As I mentioned in my last blog post, things have been moving fast for me. I'm so fortunate to now be leading a life group at my church (Chet's Creek). It's truly an incredible thing to look back over the last five plus years in my life and see the changes that have taken place all because God wanted my focus to be on Him. Today I want to talk about Peter and what he tells us to do when we encounter suffering. Unlike in Peter's time, in today's world I believe that many of us suffer internally rather than externally. In our daily walk we are likely not stoned by others, or physically beaten, rather we are entrenched more by internal sufferings. The suffering of being different than the world, the suffering of not fitting in, the suffering of not measuring up to what the world wants for you. Peter gives us some great advice for when we encounter suffering: First we must discern if we are suffering due to God's will. Second we must commit to our Creator. And lastly, we must continue to do good. (1 Peter: 4:12-19)
1. Discern God's Will
How do we know what God's will is? How do you know when you are walking in line with God's will, or when you cross the line? Is there a difference between what the world thinks is acceptable compared to what God wants for you? The only way to know God's will is to read His word. We are called to love the Lord with all our hearts, mind, and soul. By seeking the Lord first, we can establish the line of what is God's will and what is not. For Jesus is our cornerstone! I can tell you from experience that when you live in the "grey" of mixing what is acceptable from our worldly perspective with what is required from our Heavenly Father....you are in the danger zone. How we discern God's will is we must get to know Him. The way to get to know Him is to have a relationship with Him. The way to deepen a relationship is to put forth the effort to communicate: Prayer and reading your Bible are critical to establishing the plumb line off the cornerstone of Jesus. Seek the Lord in your time and then discern by asking: Is this in line with the word of God? Am I suffering because of obedience to the word of God? If you are suffering being in the will of God, then rejoice! I know that's hard, but think about this: Jesus did everything perfect! and yet He suffered more than any one of us could ever imagine. Our sufferings in the grand scheme of things is nothing compared to the glory that we will experience when we are with our Heavenly Father for eternity.
2. Commit to our Creator
After you have discerned if you are suffering due to being obedient to God's will, you have the choice: commit to God, or commit to your comfort. Peter and Silas rejoice in the Bible after being almost stoned to death! Would you continue to spread the word of Jesus after being almost killed? Many of us including myself would find this almost impossible....but it is not impossible when you are filled with the Holy Spirit. Commit to steadfast obedience. Commit to serving the Lord first in all aspects of your life, even when the walls are closing in.
3. Continue to do Good
After you have discerned and committed, the last step is to continue doing good. You can only get to this place of continuing to do good in ALL circumstances by discerning and committing. Doing good is part of the fruit of being connected to the vine of Jesus. Much like a fruit though, it can only continue to grow and flourish by being in connection with the vine (Jesus).
Suffering is something we all will encounter....and for many of us, that suffering is internal. For me I know that things are off when I don't see the fruits of the spirit coming out of me when things aren't going my way. This is a great way to check yourself, but also to help others. If I see a friend that isn't showing patience or gentleness, then I know that there is possibly a disconnect. Our world is more connected than ever, but I've found through meeting one on one with people close to me that connection is a facade. Check yourself: Are the fruits of the Spirit coming out of you when you're in the valley and on the mountaintop? If they aren't, go to the source! In your suffering are you weary, or are you strengthened by God's promise?
Small plug alert: If you're in Jacksonville on a Sunday, I welcome and invite you to come to Chet's Creek Church. I am fortunate to be leading a Bible study life group for which all are welcome to come and explore the Word of God together. We meet in room 190 at 10:30am on Sundays. For me personally, it was in groups where I learned that being a Christian is not just about being a "good person," but that it's about living a life that isn't mine. I was a pseudo Christian for so long and would give myself the "Jesus loves me, so it doesn't matter if I'm disobedient" talk all the time. Through groups I realized my purpose by understanding God's purpose for my life. If you're not connected, I encourage you this week to find connection through groups within your church. If you're not sure how to do that, please send me a note and I'll help you!
Have a wonderful week! Remember, when you encounter suffering-Don't be surprised! Discern, Commit, and Continue!
-Cameron
1. Discern God's Will
How do we know what God's will is? How do you know when you are walking in line with God's will, or when you cross the line? Is there a difference between what the world thinks is acceptable compared to what God wants for you? The only way to know God's will is to read His word. We are called to love the Lord with all our hearts, mind, and soul. By seeking the Lord first, we can establish the line of what is God's will and what is not. For Jesus is our cornerstone! I can tell you from experience that when you live in the "grey" of mixing what is acceptable from our worldly perspective with what is required from our Heavenly Father....you are in the danger zone. How we discern God's will is we must get to know Him. The way to get to know Him is to have a relationship with Him. The way to deepen a relationship is to put forth the effort to communicate: Prayer and reading your Bible are critical to establishing the plumb line off the cornerstone of Jesus. Seek the Lord in your time and then discern by asking: Is this in line with the word of God? Am I suffering because of obedience to the word of God? If you are suffering being in the will of God, then rejoice! I know that's hard, but think about this: Jesus did everything perfect! and yet He suffered more than any one of us could ever imagine. Our sufferings in the grand scheme of things is nothing compared to the glory that we will experience when we are with our Heavenly Father for eternity.
2. Commit to our Creator
After you have discerned if you are suffering due to being obedient to God's will, you have the choice: commit to God, or commit to your comfort. Peter and Silas rejoice in the Bible after being almost stoned to death! Would you continue to spread the word of Jesus after being almost killed? Many of us including myself would find this almost impossible....but it is not impossible when you are filled with the Holy Spirit. Commit to steadfast obedience. Commit to serving the Lord first in all aspects of your life, even when the walls are closing in.
3. Continue to do Good
After you have discerned and committed, the last step is to continue doing good. You can only get to this place of continuing to do good in ALL circumstances by discerning and committing. Doing good is part of the fruit of being connected to the vine of Jesus. Much like a fruit though, it can only continue to grow and flourish by being in connection with the vine (Jesus).
Suffering is something we all will encounter....and for many of us, that suffering is internal. For me I know that things are off when I don't see the fruits of the spirit coming out of me when things aren't going my way. This is a great way to check yourself, but also to help others. If I see a friend that isn't showing patience or gentleness, then I know that there is possibly a disconnect. Our world is more connected than ever, but I've found through meeting one on one with people close to me that connection is a facade. Check yourself: Are the fruits of the Spirit coming out of you when you're in the valley and on the mountaintop? If they aren't, go to the source! In your suffering are you weary, or are you strengthened by God's promise?
Small plug alert: If you're in Jacksonville on a Sunday, I welcome and invite you to come to Chet's Creek Church. I am fortunate to be leading a Bible study life group for which all are welcome to come and explore the Word of God together. We meet in room 190 at 10:30am on Sundays. For me personally, it was in groups where I learned that being a Christian is not just about being a "good person," but that it's about living a life that isn't mine. I was a pseudo Christian for so long and would give myself the "Jesus loves me, so it doesn't matter if I'm disobedient" talk all the time. Through groups I realized my purpose by understanding God's purpose for my life. If you're not connected, I encourage you this week to find connection through groups within your church. If you're not sure how to do that, please send me a note and I'll help you!
Have a wonderful week! Remember, when you encounter suffering-Don't be surprised! Discern, Commit, and Continue!
-Cameron
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