Suffering with Hope - An Eternal Perspective

Amy Moreno

Romans 8:18

A framework for suffering includes preparation, purpose, and patience. The Bible is flooded with scripture about suffering as a reality and how God can use it in our lives. It is important to focus on going through the process with God rather than on ending the suffering. God wants us to know Him and this can happen best when we go through hard times and cling to Him. Suffering gives us an opportunity to go deeper with God, develop our character and experience peace in a deeper way. Suffering with hope requires an eternal perspective.

Help for the Hurting - Lessons from Job

Lee Campbell

Galatians 6:2

Jobs friends often get a reputation for being bad comforters, but when we look carefully, we see that they did many things right. We can learn a lot about how to help the broken-hearted through the book of Job, both things we should do and things we should not. We see that we should draw near with compassion to those who are hurting. This includes many components such as being inclusive, sensitive patient, and available. Alongside practicing these things, we should nudge our hurting brother or sister toward hope, because in the end, it is only God who can offer genuine hope.

Parenting a Prodigal in Light of Eternity

Jim Fulford

Susan Fulford

2 Corinthians 4:1

Despite teaching children about the Lord and what it looks like to follow him, many parents watch their children turn away from God and pursue the world instead. Parents of a prodigal child are often left sad, confused, and feeling helpless. However, there is a way to persevere through this trial and effectively represent Christ to your prodigal, focusing on God's eternal promises.

Expanding the Threshold of Faith

Dennis McCallum

Hebrews 12:1-11

In light of the ?cloud of witnesses? mentioned in Hebrews 11, Christians should persevere in the race set before them. This involves throwing off things that could hinder us, and focusing on Jesus Christ and growing with him. The original audience were experiencing suffering and hardships that were holding them back. The author of Hebrews reminds them of God's discipline and His ability to work through all things to bring about growth, and ultimately good, in their lives and in ours!

Running the Race

Conrad Hilario

Colossians 1:28-29

God has given each Christian a unique role in His plan to reach those who do not know Him, and the author of Hebrews compares this plan to an individual endurance race that each person is running. While the race might be tiring and difficult, Christians are to resist the temptation to quit by fixing their eyes on Jesus, the forerunner who empathizes with Christians in their suffering. During this race, God disciplines Christians to refine their character and prove His love for them, and we can experience the benefits of God's discipline if we are willing to submit to it.

Who is This Man?

Jim Leffel

Luke 9:18-27

Herod the Tetrarch seeks to know the identity of Jesus. Jesus asks his disciples, ?Who do you say that I am?? Peter acknowledges Jesus' mission and identity as the Messiah sent by God. Jesus reveals to the disciples that he will suffer terrible things, be put to death, and then be raised from the dead on the third day. Jesus describes how his followers must suffer: take up their cross daily, entrust their lives to him, and be unashamed of his message.

And The Other's Too

Dennis McCallum

Judges 7:1-25

Moving on from the Patriarchs, the author of Hebrews lists many more examples of faith. Joshua in Jericho, Rahab and the spies, Gideon, and many more. All these people were messy and sinful and many of them experienced persecution, suffering, and pain, but they chose to persevere in faith and were used by God in spite of their weakness. God's plan is not over, we are also a part of this plan! He can work through anyone and in all things. \r\n

The Patriarchs

Conrad Hilario

Genesis 37:3-45:11

Joseph was a man whose life was characterized by both immense success and intense suffering. Despite the constantly changing circumstances of his life, he maintained his faith in God and adopted a godly perspective on his trials. Joseph's story serves as an example of how God can redeem even the worst circumstances to His glory and our benefit.

The "Patriarchs"

Dennis McCallum

Genesis 37:2-45:28

The story of Joseph, a beloved son of Jacob who is betrayed and sold into slavery by his brothers, is a story of forgiveness and redemption. Through over a decade of further betrayal, suffering, and despair God continually works and brings him into a position of power as the right hand man of Pharaoh, the ruler of Egypt. Joseph's brothers come to Egypt during a famine to buy grain and find the brother they had betrayed. Joseph forgives his brothers and is finally reunited with his father. Over and over in Joseph's life, God proves his amazing power to bring about good in spite of evil.\r\n