Thank you for visiting my page. I’m really not much of a blogger. Or shall I say, definitely not a blogger but something tells me to at least share some of my food for thought and daily reflections online. Not a pro but I hope this page can encourage, inspire and impact you in any way. For copyright purposes, I hereby acknowledge that I do not own everything I post here. I got some of them from my Life Application Study Bible (New International Version) published by Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. I highly suggest for you, fellow Christians and non-Christians to get this very insightful book.

 1 Peter 4:12-19

New International Version (NIV)

Suffering for Being a Christian


¹² Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. ¹³ But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. ¹⁴ If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. ¹⁵ If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. ¹⁶ However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name. ¹⁷ For it is time for judgment to begin with God’s household; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God? ¹⁸ And,“If it is hard for the righteous to be saved,    what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?” ¹⁹ So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.
  
POINTS TO PONDER: 

•  Suffering helps us be like Christ, yet people will do anything to avoid pain. Followers of Christ, however, should be willing and prepare to do God’s will and suffer for it if necessary. We can overcome sin when we focus on Christ and what he wants us to do. 

• Pain and danger reveal our true values. Anyone who suffers for doing good and still faithfully obeys in spite of suffering has made a clean break with sin.

•  People whose lives change radically may experience contempt from his or her old friends. They may be scorned not only because they refuse to participate in certain activities, but also because their priorities have changed and they are now heading in the opposite direction.

•  The basis of salvation is our belief in Jesus (Acts 16:31) but the basis of judgment is how we have lived. All people will be judged: believers for the rewards they will receive; unbelievers for punishment.

•       All will give an account to God, so we must be ready. This may give you a new perspective on your activities and actions today. Are you prepared to explain them to God?

•       We should live expectantly because Christ is coming. Getting ready to meet Christ involves continually growing in love for God and for others.

•       It is important to pray regularly and to reach out to needy people.

•       Your possessions, status, and power will mean nothing in God’s kingdom, but you will spend eternity with other people.

•       INVEST YOUR TIME, MONEY AND TALENTS WHERE THEY WILL MAKE AN ETERNAL DIFFERENCE.

•       Our abilities should be faithfully used in serving others; none are for our own exclusive enjoyment.

•       We can be assured that when we suffer because of our loyalty to Christ, he will be with us all the way.

Everywhere the Bible counsels that we trust God-in good times and bad, during sunny skies and thunderclouds, when we have a pocket full of change and a pocketful of saw dust. How does trust work?

1.   Trust overcomes fear. Genuine trust in God says, “Whatever mess I’m in, my heavenly Father will lead me.”
 2.   Trust overcomes depression. No matter how overwhelming the situation or no matter how low it makes you feel, God can draw you back to the light.
 3.   Trust overcomes hate. When careless or cruel people hurt you, sometimes irreparably, you can hate forever or you can trust God, but you can’t do both. God is always there to steady even the worst situation-always with a promise, always with a hope.