Tag: suffering

Daily Devotions

Daily Devotions: December 10, 2014

randymcpheron

Today’s Bible reading is Revelation chapter 7

(Read the entire New Testament in 2014 by reading only one chapter each day)

In every age God has had a faithful remnant. During the Great Tribulation God will send revival to the Jewish people, and He will raise up 144,000 Jewish evangelists. The apostle Paul was an evangelist. The Tribulation will have 144,000 evangelists that will be like Paul. Can you imagine what an impact these will have on the world? Just one John the Baptist, or Paul, or Moody, or Graham, or 144,000 of any one of these? As a result of their preaching ministry there will be a great spiritual awakening, and God will give a great harvest from among the nations. These believers will make up a faithful remnant that will be dedicated to the Lord, even to the point of being willing to sacrifice their own lives for the sake of Jesus. There will be people saved during the Tribulation. It will be people who have never heard the Gospel whose heart’s have not hardened. Those who are saved during the Tribulation will pay a great price for following Jesus. It will cost them food and friendships, water and worldly possessions, and ultimately it will cost them their lives. But one day these will rejoice in God’s Presence before the very throne of God. What are you and I willing endure for the cause of Christ? We are not living in the Great Tribulation. What are we doing to evangelize the world?

Prayer: “Lord let us be among the faithful and may You give us courage to suffer. May the fire of evangelism burn in our hearts. In Jesus name. Amen.”

Randy J. McPheron

Daily Devotions

Daily Devotions: November 13, 2014

randymcpheron

Today’s Bible reading is 1 Peter chapter 4

(Read the entire New Testament in 2014 by reading only one chapter each day)

One of the keys to the victorious Christian life is having the mind of Christ. God transforms our lives by transforming our thinking. Paul told the Romans, “Be you transformed by the renewing of your minds.” (Romans 12:2) He told the Philippians that whatsoever is good and pure and lovely… to “think on these things.” (Philippians 4:8b) Don’t spend the rest of your life chasing your own desires. Commit yourself to the will of God, and seek to have the mind of Christ. It will spare you from a lot of heartache along the way. Christ is our example in suffering. He was willing to endure physical pain. We must be willing to suffer too, and endure whatever afflictions that may come our way. Whenever you and I commit to stop sinning and stop living like the world, our old friends might not understand. In fact some of them might not be very happy about the changes in our life. They may even oppose you or slander you. But be true to Christ and be willing to suffer for His sake, for we must all appear before the Lord and face judgment someday. Both the saved and the lost will appear before the Lord. Keep standing for Christ and keep sharing the gospel, so that those who oppose Christ may hear and believe and be saved.

Prayer: “Lord, renew our thinking and give us the mind of Christ. We trust Your grace that we may suffer and endure trials faithfully. In Jesus name. Amen.”

Randy J. McPheron

Daily Devotions

Daily Devotions: August 14, 2014

randymcpheron

Today’s Bible reading is 2 Corinthians chapter 12

(Read the entire New Testament in 2014 by reading only one chapter each day)

“My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Corinthians 12:9)
Men and women who walk with God are no strangers to suffering and spiritual warfare. Paul was one of God’s choice servants, but he experienced a thorn in his flesh. He sought the Lord three times to be delivered from the thorn. God gives grace in suffering. For this reason Paul took pleasure in his weaknesses and hardships. God’s power is demonstrated in weakness. The more there is of God in our life, and the less there is of us, the more God’s power will be on display. God doesn’t always take away our painful thorns. Sometimes He is perfecting His power in us in ways that only difficulties can produce. God’s grace is sufficient for every storm!

Prayer: “Heavenly Father, we bring our troubles to You knowing that Your grace is sufficient. Use us for Your glory. In Jesus name. Amen.”

Randy J. McPheron

Daily Devotions

Daily Devotions: July 30, 2014

randymcpheron

Today’s Bible reading is 2 Corinthians chapter 1

(Read the entire New Testament in 2014 by reading only one chapter each day)

God is a God of comfort. He seeks to comfort us in all our troubles. He comforts us so that we may be able to comfort others when they are troubled. The more we suffer for Christ, the more God will pour out His comfort on us through Christ Jesus. Our suffering isn’t pointless. God always has a purpose. Those who share in Christ’s sufferings will also share in the comfort God gives. Life is stormy and trouble comes to us all. Even Jesus faced suffering. Certainly, Paul was no stranger to it either. He said of one stormy experience, “We were crushed and overwhelmed beyond our ability to endure, and we thought we would never live through it. In fact, we expected to die. But as a result, we stopped relying on ourselves and learned to rely on God, who raises the dead.” (2 Corinthians 1:8-9 NLT) The word “crushed” reminds us of a donkey with a weight so heavy that its legs buckle beneath the load. Sometimes our burdens are so great that we may lose all hope of recovery. We may feel crushed by circumstances, or broken by burdens. These moments tend to drive us to greater dependency on God. Paul testified that God delivers us from hopeless situations, and the prayers of God’s people aid in our delivery. He said, “You are helping us by praying for us.” And again he said, “God has answered so many prayers for our safety.” If you are facing a storm today know that God will comfort you. If you have been comforted by God in a storm, seek to comfort someone else who is hurting. If you know someone who is in a storm today, know that your prayers are needed and your prayers will be a conduit of comfort to someone crushed beneath the burden of a storm.

Prayer: “We praise You God of comfort, and we lay our burdens at Your feet, we also pray for those we know who are struggling in a storm today. In Jesus name. Amen.”

Randy J. McPheron

Daily Devotions

Daily Devotions

randymcpheron

Today’s Bible reading is Acts chapter 28

(Read the entire New Testament in 2014 by reading only one chapter each day)

Of all the things Paul had to endure in His ministry add “snake bite” to the list. The terrible storm, shipwreck, stranded on an island, cold and rain, and near drowning were only recent experiences for Paul! As for the snake bite no harm came to Paul. God performed a miracle! God’s power is on display in every circumstance of our life. Nothing can happen to us that isn’t first of all sifted through the sovereign will of God. When we face difficulties it is good to know that God is in charge and that He is working in every detail of our life to accomplish His purpose. He uses the good and the bad. Think of all the things that happened to Paul that could have discouraged him; imprisonment, beatings, ran out of town, scourged, stoned, ridicule, opposition, threats, hatred, shipwreck and snake bite! God used every single one of these sufferings for His glory. May our confidence be in God not our circumstances, and may our attitude be like that of the man who prayed, “Lord, if it will bring You glory heal me. If in sickness it will bring You more glory then may I remain sick. But If in death it will bring You more glory still, then may Thy will be done.” God’s grace is sufficient in the storm.

Prayer: “Dear Father, give us the peace of God in our circumstances today, whatever will bring You the most glory may You do in our lives. In Jesus name. Amen.”

Randy J. McPheron

Daily Devotions

Daily Devotions

randymcpheron

Today’s Bible reading is Acts chapter 25

(Read the entire New Testament in 2014 by reading only one chapter each day)

Paul’s arrest and imprisonment may seem like a horrible thing, but God used it in a mighty way! The antagonism and hatred of those opposing Paul must have been very challenging to the apostle. But with great trials comes great grace. God was with Paul even in the midst of suffering. It is amazing what a difference the Holy Spirit can make in our lives. What is impossible and even unbearable to us is possible with God. Nasty threats against Paul and evil attempts to end his life were of no avail. God was watching over Paul. In fact Paul was absolutely invincible until God was finished with him. Paul stood before kings and officials and witnessed of Jesus Christ. He was called by God to suffer for the sake of the Gospel. He did so faithfully. His jail cell became a mission field and his audience was all that he came in contact with. We may find witnessing opportunities in some unusual places and unusual ways. A friend of mine became very sick. Through his illness he took the opportunity to witness to doctors, nurses, and countless people. His hospital bed became a platform to share Christ. Where does God have you today? Embrace your circumstances as your ministry assignment from God. Use it as a platform to witness for Jesus Christ.

Prayer: “Dear God, may we accept our ministry assignment whether it be a place of suffering or success, and may we witness of Jesus Christ through every circumstance. In Jesus name. Amen.”

Randy J. McPheron

Daily Devotions

Daily Devotion

randymcpheron

Today’s Bible reading is Acts chapter 21

(Read the entire New Testament in 2014 by reading only one chapter each day)

Years earlier Paul left Jerusalem to persecute Christians, but on the Damascus road he encountered Christ and his life was forever changed. Paul returned to Jerusalem as the great missionary of the early church. In many ways Paul was a controversial figure. Followers of Christ loved him and received him, but those who rejected the Gospel hated Paul. Before going to Jerusalem many Spirit filled believers warned Paul that suffering awaited him, but Paul was determined to go. He said, “I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” At Jerusalem Paul was arrested and nearly beaten to death. The great missionary Paul is an example of how to suffer faithfully. After facing an angry mob and badly beaten, Paul only wanted to speak of Jesus. His resolve was to glorify Jesus Christ. We should never evaluate the success of our ministry by human standards. The great missionary Paul had been faithful but no warm welcome awaited him upon his return to Jerusalem. Homecoming for Paul would be when God called him home to glory.

Prayer: “Dear Jesus, may we care more about our character than our comfort. Give us the resolve to do your will like that of the Apostle Paul, even in the face of danger.”

Randy J. McPheron

Daily Devotions

Daily Devotions

randymcpheron

Today’s Bible reading is John chapter 11

(Read the entire New Testament in 2014 by reading only one chapter each day)

The shortest verse in the Bible simply says, “Jesus wept.” The tears of Jesus remind us of our Savior’s great compassion. He loves you and me and He identifies with our sorrow. He knows what you are going through and He cares. 1 Peter 5:7 says, “Cast all your cares upon Him (Jesus) for He cares for you.” The tears of Jesus remind us that we can bring all of our burdens to the Lord and leave them there. Whatever you are going through, whatever you are facing bring your troubles to Jesus and leave them at His feet. His tears show you that whatever troubles you also troubles Him. Perhaps Jesus weeping also means that He is deeply troubled over sin and death. Maybe His heart is crushed under the weight of grief because He sees suffering and He knows our plight. He is saddened by the fact that our human state is such as it is. He sees the effect of sin and death and it breaks His heart. Jesus is such a compassionate Savior, He died for us that we might live. He took our sin and He buried that sin in the grave. When Jesus arose He left our sin buried. It is gone! Our sin is buried with Christ. Search and you will never find it. It is as far as the east is from the west. His tears identifies with our tears but one day Jesus will wipe away every tear from our eyes.

Prayer: “Lord, we stand in awe of who You are. Your tears remind of Your great love. We know we can bring and worries and fears to You today. Thank You for loving us so much. In Jesus name. Amen.”

Randy J. McPheron