Suffering for Life

Suffering for Life

Oops!  Say it ain’t so.  Why are so many of our Lord’s people suffering for so long?

We just returned from an early morning prayer meeting. We prayed for the “unchurch” ministry, for God’s direction for the next season. Both Saturday night and Sunday morning services are full. Pastor Bill joyfully reports more folks coming to the Lord this year than in any of his 22 years in Ecuador.

Yet, so many are suffering in so many ways. The hundred prayer cards on the table described family struggles, health problems, financial troubles and the need for faith, wisdom, guidance. Nearly every card was full of requests. And in our prayer group, most of us are experiencing difficulties. So we worshipped and prayed, sharing scriptures together.

Afterwards, Bill asked me what God was saying to me. I reflected again on what is becoming the theme of our three days of prayer –II Cor chapter 4. “…always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body.”  Why? “For we who live are constantly being delivered over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our body.”

So, the Lord may use us best when we are suffering or even “dead” to our own life. That may be when we are most available or yielded to the indwelling Christ!

So, my friends, do not be discouraged or weak-hearted. Endure, knowing your suffering is not in vain, but may be a pleasant aroma to Christ. His aroma of life flows when we least expect it, often unknown to us.

What a Gospel! What wonderful, faithful Lord!  Be encouraged saints.

                        Rejoicing,

                            Gary Gaither