Suffering

They are common to every human and we face them everyday. But how are we to respond to trials and temptations? James provides a helpful commentary on these two topics in these verses and the end message is clear: endure and live, or curse God and die.

The remaining four keys are discussed that help Christians respond biblically to unbelievers who are sources of persecution, hurt, frustration, and turmoil.

In the last part of this three-part message, we wrap up five ways to live so that we might have hope and holiness in suffering.

Knowing God's will is important to true believers.  We want to make decisions that are right and good.  But what is going on when we are pursuing God's will, and yet we are suffering?

In this two part message, we are given five ways to live so that we might have hope and holiness in suffering.

It is a given that Christians will suffer in this world. But what should our prayer life look like in the midst of suffering?  David gives us an example prayer in Psalm 143.

At the outset of his letter to these elect exiles, Peter breaks into doxology by pronouncing a blessing on God and declaring that God is infinitely praiseworthy.  We see what caused Peter to worship and how we can worship in the midst of trying circumstances.

A believer's ability to glorify God through suffering is the direct result of his theology. Peter shares his theology on suffering which provides hope to "elect exiles."

In the healing of the man who was deaf and who had a speech impediment, we see a beautiful picture of the spiritual change that God’s makes in a repentant sinner.

Robin Brown is from South Africa and is now preparing to be a missionary to India. From Peter's first epistle, Robin teaches on the key aspects of our salvation that, if we focus on them, will help Christians stand firm even when facing trials and suffering.

We know from experience, and we know from this and other passages of Scripture, that we "groan" in this earthly life due to the suffering we experience. But in their groaning, Christians know what true hope is. And in that true hope they can learn how to "wait" on the Lord for His promises to be fulfilled.

Christians do indeed suffer in various ways in this life. But the pain of our suffering is put in the proper perspective when we remember that it is temporary, and that it is relative to the future glory that we inherit.

Jesus returns to His hometown of Nazareth. But instead of being welcomed, most of the people in the town, including His relatives, are offended by His teaching. Their rejection of Him caused Jesus to limit the display of His miracle-working power, and as well illustrated the very reason why Jesus had to die on the cross -- to pay for sin.

Paul elaborates on what it means to have peace with God by drawing on two further realties: we have continuous access in the present to God, and a joyful confidence in the future.

Prosperity without the divine gift of enjoyment is nothing. Solomon notes that there is nothing that we can "add" to life to make it more colorful -- these kinds of dreams sets us on a collision course where fantasy hits reality broadside. The subject of God's sovereignty becomes front and center.

Have you considered whether your trials are a result of sin and what your attitude should be in these circumstances? Despite the tragic circumstances surrounding Naomi and her daughters-in-law, God graciously intervened. He drew Naomi toward Him by granting her repentance and the ability to embrace Him.

Paul calls the Philippians -- and us -- to stand fast in one spirit, strive together for the faith of the gospel, and suffer for Christ.