joy is much greater than anything the world
can afford. Thou wilt shew me the path of
life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy
right hand there are pleasures forevermore
(Psalm 16:11).
You will face suffering.
Simon Peter thought he was ready to suffer
for Christ’s sake, but he wasn’t. When Jesus
tried to tell him and the other disciples of what
He would suffer, Peter got upset; and Jesus had
to put him in his place. Then Peter took him,
and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far
from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee.
But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee
behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto
me: for thou savourest not the things that be
of God, but those that be of men (Matthew
16:22,23).
God is offended when you try to stop His
will from being done because you want to
spare yourself or someone else from suffering.
It is so sad when people fail to really hear and
understand all the Lord is telling them. The
disciples could have been at the tomb
when the angel rolled away the stone
and Jesus walked out because He
had told them what was going to
happen, but they didn’t really
listen; and they weren’t there.
Thankfully, Peter did learn
later that he could suffer for
the cause of Christ and still
have great joy, but it was
joy that came from serving
the things of God rather
than the things of men. And
when they the high priest
and the council had called the
apostles, and beaten them, they
commanded that they should not speak
in the name of Jesus, and let them go. And
they departed from the presence of the
council, rejoicing that they were counted
worthy to suffer shame for his name. And
daily in the temple, and in every house, they
ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ
(Acts 5:40–42). The disciples were able to
continue on because they were anointed to do
the Lord’s work.
Will You Suffer for Christ?
You will suffer as you savor the things of
God more than the things of men, but you
will not be without Heaven’s joy; and divine
Jesus didn’t try to spare Himself from suffering,
and you can’t either. You must take on
the mind of Christ and continue on. Forasmuch
then as Christ hath suffered for us in
the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the
same mind (I Peter 4:1).
Paul learned to bear his cross, and he let
nothing stop him. Yea, and all that will live
godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer
persecution (II Timothy 3:12).
Paul wanted to make sure that
others would not let persecutions
and afflictions defeat
them either. He said, That no
man should be moved by
these afflictions: for yourselves
know that we are
appointed thereunto. For
verily, when we were with
you, we told you before that
we should suffer tribulation;
even as it came to pass, and ye
know (I Thessalonians 3:3,4).
Persecutions make you strong in the
Lord if you face them God’s way. For as
the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so
our consolation also aboundeth by Christ
(II Corinthians 1:5). And always remember
that the sufferings of this present time are
not worthy to be compared with the glory
which shall be revealed in us (Romans 8:18).
You Cannot Please Self
Jesus did not please Himself when He
walked the Earth. For even Christ pleased
not himself; but, as it is written, The
reproaches of them that reproached thee
fell on me (Romans 15:3). Jesus said, For I
October 2020 Vol. 65, No. 10 The Power of the Holy Ghost (USPS 516-050) is published monthly by Grace Cathedral®, 2690 State Road, Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio 44223 Periodicals postage paid at Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio and at additional mailing offices POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Power of the Holy Ghost, P.O. Box 1790, Akron, Ohio USA, 44309-1790
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