September 27

2 CORINTHIANS 12

I must go on boasting. Though there is nothing to be gained by it, I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord. ² I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows. ³ And I know that this man was caught up into paradise—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows— ⁴ and he heard things that cannot be told, which man may not utter. ⁵ On behalf of this man I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, except of my weaknesses— ⁶ though if I should wish to boast, I would not be a fool, for I would be speaking the truth; but I refrain from it, so that no one may think more of me than he sees in me or hears from me. ⁷ So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. ⁸ Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. ⁹ But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. ¹⁰ For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong. – 2 Corinthians 12:1-10

2 CORINTHIANS 12 THORN IN THE FLESH STOPS CONCEIT

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

As a follower of Christ, you are required to stay humble

As his disciple, you cannot continue boasting on anything

Because you are chosen, you know that all things are made by God

Nothing you do or own is truly yours, they are loaned to you

They are to be used to give God all the praise and glory

You’re given a thorn in the flesh to remind you who is holy

The Lord is holy and he wants his people to stay pure

Let suffering strengthen you so you can embrace truth.

Paul talks about boasting in this account in a different light. We usually boast about our accomplishments or possessions but that is not the kind of boasting that Paul is talking about here. He is referring to boasting only in Christ in verse 5. What does “boasting in Christ” mean? It is to boast only of what Christ has done for us. It is to give emphasis to his finished work on the cross which manifests his great love for mankind and it is to make Christ known to others.

In verse 7, Paul mentions the thorn in the flesh sent to him through a messenger of Satan to harass him. There has been much speculation what this truly meant because there was no specific ailment or suffering mentioned in the chapter. Many scholars think it is a figure of speech which can mean any pain or difficulty one might encounter such as temptations, enticements, trials, adversities and sufferings that a believer faces so that he cannot continue to boast.

REFLECTION

·       What thorn in the flesh has stopped you from being proud and conceited?

September 26

2 TIMOTHY 1

⁶ For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, ⁷ for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.⁸ Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God, ⁹ who saved us and called us toa holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began, ¹⁰ and which now has been manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, ¹¹ for which I was appointed a preacher and apostle and teacher, ¹² which is why I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that day what has been entrusted to me. ¹³ Follow the pattern of the soundwords that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. ¹⁴ By the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, guard the good deposit entrusted to you. – 2 Timothy 1:6-14

2 TIMOTHY 1 EMBRACE SUFFERING TO DO YOUR HOLY CALLING

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

When you are a follower of Christ, suffering is inevitable

When you embrace it as it comes, it equips you to face them all

It was meant to be your tool to do your holy calling

Without adversities, you fail at gaining strength and courage

Allow suffering to transform you from innocence and ignorance

It gives you endurance and it grows your faith and your patience.

It is interesting how your life changes when you allow suffering to teach you lessons in life. I just heard a podcast of Mel Robbins with Martha Beck as her guest today and Martha is a sociologist, life coach and author but was also shunned in the Mormon community when she spoke about her own father who was an elder in that church abusing her since she was a child. As I listened to her, I just realized all these blogs I have been writing about suffering and she teaches that she embraced and invited suffering in her life after those dark years that she was shunned out of her religious community when she exposed how her own father who was very much respected by that church actually raped her. She claimed to have experienced a near death experience during one of her surgeries that she incurred in her body from her past sexual traumas from her own father. In that near death experience, she claimed to see a very bright light that reassured her that she is loved and that she is never alone. I wished I could talk to her and explain that she just experienced God’s presence as John described the Lord as light and love. She obviously didn’t get that revelation that it was the one true God that carried her through all those sufferings. One day, I pray that she will know the Lord. It just goes to prove Psalm 34:18 was true to her life when God says I am near to those who are broken-hearted and crushed in spirit. Martha Beck has written books acclaimed to be New York Times bestsellers and have been helping people to heal. We can use suffering to be able to discover our calling in life.

REFLECTION

·       How has your suffering led you to your holy calling in life?

September 23

1 CORINTHIANS 10

¹³ No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.¹⁴ Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry. ¹⁵ I speak as to sensible people; judge for yourselves what I say. ¹⁶ The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ? ¹⁷ Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread. ¹⁸ Consider the people of Israel: are not those who eat the sacrifices participants in the altar? ¹⁹ What do I imply then? That food offered to idols is anything, or that an idol is anything? ²⁰ No, I imply that what pagans sacrifice they offer to demons and not to God. I do not want you to be participants with demons. ²¹ You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons. You cannot partake of the table of the Lord and the table of demons. ²² Shall we provoke the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than he?

                                                                                – 1 Corinthians 10:13-22

1 CORINTHIANS 10 SUFFERING: AN ENDURANCE TEST

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

When we face many trials and hardships in life

We can be sure that the Lord never forsakes or leaves us

Examine if your adversity is caused by idolatry and other sins

If it is, your suffering is a result of such evils, so you need to repent

But if you suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be delivered

It becomes an endurance test so you can press on to grow your character

Rejoice and be glad when you experience difficulties and injustices

The Lord never allows anything that you won’t be able to handle.

In this account, Paul comforts the Corinthian believers. He did not want them to despair when they encounter temptations or trials and think that they are the only ones experiencing such difficulties. He wanted them not to think that their suffering is not unique and isolated that will lead them to feel hopeless. He points out that the Lord will not allow his covenant people to be defeated by these enticements to sin. He reassures them that the Lord will never leave his own people because he protects them and ensures their safety. But Paul also reminds them that they must not be idolaters and remember the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross to give them the strength and to endure these adversities because they are going to test their faith.

Paul gave clear examples of how idolatry leads to spiritual adultery by asking them questions in verses 21-22 such as “Shall we provoke the Lord? Are we stronger than he?” It is a great reminder of their covenant with God where they will only serve him and be faithful to the One who delivered them from their slavery from the Egyptians. We can also ask the same questions to ourselves so that we will never forget what God did for his people and continue to stay faithful in serving only the Lord their God.

REFLECTION

·       Share some suffering you’ve endured that was a result of your faith in God.

September 19

COLOSSIANS 1

²⁴ Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church, ²⁵ of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God that was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known, ²⁶ the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints. ²⁷ To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. ²⁸ Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. ²⁹ For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me. – Colossians 1:24-29

COLOSSIANS 1 REJOICE AS YOU SUFFER FOR CHRIST’S SAKE

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

When you belong to the sheepfold of the Lord Jesus Christ

You will begin to see suffering as a way of sharing in his sacrifice

You will have that urge to proclaim his word to those around you

There will be a hunger for doing what is right and good

The adversities that will come your way will no longer be threats

Instead, they will be a reason for rejoicing as you grow your faith.

In verse 24, we are given a revelation of what might we do as believers to share in the suffering of Christ. It is by selflessly providing a way to build up his body, the church. What does this verse require of all believers? It is to be able to emulate the humility and sacrificial way that Jesus handled his assigned part on the salvation plan of his Father. By nature, we are very rebellious and sinful so it is a challenge for us to do what our Heavenly Father wants for us. This is a consequence of our inherited sin from our first parents Adam and Eve. The world is where Satan’s kingdom prevails. So, as long as we are alive in this world, we will always follow our flesh. In this account, Paul explains to the believers that the only way we can fight conforming with the world system is to embrace suffering for Christ as a way to build up our faith and the communion of saints. It is when we think less of our material life and focus on gathering riches in heaven by applying all that Jesus Christ sampled for his followers that we can claim to be disciples of Jesus. To deny such cravings of our flesh such as lusts, comforts, conveniences would mean that we are living up to the requirements of our Lord. It manifests our love for him as we follow the Spirit’s lead in growing our faith and letting go of the influences of the world over the mind, body and spirit. As we deepen our intimacy with the Lord, we get to be renewed in our thinking and priorities. We become less selfish and more sacrificial. We think of others’ needs more than ours.

To mature our faith means that we become less shallow. When we didn’t know Christ, we were hedonistic and just following cultures, traditions and earthly beliefs. We embraced comfort, luxury and convenience rather than suffering. It doesn’t make sense to the world that we are rejoicing when we encounter difficulties and hardships for the sake of the gospel. But for the true believer, it is their joy.

REFLECTION

• Why do you think some Christians still do not rejoice in their suffering for the sake of Christ?

September 17

1 PETER 3

¹³ Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? ¹⁴ But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, ¹⁵ but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, ¹⁶ having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. ¹⁷ For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil.¹⁸ For Christ also sufferedonce for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit, ¹⁹ in whichhe went and proclaimedto the spirits in prison, ²⁰ becausethey formerly did not obey, when God’s patience waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through water.

                                                                                                           – 1 Peter 3:13-20

1 PETER 3 SUFFER FOR GOOD & NOT FOR EVIL

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

As we live in this corrupt world, we will encounter suffering

It could be the kind that is beneficial or one that is detrimental

If you serve the Lord Jesus Christ, you’ll be able to distinguish this

But if you don’t know God, you will be sucked into suffering from sin

If you are an unbeliever, suffering seems illogical and is unbearable

But the believer knows that suffering for righteousness is beneficial

We will all suffer for making wrong choices and turning away from God

But to suffer for following Christ gives us hope and the promise of eternal life.

Many people do not know the benefits of suffering and they don’t also know that there are two kinds of suffering. One that is pain from turning away from God which is shown in habitual sinning and denying God’s existence. The other kind of pain is from being rejected and ostracized for believing and serving the one true God. Rebelling against God’s laws and wisdom whether one is a believer or not, still meets the consequence of that sin. They may not admit or accept that they are suffering because they are so used to denying their need for a relationship with their Creator, but it is still a direct aftermath of pulling away from the purpose of your creation. We are all made for God himself and so when we negate that purpose for our existence, we experience a separation from love (God is love) which leads to our emptiness and pain. When we do this, we are embracing “fear” which is the absence of love according to the book of John.

In this account, Peter explains to the believers about the second kind of suffering which is to bear the pain of being rejected by those who hate or do not know Christ. He assures the believers that this kind of suffering brings us closer to receiving the promise of eternity. It becomes a reason for us to look up to that hope that was given to us when Christ suffered and died for us on the cross.

REFLECTION

• How is having a good conscience as mentioned in verse 16 a weapon against slanderers?

September 13

ISAIAH 43

But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob,
    he who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
    I have called you by name, you are mine.² When you pass through the waters,

  I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you;
  when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.
³ For I am the Lord your God,  the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.
  I give Egypt as your ransom, Cush and Seba in exchange for you.
⁴ Because you are precious in my eyes,   and honored, and I love you,

⁵ Fear not, for I am with you;   I will bring your offspring from the east,
    and from the west I will gather you.⁶ I will say to the north, Give up,
    and to the south, Do not withhold; bring my sons from afar
    and my daughters from the end of the earth,⁷ everyone who is called by my name,
    whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.”– Isaiah 43:1-7

ISAIAH 43 FEAR NOT WHEN YOU SUFFER

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

When God adopted you as part of his flock

Always remember that he will never leave you

When you face all kinds of trials and tribulations

That is your prompt to run to God as fast as you can

There is no need to fear when you face suffering

It is your training to endure and grow your character

God promised his people that he’ll never forsake them

Have courage because you are not alone in your adversities.

In this account, the prophet Isaiah brings God’s comforting words to his people, reminding them that God is their Redeemer and Savior. In verse 1, God reminds them that Jacob is where the lineage of the Savior would come from and that it was God’s plan to fulfill his promise to Abraham through all the sons of Jacob. I love the way God told them that he has called them by name and that they belong to him. It is great to hear that all those who believe in the Lord are his own possession. It is like you are actually claimed by the King of kings himself to be part of his kingdom. In verse 4, he reiterates this when he said that all his people are precious in his eyes, honored and loved. Imagine what a world it would be if we all knew our status and value in God’s kingdom. There will be no more loneliness and longing for anything more because we have it all in him. Sadly, our world was tainted by sin and the curse on such sins is that humans turn their back on the truth that we were all made for God.

This prophecy assures the believers that when they go through wilderness and deep waters, we need not fear because of God’s promise of deliverance for all of those whom he loves.

REFLECTION

• How can we shift our fears and stand on God’s promise of deliverance in all our sufferings?

September 12

1 PETER 4

¹² Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. ¹³ But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. ¹⁴ If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of gloryand of God rests upon you. ¹⁵ But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler. ¹⁶ Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name. ¹⁷ For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? ¹⁸ And “If the righteous is scarcely saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?” ¹⁹ Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.

                                                                                   – 1 Peter 4:12-19

1 PETER 4 WHEN YOU ARE INSULTED FOR CHRIST’S SAKE

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

When people insult you because you’re a Christian

Don’t defend yourself but let the Lord deal with them

This kind of persecution is actually sharing Christ’s suffering

Rejoice and be glad that you are partaking of such misery

Don’t despair because that is your assigned mission field

It is time for you to witness to the power of the Lord

This kind of suffering will make you triumph over the world.

As humans, we automatically retaliate when we are insulted. Most of the put down or discrimination we usually encounter are against our character, reputation or beliefs. Peter is talking here about a different kind of insult. These kinds of affronts are not towards our person but against the Lord Jesus Christ. If we deeply know God, we won’t have to react to such insults because our God knows how to defend himself. We only need to be quiet and let him deal with those who are demeaning or laughing at us because of our faith in Jesus. If you recall, Jesus himself was insulted, abused, ridiculed and mocked. When we are treated the same way that our Lord was, we are sharing in Christ’s suffering. We need not be shocked when people persecute or are partial to us because that is the nature of humanity. After Adam and Eve sinned, we automatically hate God and defy him. Only the cross of Christ will give us access to the ability to want to please God. Otherwise, we will always focus on our fleshly desires and cravings.  

In verse 14, Peter tells us that we should be blessed that we are sharing in such suffering. In verse 15, he cautions us to understand that suffering for Christ is not the same as suffering as a consequence of your sin to murder or do anything evil or wicked. That suffering is a consequence of your disobedience to God and we all know that God hates sin and whoever sins will receive God’s wrath unless they go to Jesus who is the mediator. In Christ alone can we confess, repent and be forgiven whatever sins we have done.

REFLECTION

• Why is it better to be silent when we are insulted as a Christian? Why not defend ourselves?

September 10

PSALM 34

¹⁵ The eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous and his ears toward their cry.
¹⁶ The face of the Lord is against those who do evil,
    to cut off the memory of them from the earth.
¹⁷ When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears
    and delivers them out of all their troubles.
¹⁸ The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.

¹⁹ Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all.
²⁰ He keeps all his bones; not one of them is broken.
²¹ Affliction will slay the wicked, and those who hate the righteous will be condemned.
²² The Lord redeems the life of his servants;
    none of those who take refuge in him will be condemned.

                                                                                  – Psalm 34:15-22

PSALM 34 GOD RESCUES THE AFFLICTIONS OF THE RIGHTEOUS

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

When you are a child of God, no need to fear troubles

Those whom God loves are never left alone in the rubbles

The Lord God rescues the righteous from all their afflictions

He is near to those who are broken hearted and crushed in spirit

There is no need to worry for God keeps his people protected

He doesn’t allow anything to hurt or overwhelm them

But the wicked will be slayed by troubles without help

They have no Savior to redeem them from their distress.

When you read this psalm and you are a Christian, it is so comforting, but for the unbeliever, it would be terrifying to know that they will be left on their own to deal with their afflictions. People may be wondering why God would treat evildoers very differently from his chosen people. Remember that the bible says God is love and those who believe in him know what love is because God gave them the ability to give and receive that love that is given to them when they believed in Christ.

In this psalm, we get a glimpse of the compassion, the provision and protection we have from our heavenly Father himself, if we commit to serve the Lord Jesus Christ. This concept of protection is reiterated in Isaiah 54:17 when the prophet declared that no weapon formed against you shall prosper. Paul also reminded us of this prophecy in Romans 8:31 when he said “If God is for us, who can be against us? So, why do still many believers struggle with facing afflictions fearfully? When we haven’t developed a God-dependent attitude and mindset, we automatically fear pain, suffering and trials. This psalm is a good reminder of God’s steadfast love for all his covenant people.

REFLECTION

• How can we fight the urge to fear troubles, tribulations and afflictions that come our way?

September 7

PHILIPPIANS 3

 ⁷ But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. ⁸ Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ ⁹ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— ¹⁰ that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, ¹¹ that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.  – Philippians 3:7-11

PHILIPPIANS 3 SUFFERING LEADS TO RESURRECTION

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

Pain comes with losing someone or something you love

The world reacts to loses with much pity for the self

If you serve the Lord, you are required to embrace suffering

After going through it, you build your character and strength

Just as Christ suffered and died so he can be resurrected from death

All his followers are assured of such resurrection if they believe in him.

It is counter intuitive for an unbeliever to hear Paul say in verse 7 that he counts all his gains as losses for the sake of Christ. What does this mean? He is talking about material or earthly gains. We know that God is Spirit according to John 4:24 and he requires for his followers to worship him in spirit and in truth. We cannot see God but we believe that he exists. The things in this world can be visually seen unlike spiritual things. This is why Paul explains in Ephesians 6 that we don’t deal with flesh and blood but with unseen forces which are spiritual. We deal with spiritual battles moment by moment. We don’t see our enemies but we can definitely feel their presence in our thoughts and attitudes. Paul talks about material gains that he counts as unimportant because as a servant of Jesus, he is the only thing that matters to him. The material things don’t count that much when we think of God’s kingdom because they keep us attached to the world instead of focusing our eyes on spiritual things. Paul says that because he loves the Lord, he counts all material things and losses as rubbish because Paul has a “destination mindset.”

Many people begin to get attached to the things they possess and experience, then lose sight of the destination. This world is never the one promised to us by God. It is an obstacle course that we need to go through in order that we can receive God’s promises and rewards in heaven. This world is run by the prince of this world, Satan. The lies he whispers to us are the obstacles to the narrow path towards the righteous road. The devil does not want us to experience suffering because he wants us to believe the lie that this world is good, comfortable and convenient so we will be derailed to focus on spiritual things.

This is why we are warned as believers to pursue sorrow rather than gladness because when we do so, we are suffering with Christ and we will then receive his resurrection promise.

REFLECTION

• How can suffering keep us focused on spiritual things?