Suffering

I can hardly believe we are on week three of the Colossians study!  I have been thoroughly encouraged by God's word and what He is teaching me.  I love how God works because not only are we in this study but the messages at church have went  right along with what I am learning.  

This is what I gleaned from this morning's study.  

Colossians 1:24-45

Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you , and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh, for his body's sake, which is the church: 

Wherefore I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God, which is given to me for your, to fulfil the word of God. 

Observations: 

Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you....which is the church.  Paul suffered for the sake of the church ( the body of Christ ).  He was willing to lay down his life so that the gentiles ( us ) could be presented the gospel.  Even though this meant that this landed him in prison....He still rejoiced in those sufferings for us.  It really struck me how Paul suffered for the church and not "just" for Christ persae ( I can often think my suffering is only for Christ ) but to continue in the suffering that was already a complete work on the cross so that others may hear about the Lord Jesus and His sufferings for them.  As I stated above, sometimes I can personalize suffering as if for Christ only but if I closely examine this I am suffering for others because of Christ and what He has already done and I want "others" to be partakers of that abundant life that only Jesus can offer.  

Applications: 

Am I rejoicing in my sufferings?  Are they for the furtherance of the gospel and to minister to the body of Christ?  Wow, what a challenge....just like the previous verses of Is Christ preeminent......Paul was called to minister for Christ to the gentiles.  I have been called to minister in areas also....my husband...my children...the body of Christ....the lost....may I be as faithful as Paul in fulfilling that calling  and may I rejoice....for none of this lands me in a prison cell unless it would be the prison of my own selfishness that I can resist in giving up.  Paul had the right attitude....what God called him to He was going to rejoice in.....May I do the same! 

Prayer: 

Lord thank you for the opportunity to suffer and rejoice in it.......convict me when I am tempted to complain  :-)))

There is so much more in this passage but this is the portion that God had me chew on today.  

Have a wonderful week girls........resting all in the One who cares so much for you!