(CLICK THE TITLE) Good morning everyone. As I sat here ready to put together a topic today, the following question popped into my head; “can you remember your times of suffering?” I have had many over the last few years, some that were caused by my own doing and others orchestrated by God. So I went and got some help for this meal from the book of Genesis.
Today’s Prayer
Dear Lord Jesus, there is more that You have for us, isn’t there? Prod us, and challenge us to move from “square one” in our faith, because too many of us remain “baby Christians” for to long. Let us truly desire a greater and more complete infilling of Your Holy Spirit, so that we may gain new insights into Your Word and Your will. Only then can we have a “holy boldness” to stand up for You in EVERY AREA of our lives. Let Your Spirit flow through us so that others may desire to know You also! Give us Your guidance, and the strength we need to stand with You against Your enemies. In Your holy name we pray, Amen.
Let’s eat.
Suffering For The Gospel
…”It is because God has made me fruitful in the land of my suffering.” – Genesis 41:52
The bible tells us that Joseph named his second son Ephraim. Ephraim was given to him after he had been delivered from his suffering of 13 years. Joseph said that he named him this because God had made him fruitful in the land of his suffering. Ephraim means “twice fruitful.”
Joseph was fruitful in two instances. He was fruitful during his time of adversity and in his prosperity. When God brings us into a time of suffering, it can be a fruitful time. It’s rare for us to see the fruit during the suffering period. But know that the roots are going deep into the spiritual soil of our soul because of our pressing into God during our time of suffering. This is producing a work in our character that can’t be seen until it finishes the process. That was the case for Joseph.
It wasn’t until a year or so after such a time of suffering that I began to see the fruit of the trials that the Lord allowed me to experience. How grateful I am to understand some of the “why” that has led to a new life in Him that I would never have had without this period.
We get another example of this when we take a look at Samson. Samson had great anointing but lacked character. We see many today who have great anointing yet lack character. But God is rising up Josephs who not only have great anointing for these days but also great character; Suffering produces character.
If you find yourself in a time of suffering, now is the time to press into God. Let your roots grow deeper. Whenever there is a famine, tree roots are forced to drive deeper into the soil to find water. These times are designed to create such a deep-rooted faith that our natures will be changed forever.
Quote of the Day
It is not that God is stingy and must be coaxed, for He “giveth liberally and upbraideth not.” It is that we ourselves are so shallow and sinful that we need to tarry before Him until our restless natures can be stilled and the clamor of outside voices be deadened so that we can hear His voice. Such a state is not easily reached, and the men God uses have paid a price in wrestling’s and prevailing prayer. But it is such men who rise from their knees confident of His power and go forth to speak with authority.
Vance Havner
WITH HOPE AND FAITH
REV. ELDER G E STERRETT
FOUNDER
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