• the blessings of God make rich and add no sorrow. This is the week I will testify the goodness of God
    the blessings of God make rich and add no sorrow. This is the week I will testify the goodness of God
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  • Dear God, thank You for this new day and for the truth that eternal life isn’t something I have to wait for, it’s already mine. Your word in John 5:24 says, “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life.” God, I’ve heard Your word and I believe in You, and that’s enough to pass me from death into life right now. Help me really understand the weight of that today and not just read past it like it’s ordinary. I don’t want to live like eternity is something far off. I want to live like it’s already mine, because it is. I give You all the praise for a salvation I could never deserve. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

    Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. -Psalm 23:6
    Dear God, thank You for this new day and for the truth that eternal life isn’t something I have to wait for, it’s already mine. Your word in John 5:24 says, “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life.” God, I’ve heard Your word and I believe in You, and that’s enough to pass me from death into life right now. Help me really understand the weight of that today and not just read past it like it’s ordinary. I don’t want to live like eternity is something far off. I want to live like it’s already mine, because it is. I give You all the praise for a salvation I could never deserve. In Jesus’ name, Amen. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. -Psalm 23:6
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  • DBF-001-031 continues with John 2:10. The master of the feast recognizes that something unusual has happened: the best wine has been kept until now. We should keep the focus on Christ’s provision and avoid turning the verse into a promise of material abundance.

    DAILY BREAD FELLOWSHIP

    DBF-001-031

    Today’s Scripture

    John 2:10 (ESV)

    “And said to him, ‘Everyone serves the good wine first, and when people have drunk freely, then the poor wine. But you have kept the good wine until now.’”

    Opening the Scriptures

    The master of the feast had tasted the wine, but he did not know where it had come from.

    He called the bridegroom and expressed his surprise.

    Normally, the better wine was served first. Yet at this wedding, the master believed that the best had been kept until later.

    What he did not know was that the bridegroom had not provided this wine.

    Jesus had.

    The master could recognize the quality of the gift, but he did not recognize its source.

    The servants knew.

    Behind what appeared to be an unexpected provision stood the power and authority of Jesus Christ.

    John is steadily directing our attention away from the wedding itself and toward Jesus.

    Living God’s Word Today

    There is a danger in receiving God’s gifts while forgetting the Giver.

    Every day we receive things we can easily take for granted.

    Food.

    Shelter.

    Family.

    Friendship.

    Strength for another day.

    Opportunities to serve.

    Most importantly, for those who belong to Christ, forgiveness of sin and eternal life.

    Scripture reminds us:

    “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above.” — James 1:17

    Yet we must also be careful about what this miracle does not teach.

    Jesus turning water into wine does not promise Christians wealth, comfort, success, or an easy life. The apostles themselves would later suffer greatly for following Christ.

    The greatest gift at Cana was not the wine.

    The greatest gift was Christ Himself.

    That remains true today.

    God may give us much or little in this world. Our circumstances may change. Health can fail. Possessions can disappear. Human relationships can disappoint us.

    But the Christian’s greatest treasure cannot be measured by earthly prosperity.

    We have Christ.

    In Him we have something infinitely greater than temporary comfort: reconciliation with God, forgiveness of sin, and the certain hope of eternal life.

    The master of the feast enjoyed the gift without knowing its source.

    Let us not make the same mistake.

    Recognize God’s goodness.

    Give thanks for His daily provision.

    But never become so occupied with God’s gifts that you forget the God who gives them.

    Treasure Christ above everything He gives.

    Question for Today

    Do you value God’s gifts more than you value God Himself?

    Respond: “Christ is my greatest treasure.”
    DBF-001-031 continues with John 2:10. The master of the feast recognizes that something unusual has happened: the best wine has been kept until now. We should keep the focus on Christ’s provision and avoid turning the verse into a promise of material abundance. DAILY BREAD FELLOWSHIP DBF-001-031 Today’s Scripture John 2:10 (ESV) “And said to him, ‘Everyone serves the good wine first, and when people have drunk freely, then the poor wine. But you have kept the good wine until now.’” Opening the Scriptures The master of the feast had tasted the wine, but he did not know where it had come from. He called the bridegroom and expressed his surprise. Normally, the better wine was served first. Yet at this wedding, the master believed that the best had been kept until later. What he did not know was that the bridegroom had not provided this wine. Jesus had. The master could recognize the quality of the gift, but he did not recognize its source. The servants knew. Behind what appeared to be an unexpected provision stood the power and authority of Jesus Christ. John is steadily directing our attention away from the wedding itself and toward Jesus. Living God’s Word Today There is a danger in receiving God’s gifts while forgetting the Giver. Every day we receive things we can easily take for granted. Food. Shelter. Family. Friendship. Strength for another day. Opportunities to serve. Most importantly, for those who belong to Christ, forgiveness of sin and eternal life. Scripture reminds us: “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above.” — James 1:17 Yet we must also be careful about what this miracle does not teach. Jesus turning water into wine does not promise Christians wealth, comfort, success, or an easy life. The apostles themselves would later suffer greatly for following Christ. The greatest gift at Cana was not the wine. The greatest gift was Christ Himself. That remains true today. God may give us much or little in this world. Our circumstances may change. Health can fail. Possessions can disappear. Human relationships can disappoint us. But the Christian’s greatest treasure cannot be measured by earthly prosperity. We have Christ. In Him we have something infinitely greater than temporary comfort: reconciliation with God, forgiveness of sin, and the certain hope of eternal life. The master of the feast enjoyed the gift without knowing its source. Let us not make the same mistake. Recognize God’s goodness. Give thanks for His daily provision. But never become so occupied with God’s gifts that you forget the God who gives them. Treasure Christ above everything He gives. Question for Today Do you value God’s gifts more than you value God Himself? Respond: “Christ is my greatest treasure.”
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  • THEME: GETHSEMANE HOUR / ALONE WITH GOD

    TOPIC: O GOD, ARISE AND RELEASE MY GENERATIONAL BLESSINGS

    Bible Reading: Galatians 3:13-14, Psalm 112:1-3, Proverbs 20:7, 2 Corinthians 5:17

    Recommended Time of Prayer: Between 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm and Between 12:00 midnight to 3:00 am. Pray twice daily.

    1. Father, let Dragnet Gospel Int'l Ministries and every member connected to this commission walk in the blessings, favour, and inheritance You have ordained for us, in the name of Jesus Christ. (Ephesians 1:3)

    2. O Lord, arise and break every limitation hindering the manifestation of Your blessings in the lives of members of Dragnet Gospel Int'l Ministries. Let our generation experience Your goodness, in the name of Jesus Christ. (Psalm 103:2-5)

    3. Every power assigned to rob me of generational blessings and the good inheritance God has ordained for my life, be defeated by the power of God, in the name of Jesus Christ. (Isaiah 49:24-25)

    4. I reject every evil inheritance, ungodly pattern, and negative legacy handed down from previous generations. I choose the inheritance I have received through Christ, in the name of Jesus Christ. (Galatians 3:13-14)

    5. Every inherited pattern of poverty, failure, stagnation, rejection, and repeated disappointment contrary to God's purpose for my life, be broken, in the name of Jesus Christ. (2 Corinthians 5:17)

    6. Father, let every good thing that was lost, delayed, or withheld from previous generations be restored according to Your mercy and purpose for my life, in the name of Jesus Christ. (Joel 2:25)

    7. Every power standing between me and the blessings assigned to my generation, lose your hold over my life, in the name of Jesus Christ. (Isaiah 54:17)

    8. O Lord, arise and deliver my household from every negative family pattern that has hindered progress, prosperity, peace, and fulfilment of purpose, in the name of Jesus Christ. (Isaiah 10:27)

    9. I declare that my generation is blessed because of my faith in God. Let the blessing of the Lord rest upon my household and those who come after me, in the name of Jesus Christ. (Psalm 112:1-2)

    10. Father, make me a channel through which Your goodness, wisdom, righteousness, and prosperity will flow to generations after me, in the name of Jesus Christ. (Proverbs 20:7)

    11. Every evil claim over my destiny based on my family history, be cancelled by the finished work of Jesus Christ, in the name of Jesus Christ. (Colossians 2:14-15)

    12. O Lord, establish a new and godly legacy through my life. Let my household be known for faith, peace, righteousness, fruitfulness, and divine favour, in the name of Jesus Christ. (Psalm 112:2-3)

    13. Every power attempting to transfer the afflictions of past generations into my future, be stopped by the blood of Jesus Christ, in the name of Jesus Christ. (Revelation 12:11)

    14. Father, let the blessings of obedience, wisdom, diligence, and righteousness follow me and my household, in the name of Jesus Christ. (Deuteronomy 28:1-6)

    15. I refuse to carry what Christ has redeemed me from. I receive liberty, divine favour, and the spiritual inheritance available to me in Christ, in the name of Jesus Christ. (Galatians 3:13-14)

    16. O Lord, enlarge my capacity to handle the blessings You are bringing into my life. Let me have the wisdom to preserve and multiply every legitimate blessing, in the name of Jesus Christ. (Deuteronomy 8:18)

    17. Every devourer assigned against the blessings, resources, opportunities, and inheritance of my household, be rebuked by the Lord, in the name of Jesus Christ. (Malachi 3:11)

    18. I declare that my children and future generations shall benefit from the righteous foundation being established through my faith and obedience to God, in the name of Jesus Christ. (Psalm 103:17-18)

    19. O Lord, preserve and prosper every current supporter and partner of Dragnet Gospel Int'l Ministries. Let their families and generations enjoy the fruits of their sacrifices, generosity, and righteous labour, in the name of Jesus Christ. (Hebrews 6:10)

    20. Father, let Dragnet Gospel Int'l Ministries continually have the resources required to preach the gospel, win souls, and advance Your kingdom. Establish a lasting legacy of kingdom impact through this commission, in the name of Jesus Christ. (Philippians 4:19)

    21. Father, I declare that every evil inheritance contrary to Your will for my life is rejected. Every power assigned to rob me of generational blessings is defeated, and every good inheritance ordained for me is released. My generation is blessed because I have chosen to trust and serve You, and Your goodness shall extend through my household and generations after me, in the name of Jesus Christ. (Psalm 112:1-3; Proverbs 20:7)

    TAKE NOTE OF YOUR DREAMS AND HIDE YOUR FEEDBACK

    For more information/counselling: Email: dragnetgospelAnderson Mwila.com WhatsApp: +2348062343560

    SHALOM
    THEME: GETHSEMANE HOUR / ALONE WITH GOD TOPIC: O GOD, ARISE AND RELEASE MY GENERATIONAL BLESSINGS Bible Reading: Galatians 3:13-14, Psalm 112:1-3, Proverbs 20:7, 2 Corinthians 5:17 Recommended Time of Prayer: Between 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm and Between 12:00 midnight to 3:00 am. Pray twice daily. 1. Father, let Dragnet Gospel Int'l Ministries and every member connected to this commission walk in the blessings, favour, and inheritance You have ordained for us, in the name of Jesus Christ. (Ephesians 1:3) 2. O Lord, arise and break every limitation hindering the manifestation of Your blessings in the lives of members of Dragnet Gospel Int'l Ministries. Let our generation experience Your goodness, in the name of Jesus Christ. (Psalm 103:2-5) 3. Every power assigned to rob me of generational blessings and the good inheritance God has ordained for my life, be defeated by the power of God, in the name of Jesus Christ. (Isaiah 49:24-25) 4. I reject every evil inheritance, ungodly pattern, and negative legacy handed down from previous generations. I choose the inheritance I have received through Christ, in the name of Jesus Christ. (Galatians 3:13-14) 5. Every inherited pattern of poverty, failure, stagnation, rejection, and repeated disappointment contrary to God's purpose for my life, be broken, in the name of Jesus Christ. (2 Corinthians 5:17) 6. Father, let every good thing that was lost, delayed, or withheld from previous generations be restored according to Your mercy and purpose for my life, in the name of Jesus Christ. (Joel 2:25) 7. Every power standing between me and the blessings assigned to my generation, lose your hold over my life, in the name of Jesus Christ. (Isaiah 54:17) 8. O Lord, arise and deliver my household from every negative family pattern that has hindered progress, prosperity, peace, and fulfilment of purpose, in the name of Jesus Christ. (Isaiah 10:27) 9. I declare that my generation is blessed because of my faith in God. Let the blessing of the Lord rest upon my household and those who come after me, in the name of Jesus Christ. (Psalm 112:1-2) 10. Father, make me a channel through which Your goodness, wisdom, righteousness, and prosperity will flow to generations after me, in the name of Jesus Christ. (Proverbs 20:7) 11. Every evil claim over my destiny based on my family history, be cancelled by the finished work of Jesus Christ, in the name of Jesus Christ. (Colossians 2:14-15) 12. O Lord, establish a new and godly legacy through my life. Let my household be known for faith, peace, righteousness, fruitfulness, and divine favour, in the name of Jesus Christ. (Psalm 112:2-3) 13. Every power attempting to transfer the afflictions of past generations into my future, be stopped by the blood of Jesus Christ, in the name of Jesus Christ. (Revelation 12:11) 14. Father, let the blessings of obedience, wisdom, diligence, and righteousness follow me and my household, in the name of Jesus Christ. (Deuteronomy 28:1-6) 15. I refuse to carry what Christ has redeemed me from. I receive liberty, divine favour, and the spiritual inheritance available to me in Christ, in the name of Jesus Christ. (Galatians 3:13-14) 16. O Lord, enlarge my capacity to handle the blessings You are bringing into my life. Let me have the wisdom to preserve and multiply every legitimate blessing, in the name of Jesus Christ. (Deuteronomy 8:18) 17. Every devourer assigned against the blessings, resources, opportunities, and inheritance of my household, be rebuked by the Lord, in the name of Jesus Christ. (Malachi 3:11) 18. I declare that my children and future generations shall benefit from the righteous foundation being established through my faith and obedience to God, in the name of Jesus Christ. (Psalm 103:17-18) 19. O Lord, preserve and prosper every current supporter and partner of Dragnet Gospel Int'l Ministries. Let their families and generations enjoy the fruits of their sacrifices, generosity, and righteous labour, in the name of Jesus Christ. (Hebrews 6:10) 20. Father, let Dragnet Gospel Int'l Ministries continually have the resources required to preach the gospel, win souls, and advance Your kingdom. Establish a lasting legacy of kingdom impact through this commission, in the name of Jesus Christ. (Philippians 4:19) 21. Father, I declare that every evil inheritance contrary to Your will for my life is rejected. Every power assigned to rob me of generational blessings is defeated, and every good inheritance ordained for me is released. My generation is blessed because I have chosen to trust and serve You, and Your goodness shall extend through my household and generations after me, in the name of Jesus Christ. (Psalm 112:1-3; Proverbs 20:7) TAKE NOTE OF YOUR DREAMS AND HIDE YOUR FEEDBACK For more information/counselling: Email: dragnetgospel[gmail].com WhatsApp: +2348062343560 SHALOM ✋
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  • Good Morning My LordsBook Family .
    HAPPY NEW WEEK EVERYONE READING THIS.

    Praise God! It is another beautiful new week!
    May this week bring you fresh grace, divine favour, open doors, good news, and supernatural breakthroughs. Every challenge before you shall become a testimony, and every good thing God has prepared for you shall locate you.
    This week, you will not be stranded!
    You will not be defeated!
    You will experience the goodness of God!
    Your labour shall produce results!
    Go into this new week with faith and confidence, knowing that God is ahead of you and victory is your portion.

    Happy New Week to you and your family
    Good Morning My LordsBook Family 💗❤️😘. HAPPY NEW WEEK EVERYONE READING THIS. Praise God! It is another beautiful new week! 🎉 May this week bring you fresh grace, divine favour, open doors, good news, and supernatural breakthroughs. Every challenge before you shall become a testimony, and every good thing God has prepared for you shall locate you. 🌟 This week, you will not be stranded! 🌟 You will not be defeated! 🌟 You will experience the goodness of God! 🌟 Your labour shall produce results! Go into this new week with faith and confidence, knowing that God is ahead of you and victory is your portion. Happy New Week to you and your family🙏
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  • Colossians 4:1, NASB
    “Masters, grant to your slaves justice and fairness, knowing that you too have a Master in heaven.”

    Goodness gives birth to goodness. Badness gives birth to badness! What you give to others will be given back to you. This is the rule of God's Creation! Take Care!

    Prayer:
    Luke 6:38, NASB
    “Give, and it will be given to you. They will pour into your lap a good measure--pressed down, shaken together, and running over. For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return.”

    May we give out of Your Goodness, Mercy and Grace, out of the Heart of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. Amen.
    Colossians 4:1, NASB “Masters, grant to your slaves justice and fairness, knowing that you too have a Master in heaven.” Goodness gives birth to goodness. Badness gives birth to badness! What you give to others will be given back to you. This is the rule of God's Creation! Take Care! Prayer: Luke 6:38, NASB “Give, and it will be given to you. They will pour into your lap a good measure--pressed down, shaken together, and running over. For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return.” May we give out of Your Goodness, Mercy and Grace, out of the Heart of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. Amen.
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  • WHY DO THE RIGHTEOUS SUFFER? Part 1 of 2.
    I would like to address one of the most puzzling and perplexing problems confronting the Christian today and that is why do the righteous suffer? In order to deal with this adequately, we're going to be looking at the book of Job. We read in Job Chapter 1:1f There was a man in the Land of Oz whose name is Job and that man was perfect and upright and one that feared God and turned away from evil. We continue to read in the book of Job how he lost everything, his family, his property, his possessions, and then lost his health with a loathsome disease. The universal problem of whether or not suffering is a sign of divine displeasure, and thus presupposes sin on the part of the sufferer, is the theme of the book of Job.

    The central problem of the book of Job is the central problem of humanity. Why do men suffer the way they do, and especially, why do the righteous suffer? Why are not godly, righteous, faithful obedient men and women always blessed? Why does it seem many of the ungodly prosper and are never in trouble? A Christian wonders why must I suffer this or that, or why must I go through this trial, or why do I have to experience all of this pain and adversity? I'm a Christian, I study the Bible, I love the Lord. I feel that I'm obedient, so why do I go through such long trials, hardships, and personal attacks? To make things even worse, many times there is no immediate answer and it's a real test of your faith as with Job.

    Is all adversity and suffering the direct result of sin? What is the basis upon which prosperity and adversity, blessing and misfortune, affliction and health happen to people? What is the basis upon which these things are distributed to men in this life? The principal aim of the book of Job is to disprove the popular theory that was held by many of the Jews and it's still popular today, that all suffering is a sign of God's displeasure and presupposes sin on the part of the sufferer. Inseparably related to the problem of suffering is the greater problem of evil and to consider one necessitates the consideration of the other. The problem of evil results from the clear fact that within the world that God created good according to Genesis 1, it was created very good! Within this world that God created good there is much that is now imperfect. It has become a world of suffering, sin, hate, warfare, oppression, evil and death. Now even a superficial observer will note that these two facts present somewhat of a dilemma. On the one hand Genesis 1 shows that God created all things good and he hates evil. On the other hand, we've seen the widespread evil and suffering that's in this world of imperfection. Now how can we explain this: what has happened? Some suggest that either God cannot remove evil nor could he have prevented its entrance into his world.

    Others say God does not will to prevent it and did not will to prevent its entrance into the Garden of Eden. Now the first conclusion will be rejected by all who believe in the Sovereign God of the Bible but neither is the second alternative any help in solving the apparent dilemma. It doesn't give us a satisfactory solution and so believers and Christians have always sought a third alternative to explain the problem of evil in a good universe. Now the book of Job is in reality the source material for a study of some of the most profound theological questions of the Bible- the problem of the righteous suffering adversity and the meaning of the presence of evil in a world God created good. It gives us the source of sickness and adversity. It's not God as some think and is often implied today. It's Satan who is behind the scenes doing this. No book in the Bible gives more insight into the problem of why the righteous suffer and the meaning and purpose of evil in the world. Now we will examine that question.

    There are three basic solutions that have been given to the problem of evil.
    First there's a denial of its existence. We're told all evil is only an illusion. This is fundamentally the doctrinal position of the Christian Scientists. All evil experienced, meaning sin, suffering, pain, and the like are purely subjective, existing only in the mind of the observer. They have no objective reality. Christian science teaches that since God is good, he could not permit evil to exist and therefore evil is not real. Suffering, evil, sin, and Satan and death are the imagination of man's finite mind. They're only an illusion. They have no reality and would disappear if man would by faith and self-discipline deny their existence. Of course, the objections to this hypothesis are almost self-evident.

    Even if this hypothesis were accepted as valid, which it isn't, one is still faced with the question of how the appearance of evil and suffering is to be explained. I mean what's the origin and meaning of the illusion of pain and suffering and death? The illusion of pain and suffering is as real to the sufferer as real pain and suffering. A world in which the majority of its inhabitants are deceived with respect to the presence of suffering needs as much explaining as one in which evil is a genuine reality. It doesn't solve the problem, it only changes the terminology from reality to illusion. The suffering and the evil remain. It is quite obvious that this view is unbiblical and is out of harmony with the facts of experience. I mean Christian Scientists yell just as loudly as anyone else when they mashed their finger with a hammer. They go right on dying like the rest of humanity.

    Another suggested solution is the error is finitism. We're told God's power is limited. The doctrine of the finite God is the solution that we must choose, we are told. The fact that God is not completely good and that he is not omnipotent is an unscriptural attempt to explain the presence of moral and natural evil. The limitation doctrine argues that God made the best kind of world that he could but that even God could not prevent the presence of evil. Finitism, we are told, preserves the goodness of God and recognizes that God is not the source of all things. He is the source of all that is good and He is an opposition to all that is evil. Finitism seems to be a solution to some people.

    But again, this theory is unbiblical. The doctrine of a finite God cannot stand in view of the testimony of Scripture. See Daniel 4:35 Jeremiah 32:17, Matthew 19:26, Romans 9, Job 1 and 2. We're told that God is in control of all events and governments in heaven and earth. Nothing is too hard for God and with God nothing is impossible. As we read Job chapters 1 & 2 we see that Satan had to get God's permission to afflict Job. The concept of an eternal principle of evil against which God is engaged in some cosmic struggle and the outcome of which is by no means certain is platonic dualism pure and simple. It's not Biblical. The doctrine of finitism is no solution at all to the problem but simply a sophisticated shortcut to avoid what appears to be a dilemma. It results from the fallacy that one must either give up the goodness of God or His omnipotence and power since there appears to be an alleged conflict. The only solution seems to be to sacrifice his omnipotence according to this unscriptural view.

    Now a third solution which we believe to be the biblical one, is that a moral world involves the possibility of evil. In a moral universe of free creatures, the possibility of moral development involves the possibility of the entrance of moral evil and its consequences into the world. For example, we see in the narratives of Genesis that God did not intend to compel moral obedience, but that a holy moral character could only be developed by voluntary free choice on Adam's part. Hence, a world without the possibility of disobeying God would not present the necessary means of developing moral character. Adam was not born with a holy moral character, but he was innocent. He was pure, but you're not born with character. This must develop and grow as you respond to the experiences of life. Trials, adversities, and so forth are designed to shape one's character.

    Someone has pointed out that these sufferings sometimes crush the person who experiences it. There are times when the final result is more glorious than would be conceivable in any other kind of universe. Therefore, this view does give us a workable solution to the problem of evil and helps explain the purpose of suffering. It is the suffering of the righteous and the allowance of the entrance of sin into the world. This view involves a possibility of the entrance of evil and also helps explain God's self-imposed limitations. Now those terms are important. We see God is presented in Scripture as omnipotent and all-powerful. But it is also true that, at the moment He created something outside himself, man who is a free moral creature, who could have the power at least temporarily to say no to God, that there was to some degree a self-imposed limitation which God placed upon Himself.

    This does not mean that God has limited His sovereignty, power, or His rule by creating a being in his own image who had the power to rebel against him. But it does mean that God chose to exercise his sovereignty in a universe filled with creatures who could temporarily rebel against that sovereignty. Notice it's only temporary, and so we see a moral world involves the possibility of the entrance and presence of moral evil. This brings us to the basic question that we're going to discuss. The perplexing problem of why the righteous suffer and biblical solutions. It's not unusual that trials and sufferings of the child of God may involve several purposes. We shall explore these next.

    Part 2.) First, we see that trials and sufferings have an educational purpose. We will see from this study that the righteous suffering trial and affliction is not always evidence that they have sinned or evidence that God is displeased with them. There may be some deeper purpose in God allowing it and that is to bring them into conformity to the image of Jesus Christ. Examining these purposes is necessary because the Christian goes through trials and sufferings of many kinds. Therefore, they need to know whether or not these are chastisements, are things to be resisted as from the devil, or if these things are from the hand of God! This way we will not be resisting when we should be submitting so we will benefit from our trials and testings. We mentioned that trials and sufferings have an educational purpose. We see Job's misfortunes and sufferings at first of all as a teaching and educational purpose. We see spiritual wisdom and discernment do not automatically come to the believer but they are gained through the times of hardship and suffering and of trial and testing.

    Job learned the meaning of an abiding faith in God. He received an education along the line of an abiding and steadfast faith. See chapter 13 in verses 15-18. Job said though he slay me yet will I trust him. He came to know what genuine faith was and he was willing to trust God in spite of circumstances and appearances. He came to know in a more meaningful way God as his Redeemer in chapter 19. He has come through a great valley of testing and trial and affliction and there's one thing he says. I don't understand all of this, but I do know my redeemer lives and then he became confident in his future of vindication. We see that in chapter 9 verses 32-35, chapter 16 verse 19, chapter 13 verse 18. He said I know that I will be justified and this suffering of mine is not the result of sin, but I will be vindicated.

    Almost beside himself from grief and suffering, he came into a deeper assurance of a future life beyond the grave and this present world of inequality, injustice, and affliction. He came into a deeper understanding of the sovereignty of God. In chapters 38 to 41 where the Lord addresses him in two discourses of speeches, Job said, I've heard of You in the hearing of the ear and now my eye has seen You. I abhor myself and I repent in dust and in ashes. He said, I lay my hand over my mouth and I'll not speak again. I've spoken once, I've spoken twice but now, he says I'll not speak again. God revealed to him his sovereignty. God doesn't answer job's perplexities or questions. He just reminds him that He is God and that whatever he does is righteous.

    So, the educational purpose and significance of suffering is evident throughout the Bible especially in the book of Job as Job progressively moves from one valley of doubt and mystery to another. Each time climbing to a mountain peak of faith as he conquers his fears and his doubts and he comes to a new understanding and appreciation of the promises of God. The meaning of suffering is first and foremost of all for the express purpose of developing within the heart of the saint the assurance and understanding of his trust in God. In psalm 119 verses 65-72. The psalmist said there that he praises the Lord for afflicting him because then he came to know how to obey the Lord as he should. He said I thank You for the correction of my affliction because now I've come to understand better how to obey your precepts and your law. Our trials and tests, persecutions and the like have an educational purpose.

    When Jesus saves you, he sends you to His school. That is the school of the trial of your faith. Sadly, most Christians have not been taught this. They do not profit from their lessons so they keep taking the same course over and over. This is because they're flunking the tests. They've not been taught to submit to the trials but instead resist them. They think trials are something to be avoided at all costs. The Bible says we are to rejoice in our trials, James 1, because it is working in us the steadfast endurance we need to mature. Jesus told us that trials are to be a cause of rejoicing in Matthew 5, because when we're persecuted he said, rejoice because great is your reward in heaven. We are not to resist these things.

    Again, in Acts 14:22, for we must by much tribulation enter the kingdom of God. If you're trying to get off the pathway of trial and if you're trying to get out of that school, then you are on the wrong path. Realize you will not be able to graduate because you're flunking the course or you become a spiritual dropout from the school of the trial of your faith. Trials and sufferings are designed by God because He loves you and desires to educate you in an abiding faith in knowing that He is able to deliver and protect you keeping you to the end. You come to trust Him in spite of circumstances as Job. You come to the place where you can say though He slay me yet will I trust Him. That doesn't make any sense to your head or your intellect, but if you stay in God's school and learn your lessons as you should, it will make sense to your spirit and to your heart. Trials and sufferings of the believer for righteousness' sake have an educational purpose. Stay in God's school long enough for him to teach you something and you'll find you'll be blessed for it with a mature faith and trust in the plans and purposes of God in your life!

    Part 3.) Next, we see that sometimes sufferings and trials have a punitive purpose. This is the solution, by the way, to the problem suggested by Job's friends. You'll notice this as you read the book and although it is by no means the whole answer, yet it does have its place in the total picture. This is the law of sowing and reaping Galatians 6:7 - for whatsoever a man soweth that shall he also reap. There are natural consequences of sin and so sometimes trials and sufferings have a punitive purpose. Punitive means punishment. Some of these things we endure and suffer are because we've not heeded the law of sowing and reaping Galatians 6:7. We see this throughout the Bible that this works for the saint as well as the sinner.

    We have to obey this law. If we don't sow to the Spirit and sow to the flesh, we're going to reap the consequences. We see this in the case of David. He had to reap what he sowed in his sin with Bathsheba. We read the sword never departed from his house, although he did receive forgiveness. We also see this in the New Testament in 1st Corinthians 5 and 1st Corinthians 11. Some of the Christians were not partaking of the communion the Lord's Supper as they should. Therefore, Paul says you don't discern the Lord's body, you're not eating this supper worthily, and therefore some of you are sick and some of you are dying prematurely.

    This is the law of sowing and reaping. For example, if a Christian girl allows herself to get into trouble and becomes pregnant, she may repent of that sin and be forgiven but she'll still suffer the stigma of bearing an illegitimate child. She's still going to suffer the consequences of what she sowed, for whatsoever you sow you reap. Galatians 6:7. So there's no way to get around the fact that you're going to reap what you sow. This is why sometimes we suffer trials and afflictions. We should examine our lives to see whether or not God is judging us because of something we have disobeyed him about or not getting our lives corrected about some matter. Now what's the significance of Job's suffering in relation to the punitive purpose? Remember this is the suggested solution of Job's three friends. The principle upon which all suffering is based they said is this- that suffering is a direct result of sin and a just recompense for it.

    Job's sufferings, they insisted, were a sign of divine displeasure and presupposed sin on his part. Now of course the Bible does set forth this principle. It's the law of sowing and reaping where righteousness will bring prosperity and blessing, disobedience and wickedness will bring adversity. This is a principle set forth throughout the Bible as Deuteronomy 28 which is a good example of that. Psalm 1 is another example. But what of the righteous individual who often is the victim of misfortune and suffering, and why so often do the ungodly seem to prosper? What's the explanation for the suffering of the innocent and the prosperity of the wicked? Was the popular notion that the innocent do not suffer and the wicked are always afflicted contrary to the facts, even as Bildad and Zophar dogmatically insisted it was true? They insisted the principle was immutable and that Job, though outwardly righteous, nevertheless must be guilty of some heinous secret sins.

    Their philosophy was this, that all sin causes suffering. Job is suffering. The conclusion, Job must be a sinner! Job's sufferings, they argue, convict him implicitly of some grave sin and they plead with him to acknowledge it and repent. Job protests his innocence throughout the book and so we still are faced with the perplexing question. Why then is Job suffering? Remember he didn't have chapters 1 and 2 which give us the explanation. He had to endure this experience before the answer came. What then is the explanation for those instances which seemed by the Scriptures, show the moral principle of cause and effect, sowing and reaping, that they could not always be forced into a neat logical system? The laws governing society did not guarantee that in some individual cases the innocent might not suffer and that wickedness might not elude temporary judgment.

    No, throughout the scriptures we see that suffering is not necessarily the direct result of prior sins. This is proven in many passages as Jeremiah 19, Ezekiel 21, Amos chapter 2, In John 9, the case of the blind man, Jesus said this man was not blind because of his parent's sin or his own sin but that God might be glorified in his healing. So, also, in the case of Job, we see he suffered innocently. What the Scriptures do teach is this - that in the light of eternity it is the righteous who will be blessed and the wicked who will suffer. We should not judge too soon. The conclusion is this, suffering and adversity may sometimes be the result of sin and therefore the purpose is punitive, but this is not always the case. Don't follow Job's friends' rigid thinking in condemning someone when you do not have all the facts.

    Part 4.) Sometimes trials and suffering have a disciplinary purpose. There are times afflictions are the chastisements of a loving Father. This is in harmony with Hebrews 12, 1st Corinthians 5, 1st Corinthians 11 and proverbs 3 verses 11-12. Who the Lord loves He chastens. The Scriptures tell us in Job chapter 33, that God speaks to man and the purpose for that is he may withdraw man from his purpose and hide pride from man. He keeps back his soul from the pit and his life from perishing by the sword. He is chastened also with pain upon his bed and the multitude of his bones with strong pain. God chastens his children because he doesn't want His children going on a path of destruction from disobedience to His Word and will for their lives.

    We read in Hebrews 12 that who the Lord loves He chastens and He scourges every son He receives. Job 33 speaks of one form of chastisement being sickness. In Hebrews 12 it doesn't say anything about sickness being a form of chastisement. God has many ways to chasten His children. Sometimes he just withholds his blessings. Testing has a way of humbling man's pride. You see, many of Job's utterances under the weight of his afflictions gave indication that his trials had not yet fully accomplished their purpose. You will see this as you read the book of Job. Job sometimes questions God's purposes and in his questioning of God's purpose and his control of human affairs, it implied that Job knew more than God. Sometimes Christians, under the weight of their trials and afflictions, will cry out to God in such a way and try to use their logic and reason to such an extent that they even question God's wisdom in allowing them the trials and afflictions.
    To be Continued. Edited. Shared.

    God willing, more will be posted soon. All glory to Jesus alone.
    ❤️WHY DO THE RIGHTEOUS SUFFER? Part 1 of 2. I would like to address one of the most puzzling and perplexing problems confronting the Christian today and that is why do the righteous suffer? In order to deal with this adequately, we're going to be looking at the book of Job. We read in Job Chapter 1:1f There was a man in the Land of Oz whose name is Job and that man was perfect and upright and one that feared God and turned away from evil. We continue to read in the book of Job how he lost everything, his family, his property, his possessions, and then lost his health with a loathsome disease. The universal problem of whether or not suffering is a sign of divine displeasure, and thus presupposes sin on the part of the sufferer, is the theme of the book of Job. The central problem of the book of Job is the central problem of humanity. Why do men suffer the way they do, and especially, why do the righteous suffer? Why are not godly, righteous, faithful obedient men and women always blessed? Why does it seem many of the ungodly prosper and are never in trouble? A Christian wonders why must I suffer this or that, or why must I go through this trial, or why do I have to experience all of this pain and adversity? I'm a Christian, I study the Bible, I love the Lord. I feel that I'm obedient, so why do I go through such long trials, hardships, and personal attacks? To make things even worse, many times there is no immediate answer and it's a real test of your faith as with Job. Is all adversity and suffering the direct result of sin? What is the basis upon which prosperity and adversity, blessing and misfortune, affliction and health happen to people? What is the basis upon which these things are distributed to men in this life? The principal aim of the book of Job is to disprove the popular theory that was held by many of the Jews and it's still popular today, that all suffering is a sign of God's displeasure and presupposes sin on the part of the sufferer. Inseparably related to the problem of suffering is the greater problem of evil and to consider one necessitates the consideration of the other. The problem of evil results from the clear fact that within the world that God created good according to Genesis 1, it was created very good! Within this world that God created good there is much that is now imperfect. It has become a world of suffering, sin, hate, warfare, oppression, evil and death. Now even a superficial observer will note that these two facts present somewhat of a dilemma. On the one hand Genesis 1 shows that God created all things good and he hates evil. On the other hand, we've seen the widespread evil and suffering that's in this world of imperfection. Now how can we explain this: what has happened? Some suggest that either God cannot remove evil nor could he have prevented its entrance into his world. Others say God does not will to prevent it and did not will to prevent its entrance into the Garden of Eden. Now the first conclusion will be rejected by all who believe in the Sovereign God of the Bible but neither is the second alternative any help in solving the apparent dilemma. It doesn't give us a satisfactory solution and so believers and Christians have always sought a third alternative to explain the problem of evil in a good universe. Now the book of Job is in reality the source material for a study of some of the most profound theological questions of the Bible- the problem of the righteous suffering adversity and the meaning of the presence of evil in a world God created good. It gives us the source of sickness and adversity. It's not God as some think and is often implied today. It's Satan who is behind the scenes doing this. No book in the Bible gives more insight into the problem of why the righteous suffer and the meaning and purpose of evil in the world. Now we will examine that question. There are three basic solutions that have been given to the problem of evil. First there's a denial of its existence. We're told all evil is only an illusion. This is fundamentally the doctrinal position of the Christian Scientists. All evil experienced, meaning sin, suffering, pain, and the like are purely subjective, existing only in the mind of the observer. They have no objective reality. Christian science teaches that since God is good, he could not permit evil to exist and therefore evil is not real. Suffering, evil, sin, and Satan and death are the imagination of man's finite mind. They're only an illusion. They have no reality and would disappear if man would by faith and self-discipline deny their existence. Of course, the objections to this hypothesis are almost self-evident. Even if this hypothesis were accepted as valid, which it isn't, one is still faced with the question of how the appearance of evil and suffering is to be explained. I mean what's the origin and meaning of the illusion of pain and suffering and death? The illusion of pain and suffering is as real to the sufferer as real pain and suffering. A world in which the majority of its inhabitants are deceived with respect to the presence of suffering needs as much explaining as one in which evil is a genuine reality. It doesn't solve the problem, it only changes the terminology from reality to illusion. The suffering and the evil remain. It is quite obvious that this view is unbiblical and is out of harmony with the facts of experience. I mean Christian Scientists yell just as loudly as anyone else when they mashed their finger with a hammer. They go right on dying like the rest of humanity. Another suggested solution is the error is finitism. We're told God's power is limited. The doctrine of the finite God is the solution that we must choose, we are told. The fact that God is not completely good and that he is not omnipotent is an unscriptural attempt to explain the presence of moral and natural evil. The limitation doctrine argues that God made the best kind of world that he could but that even God could not prevent the presence of evil. Finitism, we are told, preserves the goodness of God and recognizes that God is not the source of all things. He is the source of all that is good and He is an opposition to all that is evil. Finitism seems to be a solution to some people. But again, this theory is unbiblical. The doctrine of a finite God cannot stand in view of the testimony of Scripture. See Daniel 4:35 Jeremiah 32:17, Matthew 19:26, Romans 9, Job 1 and 2. We're told that God is in control of all events and governments in heaven and earth. Nothing is too hard for God and with God nothing is impossible. As we read Job chapters 1 & 2 we see that Satan had to get God's permission to afflict Job. The concept of an eternal principle of evil against which God is engaged in some cosmic struggle and the outcome of which is by no means certain is platonic dualism pure and simple. It's not Biblical. The doctrine of finitism is no solution at all to the problem but simply a sophisticated shortcut to avoid what appears to be a dilemma. It results from the fallacy that one must either give up the goodness of God or His omnipotence and power since there appears to be an alleged conflict. The only solution seems to be to sacrifice his omnipotence according to this unscriptural view. Now a third solution which we believe to be the biblical one, is that a moral world involves the possibility of evil. In a moral universe of free creatures, the possibility of moral development involves the possibility of the entrance of moral evil and its consequences into the world. For example, we see in the narratives of Genesis that God did not intend to compel moral obedience, but that a holy moral character could only be developed by voluntary free choice on Adam's part. Hence, a world without the possibility of disobeying God would not present the necessary means of developing moral character. Adam was not born with a holy moral character, but he was innocent. He was pure, but you're not born with character. This must develop and grow as you respond to the experiences of life. Trials, adversities, and so forth are designed to shape one's character. Someone has pointed out that these sufferings sometimes crush the person who experiences it. There are times when the final result is more glorious than would be conceivable in any other kind of universe. Therefore, this view does give us a workable solution to the problem of evil and helps explain the purpose of suffering. It is the suffering of the righteous and the allowance of the entrance of sin into the world. This view involves a possibility of the entrance of evil and also helps explain God's self-imposed limitations. Now those terms are important. We see God is presented in Scripture as omnipotent and all-powerful. But it is also true that, at the moment He created something outside himself, man who is a free moral creature, who could have the power at least temporarily to say no to God, that there was to some degree a self-imposed limitation which God placed upon Himself. This does not mean that God has limited His sovereignty, power, or His rule by creating a being in his own image who had the power to rebel against him. But it does mean that God chose to exercise his sovereignty in a universe filled with creatures who could temporarily rebel against that sovereignty. Notice it's only temporary, and so we see a moral world involves the possibility of the entrance and presence of moral evil. This brings us to the basic question that we're going to discuss. The perplexing problem of why the righteous suffer and biblical solutions. It's not unusual that trials and sufferings of the child of God may involve several purposes. We shall explore these next. Part 2.) First, we see that trials and sufferings have an educational purpose. We will see from this study that the righteous suffering trial and affliction is not always evidence that they have sinned or evidence that God is displeased with them. There may be some deeper purpose in God allowing it and that is to bring them into conformity to the image of Jesus Christ. Examining these purposes is necessary because the Christian goes through trials and sufferings of many kinds. Therefore, they need to know whether or not these are chastisements, are things to be resisted as from the devil, or if these things are from the hand of God! This way we will not be resisting when we should be submitting so we will benefit from our trials and testings. We mentioned that trials and sufferings have an educational purpose. We see Job's misfortunes and sufferings at first of all as a teaching and educational purpose. We see spiritual wisdom and discernment do not automatically come to the believer but they are gained through the times of hardship and suffering and of trial and testing. Job learned the meaning of an abiding faith in God. He received an education along the line of an abiding and steadfast faith. See chapter 13 in verses 15-18. Job said though he slay me yet will I trust him. He came to know what genuine faith was and he was willing to trust God in spite of circumstances and appearances. He came to know in a more meaningful way God as his Redeemer in chapter 19. He has come through a great valley of testing and trial and affliction and there's one thing he says. I don't understand all of this, but I do know my redeemer lives and then he became confident in his future of vindication. We see that in chapter 9 verses 32-35, chapter 16 verse 19, chapter 13 verse 18. He said I know that I will be justified and this suffering of mine is not the result of sin, but I will be vindicated. Almost beside himself from grief and suffering, he came into a deeper assurance of a future life beyond the grave and this present world of inequality, injustice, and affliction. He came into a deeper understanding of the sovereignty of God. In chapters 38 to 41 where the Lord addresses him in two discourses of speeches, Job said, I've heard of You in the hearing of the ear and now my eye has seen You. I abhor myself and I repent in dust and in ashes. He said, I lay my hand over my mouth and I'll not speak again. I've spoken once, I've spoken twice but now, he says I'll not speak again. God revealed to him his sovereignty. God doesn't answer job's perplexities or questions. He just reminds him that He is God and that whatever he does is righteous. So, the educational purpose and significance of suffering is evident throughout the Bible especially in the book of Job as Job progressively moves from one valley of doubt and mystery to another. Each time climbing to a mountain peak of faith as he conquers his fears and his doubts and he comes to a new understanding and appreciation of the promises of God. The meaning of suffering is first and foremost of all for the express purpose of developing within the heart of the saint the assurance and understanding of his trust in God. In psalm 119 verses 65-72. The psalmist said there that he praises the Lord for afflicting him because then he came to know how to obey the Lord as he should. He said I thank You for the correction of my affliction because now I've come to understand better how to obey your precepts and your law. Our trials and tests, persecutions and the like have an educational purpose. When Jesus saves you, he sends you to His school. That is the school of the trial of your faith. Sadly, most Christians have not been taught this. They do not profit from their lessons so they keep taking the same course over and over. This is because they're flunking the tests. They've not been taught to submit to the trials but instead resist them. They think trials are something to be avoided at all costs. The Bible says we are to rejoice in our trials, James 1, because it is working in us the steadfast endurance we need to mature. Jesus told us that trials are to be a cause of rejoicing in Matthew 5, because when we're persecuted he said, rejoice because great is your reward in heaven. We are not to resist these things. Again, in Acts 14:22, for we must by much tribulation enter the kingdom of God. If you're trying to get off the pathway of trial and if you're trying to get out of that school, then you are on the wrong path. Realize you will not be able to graduate because you're flunking the course or you become a spiritual dropout from the school of the trial of your faith. Trials and sufferings are designed by God because He loves you and desires to educate you in an abiding faith in knowing that He is able to deliver and protect you keeping you to the end. You come to trust Him in spite of circumstances as Job. You come to the place where you can say though He slay me yet will I trust Him. That doesn't make any sense to your head or your intellect, but if you stay in God's school and learn your lessons as you should, it will make sense to your spirit and to your heart. Trials and sufferings of the believer for righteousness' sake have an educational purpose. Stay in God's school long enough for him to teach you something and you'll find you'll be blessed for it with a mature faith and trust in the plans and purposes of God in your life! Part 3.) Next, we see that sometimes sufferings and trials have a punitive purpose. This is the solution, by the way, to the problem suggested by Job's friends. You'll notice this as you read the book and although it is by no means the whole answer, yet it does have its place in the total picture. This is the law of sowing and reaping Galatians 6:7 - for whatsoever a man soweth that shall he also reap. There are natural consequences of sin and so sometimes trials and sufferings have a punitive purpose. Punitive means punishment. Some of these things we endure and suffer are because we've not heeded the law of sowing and reaping Galatians 6:7. We see this throughout the Bible that this works for the saint as well as the sinner. We have to obey this law. If we don't sow to the Spirit and sow to the flesh, we're going to reap the consequences. We see this in the case of David. He had to reap what he sowed in his sin with Bathsheba. We read the sword never departed from his house, although he did receive forgiveness. We also see this in the New Testament in 1st Corinthians 5 and 1st Corinthians 11. Some of the Christians were not partaking of the communion the Lord's Supper as they should. Therefore, Paul says you don't discern the Lord's body, you're not eating this supper worthily, and therefore some of you are sick and some of you are dying prematurely. This is the law of sowing and reaping. For example, if a Christian girl allows herself to get into trouble and becomes pregnant, she may repent of that sin and be forgiven but she'll still suffer the stigma of bearing an illegitimate child. She's still going to suffer the consequences of what she sowed, for whatsoever you sow you reap. Galatians 6:7. So there's no way to get around the fact that you're going to reap what you sow. This is why sometimes we suffer trials and afflictions. We should examine our lives to see whether or not God is judging us because of something we have disobeyed him about or not getting our lives corrected about some matter. Now what's the significance of Job's suffering in relation to the punitive purpose? Remember this is the suggested solution of Job's three friends. The principle upon which all suffering is based they said is this- that suffering is a direct result of sin and a just recompense for it. Job's sufferings, they insisted, were a sign of divine displeasure and presupposed sin on his part. Now of course the Bible does set forth this principle. It's the law of sowing and reaping where righteousness will bring prosperity and blessing, disobedience and wickedness will bring adversity. This is a principle set forth throughout the Bible as Deuteronomy 28 which is a good example of that. Psalm 1 is another example. But what of the righteous individual who often is the victim of misfortune and suffering, and why so often do the ungodly seem to prosper? What's the explanation for the suffering of the innocent and the prosperity of the wicked? Was the popular notion that the innocent do not suffer and the wicked are always afflicted contrary to the facts, even as Bildad and Zophar dogmatically insisted it was true? They insisted the principle was immutable and that Job, though outwardly righteous, nevertheless must be guilty of some heinous secret sins. Their philosophy was this, that all sin causes suffering. Job is suffering. The conclusion, Job must be a sinner! Job's sufferings, they argue, convict him implicitly of some grave sin and they plead with him to acknowledge it and repent. Job protests his innocence throughout the book and so we still are faced with the perplexing question. Why then is Job suffering? Remember he didn't have chapters 1 and 2 which give us the explanation. He had to endure this experience before the answer came. What then is the explanation for those instances which seemed by the Scriptures, show the moral principle of cause and effect, sowing and reaping, that they could not always be forced into a neat logical system? The laws governing society did not guarantee that in some individual cases the innocent might not suffer and that wickedness might not elude temporary judgment. No, throughout the scriptures we see that suffering is not necessarily the direct result of prior sins. This is proven in many passages as Jeremiah 19, Ezekiel 21, Amos chapter 2, In John 9, the case of the blind man, Jesus said this man was not blind because of his parent's sin or his own sin but that God might be glorified in his healing. So, also, in the case of Job, we see he suffered innocently. What the Scriptures do teach is this - that in the light of eternity it is the righteous who will be blessed and the wicked who will suffer. We should not judge too soon. The conclusion is this, suffering and adversity may sometimes be the result of sin and therefore the purpose is punitive, but this is not always the case. Don't follow Job's friends' rigid thinking in condemning someone when you do not have all the facts. Part 4.) Sometimes trials and suffering have a disciplinary purpose. There are times afflictions are the chastisements of a loving Father. This is in harmony with Hebrews 12, 1st Corinthians 5, 1st Corinthians 11 and proverbs 3 verses 11-12. Who the Lord loves He chastens. The Scriptures tell us in Job chapter 33, that God speaks to man and the purpose for that is he may withdraw man from his purpose and hide pride from man. He keeps back his soul from the pit and his life from perishing by the sword. He is chastened also with pain upon his bed and the multitude of his bones with strong pain. God chastens his children because he doesn't want His children going on a path of destruction from disobedience to His Word and will for their lives. We read in Hebrews 12 that who the Lord loves He chastens and He scourges every son He receives. Job 33 speaks of one form of chastisement being sickness. In Hebrews 12 it doesn't say anything about sickness being a form of chastisement. God has many ways to chasten His children. Sometimes he just withholds his blessings. Testing has a way of humbling man's pride. You see, many of Job's utterances under the weight of his afflictions gave indication that his trials had not yet fully accomplished their purpose. You will see this as you read the book of Job. Job sometimes questions God's purposes and in his questioning of God's purpose and his control of human affairs, it implied that Job knew more than God. Sometimes Christians, under the weight of their trials and afflictions, will cry out to God in such a way and try to use their logic and reason to such an extent that they even question God's wisdom in allowing them the trials and afflictions. To be Continued. Edited. Shared. ❤️ God willing, more will be posted soon. All glory to Jesus alone.
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  • Look to Christ, keep your eyes on Him, and show others His goodness, just as Paul did. Everything will be alright. Don’t focus too much on worldly matters, material possessions, or luxury. Instead, focus on Christ and let your life reflect His love and goodness. Keep shining for Him, and He will guide your way.
    Look to Christ, keep your eyes on Him, and show others His goodness, just as Paul did. Everything will be alright. Don’t focus too much on worldly matters, material possessions, or luxury. Instead, focus on Christ and let your life reflect His love and goodness. Keep shining for Him, and He will guide your way. 🙏
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  • Loving and Gracious in All Things

    “There are those people who would say, ‘I’d rather deal with somebody who is rude, antagonistic and sarcastic, but when it really matters, is there for us in the big challenges of life.’

    But when one reads the Holy Bible, Old and New Testament, the character of God is such that He expects us not only to be loving and gracious on the big things, but also on the little things. To be loving and gracious only when it really matters, or only when it is convenient, is not the character of Christ. We must be loving and gracious in all things—big and small.”

    Christian Character Is Revealed in the Little Things

    It is easy to admire someone who stands beside us during a great crisis. Faithfulness in difficult times matters. But Christianity calls us to something deeper.

    God does not ask us to love only when the circumstances are serious. He calls us to love in the ordinary moments of everyday life.

    Jesus said:

    “He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much.” — Luke 16:10

    The little things matter because the little things reveal the heart.

    How do we speak when we are irritated?
    How do we treat someone who inconveniences us?
    How do we respond when someone disagrees with us?
    How do we speak about people who aren’t present?

    These things may seem insignificant to the world, but they are not insignificant to God.

    Love Is Not Selective

    Jesus gave His followers a standard far higher than simply being decent when it is convenient:

    “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you.” — John 13:34

    Christ’s love was not reserved for emergencies. It was woven into everything He did.

    Paul says:

    “Let all your things be done with charity.” — 1 Corinthians 16:14

    Notice the word all.

    Not some things.

    Not the important things.

    All things.

    Our speech, our attitudes, our reactions and our relationships are all opportunities to reflect Christ.

    Paul also says:

    “Let your speech be always with grace.” — Colossians 4:6

    Always.

    Not only when we are preaching.

    Not only when we are dealing with someone we love.

    Not only when someone is watching.

    Always.

    Even When People Are Difficult

    Christian love is tested most when people are difficult.

    Jesus said:

    “Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you.” — Matthew 5:44

    This does not mean Christians must tolerate abuse or refuse to confront wrongdoing. But even when we must establish boundaries or correct someone, we are not permitted to abandon Christlike love.

    Proverbs tells us:

    “A soft answer turneth away wrath.” — Proverbs 15:1

    And Paul commands:

    “Be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” — Ephesians 4:32

    Kindness is not weakness. Grace is not weakness. Forgiveness is not weakness.

    These are marks of someone being transformed by Christ.

    The Fruit of the Spirit Should Be Seen Every Day

    Paul describes the fruit produced by the Holy Spirit:

    “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance.” — Galatians 5:22–23

    Notice how many of these qualities are revealed in ordinary interactions.

    Longsuffering. Gentleness. Goodness. Meekness.

    A person may demonstrate extraordinary courage during a crisis and still need the Holy Spirit to teach them patience in everyday life.

    Someone may sacrifice greatly for another person and yet continually wound others with their words.

    Christianity is not merely about doing great things occasionally. It is about becoming a person whose ordinary life reflects Jesus Christ.

    Christ in the Big and the Small

    Paul writes:

    “Whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus.” — Colossians 3:17

    Whatever you do.

    That includes the dramatic moments of life—and the mundane ones.

    So yes, be the person who stands beside someone when tragedy strikes.

    Be the person who answers the call when someone is hurting.

    But also:

    Be kind when nothing important is happening.

    Be patient when you are irritated.

    Speak graciously when you could speak harshly.

    Forgive the small offenses.

    Refuse to return sarcasm with sarcasm and hostility with hostility.

    Because the Christian calling is not simply to be loving when “it really matters.”

    It is to be loving because Christ lives in us.

    Jesus said:

    “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” — John 13:35

    The world should see Christ not only in how we respond to life’s greatest tragedies, but in how we behave on an ordinary Tuesday afternoon.

    Love in the big things.

    Love in the little things.

    Grace in the big things.

    Grace in the little things.

    Mercy in the big things.

    Mercy in the little things.

    Because there are no insignificant moments when we are called to represent Jesus Christ.

    “Let all that you do be done in love.” — 1 Corinthians 16:14

    That is the Christian life: not occasional goodness, but a life increasingly shaped by the character of Christ.
    Loving and Gracious in All Things “There are those people who would say, ‘I’d rather deal with somebody who is rude, antagonistic and sarcastic, but when it really matters, is there for us in the big challenges of life.’ But when one reads the Holy Bible, Old and New Testament, the character of God is such that He expects us not only to be loving and gracious on the big things, but also on the little things. To be loving and gracious only when it really matters, or only when it is convenient, is not the character of Christ. We must be loving and gracious in all things—big and small.” Christian Character Is Revealed in the Little Things It is easy to admire someone who stands beside us during a great crisis. Faithfulness in difficult times matters. But Christianity calls us to something deeper. God does not ask us to love only when the circumstances are serious. He calls us to love in the ordinary moments of everyday life. Jesus said: “He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much.” — Luke 16:10 The little things matter because the little things reveal the heart. How do we speak when we are irritated? How do we treat someone who inconveniences us? How do we respond when someone disagrees with us? How do we speak about people who aren’t present? These things may seem insignificant to the world, but they are not insignificant to God. Love Is Not Selective Jesus gave His followers a standard far higher than simply being decent when it is convenient: “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you.” — John 13:34 Christ’s love was not reserved for emergencies. It was woven into everything He did. Paul says: “Let all your things be done with charity.” — 1 Corinthians 16:14 Notice the word all. Not some things. Not the important things. All things. Our speech, our attitudes, our reactions and our relationships are all opportunities to reflect Christ. Paul also says: “Let your speech be always with grace.” — Colossians 4:6 Always. Not only when we are preaching. Not only when we are dealing with someone we love. Not only when someone is watching. Always. Even When People Are Difficult Christian love is tested most when people are difficult. Jesus said: “Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you.” — Matthew 5:44 This does not mean Christians must tolerate abuse or refuse to confront wrongdoing. But even when we must establish boundaries or correct someone, we are not permitted to abandon Christlike love. Proverbs tells us: “A soft answer turneth away wrath.” — Proverbs 15:1 And Paul commands: “Be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” — Ephesians 4:32 Kindness is not weakness. Grace is not weakness. Forgiveness is not weakness. These are marks of someone being transformed by Christ. The Fruit of the Spirit Should Be Seen Every Day Paul describes the fruit produced by the Holy Spirit: “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance.” — Galatians 5:22–23 Notice how many of these qualities are revealed in ordinary interactions. Longsuffering. Gentleness. Goodness. Meekness. A person may demonstrate extraordinary courage during a crisis and still need the Holy Spirit to teach them patience in everyday life. Someone may sacrifice greatly for another person and yet continually wound others with their words. Christianity is not merely about doing great things occasionally. It is about becoming a person whose ordinary life reflects Jesus Christ. Christ in the Big and the Small Paul writes: “Whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus.” — Colossians 3:17 Whatever you do. That includes the dramatic moments of life—and the mundane ones. So yes, be the person who stands beside someone when tragedy strikes. Be the person who answers the call when someone is hurting. But also: Be kind when nothing important is happening. Be patient when you are irritated. Speak graciously when you could speak harshly. Forgive the small offenses. Refuse to return sarcasm with sarcasm and hostility with hostility. Because the Christian calling is not simply to be loving when “it really matters.” It is to be loving because Christ lives in us. Jesus said: “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” — John 13:35 The world should see Christ not only in how we respond to life’s greatest tragedies, but in how we behave on an ordinary Tuesday afternoon. Love in the big things. Love in the little things. Grace in the big things. Grace in the little things. Mercy in the big things. Mercy in the little things. Because there are no insignificant moments when we are called to represent Jesus Christ. “Let all that you do be done in love.” — 1 Corinthians 16:14 That is the Christian life: not occasional goodness, but a life increasingly shaped by the character of Christ.
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  • Shine your light so others can see the goodness of God.

    Share this with someone who needs encouragement to shine God's light.

    #Matthew516 #ShineYourLight #LightOfTheWorld #LiveForGod #GoodWorks #FaithInAction #ChristianLiving #FaithInChrist #WalkByFaith #Lordsbook
    💡 Shine your light so others can see the goodness of God. 📲 Share this with someone who needs encouragement to shine God's light. #Matthew516 #ShineYourLight #LightOfTheWorld #LiveForGod #GoodWorks #FaithInAction #ChristianLiving #FaithInChrist #WalkByFaith #Lordsbook
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