Reach Out and Reach Up in Suffering

CURRENT TEACHING SERIES The Hope of Easter

Reach Out and Reach Up in Suffering By Rick Warren — Mar 31, 2015 “To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.” (1 Peter 2:21 NIV) Every person who reads this will face tragedy at some point in your life. You’ll have loss — major loss — in your life. None of us can escape tragedy. Jesus, God’s Son, sure didn’t. And Jesus didn't just give us a model in his life. He gave us a model for handling pain in his death. He modeled what you should do during the worst day of your life. The Bible says in 1 Peter 2:21, “To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps” (NIV). Two years ago — five days before Easter of 2013 — my youngest son took his life. It was the worst day of my life. I’ve been asked many times how I’ve made it through the past two years.       I looked to the model of Jesus. That answer is Easter. So what did Jesus do during the worst, most painful day of his life on Earth? He reached out to friends. On the night that Jesus knew he was going to be arrested, tortured, and executed, the last thing he did on the earth was gather with his closest friends. Jesus didn’t ask for speeches or advice. He asked for their presence. Most of the time, we do just the opposite when we’re experiencing pain. We pull away. That’s just dumb! God never meant for us to go through pain on our own. That’s why you need to be involved in some sort of small group environment in a local body of believers. He reached out to God through prayer. You need friends in times of trouble, but you need God even more. God will be by your side when no one else will. Jesus did this in the Garden of Gethsemane. And in doing so, he gave us a terrific model for prayer during suffering: You affirm God’s power. (Pray something like, “Lord, you can do anything.”) Second, express your desire. (“I don’t want this pain.”) Third, submit to his will. (“Don’t do what I want; do what youwant.”) You weren’t designed to go through suffering alone. As times get tough — and they will — reach out and reach up. You’ll be glad you did. PLAY today’s audio teaching from Pastor Rick >> Talk It Over Do you find it more difficult to reach out to God or other people during times of trouble? Why? Why do you think it’s so important to affirm God’s power in the midst of difficult times? How can you be more prepared for others to reach out to you when times are tough? Free from Condemnation TODAY’S SCRIPTURE “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, who live and walk not after the dictates of the flesh, but after the dictates of the Spirit.” (Romans 8:1 AMP) TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria Is there something that you feel guilty about? If you have repented to God, the Bible says He takes your sin and throws it as far as the east is from the west. He casts it into the sea of forgetfulness. That means God chooses to forget your sins! They are completely removed. Gone. Don't let the enemy make you feel guilty for something that happened your past. The enemy is the "accuser of the brethren" and he works overtime to try to bring you down with false accusations. Be confident that if you've given it to God, He doesn't remember it. You are free from condemnation through the blood of Jesus Christ. The next time the enemy brings up your past, just declare "I am free from condemnation in Jesus' Name!" A PRAYER FOR TODAY Father, thank You for setting me free in Jesus! Thank You for forgiveness. Thank You washing me clean and making me new today. I receive your grace and mercy so that I can be a vessel used by You. In Jesus' Name. Amen.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZsC4MPAA0wM