"Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness...for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." - Matthew 5:10

Outwardly when we are persecuted or suffer abuse - inwardly we experience "heaven" as God deals mightily with our soul, breaking its addiction to man's approval and liberating us to truly live for Christ.

1 Thessalonians 5:18 - "In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you."

The Scripture instructs us to give thanks IN all things, not FOR all things. When tragedy or calamity strikes we are not to thank God for them. He is not the author. He's the One who provides our way out from them, and that's what we thank Him for.

VISION OF GOD'S PURPOSE FOR OUR LIFE

Proverbs 29:18 - "Where there is no vision, the people perish."

Vision makes suffering and disappointment bearable. Vision generates hope in the midst of despair and provides endurance in tribulation. Vision inspires the depressed and motivates the discouraged. Without vision, life would be a study in cyclic frustration within a whirlwind of despair. Vision is the foundation of courage and the fuel of persistence.

SICKNESS AND DISEASE ARE NOT THE INHERITANCE OF THE REDEEMED

Philippians 3:10 - "That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings,"

An incorrect view of suffering has allowed the "Trojan Horse" of disease to come in through the gates of the community of the redeemed. The sufferings of Jesus were realized in the persecution He endured and in the burden He carried for people. He did not suffer with disease. That must be removed from our idea of Christian suffering.

ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY
http://afministry.ning.com/