Tuesday, 1 December 2015 

A little girl needed an operation and was terrified of the thought.  

Her parents promised to give her something she had wanted for a long time as encouragement-

– her very own kitten.  

The operation was a success. 

But as the anesthesia wore off-

– the little girl mumbled, “This sure is a lousy way to get a cat!” 

Believers who go through hardships while serving the Lord-

– will never feel the way that little girl did when they look back on the trials they overcame.  

2 Timothy 3:12 says, “Everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.”  

It’s true!

When you live a lifestyle of holiness-

– you will be mocked and perhaps even cursed. 

However, Jesus said to His disciples:

“If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me” (Matthew 16:24).  

As a result of our faithfulness to follow Christ at all costs-

– Christ assured us that when He returns to earth, “he will reward each person according to what he has done” (Matthew 16:27). 

The apostle James said to “consider it pure joy…whenever you face trials of many kinds” (James 1:2).

Because “our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us” (Romans 8:18).

You should rejoice in the fact that we “participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed” (1 Peter 4:13). 

When you endure hardships and trials in this life-

– count it a privilege and blessing to be identified with the Saviour.  

Suffering for Him will bring a sure and eternal reward free of any regrets.

And the Lord will give you joy when you suffer through hardships in the Christian life.

(PR)