NOVEMBER 15, 2025 ~ FROM A PASTOR'S HEART

NOVEMBER 15 DEVOTIONAL BIBLE READING: 2 Corinthians 12:7-10

So many times the Scripture makes statements that are completely the opposite of the way the world thinks. "When I am weak, then I am strong"..."You must give up your life to save your life"..."If you would be the greatest…you must be the least" and so many more. Have you learned yet that to live in Christ sets you at odds with the way the world thinks and lives? The problem with far too many Christians is that we would rather be like the world, have what the world has, think like the world thinks and then add Jesus into the mix. Jesus told us that it is impossible, for we can't "love God and mammon"...that "friendship with the world is enmity with God"...that if we call Him Lord we must, "do what He tells us." When we come to Christ everything changes...we can no longer live in the world and be happy.

One of these areas that separate us from the world is the area of suffering. Our tendency, just like the world, is to run from suffering when it happens. Suffering is something that happens to everyone, because we are all in this sin–fallen world. There is also a suffering that happens to those who are disciples of Jesus...the kind that happens because the world hated our Savior and they will hate us. We have Christian brothers and sisters who daily face death and persecution for their faith, while most of us know nothing of this kind of suffering. Regardless of the source or the degree of suffering, the Scripture gives us the promise that it is in these sufferings that the power of Christ is made manifest in us. It is in our weakness that His strength is made known. It is in our tribulation that His powerful presence is experienced. It is when we are reviled and said all kinds of evil things about for His Name sake, that we are blessed. The world says there is no virtue in suffering while the Scriptures teach that it is in suffering that Christ's strength and power is made known in us. So whether today holds nothing but good and peace, or it holds suffering, Christ Jesus is our portion and our strength!

Please share your thoughts.