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OUR FAITH, GOD'S GRACE

"Beloved, do not be surprised at the ordeal that has come to test you

. . .you are sharing what Christ suffered; so rejoice in it." I Peter 4:l2

Jesus calls us to carry a piece of timber, that crossbeam which, to this day, is still an embarrassment to most. He asks us to bear up under the embarrassment that comes by being His friend.

Jesus knows that when a disciple first takes up the daily cross, he has no idea what he is doing. However, the cross must be met; Jesus knows that. It is woven into the fabric of servantship and cannot be escaped.

Therefore, in love Jesus watches over His grace child as he hoists that timber into the air for the first time. Jesus knows that the testings here on out will have to be bolstered by sheer grace, or the child will never make it home.

That is why there is such emphasis in the Word concerning suffering. From Adam to John on the Isle, we are surrounded by the brave souls in agony. The martyrs under the heavenly altar visited in the Book of Revelation are exclaiming to God how long such torment must go on. God reminds them that a few more will be added to their number, then the end will come.

We today are caught in the in-between-times of suffering. Therefore, the Word comforts by telling us not to be surprised when persecutions come to us personally. They are there to remind us of what Jesus has gone through for our salvation. If we did not have that reminder, we would become spoiled children of the kingdom. That can never be tolerated.

When the suffering comes to you, regard it as your ministry of suffering. That is one of the prized ministries in the work of the gospel. It is given to those who can be trusted with such a high calling to holiness.

The ministry of suffering gives God praise for His enduring grace each day. It also teaches one how to offer the poured out offering of selfgiving. Further, others are blessed when we are bearing up under the ministry of suffering, for we are able to tell them that we have walked where they are presently walking.

Take the ministry of suffering as a gift to be prized. Jesus is with you in the anguish. He will teach you what you need to know.

You also will be gladdened to know that the air becomes freer as you let go of all that would hinder your ministry. There are many foolish toys you grasp, even in the name of religion. They must be tossed far away. Nothing will be left but the cross and its ministry of suffering. In this you will come upon your freedom in Christ. You will define that freedom in your own individuality according to the divine will.

Right now, permit the ministry of suffering to be ordained upon your humble life. Take it and know the mercy of the Father anew. Take it and ask Father to show you how to console another.

Further, in this suffering ministry, we learn that we are not to see ahead of us. "Faith is. . .the evidence of things not seen." (Hebrews ll:l) That is why Jesus instructed His cross bearers not to move into morrow. It is not there yet. Morrow is where only God is now. Therefore, we are not touch that which does not belong to us. "Thou shalt not steal."

Further, faith walks in suffering with Jesus without doubting Him. Therefore, we do not need to see anything that is future tense. If we did, we would not have to have Jesus as Yoke-fellow. We would be content in our own vision. However, that is not to be.

We are to be born into the grace family by faith. We are to live each moment by faith. We are to move into future tense by faith. We are to leave this sphere by faith. It is faith from start to finish. There is nothing but faith on our part. There is nothing but grace on His part. But faith and grace are sufficient in all things. We have known that in the past; we trust that for this moment; we will testify to its workability in the future.

Right now, be thankful that you are saved by divine grace. Next, be thankful that your life is not your own. Third, be thankful that you do not have to worry about future, death nor eternity. All that is under His care, not yours.

_____________________________

J. Grant Swank, Jr., Pastor, New Hope Church, Windham ME

That was so beautiful. I truly believe in what you said.

I have friends who are such wonderful examples of "faith".

In one couple the husband has CP. The husband is a wonderful man who suffers greatly.. his wife is the caregiver. Her burden is heavy too. But they just keep giving and showing their love for our Father.

They have given us food when I was really sick. They never give up.. but always seem quite able to handle the hardships they endure. Don't get me wrong.. I see the pain and I see the tired eyes. But their faith never waivers.

We've had friends who lost a young child by murder. They smiled as they attended the funeral of their daughter, they comforted the mourners who had attended. I marveled at how they could do that. It was their faith that sustained them through their grief.

These couples and others have taught us by their faith, that we can accomplish anything through Jesus.

We deal with health issues too.

In my support groups, I've found that those who have a deep and abiding faith, do better than those who don't in dealing with illness.

Same with the loss of a loved one.

We witnessed first hand friends who did not believe in any religion, suffer far harder than any Christian when they lost their only son. There has been no comfort for them..and it has gone on for over a decade now.

I honestly believe illness can be a blessing. Can bring a multitude of blessings.

What a wonderful ministry by you.. that you should mention what you did in this post at this particular time in my life.. is just further proof to me of His Divine Grace.

You'll never know how deeply it has touched me, or how high it has lifted me.

Thank you so much.