Outflow - Christian Suffering?

We live in an age when those who call themselves followers of Jesus always seem to look for the easy road. They expect a constant outflow of blessings in their life, and continually pray for safety and comfort. But truly following Christ is wrought with risk, danger, and sufferings. It is not a comfortable life. On the contrary, it is often times just the opposite! If Jesus didn't even have a place to lay His head; how dare we expect any better than He! Christian suffering is not a popular topic in churches today; preaching it today most certainly assures small offerings and much criticism. But we must come to understand what the saints who came before us understood, which is, for us to earn a great reward in heaven, we must also learn to endure great sufferings in this life for the sake of Christ.

©2012 Richard Lewis Jones

Outfow - Taking Pleasure In Our Infirmities

In 2 Corinthians 12, when the apostle Paul was buffeted by the messenger of satan, he asked God three times for it to depart from him. God's response was to let Paul know that the outflow of His grace was sufficient; that His strength was made perfect through Paul's weakness. Paul knew right then that the grace of God contained the power of God. He gave glory to his weakness knowing that the power of God would rest upon him. Paul exclaimed, "Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong!" (v.10) How many Christians today are willing to say they take pleasure in those things? Not many. Yet we will receive God's grace and power if we do just that.

©2012 Richard Lewis Jones

Outflow - Just As He Was, So Are We To Be

Christ gave His Church a command to go into all the world demonstrating His Kingdom through the outflow of His love by all who call Him Lord and who are submitted to Him. When we are submitted to Christ, He fills us to overflowing with rivers of living water that flow out of our bellies into a hurting and dying world in need of life, healing and hope. His love is like a river, full of compassion and grace that demonstrates itself through righteous acts. This means we must be doers and not hearers only, vessels through which His Kingdom can be demonstrated in Spirit and in power! Christ went about preaching, teaching, and healing all who are oppressed of the devil. He gave us the authority to do the same. And just as Christ was, so are we to be in this world; full of truth and grace.

©2012 Richard Lewis Jones