Christianity Oasis Forum

[cimi]

November 24
Monday


HOPE IN
SUFFERING

READ:
1 Peter 1:3-9
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In this [living hope] you
greatly rejoice, though
now for a little while,
if need be, you have
been grieved by various
trials. __1 Peter 1:6
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When I opened my Bible to read Jeremiah 1 through 4, the subhead ascribed to the book startled me: "Hope in Time of weeping." I almost cried. The timing was perfect, as I was walking through a season of weeping over the death of my mom.

I felt much the same way after hearing my pastor's sermon the day before. The title was "Joy in Suffering," taken from 1 Peter 1:3-9. He gave us an illustration from his own life: the one-year anniversary of his father's death. The sermon was meaningful for many, but for me it was a gift from God. These and other events were indications backed up by His word that God would not leave me alone in my grief.

Even though the way of sorrow is hard, God sends reminders of His enduring presence. To the Israelites expelled from the Promised Land due to disobedience, God made His presence known by sending prophets like Jeremiah to offer them hope__hope for reconciliation through repentance. And to those He leads through times of testing, He shows His presence through a community of believers who "love one another fervently with a pure heart" (1 Peter 1:22). These indications of God's presence during trials on earth affirm God's promise of the living hope awaiting us at the resurrection.
__Julie Ackerman Link

````````````````````Does Jesus care when I've said goodbye```````````````````````
````````````````````````To the dearest on earth to me,`````````````````````````
``````````````````And my sad heart aches till it nearly breaks,`````````````````````
``````````Is it aught to Him? Does He see? O yes, he cares! __ Graeff````````````````
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We need never be ashamed of our tears. __Dickens

*********************************Today's Bible Reading __ 1 Peter 1:3-9*********************************

3 Blessed be the God and
Father of our Lord Jesus
Christ, who according to
His abundant mercy has
begotten us again to a
living hope through the
resurrection of Jesus Christ
from the dead, 4 to an
inheritance incorruptible
and undefiled and that does
not fade away, reserved in
heaven for you, 5 who are
kept by the power of God
through faith for salvation
ready to be revealed in the
last time.

6 In this you greatly
rejoice, though now for a
little while, if need be, you
have been grieved by
various trials, 7 that the
genuineness of your faith,
being much more precious
than gold that perishes,
though it is tested by fire,
may be found to praise,
honor, and glory at the
revelation of Jesus Christ,

8 whom having not seen
you love. Though now you
do not see Him, yet
believing, you rejoice with
joy inexpressible and full of
glory. 9 receiving the end of
your faith__the salvation of
your souls.

*********************************INSIGHT*****************************
The apostle Peter wrote his letters to a church that was enduring
persecution for their faith. Though the "various trials" they were
experiencing (1 Peter 1:6) may not be the same type of trials we
must endure, the source of the strength to endure is the same. We
are not alone in our trials, and our endurance in them is not due to
our inner strength. It is God Himself who strengthens us to endure.
We are kept by the power of God (v.5), so that our faith praises,
honores, and glorifies Christ (v.7).