DAILY BREAD OF LIFE

(KJV.)  1 PETER 4:12-14

(12)  Beloved,  think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you;
(13)  But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.
(14)  If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye;  for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you:  on their part he is evil spoken of,  but on your part he is glorified.


REJOICE IN SUFFERING FOR CHRIST'S SAKE!

Case in point;  (12)  Beloved,  think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you;  as Christians, let not our hearts be troubled when we experience blazing hardships, as if an abnormal phenomenons had manifested upon our lives; but, let our faiths be strong in the righteousness of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ;  let us pray without ceasing. (1 Thessalonians 5:17);  search the scriptures for words of encouragements from Jesus to help with our situations. (John 5:39);  have faith in God, knowing that whatever is going on is seasonal and will pass away in due times. (Mark 11:22);  also, at times, we ought to listen to preachers of the words of the Father and Jesus Christ when in trails, to be strengthen in faith;  for, it is written,  So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. (Romans 10:17).

Points to ponder,   (13)  But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.  that is, Christian are to show happiness when in sufferings, as though things are going well with us, not allow our persecutors to to boast over our souls because they succeeded in doing evil against our lives;  let us be assured that if Christ lives within our innermost spirits and we live in him; then, we are more than conquerors; for Christ already suffered, died and resurrected to grant us grace and peace everlasting;  however, (i)  if we are faithful Christ followers, the enemy will pester with our lives to discourage us from the faith of his righteousness and persecutions will come upon our lives:  (ii)  if Christ died, rose again for righteousness sake; then as Christians, we will also experience some degrees of his sufferings, that through our sufferings, he may also be glorified through our innermost spirits;  (iii)  that when our sufferings are over, we will also be settled and rejoice exceedingly to the glorification of Christ our Lord and Savior;  therefore, Christians, let us have patience in our sufferings that the perfect work of Christ could be completed in our lives forevermore.


WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT:

Fruits of thought,  (14)  If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye;  for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of,  but on your part he is glorified.  Christians, if we experience blame, discreet or disgrace from evil works of men because of who we are in Christ;  let us not feel downcast but rejoice and be exceedingly glad; knowing that we are unique and possess spiritual pureness of the Father and his sovereignty and dominion rests upon our lives;  for those who persecute our lives because of who we are, what we believe and our standings in faith of his righteousness, have no understandings of who Christ is nor believe in him as Lord and Savior;  therefore, they defame his characters and condemn him for what he stands for in his righteousness, and as Son of the living Father, and redeemer of the world;  however, Christians believe in (i)  God the Father and Jesus is his Son; (ii)  who suffered for all our iniquities, (iii)  he was crucified on cross of Calvary, (iv)  he died for sins not committed, buried, went into the grave to set all captives free from enemy bondage, (v)  he resurrected from the grave and ascended into heaven, (vi)  seated on the right hand of the Father, (vii)  he is now our advocate, who pleads for mercies of the Father on our behalves, (viii)  until his second coming and our rapture into life everlasting.


CONCLUSION:

Dearly beloved, today's lesson is an encouragement to our faith in Christ Jesus, to persevere and forbear through all sufferings, trails and tribulations of our faiths in Christ's righteousness;  if we believe in Christ and his sufferings on behalf of humanity, then let us use his sufferings as examples for our trails and know that trails will surely come our ways as his followers but in our sufferings, let us rejoice to know that when sufferings are over and his works are accomplished within our minds, spirits and bodies; Christ will be glorified within our souls;  therefore, if we are currently experiencing sufferings;  let us not pay too much attentions to our negative situations but try to rejoice exceedingly with songs of praises, prayers and supplications, giving thanks to the Father through Christ who is able to do all things; he will have mercy upon our souls and change things around for good this year;  let us have patience so Christ could finish his works in our lives to receive his glorification upon our lives forever and evermore.  Amen and Amen!


QUOTES OF THE DAY:

(KJV.)  James 1:2-4  My brethren,  count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;...Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience...But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.