Suffering’s Redeeming Qualities

Dt 8:3

And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know;

(that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only),

but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the LORD doth man live.

One of the Benefits of- “Suffering’s Redeeming Qualities”

Is that it Pulls us out of the (Single Dimension) world we often live in…

Into a 3 Dimensional World of Wonder and Miracles of God!

God Uses the Sharp Contrast of-

(Comfort Zone) to (Suffering) to Reveal Truths that would otherwise be missed!

And missing them could cost you your life…

Like-

Man Does Not Live by Bread Alone…

But That- “Real Life” and

“Real Bread”

Proceeds from the Mouth of God!

Not…

⁃ Baked Bread

⁃ Social Media

⁃ The internet

⁃ AI

⁃ Universities

But Rather from-

The Mouth of God!

RDF

牧師 Pastor, R.D. Frazier

1 Peter 4:11

Less is More and More is Less

(Pr 17:1)

1 Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, than an house full of sacrifices with strife.

A dry Morsel or a Banquet?

God put the emphasis on Less…

Possessing-(Quietness) is so much more Valuable than having More!

Its Simple-

(Peace) and Less is Better than (Strife) and More…

How Very True!

Peace In Your Soul is Without Price…

So before you start asking God for more things ask yourself what would I rather have?

Peace or Strife?

An Absolute Truth-

The most content peaceful people I’ve ever known were people who had very little of this world’s possessions…

RDF

牧師 Pastor, R.D. Frazier

1 Peter 4:11

Altitude Can Be Attitude

(Ps 122:1)

1 (A Song of degrees of David.) I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD.

The word (degrees) also means “Ascent” to travel upwards…

Attitude can often be determined by the direction you are headed-

Up or Down…

In the Valley there are shadows…

On the Mountain top often there is Sunshine…

Altitude can alter Attitude!

Are you’re headed Up

or Are you going down?

The Attitude of David concerning his ascent upwards to Jerusalem (the house of God) was Gladness!

Ask yourself-

Are my decisions taking me downwards or upwards?

That may explain why you’re feeling how you feel!

Downward People say:

Aww there’s church again tonight…

Upward People Say:

Oh What Joy, There’s Church Again Tonight!

Where Are You Headed Today?

It May Hold the Key to Your Attitude!

Or Explain Why…

RDF

牧師 Pastor, R.D. Frazier

1 Peter 4:11

Where Are the Timothys?

(Phl 2:19-21)

19 But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timotheus shortly unto you, that I also may be of good comfort, when I know your state.

20 For I have no man likeminded, who will naturally care for your state.

21 For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ's.

This generation is Truly the “Gilded Age” of the 21st Century…

All Seek Their Own…

What’s in it for me?

Self Promotion and Obsession with Self are the Objects most sought after.

What Happens in the World often seeks refuge, coming underneath the thresholds of the Door of the Church!

The Church is where we are mostly cleansed from the damning contaminations of this generation, and yet it is mostly and often not all.

Influences into our minds are the most difficult to cleanse.

Where Are The “Timothys?”

⁃ The Selfless

⁃ The Giving

⁃ The Loyal

If there was no reward or recognition how many Timothys would there be?

Every Pastor Needs a Timothy…

Who will stand with their Pastor and be “Likeminded” and Care for the state of your church…

(Likeminded) not your mind…

Paul indicated that “likemindedness” was Christ Minded…

⁃ Jesus Cared for the Church

⁃ Paul had the Care of the Church

⁃ Timothy was Likeminded as Paul

Where Are the Timothys?

RDF

牧師 Pastor, R.D. Frazier

1 Peter 4:11

Seven Abominations

TROUBLE MAKERS…

Proverbs 6:16-19

16 These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him:

17 A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,

18 An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief,

19 A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.

*Some people seem to have a nose for trouble. Their lives lurch from one crisis to the next.

Those who live within the sphere of their influence find their own lives being drawn into the vortex of stress and strife.

They are often gifted people who have all the tools to contribute greatly to society, but their penchant for trouble undoes all they could

productively do.

There once was a star on the Chicago Bulls National Basketball Association championship team.

Year after year he led the league in rebounding, and he played a key role on one of the greatest basketball teams in the history of the game.

His bizarre appearance and his unorthodox lifestyle were news items.

But they were his undoing!

Soon traded again and again until he was gone.

What “Could’ve Been became- Couldn’t Be”

That's the certain end of

“Trouble Makers”

Abominations to God!

RDF

牧師 Pastor, R.D. Frazier

1 Peter 4:11

The Blessings of Secrets

(Ps 25:14)

14The secret of the LORD is with them that fear him; and he will shew them his covenant.

It’s apparent scripturally that God keeps Secrets-

Only revealing to a special few…

In this case it is to those select few who “Fear Him”

Also known as the (Beginning of Wisdom)

All Fear is not good!

Most Fear is Destructive!

But Exclusively the

“Fear of God” is Absolutely a Blessing!

And along with this fear, is possesing the (Secrets of God)…

God showing His “Covenant” His contract of promises with man!

This alone is Awesome in His Revelation!

Join the “Select Few” group and be led into a higher dimension Revelation!

RDF

牧師 Pastor, R.D. Frazier

1 Peter 4:11

Abomination

Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD: though hand join in hand, he shall not be unpunished.

Abomination-

Disgusting, hateful and exceedingly offensive to God.

Somethings are sinful and to be avoided-

Yet there is an altogether different category called-

Abominations:

Somethings are sinful publically and some are an Abomination to God-(whether in private or public)!

Abominations are so severe that it doesn't matter where, but rather it exists at all…

God finds a Proudful heart, Disgusting!

This is not just one errant action but rather something that resides in your Heart!

Even though-

“hand join in hand”

Others affirm and join you-You as well as they will not go “Unpunished”

Everyone that is Proud in Heart-Is an Abomination to God…

RDF

牧師 Pastor, R.D. Frazier

1 Peter 4:11