Thankful in Prayer When It Comes to Suffering

On Sunday, Pastor Ben mentioned the following as it relates to being thankful in prayer when it comes to suffering . . .

1. To perfect us and grow us in spiritual maturity
Romans 8:28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. 29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, 
Romans 5:3 More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 

2. To display His faithfulness
1 Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.
Psalm 119:75 I know, O Lord, that your rules are righteous, and that in faithfulness you have afflicted me. 76 Let your steadfast love comfort me according to your promise to your servant.

3. To teach us our own weakness and to cause us to depend more on Him
2 Corinthians 1:8 For we do not want you to be ignorant, brothers, of the affliction we experienced in Asia. For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself. 9 Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead.

4. God wants to increase our usefulness
2 Corinthians 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 5 For as we share abundantly in Christ's sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too.

5. To keep us from becoming too comfortable in this world
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. 19 For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God.
Philippians 3:20 But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.

6. To create opportunities for being a witness for Christ
Philippians 1:12 I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel,

7. To cause us as Christians to recognize our need of one another and to cause us to draw closer to one another
Romans 12:15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.

8. His infinite wisdom
Psalm 147:4 He determines the number of the stars; he gives to all of them their names. 5 Great is our Lord, and abundant in power; his understanding is beyond measure. 
Romans 11:33 Oh, the depths of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! 34 "For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor?"

Summary - To what does Paul relate suffering
Philippians 1:29 For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake,

Pastor Ben mentioned a few prayer apps and they are listed here:

Five Psalms

PrayerMate

Bless Every Home

Unreached of the Day

An Anchor

On November 24, 1572, the sun had set on the cobblestone streets of Edinburgh, Scotland, ushering in an end to what had been a rather peaceful day. However, just around the corner, in the home of one of the most influential men in church history, the scenery was vastly different. The beloved reformed minister John Knox, stricken with pneumonia, lay on his death bed.

Sensing the end of his life and his last breath were near, he gathered his remaining strength to look at his wife Margaret and said, "Go. Go where I cast my first anchor." Immediately, she knew exactly where he was wanting her to turn. Without hesitation, she opened the divinely inspired pages of Holy Scripture and read to her dying groom the following words from the gospel of John, chapter 17. 

When Jesus had spoken these words, he lifted his eyes to heaven, and said, "Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you, since you have given him authority over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do. And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed.

To continue reading the rest of Pastor Jordan's post, please go HERE

My Biggest Unplanned Lesson from Sabbatical

Our family was so blessed and felt so loved by BCC allowing us the privilege of stepping away from the ministry for a time of sabbatical! Going into that time Jennie and I each made some plans for things we'd like to do and get out of the time away. In spite of all this, one of the most important lessons I learned over sabbatical was not one I planned or even realized I needed.

As part of my time away I scheduled to meet with other leaders from various churches and ministries seeking to gain wisdom in how to advance the family discipleship culture of our church. During one of these meetings, a wise, older man encouraged me that one of, if not the best thing, I could bring back to BCC, even more than great new plans, was what God taught me over the time. I appreciated his input, but still being fairly early into the time away, didn't really know what that might look like or mean. A few weeks late the realization hit home very hard. Taking his advice, I want to make sure not to waste what I've been challenged with and am learning, so I desire to share it with you too.

About three weeks into our sabbatical, I couldn't place my finger on it, but I found myself disgruntled and unhappy. It felt like there was a lack of peace in our family and my relationship with both my wife and kids felt at odds. Still I was oblivious. One night, putting my son to sleep, as we lay in his bed together talking, having just fought what I perceived as another parenting battle, he said something along the lines of, "Daddy, sometimes it seems like you don't like us." Taken aback I quickly affirmed my deepest love for him and that "Daddy would always love him no matter what," but his words sat very heavy on my heart. Later that night I asked Jennie about it, hoping to brush it off as a child's midnight musing trying desperately to say something to stay up a bit longer. She was gracious, but did not ease by conscience encouraging me to process it more. So I went to bed that night with a heavy heart and racing mind. The next morning, I brought all these thoughts and the pain I felt at possibly causing my child pain to the Lord, having no further comfort or clarity from the night's sleep. In that time together the Lord started me on a path of far deeper realization about myself as well as my shepherding of my family. 

To finish reading this post by Pastor Phil, go HERE