Suffering and Hope
Can we truly make sense of suffering? The suffering of the victims of Asia's tsunami seems senseless. Worser yet, it seems, is the suffering of those left behind.
But have we ever considered that death perhaps is not something to be feared, but to be embraced? We fear death because it is unknown, and it seems like the End of hope. But as Christians, the truth is, death is merely the BEGINNING OF LIFE! Imagine that!
Here's another reality Pastor Edmund reminded us on Sunday: The ultimate suffering was experienced by Jesus Christ when He was nailed to the Cross -- paying the penalty that He DIDN'T deserve, but which *I* deserved! I am spiritually alive today, because God, in His mercy, did not kill me off (as I deserve), but let His Son die in my place!
I cannot explain nature's disasters, but I know what the Bible says. Mark 13:7 reads:
"When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be frightened; those things must take place; but that is not yet the end.
For nation will arise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; there will be earthquakes in various places; there will also be famines. These things are merely the beginning of birth pangs."
Beginning of birth pangs for what? For the Second Coming of Jesus Christ! And when HE comes, there will be ultimate Rest and Relief from all suffering as we know it -- for in present sufferings, they merely signal the coming of an eternal hope!
This hope is available for anyone who believes and receives Jesus Christ into his/her life. If you haven't already met Jesus, won't you receive Him today? He is the answer to our pain and suffering -- not just for today, but for all of eternity!!!
So... what are you waiting for? :)
But have we ever considered that death perhaps is not something to be feared, but to be embraced? We fear death because it is unknown, and it seems like the End of hope. But as Christians, the truth is, death is merely the BEGINNING OF LIFE! Imagine that!
Here's another reality Pastor Edmund reminded us on Sunday: The ultimate suffering was experienced by Jesus Christ when He was nailed to the Cross -- paying the penalty that He DIDN'T deserve, but which *I* deserved! I am spiritually alive today, because God, in His mercy, did not kill me off (as I deserve), but let His Son die in my place!
I cannot explain nature's disasters, but I know what the Bible says. Mark 13:7 reads:
"When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be frightened; those things must take place; but that is not yet the end.
For nation will arise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; there will be earthquakes in various places; there will also be famines. These things are merely the beginning of birth pangs."
Beginning of birth pangs for what? For the Second Coming of Jesus Christ! And when HE comes, there will be ultimate Rest and Relief from all suffering as we know it -- for in present sufferings, they merely signal the coming of an eternal hope!
This hope is available for anyone who believes and receives Jesus Christ into his/her life. If you haven't already met Jesus, won't you receive Him today? He is the answer to our pain and suffering -- not just for today, but for all of eternity!!!
So... what are you waiting for? :)
posted by belle at 12:30 PM
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