Life Lifters | Lakeshore Community Church

Nov 15 8:30 AM

TOP 10: To Ultimately Glorify God (Originally Published 7-10-2020)

Nov 15 8:30 AM

Monday, November 15, 2021

Why do people suffer? Today, we are looking at the ultimate reason why you suffer.

Monday, November 15, 2021

1 Peter 4:16

TOP 10 LIFE LIFTERS: For the next few weeks, we'll be re-releasing some of the top Life Lifters we've ever published since we started this devotional series. Join us as we look back at popular topics like prayer, joy, trust, and hope!

Why do people suffer? Why do you suffer? Let me give you thought five potential reasons any or all of these may be at work in any given time of suffering. I got this list from Chuck Swindoll. I got the list from him, but I'm amplifying it and building on it with my own thoughts and commentary. First, personally, to develop our faith, that comes from James 1:2-4. Second reason might be doctrinally, to expose error in our life in our belief system, if it exists, as First Corinthians 11:27-30. The third reason we may be suffering is vertically, to learn obedience, Hebrews 5:8. The fourth reason on why you may be suffering is horizontally, to cultivate and develop our humility. And that comes from 2 Corinthians 12:7.

Today, we are looking at the ultimate reason why you suffer. All are true, but this is the ultimate reason. Are you ready for it? The ultimate reason you suffer is to have an opportunity to glorify God. The Westminster Confession of Faith says this, "Man's chief end," meaning the chief purpose of human beings, "is to glorify God, and enjoy him forever." Sometimes one of the ways we can glorify God is in how we handle suffering. 1 Peter 4:16 tells us this in this very powerful verse. Peter says,"However, if you suffer as a Christian," as opposed to suffering for doing something silly and stupid, "if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear his name." Isn't that amazing? Praise God that you bear his name. The apostles were beaten in the book of Acts for talking about Jesus Christ. But they did not say, "Oh my gosh, I'm hurting. That hurt. I can't believe Jesus let me go through that," which was something you and I do sometimes. Instead, they left praising God that they were considered worthy by God to suffer for his name.

Sometimes you're going to suffer for his name. How does that happen? You go to work, you stand up for what's right, and you're mocked. You're suffering for his name. You're trying to be a witness in your neighborhood, you won't get drunk with your friends, and they ostracize you. You're suffering for his name. You tell somebody about Christ, and they reject you, your faith, and everything about you. You're suffering for his name. Or, sometimes you try to build into your kids and your kids have gone wayward. Don't give up your ground, because you're suffering for his name. I could go on and on. It is very, very possible that God wants to ground you in him more deeply by allowing you to suffer even for doing what's right. The first four reasons people suffer, developing your faith, exposing error in doctrine, disobedience and obedience, and humility are all growth areas. They're all things that are wrong that need improvement or correction. This last one is a reaffirmation of what is right. To glorify God, that is the goal of life. I want my life to glorify God, do you? Do you want everything you do to glorify God? Of course, we're never going to get there completely, but we're going to strive to get there aren't we? Sometimes when you want to live for Christ, the Bible says all who desire to live a godly life will suffer persecution. You cannot live a godly life and expect to not be criticized and mocked for it. Our world is turned upside down. Wrong is right and right is wrong. In terms of sexuality, wrong is right and right is wrong. In terms of morality, wrong is right and right is wrong. When it comes to honesty and so many other things, wrong is right and right is wrong. That's one of the signs of the end times, and we're certainly getting close.

I want to say this: if you're suffering because you're a Christian, glorify God. Say, "Thank You, Lord, that you chose me to be the one to suffer for your name." It's very, very hard to do. Let's pray. Father in heaven, we want to glorify you with our lives. Nobody here wants suffering. Nobody reading this wants to suffer, but we want all of these good things, especially this chief one: to glorify you in our lives. If suffering is what it takes, God, give us the grace to endure suffering and glorify you through it. Let us glorify you by standing up for the truth, glorify you by praising your name throughout (not like Job's friends), and to glorify you when we get through it, and we're a better person and can glorify you even better. Thank you for all of this. I pray that this helps those who read it, in Jesus' name. Amen.

By Pastor Vince DiPaola

Nov 12 8:18 AM

Roller Coaster Called Life

Nov 12 8:18 AM

Friday, November 12, 2021

Roller coasters are amazing. However, the roller coaster of our lives isn't as fun as the physical roller coasters.

Friday, November 12, 2021

Philippians 4:11-113

Today, we're going to be talking about probably one of my favorite things: roller coasters. I love roller coasters so much that the first thing that I do when we go to Darien Lake or Seabreeze, is I run to the roller coaster. What I love about roller coasters is it has the ups, it has the downs, you go upsidedown, and you just exhilarating. It's exciting, it's fun, it has the loop-de-loops and everything. I mean, who doesn't love roller coasters? I know for some of you out there me just describing a roller coaster is already sending your anxiety through the roof, but trust me, roller coasters are amazing. However, the roller coaster of our lives isn't as fun as the physical roller coasters. Just like roller coasters, your life has ups, it has downs, it has loop-de-loops, and things don't always look the same way. Things aren't always good, and things aren't always bad. But it's not as fun, like I said, as a roller coaster is.

One person who knew this all too well was the Apostle Paul. Paul had a life that was filled with ups and downs, turns, loop-de-loops, and his life was like a roller coaster. One place we can see that is in Philippians 4:11-13. He tells us how we can get through this roller coaster called life. Starting in verse 11, he says, "I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me." So, he's saying, "I've learned that in this roller coaster called life with its ups and with its downs, with its left turns and with its right turns, that in whatever situation, I need to be content. So in whatever he's going through, whether it's good or bad, I have learned what the secret is. The secret is, "I can do all things through him who strengthens me."

What Paul is saying here is that whatever it is that he went through, the good, the bad, the indifferent, all of it, he was able get through it because of Jesus. That's my encouragement to each and every one of you. It's the holiday season. Statistics show that the holiday season is probably the most depressing for people, because you have loss of family, friends that maybe have moved away, and family that have moved away. For a lot of people these bad memories come up around the holiday season. But it's a it's a time of joy as well. So I just encourage you, whatever you're feeling, whether it's a high or a low, whatever is going on in your life during this time, know that you can do all things through Christ who strengthens you. You don't do it alone. Not only does he walk with us, and he says he'll never leave us or forsake us, but he goes before us as well. So that's my encouragement to you, whatever you're going through, whatever situation you may be in today, just know that you can get through it with Jesus if you turn to Him.

By Pastor Antoine Evans

Oct 27 8:29 AM

Patience...Now!

Oct 27 8:29 AM

Wednesday, October 27, 2021

A lot of people confuse patience. They think patience is just waiting. There's a huge difference between patience and waiting.

Wednesday, October 27, 2021

Galatians 5:22d

We're talking about living with an attitude. How to live in the Holy Spirit, the new you if you're a Christian, versus the old person, who you were before you became a Christian. By time you when you become a Christian, from that moment on for the rest of your life, life is a nonstop battle. Who are you going to live for? How do you know when you're living for the Holy Spirit, and not for yourself? Or how do you know when you're living for yourself, not for the Holy Spirit? It's real simple: the fruit of the Spirit. The more you see these nine fruit, not fruits, but fruit of the Spirit, the more you're living for the Holy Spirit. The less you're living these nine fruit of the Holy Spirit, the more, you're living your old self.

So far, we've looked at the first three fruit of the Spirit, love, joy, and peace. Today, we're going to talk about patience. This comes from Galatians 5:22d, "But the fruit of the Spirit is... patience." Patience is the word sometimes translated as long-suffering, which is literally the word in Greek. What is patience? A lot of people confuse patience. They think patience is just waiting. There's a huge difference between patience and waiting. Here's the definition I came up with for patience. Patience is the attitude that waits on God's timing for a result, by working on whatever can be done in the meantime. So, we wait on God, but we work on what we can work on. That's the difference between how many people understand patience and what the Bible says about patience. The problem with patience is that we want patience now. Think about how contradictory that is, "Give me patience now!" I want to be patient, but I'm being impatient. Does it makes sense?

Let me explain the difference between just waiting and patience. Just waiting is sitting around for results. Patience is doing all we can regardless. Just waiting is focusing on the problem. Patience is focusing on God's process. Just waiting has a critical attitude. Patience has a controlled attitude. When we're just waiting we complain. When being patient, we contemplate God. Just waiting, the result is "I got what I wanted." Patience, the result is "I got what I needed." Big difference between patience and waiting. The Bible teaches us to be patient on God, that a day with the Lord is like 1000 years and 1000 years like a day. Can you be patient and wait for God? You know, God's timing is perfect. God sets his watch differently than we set our watch. We want our problems done by noon. God wants our problems done when he has accomplished what he needs to accomplish in us. It's hard to be patient. It's hard. I'm convinced one of the most bold prayers you could ever pray is, "God give me more patience," because you know what, he'll probably answer that one real quick. He'll put you in a traffic jam, or he'll give you some people that are really hard to deal with, and you have to have patience. Patience is a virtue. That Greek word that is sometimes translated patience, mackothymia, means long suffering. It can sometimes be hard, and it can sometimes be a long, suffering process. But patience has a great reward. How patient are you these days? Are you patient with your spouse, if you're married? Are you patient with your kids, if you have kids? Patient with that cranky aunt or uncle that you're going to see at Thanksgiving and Christmas? Patient with that kind of jerky guy at work? Patient with people who don't share your faith? Patient when you're going through a trial? Patient when finances aren't arriving when you hope?

James says a farmer has to be patient for the crops, but man when that time comes, the crops come in abundance. That's how it is with God. God says, "You have to sow your patience and you'll reap righteousness." That's living with an attitude. The more patient you can be, the more you'll accomplish great things. "Better a patient man than a warrior who conquers cities." That's what Proverbs says. Do you believe that? I do. Let's pray. Father, all of us struggle with patience. We live in a country in a world that says, "Now, now, now! More, more, more!" Sometimes you say, "Not now. Not more. Less." Teach us to be patient, not to wait around, but to wait on you. We ask this through the Holy Spirit who gives us this ability to be patient. Amen.

By Pastor Vince DiPaola

Jul 28 8:09 AM

Joy Killer #2: Suffering

Jul 28 8:09 AM

Wednesday, July 28, 2021

Today, I want to talk to you about joy killer number two, and that is suffering. If you don't handle suffering right, it will kill your joy.

Wednesday, July 28, 2021

Philippians 2:17-18

We have been talking about joy over the last few life lifters. All this week I am talking about some joy killers that the Apostle Paul shares will kill our joy. These are from his his letter of joy to the Philippians in the New Testament. Today, I want to talk to you about joy killer number two, and that is suffering. If you don't handle suffering right, it will kill your joy. I've seen people who had a pretty good walk with God, they go through a bout of suffering, and man, it wrecks their life or wrecks their faith. It wrecks their walk with God - they stop reading the Bible, stop giving, stop serving, stop coming to church. I see it again and again and again. They let suffering do what the evil one wants it to do: take away their joy. God wants suffering to do something better. He wants suffering to refine your life so you have even more joy, just like a plant that's pruned. Initially, you prune a plant and the plant is smaller, but by pruning the plant appropriately, it allows it to grow fuller and thicker. When you nail in a nail with a hammer, you have to bring the hammer back to go forward. Suffering is like that. It's like a pruning. It's like bringing the hammer back. It doesn't make sense, but when it's fully accomplished it changes us and fills us with joy.

I get that from Philippians 2:17-18. Look what the Apostle Paul says. He says, "But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. So you too should be glad and rejoice with me." Paul says, "Even if my life is being poured out like a drink offering." What does that mean? Basically, even if I'm in the process of dying because I'm living out my faith, you should rejoice with me. What Paul is saying is, "I know what suffering is all about. I know this life is temporary. I know suffering is always fitting into a plan for good for me, for God's work, and for God's people, and for the people who will become Christians." Paul had an amazing attitude towards suffering. Other than Jesus himself, I don't know anybody who suffered as much as the Apostle Paul. He suffered so much for the Lord. And yet, I don't know anybody that had more joy, other than Jesus, than the Apostle Paul, because he learned that suffering was doing a great work. He even said, Don't you even worry about me, Philippians. Don't worry about me. Rejoice with me because the suffering is for God's glory. Even if I'm being poured out like a drink offering, even if my life is slowly being taken from me through these circumstances, rejoice.

Can you do that? Can you rejoice in suffering? You say, "Vince, how do I rejoice in suffering?" You see God's work in it. You see God working something good out of something which is uncomfortable and not good in your own eyes. The other way to do it is to have eternal vision. You see the future, you see a reward in heaven. You see your life five years from now, if you handle the suffering well today, and that fills you with joy. Again, when you're suffering you may not be happy, that's okay. You don't have to be, but you can be joyful when you make the choice to rejoice in your suffering. Are you suffering? I feel bad for you. But God is doing something in you, and for that I rejoice with you. And I hope you rejoice in that too.

Let's pray. Father, I pray that we would all realize that suffering is not fun - it hurts, it stings - but it's doing something good in us. Paul said, don't cry for me. Rejoice because I rejoice. What an amazing attitude. Help me to find joy in my suffering. Help those listening to find joy in our suffering, knowing that you're the God who either sent it if we sinned, or allowed it if we didn't. Help us to be more and more like your son Jesus, because that will bring us joy, and suffering is a part of that journey. We ask this in Jesus' name, Amen.

By Pastor Vince DiPaola

Jul 21 8:03 AM

Joy No Matter What

Jul 21 8:03 AM

Wednesday, July 21, 2021

I want you to know that you can be joyful no matter what. Do you believe that?

Wednesday, July 21, 2021

Philippians 1:12-14, 18

I don't know about you, but I need joy pick me ups. I need to remember why I can be joyful no matter what. And that's what I want to talk to you about - joy no matter what. It's the theme that I'm kind of using to carry these next few life lifters and we're getting it from Philippians, the book of joy. I want you to know that you can be joyful no matter what. Do you believe that? Do you believe that you can be joyful, no matter what? If you doubt me, let me give you a couple statements that may help you. I believe it's impossible to always be happy, but it's always possible to be joyful. Happiness depends on circumstances outside of you. Joy depends on God's work inside of you. You can't change the circumstances outside of you, therefore you can't always be happy. But you can always turn to and rely on God's work within you. And that is what joy is, and where joy comes from.

I believe this because the Apostle Paul wrote a letter to the Philippians, but he wrote it from a Roman prison around 60 AD. I find it ironic becuase if I was in prison, the last thing I would do is write an epistle and have it be centered on joy. I would have it be centered on suffering for the Lord, suffering for Jesus, but the Apostle Paul was contagiously, uncontainabley joyful. I get that from Philippians 1:12-14, 18. Look at what he says. Writing to the Christians at Philippi about his imprisonment, Paul says, "Now, I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel. As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. Because of my chains, most of the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the Word of God more courageously and fearlessly."

Paul didn't focus on circumstances outside of him. He focused on the gospel, which was what God wanted him to do, the work he wanted him to do inside. The happy part wasn't there. The joy part was. Then he goes on to talk about the effects of his imprisonment on others. He says, look, I don't like being in chains for Christ. I don't like being in prison. I'm not happy about it. But I'm joyful about it because now everybody knows why I'm in prison, why I'm in chains. I'm in chains for Christ. And he says, that's exciting. Look at verse 14, "Because of my chains, most of the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the Word of God more courageously and fearlessly." In other words, because Paul was willing to suffer for Christ, a couple things happened. Number one, people who were not yet Christians were seeing Paul in chains for his faith in Christ, which must have been a bold witness to these people. They realized that he loves Jesus so much he's willing to go to prison for him. And I'm sure it helped Paul have an opportunity to share the gospel, the good news of Jesus, with others. Then he says that his imprisonment also encourages those who are already convinced to share their faith more. That's why he says in verse 18b, "Because of this, I rejoice."

He goes on to say that no matter what your motives are in sharing the gospel, at least it's getting out there. And so Paul said, look, because of what's happening to me outside, I don't have happiness. But inside what's happening to me is, because the gospel is getting out to more people and the people who are already Christians are helping get it out even further, in that I rejoice. So here's what I want to say: You can be joyful no matter what because God has given you unconditional Joy. He hasn't given you unconditional happiness. He doesn't promise happiness, but he does promise joy. Are you ready for that? For joy no matter what? I love being joyful and happy. That's a double win. But you know what, even if I'm not happy, I can go and I can be at peace with myself saying, I have to find the joy that the Lord has given me. He has given you joy. Have you gotten down on yourself? Have you gotten down on life? Are you unhappy? Stop trying to be happy. Let God take care of that. Do what you can do, because you can control joy. Joy is a choice because God has already given you that joy. You just have to turn yourself over to that joy.

Let's pray. Father, I don't know what people are going through. I don't know what wrestlings they might have. I don't know what threats to their joy are coming their way. I pray that you'll help them stop the losing battle to always be happy, but instead put that energy to fill their life with the joy which is always available in you, in their heart, through faith in Jesus. Encourage them now, fill them with joy, indescribable and incomprehensible. We ask this in Jesus' name, amen.

By Pastor Vince DiPaola

Apr 09 8:50 AM

Patient Suffering

Apr 09 8:50 AM

Friday, April 9, 2021

We all suffer. We've talked a lot about suffering and about remedies. Today, I just want to give you a one word reminder.

Friday, April 9, 2021

James 5:7-8

This has been a challenging year for all of us. And life is challenging. One person said, "Life is hard, then you die." Whereas I think that's true, it's incomplete. Life is hard, then you die, but then if you're a Christian life is easy, because we're with God in heaven. But life is hard, no matter how you put it, no matter what your reason is. So as a result, because life is hard, sometimes it gets so hard that we suffer. And we all know that we suffer. You suffer, maybe health things, maybe relational things. Maybe you suffer emotionally, spiritually, relationally, verbally with people coming against you. Whatever it is, we all suffer. We've talked a lot about suffering and about remedies. Today, I just want to give you a one-word reminder. I don't know that it's a remedy in the sense that it will take away your suffering, but it is one of the most powerful words you need to remember when you suffer. And it's this: patience. When you suffer, you need to be patient.

I get that from James 5:7-8. I think James tells us to be patient because when we suffer, naturally speaking, the first thing we want is the suffering to be over. But sometimes God allows us to suffer more. This calls for us to be patient so God can accomplish his work. Look at what James says, "Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord's coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yeild its valuable crop, and how patient he is for the autumn and spring rains. You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord's coming is near." Now that's quite interesting. First, he says, Be patient for Lord's coming is near, and then he ends with the same thing. Then, he has kind of an inclusio in the middle of that bracketing idea, which is repeated at the beginning and end. He says this farmer has to wait. You know a farmer can't put a seed in the ground and go, "C'mon seed, let's go! I got till 5pm." You know, it just doesn't work that way. He has to be patient, has to wait for the process, has to wait for the seed. Have you ever seen pictures of a seed in germination? Essentially, the shoot sprouts and the growth spins around, and it shoots up and it gets stronger and stronger. There's a process. There's a season, and God has a season for your suffering. Because God has a season for your sufferings and it's not just haphazard, remember patience.

The text also says "Be patient and stand firm." Can you be patient? What's patience? Patience is not doing nothing. That's a myth. Patience is waiting on God. That's an active behavior, not a passive one. Can you be patient? The key to being patient is to remember that the Lord's coming is near. What's he saying? Even if the Lord doesn't come back in our lifetime, and nobody knows when he will, He will come back. If he doesn't come back in our lifetime, we will come to be with him, and it will be all over. At the end of the day, patience will seem like a small cost for the character development that God is using our suffering for. Can you be patient? I hope you'll be patient in your times of suffering, but not by twiddling your thumbs. That's not biblical patience. Biblical patience is waiting on God's timing. Can you do that? If you do, suffering will make more sense, and you'll be able to get through it, even if patience is hard, because it is a virtue.

Let's pray. Father, all of us struggle with suffering. All of us struggle with the pain and anguish that come with it. We don't like it. We fight it, we want out of it, we want it to be over soon. And that's okay. Except, that's part of why you will allow it longer - to build in us a patient perseverance and endurance. Help us to be patient by remembering that your coming is near, and our return to you is near. Help us to remember that is life isn't everything. So, whoever is suffering right now, give them a spirit of patience to wait on you. In Jesus' name. Amen.

By Pastor Vince DiPaola

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