Are they Hebrews? so am I. Are they Israelites? so am I. Are they the seed of Abraham? so am I. Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft. Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; 2 Corinthians 11:22-26

This idea of your “Best Life Now” portrayed by the prosperity preachers is not only not Biblical, but its not reality. Let’s take a look at the Apostle Paul’s “Best Life Now”, he was beaten with rods, he was stoned, he was imprisoned, he was shipwrecked, the only reason Paul survived any of this was by the grace of God. We need to remember God is in control, and if God has a calling upon your life, he will allow you to complete it

Why would Paul want to take this life? Remember the Apostle Paul was a Pharisee (Philippians 3) Paul probably had a decent life as a religious leader, however on the Road to Damascus , the Lord put a calling upon Paul’s life (Acts 9) To the world this calling seems “foolish” again because the world can’t understand the things of God. However anyone who has been called by Christ, knows its the greatest blessing to suffer for Christ and His Kingdom

So when we become a Christian, or when we answer the calling by God on our lives. Don’t expect this is going to be an easy walk. Don’t expect all your troubles are going to fade away, in fact your troubles are just beginning. As Jesus said “If anyone wants to be my disciples, deny yourself, carry your cross and follow Christ” (Matthew 16:24) The first step is deny yourself, don’t expect a prosperous or luxurious life, expect to suffer for our Lord Jesus Christ

In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches. 2 Corinthians 11:27-28

Notice Paul’s attitude here, even though he is suffering, hungry, in pain, Paul is continually concerned about the Churches. Paul is not sitting around dwelling on himself “Woe is me” No Paul is busy serving Christ and serving The Church. Paul is concerned about all the Christians that have been put under his care.

Paul has a servants attitude, the same which we all should have. How do we get there? By the sanctification of the Holy Spirit, we can’t expect to fulfill our calling by our own flesh we need the Holy Spirit every moment.

This is not your Best life now, in fact the good news is this is your worst life now. Our best life is coming into Gods eternal Kingdom when we are raised up by our Lord Jesus Christ, Amen!