Author: bayateron

Date: Sunday, 07 July 2022
Venue: Mahayahay 2, Pardo Cebu City
Message: Orly Bayate – Senior Pastor of the UCIPI

Good morning church. We would like to thank the following person for the succeeding event of our 3rd church anniversary last Sunday.
I would like to inform everyone that we will be having a couple’s night every last Friday of the month. And prayer and fasting every 3rd Friday of the month.


Obedience always brings blessings.
“Our willingness and desire to be obedient to the teachings of Jesus is at the heart of our entire faith walk.”
You cannot separate faith from Obedience. Hebrews 11:6 (NIV) – And without faith, it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
Luke 11:21 (NIV) – When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own house, his possessions are safe.
Luke 11:28 (NIV) – He replied, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.“
Obedience keeps the strongman out.
God’s simple requests often serve as stepping stones to life’s most wonderful blessings.

“I believe Christians often perceive/notice obedience to God as some test designed just to see if we’re really committed to Him. But what if it’s designed as God’s way of giving us what’s best for us?” – Groeschel
We must be obedient because we want to be – Not because someone tells us to or the bible says we must.
Obedience always brings God’s blessings


Luke 5: 1-11 (NIV) – One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret, the people were crowding around him and listening to the word of God. 2He saw at the water’s edge two boats, left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets, 3He got into one of the boats, then one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat. 4 When he had finished speaking he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water and let down the nets for a catch” 5Simon answered, “Master we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.” 6 When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. 7So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink. 8When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, “Go away from me Lord; I am a sinful man!” 9For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, 10and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon’s partners. Then Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid; from noon you will fish for people.” 11So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.

Samtang ang mga tawo nanagdotdot kaniya aron sa pagpatalinghug sa pulong sa Dios, siya nagtindog sa bay-bayon sa lanaw sa Genesaret.
2 Ug iyang nakita ang duha ka sakayan diha sa daplin sa lanaw; apan ang mga mangingisda mikawas na niini ug nanag-uyab sa ilang mga pukot.
3 Ug sa paghisakay niya sa usa sa mga sakayan, nga iya ni Simon, siya mihangyo kaniya sa pagtulak niini ug diyutay gikan sa mamala. Ug siya milingkod ug nagpanudlo sa mga tawo sukad sa sakayan.
4 Ug sa nakaundang na siya pagsulti, siya miingon kang Simon, “Palawod kamo ug itaktak didto ang inyong mga pukot aron maka-kuha kamo.”
5 Ug si Simon mitubag kaniya, “Ginoo, tibuok gabii namong hago ug wala gayud kamiy nakuha! Apan tungod sa imong sulti akong itaktak ang mga pukot.”
6 Ug sa nabuhat na nila kini, ilang nakuha ang mabagang duot sa isda; ug kay nagkabusbos na man ang ilang mga pukot,
7 gikamay nila ang ilang mga kauban nga didto sa usang sakayan aron sa pagduol ug pagtabang kanila. Ug sila miduol ug ang duha ka sakayan ilang napuno sa mga isda nga tungod niana hapit na kini malunod.
8 Apan sa pagkakita niini ni Simon Pedro, siya mihapa sa tiilan ni Jesus ug miingon kaniya, “Pahawa kanako, Ginoo, kay ako usa ka tawong makasasala.”
9 Kay siya nahibulong man ugod, ug ang tanan nga mga kauban niya, tungod sa mga isda nga ilang nakuha;
10 ug maingon man usab sila si Santiago ug si Juan, ang mga anak ni Zebedeo nga mga kauban ni Simon. Ug si Jesus miingon kang Simon, “Ayaw kahadlok; sukad karon mangisda ka nag mga tawo.”
11 Ug sa nadahik na nila ang ilang mga sakayan ngadto sa mamala, ilang gibiyaan ang tanan ug mikuyog sila kaniya.

1st request

Jesus wanted to use Simon (Peter’s) boat as a platform to address the multitude. It wasn’t a particularly remarkable request, but Peter’s willingness to comply to Jesus request paved the way for a life changing blessing.

What we lean here is: How important is it for us to learn to obey God in even the smallest matters,

2nd Request

The second opportunity to say Yes or No. Peter must have been tempted to decline, He was a seasoned fisherman, he caught nothing all night
Here a young teacher, a Carpenter not a fisherman asks him to go fishing again.
Notice: Luke 5: 5 (NIV) – 5Simon answered, “Master we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.”
Take Note: Obedience leaves the outcome to God. Here’s the point about obedience:
Luke 5:6 (NIV) – 6 When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break.

A. It’s when the Information becomes Revelation and it flows into the Application

B. God always has abundance waiting to manifest in your life. As a result of Peter’s obedience, Jesus demonstrated His power and Sovereignty for all to see.

3 REASONS WHY OBEDIENCE IS CRITICAL TO THE CHRISTIAN LIFE.


I. OBEYING GOD IN SMALL MATTERS IS AN ESSENTIAL STEP TO RECEIVING GOD’S GREATEST BLESSINGS.

Psalm 128:1 (NIV) – Blessed are all who fear the Lord, who walk in obedience to him.

A. Imagine if Peter said, “No I’m tired “Please use another boat” or “It’s a waste of time we fished all night.” If he said anything other than yes- he would have missed the greatest fishing experience of his life.
B. Often our greatest blessings come as a result of our willingness to do something seemingly unimportant. What has God been asking you to do?

II. OUR OBEDIENCE ALWAYS BENEFITS OTHERS.
A. Your obedient life is not just about you, you become a channel for God to flow through.
Genesis 22:18 (NIV) – “And through your offspring, all nations on earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed me.”
Luke 5:6-7 (NIV) – 6 When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. 7So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink.
B. Because of Peter’s obedience when he prayed for the cripple at the temple.
Acts 3:6-7 (NIV) – 6Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” 7Taking him by the right hand, he help him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong.
C. You can’t hide obedience others see it and are drawn to it and desire it.

III. WHEN WE OBEY GOD WE WILL NEVER BE DISAPPOINTED.

A. Jesus turned an empty boat into a full almost sinking boat
Joshua 1:8 (NLT) – Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do.
B. If you want increased favor in your life start obeying God in every area.
Proverbs 10:22 (Amp) – The blessing of the Lord brings [true] riches, and He adds no sorrow to it [for it comes as a blessing from God].

FOR MANY, IT MAY BE EASIER SAID THAN DONE. SO HERE ARE SOME GUIDELINES:

1. Obedience is doing anything God commands you to do, regardless of the cost.
2. Your obedience guarantees that God will always respond in favor of you.
3. Promotion always follows obedience
4. Your obedience to God’s Instructions is the only proof of your love for Him.

Challenge: Can I encourage you: Just start doing those things that you already know to do. God has been calling you to lay down things that are blocking the blessings.
Hebrews 11:6 (NIV) – And without faith, it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
John 14:15 & 23 (NIV) – 15 ”If you love me, you will obey what I command.” 23Jesus replied, “If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching, My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.”

Date: June 19,2022 Sunday
Venue: Mahayahay 2, Pardo Cebu City
Message: Orly Bayate Senior Pastor of the UCIPI

Good morning Uphill church. Today is a special Day for the Fathers. Because it’s Father’s Day! Tell your brothers and sisters beside you “ HAPPY FATHER’S DAY.”
Father’s Day began in America around 1910. Most credit “Sonora Smart Dodd of Spokane, Washington, whose father, a Civil War veteran, raised her and her five siblings after their mother died in childbirth” for beginning its observance (“Father’s Day,” History.com).
Father’s Day was a religious holiday before being commercialized by greeting cards and gifts. It became a national holiday in 1966, and in 1972 the third Sunday of June was officially designated Father’s Day.
The Bible teaches the value of fathers. Far more than mere progenitors/ancestors fathers shape future generations and thus, nations and the world (not to mention churches). Their value cannot be overstated/exaggerated.
We thank God for the gift of godly fathers and ask Him to continue to bless us with faithful fathers.

This morning I will be sharing with you entitled “ 4 CONTINUAL PRAYER FOR THE FATHERS

1. O LORD, GIVE US FATHERS WHO WILL LISTEN.
A. We need fathers who listen first to God and hear from His Scriptures the words of wisdom needed to direct their households on the path of righteousness.
B. We pray for fathers who listen to their children to hear their hopes and dreams and to encourage their aspirations – and for fathers who hear their children’s cries for help in times of doubt and despair.
C. We pray for fathers who listen to their wives, the mothers of their children, and glean fro10 [a]Who can find a virtuous and capable wife?

She is more precious than rubies.
11 Her husband can trust her,
and she will greatly enrich his life.
12 She brings him good, not harm,
all the days of her life.m them wise counsel as a trusted companion (Prov 31:10-12).

2. O LORD, GIVE US FATHERS WHO WILL LEARN.
A. How we desperately need fathers who will learn the word of God, live it before their children and also teach it to the next generation (Psa 78:1-8)!

for I will speak to you in a parable.
I will teach you hidden lessons from our past—
3 stories we have heard and known,
stories our ancestors handed down to us.
4 We will not hide these truths from our children;
we will tell the next generation
about the glorious deeds of the LORD,
about his power and his mighty wonders.
B. We need fathers who are humble and willing to learn; who rely on God’s truth to guide them as they nurture their children in the training and admonition of the Lord

(Eph 6:4).

for I will speak to you in a parable.
I will teach you hidden lessons from our past—
3 stories we have heard and known,
stories our ancestors handed down to us.
4 We will not hide these truths from our children;
we will tell the next generation
about the glorious deeds of the LORD,
about his power and his mighty wonders.
C.Fathers are needed who will pray with Manoah, “O my Lord, teach us what we shall do for the child” (Judges 13:8).
Then Manoah prayed to the LORD, saying, “Lord, please let the man of God come back to us again and give us more instructions about this son who is to be born.” 
3. O LORD, GIVE US FATHERS WHO WILL LEAD.

A. We need fathers who willingly accept their role as leaders of their families, accepting the responsibility and the sacrifice that comes with it.
B. These fathers are a blessing to their families (Eph 5:23; 6:4; 1 Tim 3:4).
Ephesians 5:23 “For a husband is the head of his wife as Christ is the head of the church. He is the Savior of his body, the church.”
1 Timothy 3:4 “ He must manage his own family well, having children who respect and obey him.”

4. O LORD, GIVE US FATHERS WHO WILL LOVE.
A. We plead for fathers who fully love the Lord and who teach their children to love God (cf. Deut 6:4-9). 4 “Listen, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord alone.[a] 5 And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength. 6 And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today. 7 Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up. 8 Tie them to your hands and wear them on your forehead as reminders. 9 Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.
B.We need fathers who love their children by correcting them in love
(Heb 12:5-7). 5 And have you forgotten the encouraging words God spoke to you as his children?[a] He said,
“My child,[b] don’t make light of the Lord’s discipline,
and don’t give up when he corrects you. 6 For the Lord disciplines those he loves,
and he punishes each one he accepts as his child.”[c]

7 As you endure this divine discipline, remember that God is treating you as his own children. Who ever heard of a child who is never disciplined by its father?



To wrap up my message,
Fathers are needed who love their children’s mothers and by that love show their children how to love their future spouses.
Faithful fathers deserve our honor every day: “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Honor your father and mothers…that it may be well with you…” (Eph 6:1-2)

Good morning everyone. I would like to greet Happy Father’s Day to all fathers who gives sacrificially their entire life to provide, to lead and protect their family.

Today, I’m going to share with you “The Duties Of A Father” but before I proceed at first let us pray

I.  TO PROVIDE THE FAMILY

“If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.”

1 Timothy 5:8

The Bible is clear that a godly father accepts his responsibility to be a provider for his family. Decent men embrace this responsibility as an honor rather than a horror.

The real father loved his own family and because he loves his own family, he will be responsible to provide his family.

WHAT DOES THE FATHER PROVIDE FOR THE FAMILY?

A. A Godly Father Provides Spiritual Needs For His Children

This is a dad who can be found conducting Bible devotional with his kids, praying with them, singing hymns and praise, and answering their questions.

Even though loving mom, a secular teacher, or a Sunday school teacher or a youth leader might help train the child, the father considers primary responsibility.

In Ephesians 6:4 we read, “Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.”

B. A Godly Father Provides For The Physical Needs Of His Children

This point may seem obvious to all of us  but what I have observed in our Filipino culture was distinct because I have seen some fathers provide marijuana, rooster chicken for the cockpit event, some fathers provide cigarettes and wine for their children.

I’ve seen a lot in the street children begging food to their father but unfortunately, their father gave the opposite, instead of food they gave them rugby. 

Some children in our society are reaping bad fruits due to the negligence of the father of giving an exemplary life to their children.

Before sin even entered the world, Genesis 2:15 says that “the Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it.”

Take Note of This: Work is an act of worship, and men are supposed to work and provide for their families.

C. A Godly Father Provides A Relational Needs Of His Children

A wise father brings his children into a healthy church community (Simbahan not in tigbakayan).  In the New Testament, Paul often uses the representation/symbol that the church is a family by spiritual, rather than physical, birth.

This web of relationships should support the parents in their task of training and cultivating their children in the Lord. Proverbs teach that a wise father selects his friends carefully.

Proverbs 12:26 says that “the righteous chooses his friends carefully.” Additionally, Proverbs 27:10 says, “Do not forsake your friend and your father’s friend, and do not go to your brother’s house on the day of your calamity. Better is a neighbor who is near than a brother who is far away.”

In other words, godly friends of all ages who love God and live righteously are wonderful influences upon a child.

II. TO LEAD THE FAMILY

Father leads the family

A. By Example In Godly Living

All fathers in the world are considered as a model of their family. Children are always looking up to their fathers in a way how they should live.

For instance, If the father is used to walk diagonally because he is filled with wine the children likewise will do the same. There is a saying “ Father like son.”

I want you to listen to this. Fathers do not expect good fruit from your children if you are not living an exemplary life.

The Bible suggests that in the end, those who bring trouble on their own family will inherit nothing but disgrace.

Proverbs 11:29

Whoever brings ruin on their family will inherit only wind, and the fool will be a servant to the wise.

There was a man named Joshua a father and leader of his family and father to his children he promised the people that he would lead a good example to his family by serving the Lord faithfully and lead his family to do the same

(Joshua 24:15, NLT)

But if you refuse to serve the Lord, then choose today whom you will serve. Would you prefer the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates? Or will it be the gods of the Amorites in whose land you now live? But as for me and my family, we will serve the Lord.”

Father leads the family

B. By Disciplining His children

In western culture spanking, a child will lead you to file a case called “child abuse.” But here in the Philippines is different because our culture of disciplining that we inherited from our ancestor they used to get a piece of rod or stick to be used for our wrongdoing and we do oftentimes letting us bend down our knees on the floor with salt to make us realize our faults.

Afterward, our parents would be asking us why they did that because they did not want us to be a spoiled brat or a little monster when we grow up but they wanted us to learn correction from our mistakes and uphold the principles of living a righteous and godly life.

Proverbs 23:13-14

13 Do not withhold discipline from a child; if you punish them with the rod, they will not die. 

14 Punish them with the rod and save them from death.

Proverbs 13: 24 Whoever spare/give up the rod hates their children, but the one who loves their children is careful to discipline them.

Revelation 3:19

Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent.

Proverbs 3:11-12

My son, do not despise the LORD’s discipline, and do not resent his rebuke, 

12 because the LORD disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in.

 

Hebrews 12:10-11

10 They disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness. 11 No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. LAST BUT NOT THE LEAST, DUTIES OF A FATHER

III. TO PROTECT THE FAMILY

Every father has a responsibility to protect those who are close to us. He knew how to protect his own family from the influence of evil activity in a society.

Here are the right things to do to consider as a protector of the family

1. A father protects his spouse and children by covering a word of prayer.

As the world experiencing pandemics due to COVID 19 people are advised to wear a face mask to protect us from acquiring a disease but we should also not forget to protect our family by covering them in prayer by the blood of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen bah!

The Bible tells us that after Job’s children gathered for feasts, Job would rise early to make a sacrifice for his children and pray for them.

And when the days of the feast had run their course, Job would send and consecrate them, and he would rise early in the morning and offer burnt offerings according to the number of them all.

Job 1:5 New King James Version
So it was, when the days of feasting had run their course, that Job would send and sanctify them, and he would rise early in the morning and offer burnt offerings according to the number of them all. Job said, “It may be that my sons have sinned and cursed God in their hearts.” Thus Job did regularly.

2. Father protects his wife and children from bullying

I’m not talking about bullying in this world but harass by the Devil

Don’t you know that Satan is bullying us by putting fear, worries, pain, and tyranny on this pandemic period? He came into this world to bully and intimidate us.

Satan was putting doubt into our mind and hearts to waver our faith in God’s faithfulness but its time to fight back using God’s Word of truth to expose him that he is a liar and Beelzebub.

We cannot control the bully of the Devil in this world, but we can patrol ourselves in feelings to avoid getting emotional. God has given us a sound mind to control our emotions.

2Timothy 1:7

New King James Version
For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

God’s own people were bullied by Pharaoh in Egypt under the command of Satan for a long time of 430 years. The Lord through His mercy and grace delivered His own people from dictatorship.

We need to tear down fear, worries, pain, doubt, and oppression through the lights of God’s Word in our lives.

3. Father protects his wife and children

To wrap up this message.

As a father work faithfully to raise my children and provide for their needs, they are setting a course of life that will continue into adulthood.

Proverbs 22:6 explains it this way: “train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old, he will not depart from it.” This is not a promise, but rather a truism: training a child in a God-ward direction sets for them a healthy course of life.

Sadly, the converse is also true: a foolish father sets his child on the path of folly, and few turns from it in repentance.

Therefore, it is very important for a wise father and mother to get their child going in the right direction and by God’s grace to help the child continue forward in wisdom and holiness.

Good morning everyone. For those who do not know I would like to inform everybody that we already had an official website for our church. I’d like to encourage everyone to visit our website because there you can review my sermon manuscript/notes and you can use it for your devotion.

The name of the website: bayateron.cw.center. Aside from that, I will be posting a variety of  Christian eBooks that can be downloaded for self-study and self-meditation.

Last Sunday, we talked about THE PURPOSE OF SUFFERING God intended it so that our faith may be strengthened, we can rely on God and we become like Christ-like character.

Now, I’m going to share with you entitled “ GOD’S PROMISE OF SUFFERING. Let’s pray

3 SIGNIFICANT PROMISE OF GOD OF SUFFERING

I. HE WILL COMFORT US

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

We can never be effective in every aspect of life if we don’t undergo trials and suffering why? For that reason likewise, He wants us to minister

The word “comfort’ here is taken from the word “comforter” in the Greek word “ paraclete which means advocate or comforter.

1 John 2:1. My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. The word advocate is the same Greek word translated comforter.

When our Lord Jesus Christ was on earth, He was the Comforter to His disciples. He was together with to sustain them when they were drifting on the storm-tossed sea. 

He was alongside to supply for them when there was a shortage of food. He was beside to strengthen them when they suffered persecution at the hands of their enemies. He was along with to solace them in their sorrows.

I want you to know that our God whom we served is the God of “ ALL TROUBLES” He doesn’t say here “ some troubles” but of “ ALL TROUBLES.” In other words whenever we have problems and suffering in life God still there with you to comfort us. Do we hearsay Amen bah!

I just want you to pause for a moment and think off well and ask yourself Am I a comforter to my children or bad reporter. Am I a comforter of those people coming to me.

In fact, our Lord Jesus when He was on His earthly ministry and start serving the people His primary focus was to save problematic people from their hopeless situation that they may be relieved from their discouragement of suffering, he used to uplift to the downfalls and give them hope. 

God wants us to be a paraclete that gives a word of hope to the suffering people. 

 GOD’S PROMISE OF SUFFERING

II. HE WILL GIVE US INNER PEACE

The world we live in can not offer us a real peace in life. No matter how pretty and good place it is if Christ is absent in us, we can never be obtained a genuine peace unless we get connected with Christ to become your Lord and Savior. 

The Comfort zone of life unable us to give perfect peace Am I right? Even though we might sleeping on an expensive bed or be in a quiet, peaceful, and air-conditioned room it doesn’t guarantee us that we would sleep well or just we have a pathway to peace.

John 14:27 New King James Version

Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. 

There’s an old saying, money can buy a comfortable bed but can’t buy sound sleep. Amen bah!

To understand the great fact peace is our inheritance of being a Christian. Peace is what Jesus has left us. It is essential and can not be taken away from us by any circumstance. This is

what He means by, “not as the world gives do I give to you.

Let me ask you a question. How does the world give peace?

For instance, we were troubled and you went to a doctor who was not a Christian and asked him, “what can I do to secure peace?” What would he tell us?

Perhaps he would say, Take a trip. Go to Siargao, Palawan, Hawaii, or Singapore. Getaway from it all. In other words, Change your circumstances. Go to a place where nothing bothers you, where everything is peaceful around you. Then you can be at peace.

But Jesus says, I give peace right in the midst of trouble, right in the midst of distress and turmoil and heartache and pressure. I can impart peace to your heart right there, and not as the world gives.

Why? Because we can return to that basic relationship we have–You in Me, and I in you. Out of that comes the guarantee that He is working out His purposes. 

He will bring us to the end of the trouble. He will still the storm and quiet the waves. 

We rest in the boat, content, knowing, No water can swallow the ship, where lies the Master of ocean and earth and sky. That is peace.

Peace I leave with you. [Therefore], the Lord adds, do not let your hearts be troubled. That is addressed to all of us! 

It means you do not have to be upset and anxious, weary and worried. Do not let your hearts be troubled. 

How? By returning to that place of rest. Return to the phone booth and rest there in the confidence that Superman is within and will work the situation out for you and will accomplish His purpose through you.

Last but not the least, GOD’S PROMISE OF SUFFERING

III. HE WILL REMAIN FAITHFUL

Isaiah 54:10 ESV  For the mountains may depart and the hills are removed, but my steadfast love shall not depart from you, and my covenant of peace shall not be removed,” says the Lord, who has compassion on you.

I’d like to focus on one prominent person in the old testament who used to experience rapid trials not only on his personal life but also on his entire household and friends who were abstained during his agony of afflictions and that his name was Job.

In spite of all the suffering of Job, he lost all of his

livelihood, he lost his loving children, he lost his health, neighbors and friends were suspicious him, helpers at home get rid of him, unfortunately, his wife scolded and criticized him due to  heavy trials and she wanted him to commit suicide. To make a long story short, Job remains faithful he bow downed and worshiped the living God. 

Job 1:20 New King James Version

Then Job arose, tore his robe, and shaved his head; and he fell to the ground and worshiped. 

Let me ask you a question. Is there a time you worshiped the living God when you were down, you were in confusion, in your pain and heartache? You were in emotional disorder, you were broken-hearted, you were in health problem, you were in financial difficulty, you were in marital challenge?

Would you bow and worship the living God? God found Job that he is faithful. He lost everything but he never lost his faith in God. faith of Job can not be shaken despite of rapid trials.

Job’s faithfulness was tested and proven.

Job 23:10 (NKJV) But He knows the way that I take; When He has tested me, I shall come forth as gold.

I could say that God is very faithful to Himself and to the life of Job not because Job was perfect but because he was an optimistic– hopeful and confident about the future.

The Lord restores Job fortunes and gave him twice as much he had before.

Job 42:10-12

“The Lord restored Job’s fortunes and gave him twice as much as he had before. All his brothers and sisters and everyone who had known him before came and ate with him in his house. They comforted and consoled him over all the trouble the Lord had brought on him, and each one gave him a piece of silver and a gold ring. The Lord blessed the latter part of Job’s life more than the former part.”

Therefore, God will remain faithful no matter who you are, what you are, what is your background in life. He will never look at your mistake from your past but God is looking to your heart.

We thank God for His goodness that sustains us to live in this universe. Without Him we can do nothing. Amen bah?

And His goodness cannot be seen only in a good situation of life but also in bad times as well.

We do often heard people say,

How could a loving, powerful God allow so much tragedy, pain and agony, so many fatal diseases and deadly accidents? Why does God allow suffering to continue?

Every time a personal tragedy, plague or natural disaster occurs, many have the real and understandable questions: why did God allow this? Why would a powerful and loving God allow suffering, evil and death?

The short answer is that we don’t always know why in specific cases. But we do know that God loves each person who is suffering, and that He does have each person’s eternal best interests in mind.

And we know He has a merciful and loving plan to replace this world of evil and suffering with a world of righteousness and peace. 

And the Bible does show how evil and suffering began in this world and what really is the ultimate cause.

Let’s take a look of the creation account found in Genesis 1-3 gives us some evidences/clues as to the origin of human suffering.

THE CAUSE OF SUFFERING

From the beginning, it seems clear that God carefully planned in a peaceful/idyllic environment for mankind.

From water to dry land, from seeds yielding herbs and fruit of all kinds, from every beast of the field, bird of the air and creature of the sea, our Creator brought forth all that was necessary to sustain human life.

On the sixth day, God formed man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life (Genesis 2:7).

From Adam’s rib, God created man’s perfect complement and united Adam and Eve as husband and wife.

Then God placed them both in a beautiful garden—the Garden of Eden. Surrounded with very rich vegetation/greenery and an abundance of food and water.

God encouraged them to freely eat of every tree in the garden except one—the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Should they decide to eat of that tree, He warned them, they would surely die.

EVE WAS DECEIVED BY THE EVIL SERPENT

Into this peaceful setting crawled the cunning and evil serpent, Satan the devil. He approached Eve and struck up a conversation. “Did God really say that you couldn’t eat of every tree in the garden?” he basically asked Eve.

Satan immediately injected doubt into Eve’s mind regarding what God had said. He made it sound as though God might be withholding something from her and Adam.

Satan then proceeded to call God a liar! He assured Eve that she would not die if she ate of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. In fact, if she did eat of it, her eyes would be opened, and she would become like God—able to know the difference between good and evil.

DISOBEDIENCE LEADS TO SUFFERING

God addressed the serpent, the woman and the man. God cursed the serpent; described the pain and sorrow that Eve and all mothers would face in the course of bearing and raising children;

And cursed the ground, warning Adam of the extreme hardships he and his family would experience as a result of their disobedience.

Furthermore, God told them a second time that they would indeed die and return to the dust from whence they came.

He then drives them both out of the Garden of Eden and placed angels at the gate to guard the tree of life and keep Adam and Eve from reentering the garden. Life was about to become very difficult for the first family.

Their firstborn son, Cain, murdered his brother Abel. More sadness, suffering and evil followed until the wickedness of mankind became so great that God chose to destroy much of the life He had created via the Noachian flood.

DOES GOD ALLOW SUFFERING?

So we have seen that Satan’s trickery and Adam and Eve’s wrong choices introduced suffering into the world. God did not cause suffering.

Still, as the all-powerful Creator God, nothing can happen in this universe without God allowing it to happen.

So why does God allow suffering?

Because He allows us to have free choice—to be humans and not preprogrammed robots. That means we can choose to sin, and the natural consequence of disobedience to God’s beneficial laws is suffering.

Truly, history shows that everyone has chosen or fallen into sin, and the “wages” of sin (disobedience to God’s laws and commandments) is death, suffering, sadness and sorrow.

WHY DID JESUS CHRIST HAVE TO SUFFER?

Essentially, Jesus Christ suffered and died because of sin—not His own sin, but the sins of all of mankind.

Notice the prophet Isaiah’s description of Christ’s suffering: “Who has believed our report? And to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed? For He shall grow up before Him as a tender plant, and as a root out of dry ground. He has no form or comeliness; and when we see Him, there is no beauty that we should desire Him. He is despised and rejected by men, a Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. And we hid, as it were, our faces from Him; He was despised, and we did not esteem Him.

“Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed Him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned, every one, to his own way; and the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.

Clearly suffering was brought into the world as a result of sin. This does not mean that people who are suffering are always the cause of their own suffering; often people suffer because of the sins of others. And though suffering is painful, and we should do whatever we can to avoid causing it,

God can even use suffering to produce good. “He was oppressed and He was afflicted, yet He opened not His mouth; He was led as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so He opened not His mouth” (Isaiah 53:1-7).

SUFFERING CAUSED BY SIN

Why does God allow suffering? Clearly suffering was brought into the world as a result of sin. This does not mean that people who are suffering are always the cause of their own suffering; often people suffer because of the sins of others.

And though suffering is painful and we should do whatever we can to avoid causing it, God can even use suffering to produce good.

MADE PERFECT THROUGH SUFFERING

As we read in the book of Hebrews, suffering helped Jesus Christ achieve something of value:

“But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that He, by the grace of God, might taste death for everyone. For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings” (Hebrews 2:9-10).

Suffering can have the same impact upon us that it had upon Jesus Christ—it can aid us in becoming more Christlike in our character and in our lives.

As we just read, God is in the process of bringing many sons to glory; and Christ, being the firstborn, arrived there first.

Christ was tempted by Satan the devil and never surrendered. He was tried and tested, beaten and crucified, yet He never sinned!

We, too, are admonished to endure whatever this life has to offer us as we follow in the footsteps of Jesus Christ.

The apostle Paul said, “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us” (Romans 8:18). He affirmed that “all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose” (verse 28) and that “if God is for us, who can be against us?” (verse 31).

But, as the apostle Peter stated, our adversary is seeking to devour us just as he sought to devour Christ:

“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you” (1 Peter 5:8-10).

WHAT DOES THE FUTURE HOLD?

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could all return to the world that God created for Adam and Eve—a world of peace, hope, abundance and plenty without the serpent; a world without the suffering, pain and agony brought upon us all by sin (the transgression of God’s law)?

Thankfully, that is God’s intention! Upon His return, one of Christ’s first acts will be the binding of Satan as He takes the necessary steps to establish the Kingdom of God on earth.

WHETHER WE LIKE IT OR NOTTHERE WOULD BE AN

 

END OF SUFFERING

Read what God ultimately has in store for all of mankind: “Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

“And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, ‘Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away’” (Revelation 21:1-4).

These “former things” have plagued mankind since the Garden of Eden. God does allow suffering.

It was never His intention to promote suffering—our adversary did that in the Garden of Eden. Adam and Eve chose to disobey God, and suffering and death were the consequences.

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