suffering

How God turned pain into praise

How God turned pain into praise

In 1972, when I was in prison for Bible smuggling, my heart was full of desperation and pain. One day, as I was praying, a miracle happened: it was as if Heaven had opened, the cell was filled with a brilliant light, all the angels of Heaven seemed to crowd into that cell, and I began to praise and worship the Lord. I got to my feet and began to run around that cell singing, “Then sings my soul, my Saviour God to Thee, how great Thou art!” The glory of God filled my heart, changing me, the sadness and the pain were gone! I was locked in a prison cell, yet I was in the presence of God, experiencing the glory of God, something greater than I had ever known in a church – it was as if I was transported into Heaven!

Christ Our Shepherd and Example - Suffering with Purpose

Christ Our Shepherd and Example - Suffering with Purpose

I want you to look up, look beyond! I’ve had suffering, I’ve had pain, I’ve lost my parents, one brother, my sister, my wife – but I don’t weep, I look beyond, because I know there is a day of reunion in the Kingdom with those who have passed away before! Our hope transcends, comes above all our earthly panic and pain!

Serve the Lord willingly

Serve the Lord willingly

1 Peter 5 Bible Study: 'And now, a word to you elders of the church. I, too, am an elder; with my own eyes I saw Christ dying on the cross; and I, too, will share his glory and his honour when he returns. Fellow elders, this is my plea to you: Feed the flock of God; care for it willingly, not grudgingly; not for what you will get out of it but because you are eager to serve the Lord. Don’t be tyrants, but lead them by your good example, and when the Head Shepherd comes, your reward will be a never-ending share in his glory and honour.’

A chosen people

A chosen people

1 Peter 2 Bible Study: You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. (1 Peter 2.9-10)

1 Peter 2 emphasises that believers should live holy lives, growing in faith like newborn babies craving spiritual milk. They are compared to living stones, built into a spiritual house with Jesus as the cornerstone. Those who trust in Him will not be put to shame, while those who reject Him will stumble.

The Apostle Paul on trial

The Apostle Paul on trial

Acts Bible Study Chapter 21&22: The colonel came up to Paul, arrested and ordered him to be bound with chains. He enquired who Paul was and what he had been doing. When Paul got to the steps he was carried by the soldiers... for the people followed, shouting, “Kill him!” (Acts 21)

The transforming power of God

The transforming power of God

Acts Bible Study Chapter 9: The experience Paul had with God was so powerful, he could not refuse to obey! If only our encounters with God were as powerful and life-changing as this! Like Saul (Paul) I have met with God. I know God. I have seen the fire. More than that, the fire is in me, burning in my soul. There is a power that transforms me when I preach the Gospel so that I am not the ordinary David Hathaway. I have a power, yes a fire – from God. That is why, when I declare the Word of God, miracles happen. It’s not me, it's God. He wants you to know, to see the evidence of His fire and power!