with God while on the mountain.  While I was out early Saturday morning having my devotion and encounter with Him.  The Lord spoke to me and said look at the mountain what do you see.  I saw a huge rock...I mean a really massive rock and it was quite daunting and intimidating because it was so big.  The Lord then had me to turn and look the other direction and there in the side of the same mountain were the Villas and Chateaus which we were staying.  The Lord quietly said...these are two formations part of the same mountain.  What happens to your mountain depends on how you see it. When I had looked at it, I saw something gigantic and daunting - impossible to handle.  But when someone else looked at the same mountain they saw 'Development'.  The only difference between the formations: one a massive piece of rock and the other Villas--- was VISION.  The Lord clearly spoke to me and said....PD speak to the mountains/obstacles in your life and make your mountains work for you!  You are your greatest obstacle not betrayal or any impediment.  Allow me to build places of rest in your mountain(s).

Dear Friends...What mountain(s) is in your life?  God has called you to accomplish the impossible.  If you have faith the size of a mustard seed and the 'Eyes'/vision of the Father you will do great things for Him.  With God all things are possible...do not be afraid.  And in your mountains carve out a place of rest.

PD

"Father...I am amazed by your Grace and overwhelmed by your Love...Your mercies are new every morning...Great is your Faithfulness.  Father I pray for each of my friends on myspace.  I pray for them to know a measure of Your Love for them.  I pray in times of stress and doubt that you would assure them of your presence...in times of temptation you would surround them with your assurance...in times of attack may you be a shield about them.  Father I pray for those who share your gospel on this media of myspace...may the seeds that they plant find root in the hearts of those you have chosen.  May there be a harvest of righteousness.  I pray for the families of each of my friends, may you prosper them and protect them.  Supply all of their needs according to your riches in glory.  Lead them not to temptation but deliver them from evil.  May your agenda rest upon their hearts and may they not stray from it.  May they accomplish the 'impossible'... for in You all things are possible to us who believe in You.  Bless them Father...cause your face to shine upon them, grant them peace.  May they walk in your favor and enlighten their hearts to know who they are in You.  In Jesus Name...Amen."  

I have a good friend who is in the process of planting a church, he is going through hyper spiritual warfare. He is an African American who has a real desire to see a multi-ethnic congregation. As you can imagine this isn't easy in our American Culture. He went to the doctor yesterday for symptoms of depression. He also hurt his back several months ago and the doctor feels the depression is causally related to the injury as well as stress. I've been trying to be there for him. I listen to him allot and try to help him see the bigger picture and process things. As you know, the commitment level among Christians is minimal especially in the area of race relations. He is trying to put together a core group of believers, but many want a ready made church or don't want to tackle the difficult issues of race talk. He has been let down quite a bit by broken promises and commitments. He's already exhausted. I keep reminding him that it's best to break off an engagement than to get married and have regrets. :-)) In other words, the people that have decided not to be a part of the core group would not have been a good team member. It's good that the Lord weed them out before hand. 

Though I fully understand spiritual attack, there just seems to be so much 'stuff' going on in 'the church'. I'm tired of the excuses that 'we're only human'. When will the 'American' church live empowered grace filled lives? I don't know about you, but I don't see much difference in the lives of most Christians. We are just as egotistical, material idol worshippers, and self indulgent as the 'world'.  Sometimes even more so....Amercian Christians have created a neat little niche for ourselves we get the stuff, we get to pass judgements on othes and we inherit heaven too!  Who wouldn't want to be a Christian in America.  For a bonus we get a Christian President.

Let's look at reconciliation...we have been charged to be ministers of reconciliation.  In my observations, we've failed miserably, in personal evangelism but also in relationships, especially in racial reconciliation. Racism is embedded in the soil of America and much of the world (of course the root is sin and pride). But the church has made minimal strides in eradicating this bad yeast. Reconciliation must be intentional. God was very intentional when He gave His only Son. And Jesus was very intentional when He died on the cross to break the wall of division. Jesus just didn't happen on the Samaritans and the Syro Phoenicians, these were divinely orchestrated to teach a lesson that we are all truly one by belief in Him. Paul didn't just end up converting Gentiles, He was sent to the Gentiles (which is the majority of us if we are not Jewish)   It always amazes me how non Jewish Christians can be racist, when we were the ones grafted in.     For whosoever calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. It has always been the intention of our Father to reconcile humanity back to Himself, to each other and to creation. (Yes to God consciousness regarding our environment.)

Racial reconciliation must be intentional. We have to set our hearts toward breaking the barriers and developing community among people who are ethnically different from us (especially and in particular between African Americans and Caucasians). Just like Jesus who set his face toward Jerusalem, we have to set our face toward Unity. This means to reevaluate our styles/ personal preferences of worship and social club attitudes. We have to search our hearts for hidden areas of feelings of superiority or inferiority. We have to truly understand, believe, know and experience the nature of sin and grace where it relates to feelings of superiority in reference to other ethnic groups. The key is developing relationships. I compare any worthwhile relationship especially cross culturally and ethnically to marriage. It is about commitment through thick or thin, regrets, misunderstandings, fights...its all about commitment. The end goal and motivation is simply to glorify God. In Jesus' prayer found in John 17, Jesus emphasizes that our Father is glorified when we come together as one. He never prayed for it to be easy but he knew it would be painful and often excruciating thus the need for God's help.   He prayed that we would be one.

So with all this said, we must be clear that racial unity isn't the goal.  The number one aim and incentive is for us to Glorify our Father through our Oneness. WOW!   We must submit and subject ourselves to anything to bring glory to the Father through obedience. I guess that's why there are so many people all over the world suffering just for being called a Christian. Willing to submit and subject themselves just to bring Him Glory!  We can't even sacrifice our worship style.  

Going back to marriages...the stats show that evangelical christians' divorce rate is higher than the world....abortion rates are about the same. My goodness what is that saying about our commitment to God and to each other.  We can't even stay married to people whom we claim to love.   It's no wonder we can't adequately address pertinent sociological issues,  we can't even live out the basics of our faith.  Loving God and loving each other.

Racial reconciliation is uncomfortable and can be down right heart wrenching. But from my experience anything worthwhile done for the Kingdom will be challenging and life altering. But so well worth it. As Paul stated, I want to know Him not only in His glory but also to share in the fellowship of His suffering. Many pastors are afraid to address the racial issue from the pulpit because it's a fiscal issue...yes it's about money.  They are afraid that many would leave their church. How many (one race) predominate churches would ever have a person of another ethnicity pastor them or even on staff. What would happen if the church you attended was given an African American senior pastor? I have witnessed it time and time again, there is a mass exodus or a spirit of non-cooperation. I commend the UMC for even attempting to address the issue by sending these pastors but these pastors and their families are often wounded deeply and often leave the ministry. And we call this the Church of the Living God?
How many sermons have you heard preached on racism, or the racist structure of American society? How many sermons have been preached about welcoming people of color (or the flip side welcoming caucasians in the midst). Not just to assimilate people but to integrate people. Yikes not integration...my daughter might marry one.  It takes work and allot of self sacrifice. The American church just isn't willing to go there. And for that I believe Jesus' prayer goes unanswered.  Isn't it hard to believe that we are going to be in heaven...together.  Doesn't seem right does it? All of us get to go and worship together there and can't do it here?

How many senior pastors have differing groups of people as friends? (How many have friends at all).  Most senior pastors seem to lack intimate friendships with others.  How can a reconciler not be in a reconciled relationship?  For example does a white pastor have a black or hispanic pastor as a close friend, and vice versa. It really starts with intentionality and committed relationships.

The solution:  INVITE SOMEONE WHOSE DIFFERENT FOR DINNER THIS WEEK 

SUFFERING WITH JESUS  Romans 8:17-25

One of the many advantages of being a child of God is that God uses our trials and suffering in a redemptive manner.  This is a difficult concept for all of us because no one truly likes suffering.  How many of us can't wait to get a migraine headache or jump up with glee when tragedy strikes.  No it's usually the opposite we get depressed and immediately try to get relief.  There was a great add about an antacid..."How do you spell relief...R.O.L.A.I.D.S.  Our society is filled with anti-suffering antidotes, some good some not so good: drugs, alcohol, pornography, sex, bigger house, faster car.  The list goes on and on...I guess anything would fall in this category if used to escape for a bit and relieve the nagging pain that is either physical, emotional, spiritual or all the above.  God isn't ignorant of our pain nor is He impotent.  In His Awesome Agenda He actually uses suffering as an instrument for our good and His Glory.  Here are some interesting points on suffering.

a.      Suffering result of Fall Part of Life (rain falls on just & unjust)

b.      Suffering Because of Association with Christ (Jn 15:18-23)

c.      Suffering because of Fathers Discipline (Hebrews 12:5-11)

d.      Suffering the effects of our own sin (Gal. 6:7,8)

e.      Suffering/trials come for greater Fruitfulness (John 15:2)

What God does with our Suffering/trials:

Conforms us to the image of Christ,  Correction  - Drive us to God,   Test for next level, Increases our Faith and Hope, Opportunity for future ministry.  Isn't God Awesome!  Be encouraged, God may not bring you out of your present suffering but He will most definitely bring you through.  His goal isn't to harm you but to transform you.  He truly loves you.  This present suffering doesn't compare to the greater glory that is yet to come.

Enjoy the journey with Jesus.  PD