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“Savior Understands Forever Feeling Every Roughness, Intercedes Now Graciously!" (S.U.F.F.E.R.I.N.G)”

Ramesh C. Reddy
Publisher

SCRIPTURE:
“For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for him, since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have.” (Philippians 1:29-30, NIV)

Approach Question:
How do you handle suffering?

Observations:
I asked myself what two things have been granted to the Philippians on behalf of Christ?
1. To believe on Him!
2. To suffer for Him!

I asked myself why?
Then it occurred to me that the Philippians to whom Paul was writing to very well could have been facing persecution and suffering. This is evidenced by verse 30: “since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have.”

Interpretation:
I asked myself what struggles did Paul have?
We know that this letter is from Paul who is in chains at a jail cell and yet he is writing to the Philippians that it has been granted them on behalf of Christ to believe on Christ and to suffer for Christ. Other translations use the term ‘privileged’ to believe on Him and suffer for Him.

I asked myself what does it mean to ‘believe on Him?’
 I found it interesting that ‘on’ was used rather than ‘in’. Either way ‘believe’ stuck in my mind. I started thinking about ‘believing’.

I thought to myself if I say that I believe Jesus then how far would I go to reveal that?
 An example came to my mind about a guy walking on a tightrope. He asked people if they believed that he could carry a person across without falling down. Knowing his skill and expertise, for he had an impeccable resume of tight-roping, people shouted that ‘He definitely could! (Example heard on radio but dramatized)

Do you know what happened?
Since they believed he could do it, he asked for a volunteer to come forward so he could take them across. Not one person stepped forward. Isn’t that something, after everyone said he could do it but they did not want to put themselves in his care to be carried across! They did not really believe he could carry them across. It was easy for them to say it until they had to agree to be carried across and then they did not believe anymore.

IMPLICATIONS:
I asked myself what are the implications for my own life?
I learned the purpose of today's verses was for me to know the importance of believing in Christ and being willing to suffer for Him and handle suffering how Christ wants me to handle it.

HOW GOSPEL GIVES ME TESTIMONY REGARDING S.U.F.F.E.R.I.N.G:

There was a time I was suffering really bad and it was all my fault. I had made grades my idols and was obsessed in getting an A. An A- or B+ was not good enough for me. Eventually, what started to happen was I would make less than a B+. Idolism to anything whether it is in relationships, academics, career, etc over the Lord can make you fall. There is nothing wrong to strive for good relationships, good grades, and a good career as we allow the Lord to be first place in our lives.

I started to really get mad with God because things were not going my way. I had to realize that God is not my genie. God does not have to do anything for me and yet the things He has done, He has chosen to do because of His love for me. Through my suffering I had written a poem given below as a reminder to myself, the importance of serving the Lord. It took me months to overcome my suffering but the Lord was there all the way bringing me through with His gentleness even though most of the suffering was my own doing.

Serving the Lord
by Ramesh C. Reddy

Ramesh is my name.
Serving the Lord is my game.
Christ did not come for fame.
But to save you and me from the flame.
Yesterday, today, and forever, He is the same.
So give Him a start
By giving him your heart.
So Satan's fiery arrows, you can dart.
And the Lord can do His part!.

I can say that I believe Jesus can do this and that and even proclaim it but when suffering comes and it is my turn to allow Jesus to carry me through, will my belief be genuine?

I want it to be genuine. Believing in someone means following what is told because there is an issue of trust involved. This issue of trust is not based on things going my way. Bringing the issue back to believing on Jesus, it means even when the circumstances look slim and my future look dim, I need to trust in Him. That is true belief. That’s the kind of belief Paul wants the Philippians to hold on to no matter what they are going through. It is having faith in the One who loves them and died for them to redeem them when they turn to Jesus! I want to have that kind of faith in Jesus. Help me Jesus.

To suffer for Jesus means for me to pick up my cross and follow Him. For that to happen I need to deny myself first. Denying myself and picking up the cross is not easy. It involves suffering but if I am to follow Jesus that is what Jesus asks. It does not matter whether the suffering is my fault or the fault of others. The fact still remains that suffering exists and I should use that for God's honor and glory remembering what Jesus did for me because the Good News is that I don't have to handle suffering on my own. Jesus paid the ultimate price on the cross of Calvary to ransom me from the power of sin and death so Jesus understands all about suffering. His suffering is what freed me and gives me new life now and forever more. Thank you Jesus. Jesus suffered so I don't have to suffer at the hands of Satan forever. Jesus handled suffering with the love He has for me. Jesus was thinking about me when He suffered so I can forever be saved. Just as Paul counted it a privilege to suffer for Christ as Christ counted it a privilege to suffer for the sake of humanity, I need to count it a privilege to suffer for Christ and handle suffering with faith and belief in Christ to get me through. I praise the Lord. Thank you Jesus. You too can handle suffering with the help of Christ. 

I ask you now dear friend, how do you handle suffering?
Dear friend, many times people try to drink their problems away, get self-absorbed in working, try to sleep their problems away because our minds are too self-absorbed in what we are going through. Paul was not self-absorbed in his misery of suffering but had a different attitude. His attitude is what helped advance the gospel and encourage others to courageously and fearlessly spread the Word. The key to Paul's attitude was His focus on the Lord Jesus Christ and His Word. We do not think that our suffering can do good for other people but with Christ on our side, it can. Thank you Jesus!

I urge you when you are suffering not to be preoccupied with your suffering that you overlook focusing on the Lord Jesus Christ. I know it is really hard when we suffer to focus our minds on the Lord at times but only through Christ can we endure and face life. I have been through a lot of rough roads. It has not been easy but I have seen the Lord work even through my suffering. Thank you Jesus.

For you it maybe something different but whatever we choose to take place of the Lord, it will falter and give us more pain. There are things we do that may just take seconds but the pain could last hours too when instead we should find our rest in the Lord and let Him carry us through.

If we allow our attitude to be focused on Christ, our suffering can help us and other people's lives. If we look at it this way, our suffering would not be for nothing. Something good can come out of it.

In conclusion as I finished chapter 1 of Philippians, Paul left a testimony by his attitude and the gospel was advanced. It also helped others to spread the word of God outside the prison system too. Paul was suffering because of the sin of others and not his own. Paul could have been mad with God because he was doing all this for God and God allowed him to suffer. Yet, we see Paul joyful, having a desire to continuously spread the Gospel, and focused on Christ.

You may feel like no one understands the suffering you are going through. But Jesus understands and suffers with you. Even if things may not look bright for you right now, I do believe the Lord has a plan for you through your suffering. Even if the suffering is a result of our own actions, I do believe that God can give us the grace and strength to endure. Please do not dwell on your suffering but look to the cross.  Jesus suffered because of the sin of the world and yet through His suffering we have all found grace when we have looked to Him. Jesus will be there for you to carry you through! Friend, wait upon Him.

"Savior Understands Forever Feeling Every Roughness, Intercedes Now Graciously!" (S.U.F.F.E.R.I.N.G)/"How do you handle S.U.F.F.E.R.I.N.G in life?"

PRAYER:
Lord Jesus, we know that majority of the suffering we face is our fault. Suffering comes because we live in a world filled with sin. Please Lord we ask for your forgiveness when we blame you for the suffering we face. We thank you so much that you love us and suffered for our sake. You became our suffering servant that your grace can be imparted in our lives as we seek thee with our whole heart. Lord, it is not easy when we face suffering. We ask thee for your deliverance. We know that you can deliver us from anything. We also realize that many times you give us the strength to endure. When the suffering is our fault, when we ask you for forgiveness, we thank you that you forgive us. Thank you Lord even if we have to face the consequences for our actions, you love us so much that you will take care of us when we turn to thee. We also thank thee there are many times you in your grace allow us to escape the consequences when we are truly repentant of our actions. You set us free from the bondage we face. Help us to be an example to others even in our suffering. It won't be easy and we need your help. Thanks Lord. And Lord, please help those who are suffering to experience your love and comfort. For only your healing touch in their lives can bring them through the pain they are facing. Thank you so much Lord. Thanks also for hearing us and answering us! In Your Name We Pray Jesus! Amen!

May the Lord Jesus guide you in His love leading you! Amen!

No matter what you feel in your heart, know that Jesus has come in and resides with you! You are not alone! To make your walk strong with the Lord, spend time in prayer talking to Him as you would to a friend. You don’t need special words to talk to the Lord. Spend time in His Word reading Psalms and turniLOVINGg them into prayer. Next allow God to heal you and speak to you through the Gospel of John or Gospel of Mark before moving on to other Books of the Bible! Slowly, let the Lord show you to which Scriptures He wants you to go to next. It is also important to be part of a body of believers to help you grow in the faith. Find a Bible believing church that preaches the Word of God from Genesis to Revelation proclaiming Jesus Christ our crucified and risen Lord who brings us hope, healing, and help by His grace alone!

Feel free to email me at reddy4hisglory2004@yahoo.com if you want to meet to study the Bible, pray with, talk about Spiritual issues or whatever is on your mind! My number is 412-641-9426

"This is my work and I can do it only because Christ's mighty energy is at work within me." (Colossians 1:29, TLB)

Express Your View

2012 DEVOTIONALS:

Philippians 1:27-28:"How do you C.O.N.D.U.C.T yourself in life?"By Ramesh C. Reddy (May 31, 12, 7:32 a.m.)

Philippians 1:22-26: What are your C.H.O.I.C.E.S based on?"By Ramesh C. Reddy (May 30, 12, 6:27 a.m.)

Philippians 1:21: "Why D.I.E for Christ?"By Ramesh C. Reddy (May 29, 12, 4:59 a.m.)

Philippians 1:20: "Where do you need to have C.O.U.R.A.G.E in life?"By Ramesh C. Reddy (May 25, 12, 8:08 a.m.)

Philippians 1:19:"Who do you C.A.L.L often in life?"By Ramesh C. Reddy (May 24, 12, 8:32 a.m.)

Philippians 1:19: "What reason do you have to R.E.J.O.I.C.E in life?"By Ramesh C. Reddy (May 22, 12, 8:21 a.m.)

Philippians 1:15-18: "How are your M.O.T.I.V.E.S in life?"By Ramesh C. Reddy (May 22, 12, 8:21 a.m.)

Philippians 1:13-14:"What have your C.H.A.I.N.S done to others in your life?"By Ramesh C. Reddy (May 21, 12, 9:04 a.m.)

Philippians 1:12:  "How can you feel so S.P.E.C.I.A.L when things are going so wrong in your life?"By Ramesh C. Reddy (May 18, 12, 8:20 a.m.)

Philippians 1:9-11: "What is your L.O.V.I.N.G response in life based on?"By Ramesh C. Reddy (May 18, 12, 8:20 a.m.)

Philippians 1:8:   "How can your A.F.F.E.C.T.I.O.N grow towards others in life?"By Ramesh C. Reddy (May 17, 12, 6:32 a.m.)

Philippians 1:7: "Why cannot you be saved by G.R.A.C.E. alone?"By Ramesh C. Reddy (May 16, 12, 9:55 a.m.)

Philippians 1:6: "Where are you C.O.N.F.I.D.E.N.T in?"By Ramesh C. Reddy (May 15, 12, 10:54 a.m.)

Philippians 1:3-6: "How can you attain a P.A.R.T.N.E.R.S.H.I.P in the Gospel?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (May 14, 12, 08:38 a.m.)

Philippians 1:3: "How will others R.E.A.C.T towards God when they remember you?" (May 11, 12, 09:53 a.m.) By Ramesh C. Reddy

Philippians 1:1-2: "When do you B.L.E.S.S others in life?" (May 09, 12, 7:30 a.m.) By Ramesh C. Reddy

Philippians 1:1: "Why bother to let others T.R.A.I.N you when you are already a leader?" (May 10, 12, 9:01 a.m.) By Ramesh C. Reddy

Philippians 1:1: "Why should you believe you are H.O.L.Y instead of being a sinner?" (May 08, 12, 8:05 a.m.) By Ramesh C. Reddy

Philippians 1:1: Who will you be a S.L.A.V.E to in life? (May 07, 12, 7:06 a.m.) By Ramesh C. Reddy