Hello My Friend/Guest,

Today is Tuesday September 08, 2009 and we are continuing our studies in the book of Ezekiel, please read chapters 25-28 in your Bible or Click Here to read them. http://www.readytofollow.com/bible-september-8

Today's Message: Rejoice Through Suffering
There are two kinds of suffering, one is the suffering we have to deal with when we sin and the other is one that strengthens our relationship with God. We can rejoice through all our suffering, if we are willing to stick with God in the midst of it.

God gave the Israelite's plenty of warning to change their ways before their nations would be destroyed, but they refused to heed the warnings and are suffering because of it. God did not want to see His people destroyed, He does not want to see anyone destroyed. He in no way rejoiced at their pain, in fact, He was sorrowful of it. Through Ezekiel He told every nation that rejoiced over their suffering that they too will endure suffering. “Son of man, set thy face against the Ammonites, and prophesy against them; And say unto the Ammonites, Hear the word of the Lord GOD; Thus saith the Lord GOD; Because thou saidst, Aha, against my sanctuary, when it was profaned; and against the land of Israel, when it was desolate; and against the house of Judah, when they went into captivity; Behold, therefore I will deliver thee to the men of the east for a possession, and they shall set their palaces in thee, and make their dwellings in thee: they shall eat thy fruit, and they shall drink thy milk. And I will make Rabbah a stable for camels, and the Ammonites a couching place for flocks: and ye shall know that I am the LORD. For thus saith the Lord GOD; Because thou hast clapped thine hands, and stamped with the feet, and rejoiced in heart with all thy despite against the land of Israel; Behold, therefore I will stretch out mine hand upon thee, and will deliver thee for a spoil to the heathen; and I will cut thee off from the people, and I will cause thee to perish out of the countries: I will destroy thee; and thou shalt know that I am the LORD.” - Ezekiel 25:2-7. It is wicked and sinful to be glad at the pain and suffering of anyone, especially one of God's people. He will be sure that He lets everyone know that He is the One and Only God who is LORD of all and no one is to rejoice over the pain and suffering of others, no matter how much suffering they seem deserve.

Many people who do not know God never understand His Word, oh they say they have read the Bible, but fail to understand what it truly means. I am talking about people who criticize every bit of it, only pick and choose what they want to believe, or claim that it was man made and contradicts itself. They question God, wondering why true Christian's prove God to be so loving when He allows death and destruction of His people. I ran into a man who was actually reading the book of Ezekiel and said that God was a nasty and cruel man. What all the so called Bible scholars, skeptics, and haters of God fail to realize is that He is in control and He is not about to let so called men and women of God continue to destroy and defile His name or any of His children's names for that matter. Yes, He could have prevented much of the pain, suffering, and famine that occurs in the world, but so could have we. We can not blame God for things that we do to ourselves. “There is none holy as the LORD: for there is none beside thee: neither is there any rock like our God. Talk no more so exceeding proudly; let not arrogancy come out of your mouth: for the LORD is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed. The bows of the mighty men are broken, and they that stumbled are girded with strength............He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth up the beggar from the dunghill, to set them among princes, and to make them inherit the throne of glory: for the pillars of the earth are the LORD's, and he hath set the world upon them. He will keep the feet of his saints, and the wicked shall be silent in darkness; for by strength shall no man prevail. The adversaries of the LORD shall be broken to pieces; out of heaven shall he thunder upon them: the LORD shall judge the ends of the earth; and he shall give strength unto his king, and exalt the horn of his anointed.” - II Samuel 2:2-4,8-10. God made and loves each and every one of us, regardless of who follows Him or not. We are to always remain kind to those whom have treated us wrong and we should never stoop to their level. God will take care of everything for us. “If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink: For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the LORD shall reward thee.” - Proverbs 25:21,22.

Unfortunately, since we who are children of God live in an ungodly world we have to go through some of the same suffering as the wicked. However, we can rejoice through the suffering knowing that He is growing us and creating in us a stronger will toward Him. Although God allows one to suffer for a time, He knows what is best for us and a little bit of suffering is far better to overcome, knowing who God is, than to have everything this world has to offer and be ignorant of Him. Jesus suffered the worst pain and suffering that anyone should and could ever have to endure and He was a sinless man. Just before He was about to be betrayed by one of His disciples, Jesus said, “Behold, the hour cometh, yea, is now come, that ye shall be scattered, every man to his own, and shall leave me alone: and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me. These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” -John 16:32,33. Just as God was with Jesus during His temporary suffering and helped Him overcome it, He is with us through all of ours. If Jesus can overcome death we certainly can overcome any suffering that we are faced with.

Have a wonderful and blessed day/night and enjoy the rest of your week.

God Bless You,
Christina

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