To add one thought to Brother Ken's discussion, having serve as a minister for God for over 35 years, I noticed in my own life and in many other of my minister friends that as the CHURCH AGE is nearing it's end, Satan is bolder in his fight against God and good. He is attacking Ministers of God today! When I became disabled in 2006 at the age of 56, I asked a minister friend of mine, "Brother, why is this happening to me?" I couldn't fulfill my obligations as Minister of Music and Youth Pastor because I was crippled so badly that I coudn't walk, and I am confined to a power chair. My minister friend looked me straight in the eye and said, "ZacK, who had you rather it happened to? God knows your faith and strength in Him, and that you are His child." Had you rather it happened to someone that doesn't know Him as Savior? You will be a spokemans to those, that God is Good, and looks after us even in the bad times. He didn't promise you a bed of roses, but HE DID PROMISE TO BE WITH YOU THROUGH IT ALL!"

That was the best thing I could have heard at that time. O, I went through a period of depression because I coudn't do revivals and concerts anymore, but I found out that I could reach MORE people through the modern age of communication, than I ever did as a local church minister. After I got my power chair I found out that I could do a few concerts locally if I spreadthem out, and guess what, I have been ask to preach and sing at my church onan upcomingSunday night service

My point is this, suffering in my case has led to a new ministry for the Lord. I can still sing pretty good (not as good as I could when younger, but still pretty good). I am still God's servant. but my audience is different. With this age of Internet, I can still send the message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ out to people that might not have and opporunity from a church minister. After I realized this my depression ended, and I will serve my Lord with my last dying breath, until I meet Him in heaven. While not a detailed account of my life, I hope you can see from this how God is with us even in suffering. I know well how Job felt, because I have tasted a little bit. I have started notes that I plan to use in a book about this, so pray for me that I can show God's power in times of suffering. I CAN STATE THAT GOD IS GREAT AND GOOD, AND I HAVE ETERNAL LIFE BECAUSE I HAVE ACCEPTED JESUS' GRACE AND FAITH, AND HIS BLOOD HAS AND WILL COVERE MY SINS.

God Bless You Al, Rev. Zack Martin Sr.

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In His Name,
Rev. Zack martin Sr.
updated by @zack-martin: 06/02/15 03:16:00PM

AMEN to that Zack. The Internet is the new mission field.

The cyberspace highways and byways are the best place to find the lost today, and invite them to the marriage supper of the Lamb.

I've heard local Church Pastors complain about shrinking congregations, and many Pastors today simply quit in the face of declining influence and relevance.

However, studies have shown that short (under 5 minute) messages, riding on social networking technologies, have the potential to go viral and reach millions.

Plus, the media is always there once uploaded. The Spirit can guide someone to it at any time thereafter, unlike a live meeting. It's a tremendous resource, the soul winning potential is enormous.

--
Ken Rich
https://kenrich.me

Thanks for your encouragement and thanks for an avenue of service for the Lord. I believe we can get the gospel out through such great sight as this one, and you have a talent to help us that don't know as much about the Internet as you do. I can never say enough thankyou's for that.

Zack

--
In His Name,
Rev. Zack martin Sr.

i believe that god allows suffering for a number of reasons but i will just give one for now.

i believe he allows suffering no.1 to help us be better people, and to know his purpose.

ok since you have twisted my arm so to speak, look at job god allowed him to suffer simply because god had confidence injob. and thats why god could tell satan, do what ever you want just dont touch his soul. sometimes when god allows us to suffer it is to teach us lessons that you cant get in sunday school, sometimes he allows pain, in order to teach us how to translate pain into purpose. sometimes he allows us to be weak, so that we can know the one who is strong in our time of weakness, sometimehe allows suffering so that we may know him, in the power of his might.

sometime its to humble us. in order for us to become pure gold we have to go through the fire.(lol) and because he suffered we must also suffer.

Hi Clifford,

Those are good points, well made. I agree there may be many and varied reasons. It can be a tool to lead us to a greater understanding, a closer relationship, a refinement of our character.

--
Ken Rich
https://kenrich.me

ken you said those were good points that i made but what a great question you asked.(POWERFUL)

wow! it's unimaginable how glorious it is loving the Lord & serving Him in truth & spirit to the end...The world is now filled with deception that people nowadays find it more difficult to believe the Holy word of the most high God...He says He is the only whose word can be trusted...There is none i've seen or even yet to see as compared to the living God..."BEHOLD I AM THE LORD,THE GOD OF ALL FLESH,IS THERE ANYTHING TOO HARD FOR ME?...JEREMIAH 32:27