“Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter.” (1 Pet. 4:16)

Suffering comes to all. Sometimes it is due to our choices and sometimes it is due to others’ choices (cf. 1 Pet. 2:19-20, 4:15). The best example we have of suffering is Jesus Christ who we are to follow (1 Pet. 2:21-25). We should not be alarmed when suffering comes our way for the cause of Christ (1 Pet. 4:12). In fact, such should cause rejoicing (1 Pet. 4:13-14)!

For the Christian, suffering is temporary. Suffering is designed to perfect us, to make us stable, to strengthen us, and to ground us (1 Pet. 5:10). Our suffering should be according to the will of God whom we entrust our souls with as a faithful Creator (1 Pet. 4:19). If we suffer now, we will have no suffering later (cf. Rev. 21:4).

Make plans to be here on Friday, November 3 through Sunday, November 5 for our 1st Annual 14th and Main and Highway 80 lectureship. The theme is “Victory Over Suffering” with ten powerful sermons delivered by ten gospel preachers from the book of 1 Peter. The singing and fellowship will be excellent and all glory will be given to God. You do not want to miss this! See you there.

Trent Thrasher

“Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” (Matt. 18:4)

The way up is down. Perhaps you have heard that statement, which sounds contradictory, but upon further examination makes perfect sense. If we wish to go up to heaven, where God is (cf. Matt. 5:16), then we must be humble [lowly]. Why? God is against the proud, arrogant, and selfish (cf. James 4:6; Prov. 8:13; Isa. 13:11). The proud Pharisee was used in a parable by Jesus to show the need to humble oneself (cf. Luke 18:9-14). Be assured that if we exalt ourselves, God will bring us down. Instead, let us humble ourselves so that God can do the exalting. Remember, God does the exalting on His time so be patient, prayerful, prepared, and precise (1 Pet. 5:5-9; Eph. 5:14-17; cf. James 4:10).

If we wish to be great in the kingdom of heaven, then it will take humility. Christ set the perfect example, so let us follow His lead (cf. Phil. 2:1-18). There is a great need for humility, and it starts with you and I! God is in heaven, and we are on earth; let us start there (cf. Ecc. 5:2; Hab. 2:20).

Trent Thrasher

“For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins.” (2 Pet. 1:9)

How is our vision? Many blind individuals cried out to Jesus to have their vision restored (cf. Matt. 9:27-31, 20:30-34; Mark 10:46-52). Jesus cured one man of his blindness that he had from birth (cf. John 9).

Far worse than physical blindness is spiritual blindness. The Pharisees had this problem (Matt. 15:12-14). It can afflict any child of God who does not add to their faith the valuable traits of virtue, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love. Void of these characteristics we become blind and nearsighted. We are blind to the far more important spiritual matters and the material realm is all that we see. Instead, let us set our minds on things above, not on things of the earth (Col. 3:2). Remember, spiritually we walk by faith and not by sight allowing the invisible God to direct our steps through His Word (2 Cor. 5:7; Jer. 10:23; Psalm 119:105).

The old man of sin must be dead in our lives. Let us keep our eyes on Jesus and press on toward the goal!

Trent Thrasher

“But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s delicacies, nor with the wine which he drank; therefore he requested of the chief of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.” (Dan. 1:8)

It is easy to become soiled with the world for it lies in wickedness (1 John 5:19). Christians must keep themselves unspotted from the world for this is pure religion (James 1:27). Indeed, we must shine as lights in a world of darkness to the glory of God (Phil. 2:15; Matt. 5:16).

Daniel provides a magnificent example of what it means to live godly in an ungodly world. Babylon was an idolatrous place as evidenced by the king Nebuchadnezzar making a large idol and commanding it to be worshipped under penalty of death (Dan. 3:1-6). When Daniel was brought into Babylonian captivity, his mind was already made up to do what was right. He chose not to be defiled with the king’s food or drink. We too can choose the things that please God (cf. Isa. 56:4). Daniel was greatly beloved of God because of his faithfulness (Dan. 9:23, 10:19). God spared him from the lion’s den because he would not pray to anyone but God (see Dan. 6).

Be sure to join us October 15-18 for our fall Gospel meeting. Michael Light will bring us powerful sermons from God’s Word to show us how to live godly in an ungodly world. Be there and invite others to come!

Trent Thrasher

“When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to Abram and said to him, “I am Almighty God; walk before Me and be blameless.” (Gen. 17:1)

The great power of God was on display during creation week. The ability to speak all into existence is power man does not have, but God does. What is impossible with man is possible with God (Luke 18:27). In fact, all things that are possible and compatible with His nature, are possible with God (Matt. 19:26; cf. Titus 1:2). Abraham and Sarah learned this great lesson with the birth of Isaac, though Sarah was past the age of childbearing (Gen. 16:1-2, 18:11; cf. Heb. 11:11). Nothing is too hard for the LORD (Gen. 18:14).

Man is rather feeble, yet he thinks himself to be something from time to time. Man does not have the power to retain his spirit at death, yet God will raise him up at the last day (Ecc. 8:8; John 5:28-29, 6:39-40). Man can (and does) write many books, but only God’s book will endure forever (Ecc. 12:12; 1 Pet. 1:24-25). Man can produce false systems of salvation, but only the gospel has the power to save (Acts 5:33-39; Rom. 1:16). Man can claim to be his own savior, but only Jesus of Nazareth was approved by the power of God as our Savior (Acts 2:22-40, 4:10-12).

Let us bow before the Almighty God knowing that when we are weak, then we are strong in Him (cf. 2 Cor. 12:9-10).

Trent Thrasher