Why do we suffer? You and I have lived long enough to see and experience suffering. It comes to us all. Suffering is no respecter of persons. There is coming a day when all suffering will cease. When we are in the eternal presence of our God. He will wipe away all tears. But for now, suffering is a part of our human existence.

Main Points:

1. Suffering exists for several reasons. The first of which is that we live in a fallen world that is corrupted by sin. When Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden, sin entered the world and that started all of the pollution, chaos, and downgrading that's been taking place ever since.

2. Sometimes suffering is caused by our own sins and mistakes. Occasionally, suffering is the work of Satan. Other times, though we don't like to admit it, suffering occurs because of the will of God.

3. We must understand that God knew the trials were coming into our lives. He allowed them for His purpose. He is using them to teach us. He is drawing us close. He is deepening our faith and character. He is preparing us for something eternal.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

1 Peter 5:10 - “And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.”

Galatians 6:7 "Do not be deceived. God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.”

1 Peter 5:8 "Be self controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him. Stand firm in the faith because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of suffering.”

1 Peter 4:19 - “So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.”

2 Corinthians 4:18 - “So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”

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Pray and ask God to search your heart. As the Lord reveals things that are hindering your spiritual growth, be willing to throw them off so that nothing slows you down.

Main Points:

1. I must ask the Lord to show me if there is anything in my life that is hindering my relationship with Christ. Is there anything that is hindering me? Is there anything slowing me down and impeding my spiritual growth.

2. What burdens are you carrying today? Is there anything slowing you down? I think of doubts, fears, worries, sins, and distractions that hinder our progress. These hinderances could be people in our lives that not influencing us towards godliness. It could be good things like work, hobbies, or things we enjoy that are not sinful, yet they have become distractions that keep us from growing in Christ.

3. Paul said that we are to put off the old self and put on the new self. We are letting go of old sins, attitude, habits, sinful patterns of living. In Christ we are putting on the new self that exemplifies righteousness and holiness. As we pursue godliness, this is a work of the Spirit and a process that will continue in our lives until we meet Jesus face to face.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

Hebrews 12:1-2 - “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.”

Psalm 139:23-24 - “Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”

Ephesians 4:22-25 - “You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.”

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Greatness in the kingdom of God, is rooted in humility and sacrificial service. So, we see that greatness is achievable for all of us. It’s not dependent on your title, position, location, influence, or anything else. Greatness is achieved when we serve others. All of us can do this today.

Main Points:

1. Our culture sees greatness as record-breaking achievements, success, influence, power, position, fame, and notoriety. But God sees it differently.

2. Consider this: Jesus, the Son of God, the King of Kings, chose to serve rather than be served. In a culture that revered positions of authority, Jesus shattered expectations by washing the disciples' feet and living a life marked by humility and selflessness.

3. Whether in the workplace, our families, or communities, let us remember the example set by the ultimate servant-leader, Jesus Christ. May our lives reflect His humility, compassion, and commitment to serving others.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

Mark 10:35-37 - “Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to him. “Teacher,” they said, “we want you to do for us whatever we ask.” “What do you want me to do for you?” he asked. They replied, “Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory.”

Mark 10:42-25 - “Jesus called them together and said, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

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The good news is that God specializes in restoring and rebuilding lives. Millions of people have experienced His grace and power. They have seen God pick them up out of the ruins and turn their lives around.

Main Points:

1. Today there are many whose lives are falling apart. Their marriages have been destroyed. There is conflict and difficulty within the family relationships. Many have experienced collapse due to sin and rebellion against God. They have left behind a trail of mistakes, failures, and poor decisions. Others battle addictions and brokenness. Where there was once health and vitality, there is now rubble and debris.

2. Maybe you need God’s restoration power in your life and you wonder where to start? How do you begin to pick up the pieces of a life that has been broken apart? The answer is to follow the example of Ezra. Rebuild the altar.

3. With humility, rebuild the altar in your life. No, not a physical altar or a piece of furniture where you would kneel to pray. Building an altar means you are turning to God for help. You are establishing a relationship with God. You are reaching out in prayer to a God of grace. He’s a God who wants to restore.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

2 Kings 25:1,9 - “Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon marched against Jerusalem with his whole army. He set fire to the temple of the Lord, the royal palace and all the houses of Jerusalem. Every important building he burned down. The whole Babylonian army under the commander of the imperial guard broke down the walls around Jerusalem.”

Ezra 3:3 - “Despite their fear of the peoples around them, they built the altar on its foundation and sacrificed burnt offerings on it to the Lord, both the morning and evening sacrifices.”

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The most foundational doctrine of Christianity is that Jesus was 100% God and 100% man. He is the son of God and the son of man. He was virgin born, conceived by the Holy Spirit. This does not mean God came down and was sexually intimate with Mary. It means it is a miraculous conception.

Main Points:

1. The virgin birth reveals the deity of Jesus. If Jesus is not God, then he could not save us. And if Jesus did not save you, you are still lost in your sins.

2. Jesus was born as a man because he had to be a man to be our true representative on the cross. He had to be God because He is the only one capable of saving us.

3. Do not let anyone tell you the doctrine of the virgin birth of Christ is not an essential belief. It is absolutely essential. The virgin birth of Jesus fulfills the prophecy and promise of God and it reveals the deity of our Savior.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

John 1:14 - “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”

Isaiah 7:14 - “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.”

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I’m convinced that one of Satan’s strategies is to cause us to get stuck in the “why” question. As humans, we want to understand. We want everything to be logical and rational. When life is hard we don’t want to lean on faith, we want to stand on reason.

Main Points:

1. The Christian life is a journey of faith. Our knowledge is limited. I can’t see and know everything about God and His ways. This present life won’t always make sense to me. Neither will God and His plans. But I get to choose whether I will trust Him or not.

2. But there is a better question than “why”. Instead of asking why, we must move on to the question of “what now?” I like asking, “God, what do you want me to learn from this experience? What do I need to do to experience a greater measure of your peace and comfort? How can my faith be stronger? In which ways can I grow in my faith? How can I use this experience to help others?

3. When you are going through a difficult season, it’s easy to experience a bit of spiritual amnesia. As we focus on the present difficulty, it’s common to forget all the things God has already done for us. But I’m confident that if you begin to reflect on your life, you’ll see evidence of the goodness of God. Make a list and write down the many ways God has blessed your life.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

Genesis 3:5 - “For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”

Psalm 145:9 - “The Lord is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made.”

Psalm 31:19 - “How abundant are the good things that you have stored up for those who fear you, that you bestow in the sight of all, on those who take refuge in you.”

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Today, you and I live in the river of a rapidly moving culture. It’s a culture that is rapidly moving away from truth, righteousness, and morality. It’s a culture that, as the Bible defines it, “does what is right in its own eyes.” As a Christian who has been called by God and identified by God, you have to swim. With the power of the Holy Spirit, you can swim against this culture. You don’t have to get swept away.

Main Points:

1. The New Testament teaches us that while we are in the world, we are not of the world. We live in this present world, but we do not embrace the values of a world that is rapidly moving away from biblical values. What do we do? We swim. We swim against this fast-moving current.

2. So, how do we swim? First, we swim by ensuring that our hearts and minds are filled with the Word of God. This is essential. Without knowing the truth, we won’t know which values to embrace and which ones to reject. Knowing truth is vital. Let’s make sure that every single day we are spending time in God’s Word. Read it, memorize it, meditate on it, and obey it.

3. Next, develop strong biblical convictions. In other words, know what you believe. Where do you stand? What strongly held beliefs have you developed based on what the Bible has to say? Biblical convictions help us know where the lines are that we will not cross. These convictions are not simply an opinion, idea, or viewpoint. They are deeply held beliefs that impact our lifestyle.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

Romans 12:2 - “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind.”

1 John 2:15 - “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.”

1 Peter 3:15-16 - “if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it. But do this in a gentle and respectful way…”

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You and I know a powerful truth very well. Words have power. Our words have the power to bless, encourage, inspire, uplift, and bring hope. Our words also have the power to wound, critique, discourage, and cause pain. Every day we get a choice of which kind of words we will use.

Main Points:

1. What are “reckless words?” How do we know if we are using them? There are many types of speech that can be considered reckless and potentially hurtful. I think of unnecessary criticism, sarcasm, insensitive comments, blame-shifting, offensive jokes, public humiliation, and personal attacks.

2. Given that our words are so important, how do we guard our hearts against reckless words? How can we make sure our words bless others and bring healing? We begin by recognizing the importance of our words and by asking God to give us wisdom in what we say.

3. When we slow down and truly listen to others, we are less likely to speak reckless words. Why? Because genuine listening requires that we care about others. What they say matters. It means something to us. It’s a demonstration of love.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

Proverbs 12:18 - “The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.”

Proverbs 15:4 - “The soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit.”

Matthew 12:36 - “…every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.”

James 1:19 - “My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry…”

Psalm 141:3 - “Set a guard over my mouth, Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips.”

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