White Estate Daily Devotional for 3/22/2001
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Sharing Christ's Suffering

Rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings;
that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with
exceeding joy. 1 Peter 4: 13.

To have strength we must have exercise. To have strong faith,
we must be placed in circumstances where our faith will be
exercised. . . . It is through much tribulation that we are to
enter the kingdom of God. Our Saviour was tried in every
possible way, and yet He triumphed in God continually. It is our
privilege to be strong in the strength of God under all
circumstances and to glory in the cross of Christ.

In this life we must meet fiery trials and make costly
sacrifices, but the peace of Christ is the reward. There has
been so little self- denial, so little suffering for Christ's
sake, that the cross is almost entirely forgotten. We must be
partakers with Christ of His sufferings if we would sit down in
triumph with Him on His throne.

Heaven is very near those who suffer for righteousness' sake.
Christ identifies His interests with the interests of His
faithful people; He suffers in the person of His saints, and
whoever touches His chosen ones touches Him. The power that is
near to deliver from physical harm or distress is also near to
save from the greater evil, making it possible for the servant
of God to maintain his integrity under all circumstances, and to
triumph through divine grace.

Persecution should bring joy to the disciples of Christ, for
it is an evidence that they are following in the steps of their
Master.

While the Lord has not promised His people exemption from
trials, He has promised that which is far better. He has said,
"As thy days, so shall thy strength be" (Deut. 33: 25). "My
grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in
weakness" (2 Cor. 12: 9). If you are called to go through the
fiery furnace for His sake, Jesus will be by your side even as
He was with the faithful three in Babylon. Those who love their
Redeemer will rejoice at every opportunity of sharing with Him
humiliation and reproach. The love they bear their Lord makes
suffering for His sake sweet.

>From God's Amazing Grace

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Chose you this day whom you will serve,
as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.
Joshua 24:15

[u]What is popular is not always right.
What is right is not always popular.[/u]