Dear Beloved Young People,

Most of you should have received the "prayer-timetable", to pray for those of us who are facing major exams in life. Here's a meditation I received in the email to help us "focus", we all have to go through trials and testings; and one to to remember as we go through these testings, is that our LORD Jesus is with us always. Like I shared as round up for S4G, we've a dear friend in Jesus Christ, we only have to acknowledge his presence and lordship, and we will be blessed. Simply:

Blessings,

Pastor Daniel

It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes. - Ps 119:71

There is nobody in the world who has not met with sufferings. Jesus Himself has said that you have sufferings in this world. These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.(Jn 16:33). When you are face with sufferings pains and trials nobody accepts it and say that it is all for good. But the word of God tells us be happy when you are faced with trials and tribulation. My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.(James 1:2-3). Beloved, God permits sufferings, pains and trials in your life only for your own good. And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.(Rom 8:28). There fore when you go through the phase of sufferings do not despair and give up saying that nothing can be done now. God never forsakes ! you. He will never put you to shame. Once you endure with patience your suffering and pains there is a greater blessing awaits you. Have faith in the coming of the blessing and bear the sufferings. Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: (James 1:12-13).

The moment you think of sufferings and despair immediately the life of Job comes to mind. No one has met with greater sufferings than Job. But Job says But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold. (Job 23:10). David assertions that through sufferings he has learnt the commandments of God. Job says after testing I shall come forth as God. When you go through the part of sufferings you man encounter with poverty, losses, death, problems in the family, suspicion and diseases. Now all the problems you are undergoing in your life will teach you the commandments of God. Through this you will grow in your spiritual life. After this you will come forth as Gold. Yes, you will grow in holiness. Jesus Christ through his sufferings learns obedient. Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him; Called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec. (Heb 5:8-10). Beloved in your grief and tears you will understand the power of God. In order to teach you His commandments and to make you grow in spirit and purity God permits such sufferings and trials in your life not only that He will be also be with you all the times. When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.(Isa 43:2).

For your shame ye shall have double; and for confusion they shall rejoice in their portion: therefore in their land they shall possess the double: everlasting joy shall be unto them. - Isa 61:7