It is a reality that Christians will suffer for their faith – what strategies could Christians employ to help them persevere resiliently in the face of suffering?
The Apostle Peter offers three quick strategies:
Category Archives: Ken Noakes
Living for Christ will involve Suffering! (Part 3 of 6)
Here is a truth that is hard to swallow: Living for Christ will involve suffering!
Peter puts this truth into perspective in his first letter. First he spoke of a a Christ-centred hope (1:3-2:10), then he taught his readers how to live with a Christ-centred hope (2:11-4:11). In the final section of his letter, Peter wants to ensure that his readers understand what it means to suffer under a Christ-centred hope (4:12-5:11).
If you are going to live for Christ, are you willing to make a stand? (Part 2 of 6)
‘The ultimate test of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and moments of convenience, but where he stands in moments of challenge and moments of controversy.’ so said Martin Luther King Jnr, the great American Black Civil Rights Leader and Preacher at a Nobel Peace Prize Recognition Dinner on 27th January 1965.[1]
It is a profound statement and one which many Christians should be able to relate too. Christians can say what they believe, but that belief is most clearly tested, most obvious, when Christians have to stand firm through challenge, conflict or persecution.
Resilient in Suffering (Part 1 of 6)
My job was to care for the widows. Our church was growing so quickly and it was a joy to see that together we could care well for those who were more vulnerable. I would help distribute food particularly to our new Christian sisters – Grecian and Hebraic Jewish ladies who had come to faith and needed material support – we wanted to make sure no one was overlooked.
It was privilege to serve in this way, because it meant that the apostles were freed up to focus on what we all knew was a priority – prayer and the ministry of the word of God.
I got myself into a little bit of a fix, I wish it didn’t happen – a fight that was blown way out of proportion.
Tips for Prayer (Part 6 of 6)
Prayer is essential so here are some tips and suggestions to help you essentially pray:
Praying the Lord’s Way (Part 5 of 6)
So how do we pray?
Jesus taught his disciples to pray in Matthew 6. His instruction came in the middle of a sermon, called the ‘sermon on the mount’ (hardly surprising as Jesus often withdrew to a mountain to pray). His concern is that the disciples conducted themselves in a way that was pleasing to the Lord as opposed to pleasing before people (6:1, 18) and he offers three areas of concern: Giving (6:2-4), Prayer (6:5-15) and Fasting (6:16-18).
This is what he says about prayer:
Prayer in Western Society (Part 4 of 6)
So why do we today find prayer so difficult? I suspect the answer to this question will differ between the Western World and Eastern World!
Prayer in the Bible (Part 3 of 6)
The Bible is very comfortable with the idea that you can talk to God. Depending on the Bible version you look at ‘prayer’ is referenced over six hundred and fifty times!
Talking to God (Part 2 of 6)
Has your prayer life ever sounded like this?
Dear Lord and Father,
Help me now to come before your word and hear your voice. Help me – oh I forgot to lock the car! Sorry God, just got distracted. I pray that you would open my mind and heart and – I must remember to pick up some milk on the way home! Should I go out after church this week, it will be a busy week, maybe I should get home and get to bed instead! Whoops, get back to praying, Sorry God. Where was I? Something about opening my mind… oh that’s right, I pray that you will help me to obey what you want me to obey – I wonder if I will see Steve after church – oh not now, God help me to focus and I pray ….I can’t remember – well in Jesus Name Amen!
Is it just me, or are there times when you struggle to pray? Christians know they should pray, it is wonderful to have an open line to the only God of the universe, yet that doesn’t mean Christians always find it easy! Sadly, we often fail in the area of prayer, and it can lead to disillusionment and lack of discipline in this important area of the Christian life.
Faithful in Prayer (Part 1 of 6)
The earth moved! If I ever thought that prayer was weak, then all I needed to do was remember back to that day, to that prayer meeting, when the ground shook, and by the Holy Spirit, we spoke the word of God boldly!
It happened like this…
churchcentralonline.com 