Daily Devotional by John Piper -July 31, 2020

Suffering That Crushes Faith "They have no root in themselves, but endure for a while; then, when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately they fall away." (Mark 4:16–17) The faith of some is broken instead of built by suffering. Jesus knew this and described it here in the parable of the four soils. Some people who hear the Word receive it at first with gladness, but then suffering makes them fall away. So affliction does not always make faith stronger. Sometimes it crushes faith. And then come true the paradoxical words of Jesus, "The one who has not, even what he has will be taken" (Mark 4:25). This is a call for us to endure suffering with firm faith in future grace, so that our faith might grow stronger and not be proved vain (1 Corinthians 15:2). "The one who has, more will be given" (Mark 4:25). Knowing God's design in suffering is one of the main means of growing through suffering. If you think your suffering is pointless, or that God is not in control, or that he is whimsical or cruel, then your suffering will drive you from God, instead of driving you from everything but God — as it should. So it is crucial that faith in God's grace includes the faith that he gives grace through suffering.

Bible Gateway Recommendations

Buy Now A Godward Heart: Treasuring the God Who Loves You Did you find this devotional helpful and inspiring? Read the book for more!

Copyright Information This devotional is written by John Piper. For more information about Piper's ministry, writing, and books, visit DesiringGod.org.

Subscription Information

This email was sent to Webmaster220 Bible Study Blog by Bible Gateway, 3900 Sparks Drive SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546 USA. This email is part of a devotional or newsletter that you signed up for on BibleGateway.com. For information regarding our privacy policy, click here. If you have questions or comments about this newsletter, please contact us.

*Manage all Bible Gateway subscriptions — *Opt Out of all Bible Gateway communication

                                                                                                                                                 

*the blog owner has deleted the hyperlink intentionally For a treasure box of Spurgeon  here for audio and       Bible Study Material Free Shipping On Orders of $30 Or More (continental U.S., excludes digital products) SHOP THE SALE SHOP THE SALE SHOP THE SALE Bible Study Material Free shipping info  Take $2 off $30+ Coupon code:JULY Take $3 off $45+ Coupon code:ROAD Take $4 off $55+ Coupon code:TRIP Offer Expires 11:59pm on 07/31/2020 Take $2 off $30+ Coupon code:JULY Take $3 off $45+ Coupon code:ROAD Take $4 off $55+ Coupon code:TRIP Affiliate marketer links: Affiliate marketer Rick Livermore with Webmaster220 Bible Study Blog will earn a commission on the Bible Study Material you buy from faith gateway storealibris.  Brought to you by Rick Livermore and Webmaster220 Bible Study Blog    If you would like to offset my expenses of producing all this free content, but you want to pass on buying  materials from faith gateway store and alibris, feel free to give a little something-------Give through PayPal----- I live in San Juan Capistrano California now  a fan of tubitv.com/category/faith_and_spiritualityalso  tubitv.com/channels/dovechannel also Greek and Hebrew Tools on the Internet also a fan of   94 FM The Fish Nashville also a fan of various The Fish stations all over the country The most important link on this blog is this one about cures to the coronavirus.  Landmark info about the treatment of severe cases of the COVID-19 virus Also this one about vaccines that immunize people from catching the coronavirus Then there is this one about copper as a weapon to combat this virus. This one could save some lives about the Red Cross. This one is a plasma cure link.