Sunday, October 18, 2009

Today's sermon was defnitely damn impactful. It is true that being a Christian is definitely not a bed of roses. As a christian we will have to face seven kinds of sufferings. From Psalms 34:19, Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the God delivers them out of them all. Sometimes we look around and wonder why are some good people suffering yet those who rejoice in doing evil happily living their own life. This is where this sermon is applicable.

Suffering comes in all shapes and sizes.Therefore, when we are unable to handle suffering in our lives, we will be disillusioned and tend to blame others and God for being so cruel. The first point is storms of life in Luke 6:47-48. It is the nature of life to be stormy, but we can choose how we respond to the stormy weather. In this life, everyone will at least face a storm heading towards our home. But if we build our house on Christ the rock and not the shifting sand that provides no foundation at all, we will be overcomers in life. While building this stronghold, we must also dig down deep and get rid of all dirt and filth that is unclean in God's eyes. (repentance) It is just like the case of a bar of soap. No matter how much wonders the bar of soap can produce, if we do not open the wrapper, we will not be able to experience its goodness. Similarly, if we do not repent of our old sins, no matter how much we plead with God, He will not answer us. As a christian, we must be ready for blessings and adversity. However some people only knows how to abound and not abass, therefore, when the wind blows, their house will topple. The role model we should learn from is Paul from Philippians 4:11-12, we should learn when to downsize and make adjustments, and when to be humble.

Secondly, the point is chastening (Dealings of God). Although Job is a extremely righteous man who feared God, God still has to bring Job into a process of dealing and training so that He can possess the sonship. Sometimes when God deals with us, we will get rebuked and even discouraged. In the process of our transformation to be like Christ, we have to undergo suffering. With hardship, we will never taste the sweetness of our success. To be able to be true sons and daughters of God, we have to choose to be chastened by God and let him guide us to the correct path again.

Thirdly, temptations. God does not tempt us, it is rather the Devil who tempts us by bringing people into our lives to provoke us. In this case, temptations cause us to blame God. Although we can never stop temptations from coming, we can stop temptations from getting a foothold in our lives. Just as Paul mentioned in Hebrews 4:15-16, Jesus is tempted in all possible ways yet was without sin. Because of that, we are able to come before God to ask for strength to overcome temptations because the very power that Christ possess is actually in us since we too are the temple of God. An for every temptations that we go through, God will always provide a way our for us. All we need to do is ask!

Fourth, spiritual warfare. The main tool in Satan's arsenal is condemnation and discouragement. When we judge others or discourage others, we are actually doing satan's dirty work. But we have to know that Satan cannot do anything without God's permission. And when he does that , God wants to build us up and not to tear us down.

Fifth, Afflictions. Everyone in this world will undergo either physical suffering or mental anguish. However, God listens and empathizes with us. Sometimes we think that no one bothers about us or our complaints but we are wrong. God actually cares for us and wants to listen to you.

Sixth, persecution. People tend to scold and attack us for being righteous and living a christian life. God promised us blessings, but he said that persecution will come hand in hand will it as well. But we have to know that not everyone gets qualified to be persecuted, only true followers of God will get persecuted. Philippians 1:29. Hence, Christians should rejoice because we are worthy to suffer for His name's sake.

Lastly, the trials of faith. From james 1:2-3, the testing of our faith develops patience which also means the capacity to endure. Our outlook will determine our outcome and our attitude will determine our aptitude. Tough times are not abnormal, it will help us to develop and be a great leader in life. Job 13:15. As long as we need an explanation from God about why he does things that seem illogical, we can never learn to trust God. When we can reach a point where we can trust God even if he destroys us, we are considered a true son of God. therefore, when we cannot see God's hand, we should learn to trust God's heart. When we want to know why, we are actually playing God. Rather than screaming in agony, everytime we suffer a trial, we will get bigger inside because we have to be a giant in order to live in the land of a giant. When we pass the test given by God, we will be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. Are you ready to trust God and let him take helm of your life? As the bible says, If anyone were to follow me, he have to deny himself, take up his cross and follow him. I don't know whether I can but I wil definitely give it a shot.

Anyway thanks for everyone who wished me happy birthday and greater thanks to those who took extra effort to celebrate my 19th birthday with me. Really appreciated it alot. This year will definitely be one that is filled with more exciting journeys. I look forward to living a more fulfiling life.

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