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Mount Pleasant Christian Church of Christ, 75 Highfield Road, Rocky Mount, VA (2026)

12/23/2024

I want to wish everyone at Mount Pleasant Christian Church of Christ a very Merry Christmas. We love and miss you all.
Love,
Donald,Donna, Austin and Hunter

09/30/2024

Sermon Summary Notes 09-29-2024
Use Your Valley
Psalm 143:1-12
Johnny Webb
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Notes by Jennifer Rivera
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In this lament from David, we see how troubles in life can cause us to reflect, become aware of our sinfulness, lead to repentance, depend on God, and help us grow and mature. Life is full of twists and turns—a roller coaster of ups and downs. Peaks and valleys, as it has been termed. Nevertheless, God is always in control and with us, helping us through each moment. He allows things in this world which can knock us down completely, the valleys, and He uses these to develop us as the Potter, molding us. It is up to us to use our valleys, being encouraged and challenged, not wasting these moments, but using them to help us grow and mature in the faith. Though we don’t always understand, there is purpose in everything. We cannot change the past, but we can reflect on what God has done and is doing now.

We see a few things from David in this Psalm. First is pain—pain in darkness, depression, and despair. Valleys are dark, and in them we cannot see. There is pain and suffering, and, like David, the heart is appalled and the spirit faints. But, again, we use these moments, these valleys, not to glorify ourselves, but to glorify God.

There is also prize—the prize of repentance, remembrance, and reliance. We can gain a lot from valleys. Not all valleys are caused by sin, but sin must be delt with in repentance. God draws us closer to Him in the valleys, in the suffering and troubles. We remember God’s hand in our lives, and we use our valleys to make Him known. We also rely on Him. The valleys of life caused David, and cause us today, to rely on Him and His strength, not our own. We seek Him in all, being dependent on Him, not determined to be independent of Him.

Finally, there is prayer and praise. David plead to God in prayer. Likewise, our lives ought to be centered on prayer, on remaining in constant communication with God. David also praised God. Our lives should be led in a manner which is a witness to Christ, praising Him in all we do. Not for what He does for us, but simply for Who He is. God Almighty. Sovereign. In the bad and good, He deserves our praise.

You’ll waste the valleys if:
you don’t believe God is in control.
you think they are a curse and not a gift.
you allow them to drive you into solitude, not deepening your relationship with God and others.
you spend too much time reading into the valleys and not reading God’s Word.
you grieve as those with no hope.
you treat sin casually as you did before you were a Christian.
you fail to use it as a witness to Christ.

Added Scripture: Psalm 37:23/ Romans 8:28/ 2 Corinthians 12:7-11/ Proverbs 3:5-6/ Song of Solomon 2:1

09/30/2024

This is your reminder email that our 2025 South-Central Virginia Ladies' Retreat planning committee meeting is fast approaching!

Please remember to mark your calendars:
October 12, 2024 at 10am at Camp Pitt

For those on our planning committee or those interested in participating with planning (it is great to have at least one representative from each area Christian Church/Church of Christ family), please be sure to attend in order to organize and ensure a spiritually-edifying conference—for 2025 and beyond!

If you haven’t yet, please also be sure to check out our website and social media pages:

scvaladiesretreat.wixsite.com/scva

https://www.instagram.com/scvaladiesretreat

Please share our social media pages and website with your church families, and encourage the ladies within our local churches to “like” and follow our social media accounts so everyone can stay up-to-date on current and upcoming events!

Finally, be in prayer over the event, that we will know God and make Him known, glorifying Him in all we do. Likewise, be in prayer over: how you can help, the venue, the volunteers, the speaker(s), the attendees, the Gospel being shared and touching at least one person’s life, leading them into a right, reconciled relationship with God in Christ and edifying our sisters in the faith, building them up in their maturity in the faith.

09/16/2024

Sermon Summary Notes
God Sees You; How’s Your Vision?
Nehemiah 1:1-11
Johnny Webb
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Notes by Jennifer Rivera
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In this passage, Nehemiah hears of the turmoil in Judah and Jerusalem and prays for God’s favor. The Israelites had returned from exile in Babylon, and here there is prayer to God with confession and petition.

In a time when the Gospel is watered down, when the vision of the church has been distorted, when the moral line between wrong and right has been blurred, when many fail to stand up for Christ and His truth, we need those in the church to remember the overall fight, keeping focus on Christ and our work as His representatives. God uses us for His glory. We need people of vision who are holy, set apart for Christ. In this section of Nehemiah, we see three facts about people with this vision.

First, people with vision encounter problems. Nehemiah wept over the sufferings of Israel. They suffered in response to their rebellion. The choices we make can lead to suffering, and we are never promised a life without problems. Bad things happen, and life can change in an instant. But we are called to duty, not complacency. We must be ready, prepared, and eager to serve God, never being reluctant to obey. God has a plan, and He has called us according to His plan.

Second, people with vision exercise prayer. Prayer is crucial in the life of a God-fearing Chrisitan. It’s communication with the Creator in the name of the Savior, our Lord. In his prayer, we see Nehemiah praising God, persevering in prayer, having a penitent heart, communicating promises made, and petitioning God. When we pray, we do all these, coming to Him with contrite hearts in confession, with thankfulness, and with petition according to His will. We also pray with others, our fellow siblings in Christ. Prayer honors God, because we are turning to Him, relying on Him.

Finally, people with vision embrace providence. There are no accidents or coincidences. God guides and works providentially or allows things to happen in life in order to glorify Him and grow us. Regardless of where we are, God puts us in a place for a purpose. Our lives are in His hands, and He created us on purpose for a purpose—to glorify Him, knowing Him and making Him known. He also puts us where He wants us to be. Furthermore, we have influence over the lives of others: children, the unsaved, fellow saints, etc.. Therefore, our lives must be an example, showing the purpose God has for us to everyone we meet.

Can you see God’s purpose for your life? Are you communicating with Him regularly? How is your vision in this lost world?

Added Scripture: Isaiah 6:8/ Jonah 1:1-3/ Exodus 2:11-14/ Luke 18:1/ Psalm 66:218/ Matthew 18:19/ Romans 4:20-21

09/02/2024

Sermon Summary Notes 09-01-2024
My Labor is not in Vain
James 5:1-6
Johnny Webb
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Notes by Jennifer Rivera
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Labor Day honors workers and their contributions to society. For the world’s view of work, we see the accumulation of wealth is often the goal. Within the workforce, greed often takes over. The rich man tries to reason his greed, his sin. There is nothing wrong with having wealth in itself, but it’s all in how we steward what God has allowed us to have.

We have been given the task of stewardship since the Garden. God provided for man and gave man stewardship, but because of rebellion and sin, condemnation and curse (of the ground and its toil) came about. Though the relationship was broken there, Jesus came to reconcile God and man, restoring that relationship. In His plan of reconciliation, He has purchased us, bringing us back to Him as Lord/Master and servant. Only in Jesus the Christ can there be this true reconciliation. There is no middle ground; we are either for or against God. The lukewarm are spit out (Revelation 3:16).

With this in mind, we look to how we labor for God and the Kingdom.

The church is not exempt from Satan’s’ attacks. He comes to steal, kill, and destroy, but Jesus has brought life abundant (John 10:10). When we remain steadfast in the Word, faithful and obedient to God, we can defend Satan’s attacks, being well-equipped. We must not only be hearers of the Word, but doers (James 1). God calls us into work for His Kingdom, sharing the Gospel, making disciples. We are co-laborers in the Gospel. We are also ambassadors for Christ, His representatives here on earth. We may be the only Bible people will ever encounter; therefore, our lives should be an example, living out our faith. It’s not just a once-a-week thing on Sunday, but our life as lights for Christ is constant. Therefore, we must work to please the Lord and fulfill the commands He has for us, being His representatives. Everything we do should be done for Him.

Whatever we accomplish in this life, we must be sure to give all the glory to God in the name of Christ. Our work reflects Him, and our purpose in life is to glorify Him, knowing Him and making Him known. It’s not about us. It’s all about Him.

Added Scripture: Deuteronomy 24:14-15/ Genesis 2:15/ 1 Peter 5:8-9/ 2 Thessalonians 1:3/ 2 Corinthians 7:1/ Colossians 3:23-24

08/26/2024

Sermon Summary Notes 08-25-2024
A Little Deeper
Ezekiel 47:1-12
Johnny Webb
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Notes by Jennifer Rivera
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Although this passage is specifically for the Jews exiled in Babylon, Ezekiel’s prophecy is twofold—both in the near future restoration for the exiled Jews and the distant future of restoration In Christ. The theme of life-giving water still applies to us today.

In his vision, Ezekiel is allowed to see miraculous water flowing from the temple (nowhere else but the dwelling place of God’s glory). Not only does he survey the water, but he is led through the water. The water is seen producing life, renewal, and fruitfulness in everything it touches. In like manner, Jesus speaks that the gift of God is living water (John 4:10), that is, the Holy Spirit which indwells Christians at baptism, offering eternal life, transformation, renewal, rebirth, and ongoing sanctification which produces fruitfulness.

With this in mind, what can we do today in regard to this life-giving water?

Of course, when we are saved, we surrender our lives to Christ, but this isn’t a one-and-done deal, but a daily surrender. We often see the early church being strengthened and reminded to persevere in the faith, reminded of the Gospel of Christ. We must allow God to be in control of our lives, dying to self, surrendering fully to the life-giving water, not just wading ankle or even waist-deep. We must allow the Holy Spirit to work in our lives, surrendering fully in trust and obedience. All throughout Scripture, we see God’s desire for us to trust and obey. Walking by the Spirit is a choice we make recurrently, denying the flesh.

God is Lord, Master. When we live the Spirit-filled life in full surrender, we surrender to His power over us. He is in control as Christ is our identity. We are no longer our own. We have died to self, and we are alive in Christ alone. It is no longer our will, but His. As we grow in Christ, our walk in the water gets deeper and deeper. Some, however, refuse to go deeper, remaining shallow Christians. There is no voice, no action, no involvement, no work, no edification, no active growth. This is dangerous as it leads to weakness and apostasy. In order to grow deeper in the Spirit, in maturity, we actively pursue growth by saturating ourselves in Scripture, knowing God and making Him known. We must be in constant communication with God in prayer and the study of His Word. Like any relationship, communication is critical. Biblical illiteracy is one of the biggest dangers for Christians today. Only when we are fully rooted in God’s Word can we tell truth from counterfeit, grow and mature.

God wants us to rest in Him. The secret to real revival is fully surrendering to the life-giving water, the Holy Spirit and His work within us.

“I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” Romans 12:1-2

“If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.” Galatians 5:25

Added Scripture: John 14:6-8; 16:7; 3:30/ Matthew 20:28/ Luke 4:18/ Ephesians 6:10/ Philippians 4:13/ Isaiah 43:2

08/18/2024

Sermon Summary Notes 08-18-2024
What Do We Believe? Truth or Lie?
Johnny Webb
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Notes by Jennifer Rivera
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We must ask ourselves, “What do I believe?” Truth is under attack and has been since the Garden. We hear so much today about “Live your truth” and “Truth is subjective,” and these are damaging ideologies. Truth is objective, and we find truth in the Word of God. We must test everything we hear against His Word. Christ is The Truth, and God will judge us by Truth.

What is the truth about the Christian religion? In understanding truth, we have to realize this world is full of lies. There are many religions in the world with false teachings and teachers, even creeping into the universal Christian church. We are warned so many times in Scripture to be on guard against such. Christianity is a living faith, not a lying, false religion. It is religion that is pure and undefiled (James 1:27). We don’t invite people to follow us or our church, however. We invite them to follow Christ, surrendering to a saving, reconciling relationship with Him. No other act of religion can save. Only in Christ is there true salvation.

What is the truth about believers? There is a lot of “cultural Christianity” today—people proclaiming the name of Christ but not authentically in a relationship with Christ. We must lean on Christ, depending on Him alone. Not self. Unbelievers are focused on the self, but Christ calls those who follow Him to deny self, die to self, and be reborn in Him. Believers are also called to share the Gospel of Christ, being unashamed. We will be labeled for it, persecuted, hated, but it’s expected (John 15:18). Life is short, a v***r, and we are here to please God. We stand for the Gospel of Christ, being a light, a city on a hill not hidden (Matthew 5:14). We are obligated to share the Gospel and make disciples. When we know the truth about God’s wrath in judgment to come, Heaven and Hell, we will want to tell others. Many people will condemn us for “sticking our nose in their business,” but that is our call! Jesus wasn’t a sap. He was bold in calling sinners to repent. What if we don’t share the Gospel? God gave the order to do so, to tell the truth, so if we aren’t filling others with His truth, then the world is filling them with lies.

Do we have the right to dictate morality? No. We cannot detach morality from the authority of Christ. Do we have an obligation? Yes. We are to make disciples and stand for truth—The Truth. Do believers make a difference in the world? Yes. We are salt and light (Matthew 5:13-16). We cannot reach everyone, but we must do our part regardless, planting seeds. Why do we go to church? Many thing they can simply worship God on their own terms, but that’s not what we are called to do as the body of Christ. The body is parts of a whole. We are brothers and sisters called to edify, help, correct, rebuke, encourage, and strengthen one another. All part of one body, and when that body is missing a part, it loses part of its function. We are hear to please God and worship Him.

What is truth about the Bible? “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17). The Bible is the authoritative Word of God—truth. And, again, everything we see and hear must be tested against the Word, the truth.

Are you pleasing God? What do you believe—truth or lie? Satan is the father of lies (John 8:44).

Added Scripture: John 18:37-38; 8:32; 17:17; 12:48; 3:16-17/ Romans 6:23; 3:4/ Ephesians 2:8-9/ Acts 2:38-42/ 1 John 5:12/ Proverbs 11:30/ 1 Peter 1: 15-16

08/11/2024

Sermon Summary Notes 08-11-2024
Bad to Good
Philippians 3:7-11
Johnny Webb
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Notes by Jennifer Rivera
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We, Christians, all have a past life. However, many use that past to justify current, ongoing behaviors. May seek to justify their failures, their sin, by pointing to others rather than being accountable themselves. Some might say, “I’m just doing the best I can; it’s hard being a Christian,” or “I’m weak, and I just cannot stop sinning.” However, what we have to comprehend is that when we are saved in Christ, the old self is dead. We no longer live in the fleshly old self, but we have been made a new creation In Christ. Reborn.

This passage reflects three steps to develop a right Christian attitude.

First, we must calculate our losses. All Christian walks are, in fact, different. We come from different backgrounds, struggle with different sin and weaknesses. But we cannot use this as an excuse, especially when we come before the throne of God on the last day. Even if we come from a “Christian” family, or if we are “good,” or if we were raised “in church,” that doesn’t mean we are Christians. Being good or raised in church does not equal a saved soul. In this passage, Paul counts all as loss in comparison to Christ. Without Jesus we have nothing. Your relationship with Jesus is what makes life important, and in our new life in Him, we will develop ourselves according to His Spirit. Anything we ever were before Christ means nothing.

Second, we must consecrate our lives. A quote from the book ‘GREAT GRACE’ reads: “What is consecration? It is the flip side of repentance. In repentance one turns away to God from what is wrong; in consecration one gives oneself to God for what is right” (JI Packer). As Christians, Christ becomes our identity. Our life. Our entire focus should be on Him, and nothing should be allowed to eclipse Him. The Christian life revolves around Christ. We not only live in repentance, but we live consecrated, holy, faithful lives. Paul suggests that just knowing Jesus is a privilege. Every mile we walk in life with Jesus is another step in glory. Each step is fragrant in His presence. It’s not about us. It’s about Him and our walk to serve and glorify Him.

Finally, we must concentrate our longings. Paul clarifies the desire to grow in the Lord. The Christian life will grow day by day, maturing. The Christian life cannot exist without Christ. To be Christian is to be Christlike, follower of Christ. We can be moral people, but only by the power of the Spirit of Christ can we be made right, be sanctified, grow and mature in the faith. We must long for Him. We must long for focusing on Him and things above. We must long for the future hope we have—His return. We will experience suffering, pain, persecution and hate. We have fellowship with Christ in these. But He allows every experience to rely on Him and grow us.

Have you truly died to self? Has your guilt been imputed to Christ and His righteousness to you? Have you been born again? Repent, be baptized, consecrate yourselves!

Added Scripture: Philippians 3:13-15/ Hebrews 12:1-2/ Isaiah 64:6/ 2 Peter 3:18/ Romans 6:6-11/ Galatians 2:20/ Romans 12:1

08/04/2024

Sermon Summary Notes 08-04-2024
A Stranger No More
Ephesians 2:11-13
Johnny Webb
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Notes by Jennifer Rivera
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Like we see in the New Testament church and society surrounding, there are barriers that still exist today. We are all human flesh being divided by many barriers: social, economic, racial, etc.. However, Christ came to remove those barriers, giving all people—without regard to social class, s*x, or nationality—the opportunity for salvation. The only thing that is divisive now is not being in Christ. At one time, we were all separated from God, aliens, strangers, but Christ came to bring reconciliation to God.

The Gospel breaks down barriers. In the New Testament church, Paul encountered much Jew/Gentile conflict. In Galatians 3:28, he has to clarify, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” In today’s passage, there is the same message of unity in Christ.

We see division, devastation, and destruction of the past. Though we were separated, estranged from God and bound for Hell, facing His judgment, in His grace He made the way through Christ. Without Christ we have nothing. We could never change our own condition. But He allowed for salvation, hope, for His glory. He destroys our past. He changes us. He saves us. He makes us a new, reborn creation with a new beginning. And we must show this same grace to others by sharing His Gospel and His truth in love. We show hatred when we reinstate those barriers and fail to share the Gospel and the truth of His Word with the lost. Even many within our church buildings are in false conversion and cannot recognize it because they don’t know the fullness of the truth of God’s Word and have failed to test themselves (2 Corinthians 13:5).

We are liberated in Christ, dying to sin and rebellion. We cannot continue to sin, letting the old self in, saying, “I’m only human,” trying to excuse. We have to be fully in Christ, surrendered completely. He becomes our identity, and we become a statement to the world that Christ is our life. He shines through obviously.

Atonement is required for remission of sin by the shedding of sacrificial blood (Hebrews 9:22). In the past, that was temporary, but Christ—God the Son—came to pay the full price no other religion or sacrifice could, being our penal substitutionary atonement once for all (1 Peter 3:18). Jesus tore down the walls of sin and rebellion, reached out in grace, and—for those who obey the Gospel call genuinely—make us one in Him. He adopts the stranger into His family (Ephesians 1:5/ Galatians 4:5). Therefore, those in Christ are a stranger no more.

Added Scripture: Romans 1:14-16/ Isaiah 57:19/ 1 John 3:14-16; 4:20-21/ John 6:37/ Hebrews 9:24-27/ John 17:19-23

07/28/2024

Sermon Summary Notes 07-28-2024
A Look from the End
2 Timothy 4:1-8 (emphasis on 7-8)
Johnny Webb
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Notes by Jennifer Rivera
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Are you able to reflect on your life and say you’ve lived fully for Christ? We are not always able to look ahead and plan accordingly. Yet, we can look at how we are living each day. Are we being faithful? Steadfast? Holy?

In this particular part of his letter to Timothy, Paul has a charge for Timothy (and us today). He also gives an overview of his own life and what he knows is to come in the end as he is imprisoned in Rome facing death. He breaks down three components of the Christian life.

First, he speaks about the warfare. Paul acknowledges he has “fought the good fight,” affirming he engaged himself in the Gospel mission. Christians are not on a playground but a battlefield. Spiritual warfare is ever active, and we must fight for Christ, sharing His Gospel and making disciples, being steadfast and enduring until the end, like Paul. We are constantly engaged in battle. We are all spiritual creatures, and only in Christ are we new spiritual creatures (2 Corinthians 5:17). When we die to self and are reborn in Christ at baptism, we become citizens of Heaven, and we are indwelt by His Holy Spirit. His Spirit equips us, changes us, sanctifies and grows us. Yet, we still struggle with the flesh, and we must choose to walk by the Spirit, not grieving or quenching Him (Galatians 5:16-17/ Ephesians 4:30/ 1 Thessalonians 5:19). We also struggle with the enemy. Scripture clarifies in Ephesians 6:12 that our war is not of flesh and blood but against spiritual forces of evil, wickedness, and sin. The Accuser, Satan, is our enemy, and he works to entice the mind, which is why we have to keep it ready, guarded, and focused on things above (Colossians 3:2). Paul didn’t take credit for his fight, but acknowledged his strength came from Christ, his very identity (Galatians 2:20). He was equipped, not with carnal weapons as carnal people use, but spiritual weapons: the sword, which is the Word, prayer, faith, truth, righteousness, salvation, and Gospel readiness (Ephesians 6).

Second, he speaks about the walk. He finished the race to completion. Keeping Christ His goal (Hebrews 12:1-3) and things above (Colossians 3:1). At the end we each give an account for ourselves, being accountable for our salvation and faithful walk in Christ. Each race is different. We each face various obstacles, but we all will face the same finish line: Judgment Day. Can you rightly say, as Paul did, a crown of righteousness is laid up for you?

Finally, he speaks about the Word. He preserved the message of the Gospel and boldly proclaimed it wherever he went. He reasoned with the lost from the Scriptures. He also charges Timothy (and us today) to preach the Word and be ready all the time, to reprove, rebuke, and exhort with patience and teaching. We must hold God’s Word as objective truth, reading and studying it, rightly dividing it, passing it on to others, knowing God and making Him known. We must share His truth, teach His truth, and keep His truth (2 Timothy 2:2 & 15).

Will you be like Paul when you’ve reached the end of your race? Can you rightly proclaim you have “fought the good fight…finished the race…[and] kept the faith,” persevering in the Christian faith until the end?

Added Scripture: 1 Corinthians 6:19-20/ 2 Corinthians 4:5

07/22/2024

🚨Talent drop: Tim Barnett

Tim Barnett is an apologist and speaker with Stand to Reason, an apologetics ministry dedicated to training Christians to think more clearly about their faith. Tim travels across the US and Canada, speaking to thousands of people each year. We are excited to see how he challenges what we think we understand, helps develop and answer what we question, and points us to the one we need! 🚨

07/21/2024

Sermon Summary Notes 07-21-2024
Pain, and Then Comes Glory
Romans 8:18 (vv.1-39)
Johnny Webb
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Notes by Jennifer Rivera
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It's obvious life is full of pain and suffering. Nobody is exempt from such. Paul, too, was well-acquainted with suffering. In this passage, he assures fellow Christians that thought they will suffer, there is promise of a future glory which makes earthly, temporal suffering insignificant.

Starting at the beginning of the passage in verse 1, we see a reminder for those in Christ and walking by the Spirt—there is no condemnation; there is forgiveness of and freedom from enslavement to sin. Only those who are not in Christ are condemned already (John 3:18). Christians are no longer living in fear of God’s wrath, because we are saved from His wrath, which is our hope. We are no longer separated from God, no longer aliens/foreigners, but we are children of God. As sons of God, we are adopted by God and fellow heirs with Christ. If fellow heirs with Him, then we will be glorified with Him. IF we suffer with Him, enduring and persevering in the faith until the end. As verse 28 confirms, God will use every event in the life of those called by Him for their good according to His purpose, His plan. This doesn’t mean that earthly goodness or comfort will result, but it means that God will use our pain and suffering for His glory, causing us to rely on Him, develop a closer relationship with Him, and bear His fruit. We cannot see God’s divine plan for our lives and the struggles within. Think of a tapestry—as of now, everything may look like a jumbled mess, however, one day the tapestry will be complete and flipped over, and we will see the beautiful picture illustrated. God is using every moment to shape us, actively transforming us into the image of Christ. We are not conformed to this world, but set apart, being unlike the world, renewing our mind, but we must be willing and choose to walk by His Spirit in such sanctification.

Later in the passage, it is clarified that we are predestined to be conformed to Christ as sons of God. And those who are called (as sons of God) are justified in Christ—declared to be in right standing with God, reconciled to Him through Christ. And being justified in Christ, reconciled to God, we will also be glorified—receiving our resurrected bodies on the last day. Therefore, we should be ever humble, bringing praise and worship to the Lord. We know that suffering will, indeed, come, but it is temporary. There is and will be even more affliction for those associated with Christ. For we will be hated as He was hated (Luke 21:17). Either way, suffering and pain is in the world, because the world has been corrupted by sin since the Fall in the Garden of Eden. It is inevitable for all of creation, both in and out of Christ. Only those in Christ have hope (1 Peter 3:15).

We make poor decisions, acting foolishly unwise when we walk by the flesh, and our own choices lead to physical, emotional, and spiritual suffering. But when we repent and choose to walk by the Spirit, God offers us His mercy, and we reap spiritual reward of eternal life.

Paul makes it clear toward the end of chapter 8 nothing can separate us from God outside of our own selves. Satan and the opposition of unbelievers cannot succeed for those who remain steadfast in the faith. Neither death nor life, angels or demons, nothing apart from our own choice can sever our salvation and reconciled relationship with God. There is such thing as apostasy, however, in which we willingly depart from or “shipwreck” the faith, straying after false teaching and false gospels. But aside form that, our salvation is sealed by the Spirit (Ephesians 4:30). Therefore, we look forward and upward, minds set on things above, living according to our citizenship in Heaven here and now, until that last day. In that last day, we will be gathered from all nations, serving God before the throne, singing His praises, resting from labors, and our suffering will be gone. Though we will be continuously rejoicing from that day on, let us never fail to rejoice now.

Our present problems are nothing compared to His future promise. So, though we face heartache, pain, burden, and struggle, let us remember God, in our faithfulness to Him, is with us and is our Helper. Our Comforter. Pain will not last forever. Pain grows us. Pain matures us. Pain causes us to surrender to His will. Pain causes us to rely on His strength. God uses pain to make us more like Jesus, and He uses it for His glory.

Added Scripture: Job 14:1/ Galatians 6:7/ Hosea 8:7/ 1 Peter 5:6-10/ 2 Corinthians 4:17-18/ Psalm 30:5/ 2 Timothy 3:12/ Colossians 3:2/ Revelation 5:9; 7:13-15; 19:7; 21:3-4; 22:4

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