As we head toward Good Friday, we will ponder again the depth of His love so that we can be overcomers in both suffering and sin. He set His face like flint to go through the deepest storm imaginable. Why? For us.
Photo courtesy of Egor Yakushkin on Unsplash
We will be in 1 Peter 4:4-12 and a sermon by Mike Reeves for the three weeks leading up to Easter Sunday. I will take you to other rich places too, but the 7 page transcript from Reeves will be our home base. (If you have a printer, print it off and number the 7 pages.) Reeves_Transcription03152023 (1)
(A huge thanks to my friend Kathy Houts for doing this transcript.)
And here is the actual sermon.
God Hunt Sunday
1. How have you experienced the presence of God in the last week?
Monday: A Time to Weep, A Time to be Silent
I so identified with the opening to Reeve’s sermon, when he discovered devastating news as he was about to preach. I learned of my husband’s fatal diagnosis before speaking to a large audience in Indiana. Two of my daughters were with me. When Kim Hill led us in worship, she had us in mind, with songs like “It is Well with My Soul,” but I couldn’t sing them honestly, for it wasn’t well with my soul. My daughters also later found most of their friends, who were young, could not identify with their pain and were, as with Job’s friends, “miserable comforters.”
Read 1 first half of page 1 of Reeve’s sermon (or listen) up to when he asks us to come to 1 Peter 4.
2. What was Reeve’s experience? Thoughts?
3. Are you familiar with the Jewish tradition of “sitting shiva?” They were to go to a person who had a catastrophic loss and sit with them for seven (shiva) days and just listen. Because 7 is the number of completion, it meant “as long as it takes.” What is the value of this approach to one who is suffering in contrast to giving them little sermons?
4. How I remember friends who comforted me by simply weeping. Share a time a friend comforted you and why it did.
5. Read Proverbs 25:20
A. What does it mean to sing songs to a heavy heart? Give an example.
B. Many of the things we want to say to a heavy heart may be true, such as your child is in heaven now, and when that person reads it herself, it brings comfort, but if you go to her at the news of the child’s death and say it may feel like vinegar poured on a wound. Why?
Tuesday: “In Babylon”
Read the next two paragraphs from Reeves on page 1, beginning with “Would you come with me…”
5. What does 1 Peter 4:12 say?
6. Do a google search and find out what the recipients of Peter’s letter were about to face from Nero in Rome.
8. According to 1 Peter 5:13 say? How does Mike Reeves explain this strange closing to the letter?
9. What happened to Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in Babylon? Reeves refers in particular to one thing. (Daniel 3:25) I know nearly all of my active participants have been through terrible suffering. Please share here how you experienced this fourth man in your fire.
Wednesday: If I Forget You, O Jerusalem
This month I read a book by Max Lucado’s daughter, Andrea, in which she tells how Psalm 137 brought her to her senses while she was studying at Oxford.
She was going through a dark night of the soul, wondering if the only reason she was a believer was simply because of her believing parents, whom her peers implied had brainwashed her. Then she went to a lecture on Arts and Faith, and told her how Dr. McGrath’s exposition of Psalm 137 brought her back to the gospel truth. It is a song sung by the captives in Jerusalem who were taunted by their captives to sing their religious songs. But they refused, hanging their harps on the willows. Andrea realized what she had been taught was true, and to forget Jerusalem (meaning the truth of the goodness of God – her highest joy) was a travesty. Here is psalm 137 set to music:
10. Comments on the above?
11. The verse that penetrated Andrea was Psalm 137:4. Read it.
A. What does it say?
B. Andrea’s foreign land was England and the skeptical sophisticates of Oxford. The Israelites’ foreign land was Babylon and the wealthy pagans. Where is your foreign land? How might the inhabitants taunt you, particularly when you suffer?
12. Why should we not be surprised by fiery trials according to 1 Peter 4:12-13? How is our suffering not wasted in contrast to those of unbelievers?
Thursday: Christ is the Head
A baby suffers even as he is being born. Head first, but the body must follow.
On the transcript from Mike Reeves, read from the closing paragraph on page 1 to the middle of page 2 when he says “And Peter is no hypocrite…”
13. How does Reeves use the metaphor of birth to help us understand why we must follow Christ in His sufferings?
14. According to 1 Peter 4:14, where will we who follow Him in His sufferings, also go?
15. In a recent sermon on 1 Peter from Tim Keller, he referred to 1 Peter 3:1 which has always dumbfounded me, but now I understand.
A. Read 1 Peter 4:1. What does it say? What do you think it means?
B. Keller explained that as Christ died and was done with sin, so it is when we die to ourselves, truly, we overcome sin. We will not be permanently done with sin until glory, yet with every death, we kill sin more. One friend used to say “With every death there is a resurrection.” How have you experienced that?
C. Keller also said that when we try to overcome sin by telling ourselves just to stop it, the temptation becomes stronger. But if we overcome it by remembering how much love it took Christ to die, and if we do not want to take that lightly, we become stronger. Have you experienced this?
Friday: Application
16. What suffering, small or large, are you going through right now? (As there is always something if we are honest.) How could what you have learned or reviewed this week help you? How will you talk to your soul?
17. What sin are you endeavoring to overcome? How could you, based on yesterday’s lesson from Keller, help you pray so as to have victory?
Saturday: Take-A-Way
18. What is your take-a-way and why?
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God Hunt Sunday
1. How have you experienced the presence of God in the last week?
—I have been daily reading a 40 day devotional book called Abiding Dependence (Living Moment-by-Moment In The Love of God) by Ron Block. Ron Block is a guitarist and musician who has played and traveled with Andrew Peterson for many years. It has been a wonderful resource to use during this Lenten season. Each morning as I have read the Scripture he gives and his thoughts it has served to direct and encourage my meeting with God to start my day in an awareness of Him. He is consistently pointing to Jesus and the Cross. He concluded his thoughts this morning on Day 26 titled “Come To Me”
with these comments.
“According to Jesus, there’s only one source of life, and it’s not “Come to the Bible” or “Come to sermons” or “Come to more giving, more praying, more doing for Jesus.” Not even “Come to your devotional.” Jesus says, “Come to Me.”
Beautiful: “Come to me.”
Love this, Bev! Come to me, Jesus says.
Amen to Dee and Bing! Thank you Bev. “Come to Me”
1. How have you experienced the presence of God in the last week?
My life has been so busy in the past few months that I am struggling with juggling it all. My husband usually helps me in the morning with lunch and such (for me). I am lucky to have him because it is such a hard thing for me; getting out of the house to be at work by 7:15. It’s crazy, but I am not a morning person. Friday, he made my lunch, and I had an idea of something I wanted for breakfast but ended up not making it because of time. I got in the car and thought to myself, “Shoot, I forgot breakfast,” and then, “It will be fine. God will provide.” I got to school and a colleague texted our group and said, “I brought my wife’s famous Irish soda bread if anyone would like a piece.” I couldn’t believe it! God immediately responded for me. I shared that with my colleague (a believer). So cool when that happens. It makes me know He is near.
Awwww!
A kiss from the King, Laura! I am sure it brought spring to your steps!
Yes it did!
Delightful Laura 😊
Love this, Laura! God is so good.
Sunday
1. How have you experienced the presence of God in the last week?
These past few weeks have been hard. My friend Leslie that I had ask prayer for here went to be with the Lord this last Monday and she is no longer in pain. There was a memorial/celebration service at our church yesterday and it was packed. She touched many lives for the Lord and I felt so humbled to of known her.
This quote from Mike Reeves has been a good reminder for me…
”The real treasure of faith is not heaven. Faith’s supreme treasure is Christ.”
Sharon, thankful for the earthly friendship you had with Leslie. Godly friends are such blessings to us in the here and now and more so when we see them again one of these days as sisters and brothers in Christ! And thanks for sharing the quote from Mike Reeves. Christ is our faith’s treasure.
Sharon, Praying God will comfort your heart in ways that only He can.
I am so sorry for the loss of this dear friend, Sharon. I pray that our Lord will comfort you and Leslie’s family, with His peace. Thank you for the beautiful quote.
I’m so sorry, Sharon. So hard.
So good to have you back – I missed you.
Thank you all for your encouraging responses…means so much!
Dee, I have missed being here!
Sharon — I missed this. Missy made me look back. I’m so very sorry!
1. How have you experienced the presence of God in the last week? I have been acutely aware of the blessings that I have right now in my life. I have children, grandchildren, siblings and friends who have in one way or another shown their love for me and it has helped me to always be mindful that all good things come from the love of God.
Praise God, Dawn! Being acutely aware of the blessings right now in my life. Yes, we are to be mindful of the goodness of God.
Such a perfect way to start the day, Dawn. Always be mindful that all good things come from the love of God.
God Hunt Sunday
1. How have you experienced the presence of God in the last week?
One of the prompts from Ann V’s, 1000 gifts was 3 hard eucharisteos. When I read that, I was overcome with physical and spiritual weakness. Abba, you know what these hard eucharisteos are for me. But I was warmed and strengthened by the promise of God’s constant presence and care for me (I will never leave you nor forsake you Deuteronomy 31:8 and Isaiah 41:10) and these words from Ann:
Euchariesteo-The hard discipline to lean into the ugly and whisper thanks to transfigure it into beauty. To give thanks for all things because He is always good.
Bing, The reminder of Euchariesteo is timely for me in a very personal situation that God has been challenging me to reshape my thinking and my responses to it. Thank you for sharing that.
This is such a good reminder for me right now, Bing. I love the scripture references too. He knows our every weakness and need.
Monday
2. What was Reeve’s experience? Thoughts?
His experience was being at a conference of young people at a time he’d gotten news his father may not live. The music being sung didn’t have a message to bring him comfort. “He needed to hear what the gospel had to say about suffering, pain, death.”
I wouldn’t have wanted to be around anyone, or hear any songs and unlike him I wouldn’t have wanted to hear what the gospel had to say about suffering, pain, death.
3. Are you familiar with the Jewish tradition of “sitting shiva?” They were to go to a person who had a catastrophic loss and sit with them for seven (shiva) days and just listen. Because 7 is the number of completion, it meant “as long as it takes.” What is the value of this approach to one who is suffering in contrast to giving them little sermons?
The value is they just need to know you’re there and that you care. No sermons are needed …just compassion and empathy.
4. How I remember friends who comforted me by simply weeping. Share a time a friend comforted you and why it did.
Them being there in my pain and not saying anything meant so much! My Dad’s reaction was the most comforting and surprising… he said, “don’t worry if you’re unable to talk to God right now, I’m talking to Him for you.”
5. Read Proverbs 25:20
A. What does it mean to sing songs to a heavy heart? Give an example.
It’s like taking someone’s coat in cold weather…it causes discomfort.
Pouring vinegar in a wound…it causes pain.
It’s like telling someone that things will get easier just after they’ve lost a loved one or everything will be ok when they’ve received a cancer diagnosis.
B. Many of the things we want to say to a heavy heart may be true, such as your child is in heaven now, and when that person reads it herself, it brings comfort, but if you go to her at the news of the child’s death and say it may feel like vinegar poured on a wound. Why?
I have to process things in my time. Processing the recent death of my friend, another friend said, “pain will come because we’ve let people into our lives and that’s part of being in God’s family.” That is not what I wanted to hear…in fact I didn’t want to hear anything! I just wanted her to sit there with me. I didn’t respond to what she said specifically but changed the subject.
Oh I am going to remember your wonderful dad’s response!
Me, too! your Dad’s wonderful response- “don’t worry if you’re unable to talk to God right now, I’m talking to Him for you.”
Monday: A Time to Weep, A Time to be Silent
Read 1 first half of page 1 of Reeve’s sermon (or listen) up to when he asks us to come to 1 Peter 4.
2. What was Reeve’s experience?
—Reeves was facing the very real pain and grief of possibly his Father’s death but at the Conference where he was speaking the demographics were a young group of people who weren’t dealing with the same thing he was. He said at that point in time “I needed to hear what the gospel has to say about suffering, pain and death.”.
Thoughts?
—I appreciated his comments that summed up his thoughts saying:
“…we do need the realism that we do live in a broken, fallen world. And we need a gospel perspective on that. And we need to know amid all our struggles how secure and superb is glory. “
So amid our struggles the glory of the gospel and our God brings us security in life no matter what. In those hard times of personal struggle a most needed thing is security. And being British in his verbiage superb isn’t a word I would think to use to describe glory but I like it. It is a word rich in meaning. (admirably fine or excellent; extremely good)
3. Are you familiar with the Jewish tradition of “sitting shiva?” They were to go to a person who had a catastrophic loss and sit with them for seven (shiva) days and just listen. Because 7 is the number of completion, it meant “as long as it takes.” What is the value of this approach to one who is suffering in contrast to giving them little sermons?
—In the times of grief words don’t go deep to the heart. Just actions do like sharing the tears. The heart needs to feel another heart that truly cares.
4. How I remember friends who comforted me by simply weeping. Share a time a friend comforted you and why it did.
—When my husbands only sister died suddenly at age forty I remember those who came. We were very close to her and it was a deep loss for both of us. We lived about four hours away and by the time we got to her home where her parents and everyone was gathering the house was full. I remember thinking why are all of these people even here. It felt crowded and intrusive. I just wanted to grieve with the immediate family members. I also remember people who met some very practical needs for us without saying a word or being asked. They just showed up during that week and brought things that covered our needs and helped us. That was contrasted by many many people who would say to us “If there is anything we can do to help just let us know.” It was well meaning but said so many times that over time after they left we began to joke among our selves about jobs we might think up to give them to do. That may sound hard but it was a comment that became trite over the course of that week.
5. Read Proverbs 25:20
A. What does it mean to sing songs to a heavy heart? Give an example.
—Responding in a light hearted way even in attempt to cheer a sad person up is a very insensitive thing to do. When a burden on a heart is heavy with grief that person needs someone caring who wants to share the load not remove it.
B. Many of the things we want to say to a heavy heart may be true, such as your child is in heaven now, and when that person reads it herself, it brings comfort, but if you go to her at the news of the child’s death and say it may feel like vinegar poured on a wound. Why?
—At that time even Heaven is a reminder of the loss and resulting pain. We can’t truly identify with Heaven even when life is good let alone in the midst of grief. The truth of Heaven comes from a knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. He becomes our comfort by experiencing Him not by words.
So true about “just showing up.”
1. How have you experienced the presence of God in the last week?
Yesterday we got together with two couples, we have known for many years, to celebrate the birthday of the hostess. At the end of our meal, she told us that she wanted to celebrate by doing one person at a time~ honoring one another, each of us, would say something that we admired about that person. It was like celebrating each of us while we are still here, so that we could each hear each other’s words of love. It was so loving and healing and we were all in tears, even the three husbands, by the time we finished. It was such a selfless way for her to celebrate her day. It was especially meaningful to me, as my husband’s memory and health are ebbing slowly away. God was so present and I am so grateful.
This is beautiful, what happened with friends at the birthplace celebration. I’m so sorry to hear about your husband, Patti. Praying now for your family.
Thank you, Chris.
Patti, this brought tears to my eyes. At the memorial/celebration service for my friend Leslie, her daughter spoke and and made the comment that we need to celebrate one another while we’re living…so true.
Praying for your husband🙏
Thank you, Sharon.
Great model, Patti!
Dee, the hostess was our mutual friend, Trish. Having lost her husband, she understands the importance of saying the words while we are living.
Oh Patti, What beautiful gift from God. Especially in light of your husband’s growing frailty. I pray God will be gentle with each of you in the coming months. Sudden grief is very hard but so is slow grief as a loved one deteriorates. Wish I could sit by your side and listen but I will pray.
Thank you, Bev. xoxo
Patti, love you, dear friend. What a beautiful experience you had with your friends!
Thank you dear Bing, love you. 🙂
Thank you all for your sweet prayers. Love all of you dear blog friends. xoxoxo
2. What was Reeve’s experience? Thoughts?
He had the bad news of his father in the hospital. It wasn’t clear to me if his father died or not because he said, “He is still a believer.” But, either way he was sad and afraid. He felt helpless because he couldn’t be with him; he was too far away.
I can relate to this when my mom died. I was 1000 miles away and my brother called me to say my last words to her over the phone. I remember being at school, and taking the call in the hallway. I told her I loved her. She couldn’t respond to me, and being a person who can’t stand silence (it’s awkward), I felt strange talking to her with no reply. I didn’t know what to say. I finally said, “…this is awful…” I thought it was a terrible way to say goodbye to your mom. I wasn’t prepared. I didn’t have the right words. Ugh.
3. Are you familiar with the Jewish tradition of “sitting shiva?” They were to go to a person who had a catastrophic loss and sit with them for seven (shiva) days and just listen. Because 7 is the number of completion, it meant “as long as it takes.” What is the value of this approach to one who is suffering in contrast to giving them little sermons?
I guess I would want my friend to talk (again, silence makes me uncomfortable). The “little sermons” may not be comforting, but I would give the person credit for at least trying. I have a friend whose husband’s father just died. I made a lasagne and took it to them instead of talking much. I have also told her I would help with her 4 boys so they can go to the funeral. I’m better with actions than words.
4. How I remember friends who comforted me by simply weeping. Share a time a friend comforted you and why it did.
When Sarah and Mike were on their “Bonnie and Clyde” trip, they disparaged my husband and me on FB. They tagged everyone; the town hall, the local court, our church, friends, etc. It was really bad and I was very sad. I showed up in church and our pastors wife locked eyes with me and hugged me. It was a beautiful thing she did. I should thank her for that.
I love your “actions” dear Laura! What a thoughtful gift of food and of helping with her boys. I know that meant the world to your friend. 🙂
Laura, When death and grief comes to a family people like you are some of those I remember when my sister-in-law died suddenly. One of my friends named Jean showed up and said I will be at the church for the funeral and I will babysit any of the littles in your family during the service that need to be cared for. I have never forgotten her voluntary help and kindness.
Oh Bev! That was so sweet of your friend. I remember that when my dad died, mom had many people there. I also remember that 3 months later, she didn’t. I think it’s important to check back with them every so often.
Read 1 first half of page 1 of Reeve’s sermon (or listen) up to when he asks us to come to 1 Peter 4.
2. What was Reeve’s experience? Thoughts?
Reeves was at a conference, with a young audience, that was focused on sins forgiven and guilt dealt with. What he needed right then was the comfort for his heart that was suffering with grief. He just needed to hear what the gospel said about suffering and pain. I agree with Sharon, I don’t know if I would have wanted anything except sensing the presence of God with me right then.
3. Are you familiar with the Jewish tradition of “sitting shiva?” They were to go to a person who had a catastrophic loss and sit with them for seven (shiva) days and just listen. Because 7 is the number of completion, it meant “as long as it takes.” What is the value of this approach to one who is suffering in contrast to giving them little sermons?
I am familiar with the sitting shiva, but I have not experienced it . The support of someone just showing up and weeping with you is a huge support. Someone who is taking care of your immediate needs, like a meal, because your mind is going through so much pain it is hard to think. The words of pure compassion and love are the words that you can hear when you are suffering; the words of explanation….it will be okay, he is in heaven now….can be hollow.
4. How I remember friends who comforted me by simply weeping. Share a time a friend comforted you and why it did.
Friends weeping together and sharing a hug; words of I love you and I am here are the things that have helped me. When my husband had a near death experience, the friends that showed up and prayed for me, sat in the prayer room with me, listened to my anguish and sorrow~ that meant so much.
5. Read Proverbs 25:20
A. What does it mean to sing songs to a heavy heart? Give an example.
I think just having someone with you, with no expectation. Letting you be alone if you need time alone, but available if you want company. Someone to cry with you; and listen to you, if you need to talk. A compassionate and godly presence is far better than words.
B. Many of the things we want to say to a heavy heart may be true, such as your child is in heaven now, and when that person reads it herself, it brings comfort, but if you go to her at the news of the child’s death and say it may feel like vinegar poured on a wound. Why?
There are no words of comfort that you can comprehend when you are in such deep pain and loss. You are trying to process all of it. I need the comfort of God and a friend that will just cry with me.
2. What was Reeve’s experience? When he was speaking somewhere, his audience could not identify with what he was going through knowing that his dad was in the hospital and his heart had stopped. Thoughts? I suffered a loss which devastated me, but I sensed that no one outside of my family understood the depths grief that I was suffering and it caused me to shut myself out from others.
3. Are you familiar with the Jewish tradition of “sitting shiva?” They were to go to a person who had a catastrophic loss and sit with them for seven (shiva) days and just listen. Because 7 is the number of completion, it meant “as long as it takes.” What is the value of this approach to one who is suffering in contrast to giving them little sermons? A person at this time just wants to know someone cares and is willing to just be there for them, not try to make it better.
4. How I remember friends who comforted me by simply weeping. Share a time a friend comforted you and why it did. I had one friend during that time who daily let me know that she was thinking of me and she allowed me to share my grief without her trying to minimize it or give me the impression that I needed to “get over it”.
5. Read Proverbs 25:20
A. What does it mean to sing songs to a heavy heart? Give an example. It means to try to cheer someone up when they are grieving. Ecclesiastes 3:4 says there is “a time to weep, and a time to laugh;a time to mourn, and a time to dance;” You don’t laugh and dance when you hear bad news. You may be able to rejoice eventually, but that is something that only comes from the Lord with time.
B. Many of the things we want to say to a heavy heart may be true, such as your child is in heaven now, and when that person reads it herself, it brings comfort, but if you go to her at the news of the child’s death and say it may feel like vinegar poured on a wound. Why? Because at that moment they are dealing with the reality that they have lost this child, it’s a hole, it’s devastating, it seems insurmountable, the long years ahead without this child on earth with them seems like torment, they can’t look on the “sunny side” of things. When the raw emotions die down some they are more able to see the eternal prospective of the situation and may then find comfort in knowing that their child is in the place that we all ultimately want to be in.
So well put by Dawn:
Because at that moment they are dealing with the reality that they have lost this child, it’s a hole, it’s devastating, it seems insurmountable, the long years ahead without this child on earth with them seems like torment, they can’t look on the “sunny side” of things. When the raw emotions die down some they are more able to see the eternal prospective of the situation and may then find comfort in knowing that their child is in the place that we all ultimately want to be in.
Amen. Thank you, Dawn.
Thank you, Dawn! Often words, are unnecessary. Presence can be a great gift to the grieving.
Monday: A Time to Weep, A Time to be Silent
I so identified with the opening to Reeve’s sermon, when he discovered devastating news as he was about to preach. I learned of my husband’s fatal diagnosis before speaking to a large audience in Indiana. Two of my daughters were with me. When Kim Hill led us in worship, she had us in mind, with songs like “It is Well with My Soul,” but I couldn’t sing them honestly, for it wasn’t well with my soul. My daughters also later found most of their friends, who were young, could not identify with their pain and were, as with Job’s friends, “miserable comforters.”
Read 1 first half of page 1 of Reeve’s sermon (or listen) up to when he asks us to come to 1 Peter 4.
1. What was Reeve’s experience? Thoughts?
Before speaking at a conference where most of the audience was between 25-30 years old, he got word that his father’s heart had stopped, and the doctors did not know whether he would make it. Because of the distance, Mike couldn’t be with him. He was too far away.
When my Mom was deathly ill in the Philippines, all I needed was my husband to hold me close when my tears were plenty. But God’s Word was nearby, too and the remembrance of the Cross would lift me out of my pain and grief.
2. Are you familiar with the Jewish tradition of “sitting shiva?” They were to go to a person who had a catastrophic loss and sit with them for seven (shiva) days and just listen. Because 7 is the number of completion, it meant “as long as it takes.” What is the value of this approach to one who is suffering in contrast to giving them little sermons?
I learned of this tradition through this blog. To listen as long as it takes. That is a hard thing to do! Especially these days when everyone is so busy. What a beautiful way to bring God’s comfort to a friend. And words will not be necessary. Just be present. Groan with them. Feel their pain.
When our church secretary’s mom passed away, she reached out to my husband who is her/our pastor and we were able to be there for her within the hour. We sat with her and listened to her jumbled words amid her pain. We cried and prayed with her and asked for specific ideas to help her navigate the next few days. We mobilized our church by texting for practical things like food, etc. My husband and I were blessed with the outpouring of love from our church to this grieving sister in Christ. I don’t think she needed little sermons. She needed love and our church gave it to her.
3. How I remember friends who comforted me by simply weeping. Share a time a friend comforted you and why it did.
A long time ago, my husband went through a period of depression. We were back in the U.S. after a 2-year stint in the Philippines with the Navigators. I felt so alone not knowing anybody other than my in-laws. What now, lord? I felt the waves of fear engulf me as I thought of our future.
A Filipino friend of mine who was with the Navigators also, along with her American husband in WI, drove all the way to our town in MO to be with me. Granted that her husband was on a trip close to our town, the thought that she came with him so she can be with me was a Godsend. She and I went out into the garden and took walks and she listened to me and prayed for me. Not many words were spoken between us but her supportive presence and prayers buoyed my spirit as she continually pointed me to Jesus and His love for me.
Love your closing story, Bing.
5. Read Proverbs 25:20
A. What does it mean to sing songs to a heavy heart? Give an example.
Trying to to boost one’s morale when they are down.
When someone passes, saying “at least their pain is gone.”
B. Many of the things we want to say to a heavy heart may be true, such as your child is in heaven now, and when that person reads it herself, it brings comfort, but if you go to her at the news of the child’s death and say it may feel like vinegar poured on a wound. Why?
People need to go through the grief; it is part of the grieving process. Their feelings shouldn’t be dismissed. It doesn’t make them feel better. It minimizes the situation.
Their feelings shouldn’t be dismissed. So true, Laura.
1. How have you experienced the presence of God in the last week?
God gave me the opportunity to speak last Saturday morning. I’m not gifted at it, that’s for sure, but before I spoke, I went to a quiet place and asked God to help me. He reminded me why He wants me to do this and that He’s with me, He’ll help me. I said, BUT, I talk too fast, God! He reminded me to trust Him and He delights in this, and to slow down. God moved in hearts!
This sounds really weird but the scene from The Chosen came to mind when Jesus was encouraging little James who feared going out and healing because of his physical infirmities and that he wasn’t good at it. That is so me! Jesus encouraged him but as he repeated it over and kind of beat himself up. Jesus got a little firmer and told him he didn’t want to hear him say that again. 🙂 So the minute fear came to mind, God helped remind me this was His appointment, not mine and helped me to not give it room.
I love this, Rebecca. God helped remind me this was His appointment, not mine and helped me to not give it room.
Ditto, Rebecca, on what Patti said. God helped remind me this was His appointment, not mine, and helped me to not give it room. Do not give room to fear.
♥️
Rebecca — your sharing on the video in Idol Lies showed me you do have a gift. I’m so glad you had an opportunity to use it!
Read 1 first half of page 1 of Reeve’s sermon (or listen) up to when he asks us to come to 1 Peter 4.
2. What was Reeve’s experience? Thoughts?
That before he was to speak, he found out his father was in the hospital, and his heart stopped. I remember Dee telling about her experience, and oh. He had to focus but I’m sure it was like his whole body inside and out instantly became weak and I’m sure he wanted to cancel and fly out to be with his dad even though he couldn’t get there in time. In an instant, his world, like Dee’s shook to the core.
3. Are you familiar with the Jewish tradition of “sitting shiva?” They were to go to a person who had a catastrophic loss and sit with them for seven (shiva) days and just listen. Because 7 is the number of completion, it meant “as long as it takes.” What is the value of this approach to one who is suffering in contrast to giving them little sermons? The value is that this is going to help them go through the grieving process, which lasts a lifetime, but in the midst, it’s beautiful when you are suffering just to be held and listened to.
4. How I remember friends who comforted me by simply weeping. Share a time a friend comforted you and why it did. When my mom passed away it was like the floor underneath me had been removed and the rich land of encouragement with my mom turned into a desert and I was wandering with no one who loved and accepted me warts and all, with no one who was as honest and humble. My mom and I were very close. I was inconsolable at first and it was like a knife poking into the pain, when I received a text saying, “Rebecca, I’m so happy for your mom. Glad you had a close relationship. Second paragraph, “The Chosen live stream in 5 minutes.” She passed on Aug 22nd, this text was Aug 23rd. The ones I cherish, are those who hugged me and said, I love you! At her funeral the line of people coming up to hug me and not saying anything was so wonderful!! It was like they were with me in my pain and that is what I needed.
5. Read Proverbs 25:20
A. What does it mean to sing songs to a heavy heart? Give an example. I guess my example above is perfect for it felt like pouring alcohol on a wound! Grieving can last a lifetime. Yes it gets better, but never goes away. My aunt Anne (mom’s sister), who may or may not be a believer is the one I called most. She never sang songs but she lost her husband to cancer, and she helped me walk through my grief and helped me to know it was okay. I remember a few days after mom passed, I went to her house every day after work, to cry until her house sold. I wanted to sense her presence and that was the only way i could.
B. Many of the things we want to say to a heavy heart may be true, such as your child is in heaven now, and when that person reads it herself, it brings comfort, but if you go to her at the news of the child’s death and say it may feel like vinegar poured on a wound. Why? Because it’s fresh and she has just had a huge loss! Every parent’s nightmare has come true. It is cruel to pour vinegar on her wound, even though intentions might be good.
Rebecca, I agree with you that hugs without words convey more than any words by themselves could when we are grieving.
Amen to Bing! Hugs are so good!
Love this from Rebecca: At her funeral the line of people coming up to hug me and not saying anything was so wonderful!! It was like they were with me in my pain and that is what I needed.
Tuesday: “In Babylon”
Read the next two paragraphs from Reeves on page 1, beginning with “Would you come with me…”
5. What does 1 Peter 4:12 say?
—“Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.”
6. Do a google search and find out what the recipients of Peter’s letter were about to face from Nero in Rome.
—Nero practiced extreme brutality toward Christians. He blamed them for the great fire in Rome which burned for 6 days in 64 AD.
The historian Tacitus describes these atrocities: “Covered with the skins of beasts, [Christians] were torn by dogs and perished, or were nailed to crosses, or were doomed to the flames and burnt, to serve as nightly illumination when daylight had expired.” Nero’s use of Christians as human torches to light his evening garden parties is well documented. Ultimately, it is the brutality inflicted on the early Christians for which Nero is best remembered.
8. According to 1 Peter 5:13 say?
How does Mike Reeves explain this strange closing to the letter?
—He says Peter was not in literal Babylon but was saying the church was in exile, in a hostile world. Many scholars believe it was referring to Rome which the early church used Babylon as a code word for Rome. It had become a place of suffering for Christian’s just like Babylon in ancient times written about in Daniel was a place of exile and suffering. Where Shadrach, Meshack and Abednego went through the fiery furnace.
9. What happened to Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in Babylon? Reeves refers in particular to one thing. (Daniel 3:25)
—They we’re thrown into a fiery furnace for their confirmed faith and commitment to worship the one and only true God. But in the midst of the fire a fourth man was observed to be in the fire with them.
I know nearly all of my active participants have been through terrible suffering. Please share here how you experienced this fourth man in your fire.
—I don’t think I can say I have been through terrible suffering but in some of my trials and the pain of living through some hard situations I look back and can say Jesus was the fourth man who came along side me. He did that through the Bible and the incredible encouragement his Word brought to my heart and mind. He also did it through Godly people who were caring and understanding individuals and at times voices of reason for me. People who pointed me back to Jesus.
Great post, Bev.
Tuesday: “In Babylon”
5. What does 1 Peter 4:12 say?
“Dear friends, don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you.”
6. Do a google search and find out what the recipients of Peter’s letter were about to face from Nero in Rome.
In 64 Rome had a great fire that burned for 6 days consuming three-quarters of the city. People accused Nero of the act and he in turned blamed the Christian’s and ordered their arrests, had them tortured and put to death in horrific ways. They were made the subjects of sport: covered in wild animal hides and mauled to death by dogs, nailed to crosses and burned to serve as evening light in the city.
8. According to 1 Peter 5:13 say? How does Mike Reeves explain this strange closing to the letter?
”Your sister church here in Babylon sends greetings, and so does my son Mark.”
Peter isn’t actually in Babylon but it’s his way of saying the church is in exile just like Israel was when it was in Babylon and the persecution Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego experienced while there.
9. What happened to Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in Babylon? Reeves refers in particular to one thing. (Daniel 3:25) I know nearly all of my active participants have been through terrible suffering. Please share here how you experienced this fourth man in your fire.
They were thrown into a firey furnace for not bowing down to the statue Nebuchadnezzar had made. While in the furnace a 4th figured appeared and walked among them and when they were brought out “not a hair on their heads was singed, their clothing was not scorched. They didn’t even smell like smoke!”
This fourth Man remained faithful, never leaving or forsaking me during my suffering.
Love this: Fourth man doesn’t leave me in my suffering.
Read the next two paragraphs from Reeves on page 1, beginning with “Would you come with me…”
5. What does 1 Peter 4:12 say?
“Do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you as though something strange were happening to you.
6. Do a google search and find out what the recipients of Peter’s letter were about to face from Nero in Rome.
The Christians in Rome were facing great persecution and possible death. The church is in a hostile world, then as now. Thank you, Bev for such a great paragraph of the details.
8. According to 1 Peter 5:13 say? How does Mike Reeves explain this strange closing to the letter?
It may sound odd to rejoice in trials, but the body must follow where the head goes, through suffering to Glory.
9. What happened to Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in Babylon? Reeves refers in particular to one thing. (Daniel 3:25) I know nearly all of my active participants have been through terrible suffering. Please share here how you experienced this fourth man in your fire.
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were placed in the fiery furnace, but a fourth man appeared in the the fiery furnace and all of them were untouched by the fire.
I was going through a very difficult trial, many years ago, when my children were school age. I felt total devastation over something that was totally out of my control. I was taking care of my elderly neighbor’s garden, while she was on a trip. I was in her lovely yard, doing some weeding and I prayed as I worked. I suddenly felt this large and gentle hand on my shoulder, (I was high on a bank in her yard and I saw no one come up the steps) I felt this warm sense of comfort through my whole body~ I turned and there was no one there, but I smelled a beautiful light floral fragrance that I could not identify. It was such a powerful moment and I knew everything was going to be okay. I started to cry and cry, because I knew that is was the presence of the Holy Spirit. It was a life changing moment for me. ( I may have told this story before.) 🙂
If you have told that closing story I haven’t heard it. May He make His presence to you known like that again now, when it seems so likely your husband may be leaving this earth.
Patti, I love your closing story, how in an instant He changed your posture with His presence from devastation to complete comfort knowing everything will be okay. He is so kind, so good.
Thank you, Dee. It was so life changing it is hard to forget. A dear friend of ours experienced something similar when he lost his baby daughter. God comes unexpectedly and in such sweet ways. Yes, Dee, as you know, my husband has had fragile health for many years and it is truly a miracle that I have had him this long.
A light floral fragrance I couldn’t identify-goosebumps, Patti! Without a doubt you had a visitation from God. He is always in the fire with us!
Yes Patti, Thank you for telling that beautiful story of God’s hand on your shoulder. Often I try to remind myself that He is near, very near all the time. It helps me to just know that fact but sweet to hear how He blessed you in your time of special need.
5. What does 1 Peter 4:12 say? Don’t be surprised by fiery trials
6. Do a google search and find out what the recipients of Peter’s letter were about to face from Nero in Rome. Covered with the skins of beasts they were torn by dogs and perished, or were nailed to crosses, or were doomed to the flames and burnt as a nightly illumination when daylight expired. (From early church history.org)
8. According to 1 Peter 5:13 say? How does Mike Reeves explain this strange closing to the letter? The church was in a hostile world, just as Judah had been in exile in Babylon. So the church was in a fiery trial.
9. What happened to Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in Babylon? Reeves refers in particular to one thing. (Daniel 3:25) I know nearly all of my active participants have been through terrible suffering. Please share here how you experienced this fourth man in your fire. They refused to worship King Nebuchadnezzar’s Golden image and in a rage he threw them into a fiery furnace. When the king looked into the furnace fire he saw 4 not 3 images, S, M, &A came out of the furnace not even smelling like smoke.
“not even smelling like smoke” I’d forgotten that!
5. Read Proverbs 25:20
A. What does it mean to sing songs to a heavy heart? Give an example.
When I went to the Philippines to visit my dying sister, I was thousands of miles away from my family. I was staying at a hotel to give space to people coming and going to my mother’s house where my sister was staying during her last days. It was so painful to see my sister waste away before my very eyes. During one of the days I was with my sister, several cousins came and prayed and sang her favorite songs to my sister. I was in another room and just bawled my eyes out. I did not want to hear those songs. I wanted my sister well!
B. Many of the things we want to say to a heavy heart may be true, such as your child is in heaven now, and when that person reads it herself, it brings comfort, but if you go to her at the news of the child’s death and say it may feel like vinegar poured on a wound. Why?
I have not used vinegar on a wound before so I was curious how it would feel like and searched the internet. One website I found supports using it to clean wounds but for the most part, it is not recommended because of its caustic effect on the skin. So, this metaphor took on a deeper meaning for me. What we might say to one with a heavy heart can prove caustic; it is not just a quick sting but biting, mordant, sarcastic, cutting, and corrosive. I need to be prayerful in my approach and my choice of words ( if needed) for one who has a heavy heart. Lord, help me.
caustic and biting — good to remember
Another translation says vinegar on soda — good experiment to do with kids — the soda bubbles up like it is angry
Such a poignant illustration of the actual effects.
Tuesday: “In Babylon”
Read the next two paragraphs from Reeves on page 1, beginning with “Would you come with me…”
1. What does 1 Peter 4:12 say?
To not be surprised at the fiery trial we will be facing as though something strange is happening to us.
2. Do a google search and find out what the recipients of Peter’s letter were about to face from Nero in Rome.
Nero set Rome on fire which killed thousands and committed atrocities including setting people on fire. The word “fiery” was literal. “In particular, he had some sewed up in skins of wild beasts, and then worried by dogs until they expired; and others dressed in shirts made stiff with wax, fixed to axletrees, and set on fire in his gardens, in order to illuminate them. This persecution was general throughout the whole Roman Empire, but it rather increased than diminished the spirit of Christianity. In the course of it, St. Paul and St. Peter were martyred.
3. According to 1 Peter 5:13 say? How does Mike Reeves explain this strange closing to the letter?
“…But rejoice in so far as you share in Christ’s sufferings.” Christ has already gone before us in the place of suffering and He invites us to join him in the fire. To have fellowship with him there in the place of trial. and perhaps, because He is there, the suffering will be “bearable” because we are with Him. He will sustain us through the fire. I thought of the time when my husband had a bleed and he was vomiting blood. As he reached for the basin to throw up in the emergency room, I could just see the fear and pain in his eyes. Sitting there with him, feeling as helpless, as I can say, I joined him in his suffering. We’ve been through some hard knocks but they only have strengthened us as individuals and as a married couple. Wouldn’t our intimacy be so much more with Christ when we join Him in his suffering? Thus, we can rejoice.
4. What happened to Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in Babylon? Reeves refers in particular to one thing. (Daniel 3:25) I know nearly all of my active participants have been through terrible suffering. Please share here how you experienced this fourth man in your fire.
These three were thrown into a blazing furnace but when the king looked at the furnace, he saw a fourth person who “looked like the son of the gods”.
I don’t think I have gone through terrible suffering as much as some have. And perhaps, I did, but just couldn’t remember because God has surely rescued me from them so they have started feeling like momentary afflictions now in light of eternity. not sure if I am just unrealistic or in denial here.
Read the next two paragraphs from Reeves on page 1, beginning with “Would you come with me…”
5. What does 1 Peter 4:12 say? Not to be surprised when fiery trials come upon us.
6. Do a google search and find out what the recipients of Peter’s letter were about to face from Nero in Rome. Beheading, crucifixion, being the game in a coliseum full of lions.
8. According to 1 Peter 5:13 say? How does Mike Reeves explain this strange closing to the letter? That Peter is figuratively in Babylon . He refers to a fiery trial, which is a reminder of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego.
9. What happened to Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in Babylon? Reeves refers in particular to one thing. (Daniel 3:25) That Christ goes before his beloved and is there in the fire when they get there.
I know nearly all of my active participants have been through terrible suffering. Please share here how you experienced this fourth man in your fire. No matter how deep in despair I was, I always felt Christ’s presence and knew that eventually He would rescue me and pull me out of this pit.
Where’s question #7?
I guess question 7 got lost because you have a very right brained leader.
Lol! I didn’t even notice question 7 wasn’t there. 🙂 and I’m supposed to be detail oriented.
🙂 I did not notice, either!
Dawn, I love it that you have such good powers of observation. I didn’t even notice there was no #7 either. 🥴I’m definitely more right brained like Dee. But I realize how much we need people like you in our lives.
Amen, Bev!
Read the next two paragraphs from Reeves on page 1, beginning with “Would you come with me…”
5. What does 1 Peter 4:12 say? Don’t be surprised at the fiery trials that come among you.
6. Do a google search and find out what the recipients of Peter’s letter were about to face from Nero in Rome. Nero set fire to Rome and blamed the Christians. They were about to be arrested and put to death via being set on fire, crucified, etc.
8. According to 1 Peter 5:13 say? How does Mike Reeves explain this strange closing to the letter? It’s Peter’s way of saying like Israel was in exile in Babylon so is the church he’s writing to Rome.
10. Comments on the above? This is fascinating! How God drew her while surrounded by those who don’t believe and while she was having a dark night of the soul. All sides pressing into her but against her, and yet God rescued her causing her to press into Him and back away from them.
11. The verse that penetrated Andrea was Psalm 137:4. Read it.
A. What does it say? How shall we sing the Lord’s song in a foreign land?
B. Andrea’s foreign land was England and the skeptical sophisticates of Oxford. The Israelites’ foreign land was Babylon and the wealthy pagans. Where is your foreign land? How might the inhabitants taunt you, particularly when you suffer? My foreign land is America and they have brainwashed my oldest two sons on the autism spectrum to believe lies rather than the truth. The heartbreaking moment I’ll never forget was when my oldest turned away from God and after days and hours of trying to bring him to his senses, I told him, one day i was one way, and the next day I was changed. (like The Chosen’s Mary Magdalene who said “I was one way and now I’m completely different, and the thing that happened in-between was Him.” He responded telling me my 180 degree turn from one day to the next day after I came to know Jesus wasn’t His Holy spirit inside, it was all in my head. That my experience wasn’t true. (if it was in my head, and if it was all my doing, my steam would’ve run out years and years ago since that was my pattern before He rescued me for I ran to psychics, and other things that lasted about a month. So it’s not me, it’s all Him living inside me. There’s no other explanation. ) have any passion for Jesus, and certainly He has aspergers and comes out and says things. I was already suffering regarding his turn and this twisted the knife further. I didn’t’ handle it well at all, for I was frustrated stating, how can you say that? You aren’t me! Oh how I need Him! God is sooo patient with me!!!
12. Why should we not be surprised by fiery trials according to 1 Peter 4:12-13? Because Christ suffered persecution and we are like Him. We are His and Jesus tells us we will, so it’s a guarantee we will. There are so many martyrs of the faith.
How is our suffering not wasted in contrast to those of unbelievers? Because we get to go through suffering WITH Christ! 🙂 🙂 and none of it goes to waste, but for the unbeliever this world is it, what they can enjoy in this world is it. They are going to die and then it’s all over. With us, our suffering makes us more into the image of Christ and we will be glorified in Him in the future. So we are the opposite. This world is God’s tool to shape us into the image of Christ, so suffering is never wasted.
This is so true, Rebecca!!
Because we get to go through suffering WITH Christ! 🙂and none of it goes to waste, but for the unbeliever this world is it, what they can enjoy in this world is it. They are going to die and then it’s all over. With us, our suffering makes us more into the image of Christ and we will be glorified in Him in the future. So we are the opposite. This world is God’s tool to shape us into the image of Christ, so suffering is never wasted.
It is heartbreaking, when our children (young or grown) distort the truth and the Faith. I pray that your boys will all come to know Jesus. It would be very hard to handle that well, Rebecca. I am crushed when my children lash out. So thankful for our Father, who continues to refine us daily.
Such a challenge with asperger’s! But you are right — he cannot know. Lord, how we pray for Rebecca’s sons — for nothing is too hard for You.
I agree in prayer with Dee, for your sons, Rebecca. Lord, hear our prayer. I pray for you too, Rebecca. You are a godly and patient mother to your boys, and you love them so well.
Rebecca, I totally agree that our country/colleges have/are brainwashing our kids. It is unfortunate. Cooper and Grace will never go to any college here unless it’s a biblical one that has upstanding values. I actually am very impressed with “Hardwork U” in Missouri (I think?)…College of the Ozarks. The students work and earn their tuition! Love it. Our kids are all “woke.” It’s sad. The exception is Sarah! Hahahaha….the one who has been blessed intelligence troubles. Love it. I will pray for young adults. 🙏🙏🙏
So I do have to add that as an unbeliever I had no joy in suffering-just spinned my wheels escaping the best I could but OH has that changed!! It’s HIM. It can’t be me.
I’ve been listening to Reeve’s sermon and loved it when he said, “For Christ and his people joy precedes and follows and undermines, and encases all suffering. Suffering for Christians is set about on all sides by joy. And that’s how we deal with it. See, Christ had joy before he had all pain. Before the world existed, it was joy that strengthened his resolve to suffer. Hebrews 12, “For the joy set before him he endured the cross.” And that is what Christ shares with us, a preceding joy that enables us to endure suffering. It is the happy secret of the saints who have borne most cheerfully and bravely for Christ. The more we find our pleasure in him, the more willing we’ll be to suffer for him.”
I stand corrected in my thinking about in James where it says consider it all joy brethren when encountering trials for the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. I think the joy in trials is knowing He is producing in us a more steadfast faith, which is true.. but it is SO much more than that! It is joy preceding, following, and undermining and encasing all of our suffering. If we have Joy in Christ prior to suffering, we will have joy in Him during suffering.
“ If we have Joy in Christ prior to suffering, we will have joy in Him during suffering.”
Such a good comment. I think that is true. If we are settled in our relationship to Jesus and have experienced His joy in our lives it naturally follows us into suffering and trials because He is with us in them as was said earlier and Joy will be magnified and perfected in Eternity. Oh what hope we have!!
Yes, Bev!
Amen Rebecca and Bev!
5. What does 1 Peter 4:12 say?
There will be suffering as a Christian. We will go through “fiery” trials.
6. Do a google search and find out what the recipients of Peter’s letter were about to face from Nero in Rome.
They were blamed for the terrible fire that burned Rome; partly because they were joyous about the fire (believing Christ was returning – “Babylon” was to be destroyed, and that their part of the city was not burned).
8. According to 1 Peter 5:13 say? How does Mike Reeves explain this strange closing to the letter?
The “sister” church sends greetings from Babylon (Rome).
Peter is in “Babylon,” the church is in exile.
9. What happened to Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in Babylon? Reeves refers in particular to one thing. (Daniel 3:25) I know nearly all of my active participants have been through terrible suffering. Please share here how you experienced this fourth man in your fire.
They were literally put into a fire. A fourth “person” showed up. It was Jesus.
I would have to say that 2 times stand out in my mind. I have mentioned both before. On both occasions it had to do with locating our teenage son. One time I prayed that God would lead me to him, and the phone rang. A stranger told me where he was (!). The second time, I had absolutely no idea where he was but got in my car and started driving. I drive to a town 15 miles north of our house (had NO idea where I was going) and found him. I know the Holy Spirit led me there.
Oh, dear Laura! I love the story about how the God led you to your son, TWICE! chills!
https://spotify.link/kPbF8fpwnyb
Wednesday: If I Forget You, O Jerusalem
10. Comments on the above?
—It is a mournful song of loss and feeling totally displaced. Longing for justice to be served on the destroyers of their city and home. And the captors pour salt in their emotional wounds by taunting them to sing songs of joy from that place of their terrific loss. The place where God dwelt with them and where they had great joy in the Lord. The enemy is cruel in his ways toward God’s people.
11. The verse that penetrated Andrea was Psalm 137:4. Read it.
A. What does it say?
—“How shall we sing the Lord’s song in a foreign land?”
B. Andrea’s foreign land was England and the skeptical sophisticates of Oxford. The Israelites’ foreign land was Babylon and the wealthy pagans. Where is your foreign land?
—It is the current world system we live in. I mean spiritually. We live in a mocking cruel society now against Christians specifically that is demanding of us what we cannot do or say in good conscience.
How might the inhabitants taunt you, particularly when you suffer?
—The enemy squeezes us to forsake the God we know and love for the ways of compromise and of sin. When trouble comes he seeks to cause us to question God’s goodness and mercy. Taunting us to think God is not who we think he is and to forget Him.
12. Why should we not be surprised by fiery trials according to 1 Peter 4:12-13?
—we should not be surprised by it because it is what Jesus
experienced and suffered and since we are his we will follow Him in the same way. Experiencing suffering and trials but knowing there is joy and glory ahead.
How is our suffering not wasted in contrast to those of unbelievers?
—Suffering serves to refine our hearts and lives to be more like Jesus if we let it because we do have the promise of a glorious future with him. Redemption and renewal will be ours in eternity.
Unbelievers face condemnation and great loss. They are without hope.
On the transcript from Mike Reeves, read from the closing paragraph on page 1 to the middle of page 2 when he says “And Peter is no hypocrite…”
13. How does Reeves use the metaphor of birth to help us understand why we must follow Christ in His sufferings? Christ is the firstborn and He is our head, so like when a baby is born the body has to follow where the head is going, from suffering to glory.
14. According to 1 Peter 4:13, where will we who follow Him in His sufferings, also go? Into His Glory
15. In a recent sermon on 1 Peter from Tim Keller, he referred to 1 Peter 3:1 which has always dumbfounded me, but now I understand.
A. Read 1 Peter 4:1. What does it say? What do you think it means? Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin,.. I think it means that as we suffer in the flesh it squeezes out sin inside and we die more to ourselves and our sin, and as we die more to our sin, the more we hate our sin and the more we overcome sin, though we are not finished until we are face to face.
It frustrates me that it’s so easy in my sin nature to use “we aren’t finished yet” as an excuse to not yield to dying to a sin that suffering squeezes out. UGH. That is my sin nature! It’s like even my will is laden with sin so it’s hard to turn in regard to the deceptive sins which are the nasty ones where I feel justified in my disposition or attitude or lack of trust in Christ. While He convicts me of it I push back and yet I’m so thankful that I can even be convicted!!! That’s Him in me in the beginning process of yielding to Him and praise God that He strengthens me to do that.
B. Keller explained that as Christ died and was done with sin, so it is when we die to ourselves, truly, we overcome sin. We will not be permanently done with sin until glory, yet with every death, we kill sin more. One friend used to say “With every death there is a resurrection.” How have you experienced that? I used to struggle with generosity of time and finances because I didn’t want to give up my idol of comfort. (oh my idol of comfort rears up in so many ways!!). Since we did Idol Lies here on the blog and I let go of my comfort idol, it’s like there are many “deaths” that need to happen to root it out. It affects every area of my life where my bend is not to sacrifice my comfort, but I’m overcoming more and more. Since God revealed it a year ago, over time, more and more the hesitation is less and less when giving of my time or finances to others. God helped me to change when He laid heavy on my heart that everything I am and everything I have is His, and I don’t have much time on earth to delay yielding, holding onto my idol before I’m face to face. I don’t have much time so make it count for eternity. SO SO easy to say. Almost rote in our vocabulary, but what does it truly mean, or cost? How can I, after what it cost Christ to redeem me, turn my face away from loving Him so much that I’m willing to take up my cross.
I heard this over and over since 1988 as a new Christian, but it didn’t drop from my head to my heart until a year ago! Wow, is that slow!
C. Keller also said that when we try to overcome sin by telling ourselves just to stop it, the temptation becomes stronger. But if we overcome it by remembering how much love it took Christ to die, and if we do not want to take that lightly, we become stronger. Have you experienced this? Oh yes, read above. 🙂 I’ve learned to lay down and let Him peel the scales off. He won’t let me sit in my pain alone.
Rebecca, All of your posts on this lesson have so spoken to my heart. Thank you so much! You have the sweetest heart for Jesus. I really love this! it is something that has been so on my heart this year:
Since God revealed it a year ago, over time, more and more the hesitation is less and less when giving of my time or finances to others. God helped me to change when He laid heavy on my heart that everything I am and everything I have is His, and I don’t have much time on earth to delay yielding, holding onto my idol before I’m face to face. I don’t have much time so make it count for eternity.
Patti — Rebecca works for a ministry that helps people give more wisely and generously!
That sounds like a beautiful ministry!! 🙂
Thursday: Christ is the Head
A baby suffers even as he is being born. Head first, but the body must follow.
13. How does Reeves use the metaphor of birth to help us understand why we must follow Christ in His sufferings?
—Reeves says Christ is the firstborn, he is our forerunner and where he goes, we go. If we do not go through suffering we cannot be like him.
14. According to 1 Peter 4:14, where will we who follow Him in His sufferings, also go?
—we will be insulted for the name of Christ.
15. In a recent sermon on 1 Peter from Tim Keller, he referred to 1 Peter 3:1 which has always dumbfounded me, but now I understand.
A. Read 1 Peter 4:1.
What does it say?
—It says “Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin,”
What do you think it means?
—it would seem 1 Peter 4:6 helps explain it.
“For this is why the gospel was preached even to those who are dead, that though judged in the flesh the way people are, they might live in the spirit the way God does.”
—The Gospel (good news) comes back to the fact that Jesus made a way out of sin by suffering and dying for sin. He judged sin and that made it possible for us to live and find freedom from sin through the power of the Holy Spirit.
B. Keller explained that as Christ died and was done with sin, so it is when we die to ourselves, truly, we overcome sin. We will not be permanently done with sin until glory, yet with every death, we kill sin more. One friend used to say “With every death there is a resurrection.” How have you experienced that?
—By growing in my knowledge of God and Jesus my Lord. It has been a slow but progressive process.
C. Keller also said that when we try to overcome sin by telling ourselves just to stop it, the temptation becomes stronger. But if we overcome it by remembering how much love it took Christ to die, and if we do not want to take that lightly, we become stronger. Have you experienced this?
—I have found in my life that as I follow Christ more closely and come to know him better I cannot take what he says and has done lightly. And to become more Christlike is to become more selfless and to be more filled with his love and presence by the power of the Holy Spirit.
As Paige often says “to see Him more clearly, love Him more dearly, and follow Him more nearly”.
such a great lyric from godspell — crazy musical, but great song.
Interesting. I’ve never seen the musical Godspell.
I remember that song, Dee! Yes! I pray this so often. “to see Him more clearly, love Him more dearly, and follow Him more nearly”.
Wednesday: If I Forget You, O Jerusalem
10. Comments on the above?
Andrea’s suffering brought her into the light, a light that she had to come to on her own through the goodness and truth of God.
11. The verse that penetrated Andrea was Psalm 137:4. Read it.
A. What does it say?
”How shall we sing the LORD’S song in a strange land?”
B. Andrea’s foreign land was England and the skeptical sophisticates of Oxford. The Israelites’ foreign land was Babylon and the wealthy pagans. Where is your foreign land? How might the inhabitants taunt you, particularly when you suffer?
I look at this differently as my foreign land can be my own sinfulness which separates me from God and therefore I have no song. This is the worst kind of suffering to me because the taunting comes from the misery I feel from not being right with the Lord. It is a foreign place that I don’t want to be at for long. The Israelites sang songs that came out of their relationship with the Lord not just as a performance.
12. Why should we not be surprised by fiery trials according to 1 Peter 4:12-13? How is our suffering not wasted in contrast to those of unbelievers?
We shouldn’t be surprised because these trials make us partners with Christ in His suffering.
In our suffering we will have the wonderful joy of seeing His glory…unbeliever’s don’t have that.
Good to think of foreign land as our own sinfulness — keeping us in exile! Thanks, Sharon.
Sharon, I too really appreciate you thoughts on your foreign land as your own sinfulness. Boy can I identify with that. I am in the process of writing my answer to the second question from today (Friday’s lesson) What you had to say really resonates.
I love this too, Sharon. We truly are in a foreign land when we are separated from God by our own sinfulness.
10. Comments on the above?
During the dark night of her soul, in a foreign land, the Lord made a way for Andrea. At the lecture on Psalm 137, Andrea heard the Lord and returned to Him.
11. The verse that penetrated Andrea was Psalm 137:4. Read it.
A. What does it say?
“How can we sing the Lord’s song in a foreign land?”
B. Andrea’s foreign land was England and the skeptical sophisticates of Oxford. The Israelites’ foreign land was Babylon and the wealthy pagans. Where is your foreign land? How might the inhabitants taunt you, particularly when you suffer?10. Comments on the above?
I see this parallel in how the darkness in our country right now, has influenced our Rebecca’s two sons. I see it in parts of my own life~ not knowing the future. Yet, God reveals Himself to us, in ways we cannot imagine, even in the times of darkness. Sometimes, practical advice is almost like taunting, yet people mean well. Thankfully, my close friends and family are all strong believers and so supportive with love and prayers, not advice.
12. Why should we not be surprised by fiery trials according to 1 Peter 4:12-13? How is our suffering not wasted in contrast to those of unbelievers?
This is a quote from Tim Keller: “There is no way to know who you really are until you’ve been tested.” Through fiery trials, Christ is always conforming us to His likeness. Those who don’t know Him, have no hope or direction.
10. Comments on the above?
Somber, solemn, melancholy, sad. I have felt this way this week for some reason. This is about the 4th time I’ve tried to post this and have lost it. Ugh! The devil is trying to sabotage my study! Back off!
11. The verse that penetrated Andrea was Psalm 137:4. Read it.
A. What does it say?
How can we possibly sing when we are persecuted?
B. Andrea’s foreign land was England and the skeptical sophisticates of Oxford. The Israelites’ foreign land was Babylon and the wealthy pagans. Where is your foreign land? How might the inhabitants taunt you, particularly when you suffer?
I happen to be my own worst enemy. The negative self-talk is at an all high this week. I drive myself crazy! Ugh! I have felt lonely and upon reflection have realized that my entire life has been one that is alone. Elementary school, middle school, high school, and college…a “friend” every so often but not really. It’s kind of sad to me. When you asked if we ever had a friend who came along side of us when we had misfortune; I couldn’t think of anyone.
Fortunately, I absolutely know that God is near. Yesterday an acquaintance messaged me wondering where I was (I couldn’t make a meeting with my SO hectic schedule) and to let me know that, “…you are loved.” I also got a text from a long ago friend who told me she was praying for me. So kind. Another text was a church member who was concerned and said she was praying for me. Wow. Thank You God. You are good.
12. Why should we not be surprised by fiery trials according to 1 Peter 4:12-13? How is our suffering not wasted in contrast to those of unbelievers?
If we are Christians then we must experience suffering as Christ did. It is so we understand Him. It isn’t wasted because it is for a purpose. Unbelievers only have the world. The world didn’t/doesn’t do anything for them. There is no connection to the world like there is to Christ. Thank You Lord Jesus.
Laura — what what your earthly father like? Wondering as I’m reading the book Paige recommended on The Fatherhood of God
I was my “daddy’s” girl. He loved me a lot. He was a musician, mostly a pianist, but he could play anything (except violin!). Since he died when I was 12, I didn’t get to really know him well. He was a petite man, Air Force, and had a masters degree in music. Before he died he had opened a music store in town called “The Sound of Music.” We had a family dinner conversation about the naming of the store and decided it should be that 😉. His dad was a Methodist minister, whom I never met. He died before I was born. Dad’s family is from the Midwest. He was born in Peoria, Illinois. His gma was a Cherokee Indian. Dad was pretty strict as a father. He liked his girls to wear dresses, no long haired boyfriends, and such. It was the 60’s and 70’s. The best memory was coming in the house as an elementary student, after school, and hearing him playing the baby grand piano. Mozart, Schubert, Beethoven…all beautiful music.
Laura, I’m sorry you lost your dad at such a young age, but I love your memories of him. You describe a man I wish I’d known.
Oh Laura, Thank you for your honest sharing of your struggles but good to hear how God sent some to encourage you. You certainly have friends on this blog who have grown to love and appreciate you but I pray God will continue to pour out his love on you and send tangible friendship your way.
I love this blog Bev. So many times I have been blessed by the comments, even when they haven’t been directed at me. The women here are amazing. Thank you for your kind words!
Oh, dear Laura. You have such a dear and open heart. I am so thankful that you received these sweet messages from a friend and from an acquaintance. You are loved! You truly have friends here, who love you dearly! I am so thankful to know you and I so love and appreciate you. I pray that the Lord will help you to know how much you are loved!
Awwww, thank you Patti! I love your guys just like sisters too! This blog has saved me many a time in the past 15 years. One day we will be together 😉.
I have so very much missed being here with my beautiful friends. I’ve had to work extra long hours for the past 6 months in addition to the daily cares as a single mom to troubled children. My heart has been so heavy. God intervened and gave me the blessing of an unexpected urgent hysterectomy. I thank Him that sometimes He has to MAKE us to lie down in green pastures and lead us beside still waters to restore our souls. And tonight I craved to be a part of my beloved blog. The subject matter is perfect and I’ve been reveling in all of your posts and taking notes from you in my journal. My heart aches for Sharon in the loss of her dear friend and wish I could be closer to sit Shiva with her. I feel Rebecca’s deep pain in the turning of her sons from the true and living God and pray for their return. I so much appreciate Bev’s deep and practical insights, and Dawn’s simple honesty which makes me think. And dear Patti is on my heart with the daily ache of watching her husband slowly fade away before her eyes. Her garden story also gave me goosebumps. It’s always a delight to hear more of Bing’s rich life stories which teach such spiritual truths. Judy is a new friend I would like to know more, and Laura is a friend whose testimony I have always appreciated and whom I wish lived closer. And, of course, I’m so thankful for Dee who has used her deep suffering to help us all on this journey of walking with Christ with joy and has united us all here. Just wanted you all (and many others who usually contribute) that I have missed you and hope to join more often as able. Thank you, dear Lord, for these wonderful godly friends.
Awwww, Miriam. Such a positive way to look at an emergency hysterectomy and then coming here to bless.
Miriam, Your post was such a welcome thing to see here. It made me cry. You have been missed as well. And how we pray God will continue to heal and strengthen you. You are much loved. 💕
Oh Miriam…it’s so good to hear from you and in all your struggles you minister to me. So you! Thank you for your encouragement and I hope your recovery is going well. It’s so awesome how God works in our lives, making sure we get the rest we need😊
Oh, Missy. So good to see you back and I pray that you are recovering well from your surgery. You have such a beautiful heart for others. I see the Lord at work in your life and in all the dear friends here in this place. As I am reading all of the posts, I see the Lord so very present in this place. How I thank God for each of the dear friends on this Blog. Thank you, Dee, for bringing us all together. Thank you, Father God for each of these loving hearts.
13. How does Reeves use the metaphor of birth to help us understand why we must follow Christ in His sufferings?
“The body must follow where the head goes; through suffering to glory.”
We can’t be like him otherwise.
14. According to 1 Peter 4:14, where will we who follow Him in His sufferings, also go?
We will go with Him. The Spirit of God will rest on us.
15. In a recent sermon on 1 Peter from Tim Keller, he referred to 1 Peter 3:1 which has always dumbfounded me, but now I understand.
Read 1 Peter 4:1. What does it say?
Since Christ has suffered, we must also suffer. We must have the same attitude as He did. When we physically suffer we are like Him also. He took on our sin (the world), then it was taken from us. If it is gone because of Him then it is gone for us.
What do you think it means?
Going through the suffering means we are “eligible” to be sinless.
B. Keller explained that as Christ died and was done with sin, so it is when we die to ourselves, truly, we overcome sin. We will not be permanently done with sin until glory, yet with every death, we kill sin more. One friend used to say “With every death there is a resurrection.” How have you experienced that?
The idol of children comes to mind. I have died to that sin and oh! the resurrection! I rely on Him now (for everything), and am so better for that.
C. Keller also said that when we try to overcome sin by telling ourselves just to stop it, the temptation becomes stronger. But if we overcome it by remembering how much love it took Christ to die, and if we do not want to take that lightly, we become stronger. Have you experienced this?
I have not experienced this, but it is a beautiful sentiment for sure. My thoughts are with food, for example. He died for me. I need to honor that. When I have fretted over what to eat, I should focus on something else. He will provide.
Missy, how frightening to have the emergency surgery! I’m glad to hear you are through it. Make those kids spoil you! We are lucky to have you here with your amazing wisdom.
Friday: Application
16. What suffering, small or large, are you going through right now? (As there is always something if we are honest.)
—Grief abounds
I have been thinking this week as I consider this blog and the lessons concerning suffering that grief abounds around me right now.
My mother is lingering
in a care home near the end of her life. A close friend of my husband who had spent many a night at our table for supper and games died this week after some months in an Alzheimer’s care home. A young man we know in our community was killed in a farm accident just last week leaving a wife and seven daughters to grieve. My last elderly aunt has been diagnosed with cancer again. A very close pastor friend of my husband and I is showing signs of dementia and is not physically strong. He and his wife have been intricately involved in our lives and still are. We are watching a precious sister-in-law (my oldest brothers wife) succumb to dementia. A new neighbor who is a widow has physical issues and struggles with depression. She has opened up to me about her suffering. Some days life feels very heavy but for Jesus.
How could what you have learned or reviewed this week help you?
How will you talk to your soul?
—Keeping perspective by focusing on Jesus is crucial to not become discouraged in the face of it all and in particular not to make any of it about me or even my personal suffering. I go back to several comments from Reeves’s sermon. He said:
“I needed to hear what the gospel has to say about suffering, pain and death.”.
“We face getting old, ill, hurting, dying and we need to hear what the gospel has to say….”
“…we do need realism that we do live in a broken, fallen world. And we need a gospel perspective on that.”
I need to remind my soul of how much I need Jesus and a better understanding of his suffering and dying which has resulted in the good news of the gospel into the midst of all the suffering I see happening around me in what I listed above. Every single person I mentioned above are believers in Jesus Christ. Only Jesus brings comfort into each situation and only he alone can redeem what is going on or has happened in each of those circumstances.
—My husband is using a daily devotional this year in his morning time with the Lord by Tim Keller based on Proverbs. A few days ago he shared these comments by Keller with our small group.
“A prayer from devotions in Job 23 for those days when we feel alone, discouraged and our heart is aching…”
“Lord, even when I don’t know what to say to you, I need to tell you that. In dark times, prevent me from withdrawing and just talking and thinking to myself. I pray for prayer. Give me a desire to pray and then show me your face. Amen.”
—Grief abounds so keeping perspective and considering this question of what can help me and how will I talk to my soul is very pertinent. “Give me a desire to pray and then show me your face. Amen.” I need to see His face.
So good to see your sisters praying, Bev.
Good morning, Bev! I read your post yesterday while on the way home from work and my heart is heavy for you. I love how you beautifully tied Reeves with Keller, and I need to get that devotion on Proverbs, and this: “Give me a desire to pray and then show me your face. Amen.” I need to see His face.
Oh, Bev, your burdens of grief are many right now. Thank you for the quotes you shared. I will be praying for the Lord to show you His face. I need this right now, too. I have that wonderful devotional by Tim Keller. It is so good.
Bev, I’m sorry for the suffering around you, but thank you for the words of hope and the prayer from Job 23
Oh Bev, no words. You are surrounded by grief it seems. Yes, but for Jesus. Thank You Lord, for Bev and her ability to help those who need it at the perfect moment. Give her stamina and keep her close. Remind her how we must suffer to understand how You suffered. When that happens we know we are Yours. In Jesus’ Holy Name. Amen.
So helpful from Bev (and Keller)
“A prayer from devotions in Job 23 for those days when we feel alone, discouraged and our heart is aching…”
“Lord, even when I don’t know what to say to you, I need to tell you that. In dark times, prevent me from withdrawing and just talking and thinking to myself. I pray for prayer. Give me a desire to pray and then show me your face. Amen.”
16. What suffering, small or large, are you going through right now? (As there is always something if we are honest.) How could what you have learned or reviewed this week help you? How will you talk to your soul?
Healing past wounds by one person which affect my ‘now’. God’s showing me that His strength is in humility with boundaries, not in reckless self confidence with boundaries which I’m struggling with. I’ve found the latter turns into building walls and resentment which is the opposite of love. Jesus has every reason to resent me but did the opposite and that is helping me to catch my flesh’s bend and turn. It’s not a quick fix, pretty much daily for me BUT I am overcoming slowly. This is becoming lighter compared to the weight of glory. 🙂 I’m much better than I was a few years ago. Oh there is such a contrast of my flesh’s way of healing wounds and God’s way of healing wounds.
17. What sin are you endeavoring to overcome?
Not bearing with one another (difficult believers) even though Christ bears with me (difficult believer ) :-).
The root underneath is pride, I think..not 100% sure yet but this week’s study sure has illumined it.
How could you, based on yesterday’s lesson from Keller, help you pray so as to have victory? I want to be willing to die to myself a little faster, well a lot faster than I have been, yet it’s so encouraging that even when I’m stubborn, and I wrestle with justifying it before God, that God even uses this. Nothing goes to waste for us.
Boy can I identify with you Rebecca. I pray for God’s encouragement in your life. “Not bearing with one another (difficult believers) even though Christ bears with me (difficult believer ) :-).”
Thursday: Christ is the Head
On the transcript from Mike Reeves, read from the closing paragraph on page 1 to the middle of page 2 when he says “And Peter is no hypocrite…”
13. How does Reeves use the metaphor of birth to help us understand why we must follow Christ in His sufferings? As Christ is the head and just like in birth the head comes first, He must come first. The body, like in birth must follow the head and we are the body.
14. According to 1 Peter 4:14, where will we who follow Him in His sufferings, also go?
His glory
15. In a recent sermon on 1 Peter from Tim Keller, he referred to 1 Peter 4:1 which has always dumbfounded me, but now I understand.
A. Read 1 Peter 4:1. What does it say? What do you think it means?
”So then, since Christ suffered physical pain, you must arm yourselves with the same attitude He had, and be ready to suffer too. For if you have suffered physically for Christ, you have finished with sin.”
I just received a devotional on this verse from John Piper…no coincidence. He compares this verse to what Paul said in Romans 6:6,7 & 11, “We know that our old sinful selves were crucified with Christ so that sin might lose its power in our lives . We are no longer slaves to sin. For when we died with Christ we were set free from the power of sin. So you also should consider yourselves to be dead to the power of sin and alive to God through Christ Jesus.”
From Piper….
”When we arm ourselves with the thought that Christ suffered for us, we realize that we died with Him. 1 Peter 2:21 says, ‘He Himself bore sins in His body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness.’ When we die with Him, we cease to sin,”
When Satan says to us, why deny yourself the pleasure of lust? Why deal with this mess, which you could avoid by lying? Why not go ahead and get that harmless luxury you covet? Why not seek justice by returning the same hurt you just received?
Answer him: The Son of God suffered (really suffered) to deliver me from sinning. I cannot believe He suffered to make me miserable. Therefore, what He died to purchase must be more wonderful than the pleasures of sin. Since I trust Him, my susceptibility to your allurements has shriveled up and died.
Satan, be gone! My mouth doesn’t drool any more when I walk by your candy store.”
B. Keller explained that as Christ died and was done with sin, so it is when we die to ourselves, truly, we overcome sin. We will not be permanently done with sin until glory, yet with every death, we kill sin more. One friend used to say “With every death there is a resurrection.” How have you experienced that?
Most definitely.
C. Keller also said that when we try to overcome sin by telling ourselves just to stop it, the temptation becomes stronger. But if we overcome it by remembering how much love it took Christ to die, and if we do not want to take that lightly, we become stronger. Have you experienced this?
Yes
Sharon, I so appreciate what you shared from Piper. That really speaks to me in what I shared in my answer to yesterday’s question about endeavoring to overcome my own sin. It is such good encouragement. Thank you.
Amen to Bev. Love your entire post. So powerful. I love this quote by Piper. Thank you Sharon.
10. Comments on the above? I love whenever the psalms are put to music, that’s what they were meant for and are the easiest way to remember them.
11. The verse that penetrated Andrea was Psalm 137:4. Read it.
A. What does it say? How can we sing songs when we’re so far from our home.
B. Andrea’s foreign land was England and the skeptical sophisticates of Oxford. The Israelites’ foreign land was Babylon and the wealthy pagans. Where is your foreign land? This world is my foreign land. How might the inhabitants taunt you, particularly when you suffer? They want to point out all of the reasons that Christianity is useless. If being a Christian was the right path, then why would I be suffering?
12. Why should we not be surprised by fiery trials according to 1 Peter 4:12-13? Because we are sharing in Christ’s sufferings. How is our suffering not wasted in contrast to those of unbelievers? Our suffering brings us closer to Jesus. We, as Christians live in the reality that the way up is to go down, the greater our suffering the greater our rejoicing.
Friday(cont.)
17. What sin are you endeavoring to overcome? How could you, based on yesterday’s lesson from Keller, help you pray so as to have victory?
—My life long struggle has been with food. Food is not the enemy. We have to eat. We need food to live. And we should even enjoy it. God has made it for us to share and use in fellowship with others. Jesus was constantly eating with people.
It frustrates me when I begin to feel like with every bite I eat I am sinning. It makes me tired of the whole situation and dominates my thinking. Eating is not a sin in and of itself. But I realize my use of food to try and satisfy any cravings crosses a line into of lack of self discipline. So my issue of a besetting sin is to practice self control. I need to keep my weight in a healthy place for the sake of my type 2 diabetes. I lost significant weight in 2020 and brought my A1c down 10 points. But because I have started letting myself give into the cravings again my weight is starting to creep up on me. It is so easy to excuse why I over eat but they are idol lies that take me away from letting Jesus have absolute first place.
So from Keller’s thoughts yesterday:
“But if we overcome it by remembering how much love it took Christ to die, and if we do not want to take that lightly, we become stronger.”
“…remembering how much love it took Christ to die…” kind of shouts to me.
As I went back and looked at yesterday’s lesson again I found I answered my own question here in my own comments on 1 Peter 4:6
—The Gospel (good news) comes back to the fact that Jesus made a way out of sin by suffering and dying for sin. He judged sin and that made it possible for me to live and find freedom from sin through the power of the Holy Spirit.
The Answer! The power of the Holy Spirit!
So everyday when I rise give me Jesus because I need Him desperately. I certainly understand why Paul wrote what he did in Romans 7 & 8 about the battle between the flesh and the spirit.
But—— “Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! …….. “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” ………. “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.”
Hope, There is always hope in my Lord and Savior Jesus.
Prayer is always appreciated and I will pray for you sweet sisters as you share your particular struggles.
Saturday: Take-A-Way
18. What is your take-a-way and why?
—I takeaway what I just wrote in my answer above from Romans 8:18 “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.” Which gives us great hope because Jesus suffered died and made the way for us to share his glory.
My takeaway is Hope all because of Jesus. All because of the Cross!
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.”
Romans 15:13 ESV
Bev, I so appreciated all your answers this week and sharing what you did today so resonated with me as I have the same struggle. I love this…”Hope, There is always hope in my Lord and Savior Jesus. Please know I will keep you and your struggle in my prayers and I thank you for keeping me in prayer as well. 😊
Amen, Sharon! ”Hope, There is always hope in my Lord and Savior Jesus. I will pray for you in this struggle too. It is a tough one to conquer.
Oh, Bev! I so relate to your entire post. Your food struggle so resonates with my household. My husband’s A-1c has been a full time struggle and it is so difficult. I think it is more so, when we know we cannot have certain things. I will pray for you.
18. What is your take-a-way and why? I liked this sermon and the hope we have in Jesus. I don’t even watch sad movies. The older I get the more suffering I am aware am. There are days are hearts hurt for other people. Sometimes I wonder how pastors are able to carry the load of their flocks beside the criticism and helpful suggestions they get. So my take away is thank God for Jesus Christ and that as believers we are sharing Christ’s direction of travel and not the enemy’s.
Hello! I’ve just downloaded the book idol lies!!! The first ten minutes of listening had me in tears❤️
Thanks so much Maureen!