4.7- What are we expecting? Easy times or challenging times?

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4.7-


What are we expecting?  When we have chosen to be a disciple of Jesus did we expect a smooth life without any conflicts and hard times.  I hope not.

We are taught by Scripture to not be surprised at challenging ordeals.
The early disciples were able to rejoice when they had trials because it meant they felt they were worthy to handle the difficult things.  Some of them were thankful that the difficulty came to them instead of someone else.  Joy was expressed that it showed that others also could hold up over hard times.

We are counseled by Scripture to keep on rejoicing.

1 Peter 4.
12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you; 13 but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation. 14 If you are reviled [j]for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. 15 Make sure that none of you suffers as a murderer, or thief, or evildoer, or a [k]troublesome meddler; 16 but if anyone suffers as a Christian, he is not to be ashamed, but is to glorify God in this name. 17 For it is time for judgment to begin [l]with the household of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? 18 And if it is with difficulty that the righteous is saved, [m]what will become of the godless man and the sinner? 19 Therefore, those also who suffer according to the will of God shall entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right

If it hard for us as children of God to get through hard times, imagine how hard it will be for those who have no hope here and no hope beyond this life.  We have a faithful creator God.  We believe that we were created in the image of God.  We have hope in our creator and Jesus the author of our life.  

All things can work to the good of us if we love God and keep on loving Him.

We learn to believe and know that God means things that men mean for evil to work out for our good.

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