3 Benefits of Suffering

According to 2 Corinithains 12:7-10, suffering brings three blessings into the life of the believer.

  1. Suffering prevents pride, “lest I should be exalted above measure.”

  2. Suffering promotes prayer, “I pleaded with the Lord three times.”

  3. Suffering perfects power, “when I am weak then I am strong.”

ABC's of Testifying at Asbury Revival

During the structured testimony time, an Asbury leader asked the students to observe the ABCs of testimony:

A — It’s all about Jesus.

B — Keep it brief.

C — Keep it current (no life stories; just tell us what Jesus is doing for you right now).

How to Have Hope

“Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning. Great is Your faithfulness” (La 3:22–23).

The old preacher said, “If you don’t like the outlook, try the uplook!” Cognitive therapy agrees there is a vital link between thoughts, feelings, and behavior. Think good thoughts have good feelings. Think sad things feel sad. In Lamentations 3:21 Jeremiah employs same strategy, “I call this to mind and I have hope.” What did he call to mind? In the following verses he mentions four truths about God.

  1. GOD IS MERCIFUL, v 22a

  2. GOD IS COMPASSIONATE, v 22b

  3. GOD IS FAITHFUL, v 23

  4. GOD IS GOOD, v 24

The days of Jeremiah were not unlike our current times. Cultural decline broke the heart of the prophet. God was judging Judah through the savage hands of the Babylonians. Loss of life, loss of property and societal collapse was all about. Yet in the face of a national crisis Jeremiah changed his thoughts, focused on his loving Lord, and brightened his outlook. And that is how you too can have hope even in stressful times.

My Mother's Advice

When my mother was 84-years-old and beginning to have health issues I asked her, “Mom in your 84 years what’s one really important thing you have learned.”

“Stay well,” she said.