"SUFFERING"

My family attended a "Secret Church" event last night for Good Friday. Over 50,000 joined in by simulcast to hear David Platt speak on "Suffering". Here is a brief description of what Secret church is about:

When we think of "church" in America, we think of going to meet at a building, singing, praying and hearing a message from a Pastor or teacher. But in many places around the world, "church" meets in a home, an apartment, even in secret. These small groups of Christ-followers often meet for many hours in study, prayer and fellowship, as it is dangerous to travel to "church" and they want to make the most of their time together. Secret Church is our "house church," where we meet periodically for an intense time of Bible study--lasting 4-6 hours--and prayer for our persecuted brothers and sisters across the globe.

Suffering is something everyone faces in this world, whether you're a Christian or not. Some believe Christians shouldn't suffer and that the road should be easy because of God's love, and then when things go wrong, God is the first one they blame. Jesus Christ paid the ultimate suffering on the cross that was undeserved, and He did it all for us. God is sovereign, and before the world ever began He had ALL things in His plan. If we lose our faith when we suffer because we want to blame God, did we really have faith to begin with? If we can truly trust Him for our salvation, why can't we trust him through our trials in life? God is the orchestrator of every detail in your life. I can honestly look back over my life and see how God had a plan and that I was never the one in control. Lamentations 3:22-25 "The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. The Lord is my portion, says my soul, therefore I will hope in him. The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him."

When this recent journey began for me and my family, I knew it was all part of God's story that He wanted to use me to show others His great love and mercy. I pray that He will continue to use me and allow others to come to know Him and that ALL glory belongs to Him. We started our time together last night at 6:00pm and ended at 1:30am and in the end we sang the song "It Is Well With My Soul". I could not sing the words without tears running down my face, because I can say "It is well with my soul". I have complete peace and trust that God is working ALL things out for my good and His glory, and I am thankful He is allowing me to fit into His story for my life.

When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.
Refrain:
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.
Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.
My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!
For me, be it Christ, be it Christ hence to live:
If Jordan above me shall roll,
No pang shall be mine, for in death as in life
Thou wilt whisper Thy peace to my soul.
But, Lord, ’tis for Thee, for Thy coming we wait,
The sky, not the grave, is our goal;
Oh, trump of the angel! Oh, voice of the Lord!
Blessed hope, blessed rest of my soul!
And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
Even so, it is well with my soul.

"Today is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it."