Even If You Suffer, Continue to do Good!

For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you. He is your example, and you must follow in his steps. 1 Peter 2:21 NLT

Most people associate praises with doing something good. To suffer for doing good is totally contradicting to what we know. However, as it is written in the word of God, at some point in our lives, we will suffer for doing good.

When Jesus walked the earth, the bible tells us everywhere He went he was doing good. And you know that God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. Then Jesus went around doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him – Acts 10:38 NLT. Though Jesus went about healing the sick, feeding the hungry, raising the dead, and God was with Him, He suffered at the hands of the very same people He helped.

One moment the people were shouting praises to Jesus, And many spread their garments in the way: and others cut down branches off the trees, and strawed them in the way. And they that went before, and they that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna; Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord: Mark 11:8-9 KJV. Then yet a little time thereafter, And Pilate answered and said again unto them, What will ye then that I shall do unto him whom ye call the King of the Jews? And they cried out again, Crucify him. Then Pilate said unto them, Why, what evil hath he done? And they cried out the more exceedingly, Crucify him – Mark 15:12-14 KJV.

Christ is our example, and we are to follow His example. He never sinned, nor ever deceived anyone. He did not retaliate when he was insulted, nor threaten revenge when he suffered. He left his case in the hands of God who always judges fairly – 1 Peter 2:22 NLT. Though Jesus suffered for doing good, He continued to do good. He did not take matters into His own hands, because He knew God the Father is the righteous judge and judges fairly. The sufferings did not discourage Jesus from doing good. He remained focus on what He came to do. We too have suffered and will suffer for doing good. But let us follow Jesus’ example and continue to do good, despite of what we may suffer.

I leave you with these encouraging words; And let us not be weary in well doing for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith. Galatians 6:9-10 KJV. And, after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace who called you to his eternal glory in Christ will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you – 1 Peter 55:10 NET. Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life – Revelation 2:10 KJV.

Where Is The God of Elijah?

And he took the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and smote the waters, and said, Where is the Lord God of Elijah? 2 Kings 2:14a

We look at many leaders, Apostles, Prophets, Evangelist, Pastors and Teachers today who are doing the work of God. There are those who admires what they are doing; then there are those who wants to be like them. The question is, are you willing to pay the price that many leaders have paid to be a vessel used by God?

Let’s look at the life of Elijah and Elisha. God used the prophet Elijah to do many miracles that demonstrated the power of God. One such act is when Elijah called down fire from heaven and the fire burnt up the wood and dried up the water. Many would like to be used by God to great signs and wonders, but there is a cost to pay for the anointing. It requires crucifying the flesh and dying to self. It requires being sold out to God. Though it was a great victory for Elijah against the prophets of Baal, Elijah was soon running for his life when he received a death threat from a woman called Jezebel. Elijah ran from Jezebel and asked God to let him die. How could that be after such a great victory?

God then chose Elisha as Elijah’s successor. Elisha was taking care of his oxen when he received the call to ministry. He left all that he had to follow Elijah. Elisha was devoted to following Elijah. As they travelled, Elijah would say to Elisha, stay here while I continue on my journey, but Elisha said, I will never leave you. What is your devotion to God? Are you committed to God, the one who called you? Are you willing to go all the way with God? Elisha was determined not to leave Elijah. Elisha could have given up, but he remained faithful.

As they travelled on. Elisha knew Elijah would soon depart. Elijah asked Elisha, what can I do for you? Elisha said that he would like to receive a double portion of Elijah’s spirit. Know that the spirit of God was in Elijah. Elisha received the double portion and performed double the number of miracles that Elijah did. Elisha asked, where is the God of Elijah? He wanted to confirm that God was also with him, as God was with Elijah.

Today, I want to ask you, is the God of Elijah and Elisha your God? I want my life to demonstrate God in such a way, that someone in despair can open their mouth and ask, where is the God of Bernadette? They would call upon my God because of the mighty things God has done in my life. Testify of the God who lives in you!

Know Who To Trust

“Lord, what do You want me to do? - Acts 9:6 NKJV

Paul’s life changed forever when he asked the question, “Lord, what do You want me to do?” Note how God answered his question. “Arise, and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do”. Discovering God’s will takes place in steps.

Step one is Awareness – You cannot change direction if you’re unaware you’re headed in the wrong direction, so spend some time thinking about where you’re presently headed. If it’s now where you need to go, then write down the steps you must take to go where you  want to go, to accomplish what you want to accomplish. Make them as concrete as you possibly can. Will they absolutely be the right steps? Maybe they will, maybe they won’t. But you won’t know for sure until you start moving forward.

Step two is Action – You can’t win if you don’t begin! Take initiative. Do something specific each day that will move you one step closer to your goal. Then, continue to do it every day. Remain focused and consistent.

Step three is Accountability – Few things will inspire you to see your goals through like accountability. One way you can do that is to share your goals. When you tell trusted people what you plan to do, you feel pressure to keep working at it. Give those people permission to ask you about your progress. It’s like giving yourself a deadline so that you keep moving toward it. Writing things down gives you another form of accountability.

Do you want to do God’s will? Then start with these three steps…make it happen.