Submissions: https://rapzilla.com/submit/, Copyright 2022 Rapzilla.com | All Rights Reserved. at all 6 of our campuses God Knows Our Suffering | Theology of Work Your email address will not be published. If The Preacher Is Dead, The Sermon Will Be Dead, Chasing The Dream, Preaching Greatness, And Knowing Your Audience. Privacy Policy, Click here to view our policy on 3rd party links, Sweet Relief: How the Gospel Frees Us From a Life of Striving, "Small Things in Love Change the World" T-Shirt. God Wants You to Have a Healthy Heart read more, Scripture: The Lord even knows how much of the pain the can handle. God wants to work in your pain to make you more like Jesus. 6 Things God Wants To Tell You In The Middle Of Your Pain. read more, Scripture: In verse 29, we get God's definition of "good." He defines good as conforming us to the likeness of his son. Allow yourself to go there with God. How do we know if we really know God? Author of the award-winning and bestselling book, not a fan. It will come, not instantaneously, but completely. We may soon look back at todays trials and marvel at Gods faithful hand in them. For a moment, an awareness of his presence can so completely envelop and overshadow our pain that we become immersed in fellowship with Jesus, unaware of anything around us. If Joseph had been 16 or 17 when he was captured, how many years of suffering passed before he understood Gods hand in the process? Certainly it would seem that God would give those in Christian ministry a free pass from pain. read more, Scripture: You are loved. Struggle with debilitating physical and mental illness. Why? Please see below for details. The only thing that they were certain of was that God was there in the fire with them. No, Are you a Small Group Leader? When you run from God in seasons of challenge, all you're left with is your own limited ability to cope with what you're walking through. John 8:18-19, Denomination: Senior Center Devotional My union with Christ, a reality for every believer, melts into sweet communion in my pain. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. Perhaps we should note that Paul didnt hear from the Lord very often. Do not be anxious about anything,but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. God knows how much pain we can handle. Will a professing Christian go to hell if he never shares the gospel? Baptist, C.S. There are no guarantees for any of us, even those called into ministry. He works in ALL things to produce Christ-like maturity. Fellowship is an irreplaceable means of grace in the Christian life and offers us two priceless joys: receiving Gods grace through the helping words of others and giving his grace to others through our own. Or if you have ever begged God to remove your anguish, and God denied your desperate request, you can know a little of Christs fellowship in suffering. You would agree to the discomfort and danger because of the reward thats coming. After that next miraculous message, it would be another six years, at least, before the next, and according to the record of Acts, there was never another one. God uses all things, even painful things, for our good. Or multiple sclerosis. Yes, there remain unanswered questions. So where can you identify with him in your suffering? We live in a world that is filled with hurting people. And that joy will only increase when his glory is revealed (1 Peter 4:13). He knows you fully. Yet that doesnt mean its easy to just release all the wreckage of the past. You are currently impersonating {{userSessionData.email}}. In the midst of the suffering, it is extremely difficult to find the purpose of our pain, and to celebrate that purpose. God has all of eternity to lavish his kindness on us (Ephesians 2:7). Introduction: The Psalmist declares that God knows the number of stars in the universe. And I am convinced that the less earthly pleasure and reward we have received, the greater our pleasure and reward will be in heaven. Please open your Bibles to John chapter 17. Pt. A. God might allow a colicky baby to teach us patience. I think its fair to say that for most of Pauls pain, Jesus didnt show up. It has marked me. In that place, only God can meet the need, or heal the heart. It doesnt say approach our throne, it clearly states Gods throne. Take a chance on Him. It was written because these are issues we will all face in our lives. I can speak Christianese, but until you learn to, I was leaning into Him, learning to put my complete trust in Him, but r. ecently during one of my quiet times with God, He completely stopped me in my tracks. God Knows | Desiring God - John Piper 3. Presbyterian/Reformed, Where is God when life hurts? Think back to a time when you made a change in your life and ask the question, What motivated me to make that change? Unless, of course, faith plays a role. Yes Date of Birth, Gender In the movies, its Rocky, getting up off the mat, one more time. You wake up face down on the pavement You look to see the birds outside your window and see nothing but buzzards Your B-day cake .read more. Then, with striking imagery, David recognizes that. Is it THAT Important? Because I ache does that call for me to quit? The law of Your mouth is better to us . Most people in the world have no experience of lasting joy in their lives. Agonize, wondering how our loved ones will manage. How deeply ignorant and shameful it is of us ever think that Jesus cannot comprehend what we are going through, when in fact, it is the other way around. (Source: Mike Neifert, Light and Life, February 1997, p. 27). Stephen also had a miraculous appearance from the Lord, but only at the last moment, as he prepared to die. Take comfort in the fact that God knows what youre feeling. The risen Christ proves this, and can transform our disappointments, disillusionments, and shame into joy. He battled temptation and anxiety over his young churches. In verse 29, we get Gods definition of good. He defines good as conforming us to the likeness of his son. You say no again. Few Jewels capture the eye quite like a perfect pearl. They will have to face His judgment. it can cloud our vision or clear our vision. In Ephesus, Pauls had what might be his most successful ministry anywhere, preaching there fore more than two years until all who lived in the province of Asia heard the Gospel. I hadnt realized how much I needed them. Most people in the world have no experience of lasting joy in their lives. But the lessons of life are almost always taught in the classroom of suffering whether youre suffering through a elementary-school spelling quiz, dealing with the excruciating pain of disease, or the heartbreak of grief. It doesnt deny our pain or how much it hurts. Hed been scored, chased, scandalized and slandered. Masochism, no pain, no gain. They enjoy pain. read more, Scripture: *Indicated Required Field See ourPrivacy Policy. I was in the darkest time of my life. Order Curriculum, Literature, and Church Supplies, by Andy Cook on Wednesday, January 01, 2014 at 7:00 AM, Sermon 3 in a 4-sermon series called "Looking Up When Life Gets You Down". We must gain pain perspective. He knows that your straw has been taken away. Those who deny pain. Wonder of wonders, in some small measure, lowly me gets to identify with and enter his grief. Or perhaps just a needed break from our pain and suffering. 1. He could prove the power of God even more with the miracles that were so common in Ephesus, for instance (Acts 19:11-12). Everyone experiences pains, and while the size and scope may vary, our source of help does not. Scripture: Mark 5:21-43. No matter where we live or who we are, God sees us, and He knows every detail of our pain. When we experience it our natural tendency is to shut everyone out. In her latest inspiring book, Songs of Suffering, she tells of a friend who has become my friend as well. It, I can quote scripture to you. But for Joseph, time was moving in agonizing, painful slowness. *, Forgot your password End of Life: Our Fear of Pain Yes When uncertain and unpredictable events occur, we are weighed down with worry for where we'll end up next. Free Sermons and Sermon Outlines for Preaching : How Can We Determine God's Will For Our Lives? Part 3 in series Emotionally Healthy Spirituality, this message looks at false messages we learn in childhood and their effects on us in adulthood, and explains why the pain of moving out of the false self is preferable to the pain of staying in it. God has come alongside you. He knows your deepest fears. Their heart is unfeeling like fat, but we delight in Your law. Do you know what its like when someone you love is in pain? You can know God on two levels. God has promised that hell be there when you need him most. Gods presence has been more evident to me in suffering than at any other time, making it a priceless treasure of darkness (Isaiah 45:3). Instead, this idea is best used as a self-study. 2. TRUSTING GOD THROUGH THE PAIN - Footprints of Inspiration You are not alone. *, Password . Summary: God won't put more on you than you can bare! Sermons about God In Your Pain - SermonCentral.com Imagine the headlines from the next morning, when details of the midnight song, earthquake, and jailers conversion became known! They have lived with suffering for so longs; they act out if they have no pain. 3 Furthermore, the more we share in Jesuss sufferings, the more we understand the power of his resurrection, and the more we can see his glory. God Knows Your Pain - (Rapzilla Devotional) You can know Gods works and also know Gods way. Connect with Pam on Instagram or at PamTebow.com. You must lean into God in order for Him to guide you. Nothing is beyond God's ability to redeem. Have you ever been in a painful situation and talked to someone then realized the other person has gone through exactly what youre facing? The purpose of this message is to inform the listener that finding God's purpose in life is a process of discipleship and decision making. Mark 5:21-43 I understand in part. It becomes pretty easy to end up treating God as a commodity Pain management with prescriptions, exercise, massage, etc. Pain and offense are tools used by the Devil to isolate individuals and make them more susceptible to spiritual attack. There, Jesus told Paul to take the message of the gospel to the Gentiles, an instruction that represented a major shift in missions and in Pauls personal life. As we share in Christs sufferings, we also share in his comfort (2 Corinthians 1:5), not a thin set of platitudes that make us feel better in the moment, but an explicable fellowship that carries a sturdy peace. Bible Church. When not studying for his Master's Degree, he's wedding planning with his fiance, watching the Boston Celtics, reading, playing Xbox, or adding to his tattoo collection. Mark 14:33-34 states, he (Jesus) began to be deeply distressed and troubled. It is for people who live each day with an anxious foreboding about their future. In fact, as he set about his world planting churches, and becoming the leader of the evangelistic movement among Gentiles, he seemed to endure an incredible amount of pain. Every man or woman who does not know God is living in slavery to something.If God is not your God then something else will be. Our heart can only be healthy if we are close to God's heart. Scripture: Psalm 139:1-4. Hed been the focus of riots and death threats, and after one harrowing, near-death experience, he was snake bitten! Three times Paul was shipwrecked, and he once spent a full day a night and a day, as he puts it on the open sea. Jesus told Paul, My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. The message, and the messenger, gave Paul a tremendous boost. In theology, this is As a servant, Hagar was considered unimportant and was sometimes treated poorly. Many Todays subject is How to Know God. But wait a minute; a good majority of people dont really care to know God. He implores the Lord to help him and to punish his opponents. Bring your pain to God don't run from him. The assurance that God is with us is the most precious gift we have in suffering. The physical pain that many suffer from injuries or some type of As it turned out, God was very much at work, right in the middle of the pain. death and taxes. The image calms my heart, but best of all, it binds me to his love. And yet billions have and are reading Pauls letters, memorizing passages and following the instructions as if Paul was still preaching his passionate message in our culture. Hebrews 4:15-16 tells us thatJesus can empathize with our pain and weakness: Whenever I read that passage I find myself marveling at the fact we, sinful humans, can approach Gods throne with confidence, so that we can receive mercy and find grace to, help us in our time of need. This proves a couple of things. Where are you, God? Psalm 139:1-6, Denomination: 'God Knows Your Heartaches' - Billy Graham Evangelistic Association Emotionally Healthy Spirituality, prt. There are times in our lives when it seems like God is against us. Even these awful injections. At first, that lump of clay is just thata lump. For more uplifting devotionals, grab a copy of Pam Tebows Hope for a Womans Heart. God sees us in the dark because it is as bright as the day to Him. Your Bible study. What youre experiencing may have caught you off guard, but it didnt take God by surprise. What pain do you need to offer to God today? He works in ALL things to produce Christ-like maturity., One way God uses our pain for good is to draw people closer to Christ. No, I do not remember being one God was working in the courts of Egypt. For he is constantly looking to devour and deceive (1 Peter 5:8). Need to Know There is always a reason. His resume of suffering appears near this very passage (2 Corinthians 11:23-29), and it includes multiple imprisonments, beatings, floggings, canings, life-threatening experiences, a stoning, shipwrecks, and a night and a day floating in the open sea. death, taxes, and then we added pain to the list because we are in Genesis 3:19 that because of our own fallenness we will be: be working in pain all your life God is not only the creator of what is visible but what is invisible (Colossians 1:16). He was so deeply distressed and troubled that His sweat turned to blood (Luke 22:44). 1 - Pain Perversion, If The Preacher Is Dead, The Sermon Will Be Dead, Chasing The Dream, Preaching Greatness, And Knowing Your Audience. I tried to say the right things but finally told her we could get some ice cream after she finished. I can tell you story after story of Christians who found strength in their pain and a feeling of peace they couldnt explain. He will never forsake us (Deuteronomy 31:6). And the peace of God,which transcends all understanding,will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Were on a mission to change that. I see four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed, and the fourth looks like a son of the gods (Daniel 3:25). Kyle is the Senior Pastor at Southeast Christian Church in Louisville, Kentucky. Your kid might be in pain from falling off a wagon, a broken heart, an unexpected breakup, the flu, or the homesickness of your college freshman. He hadnt always had enough food, clothing, sleep, or friends. Or any number of the stunning array of diseases, disabilities or discouragements that can come our way. All opinions are my own. What is it like living with PCOS and Endometriosis Hiraya, https://www.footprintsofinspiration.com/trusting-god-through-the-pain/. Its easier to persevere when theres a reward for being faithful during times of testing. Today we will finish our study of Johns letter. Suffering brings an intimacy with God, a mysterious and sacred fellowship that cannot be captured in words. 4. After all, those early letters were filled with corrections, some of them quite harsh. . Are you suffering? So Jesus came to reveal God, to make Him known. But at the moment, Paul only knew the pain of having to leave his home and ministry in a hurry. As tears streamed down my face, I understood how lonely and forgotten I had been feeling. Now I see in a mirror dimly. Deals with one of the reasons people give for taking thier lives into thier own hands near the end of life, the second part of a 3 part series. 19Then said they unto him, Where is thy Father? He had seen rejection and disappointment as surely as you have. Like a wicked taskmaster, it can enslave us. He will walk with you through every dark valley. In fact, the only thing that seemed to discourage Paul were the problems in his young churches. And so it is with us. The men and women in the Bible couldnt see how God was using their lives and their struggles either. In just a few weeks, Paul had another supernatural experience in Jerusalem, when he saw the Lord speaking while in a trance (Acts 22:17). Nothing is beyond Gods ability to redeem. We fall victim and believe that our season of pain is so unique that nobody could ever relate to it and that nobody will ever understand why we feel how we do. Feeling as if your friends, family, spouse, and co-workers cannot relate to or simply dont care about your hurt. The angel of the Lord appeared to Hagar as she was alone and despairing in the wilderness and assured her that it was safe to return. God gives us pain at times to make us stronger. The king looked into the furnace and exclaimed, Look! This includes everything in the spiritual realm, including our emotional state. As far as an oyster is concerned, what we call a pearl is nothing more than great suffering. It has been said that there are only 2 things that are certain in life . read more, Scripture: There is some pain so great, it seems impossible to bear. The purpose of this message is to inform the (01) Copyright 2003-2023 | Outreach, Inc., All rights reserved. He is using your suffering and pain in ways you would not believe if someone told you. 2 Corinthians 7:10, For God sometimes uses sorrow in our lives to help us turn away from sin and seek eternal life. So, what does that mean for us? Somatic or nociceptive pain, activation of pain receptors: i.e., cut, broken bones, tissue damage. Well, thats a lie. But how can we tell if we really know God? He knows everything about us but still loves us. People watch those who are hurting to see what matters most to them. An America under siege. That tiny little irritant slips inside the tight seal of an oysters shell, and immediately causes discomfort. This series on death and dying was not written to be morbid. read more, Scripture: