By Danny Smith, Purple Ark Ministries

© Copyright Reserved Reposted

"The Character of Christ Suffering"

Mt 9:36-38   But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd.  Then He said to His disciples, "The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few.  Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest."

Mt 26:37-38 He began to be sorrowful and deeply distressed.  Then He said to them, "My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death." 

A writer once express that if I had to choose between extreme happiness and extreme suffering, I would choose suffering. It is suffering that has kept many of us close to God. It is suffering that keeps us humble and less of ourselves. The reaction of the readers may question the need to consider pain as a pathway to Heaven, but the measurement and intent is to demonstrate a character that can be used for kingdom building. I think of the sacrifice of Jesus as he carried his own cross through a street filled crowd. I think of the thorns that pierce his head as he failed to keep his feet. As a Christian we would ask what moved the son of God to lie quietly by as his last breath was taken from his body to save a sinful world. What was it like to carry such a burden? It is time to evict ourselves from anything that is comfortable. We must prepare for the spiritual battle is drawing closer.

The regiments of the enemy are invading the spaces and places that we that can be viewed from a distance. It is time to embrace the suffering that extends beyond the church doors. I realize that our gifts and talents are different, but what do we do when the victims of war show up at your doors? In spiritual combat, it is a tactical decision to act first when war has been declared. The economic with it poverty is just another device that the enemy is trying to use to undermind the will of God. In the mission field, you see so many souls that are drifting out into deeper water. Many times it's looks impossible to reach the spiritually poor.  As we look upon souls in the world that have not been claimed, what can we share that will bring glory and honor to God?

Devotional Poem

"Suffering for the Gathering of Souls" 

In my heart I can no longer feel the extreme joy of

friends and love ones.

In my heart I can no longer feel the voices of life that

use to keep me company.

In my heart I can no longer expect a  moment in life

to give me extreme happiness

In my heart I can no longer share the pain I feel for

a world lost in itself

In my heart I have chosen the quiet, warm and

beautiful season of Christ suffering.

        In my heart I have chosen silence and the stillness of                  faith to move me in peace

In my heart I have chosen to rest during the

storm of my human nature

In my heart I have chosen extreme suffering

over extreme happiness.

In my heart I have chosen to be armed with

humility covered with brokenness.

In my heart I have chosen to suffer for the

gathering souls.

Prayer

Dear Lord, deliver our hearts that our love for You will embrace the suffering of your world.  Teach us dear Lord, Teach us!  Without you we can do nothing.  Break our hearts that we will learn how to love

again.  In Jesus name Amen

PASS THIS ON....

"Every week we have seven days to find one soul that doesn't know the love of God"  Ask God to show that one soul that need to be found.  Take the time to share the gift of love and fellowship.  Allow your heart to embrace the suffering of others.