PARTAKERS OF HIS SUFFERING - A DEVOTIONAL BY OSWALD CHAMBERS (TAKEN FROM utmost.org)

…but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings… - 1 Peter 4:13

If you are going to be used by God, He will take you through a number of experiences that are not meant for you personally at all. They are designed to make you useful in His hands, and to enable you to understand what takes place in the lives of others. Because of this process, you will never be surprised by what comes your way. You say, “Oh, I can’t deal with that person.” Why can’t you? God gave you sufficient opportunities to learn from Him about that problem; but you turned away, not heeding the lesson, because it seemed foolish to spend your time that way.

The sufferings of Christ were not those of ordinary people. He suffered “according to the will of God” (1 Peter 4:19), having a different point of view of suffering from ours. It is only through our relationship with Jesus Christ that we can understand what God is after in His dealings with us. When it comes to suffering, it is part of our Christian culture to want to know God’s purpose beforehand. In the history of the Christian church, the tendency has been to avoid being identified with the sufferings of Jesus Christ. People have sought to carry out God’s orders through a shortcut of their own. God’s way is always the way of suffering— the way of the “long road home.”

Are we partakers of Christ’s sufferings? Are we prepared for God to stamp out our personal ambitions? Are we prepared for God to destroy our individual decisions by supernaturally transforming them? It will mean not knowing why God is taking us that way, because knowing would make us spiritually proud. We never realize at the time what God is putting us through— we go through it more or less without understanding. Then suddenly we come to a place of enlightenment, and realize— “God has strengthened me and I didn’t even know it!”

GOD OF ISRAEL WILL GRANT YOUR PETITION WHICH YOU HAVE ASKED OF HIM

“…Go in peace, and the God of Israel grant your petition which you have asked of Him.”  – 1 Samuel 1:17

Many years back when I was doing my PG engineering degree course I was so afraid of Mathematics subject. From my school days itself, I hated Maths to the core. After I finished my schooling I joined diploma course in a Government college. When I joined there I was told that there will be two Maths paper and Maths II will be so tough to pass.

I believed what my seniors and lecturers told. I failed in Maths II paper at the first attempt and God miraculously helped me to clear the subject at the second attempt. After my diploma course, God took me to a Government engineering college where I studied my UG degree. There also I failed in Maths paper at the first attempt and cleared only at the next attempt.

My parents thought that I will clear the entrance exam for PG engineering degree course in a government college but I could not clear that. So my parents prayed and admitted me in a private engineering institution and the fee to complete my entire course was around 2 lakhs.

I know my parents could not afford that but they had some money after selling the only one house which we owned. With so much pressure in my mind I joined PG degree course. I thought everything will be peaceful and I can get good percentage and make my parents happy.

On the very first day when I came to know that I have to clear an Advanced Mathematics paper to get my degree, I lost all my hope. Mathematics itself was too tough for me then how come I can clear Advanced Mathematics?

I could not concentrate well in my classes and finally the semester exam came. I thought I will fail in the paper as I failed in my diploma and UG course. At the same time I thought about the sacrifice my parents are doing to make me study this course. Many thoughts came to my mind and I lost stability in my mind.

With so much fear I used to cry day and night without any break. My mom thought I will go mad and so she tried her level best to comfort me but nothing worked. One day before my exam I went to a prayer centre near to the college where I studied. I poured out my heart to God and cried very badly pleading Him to make me pass the degree without any arrear.

After my prayer I came out and there I saw a board which carried the promise verse from 1 Samuel 1:17, “…Go in peace, and the God of Israel grant your petition which you have asked of Him.”  

At the same moment, God spoke to me clearly through that verse and a divine peace filled my heart. As God has promised, He heard my prayers and helped me to pass in the Advanced Mathematics exam and also my PG degree with more than 75%.

Even today you might be feeling worried about certain things in your life. It might be about your future or anything. Today God says to you to go forward in peace for He heard your petitions and prayers and He will grant it.

My dear young friends, Hannah cried to God for a child and God heard her prayers and blessed her. He gave her Samuel who became a great prophet of God. Jesus Christ heard my prayers and helped me to complete the PG degree in first class. He has heard your prayers and tears. He will do to you more than what He did in my life. Your petition will be granted by God and you will have a blessed peace filled future.

GOD'S PROMISE FOR THE MONTH OF NOVEMBER'14

GHG PROUDLY PRESENTS: GOD'S LOVE - A VIDEO PRESENTATION

LOOK AT GOD'S PROMISES AND HIS POWER ALONE FOR THE FULFILLMENT OF HIS PROMISES IN YOUR LIFE

Therefore Sarah laughed within herself, saying, “After I have grown old, shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also?” – Genesis 18:12

God’s promise came to Abraham saying he will have a child soon. Sarah heard that promise and she immediately questioned saying, ‘shall I have pleasure?’ 

Sarah wanted to have a child and she had longed for it but yet she didn’t received what she had desired. Years passed and she became old. But then she received the promise of God. 

It’s true that God has given a promise to Sarah but yet she could not believe it. Then why she doubted God’s promise? The reason why Sarah could not believe was given in the above verse itself. She says, ‘I have grown old and my lord (Abraham) being old also.’

For the fulfilment of God’s promise she thought that her age and her husband age will be a main source. Once she understood that both were old she thought that there is no possibility for God’s promise to get fulfilled. 

Today you might be in the same situation. God has given a promise to you. But yet the situation around you seems to be so different. There is no sign for God’s promise to get fulfilled in your life. God might have promised you that you have a good marriage life but years are getting passed without sign of marriage. God might have promised you that you will have a child but yet you could not find a trace of it even after years. You are discouraged today because you didn’t have pleasure in your life and the situations also seem different. You are filled with sorrow because your see your life’s situations and your own strength.

Today Jesus Christ wants you to look at Him and not to look at the situations. It’s true that Sarah was old. It’s true that Abraham was old. In a human perspective, it’s very true that there were no chance for them to get a child.

Bible says in Genesis 18:13,14, “And the Lord said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh, saying, ‘Shall I surely bear a child, since I am old?’ Is anything too hard for the Lord? At the appointed time I will return to you, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son.”

My dear young friends, nothing is too hard for the Lord. He can make the old couples to bear a child. He can part a sea. He can destroy a huge wall in seconds. He can do anything. Nothing is too hard for the Lord. He will do a miracle in your life at His appointed time. 

He will give you a child very soon at His time. He will give you the desires of your heart and make you prosper. You will not be put to shame. Hold onto God’s promise and look at Him alone. Do not look at your situation. Do not look at your ability. God’s power doesn’t depend on your ability, capacity and your life’s situation. He is all powerful to do anything in your life and He will do things that will be a blessing in your life. So do not get discouraged. You will definitely see God’s promise getting fulfilled in your life.

BLESSING MESSAGE BY BRO. MOHAN C LAZARUS (TAKEN FROM A SPIRITUAL MONTHLY MAGAZINE)

YOU WILL BE SATISFIED WITH GOD'S BLESSING AND YOU WILL HAVE PLEASURE

Therefore Sarah laughed within herself, saying, ‘After I have grown old, shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also?’ – Genesis 18:12

You might be seeing your life situation right now and you think within yourself, ‘Will I have joy and pleasure in my life?’ Today Jesus Christ is promising you that you will have pleasure and joy.

Lord has promised Abraham saying, “...Look now toward heaven, and count the stars if you are able to number them.” And He said to him, “So shall your descendants be.” - Genesis 15:5

Abraham and his wife would have received God’s promise with so much of expectations and joy. Years passed but there is no sign of the fulfilment of God’s promise. 

Sarah got frustrated and she said, “...See now, the Lord has restrained me from bearing children...” – Genesis 16:2

She was so frustrated that she decided to have a child through her servant Hagar. Hagar got conceived and Sarah was despised in her eyes. Sarah trusted Hagar but yet she was despised. With all her frustrations, Sarah treated Hagar so harshly. Sarah lost her peace in her relationship with Lord, Abraham and her maid Hagar. Such was her frustration. Years passed by. 

Again God’s promise comes to Abraham, “...Sarah your wife shall have a son...” – Genesis 18:10

Sarah heard God’s promise from her tent and she laughed within herself saying, “...Shall I have pleasure?..” She saw her situation. For the fulfilment of God’s promise she saw the strength of her husband and her own age. She failed to see God’s strength. 

So she said to herself that she and her husband were too old. She believed strongly that she will not see a pleasure of carrying her own child. Such was her belief. Sarah was frustrated and she lost all hope. 

Today you might be also in a situation where you have lost all the hope about your future. You might be thinking within your heart, ‘Will I have a pleasure of having a child?’, ‘Will I have a pleasure of seeing goodness in my business?’, ‘Will I have a pleasure of scoring good marks in my studies?’, ‘Will I have a pleasure of having a good marriage life?, ‘Will I have a pleasure of getting promotion in my job?’

You might be tired and frustrated with so many questions rising in your mind. Do not get discouraged. Bible says in Genesis 21:1,2 “And the Lord visited Sarah as He had said, and the Lord did for Sarah as He had spoken. For Sarah conceived and bore Abraham a son in his old age, at the set time of which God had spoken to him.

Lord granted joy and pleasure in the life of Sarah. Today Jesus Christ says to you that you will have joy and pleasure overflowing all through your life. Jesus Christ will change your situation. He will bless you abundantly in the coming days. His promises will surely get fulfilled in your life. You will live with God’s peace and joy. You will have what your heart longs for and your heart will be filled with God’s happiness. Jesus Christ will do a miracle in your life.