From the Pulpit: Suffering happens when we follow Christ, but don’t forget God’s promise

OPINION:

Suffering is a natural consequence of standing up, standing out and being a servant. Being a Christian makes life more difficult because living for God will never be easy. Christians will always be at odds with culture if they are living for Christ.

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BIBLE VERSES

For it has been granted to you on Christ’s behalf not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him, since you are engaged in the same struggle that you saw I had and now hear that I have. – Philippians 1:29-30 (CSB)

Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, – Romans 5:3-4 (ESV)

and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. – Romans 5:5 (ESV)

And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. – 1 Peter 5:10 (ESV)

So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. – 2 Corinthians 4:16 (ESV)

For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, – 2 Corinthians 4:17 (ESV)

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RockFish Church is called to make, equip, and release fully committed followers of Jesus.

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Dan DeBruler is the Director of Discipleship for RockFish Church. Active in serving through both the Media and Worship Ministries since becoming a member of RockFish Church in 2014, Dan has been entrusted as a Licensed Minister, and is currently working toward a degree in Christian Leadership. He and his wife Dorothy have been married more than 40 years and enjoy family time with their three children and 10 grandchildren.

RockFish Church is a Christ-centered, Bible-based, Spirit-led, family-focused Christian church. We believe that a great commitment to the Great Commandment and the Great Commission will grow a healthy church. We value God’s word, strong families, unity, ministry, Christ-life change, and reaching out. RockFish Church is located in Raeford, North Carolina.