Suffering arrives in our lives in many ways, sudden or slow-onset, long-lasting or short-lived, many different varieties afflict us. How do we handle suffering? What is our response to tragedy in our lives? In Job 2, we see a man faced with not only the loss of his children and all his earthly riches, but … More Responses to suffering
In America, generally,Christians have not had to face the kind of risk and persecution that is common in other parts of the world. Here is a recent report from northern Nigeria, from the Persecution Blog (VOM) “The militants attempted to force the pastors to convert to Islam, but they refused to abandon their faith. … More Risk and the Cause of God
ESV Study Bble: 1 Thess. 3:3–4 Paul’s motive for sending Timothy was to strengthen the persecuted Thessalonians (cf. 2 Thess. 1:5–7). we are destined for this. Christians are destined to suffer tribulation for their faith (Rom. 8:17–18; 2 Tim. 3:12; also Mark 10:30; 1 Pet. 4:12–13). Apparently the Thessalonians had been taken aback by the unrelenting persecution.
34 I have surely seen the affliction of my people who are in Egypt, and have heard their groaning, and I have come down to deliver them. And now come, I will send you to Egypt.’….. ……51 “You stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the Holy Spirit. As your fathers did, so … More Missions: what do you expect?
In a message, “Christ’s Purpose in Evangelism,” Dr. John Piper said: When Jesus looked into the future and predicted what would happen to his disciples, he said something very sobering, but also very encouraging. He said (in Luke 21:12–13), They will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues … More God’s Evangelistic Strategy
As someone passionately active in missions (vvmi.org), I am still NOT on the frontlines. I experience the joys of being involved and seeing God at work, but I do not yet personally suffer any of the costs of frontier missions. John Piper explains the COSTS and the BLESSINGS of frontier missions, in his sermon, “I … More The Costs and Blessings of Frontier Missons…John Piper on Matthew 10
In a sermon titled, “Execution, Escape and Eaten by Worms,” John Piper states: God can release and God can sustain and empower in martyrdom. That is the point of releasing Peter and not James. God is in control over this little Herod in both cases. In fact there is an extraordinary power in martyrdom. … More God Never Fumbles- John Piper on Acts 12 (Part 2)
In his sermon, “The Dangers of Following Jesus,” John Piper says: The days will soon be gone, if they aren’t already, when you can assume that it is safe to follow Jesus—to stand for his majesty and his commandments. So I have been thinking much about whether I am willing to pay the price. And … More Following Jesus- safe? John Piper on Matthew 8:14-22
A Sudden and Remarkable Reversal So suddenly, out of the blue, he takes the key player in the persecution of his people and turns him totally around on the Damascus road. The Saul who was breathing out threats and murders against Christians doesn’t just drop dead—which would have been a big enough reversal for … More Jesus Still Turns Things Around…John Piper on Acts 9:20-43
Knowing God through His Word ... Day by Day 