July 02, 2013
I Peter 2:20–21 - "But if you suffer for doing good, and you are patient, then God is pleased. This is what you were called to do..." Wow. How do those who support the idea of a "feel good, God just wants you to be happy" religion reconcile that "belief" with what Peter says about suffering? "This is what you were called to do..."
Christ suffered for us and gave us an example of how to suffer and be patient. I Peter 2:21 - "So you should do as he did."
As my husband and I were talking about this passage, my husband began to reflect back on what happened to him while we were on a missions trip to El Sembrador boy's school in Honduras. I don't think I've written about it before. I want to make sure it gets written and not lost so I am recounting it here.
We arrived in Honduras on a Saturday. On Sunday we went to their church service in their simple but beautiful chapel. All the boys sat up front. We sat on the hard wooden pews towards the back. The worship songs were in Spanish and the preaching was also in Spanish. We understood little to nothing that was spoken, however the Spirit of the Lord was there and we understood much.
During the service my husband became very emotional. He sat there and wept with tears running down his face. I put my arm around him. I didn't know what was happening. Was he thinking about his brother who had just passed away a few weeks earlier? What was going on? What was causing him to become so emotional?
Later my husband shared with the group what was happening. God was running the events of the last six and one half years of "the storm" through his mind and God was grilling him with questions.
Christ suffered. But He let God, the One who judges rightly, take care of Him. We have chosen to let God, the One who judges rightly, take care of us.
He has proven Himself faithful!!
Next Entry: I Peter 3:1–22
I Peter 2:20–21 - "But if you suffer for doing good, and you are patient, then God is pleased. This is what you were called to do..." Wow. How do those who support the idea of a "feel good, God just wants you to be happy" religion reconcile that "belief" with what Peter says about suffering? "This is what you were called to do..."
Christ suffered for us and gave us an example of how to suffer and be patient. I Peter 2:21 - "So you should do as he did."
- He was innocent—He had not sinned
- He was truthful—He did not lie
- He was insulted—but He did not seek to strike back at those who accused Him
- He suffered—but He did not threaten
He let God!
Christ suffered and took our sins so we would:
When we suffer we need to examine our lives.STOP—living for sinSTART—living for what is right
- Is there anything I need to stop doing?
- Is there something I should begin doing?
As my husband and I were talking about this passage, my husband began to reflect back on what happened to him while we were on a missions trip to El Sembrador boy's school in Honduras. I don't think I've written about it before. I want to make sure it gets written and not lost so I am recounting it here.
We arrived in Honduras on a Saturday. On Sunday we went to their church service in their simple but beautiful chapel. All the boys sat up front. We sat on the hard wooden pews towards the back. The worship songs were in Spanish and the preaching was also in Spanish. We understood little to nothing that was spoken, however the Spirit of the Lord was there and we understood much.
During the service my husband became very emotional. He sat there and wept with tears running down his face. I put my arm around him. I didn't know what was happening. Was he thinking about his brother who had just passed away a few weeks earlier? What was going on? What was causing him to become so emotional?
Later my husband shared with the group what was happening. God was running the events of the last six and one half years of "the storm" through his mind and God was grilling him with questions.
"You wanted to go on mission trips but because of the lawsuit you thought it was impossible. Where are you sitting? You thought there was no way your business could pay for its portion of the expenses caused by the lawsuit. What did I do for your business in 2007? What am I still doing today? You thought because the economy tanked and because of the lawsuit and the loss of revenue for services rendered that your business wouldn't be able to survive. Look at what I have done!! You are now in a specialized field and busier than ever!"And the tears rolled as God replayed the events of the last six and one half years through his mind. Jane, our walks, the sky opening up, witnessing the hand of God, and on and on. You thought—verses—the reality of God's power and His plan. God is so good. I Peter 2:19–20 - "A person might have to suffer even when it is unfair, but if he thinks of God and stands the pain, God is pleased... if you suffer for doing good, and you are patient, then God is pleased."
Christ suffered. But He let God, the One who judges rightly, take care of Him. We have chosen to let God, the One who judges rightly, take care of us.
He has proven Himself faithful!!
Next Entry: I Peter 3:1–22
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