{"id":8904,"date":"2018-01-09T01:09:43","date_gmt":"2018-01-08T23:09:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sukofamily.org\/?p=8904"},"modified":"2018-02-03T09:55:13","modified_gmt":"2018-02-03T07:55:13","slug":"resolved-to-learn-from-suffering","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sukofamily.org\/resolved-to-learn-from-suffering\/","title":{"rendered":"Resolved to Learn from Suffering"},"content":{"rendered":"<h4><em>Thank you to all who prayed and supported our Ukrainian soldiers Christmas outreach. You can read more about it and <a href=\"http:\/\/sukofamily.org\/soldierschristmas\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">view pictures here.<\/a><\/em><\/h4>\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/player.blubrry.com\/?media_url=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.blubrry.com%2Fnowisthetime%2Fcontent.blubrry.com%2Fnowisthetime%2FResolved_to_Learn_from_Suffering.mp3&amp;modern=1&amp;podcast_link=https%3A%2F%2Fsukofamily.org%2Fresolved-to-learn-from-suffering%2F#mode-Light&border-000000&progress-000000\" scrolling=\"no\" width=\"100%\" height=\"165\" frameborder=\"0\" id=\"blubrryplayer-3\" class=\"blubrryplayer\" title=\"Blubrry Podcast Player\"><\/iframe><p class=\"powerpress_links powerpress_links_mp3\" style=\"margin-bottom: 1px !important;\">Podcast: <a href=\"https:\/\/media.blubrry.com\/nowisthetime\/content.blubrry.com\/nowisthetime\/Resolved_to_Learn_from_Suffering.mp3\" class=\"powerpress_link_pinw\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"Play in new window\" onclick=\"return powerpress_pinw('https:\/\/sukofamily.org\/?powerpress_pinw=8904-podcast');\" rel=\"nofollow\">Play in new window<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/media.blubrry.com\/nowisthetime\/content.blubrry.com\/nowisthetime\/Resolved_to_Learn_from_Suffering.mp3\" class=\"powerpress_link_d\" title=\"Download\" rel=\"nofollow\" download=\"Resolved_to_Learn_from_Suffering.mp3\">Download<\/a> (Duration: 39:36 &#8212; 36.3MB) | <a href=\"#\" class=\"powerpress_link_e\" title=\"Embed\" onclick=\"return powerpress_show_embed('8904-podcast');\" rel=\"nofollow\">Embed<\/a><\/p><p class=\"powerpress_embed_box\" id=\"powerpress_embed_8904-podcast\" style=\"display: none;\"><input id=\"powerpress_embed_8904-podcast_t\" type=\"text\" value=\"&lt;iframe src=&quot;https:\/\/player.blubrry.com\/?media_url=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.blubrry.com%2Fnowisthetime%2Fcontent.blubrry.com%2Fnowisthetime%2FResolved_to_Learn_from_Suffering.mp3&amp;modern=1&amp;podcast_link=https%3A%2F%2Fsukofamily.org%2Fresolved-to-learn-from-suffering%2F#mode-Light&amp;border-000000&amp;progress-000000&quot; scrolling=&quot;no&quot; width=&quot;100%&quot; height=&quot;165&quot; frameborder=&quot;0&quot; id=&quot;blubrryplayer-4&quot; class=&quot;blubrryplayer&quot; title=&quot;Blubrry Podcast Player&quot;&gt;&lt;\/iframe&gt;\" onclick=\"javascript: this.select();\" onfocus=\"javascript: this.select();\" style=\"width: 70%;\" readOnly><\/p><p class=\"powerpress_links powerpress_subscribe_links\">Subscribe: <a href=\"https:\/\/subscribebyemail.com\/feeds.blubrry.com\/feeds\/nowisthetime.xml\" class=\"powerpress_link_subscribe powerpress_link_subscribe_email\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"Subscribe by Email\" rel=\"nofollow\">Email<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/feeds.blubrry.com\/feeds\/nowisthetime.xml\" class=\"powerpress_link_subscribe powerpress_link_subscribe_rss\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"Subscribe via RSS\" rel=\"nofollow\">RSS<\/a><\/p>\n<h1>Sermon notes:<\/h1>\n<hr \/>\n<h1><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Resolved to Learn from Suffering <\/span><\/h1>\n<p>James 1:2-4<\/p>\n<p>2 \u00a0Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds,<br \/>\n3 \u00a0for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.<br \/>\n4 \u00a0And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.<\/p>\n<p>Let these words sink in,<br \/>\nDo not allow them to go down too easy<br \/>\nThese are not easy words<br \/>\nThis isn\u2019t angel food cake and frosting<br \/>\nThis is fiber, it\u2019s grit, and it\u2019s tough<br \/>\nIt\u2019s the kind of stuff you can feel go all the way down<br \/>\nIt lets you know it\u2019s there.<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">So grab a tall glass water and place it next to your Bible because you\u2019re going to need it to wash these truths down!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">I\u2019m glad James wrote these words under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, because if I had written them they would say:<\/span><\/p>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cCount it all joy, my brothers, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing!\u201d<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Now wouldn\u2019t that be a nice sermon?!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sadly that is exactly what is preached in many churches, that is exactly what is believed my many Christians, and many of us even though we don\u2019t confess that kind of abridged theology, we have it in the back of our mind a we live as if the middle half of that passage had somehow disappeared!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Many Christians spend their lives running from suffering, trying to avoid it, and looking for ways to get rid of it! Entire industries survive because of it. We spend billions on eradicating it from our lives. You will find shelves of books loaded down with advice on how to avoid it.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Products are sold<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sermons are preached<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pills are prescribed<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Counselling is given<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Escapes mechanisms are sought<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">All with the purpose of avoiding the the unavoidable, all with the hopes of living a suffering free life!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">But so few face suffering head on has James instructs us here. So few have learned the embrace joy in suffering and see Jesus in it, and beyond it <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The longer I live and the more I study God\u2019s Word, the more I\u2019m convinced that one of the greatest weaknesses of the Western Church is a lack of a practical Biblical theology of pain and suffering. Too many have come into the Church believing unbiblical promises about the Christian life. They have been lured into the Church, if that were possible, with dreams of success, health, and an easier life. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These promises of prosperity and health for the Christian are only good at producing one thing, weak willed, shallow rooted, fragile faithed church goers, who are emotionally motivated, pleasure pursuing, and Scripturally starving.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For a little contrast let\u2019s look at two preachers and their mindset on this topic:<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Jonathan Edwards resolutions on Suffering<\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">9. Resolved, to think much on all occasions of my own dying, and of the common circumstances which attend death.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">10. Resolved, when I feel pain, to think of the pains of martyrdom, and of hell.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">57. Resolved, when I fear misfortunes and adversities, to examine whether ~ have done my duty, and resolve to do it; and let it be just as providence orders it, I will as far as I can, be concerned about nothing but my duty and my sin. <\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">67. Resolved, after afflictions, to inquire, what I am the better for them, what good I have got by them, and what I might have got by them.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">June 9, and July 13, 1723.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Contrast these to the the declarations of contemporary prosperity preacher <\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Creflo Dollar\u2019s declarations for the New Year:<\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>I declare that God&#8217;s favor promotes and causes me to increase daily (Esther 2:17; Psalm 75:6-7).<\/li>\n<li>The Lord takes pleasure in my total life prosperity (Psalm 35:27).<\/li>\n<li>Because I am God&#8217;s &#8220;favorite,&#8221; I prosper in every area of my life-spiritually, physically, financially, socially and mentally (3 John 2).<\/li>\n<li>Because the favor of God shields me, no sickness or disease has a right to live in my body (Deuteronomy 7:15; Psalm 5:12).<\/li>\n<li>Wealth and riches are in my house because I am empowered with His anointing and favor to draw wealth (Deuteronomy 8:18; Psalm 112:3).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>These two worldviews and understanding of the role of suffering in the life of the believer are competing with each other in the Church today! Without a strong Biblical foundation, the prosperity gospel will win out much of the time. Honestly, I don\u2019t like to admit that I will probably face greater hardships in my life. I don\u2019t like to preach and tell others that suffering will find its way into their life.<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">But more than I don\u2019t like the idea of suffering, I despise the unbiblical, deception of those who would preach the prosperity of others for their own profit. Too many in the Church have been swallowed by the incredulous preachers of gluttonous gospel. <\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A gospel that promises instant gratification and yet gives little grace<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A gospel that entertains but fails to edify<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A gospel that shows you tips and tricks, but never teaches to go through trails <\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A gospel that elevates temporary pleasure and robs of our eternal joy!<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It\u2019s not a new gospel:<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The prophet Micah recognized it 2500 years ago!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mic 2:11 If a man should go about and utter wind and lies, saying, \u201cI will preach to you of wine and strong drink,\u201d he would be the preacher for this people!<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As we enter the New Year may we not be looking for God to give us the wealth of this world or any other temporary treasure but rather let us look to the worth of His Word and the goodness of his glory. In which we will find joy in suffering and peace in trials. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Let us \u00a0let\u2019s turn our attention back to the instructions James gives us.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">James 1:2-4 <\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2 \u00a0Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds,<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">3 \u00a0for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">4 \u00a0And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">James opens his letter with the firm strike of an iron smith\u2019s hammer, he brings his hammer down square upon our hard our hearts, our misguided expectations, and our foolish world view! <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This hammer strike would have undoubtedly all at once unsettle and yet comforted his original readers. <\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Unsettle because it may have not been what they hoped for.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Comforted them because now they could better understand their situation.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If we simply go back to verse one we can see why Jame\u2019s abrupt introduction was necessary.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Jas 1:1<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">1:1 \u00a0James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes in the Dispersion: Greetings.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There is no fluff here, James greets the 12 tribes scattered abroad, the diaspora. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Acts 8:1 tells us that the Church was scattered here because of the persecution of Paul. The early believers must have been in somewhat of a confused state.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Jesus came and rose in popularity<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Jesus suddenly was put to death<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Jesus rose from the dead <\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Jesus promised his followers power<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The first questions the disciples asked was \u201cIs this the time when you will restore the Kingdom?\u201d Acts 1:6<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Jesus rose into heaven and the Angels said he would return the same way<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The early believers had expectations that this would happen shortly<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">And then persecution began<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">James is probably the first epistle written and one of the reasons it was written was to answer the question. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cWhy are we suffering all these trials?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you look carefully at the book of James you will find that it is a one two punch that takes careful aim at the prosperity gospel.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Count: Our mindset, how do we think about trails?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The word count is in other contexts translated as \u201cto lead\u201d \u201cto govern\u201d or even \u201cto have authority\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In this context however it refers to leading our own thoughts. It seems to indicated a conscious decision to think about something in a certain way.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What do you think of when you think of suffering?<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Is it something to avoid at all costs?<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Is it something you think shouldn\u2019t happen to you?<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It is vital that we have the right mindset about suffering even before we enter it. <\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Once we are in suffering emotions can easily overcome us<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Suffering makes it harder to think clearly<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Our human tendencies will always lead us astray in suffering.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">James wants us to direct our thoughts to one thing: Joy!<\/span><\/p>\n<h1><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">All joy<\/span><\/h1>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">I want to be careful how I say this because I don\u2019t want to belittle anyone\u2019s suffering who will hear my words. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There is great suffering in the world. My suffering can not compare with the tremendous and unspeakable suffering of millions of my brothers and sisters in Christ.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Yet, by faith in God\u2019s Word and by my limited experience I can tell you that the Christian is the only person on the face of this planet who can have <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ALL joy i<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">n\u00a0<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ALL trials<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We are so tempted to put limitations on our joy!<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Partly because we don\u2019t understand real joy<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Partly because we don\u2019t trust God<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Partly because we still live under the deception that Biblical joy is dependent upon our physical, temporal, health, and financial circumstances.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8220;Christian joy is a good feeling in the soul, produced by the Holy Spirit, as he causes us to see the beauty of Christ in the word and in the world.&#8221;<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">-John Piper<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Unlike worldly pleasure or comfort which depends solely upon your relationship to your immediate circumstances, Christian join depends entirely and solely upon God\u2019s presence in your life!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Christian joy is a great weapon in your spiritual arsenal dear Christian! Please use it often! <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Illustration of how God gave us joy when Mishael was diagnosed with cancer:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Find joy in the presence of God<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Find joy in the truth of his Word<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Find joy in the fellowship of other believers<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Find joy in praise and song<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Find joy in knowing that your faith is directed toward an almighty, unchanging, ever-loving, God!<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Find joy in believing that God will use your suffering for his glory!<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">1Pe 1:6-9<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">6 \u00a0In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials,<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">7 \u00a0so that the tested genuineness of your faith\u2014more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire\u2014may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Find joy in knowing that you have a Savior who also suffered for you with joy!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Heb 12:2<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2 \u00a0looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Have joy in knowing that you share in Christ\u2019s sufferings<\/span><\/p>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">1Pe 4:13<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">13 \u00a0But rejoice insofar as you share Christ&#8217;s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<h1><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For you know<\/span><\/h1>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Jas 1:3<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">3 \u00a0for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When you don\u2019t have answers for why you are suffering go back to what you know from God\u2019s Word.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We need reminders<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What do we know?<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">God tested Abraham and he\u2019s the epitome of faith, so if he\u2019s testing us that must be a good sign.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">God\u2019s tests are meant to prove our abilities to God but His abilities to us.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Without testing it is unlikely that our faith will grow<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">God never gives a test without also giving the grace to pass the test<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We know that steadfastness is vital<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Steadfast = endure, remain, stay under,<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Not giving up, not wavering in faith<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h1><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Let it have it\u2019s full effect<\/span><\/h1>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">4 \u00a0And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The more trials and suffering you go through while looking to Jesus the greater your spiritual growth. The problem is that we want out to early.<\/span><\/p>\n<h1><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What does suffering teach us?<\/span><\/h1>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To wait eagerly for glory (Rom 8:18)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To pray (Rom 8:26)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To hang tightly to God\u2019s love (Rom 8:35)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To comfort others (2 Cor 1:7)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To acknowledge the reality of our own weakness (2 Cor 11:29)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To boast in Jesus (2 Cor 11:30)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To become like Christ (Phi 3:10)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To declare the gospel boldly (1 Th 2:2)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To not be ashamed of the gospel (2 Tim 1:12)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To be steadfast (Jam 1:3-4)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To cease from sin (1 Pet 4:1)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> To rejoice (1 Pet 4:13)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To glorify God (1 Pet 4:16)<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"8905\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/sukofamily.org\/resolved-to-learn-from-suffering\/resolved\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/sukofamily.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/Resolved.png\" data-orig-size=\"1280,720\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Resolved\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/sukofamily.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/Resolved-1024x576.png\" class=\"alignright size-full wp-image-8905\" src=\"https:\/\/sukofamily.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/Resolved.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1280\" height=\"720\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sukofamily.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/Resolved.png 1280w, https:\/\/sukofamily.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/Resolved-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/sukofamily.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/Resolved-768x432.png 768w, https:\/\/sukofamily.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/Resolved-1024x576.png 1024w, https:\/\/sukofamily.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/Resolved-1080x608.png 1080w, https:\/\/sukofamily.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/Resolved-483x272.png 483w, https:\/\/sukofamily.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/Resolved-360x203.png 360w, https:\/\/sukofamily.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/Resolved-600x338.png 600w, https:\/\/sukofamily.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/Resolved-263x148.png 263w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1280px) 100vw, 1280px\" \/><\/p>\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/player.blubrry.com\/?media_url=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.blubrry.com%2Fnowisthetime%2Fcontent.blubrry.com%2Fnowisthetime%2FResolved_to_Learn_from_Suffering.mp3&amp;modern=1&amp;podcast_link=https%3A%2F%2Fsukofamily.org%2Fresolved-to-learn-from-suffering%2F#mode-Light&border-000000&progress-000000\" scrolling=\"no\" width=\"100%\" height=\"165\" frameborder=\"0\" id=\"blubrryplayer-1\" class=\"blubrryplayer\" title=\"Blubrry Podcast Player\"><\/iframe><p class=\"powerpress_links powerpress_links_mp3\" style=\"margin-bottom: 1px !important;\">Podcast: <a href=\"https:\/\/media.blubrry.com\/nowisthetime\/content.blubrry.com\/nowisthetime\/Resolved_to_Learn_from_Suffering.mp3\" class=\"powerpress_link_pinw\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"Play in new window\" onclick=\"return powerpress_pinw('https:\/\/sukofamily.org\/?powerpress_pinw=8904-podcast');\" rel=\"nofollow\">Play in new window<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/media.blubrry.com\/nowisthetime\/content.blubrry.com\/nowisthetime\/Resolved_to_Learn_from_Suffering.mp3\" class=\"powerpress_link_d\" title=\"Download\" rel=\"nofollow\" download=\"Resolved_to_Learn_from_Suffering.mp3\">Download<\/a> (Duration: 39:36 &#8212; 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You can read more about it and <a href=\"http:\/\/sukofamily.org\/soldierschristmas\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">view pictures here.<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":8905,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"video","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[451,297],"tags":[486,341],"class_list":["post-8904","post","type-post","status-publish","format-video","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-sermon","category-podcast","tag-jonathan-edwards","tag-suffering","post_format-post-format-video"],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/sukofamily.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/Resolved.png","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p3izZc-2jC","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":7236,"url":"https:\/\/sukofamily.org\/sickness-and-suffering-how-should-christians-respond-season-2-episode-9\/","url_meta":{"origin":8904,"position":0},"title":"Sickness and Suffering, How Should Christians Respond? | Season 2 Episode 9","author":"Caleb Suko","date":"December 10, 2016","format":"audio","excerpt":"This is one of those\u00a0episodes of that I really didn't want to record. On the other hand I sensed God's sovereign timing and I knew how vital it is for Christians to have a proper perspective on suffering and pain. In this episode of \"Now Is the Time\" I share\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;The Gospel Today&quot;","block_context":{"text":"The Gospel Today","link":"https:\/\/sukofamily.org\/category\/podcast\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sukofamily.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/zi8-e3qj_rm-cristian-newman.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sukofamily.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/zi8-e3qj_rm-cristian-newman.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sukofamily.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/zi8-e3qj_rm-cristian-newman.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":5281,"url":"https:\/\/sukofamily.org\/52-did-jesus-suffer-enough\/","url_meta":{"origin":8904,"position":1},"title":"#52 Did Jesus Suffer Enough?","author":"Caleb Suko","date":"April 3, 2015","format":"audio","excerpt":"Maybe it sounds like a strange question but was Jesus's suffering really enough or do we need to add something to it? In\u00a0\u00a0this episode of \"Now Is the Time\" I talk about self-crucifixion and self-flagellation. I also share with you news from Ukraine. iTunes\u00a0or\u00a0Stitcher\u00a0make getting this podcast on your mobile\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;The Gospel Today&quot;","block_context":{"text":"The Gospel Today","link":"https:\/\/sukofamily.org\/category\/podcast\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sukofamily.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/phil-crucifixion-e1440157177382.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sukofamily.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/phil-crucifixion-e1440157177382.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sukofamily.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/phil-crucifixion-e1440157177382.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":6676,"url":"https:\/\/sukofamily.org\/racial-violence-in-america-3-responses-the-church-must-make\/","url_meta":{"origin":8904,"position":2},"title":"Racial Violence in America -3 Responses the Church Must Make","author":"Caleb Suko","date":"July 11, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"What's possibly more disturbing than the recent upsurge of interracial violence on American streets? It's the apathetic response of churches and believers. By apathetic I mean the lack of quick, clear, Biblically informed responses to shootings that have taken both black and white lives recently. Worse than apathetic are those\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Writing&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Writing","link":"https:\/\/sukofamily.org\/category\/writing\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sukofamily.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/Ricardo-ArduengoReuters-e1468236241571.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sukofamily.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/Ricardo-ArduengoReuters-e1468236241571.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sukofamily.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/Ricardo-ArduengoReuters-e1468236241571.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":4401,"url":"https:\/\/sukofamily.org\/a-letter-from-lughansk-churches\/","url_meta":{"origin":8904,"position":3},"title":"A Letter from Lughansk Churches","author":"Caleb Suko","date":"September 18, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"Despite the cease-fire the situation is Lughansk region is beyond words in terms of the human loss and suffering. There have been reports of at least two more churches being seized this week in Eastern Ukraine, one in Lughansk and one in Krasny Luch. This week I talked with one\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Ministry&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Ministry","link":"https:\/\/sukofamily.org\/category\/ministry\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sukofamily.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/09\/babushka-crying.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sukofamily.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/09\/babushka-crying.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sukofamily.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/09\/babushka-crying.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":441,"url":"https:\/\/sukofamily.org\/giving-thanks-in-suffering\/","url_meta":{"origin":8904,"position":4},"title":"Giving Thanks in Suffering","author":"Caleb Suko","date":"November 23, 2011","format":false,"excerpt":"This was Peter's last sermon in our church which he gave on Oct 24th 2011. He died just 8 days later on November 1st. I am thankful that I had the opportunity to serve with him for the past 4 years here in Ukraine.","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Writing&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Writing","link":"https:\/\/sukofamily.org\/category\/writing\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":4425,"url":"https:\/\/sukofamily.org\/the-toll-of-human-suffering-in-ukraine\/","url_meta":{"origin":8904,"position":5},"title":"The Toll of Human Suffering in Ukraine","author":"Caleb Suko","date":"September 23, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"Russia's annexation of Crimea and the ongoing war and violence in Eastern Ukraine have left in their wake a tidal wave of human suffering and pain. The violence has killed or injured thousands and uprooted hundreds of thousands! The toll has been especially heavy upon the elderly and the orphans.\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Ministry&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Ministry","link":"https:\/\/sukofamily.org\/category\/ministry\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sukofamily.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/09\/Ap-Photo-Dmitry-Lovetsky.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sukofamily.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/09\/Ap-Photo-Dmitry-Lovetsky.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sukofamily.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/09\/Ap-Photo-Dmitry-Lovetsky.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sukofamily.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8904","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sukofamily.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sukofamily.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sukofamily.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sukofamily.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=8904"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/sukofamily.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8904\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":9119,"href":"https:\/\/sukofamily.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8904\/revisions\/9119"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sukofamily.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/8905"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sukofamily.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8904"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sukofamily.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=8904"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sukofamily.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=8904"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}