https://patriotpost.us/opinion/130100-a-call-to-power-islamic-leaders-see-ballot-box-as-path-to-paradise-2026-08-20?_bhlid=d0ff770ccf0b3de19f3847bca33d7d82c9a191a8

THE TRUTH TO OBEY FOR LIFE, & HAVE RIGHTEOUSNESS.. " my people are lost, bcos lack knowledge of Christ! "Hosea 4:6 The restoration of God's Word brings us back to true life and righteousness through faith in Christ alone, not by water baptism. The thief on the cross was saved instantly by faith without being dipped in water (Luke 23:43). Believers today walk in newness of life by obeying the inward baptism of the Holy Spirit. Restoration of the Word and righteousness= The GREEN 7 Vision l saw on the wall after it vanished: Joel 2:28-31, acts26:16. The color green speaks of life, growth, and restoration. A vision given on the wall may fade from physical sight, but God's eternal truth remains firm. The Promise of the Spirit: God promised to pour out His Spirit upon all flesh in the last days (Joel 2:28-29). The Living Word: The written and spoken Word of God wakes up our dead hearts. It calls us back to pure truth and spiritual sight. Water BAPTISM vs. Christ's BAPTISM: JOHN'S WATER BAPTISM: John baptized with water for repentance. It pointed forward to the coming Savior, but it could not wash away sins or give new life. CHRIST'S Spirit BAPTISM: Jesus baptizes believers with the Holy Spirit and fire. Drawn into Christ: We are buried with Him by baptism into death through the Spirit (Romans 6:3-4). One Body: By one Spirit, we are all baptized into one body (1 Corinthians 12:13). Water does not place us into this body; the Spirit does. Obedience for Righteousness and Life Listening to Faith: True obedience today means yielding our hearts completely to the finished work of Jesus Christ. Walking in the Spirit: Righteousness comes when we stop trusting our own works and trust God's grace. Bearing Fruit: A heart changed by the Spirit naturally obeys God out of deep love and gratitude. Salvation by Faith Alone A Free Gift: Salvation is the gift of God, not of works, so no one can boast (Ephesians 2:8-9). The Thief on the Cross: Jesus told the dying thief he would be in Paradise that day (Luke 23:43). The thief had no chance to go to a river for water baptism. His faith in Jesus saved him instantly. The New Creation: Faith in Christ makes a person brand new on the inside. Grace saves us completely apart from physical rituals. Am REAGAN a Servant,& a witness of Jesus appointed by Jesus himself to testify that I have seen him to visions l saw the son is speaking to living ones in this last age to obey and be right with God. Joel2:28-31, acts26:16, heb1:1-2. Amen 🙏

Never underestimate the power of a seed (Testimony part 12) ⏱️ Timestamps 00:00 Introduction 03:13 Had battery problems at the Van Staden bridge and the Lord sent someone to assist 06:34 Entered Jeffreys Bay and did some evangelism in the streets 10:25 I stood without fuel in front of the Shell garage 16:05 My usual diet consists of baked potato and boiled eggs as this type of diet was one of the cheapest. I kept holding onto God and His promises 24:26 I drove to Paradise beach. Was offered a place to sleep off for the weekend. Met Catherine and her husband Balend from a bikers Church. Got escorted out of Paradise Beach by the police and the night watch. 42:43 Entered St. Francis and Cape St. Francis, did evangelism. 46:18 A door opened up in Oyster Bay and stayed with Uncle Jim and Aunty Rina for about 21 days. Evangelized the town and met Brandon see full video uploaded on YouTube under 7 Step Ministry OF Jesus Christ. Click the link: https://youtu.be/3HJn6vrjZ1Y?si=rBYR-fxAZZi5LdCI #seed #christianity #jesus #christian #christ

Good morning, brethren. 1. Morning devotion for today. MD.i. 😀🎀💝🎁🌺🌹 MORNING TEA THE WORD FOR TODAY THURSDAY AUGUST 13, 2O26. "RESPONDING TO FAILURE" ‘A righteous person may fall…but he gets up again...’ Proverbs 24:16 GWT YOU CAN tell a lot about somebody by how they respond to life. Everybody gets knocked down, but how fast you get up again is what counts. Verla Gillmor says: ‘Failure teaches us things we can’t learn any other way…Treat it as a visitor allowed to deliver unpleasant news, but don’t let it take up residence. Remember, all failures aren’t equal. For example, when a beautiful, talented young woman is the first-runner-up in a beauty contest, some say she failed. Yet some people would give their right arm to be named the second most attractive female in a competition. It’s a matter of perspective… [examine] your failures and weigh them according to their importance in the overall scheme of things…I once received a ‘D’ at college…it’s ridiculous, but that sticks in my mind like a pebble in my shoe. Why do I fixate on that and not the fact that it happened during the term I carried nineteen credit hours, worked part-time, got engaged, and spent six weeks in the college health centre with mononucleosis? When I put the experience in context, it loses its power to undermine my confidence. Failure teaches us what’s important. I have a friend who was made redundant…It caught her by surprise because she was good at her work. “I tended to be full of pride,” she says. “I got away with it because I was so successful. Losing my job…humbled me. With pride you have no permission to fail. It’s a heavy yoke…and I don’t wear it any more. I feel lighter in my spirit without the burden of having to be perfect.’’’ Bible In A Year: Judg 9:34 – 11:40, Matt 17:1-13, Ps 119:73-80, Pro 20:25, Ecc 5:4-6. Courtesy: Grace So Amazing Foundation 🌹🎀 *To partner with us, kindly refer to page 9 of the hard copy edition or simply send us a WhatsApp message/call on +2348128000068.*🌷🎀💝🌹. MD.ii. [12/08, 8:10 pm] Pastor Attah: *MEDITATIONS ON DAILY ⓂANNA* THURSDAY, 13TH AUGUST, 2026. *A MORE DESCRIPTION OF HEAVEN* *TEXT:* REVELATION 21:1-8. 1And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. 2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. 4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. 5 And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful. 6 And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. 7 He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. 8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. *Timeless Truth:*_"For he (Abraham) looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God"_ (Hebrews 11:10). *INTRODUCTION* When Garden Eden was created, it was the most beautiful place Adam could ever conceive of, with all the beautiful birds, animals, plants and cool weather. However, nobody needed to tell Adam that there must be a better place because the God that used to commune with him in *"the cool of the day"* was not living in Eden. He must be dwelling in a better place. This faith was carried on from generations to generations until the time of Abraham, who in spite of all the wealth promised him, his affection was focused on the better city. *"For he (Abraham) looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God"*. Nobody was given a better revelation of heaven than Apostle John. Enoch and Elijah were said to be translated to heaven. How heaven looked like was left to human imaginations. Jesus Christ also mentioned heaven as the abode of the Triune God. He only told us it has many mansions. At the mount of transfiguration was revealed the glory of heaven and how the inhabitants will look like. Nothing more was revealed. Stephen saw heaven at the point of death but just faintly (Acts 7:55-56). Paul the apostle was taken to heaven which he called the third heaven, but he said he was not permitted to reveal what he saw to any except that he exposed that it has many foundations (Acts 11:10, 2 Corinthians 12:2-4). The text shows us the climax of God's revelation about heaven. Yet the Bible writers were short of words to describe heaven except that it is the place where God dwells from eternity, with all His created angels and saints. *"How beautiful heaven must be"*. *1. Prepared Heaven* a. Those who doubt the testimony of Apostle John must be ready to doubt his gospel and epistles that have transformed lives and brought supernatural comforts and revelation of Jesus Christ to mankind for centuries. *"And I saw a new heaven and a new earth"*. He was not told or heard from a third party. He saw it himself. It was not a remodelled new heaven and earth, but a totally new heaven and a new earth. *"And there was no more sea"*. There are three types of heaven mentioned in the Bible. There is the atmospheric heaven where the rain comes from (Deuteronomy 11:11). There is the second heaven called heavenlies where we have the galaxies including the primary domain of demonic forces and angelic conflicts (Ephesians 6:12). Then we have the third heaven or paradise where God dwells (2 Corinthians 12:2). *"For the first heaven and the first earth were passed away"*. The first two heavens were passed away except the third heaven. 2 Peter 3:12, 13 reveals how this will happen. *"….. wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. "*. The earth and the heavens will be destroyed through fervent heat. Jesus Himself confirmed that heaven and earth with all their structures, beauties, learnings and philosophies shall all pass away except the Word of God (Matthew 5:18, 24:35). In fact, all the human bodies will give way to eternal and indestructible bodies. Thus, what Apostle John saw was the giving away of all things that are visible and temporary for things that are eternal. b. *"And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven"*. The earthly Jerusalem was referred to as the city of the Great King (Psalm 48:2, Matthew 5:35). This is referring to the Millennium holy Jerusalem from where Jesus will rule the whole world physically. John the apostle said that Jerusalem ceased to exist, but gave way to a completely New Jerusalem. This New Jerusalem was seen coming *"out of heaven"*. Obviously, it is seen coming from the third heaven which is the eternal throne of God. He used the imagery of the beauty of a bride coming to meet the husband to describe the beauty of heaven. This is the best description human language can give. *Prepared as a bride adorned for her husband"*. He then heard the voice of God announcing the plan of God right from eternity. What was that plan? That God will physically, live among men as King over loving subjects; as Father over His children in a happy family set up and as God over His redeemed and people. *"And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God"*. This is the beginning of heaven, happy and holy eternity. *Question* Are you getting prepared for heaven in the practical sense of it? If Not, then you don't actually, believe in heaven. *2. Pacification with Happiness* a. The Apostle further gave a glimpse of how we will feel in heaven. *"And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes"*. Tears of sorrow, anguish, lost loved ones, physical and psychological pains, etc.will all be forgotten. This is difficult to imagine for man. It is like imagining how God promised that *"your sins and iniquities will I remember no more"*. We don't have a problem with God forgiving our sins, but God forgetting our sins will be difficult to imagine. We will all forget the painful past as we will be overwhelmed with the glory of God for eternity. *"There shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away"*. The pains and the tears, called *"light afflictions"* will be for a moment. They will not survive the joy of eternity. b. For those who have difficulty with believing, *"he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful"*. Heaven is prepared already. When Jesus Christ was about going to heaven, He assured the disciples of going to build mansions for them. About 60 years later, when John saw the revelation, he was told by the Lord that it was done. It means it is a settled and concluded matter. *"And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end"*. In heaven there will not be any heat or tension, but total refreshments and happiness. *"I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely"*. Everything God has will be totally ours. All the gifts of God, physical or spiritual, will belong to us as possessions. Nothing needed or useful will be denied. We suffer different lacks while on earth. Heaven will be the opposite. *"He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son"*. Are you an overcomer over sin, Satan and all his temptations? *Question* What are the things you are suffering on earth? Do you see them as temporary? *3. Punishment of Hell* What are the things that will disqualify any from entering heaven? What would be the abode of those who will miss heaven? The answer is fearful. *"But the fearful, and unbelieving"*. Every evil action stems from fear and unbelief. Unbelief of what God has spoken and the consequences of disobedience, fear of man and what man can do are terrible paralysing feelings that draw men to perdition. *"And the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars"*. Notice that all those sins are now also found inside the Church among professing saints. So there will be eternal surprises when those who profess that heaven is their home find themselves in a totally different place called hell. They *"shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone*. *Question* Are you transparently free from all sins? *Prayer Points* 1.Give praises to God that you are in that number saved by grace 🙏. 2.Ask God to search your life, expose, purge and cleanse you from all disqualifying habits 🙏. 3.Pray that the vision of heaven will get brighter and brighter to you and your mind and affections will be focused on heavenly things 🙏. 4.Pray that all believers will be delivered from all forms of self deception and will take entering heaven more seriously 🙏. *HYMN:* How Beautiful Heaven Must Be. *BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:* JOB 16-18. [12/08, 8:10 pm] Pastor Attah: ```DAILY Ⓜ️ANNA - (A DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE FOR ADULTS) THURSDAY 13TH AUGUST, 2026``` *SHORT SHELF-LIFE OF PAIN* 📓📖🎚️🫵🏽🙋🏽‍♂️🙋🏽‍♀️😢😭🧎🏽🧎🏽‍♀️🙏🏽🙌🏽 📜📜```TEXT:REVELATION 21:1-8```📜📜 🔑📖```KEY VERSE:``` _*"And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away" (REVELATION 21:4).*_ *John Harper, a Scottish Baptist pastor and evangelist, died on the _RMS Titanic_ in 1912. His last words, as testified by survivors, were "I have seen heaven, and it is beautiful" and "Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved." Despite his death, Harper used his final moments to preach the gospel, expressing his deep assurance that beyond death lay a place of eternal peace. A rescued survivor testified that Harper, clinging to the wreckage, asked if he was saved and urged him to believe in Jesus Christ. The survivor later accepted Christ and called himself "the last convert of John Harper."* *Today's passage paints a breath-taking vision of the new heaven and new earth. John sees the Holy City, the New Jerusalem, descending from God, adorned like a bride. A powerful voice declares that God will dwell among His people, wiping away every tear. Death, mourning, crying, and pain will be gone forever. The former things will pass away, and everything will be made new. God, the Alpha and Omega, promises the water of life to those who thirst. But He also warns that those who reject Him (those living in sin, fear, unbelief) will face eternal separation in the lake of fire.* *In this world, we experience suffering in many forms such as loss, illness, disappointment, pain and injustice. But for those who belong to Christ, these trials are temporary. Christ assures us that a glorious future awaits us, one where God Himself will comfort us, and all suffering will cease. This hope should encourage believers to endure hardships with faith, knowing that one day, we will step into a place where joy is endless and pain is no more. It also calls us to live righteously, rejecting sin and embracing the promise of eternity with God.* *No matter what trials you face today, hold unto the hope of heaven. Let this promise strengthen your faith, drive you to share the gospel, and encourage you to live in readiness for Christ's return. A day is coming when all suffering will cease and there will be no more tears, pain or death. Get ready to be part of this eternally glorious moment.* ✍🏽```THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:``` _*Nobody gets to heaven by accident.*_ 📜📜```THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:``` *JOB 16-18*📜📜 Short Shelf-Life Of Pain https://dailymanna.app// *RECOMMENDED GOSPEL HYMNS AND SONGS - GHS 5: NEVER GIVE UP; GHS 58: THE LAST MILE OF THE WAY; GHS 147: SWEET BY AND BY; AND GHS 175: HE IS COMING AGAIN* *TXD [THEXDEVOTIONALS] on Twitter* *#DailyManna13thAugust2026* *#GCK* *#WorshipNuggets* *#BibleNuggets* *#LeadershipNuggets* *#RevivalNuggets* *#CrusadeNuggets* https://www.youtube.com/[THEXDEVOTIONALS] [12/08, 8:10 pm] Pastor Attah: ```DEEPER CHRISTIAN LIFE MINISTRY``` _*HIGHER EVERYD🅰️Y: (A DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE FOR YOUTHS)*_ ✍🏽👩🏻‍💼🌻 🍇🙏🏽🛰🚀🔬📚 ```THURSDAY 13TH AUGUST, 2026``` *JESUS SETS FREE* 🎚️📓📖🫵🏽🙋🏽‍♂️🙋🏽‍♀️⛓️✝️🩸🧎🏽🧎🏽‍♀️🙏🏽⛓️‍💥🙌🏽 📜📜```TEXT:JOHN 8:28-36```📜📜 📖``` MEMORY VERSE:``` _*"If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed" (JOHN 8:36).*_ *A song writer wrote:* _*"There's power, power, wonder-working power*_ _*In the blood of the Lamb;*_ _*There's power, power, wonder-working power*_ _*In the precious blood of the Lamb."*_ *The words of this song reminds us of the power that is resident in the atoning blood of Jesus Christ. Jesus is the anointed One, the Messiah. Those who accept His lordship can experience His free gift of salvation.* *Note that though Christ has the power to save. He does not force His salvation on anyone because human beings are free moral agents and are made to be accountable for their choices.* *A lot of youths need freedom from bondage to sin and the devil. They need to acknowledge their sins and accept Christ as the only Saviour that can set free. Some are under slavery to fornication, masturbation, cultism, internet fraud, and so on.* *Friend, are you one of those lost in sin and in bondage to the devil? Get rid of your dirty deeds and believe that Jesus can set free, and He will set you free.* 💬 ```QUOTE:``` _*Jesus is the anointed One.*_ 🏆 ```CHALLENGE:``` _*Jesus can set you free indeed.*_ 🙏🏽🙏🏽 ```PRAYER:``` _*Lord, have mercy on me and set me free.*_ Jesus Sets Free https://dailymanna.app// *TXD [THEXDEVOTIONALS] on Twitter* *#HigherEveryday13thAugust2026* *#GCK* *#WorshipNuggets* *#BibleNuggets* *#LeadershipNuggets* *#RevivalNuggets* *#CrusadeNuggets* https://www.youtube.com/[THEXDEVOTIONALS] [12/08, 8:10 pm] Pastor Attah: ```DEEPER CHRISTIAN LIFE MINISTRY``` _*(SINCERE MILK: Children Daily Devotional Guide 2⃣0⃣2⃣6️⃣)*_ 🙇🏼🙇🏼🙇‍♀️🙇‍♀️🙇🏼🙇‍♀️🙇🏼🙇‍♀️🙇🏼‍♂️ ```THURSDAY 13TH AUGUST, 2026``` *GOD IS IN CHARGE* 📓📖🎚️🫵🏽🙋🏽‍♂️🙋🏽‍♀️🗣️🧎🏽🧎🏽‍♀️🙏🏽🙌🏽 📜📜```PSALM 35:1-9```📜📜 🕔📚🖋️🚻😁🎼🏆🍉🪴🌈💻 🔑📖 ```Key Verse:``` _*"And my soul shall be joyful in the LORD: it shall rejoice in his salvation" (Psalm 35:9).*_ 📖📖📖📖📖📖📖📖📖📖 Nancy was sent to a supermarket to get some food items for the family. Unknown to her, the shop was under attack by armed robbers. She went in, and she was kidnapped! While being abducted, she remembered the Bible verses that her grandma had taught her. She rehearsed it aloud to the confusion of her abductors, and attracted helpers nearby. God heard her confession of faith and saved her. She was rescued. In times like these, when the society seems insecure; neither rich nor poor are free from the troubles in the world - kidnapping, cyber bullying, famine, climate change, diseases, natural disasters, and instability. *Children of God need not fear. God is in charge of all situations. The word of God is not just a shield for all those who believe, it is a formidable weapon that no force can withstand. Read, believe, confess and have faith in God's Word as you move through the days and months of the year.* 🍥🍥🍥🍥🍥🍥🍥🍥 ```🅿️rayer:``` _*Lord, let your word dwell in me richly, and teach me to know that you are in charge of my life.*_ 🙏🏽 ```📖 Further Reading:``` *Ephesians 6:11-18* God Is In Charge https://dailymanna.app// *TXD [THEXDEVOTIONALS] on Twitter* *#SincereMilk13thAugust2026* *#GCK* *#WorshipNuggets* *#BibleNuggets* *#LeadershipNuggets* *#RevivalNuggets* *#CrusadeNuggets* https://www.youtube.com/[THEXDEVOTIONALS]. 2. Morning Prayer for today. MP.i. Morning Prayer For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only [use] not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. ⏤ Galatians 5:13 Let your religion be less of a theory and more of a love affair. ⏤ G.K. Chesterton O God, who has redeemed us by the precious blood of the Lamb, help us to live for Your praise and glory in all that we do. Since Jesus Christ has died for us and we are not our own, we want to live lives worthy of Your holiness. We confess and renounce all our sins. Teach us to hate sin and give us the grace to live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world, to the glory of Your holy name. We ask You to reveal Yourself to us this morning as we go forth and to give us the assurance of Your presence. You have promised that as our days are, so shall our strength be, and that Your grace will always be sufficient for us. We cling to these promises as we enter a new day whose experiences we cannot predict. We do not know what dangers we will encounter, what burdens will be placed on us, what temptations will whisper in our ears, what pitfalls will lie in our path, or what insidious influences will threaten the purity of our souls. So we hide ourselves in You and trust You to keep us safe all day. We desire to be useful and helpful to others. Save us from selfishness and self-centeredness. Teach us the great lesson of service. May we have the mind of Christ, who came not to be served but to serve. May we serve one another in love. May we live to help others and do good. Help us to see the needs we can meet, to perceive the ways we can serve, and then give us the true spirit of ministry so that we may do the things that will bless others. Fill us with Your Spirit so that we may be like You. We ask all this in the name of our Savior. Amen. https://www.youdevotion.com/daily-prayer/miller/39/morning #taptapstudio #youdevotion.

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Why Does God Permit Suffering and Evil? Pastor Joseph Clark — August 11, 2026 “Is man merely a mistake of God's? Or God merely a mistake of man? — Friedrich Nietzsche “All thinking men are atheists.” — Ernest Hemingway “There is something infantile in the presumption that somebody else has a responsibility to give your life meaning and point…” — Richard Dawkins One of the most frequently asked questions of pastors is this: If God is all-powerful, merciful, and loving, why does He permit so much suffering and evil? If God is good, why doesn't He simply stop it? It is an important question, and Christians should not be afraid to confront it. My answer may not satisfy everyone, because Christianity does not teach that we are entitled to understand every purpose of God. Scripture says, “The secret things belong to the LORD our God” (Deuteronomy 29:29). We know what God has revealed; we do not know everything He has withheld. We must also distinguish between what God causes and what God permits. God is sovereign over His creation, but Scripture does not teach that God is the author of sin. James tells us: “When tempted, no one should say, ‘God is tempting me.’ For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone.” — James 1:13 So why does God permit suffering? The answer begins with this: Suffering has a purpose within God's redemptive plan. That does not mean that suffering itself is good. Evil is evil. Death is an enemy. Sin is rebellion against God. Scripture never asks us to call evil good or pretend that tragedy does not hurt. Rather, Christianity teaches something far more profound: God is so sovereign that He can take even suffering, tragedy, injustice, and evil and use them to accomplish His purposes. The greatest example is the cross of Jesus Christ. Human beings intended the crucifixion for evil. Yet God used the cross to accomplish the redemption of sinners. Peter declared: “This man was handed over to you by God’s deliberate plan and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross.” — Acts 2:23 The cross therefore gives us the foundation for understanding suffering. God does not need evil to be good, but He can sovereignly use what is evil to accomplish what is good. 1. God can use suffering for an eternal purpose. Paul writes: “For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.” — 2 Corinthians 4:17 Paul does not say that suffering is pleasant or insignificant. He calls his troubles “light and momentary” only when compared with the immeasurable weight of eternal glory. Cancer, grief, betrayal, violence, injustice, poverty, persecution, and death are very real. Christianity never asks us to pretend otherwise. But Scripture teaches that God can take even terrible circumstances and use them for purposes that reach beyond this temporary life. That is part of God's redemptive plan. God is concerned not merely with making our earthly lives comfortable. He is preparing us for eternity. Think of the thickness of a Bible. If that represented eternity, our earthly existence and worldly suffering is so short and fleeting, it would be like a single page. That does not make suffering pleasant. It puts suffering into an eternal perspective. 2. Suffering exposes the reality and consequences of sin. The Bible does not present this world as the paradise God originally intended. Sin entered God's creation through human rebellion, and its consequences spread throughout humanity. Romans 5:12 says: “Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people, because all sinned.” We also contribute to suffering ourselves. Human greed, hatred, selfishness, violence, lust, pride, corruption, and injustice have consequences. Scripture describes Satan as the ruler of this present fallen order. “The whole world is under the control of the evil one” (1 John 5:19), while Paul calls Satan “the god of this age” (2 Corinthians 4:4). Yet Satan is not God's equal. Satan operates only within the limits God permits. The book of Job makes this remarkably clear. Job suffered terribly, yet God remained sovereign. Job did not understand the reason for his suffering, but he ultimately came to a deeper knowledge of God. In the middle of his suffering, he declared: “I know that my redeemer lives.” — Job 19:25 We may never know whether a particular hardship is a test, a consequence of human sin, an attack of the enemy, or simply the result of living in a fallen world. But we do know this: God can redeem it. 3. God can use suffering to bring people to repentance. Consider the words of Jesus in Luke 13. Some people had been killed by Pilate, and others had died when a tower collapsed. Jesus specifically rejected the idea that these people were necessarily worse sinners than everyone else. Then He said: “But unless you repent, you too will all perish.” — Luke 13:3 Jesus did not use tragedy to give a philosophical explanation. He used it to confront humanity with the reality of eternity. Suffering reminds us that this world is temporary. Death is real. Eternity is real. Judgment is real. Salvation is real. Sometimes suffering causes a person to ask questions that prosperity never would: Where is God? What is the meaning of life? What happens when I die? Am I ready to meet my Creator? And ultimately, those questions can lead us to Jesus Christ. God can use suffering as an instrument that turns a person's heart toward Him. 4. Free will has consequences. God created human beings capable of genuine love, obedience, rebellion, and choice. Love without choice is meaningless. God could have created humanity like robots programmed to say, “I love You,” every hour. But programmed affection is not love. I can program my phone to tell me it loves me every hour. That does not compare with hearing my child freely say, “Dad, I love you.” God gave humanity meaningful freedom. But meaningful freedom necessarily carries consequences. If God prevented every sinful action before it happened, human freedom would cease to have meaningful consequences. We cannot simultaneously demand genuine human freedom and demand that God prevent every consequence of human choices. Much of the suffering in this world is the direct or indirect consequence of human sin. 5. Suffering can become part of our sanctification. The Christian life was never promised to be painless. Peter writes: “And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.” — 1 Peter 5:10 Paul says: “In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” — 2 Timothy 3:12 Jesus Himself said: “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” — John 16:33 Christianity does not promise escape from every hardship. It promises that Christ will be with us through it. We are called to carry our cross, follow Christ, persevere under trial, and allow God to shape us through circumstances we cannot control. James writes: “Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.” — James 1:12 Suffering can therefore become part of God's sanctifying work in us. It can teach perseverance. It can expose what is in our hearts. It can strip away pride. It can deepen our dependence upon God. It can produce compassion for others who suffer. And it can make us long more deeply for the day when Christ will finally make all things new. 6. Without suffering, we would have little understanding of the seriousness of eternity. This is a difficult point, but it must be considered. If humanity lived forever in a world without death, pain, consequence, or hardship, we could easily become convinced that this temporary world was all that mattered. But Christianity teaches that this life is not the end. There is salvation and there is judgment. There is heaven and there is hell. There is eternal life and eternal separation from God. The suffering and brokenness of this world remind us that something is profoundly wrong with creation—and that we need redemption. The Gospel announces that God has not abandoned us to that brokenness. He entered it. 7. God did not merely watch suffering from heaven—He entered our suffering through Jesus Christ. This may be the most important answer of all. God did not respond to human suffering by remaining distant from it. Jesus Christ suffered. He was betrayed, falsely accused, mocked, beaten, humiliated, crucified, and killed. He experienced rejection, physical agony, injustice, and death. And then He rose again. The cross demonstrates that God can bring the greatest good out of the greatest evil. The crucifixion was humanity's greatest act of evil against the Son of God, yet God used it as the means of redemption. That is the heart of the Gospel. God redeems. He redeems sinners. He redeems broken lives. He redeems suffering. He redeems tragedy. And ultimately, He will redeem creation itself. The Christian therefore does not worship a God who says, “I have no idea what suffering feels like.” We worship a Savior who can say, “I have been there.” I Understand That Suffering Hurts I do not write this as someone who has never suffered. I have experienced betrayal, divorce, sin, self-loathing, false accusations, slander, threats, persecution for my faith, serious family crises, illness among people I love, and the tragic deaths of friends. Others have suffered far more than I have. I have not experienced every form of grief, and I would never pretend otherwise. I do not claim to be an expert on suffering. But I know the One who is. And the answer I offer is not ultimately my own philosophy. It is the testimony of Scripture. For those who say, “I don't expect special treatment. I simply want to live a good life without hurting anyone or being hurt myself,” my answer is this: Stay faithful. Walk with Christ. Keep going. You may not understand everything God is doing. Job didn't. Joseph didn't. The disciples didn't understand the cross. But God's purposes were greater than what they could see. From Crisis to Opportunity Suffering can become a defining moment. The question is not always, “Why did this happen to me?” Sometimes the better question is: “Lord, what will You do with what has happened to me?” We cannot control everything that happens to us. But, by the grace of God, we can choose how we respond. We can become bitter—or we can become faithful. We can turn away from God—or we can run toward Him. We can allow suffering to destroy us—or we can allow God to use it to deepen our faith, strengthen our character, increase our compassion, and sanctify our lives. That is why suffering can become an opportunity. Not because suffering itself is good. But because God is good, and God can bring good out of what is not good. Romans 8:28 gives us this extraordinary promise: “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Notice that Scripture does not say that all things are good. It says God works in all things for good. That distinction matters. The Christian response to suffering is therefore not denial, despair, or rebellion. It is faith. We remain steadfast. We help those who are suffering. We practice mercy. We refuse to create unnecessary suffering for others. We forgive. We pray. We persevere. And above all, we look to Christ. He suffered. He died. He rose again. And because He lives, suffering and death do not have the final word. Why, Then, Does God Permit Suffering and Evil? 1. God can use suffering for an eternal purpose. 2. Suffering exposes the reality and consequences of sin. 3. God can use suffering to bring people to repentance and salvation. 4. Human freedom carries real consequences. 5. Suffering can become part of our sanctification. 6. Suffering reminds us that this life is temporary and eternity is real. 7. God entered our suffering through Jesus Christ and ultimately defeated sin and death through His cross and resurrection. There is one truth that holds all seven points together: Suffering has a purpose in God's redemptive plan. We may not understand every reason God permits a particular tragedy. We should never presume to know God's specific purpose in another person's suffering. But we can know that suffering is not beyond His sovereignty. The cross proves it. The empty tomb proves it. And the promise of Scripture proves that one day God will finally and completely deal with everything that causes suffering. “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain.” — Revelation 21:4 Until that day, we remain faithful. We suffer with hope. We serve with compassion. We persevere with courage. And we keep our eyes fixed upon Jesus Christ—the One who suffered for us, died for us, rose again for us, and promises that one day “the former things have passed away.” Christ wins. And in Christ, suffering is not the end of the story.

HEAVEN IS FOR OVERCOMERS Revelation 2 [NIV] [vs: 7] He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God. Adam and Eve was denied the right to eat of the three of life in the garden of Eden because they were overcomed by the devil when he decieved them to eat the fruit of the knowledge of evil and good in disobedience to GOD'S commmandment. They were driving out from Paradise that they may not eat of the tree of life and lives in sin without dying  So also now those who lives in sin are eating the forbidden fruit and  are overcomed by the devil and will not be allowed into heaven if they die in that condition. *Things to overcome to make heaven. 1, Satan,2 temptations   3,sin,4 the flesh  5, the world . *How to overcome. 1, faith in Jesus  2, repentance from all sin,3 watchfulness and prayer,4 self denial  5, total yeildedness to Christ 6,steadfast resistance of the devil. 7, heavenly mindedness. Key lessons: The only alternative to being an overcomer is to be defeated by sin and Satan and to be denied entrance into heaven. 07 August 2026

HEAVEN IS FOR OVERCOMERS Revelation 2 [NIV] [vs: 7] He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God. Adam and Eve was denied the right to eat of the three of life in the garden of Eden because they were overcomed by the devil when he decieved them to eat the fruit of the knowledge of evil and good in disobedience to GOD'S commmandment. They were driving out from Paradise that they may not eat of the tree of life and lives in sin without dying  So also now those who lives in sin are eating the forbidden fruit and  are overcomed by the devil and will not be allowed into heaven if they die in that condition. *Things to overcome to make heaven. 1, Satan,2 temptations   3,sin,4 the flesh  5, the world . *How to overcome. 1, faith in Jesus  2, repentance from all sin,3 watchfulness and prayer,4 self denial  5, total yeildedness to Christ 6,steadfast resistance of the devil. 7, heavenly mindedness. Key lessons: The only alternative to being an overcomer is to be defeated by sin and Satan and to be denied entrance into heaven. 07 August 2026

HEAVEN IS FOR OVERCOMERS Revelation 2 [NIV] [vs: 7] He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God. Adam and Eve was denied the right to eat of the three of life in the garden of Eden because they were overcomed by the devil when he decieved them to eat the fruit of the knowledge of evil and good in disobedience to GOD'S commmandment. They were driving out from Paradise that they may not eat of the tree of life and lives in sin without dying  So also now those who lives in sin are eating the forbidden fruit and  are overcomed by the devil and will not be allowed into heaven if they die in that condition. *Things to overcome to make heaven. 1, Satan,2 temptations   3,sin,4 the flesh  5, the world . *How to overcome. 1, faith in Jesus  2, repentance from all sin,3 watchfulness and prayer,4 self denial  5, total yeildedness to Christ 6,steadfast resistance of the devil. 7, heavenly mindedness. Key lessons: The only alternative to being an overcomer is to be defeated by sin and Satan and to be denied entrance into heaven. 07 August 2026

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