In Part One of this topic, we're talking about enduring suffering that we bring on ourselves.

Jesus told us that we’d experience trouble as followers of Him, but He also told us that He’s already overcome it. No one enjoys suffering, but we find hope in the fact that it’s temporary. Joy is on its way!

Scripture: John 16:33 “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

James 5:13 “Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms.”

Romans 8:18 “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.”

1 Peter 5:10 “But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.”

Jesus commands us to love our enemies, which is counter-cultural. Loving your friends and family comes naturally. The true test of faith is choosing to love when it’s so easy to hate.

Scriptures: Matthew 5:43-44; Romans 12:20

When God pours out oil, it’s called anointing. Anointing with oil signified the act of installing a person into a special office or setting apart an object for sacred rites. The Lord sent Samuel to anoint David as king of Israel when he was still a boy.

On today’s episode, we’re talking about what it means to be anointed by God. If you believe that you may be anointed and called by God, I think you’ll enjoy this conversation.

Scriptures: 1 Samuel 16:1, 1 John 2:20,27, Psalm 23:5:, I Chronicles 16:22: