We suffer because our Lord suffered on the cross. He suffered for our sins. "He made himself a slave to do The Father's will. We suffer because of the persecution of our faith for the sake of the Word ( parable of the sower; Matthew 5.12-14; part of the cross we carry each day , our Christian witness , and decisions )
How could I refuse to give my all. my best." Now do you see what I mean? Paul said our best , is the minimum expected production ... Matthew 25.32-42 ; 10.38-42 ;
Mk 16.16-20
A former clergy in my Church gave a quote quote from a missionary, C.T. Studd. He said, "If Jesus Christ be God and died for me, then no sacrifice can be too great for me to make for him." we are to "lay down" our lives ... schedules, agenda, plans to take care of His agenda for our lives - Eph 1.5,11 , which may or may not be martyrdom ..
Lets now turn to another type of suffering. The suffering of the starving in Africa. God is not obligated to feed the devil's children ... we are responsible to go and win souls , that their faith , might provide for them; and to speak the truth Romans 10.14-17 that they might hear , and to speak to the flock that they might support missions and missionaries , James 2 good works , silver , gold , jewels
It's different and learned the answer to their dilemma a few years ago These unfortunate people simply suffer because of man's inhumanity to man. & because most church members do not tithe , nor give above the tithe, nor partner with other ministers ... burying their "talent" in the dirt , not providing a return on His investement in them .
It's common sense really, when you think about it. Man causes their suffering in different ways. A lot of these poor countries have a war going on all the time. because we are not willing to pray , send missionaries, intercede , petition the government , send supplies , for they do not have gold , diamonds, oil .... that this country desires ...
We hear regular news on the T.V. of food aid to these starving people, being taken by the soldiers or even people who are supposed to be distributing it.
so what ... some get there ...
The greed of man. Then there are stories of people afraid to donate to charity because of this problem, worried that their donation will get into the wrong hands.
if you check out the ministry , prior to giving ... if you give and they blow it , you still gave 2 Corinth 9.6-9 and will have a return
Some people will argue that most wealthy people help keep children starving by their greed for spoiling themselves, living it up with designer clothes and expensive holidays etc. which is a "cop out" , what are you , the average christian doing ? $5-10.00 a month would make a difference to some one
Sadly there only seems to be a minority who donate to charity ... look at Matthew 25.32-42 and James chapter 2 ... if your faith does not produce fruit , you have no faith ... you are just like the Pharisees , have a religion not a relationship with Jesus ...
suggest to others , and go and do some thing yourself
lest you hear " depart from me , I do not know you "
In a Tape-recording club in 2001 I wrote and interesting article. Here is some of it:
