From: abvax!ASTRO.CS.HH.AB.COM!BENNING
Newsgroups: alt.messianic
Subject: suffering lately?
Date: Thu, 7 Jan 1993 12:08:05 -0500 (EST)


 The account of Joseph in Genesis 39-42 is a great one for Believers in
 Yeshua. The life of Joseph reminds us of a biblical principle that applies
 to those who are willing to follow Yeshua. That principal is that when we do
 right (like believe in Yeshua) and when we obey God, the situation in which
 we find ourselves may look like we didn't do right. But if we are patient
 and wait on the Lord, He will show that we have acted righteously.

 To the observer of Joseph, it would seem as though he was a sinner. He was
 treated badly by his brothers, and sold into slavery. He found himself in
 Egypt, away from all that was familiar to him, as a slave. Scripture tells
 us what the reality is though, "God was with Joseph."

 When Potiphar's wife slandered Joseph for his righteous decision not to sin
 against God in adultery, she sought to discredit Joseph and to tell lies and
 cause injury to him. In the same way, many who come to Messiah Yeshua are
 treated with contempt for their belief. They feel the effects of lies spoken
 about them by the sinful person who wishes to remain in their sin. Like the
 wife of Potiphar, they ignore the goodness of God in their lives because of
 the "Josephs" who God blesses. Instead they seek to have those people
 removed. But Scripture tells us that even in prison, God's peace and His
 care are found. Or as Paul said; "..I am suffering even to the point of
 being chained like a criminal. But God's word is not chained." 2 Tim 2:9

 The early Apostle's knew what it was like to obey God, and find yourself
 being condemned for it. So did the early body of Messiah. Peter wrote to his
 contemporary's

   1 Peter 2:19-20 For it is commendable if a man bears up under the
   pain of unjust suffering because he is conscious of God. But how
   is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and
   endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it,
   this is commendable before God.

   1 Peter 3:17 It is better, if it is God's will, to suffer for
   doing good than for doing evil.

   1 Peter 4:12-19 Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful
   trial you are suffering, as though something strange were
   happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the
   sufferings of Messiah, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory
   is revealed. If you are insulted because of the name of Messiah,
   you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.
   If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any
   other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. However, if you
   suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you
   bear that name. For it is time for judgment to begin with the
   family of God; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be
   for those who do not obey the gospel of God? And, "If it is hard
   for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly
   and the sinner?" So then, those who suffer according to God's
   will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and
   continue to do good.

 So let us praise God, who watches over us without slumbering or sleeping.
 Though we go through many trials for our faith, we can be encouraged by
 Joseph and we can trust in the Lord our God to work out the details as we
 wait for His plan to be worked out in our lives. Even Yeshua had to suffer
 just like Joseph, before he was raised as the number two ranking leader.

   Hebrews 2:10 In bringing many sons to glory, it was fitting that
   God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the
   author of their salvation perfect through suffering.

 As Isaiah 43:1,2 says: Fear not, for I have redeemed you. I have summoned
 you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters I will be with
 you; when you pass through the rivers they will not sweep over you; when you
 walk through the fire, you will not be burned, the flames will not set you
 ablaze.


  Praise the Lord. Though many call our faith fake, they will be ashamed when
  the truth is revealed, and Messiah Yeshua returns to His people.

         Bruce Benning __________ benning@ASTRO.CS.HH.AB.COM

         -------------Religion may inform and reform-------------
         ----------but only Messiah Jesus can Transform----------

  Job 8:11-15, says "Can a papyrus grow tall where there is no marsh? Can
  reeds thrive without water? While still growing and uncut, they wither more
  quickly than grass, such is the destiny of all who forget God; so perishes
  the hope of the godless. What he trusts in is fragile; what he relies on is
  a spiders web. He leans on his web, but it gives way; he clings to it, but
  it does not hold."




Newsgroups: alt.messianic