Suffering, Part 3

In our Bible Study this week, we looked at the life of Peter.  The author showed the way Peter matured between his life with Jesus, living and learning with him, and the end of his life as he wrote I & 2 Peter.  He grew and matured through the suffering his life was filled with.  The life that God had for him and the life that Peter chose to walk. There was so much depth to the authors writing.  So much understanding and truth he taught us through looking at the Greek words spoken between Jesus and Peter and then later in Peter's writing. They are still settling into me and I can't wait to learn further in class tomorrow.

We looked at the footprints story.  You've heard it, I'm sure.  Where the man is looking back on his life and asks the Lord why there were times when he was walking alone.  The Lord responds that those were the times when the man was carried.  In this study we saw how Jesus leaves us footprints as an example to follow.  Footprints that we not only follow, but that we actually walk in.  They are drawn by the master, sketched out for all to follow.  As an example to follow.  Then the details the magnificent art, is filled in by the master painter that is individual to all our lives.

The thing that has sunk into me the deepest is a verse we had to break down.  The question was:
"By means of observation of the text, list 10 - 15 things from 1 Peter 2:21-25 which Jesus did for His redeemed or else are true about Him."

and the verse:

Fore you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps, who committed no sin, nor was any deceit found in His mouth; and while being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously; and He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His woulds you are healed.  For you were continually straying like sheep, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls."

He suffered on my behalf,
He left me an example to followed,
He called me to suffer,
He left me His steps,
He committed no sin,
He did not lie,
He was reviled,
He didn't revile in return,
He did not threaten,
He entrusted Himself to God,
He bore my sins on His cross,
I can die to sin because of this,
I can live righteously because of this,
His wounds healed me,
I will stray,
God will guard me and bring me back



A verse full of things He, Jesus, did for me.  He did these things for me while suffering.  They are the footprints, the example that He left for me on how to suffer.  They are an example to look to in times of suffering.  Today they are a picture of what He went through for me.  How can I be anything but humbled and amazed?  How can I not fall at His feet and worship?  How can I not have faith that if He did these things for me while in so much suffering, that He will go walk me through, lead me through, guide me through any suffering He might ask of me.

This journey of learning continues...

More Thoughts on Suffering...

We've continued through a few more classes since the last post on my current Wednesday AM Bible Study.  It continues to keep me thinking, praying and honestly, struggling, through the topic.  Suffering brings joy.  Suffering brings depth.  Suffering brings dependency.  Suffering is promised to us.  We are promised all through out the New Testament that we will suffer.  We are also promised that "He who began a good work in us, will complete it," "I will never leave you or forsake you," "I am your refuge and strength."

What I have concluded, when this suffering comes, God will still be God.  God will be there, right there with me.  I will grow, be dependent and have joy.

As I fear what suffering that will come my way, I cling to this verse:

Psalms 31:9
"But I trust in you, O Lord; I say, 'You are my God.' "

In all things I can trust in the Lord.  In suffering, in hard times I can cry out "You are my God!" because He is my God.  Isn't that amazing.

Let the learning continue...

Bible Study Thoughts

We have just started a new book in our Women's Bible Study on Wednesday mornings.  It's called The Cup and The Glory.  It's an intense study.  It's on suffering.  The study was chosen to line up with Easter, to help us prepare our hearts to worship God in a deeper way as we focus on the death and resurrection of Jesus.  It's a mind boggling, soul focusing, and all around challenging study.  and... I'm only two chapters in.

I just read the chapter on "the cup." With the reference taken from Mark 10 when James and John ask to be seated next to Christ in glory.  Jesus replies, "You do not know what you are asking for.  Are you able to drink the cup that I drink..."  The author then goes on to explain what the cup is.  It's a cup of suffering.  Of refining.  Of growth.  A time that makes us more like Christ.  It followed the chapter on the wilderness, which is defined as a time of what appears to be the absence of the presence of the Lord.  A time when we think He is not with us.  The Holy Spirit is always with us.  But there are times of suffering when we just don't see it.  These are times given to us from our Lord, our Savior meant to grow us, to refine us, to make us more like Him.

Those times are our cups.  The cups given to us from Him.  Where He might remove things from our lives in order that we look to Him more.  These are times of suffering, we are even to ask for. Or at least that's what I think so far.  I have more to study and questions to answer before I understand this more.

I'm left in a stupor.. a haze perhaps, over this idea.  I know this to be true.  We are promised times of trials and of suffering all throughout the New Testament.  God promises to never leave us or forsake us in these times.  To refine us.  I look forward to understanding this more.  To knowing how to pray about this.  To God shaping my heart through this Bible Study to be more like Him and to understand suffering more.

It is a great study, one that leaves me pondering and thinking...

I won't leave you hanging on this one.  I will take you all along with me as I learn about this.  Hopefully once a week as I learn more!