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We are an impatient people. We’d all rather have “it” now than have to wait. Patience is something that not many of us come by when it comes to getting something really exciting. Maybe it’s that new car or latest electronic gizmo…it’s just so hard to wait.

Then there’s what it takes to get those things we really want. You know, like money and time. If we want that new car, we have to work to save money, plan, figure out which car would work best for us, struggle through the sales pitch, wade through the bargaining process trying to get the best price…It can sometimes be unpleasant.

HOWEVER, the best things

are worth waiting for…

are worth working for…

are worth suffering for…

Well, what about living forever in a place that has no problems, no money is required, no complaining or crying and only joyful singing can be heard…Wouldn’t that be worth experiencing a little difficulty?

For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children. ¹⁷And since we are his children, we are his heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God’s glory. But if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering.

¹⁸Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will reveal to us later. Romans 8:16-18 (NLT)

In order to provide us with such a wonderful heavenly reward, Jesus Christ suffered much. He experienced rejection by the very people he came to help. He experienced being beaten with heavy whips and even being nailed to a cross where he was left to die. Now that’s suffering!

Fortunately, the power of God raised him after three days and he is now in heaven preparing a place for us…for all those who will believe in him and accept his sacrificial death on their behalf.

Why then would we expect to have no problems on earth? The scripture above says, “if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering.” If we are living our lives for him we will be mocked, ridiculed and suffer because of our beliefs. That’s OK, because He is more than able to bring us through all of that and into glory someday to be with him forever.

We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. ⁹We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed. ¹⁰Through suffering, our bodies continue to share in the death of Jesus so that the life of Jesus may also be seen in our bodies. 2 Corinthians 4:8-10 (NLT)

SEEK FIRST THE KINGDOM OF GOD

DOUBTING

I was talking last night with one of the kids. I think I mentioned that we were going to have a time of prayer and praise today at the SPRING. Anyway, this particular kid’s response was “I don’t want to burst your religion stuff, but I don’t really believe in God.” Well after asking a few questions this person said, “Well I guess I do believe there’s a God but I don’t really believe everything the Bible says.” After a few more questions, it simply became apparent that these were simply excuses not to deal with the Lord’s call on her life. She was running away and her “doubting” was simply her means of escape.

Have you ever talked to someone who didn’t believe in God? Who had doubts about His Word? How do you deal with those questions? Perhaps by asking other questions...

Where did this world and everything in it come from anyway?

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

Genesis 1:1 (NASB)

We may be able to take someone's life but can we cause life to come into existence? Can we create life out of nothing but the dust of the earth? Who on earth created the process of conception and birth?

Then the LORD God formed man of dust from the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being. Genesis 2:7 (NASB)

‘See now that I, I am He,

And there is no god besides Me;

It is I who put to death and give life.

I have wounded and it is I who heal,

And there is no one who can deliver from My hand.

Deuteronomy 32:39 (NASB)

How many perfect people do you know; Perfectly Holy, perfectly pure, immovable and unchangeable?

“There is no one holy like the LORD,

Indeed, there is no one besides You,

Nor is there any rock like our God.

1 Samuel 2:2 (NASB)

He said, “O LORD, the God of Israel, there is no God like You in heaven above or on earth beneath, keeping covenant and showing lovingkindness to Your servants who walk before You with all their heart, 1 Kings 8:23 ( NASB )

The Bible has been around for a long time. It is a compilation of 66 books written by over 40 different authors inspired by God. There are no contradictions and no errors in the original manuscripts. Nobody has ever disproved anything in the Bible. Archaeology has in fact supported and substantiated many things in the Bible. God’s Word is true.

All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. ¹⁷God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NLT)

The Bible says in Psalms 14:1a,

The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God.”

The key to believing in God is faith…believing what He says in His Word…that He is God, that sin has spoiled our relationship with Him and that we must have faith that He has our best interest at heart…

And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him. Hebrews 11:6 (NLT)

Seek Him today. Trust Him today. You have a lot more to gain (eternal life, purpose for living, etc.) than you have to lose (your doubts, living for self only, etc.).

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. John 3:16 (NASB)

If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; Romans 10:9 (NASB)

SEEK FIRST THE KINGDOM OF GOD