Category Archives: Suffering

Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement)

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“Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28

Shalom Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) Today marks the day of Yom Kippur, its called the Sabbath of all Sabbaths! The word Sabbath derived from Hebrew verb Shabbat means “to rest from labor”

Notice what our Lord Jesus Christ says “Come to Me (Jesus) all who labor and I will give you Rest (Sabbath)

Jesus is the literal fulfillment of the Sabbath! Many don’t understand this, but this is exactly what the Sabbaths means. The more you study the Bible , the more you see the shadows of Christ throughout the Tanakh (Old Testament) and his fulfillment. If you really want peace and rest for your soul, Come to the Lord Yeshua (Jesus), he is our Sabbath!

He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world. 1 John 2:2

The Day of Atonement has been fulfilled by Jesus Christ as the cross. Yom Kippur allows us to reflect on our sin and realize how much we need a Savior (Messiah) Jesus took the wages of our sins upon himself, he is our atoning sacrifice. This is another example how Jesus fulfilled Yom Kippur, at the cross he was the perfect atonement, the Lamb of God, who took away the sins of the word

Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me. Matthew 16:24

Yom Kippur is all about denying yourself and cleansing yourself from sin. Jesus has called us to deny ourselves and carry our crosses, if we truly want to be his disciple. This cross that will carry is a constant reminder of how much we need a Savior and how much price that Savior (Jesus) paid for us!

 

Faith Over Fear

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But Jesus, overhearing what was being spoken, said to the synagogue official, “Do not be afraid any longer, only believe.”  Mark 5:36

Fear has a way of controlling our lives. Fear of the unknown, Fear of our health, Fear of our relationships, Fear of our futures. But Jesus said Fear no longer only Believe! Meaning your Faith will lead you over your Fear.

In this chapter of Mark 5, we read of multiple people in need of a miracle. A synagogue official in need for his daughter’s life and a woman who had a medical condition most of her life. These people were desperate, but they put their hope in Jesus , and in an instance he restored them.

There were people who mocked Jesus, because the synagogue official’s daughter had died before Jesus reached her house. But notice what Jesus did, he kicked them all out of the room except  his disciples (Mark 5:40) Why? Because there lack of faith was a stumbling block and not a blessing

What is your fear doing to you today? Is it causing you a stumbling block for your faith? You need to remove the power of fear from your life and allow the power of God in

For God has not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. (2 Timothy 1:7)

Any fear that you feel is not from God, it comes from Satan who uses it as a trap and stumbling block for our faith. Allow the Holy Spirit to help you overcome your fears and anxiety , Do not be afraid any longer, only believe in Jesus Name Amen!

Cursed No More

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you must not leave the body hanging on the pole overnight. Be sure to bury it that same day, because anyone who is hung on a pole is under God’s curse. You must not desecrate the land the LORD your God is giving you as an inheritance. Deuteronomy 21:23

Why did Jesus have to be crucified? The simple answer is because of You! Most of us will acknowledge that Jesus died for our sins, but do you realize he had to become Gods curse, because of us. Because of our sins and lawlessness, we are separated from God. We are cursed under the law!

About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”). Matthew 27:46

In order for Jesus to become the atonement for our sins, he had to become the cursed; he had to become separated from God. And all God’s wrath was laid upon him on the cross. And all this wrath was due to our sins and not his. He took on this punishment and death, to save us from our sentence!

Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a pole.” Galatians 3:13

But the Good News (Gospel) is that because of the love Jesus Christ demonstrated towards us on the cross, we are no longer cursed! We are set free from the law because of Jesus Christ!

Understand what Jesus has already done for you, understand the suffering and shame he endured because of your sins! If you allow Jesus to set your free, you will be free indeed Amen!

40 Days

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Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And after He had fasted forty days and forty nights, He then became hungry. Matthew 4:1-2

Since this week is the beginning of Lent season, today we are taking a look at the 40 days Jesus spent in the wilderness. This is symbolic of the 40 days before Easter (Lent  Season) originated. During this journey we see that Jesus was tempted with three temptations that all of us face in our daily lives.

And the tempter came and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.”  But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘MAN SHALL NOT LIVE ON BREAD ALONE, BUT ON EVERY WORD THAT PROCEEDS OUT OF THE MOUTH OF GOD.'” Matthew 4:3-4

The first temptation we see is the lust of the flesh. Jesus , who has been fasting for 40 days, is obviously very hungry and vulnerable at this point. Satan tries to tempt him by enticing him to make stones into bread. Jesus replies with scripture and says “Man shall not live on bread alone” meaning as Christians we deny our physical temptations which are sinful, to live holy and be a true disciple of Christ.

This could apply to many physical temptations in our lives such as drugs, alcohol, sexual immorality, gluttony, ect. However by the Holy Spirit we can overcome these temptations and avoid sin

Then the devil took Him into the holy city and had Him stand on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down; for it is written, ‘HE WILL COMMAND HIS ANGELS CONCERNING YOU’; and ‘ON their HANDS THEY WILL BEAR YOU UP, SO THAT YOU WILL NOT STRIKE YOUR FOOT AGAINST A STONE.'” Matthew 4:5-6

The second temptation comes from human pride. Satan tries to challenge Jesus, by saying if you are the Son of God, then prove it. Often times in life when our pride is challenged, we might make a bad decision just to prove that we are the boss or in charge. Jesus however didn’t fall for this trap

Jesus said to him, “On the other hand, it is written, ‘YOU SHALL NOT PUT THE LORD YOUR GOD TO THE TEST.'” Matthew 4:7

Satan was even quoting scripture to try and lure Jesus into the temptation, but Jesus responded by saying “Don’t test God”.  Jesus demonstrated this humility also later in John 13, Jesus washed the feet of his own disciples. Instead of Jesus being a dictator leader he was leading by example.

Again, the devil took Him to a very high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory; and he said to Him, “All these things I will give You, if You fall down and worship me.” Matthew 4:8-9

The final temptation Satan was trying to tempt Jesus into the lust of the eyes. Look at all these beautiful possessions we can have if we just sell our soul. Jesus didn’t fall for this but sadly we see people do this every day. We see actors and musicians sell all their morals and values just to become rich, what they don’t understand is they are worshipping Satan and his worldly system

Then Jesus said to him, “Go, Satan! For it is written, ‘YOU SHALL WORSHIP THE LORD YOUR GOD, AND SERVE HIM ONLY.'” Matthew 4:10

Again Jesus overcame this temptation and told Satan to go away! As the Bible tells us “Resist the devil and he will flee from you (James 4:7) Worship God and serve him only!

We need to remember Jesus was in human form, susceptible to Satans temptations and overcame by The Holy Spirit. We can overcome also because Greater is he living inside of me than he that is living in the world (! John 4:4) in Jesus Name Amen!

Good Fruit

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“Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it so that it may bear more fruit. John 15:2
Your faith is like a tree, the word of God is like a seed, when you accept Gods word for truth and learn and grow from it, you grow stronger in your faith.

Jesus said we would know false prophets “By their fruits” (Matthew 7:16) if we don’t produce “Good fruit” then eventually God will cut us off (John 15:2), so what is Good Fruit? Lets look at the Fruits of The Holy Spirit

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. (Galations 5:22-23)
If your actions don’t match those qualities of the ones above, then your actions are not from God but from the flesh. Its important we remain lead by The Holy Spirit and not by our own flesh.

Second God says “We will be pruned so we can bear more fruit “ (John 15:2) Some might wonder as a Christian, why would God allow you to suffer? Sometimes our pain and suffering is to prepare us and grow us “Good Fruit”

Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. (James 1:2-3)

Don’t be misled by the fake “American” “Prosperity” Gospel, for anyone who loves this world and things of it, God is not in them (1 John 2:15) As a Christian there will be trials and tribulation, but know in the end we have the ultimate victory by the Blood of Christ in Jesus Name Amen!

Overcome

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Why did I not die at birth, Come forth from the womb and expire? Job 3:11

These words that Job have spoken may seem harsh but I’m sure it’s a sorrowful emotion we may have felt at some time in our lives. Job was suffering a great loss of his family and Satan was continuing to test him. At this point Job was at his lowest point, he felt why should he have even been born.

But one thing is Job never cursed or blamed God, Job said God gives and he takes away (Job 1:21) Even though his wife told him to just curse God and die (Job 2:9), Job would not tempt The Lord. Jobs friends went on to blame Job, saying he must of sinned to cause this great sorrow in his life.

But the truth was Job was being tested by Satan and not God. Many times when tragedies happen in our lives we blame God. But its usually Satan testing us or our own sin that causes hardship for ourselves.

The Good news is eventually God repaid Job back twice from what he lost because he preserved to the end (Job 42:10) That’s why our faith is so important. During life we will encounter seasons of depression or great losses. The important thing is we remain faithful as God does have a plan for all our lives.

We can overcome as we turn to Jesus for hope and strength who has already overcome the world.God has a plan for your life and we can do all things through Christ who gives us strength in Jesus Name Amen

Present Suffering

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I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. Romans 8:18

How can we remain at peace during our present suffering? As Christians we need to be realistic that there is going to be trials and suffering during life. Jesus told us we will encounter trouble, trials, and even tribulation, however he ended by saying take Heart I have overcome the world (John 16:33)

See even when we are suffering we can have the peace of God knowing that we are already victorious. Not matter what Satan is trying to do to us, Jesus have already overcome. There is nothing impossible for God, and we need to remember not to let a trial derail our faith.

The next part is our current suffering can’t compare to the glory of God that is ahead of us. Jesus told us there will be a day of no more tears, no more suffering, no more death for the former things have passed away (Revelation 21:4)  So don’t allow your current suffering or trials defeat you because Jesus has already defeated death and sin

God teaches us to be content in all circumstances (Philippians 4:12) When we have strong faith we don’t have a wavering attitude. It’s easy to be joyful when everything is going good but it’s how you respond to suffering and trials that truly displays your faith. So whatever you’re going through today, tell Satan my present suffering can’t compare to the glory of God in my future in Jesus Name Amen

Gods Glory Greater than Our Suffering

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I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. Romans 8:18-19

The world tell us to “Live like theres no tomorrow” but we know as Children of God there is a tomorrow and eternity.  Until God restores his kingdom there will be pain and suffering, but knowing this we must press on and endure the trials till that glorious day

For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God.  Romans 20-21

We are all cursed by the Sin of Adam, death was not God’s will but it was Mans will passed down by his ancestors. But those who declare themselves Children of God have been redeemed thru our Lord Jesus Christ.

We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies. Romans 22-23

Children of God are eagerly awaiting the return of Jesus to restore Gods Kingdom and eliminate evil and suffering.  As compared to a women in labor, the present time is long and painful, but the reward will be great in the end.

For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently. Romans 24-25

All our hope is in Jesus Christ, for without him there is no life or hope. Patience is a virtue, for Gods timing is not our timing. We must wait for him, for our ways are not his ways.

In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.  And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.  Romans 26-27

This is why God has giving us the gift of the Holy Spirit, as a teacher and guide. To give us the strength and wisdom to endure hardship. Pray to God to give you the Holy Spirit to endure you through these times of labor in Jesus Name Amen