4Since Jesus went through everything you're going through and more, learn to think like him. Think of your sufferings as a weaning from that old sinful habit of always expecting to get your own way.G3767G5547G3958G5228G2257G4561G3695G5210G2532G846G1771G3754G3958G1722G4561G3973G2662Then you'll be able to live out your days free to pursue what God wants instead of being tyrannized by what you want.G1519G980G3371G980G1954G5550G1722G4561G1939G444G235G2307G23163You've already put in your time in that God-ignorant way of life, partying night after night, a drunken and profligate life. Now it's time to be done with it for good.G1063G5550G3928G979G713G2254G2716G2307G1484G4198G1722G766G1939G3632G2970G4224G2532G111G14954Of course, your old friends don't understand why you don't join in with the old gang anymore. But you don't have to give an account to them.G1722G3739G3579G5216G4936G3361G1519G846G401G810G9875They're the ones who will be called on the carpet—and before God himself.G3739G591G3056G2192G2093G2919G2198G2532G34986Listen to the Message. It was preached to those believers who are now dead, and yet even though they died (just as all people must), they will still get in on the life that God has given in Jesus.G1063G1519G5124G2097G2532G3498G2443G2919G3303G2596G444G4561G1161G2198G2596G2316G41517Everything in the world is about to be wrapped up, so take nothing for granted. Stay wide-awake in prayer.G1161G5056G3956G1448G4993G3767G4993G2532G3525G1519G43358Most of all, love each other as if your life depended on it. Love makes up for practically anything.G1161G4253G3956G2192G1618G26G1519G1438G3754G26G2572G4128G2669Be quick to give a meal to the hungry, a bed to the homeless—cheerfully.G5382G1519G240G427G111210Be generous with the different things God gave you, passing them around so all get in on it:G2531G1538G2983G5486G1247G846G1519G1438G5613G2570G3623G4164G5485G231611if words, let it be God's words; if help, let it be God's hearty help. That way, God's bright presence will be evident in everything through Jesus, and he'll get all the credit as the One mighty in everything—encores to the end of time. Oh, yes!G1536G2980G5613G3051G2316G1536G1247G5613G1537G2479G3739G2316G5524G2443G2316G1722G3956G1392G1223G2424G5547G3739G2076G1391G2532G2904G1519G165G165G281
Glory Just Around the Corner
12Friends, when life gets really difficult, don't jump to the conclusion that God isn't on the job.G27G3579G3361G3579G5213G4451G1722G1096G4314G3986G5213G5613G3581G4819G521313Instead, be glad that you are in the very thick of what Christ experienced. This is a spiritual refining process, with glory just around the corner.G235G5463G2526G2841G5547G3804G2443G1722G846G1391G602G5463G2532G2114If you're abused because of Christ, count yourself fortunate. It's the Spirit of God and his glory in you that brought you to the notice of others.G1487G3679G1722G3686G5547G3107G3754G4151G1391G2532G2316G373G1909G5209G2596G3303G846G987G1161G2596G5209G139215If they're on you because you broke the law or disturbed the peace, that's a different matter.G1063G3958G3361G5100G5216G3958G5613G5406G2228G2812G2228G2555G2228G5613G24416But if it's because you're a Christian, don't give it a second thought. Be proud of the distinguished status reflected in that name!G1161G1487G5613G5546G153G3361G153G1161G1392G2316G1722G5129G331317It's judgment time for Christians. We're first in line. If it starts with us, think what it's going to be like for those who refuse God's Message!G3754G2540G2917G756G575G3624G2316G1161G1487G4412G575G2257G5101G5056G544G2098G231618If good people barely make it, What's in store for the bad?G2532G1487G1342G3433G4982G4226G5316G765G2532G268G531619So if you find life difficult because you're doing what God said, take it in stride. Trust him. He knows what he's doing, and he'll keep on doing it.G5620G2532G3908G3958G2596G2307G2316G3908G1438G5590G1722G16G5613G4103G2939