You can find the video here: https://www.facebook.com/RichlandNaz/videos/2654274868124968/
Something that will help us all stay connected is to keep up the discussion on the Live Stream. Don’t forget to like, follow, and Share these devotions. And comment today where you’ve seen God lately, look for God sightings.
1 Peter 4:12-19
We’ve all heard the saying: “God will only give you what you can handle.”
This isn’t always true, however sometimes we experience moments that we can’t handle on our own. And in those times, we are reminded that we must continually rely on God even through those times where we experience pain and suffering.
We want to believe, that there’s nothing we can’t handle on our own. But this is often due to emotional immaturity or not realizing how God can work through our pain and hardship.
We as human beings love to hear stories of great triumph. We tend to look at adversity and failure positively only if it ultimately results in a story of triumph. But what do you do in the in between times? What do you do in the middle?
1 Peter 4:12-19 (NIV) Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name. For it is time for judgment to begin with God’s household; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God? And, “If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?” So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.
Peter is simply telling us this when things get tough, when we suffer we can find our identity in Christ Jesus who was no stranger to suffering. God can and will work through whatever our situation is to make and mold us into who He needs us to be for the Kingdom.
God does not assign the suffering, but just like the stories we like to read about suffering gives us an opportunity to lean into our dependence on Him. We can live according to God’s will placing our hope and trust in Him no matter what life gives us.