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There is a specific aspect of the Christian life that, I think, deserves a look. I believe we need to
explore the attitude of some who believe that as Christians, we should never have any
problems, or have any struggles͙in fact, should never suffer. However, I read in Scripture that
Jesus himself learned obedience through the things he suffered. In Psalm 119:71 it says, ͞The
suffering you sent was good for me, for it taught me to pay attention to your principles.͟ The
apostle Paul talks about having to endure many trials and sufferings. Consider 2nd Corinthians
12:9-10, ͚͞my grace is enough for you. When you are weak, my power is made perfect in you.͛
So I am very happy to brag about my weaknesses. Then Christ's power can live in me. For this
reason I am happy when I have weaknesses, insults, hard times, sufferings, and all kinds of
troubles for Christ. Because when I am weak, then I am truly strong.͟ James says, ͞Count it all
joy, my brethren, when you suffer various trials͙͟ James 1:12 says that if we endure to the end
we will receive a crown of righteousness.

I find it odd, that we as modern day Christians should think somehow we have evolved into
some kind of time where we no longer have to suffer. This is not our home. We are in a
foreign land. We will not understand the language, we have a different culture. We dress
different, we talk different, and we act different. And if we don͛t, we need to take a look at
why. We need to check our passport. Where is our permanent address? Because, my friends,
this is not my home, I am only passing through. I am on a mission on this earth to reach as
many as I can for Jesus. I refuse to conform͙in Romans 12 it tells me to ͞be not conformed to
this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind to do that which is pleasing to
God and serves his purpose.͟

Suffering is not evil, it is not bad and you are not out of God͛s will just because you are
suffering͙although it is always good to check your heart and motives because God cannot bless
you if you are living outside of His principles. But it doesn͛t mean that you don͛t have any
faith͙it just means that we live in a fallen world. We need to stay close to our Father God; our
Creator! Check it out: 2nd Peter 5:10, ͞In His kindness God called you to his eternal glory by
means of Jesus Christ. After you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support and
strengthen you and he will place you on a firm foundation.͟

FREE GIFT: SALVATION... Rom 6:23 says ͞the wages of sin is death͙BUT͙the gift of God is
eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.͟ However, to receive the free gift you must count the
cost. Read Luke 14:26-33 and you will find that even though eternal Life is free, living the
Christian life, walking in covenant with God, costs everything. It may cost your job, finances,
friends, even your family. It may cost you more than you could ever imagine. But, the exchange
is incredible: forgiveness and freedom from your sin plus eternal life with the Creator of the
universe! Now that is a GREAT EXCHANGE.