Understanding the purposes of God!

 “That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death” Philippians 3:10

You become a believer and quickly discover what you see is not what God has promised for you.

God speaks to you about His grandiose plans for you and almost immediately your life goes in a downward spiral. You encounter deprivation and bleakness and have to endure misery and suffering. Sometimes it can last for years.

When God finds a man or woman after His own heart, He has to hurt you deeply and strip away your ego and individuality. This process has to take place before He can use you for His purposes.

God has to refine you with His character and personality so that when He speaks you will respond without questioning Him or requiring proof. God wants your upmost loyalty to Him above all things and a willingness to give up your life for His sake.

This pattern of suffering for a “born again” believer can be validated by many stories in the Bible. Unfortunately, there is no way of escape until God commands change.

You have to walk by faith and pray for strength and endurance to get through the disciplining of God. There is hope for you. God is faithful and just and will raise you up to do great works for Him.

He lives so you can live!