CHRISTIANS AND SUFFERING

I have heard many preachers (especially common under the wealth, health and prosperity gospel) teach that Christians should not and shall not suffer. Different reasons are given for this, ranging from not giving enough tithe, not being a prayerful enough, not being delivered etc.

After giving this much thought I decided to do a little research on the same and here are some of my findings;

1. Christians will suffer;

a) Christ suffered while here on earth and because he is our example we too will suffer.

b) Christians are called to take up the cross daily- this entails suffering.

c) Suffering is a reminder that we have not reached the new heaven and the new earth where there will be no tears.

d) God uses suffering to discipline his children because he loves us.

2. Reasons for suffering

a) To equip us for ministry. We are able to help those going through difficult times because we have passed through them.

b) Prepares us for glory

c) To teach us;

•  Obedience

•  Patience

•  Purity

d) To correct us

e) To refine us- produce more fruit

f) To discipline us-he disciplines those he loves

3. Suffering helps believers to;

• Examine and judge ourselves

• Confess sin because he is faithful and just to forgive sin

• Pray

• Keep Gods word.

 

4. Correct reaction to suffering

 a) Acknowledge that;

•God is control.

•God is with us. All things work together for good to those that love the lord.

•God is good and suffering is working towards your ultimate good. Suffering is just for a season, for a while.

•Pray without ceasing.

Rejoice and thank God.

NOTE: In suffering, righteousness can be maintained. No matter how severe the suffering is, it will pass and everything will work out fine for those that trust God.

He never promised that the cross would not get heavy and the hill would not be hard to climb, he never offered victories without our fighting but he said help would always come in time. Just remember when you’re standing in the valley of decision and the adversary says give in just hold on our lord will show up and he will take you through the fire again (extract from through the fire by Jason Crabb).

                                                                             Always,
                                                                                     kay....
 

WORST SUNDAY

The day I was robbed!

 

it was a beautiful Sunday, enjoyed the service at church then my friend and I were invited to lunch at our friends house, that too went on perfectly well till we said our good byes and had to head back to school. we walked towards the station hoping we would catch a taxi because the sun had had its toll on us.

as we dragged ourselves along I suddenly  felt a guy come from behind and pull my handbag that was hanging safely over my shoulder. I struggled with him for a bit but he was stronger than me and he managed to grab my handbag then he jumped into some drench below.

I felt so weak, couldn't think straight, shocked and sad. I mean, that bag had my bible, phone, purse (had my NRC, school id, Atm card and a k100+). so many questions rushed through my mind but the thief was long gone. people gathered around to ask what had happened, some sentiments were depressing whilst others encouraging.

in the midst of the chaos his word says that we should give thanks in all circumstances no matter how bad it is. so I will list down the things am thankful about from the incidence;

• preservation of our lives- that guy could have easily hurt us in any way but he didn't
• strength- I know that it was the lord because I didn't shed a single tear or become an emotional wreck, its God! he sustains us
• friends, specifically; lusungu, meyer, Miriam, kwenda and kabanda. each of them played a part in keeping me sane
• God knew it ALL. because he is sovereign and he knows the plans he has for me and to top it off, he is working everything out for my good. I will praise him for all that is past and trust him for all that is to come.
• for the love that keeps coming in, people texting and sympathising with us

many lessons have been learnt but that's for another post. till then lets keep it Jesus.

                                                             plenty love,

                                                                               kay 



JESUS CARES

Does Jesus care when my heart is pained

Too deeply for mirth or song,

As the burdens press and the cares distress,

And the way grows weary and long?

Refrain:

Oh, yes, he cares, I know he cares

His heart is touched with my grief;

When the days are weary, the long nights dreary,

I know my saviour cares.

Does Jesus care when I’ve tried and failed

To resist some temptation strong;

When for my deep grief there is no relief

Though my tears flow all the night long?

                       Song by Frank E. Graeff

Whatever it is that you might be going through all you have to do is cast your cares on him for he cares for you.

                                                           Plenty love,

                                                                           Kapambwe.

MAY HIS/HER SOUL REST IN PEACE

 PEACE

 

In a space of one month there have been two deaths in my family. And the common phrase used at any funeral is ‘may her soul rest in peace’. This made me reflect on the tiny word ‘peace’ in that phrase.

 What is peace?

It is freedom from disturbance; quiet and tranquillity

The next question that arises is will you ‘rest in peace’ if you are outside Christ? Certainly not!

We are to make things right with God whilst on earth and while we have the chance. Jesus came to die on the cross on our behalf so that we may enjoy communion with God. Because of the love God has for us he sent his son to die and he willingly came.

If God has done this in Christ, what are we to do to be saved?  We must turn to God in Christ, which entails turning back from sin. If we repent of our sin and place our trust in Christ, we will be saved from Gods righteous wrath against our sins. This response of repentance and faith can be explained in detail as this;

Turn to God; to repent means to turn and follow Christ. Paul says, in one of his letters, repent and turn to God.

Turn away from sin; we cannot pursue God and sin at the same time. In this life our life will either be orientated towards God and his light or toward the darkness of sin. When we become Christians we are no longer enslaved to sin, though we still struggle with it, God has given us the gift of repentance and we are freed from sins dominating power.

Believe and trust; our response is to trust Gods promises in Christ and to commit ourselves to Christ as his disciples.

Grow in holiness and strive for holiness; we should give ourselves to the study of God’s word, to be encouraged, instructed and to learn what is inconsistent with it.

If you haven’t yet given your life to Christ I urge you to do so NOW! Because only then are you going to ‘rest in peace’, and be with Christ when you die. And that is true peace.
                                                                                    Always,
                                                                                                 kapambwe