What if we are marked by pain? You can know Gods works and also know Gods way. Or any number of the stunning array of diseases, disabilities or discouragements that can come our way. He could prove the power of God even more with the miracles that were so common in Ephesus, for instance (Acts 19:11-12). read more, Scripture: . 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. Maybe its no accident that the 12 gates of the New Jerusalem (Rev. When we come to salvation in Christ we are made new. Pain Perspective So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing. Paul asked God to remove the pain, whatever it might have been. Its a prime-time witness, when all eyes are on the person who hurts. As my daughter Christy likes to say, God never wastes our pain when its offered to Him. Perhaps our pain will draw us close to Him, keep us from harm or enable us to encourage others who are suffering. To read Pauls letters to those churches, one might come away with the idea that Paul was continually frustrated, and that his work wasnt very successful. He freely helps those who call upon Him in their time of need (Psalm 46:1) and there is nothing that can separate you from His love (Romans 8:38-39). You would agree to the discomfort and danger because of the reward thats coming. Principles for walking with God through difficult days: 1. 3. Even these awful injections. Were on a mission to change that. Proverbs 31 Ministries thanks Tyndale House Publishersfor their sponsorship of todays devotion. Because I ache does that call for me to quit? read more. Jeremiah 9:23-24, Denomination: Or perhaps its one who suffers from Lou Gehrigs Disease. Psalm 23:1-2 NLT, something along the lines of, What was one of the happiest times in your life?. We can tell the story in a minute or two. read more, Scripture: Psalm 139:1-24. As God worked, the waiting was hard for Joseph bitterly hard. Every man or woman who But one day the oyster is fished from the water and opened. And those three assurances are still what ground me today. 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 In that place, only God can meet the need, or heal the heart. To know God is the furthest thing from their minds. The word appears 38 times in just 100 verses. Morning Service On the other hand, God invites us to draw near to him that we might experience his peace, healing . God Has Not Forgotten You | Desiring God 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. 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. 2021 by Pam Tebow. That's a long time to spend in a waiting room, Mehl wrote. Is there a way I can get reimbursed?Reflectors need to be placed on trees every 50 feet so people can hike at night with flashlights.Escalators would help on steep uphill sections.A MacDonald's would be nice at the trailhead.The places where trails do not exist are not well marked.Too many rocks in the mountains. The following are actual responses from comment cards given to the staff members at Bridger Wilderness Area in 1996: Trails need to be wider so people can walk while holding hands.Trails need to be reconstructed. Pt. Bishop TD Jakes - Sermon: God Knows When! read more, Scripture: We rebel at the suggestion of it, recoil at the sight of it, and reject the suggestion that it might be good for us. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. And now is doubling at the rate of every 18 months. But heaven may feel like little comfort as days of pain on earth stretch into months and even years. 1 John 5:13 It is a very rare medical condition that causes you to ooze or sweat blood from your skin when youre not cut or injured andoccursunderconditionsof extreme physical or emotional stress. INTRO: When we lived in NC, people had an expression they used when they didn't understand something, they would say, "God Knows." and crazy facts that really arent facts at all. And the peace of God,which transcends all understanding,will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Introduction: The Psalmist declares that God knows the number of stars in the universe. He hears you when you cry to Him. He's been taking care of most of the hard stuff that life keeps throwing at you and only allowing those challenges that are most important for your growth. And as we experience a portion of what he did and yield to him in it, we find a precious intimacy with him. Free shipping on books, Bibles, gifts, VBS, and church supplies of $50 or more. Exodus 16:1-3. But it does mean that he can give even our senseless pain a purpose. I know it hurts. 1 John 2:3-6, 1 John 2:3-29. . Date of Birth, Gender Wonder of wonders, in some small measure, lowly me gets to identify with and enter his grief. Well, thats a lie. . Its impossible to forget that closeness, even after the suffering has passed. Suffering brings an intimacy with God, a mysterious and sacred fellowship that cannot be captured in words. God loves you in your finest moment and your darkest hour. None of those New Testament heroes had a personal appearance from the Lord at every beating, scourging, or arrest. A. God knows how much pain we can handle. Although you may not leave here inspired, you will leave informed on how to Perhaps Paul explained why it would be a good idea to have the pain removed. But It is not wise, or even biblical, to tell someone in pain that God "won't give them more than they can bear." After all, that passage (1 Corinthians 10:13) is clearly about avoiding temptation, not overcoming pain. Pain becomes our teacher when God wants to teach us something. God uses all things, even painful things, for our good. You are the church, and Lifeway is here to serve you with biblical resources for everything life brings your way. One of my favorite stories in the Bible is when Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refused to bow down and worship the idol King Nebuchadnezzar had set up. 12:7-10 To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Kyle has contributed to 8 of our products including AHA, gods at War, H2O, Not a Fan, Not a Fan Teen Edition, and The End of Me. The Greek word for the Holy Spirit is literally translated to, The one who comes alongside. Remember that, when youre standing in the hospital or funeral home, or when you hear the words you never thought youd hear. God knows everything, both good and bad Whenever the needles sink deep into my head, the extreme pain brings into sharp focus Jesus and his crown of thorns. And thats the power of pain. read more, Scripture: No, I do not remember being one . But heaven may feel like little comfort as days of pain on earth stretch into months and even years. 1John Barbara Brand, who has MS and brain lesions that cause excruciating pain in her head, gets regular injections into her skull and neck (about forty at a time) just to relieve the uncontrollable pain and nausea. read more, Scripture: I picture my Savior yielding to the spike-like barbs, wholly embracing his own suffering to rescue me. Paul asked again. Andy Mineo OT OD (sketch).mp3 music video, Kyle Alexander Oh My God (Remix) ft. Steven Malcolm, Emcee N.I.C.E. Exodus 33:12-15. Pt. It was a miraculous salvation experience, complete with a blinding light and the thunderous voice of Jesus, sending Paul into three days of repentant fasting. In the pictures of the ancient Roman method of threshing grain, one man is always seen stirring up the sheaves while another rides over them in a crude cart equipped with rollers instead of wheels. In her latest inspiring book, Songs of Suffering, she tells of a friend who has become my friend as well. He sees us when we wander. Sunday, August 18, 2002 It also means that he can bring good out of all thats bad. Everyone experiences pains, and while the size and scope may vary, our source of help does not. Illustration: The beauty of a single pearl, or a string of the precious stones, is unmistakable. Reminder: You are currently impersonating {{userSessionData.email}}. And after, say, 572,282,325 years of heaven, I dont think youll even remember the pain you had on earth. As tears streamed down my face, I understood how lonely and forgotten I had been feeling. Independent/Bible, GOD KNOWS US Mark 5:21-43 The apostle Paul is the New Testaments version of an unsinkable Molly Brown. As was the case for the Titanics most famous survivor, Paul simply refused to go down with the ship literally. God was working in the weather patterns that circled the globe. Hebrews 2:5-18, Denomination: read more, Scripture: Let's pray. He grew up on True II Society and Gospel Gangstaz in Coventry, England. Nothing is too hard for him (Jeremiah 32:17). If we know God then should we not live differently? INTRODUCTION There is always a reason. He is absolutely in control. Hed been scored, chased, scandalized and slandered. In other words, Paul decided he was fine with the pain. In the midst of pain, there is an opportunity faith maturity that could accelerate your Christian growth like nothing else possibly could. Your Pain Has a Greater Purpose Clayton King 2017 1 Jun Our Pain Has a Greater Purpose I believe there is a side to suffering we miss when we focus solely on our pain rather than on God's. We must never glibly explain someone's pain as a work of God. They must have suffered a great deal in relative silence, and they must have wondered many times why God would allow it. Church Of God. We live in a day when many people are not even interested in knowing God. In the movies, its Rocky, getting up off the mat, one more time. Know how the pearl came to be? God might allow a colicky baby to teach us patience. There are many temporary fixes to deal with your pain and the world is full of ideas. INTRODUCTION: When we come to salvation in Christ we are made new. 2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. I can tell you story after story of Christians who found strength in their pain and a feeling of peace they couldnt explain. Perhaps we should note that Paul didnt hear from the Lord very often. Chronic pain persists longer, not easily described, hard to identify. be The Bible tells me to be an imitator of God, so I get to imitate Jesus and his glad willingness to submit to the Fathers s terrible, yet wonderful, will. Sermon on Pain | Preaching Today This means that if you make a purchase after clicking on one of the links below, though your cost does not change, I may receive a small commission. read more, Scripture: God sees us in the dark because it is as bright as the day to Him. Denomination: Church Of God. If youve got a red-letter Bible, more than likely, youve already spotted the red-letter moment. 1. The only doctor available believed my child was not viable. The insolent smear us with lies, but with our whole hearts, we keep Your precepts. Everything might have been fine, except I had no medical care at all. This is a very important spiritual issue because if God really exists, then those who reject Him He battled temptation and anxiety over his young churches. Baptist. In theology, this is 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. While I often shrink back when I think about future suffering, pain has consistently pulled me into the heart of Christ, an unforgettable place of mystery and wonder. Yet that doesnt mean its easy to just release all the wreckage of the past. In the midst of pain that will not leave, you might be able to discover at least part of the purpose your pain has. 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. 2. Heres the really important question: Will you find the positives in your pain? As I heard those words, I was flooded with emotion. However, if we are going to be successful in moving forward then well need to let go of all that useless, heavy baggage. If the Devil can use your pain to drive a wedge between a believer and Christ; he is doing his job. Well feel that, I know your storm feels long right now, but today I want you to focus on, he leads me beside peaceful streams. Wildwind Community Church If you have ever been betrayed by a friend, someone you loved and trusted, you can know a little of Christs fellowship in suffering. And again. Todays subject is How to Know God. But wait a minute; a good majority of people dont really care to know God. If you are in a season of deep pain and loss, you have a particular opportunity to know the Lord Jesus more deeply. full of fake relationships. Whatever the problem, it apparently stayed with Paul for quite some time, or even the rest of his life. 1 Peter 1:7. The risen Christ proves this, and can transform our disappointments, disillusionments, and shame into joy. Many years ago, I lived on a faraway island while I was pregnant with our youngest child. No matter where we live or who we are, God sees us, and He knows every detail of our pain. Do not be anxious about anything,but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. We must trust that God is using our suffering for something greater than we can see now. Copyright 2003-2023 | Outreach, Inc., All rights reserved. 3 Isaiah 53:3-11, Denomination: John 8:18-19, Denomination: This is sharing in the fellowship of Christs sufferings. Independent/Bible. read more, Scripture: Text: Galatians 4:8-11 Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. The king looked into the furnace and exclaimed, Look! Psalm 139:1-6 Christian Missionary Alliance. That means your pain is never in vain. Admittedly, I still dont welcome the suffering that draws me that close, often preferring to know about Christs sufferings intellectually rather than through experience. It is for people who live each day with an anxious foreboding about their future. God is not only the creator of what is visible but what is invisible (Colossians 1:16). "I know their sufferings, and I have come down to deliver them" (Exodus 3:7). Navigating the challenges and joys of ministry life. As far as an oyster is concerned, what we call a pearl is nothing more than great suffering. 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. Thats why the Bible says we can go to him with confidence: For we do not have a high priestwho is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we areyet he did not sin. Fights Himself & Lights it Up in Lighter Fluid Video, Rapzilla Freshmen 2023 EmanuelDaProphet Speaks on Lil Yachty Collab, Drake & Kendrick Release Christian Rap Song Thanks to A.I. Its the only way I can, through Christ, do everything. And, if you listen carefully, you might just hear him whispering, DONT GIVE UP! . Jesus is relational. Amazing, isnt it? His focus, energy, and resilience were nearly frightening. But here are three easy Biblical steps, with verses to remember, on how to deal with your pain. VARIOUS REACTIONS TO PAIN Knowing Christ this way has changed me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. & Peazy, nobigdyl. Psalm 139:1-6, Denomination: read more, Scripture: From Josephs point of view, there was a time in his life when every angle of life showed nothing but pain. Will a professing Christian go to hell if he never shares the gospel? You would say no. I was in the darkest time of my life. Female, Are you a Pastor? So, my friend, I say to you, let it all out. After all, missionaries, church planters and pastors work for God! We live in a day of proliferating knowledge. Galatians 4:8-11, Denomination: When we experience it our natural tendency is to shut everyone out. I couldnt see Him, but I sensed His presence in ways I cannot express in words. He knows your secret guilt. People watch those who are hurting to see what matters most to them. But at the moment, Paul only knew the pain of having to leave his home and ministry in a hurry. I Know Im Saved! Introduction Are you in pain? Where are you, God? There are so many ways that people can be hurt and most of the world around them would never see the pain they bear. It, I can quote scripture to you. It doesnt say approach our throne, it clearly states Gods throne. John 1:18, Denomination: Psalm 147:4-5. 3 People, Permanent, and Perfected Pain Pastor John gets to the heart and offers practical suggestions for growing in evangelism. A world under strife. That means your pain is never in vain. However, I would add a third certain to that list. Paul concluded for himself that his thorn was meant to keep him from becoming conceited about his miraculous life and ministry. 19Then said they unto him, Where is thy Father? But the lesson is so difficult, the only way any of us would discover it is that God allows pain to be a part of our lives. Username He doesnt waste the pain in our lives. The relief didnt come, but the message of Christ exploded in that city, in a large part because of the unfair suffering theyd known. 2 Cor. A glorious inheritance. God is constant in His goodness. Thats the perspective we can have because of heaven. John 16:17-24, Denomination: May 27, 2001 TEXT: Hebrews 2: 5-11, 14-18 When we are hurting, we want God to be aware of us. He says, Be still, and know that I am God; A cord of three strands is not quickly broken. read more, Scripture: Yet that doesnt mean its easy to just release all the wreckage of the past. Yet God used their pain for something more glorious than they could have imagined. THERE IS A REASON - There is Purpose in Your Pain He has engraved you on the palms of his hands (Isaiah 49:1516). It looks at the things that John says we need to know. 1 - Pain Perversion, If The Preacher Is Dead, The Sermon Will Be Dead, Chasing The Dream, Preaching Greatness, And Knowing Your Audience. My husband had left our family, my body was deteriorating, and I was parenting two angry adolescent daughters who wanted nothing to do with my God. God can heal the wounded spirit and the sin sick and broken heart. God Knows Your Pain By Marcus Donaldson August 28, 2019 God, our benevolent and gracious God, knows what pain is. The power of pain? Those who deny pain. He could write more letters. If we invite Christ to meet us right where we are, knowing full well that He knows our pain and without masking our emotions, we can be triumphant in our defeats. And pain has a power. Psalm 139:13-14, For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mothers womb. For more resources to help you study the word of God and grow in your faith, check out Reveal.tv. read more, Scripture: Perhaps you already have. But you still have to do the work. I know you feel alone, but through your pain, He's been right beside you. Im guessing youd do it. Riding on a plane to a conference called Marked. Please open your Bibles to John chapter 17. Untold riches. As I share in Christs suffering, I find an unusual closeness to Jesus that offers a rare glimpse of his glory. read more. He could plant more churches. Just think, our field of knowledge DOUBLES every 18 months! John was very specific about his 52-week preaching calendar to help you plan your sermons, Customizable sermon manuscripts for verse-by-verse preaching, Preach with creativity and impact throughout the year, Help your church understand God's plan in pain, Call your people to experience a higher freedom, Proclaim the gospel to the ends of the earth. All of our resources exist to guide you toward everlasting joy in Jesus Christ. read more, Scripture: Emotional pain as we experience a severed relationship. My name is Adam Presbyterian/Reformed, Where is God when life hurts? This series on death and dying was not written to be morbid. As a servant, Hagar was considered unimportant and was sometimes treated poorly. Upon accepting an award, the late Jack Benny once remarked, "I really don't deserve this. Jesus Christ, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords,was overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. So we must know God. We live in a day when many people are not even interested in knowing God. He is using your suffering and pain in ways you would not believe if someone told you. All of us want deliverance in this life, and many of us will see it. As with Joseph, our trials may be for the saving of many lives (Genesis 50:20), which we may see fully only in heaven. There will be no pain in heaven. And in both of those cases, the pain of great loss clouds the vision of pains purpose. I already knew in my mind some of the things that would be declared over the young people that would attend. Seeing God Through Your Pain and Suffering - James River Church 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. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. God loves us as we are, but He loves us too much to leave us that way. Let us then approachGods throne of grace with confidence,so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. Hebrews 4:15-16. The law of Your mouth is better to us . We know theres a reason for what were going through. People used Jesus, flattered him, criticized him, lied about him, betrayed him, abandoned him, mocked him, humiliated him, whipped him, and watched him die an excruciating death. Tuesday, 08 November 2022 13:30. We must never glibly explain someones pain as a work of God. The physical pain that many suffer from injuries or some type of 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. In fact, the only thing that seemed to discourage Paul were the problems in his young churches. The slate has been wiped clean; were starting over fresh and clean. There is some pain so great, it seems impossible to bear. When I was flooded with the pain of the unknown, I clung to the truth that God saw me. By faith, I believe that God has a reason and purpose for my pain perhaps thousands of reasons and they are all for my good, regardless of what it looks or feels like on the surface (Romans 8:28; Genesis 50:20). God alone is the only one who truly and fully knows our heart. Because I ache does that call for me to quit? But somehow, knowing that God had not forgotten me stirred me to press into him with renewed hope. 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. What youre experiencing may have caught you off guard, but it didnt take God by surprise. Pentecostal, Pain Perspective Feel the lifelong pain of acute loss. Of course, we desire his help and healing. . Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.. So I did the only thing I could: I offered it to Him. According to God's PURPOSE Not according to your PAIN. 2.Now you know God (v9) Marcus Donaldson has been following Christ since 2004. We may not know Gods plan for our pain until heaven, but we can be assured, as Hagar was: He sees us and loves us. What is it like living with PCOS and Endometriosis Hiraya, https://www.footprintsofinspiration.com/trusting-god-through-the-pain/. We all long to be known, understood, and valued. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me,for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.. God was working in his brothers lives. Theres a fine line here that must not be crossed, lest we cause even more pain to someone who suffers. How Can God Help You Through the Tough Times? The greatness of this truth can only be seen when we consider the vastness of space and the trillions and trillions of stars. Connect with Pam on Instagram or at PamTebow.com. The assurance that God is with us is the most precious gift we have in suffering. Live amid broken dreams. He will walk with you through every dark valley. Peter, the natural leader of the post-Pentecost church, had only two such experiences, according to Lukes history. Those truths grounded me. You will have pain, but y our pain will turn into joy. That brings back memories of the doctors office and that giant needle moving ever closer. Our suffering is accomplishing something eternal, preparing for us a weight of glory that is beyond all comparison (2 Corinthians 4:17). You are not alone. That's true, of course because God is Omniscient He knows everything, including some things you might wish He didn't know If we are his, our pain will most surely and completely end. Paul did, and you can. But for Joseph, time was moving in agonizing, painful slowness. For he is constantly looking to devour and deceive (1 Peter 5:8). But not all of us will be able to speak of pain in the past tense. We want to know that Jesus understands our suffering, which he does, but there is an even deeper fellowship when we understand a little of his. All of us want deliverance in this life, and many of us will see it. 1- Pain Perversion Struggle with debilitating physical and mental illness. That means your pain is never in vain. Like the loving father who allows his child to get a painful vaccination shot, God allows pain because he knows its for our greater good. God has all of eternity to lavish his kindness on us (Ephesians 2:7). 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. It is not wise, or even biblical, to tell someone in pain that God wont give them more than they can bear. After all, that passage (1 Corinthians 10:13) is clearly about avoiding temptation, not overcoming pain. Like a wicked taskmaster, it can enslave us. This is quintessentially the very thing we want from God; for Him to see us and for Him to see, deal, and eradicate our pain. He knows what disappointmentfeels like and He knows how stubborn mankind is because He created all things (Colossians 1:16), knows all things (Psalm 139), and can experience in perfect matrimony, all things. In the world of sports, it might be John Elway limping back to the huddle before taking his team to a Super Bowl title. He is all around us, in front of us and behind us, and His hand is on us. He was so deeply distressed and troubled that His sweat turned to blood (Luke 22:44). Click here to view our policy on 3rd party links. Jesus said, in John 14, that we will never be left alone, that he would send the Holy Spirit to be with us and to give us peace.
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