Suffering Is Work

[Edward]

Lots of times we experience or hear about others suffering in some way. Many times it is from Brothers and Sisters in Christ who are suffering and asking for prayer and wishing it will end for them. Sort of a natural reaction, ow! But do we really understand it? Why would God let His people suffer? I've heard question and asked that question myself many times. I've even prayed about it. There's been times when I yearned to draw closer to Jesus, to grow and mature in the Lord and then seemingly real soon after that it's like I get dumped on with a boat load of worldly crap. Sound familiar?

Over time, the Lord has been teaching my about this and thereby answering that prayer by me for understanding this. I am a slow learner though, lol so it has been a bit of time in gaining this understanding. I can remember many times when I was watching a video sermon by a Pastor and his church, and was provoked to jealousy. Look at them! The work for the Lord that they are doing! I wish I could do some good works for the Lord's Kingdom...but I can not. I have this family to provide for, I have this dead end job, crappy little business, obligations, appointments., places I have to be, things to do...or else the house of cards will come tumbling down, and I will fail the people who depend on me. That is not an option.

We all know that there is and will be, rank in heaven. I have quipped before, that I don't want to be the plumber again when I get to heaven. I need a promotion to get past that. I'm not thinking that by any stretch, to be be some spiritual giant like the Patriarchs of the Old Testament...just, not the plumber, lol! Isn't there someone you can call to do that stuff?! ...and no, plumbers do not ever get used to the smell. I guarantee you if you make stink jokes to them that your bill will be higher. Oh he wont say anything. He is in your home and will respect that. But it wont get you a discount! I had a special area on my invoices for just such charges. I was honest about it. But I digress.

How is a child of God supposed to advance in the Kingdom? I don't have a ministry. I have no worship team. I have to go to work shortly! What's a Brother to do?! The short answer is...Suffering is Work. This is the meaning behind Simon's cross. (Matthew 27:32) They compelled him to carry Jesus's cross for him. Jesus was in agony and weak from being beaten. Do you think that this man, Simon of Cyrene will be rewarded for that in heaven? You bet he will! But we can do the same thing. This is the Lord's way of providing a way for us lesser children (who have no ministry) to be able to help. bear fruit for the Kingdom, and also (!!) the way that the Lord has provided a way for the...intensely suffering people in the world. Those who's lives are over-flowing with suffering. Victims, with their lives being a tragedy day by day...those with broken spirits, to be able to carry on or to have a moment of peace within their heart, enough to turn to the Lord and ask for help.

This is scriptural. Simon's Cross is the example, and also take a peek at

Colossians 1:24
24 Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body's sake, which is the church:.../

"In my flesh", it says. For His body's sake...This is the reason that the least that you do for (anyone), you do for Christ Him self! Because it is His body. We are His body, and some of it is suffering in some way so we can and should help.

We can do more than give the poor on the street a few bucks. We can, in spirit, take on a portion of their cross that they bear so that they have a really good day. Maybe the bum really is an alcoholic and will go buy a pint of mad dog. Maybe he has closed the door on the Lord's blessings by willful sin? We reap what we sow. But Lord, put a portion of his cross on me. This may be enough to allow the Lord to bless this man in a way which would lead to his salvation and rescue!

We might not even notice it. Oh I felt crappy today. Tomorrow will be better. But fruit for the Kingdom was produced! And I have no ministry...

This is how God makes sure that no one has more put on them than they can bear. He will spread it around. This is also a huge Husband/Wife thing. That opportunity is there daily! Can you remember any days where you had a very excellent productive day, but your Husband/Wife had a very crappy day?! That is this in action.

So when you have a crappy day, don't get angry at God or disappointed in life. Understand the dynamics of real life within the body of Christ. No wonder Paul would rejoice in suffering, he understood these things.

Have a Blessed day Brothers and Sisters!

 

[Michael74]

Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30 NKJV

 

[Who Me]

I don't have a ministry. I have no worship team. I have to go to work shortly!

You've got it all wrong.
Your ministry, is right where you are with your humdrum, boring, everyday work and with the ordinary people that Jesus left heaven to die on a tree for.
They are your ministry, they are your mission field. No one in a mega church is going to blow trumpets etc coz you explained why God allows suffering. or you prayed with a hurting parent, but the razamtass of showy church services are not how God builds faithful warriors of him.

Never noticed how important Jesus thought the unemportant were.
Jesus values the unknown worker struggling to serve in a hostile enviroment.
How often did Jesus put a wealthy welknown leader into the heart of his meeting?
He let children, beggers, prostitutes, labourers into the heart of worship and service and it will be the same in heaven.
Why did he say the first will be last etc?

 

[Tessa]

Edward you have posted before telling us of your efforts in turning people to God, some of whom are closely related to you. Some you have worked with. Are these not your ministry?
Are we here not included in your ministry? And our guests who read but do not post, are they not your ministry?
As for sufferings they draw us closer to God.
I personally find your posts encouraging.
I don't mind being the least in heaven. I just want to get there.

 

[lisa-in-FL]

Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30 NKJV

I'm always been amazed by this verse. That Jesus could say his yoke was easy and burden light when he was facing crucifixion, pain, bearing all our sins and conquering death and hell.
Puts my burdens in perspective but I don't think that's the intent of the statement. He's genuinely inviting us to cast our cares and find rest with him because no care is too small. He understands and cares for us that much.

 

[Christ_empowered]

it plays out differently in different peoples' lives, but...the verse Michael74 quoted has popped up in my mind now and then when i do a before and after comparison (or is it contrast? LOL) in my own life...before and after encountering Jesus. And...

not surprisingly, I've come to the conclusion that life -with- Jesus is...well...a real life. And He does provide comfort and genuine succor. Of course...I lean towards a Pentecostal interpretation of things, so I think of His work in my life and the lives of others thru the "Salvation is for the -whole- person" lens.

 

[Corn Pop]

Revelation 3:21

 

[Michael74]

I wish I could do some good works for the Lord's Kingdom...

Pastor Keith Moore had an interesting series on ministry. Several things to remember about ministering.

 

[stovebolts]

You've got it all wrong.
Your ministry, is right where you are with your humdrum, boring, everyday work and with the ordinary people that Jesus left heaven to die on a tree for.
They are your ministry, they are your mission field. No one in a mega church is going to blow trumpets etc coz you explained why God allows suffering. or you prayed with a hurting parent, but the razamtass of showy church services are not how God builds faithful warriors of him.

Never noticed how important Jesus thought the unemportant were.
Jesus values the unknown worker struggling to serve in a hostile enviroment.
How often did Jesus put a wealthy welknown leader into the heart of his meeting?
He let children, beggers, prostitutes, labourers into the heart of worship and service and it will be the same in heaven.
Why did he say the first will be last etc?

I think you missed it... The spirit of his post was about his ministry to those he serves.

 

[Corn Pop]

It might sound crazy but seriously God is the Most High God of God's and King of Kings, and in Christ you equally sit on his throne with him.

 

[Edward]

Pastor Keith Moore had an interesting series on ministry. Several things to remember about ministering.

Yeah? I like him. Remember the title of it?

 

[Edward]

I'm not saying that we all don't have a ministry, it's just not a traditional type ministry. Especially mine, lol. Oh I tell my testimonies as often as I can but I have found myself wishing I could do more. I'm learning that we can, and probably do and at times don't even realize it.

 

[Edward]

I think you missed it... The spirit of his post was about his ministry to those he serves.

I think that you're right, Brother and I hadn't even really considered it like that. But I think you nailed it. It would be an aspect of our own ministry.

 

[stovebolts]

I think that you're right, Brother and I hadn't even really considered it like that. But I think you nailed it. It would be an aspect of our own ministry.

You spoke of carrying the cross of others... Thats a ministry of Love that God has blessed you with. It's close and personal, just as Good intended.
I think your right about what we traditionally think as a ministry. It's become an organization that "they" do and we contribute to. Not to deminish those good works, but we often forget that each of us has been tasked with a very important ministry which most often goes unnoticed by most, but greatly appreciated by the receiver

Thanks for this reminder Brother!

 

[Edward]

Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30 NKJV

I'm always been amazed by this verse. That Jesus could say his yoke was easy and burden light when he was facing crucifixion, pain, bearing all our sins and conquering death and hell.
Puts my burdens in perspective but I don't think that's the intent of the statement. He's genuinely inviting us to cast our cares and find rest with him because no care is too small. He understands and cares for us that much.

That is a great verse which I like too. Working for the Lord is entering into His rest, right?! Because we can not do it. So it is 10% us, and 90% the Lord. All He needs is our hands, feet and mouth...and our willingness.

 

[for_his_glory]

We all have a ministry through God as He does not want your ability, but availability to continue in the good works of the Lord. We suffer for the sake of Christ as He suffered and even died for all. Every job is a ministry field and we the sowers of seeds.

These are the fruits of the Spirit and Matthew 25:35-40 are the continued ministry Jesus left for us to follow in.

Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. 24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. 26 Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.

 

[Michael74]

Yeah? I like him. Remember the title of it?

Just click on the blue letters in my post, or here:

http://www.moorelife.org/php/mlmMed...lm&channelID=1&languageID=EN&collectionID=223