Trials and Bearing burdens with others.......

There were number of Christians in the Bible who were sick (i.e. 2 Timothy 4:20 Erastus stayed in Corinth, and I left Trophimus sick in Miletus.) 1 Timothy 5:23 Stop drinking only water, and use a little wine because of your stomach and your frequent illnesses. Trusting God is important when you are sick AND at the same time, allow God to use you to help others who are facing similar situation. God's eternal blessings do not depend on how I healthy I am physically. If my eternal hope rested on how I felt physically, which is temporal, I might as well forget eternal blessings. The point is this: my feelings (i.e. cope) in no way change my eternal blessings because of great examples in Hebrews 11. I will NOT dare not relate my faith and hope to my emotions of the moment and to how I feel today or whatever the circumstances I am facing. My eternal hope depends on God's Word and His decisions because He will make good on His eternal promises at HIS time, not mine. The subject of my human emotions and circumstances, God does not play on our emotions to bring us to the point of His spiritual decisions. God uses circumstances for His glory, not ours.

People who focus on healing rather than opportunities are more self-centered. God has given us opportunities to do the Great Commission with our circumstances which means an opportunity that is defined as a providential circumstance which permits us to use to glorify God. All circumstances can turn people to God. Jesus said in Matthew 6:34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. The Scriptures have demonstrated similar stories from great FAITHS. The"normal" life of a disciple can never become a life of sadness and pessimism because we are to rely on the Holy Spirit who keeps us from giving up with His Sufficient Grace. At the same time, we should understand that God, just because He is almighty, needs no support from us and He is still able to do what He wills to do. God wants us to be busy rejoicing in the gracious prospect of all opportunities of God's will. Reading Hebrews helped me understood that I am to be aware of obstacles and hindrances I would meet during my life, to throw me off balance that hinders doing the Will of God that could entangle my life easily if I do not submit myself to God's power of grace. God's grace is more than sufficient in my life that I am to fix my eyes on Jesus who is my author and perfecter of my faith (Hebrews 12:2).

The bottome line. This is NOT about US and our will but this is about GOD and HIS Will. Giving up something is never an issue for me because of my commitment to Christ when I accepted Christ's conditions in the following verses..... Luke 14:27 And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple. Luke 14:33 In the same way, any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple. Giving up has to do "self" while cost of discipleship has to do with "others". Therefore its more about having grace in our lives. Spiritual liberty means the freedom to be all that we were designed to be, but this is not a freedom that is without restrictions or responsibilities. Grace is about loving other people that we have the freedom to do so but at the same time, don't flaunt our freedom or mock those who disagree. We are in the building up relationship, not destroying. Grace is we live in the Spirit AND also walk in the Spirit. The Holy Spirit dwells in us with all the power and gifts of God, necessary to enable us to walk the noble, spiritual, Son-like life with God. With Grace, we can show mercy and help others (Heb. 4:13-16). By focusing on what Christians ought to get, they forget the burden of loving help which we are commanded to give to others: "Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ" (Galatians 6:2). We have the responsibility "for each one should carry his own load" (Galatians 6:5). The cost of discipleship is a price I am gladly pay for the privilege of walking in fruitfulness with others who are in the same burdensome. We all have to come to the understanding that while God wants us to be Spirit-filled that God's loving desire that we should reflect His own holiness and goodness.

Do you know what bad theology is?
Bad circumstances are NOT always about our responsibility whether we sinned or not (even though it does happen more often due to disobedience). Great faiths and regular Christians went through hard times even though they were not at fault. God used them for His Glory just as He did with Corrie ten Boom. The best example is the story of JOB which Word of Faith teachers refused to acknowledge. Word of Faith teachers are like Job's friends were obstacles to his relationship with God when they don't really know why things are happening to Job. Job's friends acted like God's prophets sent to straighten out Job's life.

Some examples of bad theologies: Job 4:7 - Eliphaz told Job "Stop and think! Does the innocent person perish? When has the upright person been destroyed?" Job 5:6 - Eliphaz insisted, "Evil does not spring from the soil, and trouble does not spourt from the earth". Meaning if someone's life is messed up, then there is obviously a cause. After all, trouble doesn't come out of nowhere. Job 8:4 - "Your children obviously sinned against God, so their punishment was well deserved". Job 8:20 - Bildad said "God will not reject a person of integrity, nor will he make evildoers prosper". Job 11:6 - Zophar said "God is doubtless punishing you far less than you deserve." Job 11:13-20 - Zophar said "If only you would prepare your heart and lift up your hands to God in prayer.......you will be protected and will rest in safety". Zophar's theology was wrong when he told Job that a godly person who suffered still cannot be righteous. Job 15:20 - Eliphaz said "Wicked people are in pain throughout their lives". Job 22:5 - Eliphaz said "Your guilt has no limit."

There are many bad theologies came from Job friends' mouths that I would encourage you all to study the book of Job. There are several reason the Book of Job was placed in the Bible along with other books. I truly believe that God put Job in the Bible is because He wanted us to avoid bad theology regarding His Sovereign.

Job's friends made up a list of sins they were sure Job had committed at one time or another. The problem was was that all their accusations were unfounded. He did not know Job or the tthings he had done. We must be careful about how we react to the problems or sins of others. We must not accuse others of things we are uninformed about. Read Job 42:7-9 regarding God's rebuke to Eliphaz and his friends for judging Job wrongly. Job, Chapter 22 was a lecture of Eliphaz.

Christians filled with the Holy Spirit do not make assumption and will not act like Job's friends, making bad theology based on what someone is facing when they don't know all of the facts. This is one of the MAJOR issues where many of us are divided with Word of Faith believers.

By the way, BEFORE you reply to my post saying "Job must have done something to deserve what he received." in the beginning of Job, God didn't mentioned about punishing Job but rather praising Job for his faith. The very first verse explains that Job was blameless and a man of complete integrity. Job's faith was very strong and feared (loved) God.

Job's First Test (Job, Chapter 1:8-12)
Then the LORD said to Satan, "Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil."

Satan replied: "Does Job fear God for nothing? Have you not put a hedge around him and his household and everything he has? You have blessed the work of his hands, so that his flocks and herds are spread throughout the land. But stretch out your hand and strike everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face."

The LORD said to Satan, "Very well, then, everything he has is in your hands, but on the man himself do not lay a finger." Then Satan went out from the presence of the LORD.

Job's Second Test (Job 2:3-6)
Then the LORD said to Satan, "Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil. And he still maintains his integrity, though you incited me against him to ruin him without any reason."

Satan said: "Skin for skin! A man will give all he has for his own life. But stretch out your hand and strike his flesh and bones, and he will surely curse you to your face."

The LORD said to Satan, "Very well, then, he is in your hands; but you must spare his life."

Let's review this again so you can see that God gave Satan "PERMISSION".

At Job's first test, God told Satan: "Everything he has is in your hands, but on the man himself do not lay a finger"

At Job's second test, God told Satan: "Very well, then, he is in your hands; but you must spare his life"

So its pretty clear to people like Word of Faith believes that Satan don't need permission from God after the story of Job? Interesting. I thought God never change. Seems like people are changing God's Sovereign according to their doctrines.

Ever read a story about Corrie ten Boom? If you didn't, I recommend it. She was a Christian (died in the 1980's) who suffered through Nazi concentration camps. Christians like her are happening ALL over the world every day. People just like to be in denial and focus on their "image of God" as they please. Throughout the Bible, God have warned people to be careful of idolatry because we could slip into it almost without noticing it. Idolatry is what God is saying something like this for today's Christians, "You have committed adultery by worshiping ideas of who I am instead of the TRUE character of who "I AM". There are people who believe that God is a God of love and grace, yet not of justice.

God says something positive (goodness) and negative (sufferings).... both circumstances means He has something planned for HIS PLEASURE & GLORY, not for our pleasure and glory. Corinthians 14:33 says: "God is not the author of confusion." But humans (forgiven sinners) are confused what God's will really is. Whatever comes out of Him is all good and only good. God can, therefore, produce only good. Since there is evil in this world and we are waiting for Christ's return, God will work in us and through us through everything. God is ruling all things to work together for our good and His purpose. Romans 8:28-29 "And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them." 2 Corinthians 12:10 That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. The causes for our circumstances are often God-given opportunities for our spiritual growth. What at first appear to be thorns may prove to be divine motivation to move us closer to God. Many Christian thinkers have differed regarding this from their own perspective rather than God's perspective. The confusion will continue because of lack of understanding.

Didn't Jesus say in Matthew 6:34 "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." We are to have faith in all trials, James 1:2 "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds" 1 Peter 1:6 "In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials." James 1:12 "Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life (badge of honor) that God has promised to those who love him."

Doctrines sounds very good and simple but life is not so simple. Sounds like doctrines with icing. That's the problem. "Ichy ears" doctrines sounds better than actual true day to day living that Christians face. Ichy ears doctrines. For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of temporal carnal Christians. Ephesians 4:14-15: No prolonged infancies among us, please. We'll not tolerate babes in the woods, small children who are an easy mark for impostors. God wants us to grow up, to know the whole truth and tell it in love--like Christ in everything. We take our lead from Christ, who is the source of everything we do.

I will tell you what Paul says about suffering.

What does Paul mean when he wrote in 2 Corinthians 12:10 "That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong." ?

Weaknesses: (From Strong's Greek #769) of strength, weakness, infirmity, of the body, its native weakness and frailty, feebleness of health or sickness, of the soul , want of strength and capacity requisite 1b, to understand a thing 1b, to do things great and glorious 1b, to restrain corrupt desires 1b, to bear trials and troubles

Insults: (From Strong's Greek #5196) insolence impudence, pride, haughtiness, a wrong springing from insolence, an injury, affront, insult, mental injury and wantonness of its infliction being prominent, injury inflicted by the violence of a tempest

Hardships: (From Strong's Greek #318) necessity, imposed either by the circumstances, or by law of duty regarding to one's advantage, custom, argument, calamity, distress, straits

Persecutions: (From Strong's Greek #1375) persecution

Difficulties: (From Strong's Greek #4730) narrowness of place, a narrow place, metaph. dire calamity, extreme affliction.

If you look at verse 9 leading up to verse 10..... God told Paul "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me." Did God's grace made Paul strong?

2 Corinthians 1:3-5 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows. In the Old Testament (Psalm 48:14) says "For this God is our God for ever and ever; he will be our guide even to the end." Jesus never changed. Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. What Jesus did with Job has not change what he is doing with us.

The only thing that have changed between old and new testament is "salvation". Hebrews 9:15 For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance—now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant. 1 Cor. 10:13, "These has no testing taken you but such as is common to man; but God will, with the testing, also make a way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.” My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. 2 Corinthians 12:9 says "God said 'My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.

People gets discouraged from reading my posts because they are refusing to accept the reality of God's will. Real faith is the practical belief is what you hold in reality and what holds you in your day-to-day living as those great faiths in the Bible who didn't have similar doctrines as we do today. Spiritual maturity requires great care, a true knowledge with the ability to acknowledge everything that is happening around us. We are to trust Jesus Christ completely (as Corrie ten Boom did) through the Holy Spirit and God's grace. To be unafraid regardless what is going on a person's life journey, true Faith sees everything in focus and be able to trust God no matter what happens. God leads us to our destiny according to His will and glory.

One thing I have learned is that God's will don't appear to be "logic". God is good and God is also Just. The Bible teaches that God is love; some have interpreted this in such a way as virtually to deny that He is just, which the Bible also teaches. The biblical doctrine of God's goodness so far that it is made to contradict His holiness. The biblical doctrine of God's compassion cancel out His truth. People will view God is ALL good, which is true but the definition of "good" in God's point of view is different than our human point of view. 1 Corinthians 9:8 Do I say this merely from a human point of view? If God is ALL good, then Solomon would not write the negative side of God in Ecclesiastes. God's will is ALWAYS right when "There's a right time and way for everything." One Christian has said "Thinking (wishing) works against our human and horizontal perspective on life. Thinking vertically is a discipline few have mastered. We much prefer to live in a here-and-now realm, seeing life as others see it, dealing with realities we can touch, analyze, prove, and explain. We are much more comfortable with the tattile, the familiar, the logic shaped by our culture and lived out our times."

Dream versus reality often is an issue when discussing "doctrine of suffering".

If knowing answers to life's questions is absolutely necessary to you, then forget the journey. You will never make it, for this is a journey of unknowables -- of unanswered questions, enigmas, incomprehensibles, and, most of all, things unfair." ------ Jeanne Guyon, in *Spiritual Torrents*