Christian Family Services Ministry

4-14-2015 – Hand in hand with the loneliness and affliction is the receipt of the quality of mercy.

4-11-2014 – Many are content to live their life being comforted, taught, trained, corrected, even disciplined by others who are special to the Lord. Yet being the comforter is a higher calling. But with it comes affliction, loneliness, and an anxiety for godly things.

4-8-2014 – This transformation is a painful process yet it bears fruit the nature of which reflects in our bearing, our manner of speech, the look of our eyes, every aspect of our being radiates this ‘godly comfort’.

4-4-2014 – It is here as well that we learn one of the most important lessons of the spiritual world. Paul hints at it in II Corinthians 1. “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 5 For as we share abundantly in Christ’s sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too. 6 If we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; and if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which you experience when you patiently endure the same sufferings that we suffer.“ We are actually transformed in this process from the person who is ‘comforted by those comforted by God” to a person who is comforted by God.

4-2-2014 – Why here? Most would say I would gladly have meet Him on the highway. Why in this deserted, hopeless, helpless place? Therein is the answer. We are helpless, with no one to comfort. Hopeless because the loneliness is overwhelming. The only Savior is the Lord. He alone can pull us from the miry pit.

3-31-2014 – It is here in this place, dissatisfied with the material things of the world, covered from the top of our head to our toes with pain. Depression seeping out of every pore. It is here that we meet our Lord.

3-28-2014 – Rarely do we realize in the beginning what we are looking for or why the adversity has over shadowed us. It is like we go from task to task, event to event almost numb to the things happening around us. We find that all wisdom, understanding, insight into our plight evaporates.

3-26-2014 – So what is the connection between the wilderness experience and adversity? Actually the two go hand in hand. As much as we seek it most will say that when faced with great adversity friends, companions or others are of little comfort. Rather, in many circumstance these can be an irritant. Job’s friends serve as an example of just how bothersome ‘friends’ can be.

3-25-2014 – The text indicates that even Jesus had to be ‘driven.’ into the wilderness. Most of us who have had a wilderness experience will say that we to had to be ‘driven’ in to it as well.

3-22-2014 – Loneliness, finds its purpose in that it drives us from the cares of the world, the pain and anguish of our existence into the arms of the Lord. Yet, most of us resist it because this intense emotional experience sears our souls.

3-18-2014 – I think not. For this situation in Jesus life is the exact same situation the Lord frames for each of us. The purpose is the same. Whether Jesus, Moses, David, Job, or all of the great leaders of God’s people.

3-14-2014 – However the concept of our loneliness does have an important purpose and resolution in scripture. For this answer we have to turn to Jesus and his wilderness experiences and a question. Was the wilderness experience the only purpose of temptations?

3-13-2014 – Loneliness: One attribute of tribulations that more than anything intensifies sorrow and suffering is loneliness. Yet this critical attribute is not addressed in scripture. There is one Hebrew word that is found 4 times in Genesis which refers to aloneness. But nothing about loneliness.

3-11-2014 – One common trend with all of these types of suffering is the loneliness and emptiness which seems to permeate the individual. To some the loneliness is a great distraction or more painful than the other aspects of the suffering.

3-11-2014 – Thus we suffer for our sins. Jesus comes along and heals us and guess what. We return to our sin which caused the illnesses to begin with.

3-8-2014 – The constant messages this group gives to there bodies is; you are not worthy, you are useless, you are unlikable, and many other suggestions actually tearing down the bodies resistance to viruses, and bacteria which result in illness.

3-6-2014 – Something else. I would suspect that many who suffer from autoimmune diseases do so because they do not like themselves. This man hated people. Many of us just hate ourselves. Which leads to a different illness.

3-5-2014 – Here we have a lesson to take to heart. Often are sins are the cause of our illnesses. It has been noted that many hospitalized people are there because of emotional illnesses. We, like this man steeped in our own sins betray the Master as well. This man’s core sin was hating people, and eventually the Son of God.

3-3-2014 – The healed man knew and immediately this man seeks out Jesus’ most ruthless enemies and tells them that it was Jesus who had done the dastardly deed!

2-28-2014 – At this moment the man did not know who Jesus was, just what he had done. Somewhat later Jesus sees the man in the temple. Approaches him, introduces himself and tells him the reason for his illness. Then Jesus warns him if he returns to his sin something worse will happen to him. What sin? What was Jesus referring to? Obviously the man immediately knew his sin. No doubt it is his self-centered life style. Perhaps a life of blaming others while at the same time living off their generous gifts.

2-27-2014 – All the healed man could say was that the one who healed him told to take up his bed and leave. That ends the conversation. Unlike the situation in John 9 these people appear to have no further interest in the man. Perhaps they too were put off by his behavior. Never the less, they leave him.

2-22-2014 – Having compassion Jesus heals the man. The man jumps up and carries his bed and walks off. This event takes place on the sabbath just as the miracle with the blind man in John 9. Both men are confronted by Jews who demand to know why they are doing that which is unlawful to do on the Sabbath.

2-20-2014 – Jesus was aware of his selfishness. The man had been here 38 years and in that time had not cultivated one friendship. Soon we find out just how narcissistic this person really is.

2-14-2014 – The man: The text says the man had been here 38 years. He was in the company of many who were blind, paralyzed, lame, just a multitude of invalids. Jesus sees the man. He knew he had been there for a long time. He knew why he was here. Jesus also knew some other things about the man.

2-13-2014 – Discovering the root cause of illness is critical to the healing process as we will see here.

2-12-2014 -Actually, the situation is much like what we find happening today. Many people put there trust in the healing properties of physicians with no regard to the will of God.

2-11-2014 – This pool is one dedicated to the Greek god Aesculapius. The god of healing. It was believed and practiced in this period that Aesculapius would stir the waters and when this happened then there would be healing properties. Here we find a Jew who puts his trust in an idol.

2-5-2014 – As we have seen there are 4 types of purposes for suffering. (1)To train, (2) for the Glory of the Lord, (3) to test and for finally (4) Correction or discipline. This can bee seen from John 5. The Setting is important. The key to understanding this passage is its location. John places the incident near the Sheep Gate in Jerusalem. It is located at the Pool of Bethzatha.

2-3-2014 – Success according to the Lord’s standard determines the usefulness of the person. The suffering develops a strength of character which can stand against the storms of life. It gives knowledge to the person of their strengths and weaknesses. It develops humility which the child of God must possess as a servant of the Lord.

2-1-2014 – Thus the purpose of the test is to strip man of all of his defenses mental, physical, spiritual, and emotional leaving nothing except ones hope in the Lord. This is the ultimate kind of suffering.

1-29-2014 – It is instructive that Job lost everything possible to lose. Nothing remained. Friends, family, possessions, it is all gone.

1-27-2014 – It is a masterful strategy. Through Job’s friends, Satan challenges Job’s moral integrity and intellectual ability. Job’s friends use impressive arguments that reflect biblical principles. Satan often induces Godly men to attack using scriptural principles.

1-25-2014 – This also fails for Satan wants betrayal not self-denial. Satan, immediately, without the Lord’s permission, orchestrates the betrayal of Job’s wife. Again, the strike at Job’s morale falls short. Job reminds his wife of the blessings from the Lord’s hand. Satan’s final attack comes in an assault from Job’s friends. Likely, for a year they rankle and besmirch as Job’s misery deepens.

1-22-2014 – Still Job will not deny God. Therefore, the adversary requests that the Lord allow him a further test. The physical wellbeing of a warrior is crucial to the outcome of any battle. It affects morale and his ability to engage the enemy. Knowing this about humankind Satan applies the principle to Job’s circumstances. “Skin for skin!” Satan replied. “A man will give all he has for his own life. But stretch out your hand and strike his flesh and bones, and he will surely curse you to your face “So Satan went out from the presence of the Lord and afflicted Job with painful sores from the soles of his feet to the top of his head. Then Job took a piece of broken pottery and scraped himself with it as he sat among the ashes. .” (Job 2:4-8).

1-20-2014 – The outcome of this initial thrust proved to be inadequate. Therefore, the adversary follows up with an attack on Job’s family. “While he was still speaking, yet another messenger came and said, “Your sons and daughters were feasting and drinking wine at the oldest brother’s house, when suddenly a mighty wind swept in from the desert and struck the four corners of the house. It collapsed on them and they are dead, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you.” (Job 1:18-19). Material possession, family ties, everything is torn asunder and Job is left crying in the dust.

1-18-2014 – Satan creates havoc in Job life. You have to put yourself in Job’s position to understand the impact on Job. One understands that Job must have been a kind empathic person. He cared for his workers and his family. While mediating on the blessings no doubt provide by the Lord messengers rush in with the bad news; a thousand of his animals are lost to marauders killing a number of his servants. while still speaking another messenger 7,000 sheep and there protectors are destroyed, then notification of the loss of 3000 priceless camels. No doubt Job at this point is overwhelmed by from these horrific financial losses.

1/18/2014 – “Does Job fear God for nothing?” Satan replied. “Have you not put a hedge around him and his household and everything he has? You have blessed the work of his hands, so that his flocks and herds are spread throughout the land. But stretch out your hand and strike everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face.” The Lord said to Satan, “Very well, then, everything he has is in your hands, but on the man himself do not lay a finger.” (Job 1: 9-12). Satan defines his goal and justifies his plan to the Lord. To prepare Job for his trial Satan destroys Job’s material possession.

1-14-2014 – Satan reconnoiters looking for a victim. Satan discovers Job who purports to be righteous. Satan tells the Lord that Job is righteous for selfish reasons and he will quickly break when poverty over takes him

1-10-2014 – Satan’s attack on Job is instructive. It’s purpose is to induce hopelessness. Minute details reveal the plan and purpose of Satan’s assault. It is a prime example of how Satan wars against man.

01-09-2014 – If Satan does it God will bless it – III. To Test Job – The event that transpires in the book of Job has many lessons for us. First we recognize that this is in reality a spiritual battle. It is brought about in heaven because the tormentor wishes to show himself more wise than the Father. Also more powerful among men than the Father. It is a test of the ultimate kind. In some respects it reminds us of Jesus and His testing. The difference being that Jesus past His test by referring each time to God’s word while Job simply maintains that the Lord knows best.

01-07-2014 – It is these qualities which make up the man whom the Lord is able to use and the type of person whose handicap is used to bring glory to the Lord. Once he was healed I have no doubt that he ever looked back and resented the blindness rather gloried that the Lord had chosen him from among men to display the glory of the Lord.

1-06-2014 – Unlike his parents who feared the Jews this man appears to be fearless in the face of his blindness. Evidently he know something else. In his journeys he had no doubt heard all of the stories of the past in scripture and otherwise that dealt with blind and he knew though some had recovered their sight none who had ever been healed by whatever means had been born blind. Therefore it was hopeless to think, wish, pray for sight. It had never been done.

01-04-2014 – He is highly intelligent for he is able to debate the greatest of men. Above all he is an obedient person for he does exactly what the Master ask him to do. Unlike the man of John 5 who sat for 38 years in self-pity this man this man seemed to be well known in the community.

01-02-2014 – He is probably about 40 years old at this time. He is a deeply religious man for he knows the scriptures. More than just the words of scripture he understands the lessons of scripture.

01-01-2014 – It is understanding the Lord can accomplish mighty works because of our suffering and some of us are born to suffer. The blind man according to scripture was born for the very purpose to bring glory to the heavenly Father.

12-27-13 – Jesus meets this man on October 15 29 A.D. The day after the end of the Jewish Feast of Tabernacles. It had been a special week. The focus of the night before had been a huge light ceremony which had seen throughout all of Jerusalem. A ceremony which this blind man could not have seen because of his condition. Further it is in sharp contrast to the those who could see but are indeed blind.

12-26-2013 – Second, there is suffering for the Glory of the Lord. The Blind man of John 9. This passage presents us with some mighty truths. It is relevant to the hypocritical manner in which we are tempted to look upon those who are different, the weak, crippled, odd, just different.

12-21-2013 – It was in this setting and in these hardships that the Lord raised up a prophet. But it was also in this environment and with these hardships that the Lord trained Samuel for the task ahead.

12-17-2013 – Not only did Samuel have the tribulation of being abandoned there is little doubt that Eli’s sons would have mistreated him. The very next verse declares them to be worthless men. Not only were they guilty of stealing sacrifices from the people, but stole that which was the Lords as well. As if that were not sin enough they committed sexual acts with women who came to worship the Lord. I suspect that envy ate at the heart of these boys over Samuel. The resentment and hatred probably expressed in every look, and in every vile act they could pour on the head of Samuel.

12-14-2013 – It would seem Samuel even from birth was chosen by the Lord for His purpose. In order to accomplish that purpose Samuel experienced the hardship of abandonment at the early age of two. Even though Hannah his mother loved Samuel dearly she took him in accordance with her vow and dedicated him to the Lord at about two years of age. He was left with the priest Eli to serve the Lord.

12-11-2013 – FOUR TYPES OR PURPOSES FOR SUFFERING: 1. To Train – It would appear that the Lord may chose early, perhaps in some cases even before birth to train those whom he chooses.

12-06-2013 – Consider from the Lord’s perspective the most difficult circumstance of life; early childhood abandonment, abuse, neglect, divorced, or orphaned. The consequences from these circumstances are immediate and severe. Most certainly devastating for the young child. Yet from these dire experiences come the most successful rulers of past ages. We will return to this in a moment. First, what are the four types or purposes for suffering?

12-02-2013 – The more things in life that we have to protect from loss the more severe the struggle. Yet the keys of the kingdom, the power of possessing does not come through earthly existence, nor worldly possessions.

11-30-2013 – Often how one approaches such trials determines the eventual outcome. Examination of various biblical circumstances may deepen our understanding of the purpose of trials. Our approach to tribulations may be compromised by desire for gain, yearning for power, or uncertainty surrounding our purpose in life.

11-27-2013 – UNDERSTANDING THE POWER OF TRIALS AND TRIBULATIONS: Suffering effects four areas of our existence; mind, body, emotions, and spirits. One may experience distress in any or all areas at one time. Moreover, one may be strengthen or destroyed by such experiences.