Thoughts for another day

June 13, 2006

Today's verse: James 1:2,3. My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. (KJV).

In Ministry, when you look around, you always find many people suffering. And still others in agony and I look at them and feel – why do they moan who endure such little suffering. O champion of Christ, look at the Cross and tell me, why did He have to suffer; why did He have to die? And when one said, ‘God forbid Lord that this happen to You’, He replied, ‘Get thee behind Me satan!’

My friend, remember, to suffer joyfully is to be with the Lord. To accept His gift of pain is to exalt His Name. To look at your agony and tell Him, ‘Lord I am ready to suffer, but that Thou may save souls on account of my suffering’, is a great offering unto the Lord – an offering of sweet savor, of choice fragrance.

Beloved, remember when God looks at you and sees you suffer yet not moan; sees you in agony yet blessing someone else’s soul, that’s the time His countenance breaks into a smile and says, ‘Here is My Son’s friend!’

Today’s verse asks to be joyful when faced with a trial. For thus is the trying of your faith going to result in victory. Thus is the will of God unto your life in doing His work on earth. And when you suffer for the Kingdom, look up to the heavens and tell Him, ‘Thank You Lord for counting me among those who are Your choice ones.’
And think my friend, when you suffer; you suffer, as does our Father. Today, I open to you an aspect of Him, which will keep you strong in your suffering. Look and know our Heavenly Father suffers. Behold if you can, the tears in His eyes at what you and I are doing to offend Him. Yet He silently waits like the Father in the parable of the prodigal son…waiting to welcome you with open arms, when you come back.