Why is There Suffering?

I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. You will have suffering in this world. But be courageous! I have conquered the world.  John 16:33

In other words, In the midst of our suffering God offers us the two very things we need: peace to deal with our present and courage to deal with our future. How is able to do this? Because Christ conquered the world through His own suffering and death. As a result, suffering doesn’t have the last word. Death doesn’t have the last word. God has the last word!

So when tragedy strikes, as it will;
when suffering comes, as it will;
Let’s stop asking Why is there suffering?
And instead ask ourselves: How will we respond?

Are you ready to face the tragedies and suffering of this world?
Can you resolve this day that when tragedy or suffering strikes that you will be ready to respond?

The Bible says, “God is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”

Does that describe you? 

You have a choice: to turn bitter, or to turn to God and find peace and courage. 

Pray with me to receive Christ – so that you can know for sure that even if the very worst thing were to happen to you after you leave today, it will immediately be followed by the very best thing of all – an eternity with Christ.

Jesus, I believe that You are the Son of God. I confess that I’m a sinner – I have made mistakes. I want to live a life that honors You. Please lead my life – because from this moment on, I am Yours and I pray this in Your name. Amen.

For all of us that carry the name Christian. We seek to live a life that Honors God. We do so by choosing to love God, to love one another, and to serve the world in the name of Christ.  We do this knowing that the end of the book has been written, but not yet played out in this world.  We trust that when that day of pain and suffering enters our lives - when our days on earth are over – we will fly away and finally be HOME – with no more suffering, pain, or tragedy.

Undervalued Faith

When is a quarter not a quarter?

The most recent of the United States Quarter has been the Washington. It was first minted in 1932, and has enjoyed a uninterrupted run from then until today. These coins were 90% silver up until 1964, at which time the US Mint switched to a copper and nickel mixture. Current silver melt value* for a pre-1965 coin is $4.07 and this price is based off the current silver spot price of $22.1

* Notice as of December 2006 it is illegal to melt down US Minted Pennies and Nickels, and there is a $10,000 fine to help enforce the law. It is legal however to melt down silver dollars, half dollars, dimes, quarters for their content.
So not all quarters are equal? Yet, a 1964 quarter is still only worth 25 cents at the back because we believe that it is all that is worth.

We have a similar problem with faith.  While we say we have faith, most often we are selling our faith short of its full value.

The Greek word behind "faith" in the NT is pistis. As a noun, pistis is a word that was used as a technical rhetorical term for forensic proof. Examples of this usage of the word are found in the works of Aristotle, Quintiallian, and throughout the New Testament:

“For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof (pistis) of this to all men by raising him from the dead” (Acts 17:31 NIV)

The point here is that we are to ground our belief in Christianity on evidence - or, as the definition of pistis in Acts 17:31 would put it - proofs. We are not to have an empty blind faith!  Faith and proof are one in the same in the Bible. To have faith is have to proof. 

Pistis, or faith, was knowing what you believed and why. But knowing what you believed and why was not the end of faith in Bible. Spiritual growth is essential to our salvation, because it is the only way to sustain our faith. Like all living things, when they stop growing, they will tend to die. So does our faith.

Faith does not just mean knowing the truth, intellectually accepting the truth, proclaiming the truth, rejoicing with the truth. Most importantly, it means living the truth. It is to exercise God’s principle in every part of life. It is to put the knowledge of God to work. It is not just a momentary sentiment, but a life-long commitment and practice in every deed we do.

Within the confines of the church we often ask, “What is your testimony of faith?”

The reason is that Faith was never intended to be something that happened to you one time and put on a shelf like a stock certificate/savings bond waiting to be cashed in at a later date. Our faith is not a “rainy day” fund. We are taught to have the faith of a tiny mustard seed, but what value is a mustard seed if it is never planted and allowed to grow?

We are called to not only have faith – a belief and understanding of the evidential proofs of Jesus Christ, but we are also called to an active and living faith.

Faith without works is of no value.  but faith as an active living proof is like a quarter building value far beyond the face value.
Is your faith building treasure in heaven or losing value here on earth?

Still Remembering ...

Steel beams that were once part of the Towers in New York City now make up a memorial in downtown Indianapolis.  A quiet place near the canal across from a Fire Station.  A place that allows one to pause and recall ... Where were you on 9-11?  What difference has it made it in your life? 

I believe we still have lingering questions from that day (read my thoughts from 9-11-11 here 3 lingering questions).

Much has changed.  Much is the same.  How will you remember this day?

How are you changed? What difference does it make in the world around you?

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. 
I do not give to you as the world gives. 
Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.  
John 14:27 NIV

A Carpenter and an Old Barn

Drive around in the country and you will see all kinds of barns – new, old, big, small.  I have always loved the look of old barns. They seem to stand in defiance of all that is growing and changing around them. They are still standing, but definitely in need of repair. I wonder if that is how we look to God?

In Jesus’ day there was an old barn of sorts that needed repair.  It stood in Jerusalem and it was magnificent.  But, Jesus saw the shortcomings. Jesus saw the need for repair. Jesus knew that no facelift would repair this structure.  The problem was that no one else noticed the problem.  But the problem was clearly evident to the Master Carpenter. 

Outwardly, the temple was spectacular, but inwardly spiritual decay had undermined the original plans for the building:  

• God’s presence and holiness dwelt there
• Sacrifices for human sin were offered there
• The faithful worshiped and prayed there
• It was a refuge in desperate times
• It represented God’s covenant in stone and timber

This repair would be easy – tear it down and start over. 

Jesus answered them, "Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days."  John 2:19 NIV

Remember the carpenter? You know the one who learned how to work with wood, how to use the tools of the trade, how to plan a project and see it complete?  Jesus, the carpenter from Nazareth, actually finished the amazing rebuilding process in three days. When Jesus arose from the dead, He completed the project and restored the temple to its original purpose:

• The fullness of God dwells in Jesus
• Jesus’ death was the once and for all sacrifice for all of human sin
• God receives our worship and prayer through Jesus
• Jesus is the refuge and safe haven for all who trust in Him
• Jesus is God’s covenant revealed in flesh and blood

The truth is we are all like the temple of old and each of us are in need of repair. The decay is on the inside.  It is not visible on the outside,but the resulting decay caused by sin is causing our bodies to die. The result of sin is death.  

We are all in need of repair whether we are willing to acknowledge it or not. Unfortunately in this world we have become so addicted to the ease by which repairs are made and the easy access to quick repairs that we have forgotten the real cost involved in making repairs. 

We all seem to someone that will make our repairs easy for us.  So, we make repairs in the name of religion, spiritualism, good works, good morals, church attendance, you name it. In the end these all become cheap repairs that will not last. For real repair will come at a cost. 

Grace and mercy are not cheap. 

BUT they can come easy to those that admit they are in need of repair. 

Jesus completed the most important repair in the history of man – the rebuilding of the temple and he did it in three days flat. 

Are you in need of repair?  

This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. 

The old life is gone; a new life has begun!  2 Corinthians 5:17 NLT
 

I know a guy.  He’s a carpenter from Nazareth.  Do you know Him?