1. Satan will try and use either pleasure or pain to keep us from trusting in God.

Since pleasure did not seem to work on Job, the enemy tried approaching him with pain. We must be careful to not allow neither good circumstances nor bad to lead us away from depending on God; and we must remember that there are dangers in both riches and poverty (Prov. 30:7 – 9; Phil. 4:11 – 13).

2. The deepest lessons of life and faith are learned through pain or suffering.

Someone said, ‘A faith that has not been tested cannot be trusted.’  We cannot be certain about the maturity of our faith in God until we are forced to depend on Him more fully. Psalm 119:71 says, It was good for me to be afflicted so that I might learn your decrees.

3. God is more interested in changing our minds than our circumstances.

We spend a lot of time trying to change our circumstances instead of our minds, but the Bible teaches us that we are transformed by the renewing of our minds, not our circumstances  (Rom. 12:2; 2 Cor. 12:7 – 10). In some situations God wants to change you, not your circumstances.

4. The problem of good is a greater problem than that of evil.

We don’t think very much about the problem of good because our theology tends to start and end with us instead of with God. The problem of evil is really part of the larger problem of how a good and benevolent God restores a wayward and prodigal universe to Himself (Rom. 3:10 – 12; 5:8)

5. Through suffering we learn to care for others.

At the end of his life Job is more compassionate and understanding than at the beginning, even toward those who made his suffering worse.  2 Cor. 1:4 says that God comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.” 

But above all the lessons we might glean from Job, Perseverance in the face of suffering is the lesson given to us by James, the only author of the New Testament that cites Job

“Brothers, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. As you know, we consider blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.” (James 5:10 – 11)

In a Cathedral in Milan, there is a doorway with three inscriptions over it.

Over the right-hand door, there is the motto: “All that pleases is but for a moment.” Over the left-hand door, it says: “All that troubles is but for a moment.” Over the top of the centre door it reads: “Nothing is important, save that which is eternal.”

Small Groups (Fridays, 7:00-9:00p.m.) We have two host families, one for girls and one for guys, in the Whyte Ridge area. If you’re interested in joining contact the church office. Each series is fairly short (2-5)weeks, providing you with natural entry and exit points. Our hope is that you are able to attend a few of these series without feeling the expectation to attend all of them This five-week small group study is designed to help you understand how Paul lived out God’s purposes in his life and how you can pursue them, too.

Week 5 (Feb 24): The Ultimate Worship Experience (Romans 12:1-2)

One look at the cross of Jesus Christ should convince us of that. It might have been the way  we first learned of God as children but it is not an accurate reflection of the faith found in the Scriptures. In the middle of deep anguish and suffering Job asked his wife the question: Shall we accept good from God and not trouble?

We know from Job 1 – 2 that the immediate source of Job’s suffering was from Satan, but we learned in the sermon this week that there were higher purposes God had in allowing this. God uses pain as well as pleasure to accomplish His will.  We are not privy to the reasons for Job’s suffering at first, but as the story unfolds we will get a glimpse of some of the purposes God had in mind.

The question is: Can we trust in God’s power and goodness when the path He leads us on is marked with a suffering for which we see no worthy purpose?

English Conversation Circle Registration Form. Please complete and bring to the first session. Thank you! ECC Registration Form 2012v2

We have two host families, one for girls and one for guys, in the Whyte Ridge area. If you’re interested in joining contact the church office (wrbc@wrbc.mb.ca).  Each series is fairly short (2-5)weeks, providing you with natural entry and exit points. Our hope is that you are able to attend a few of these series without feeling the expectation to attend all of them

the Way registration form 2011_2012  All new and returning youth are required to complete a registration form. Upon completion it may be returned to the church office. Thank you.

Who: Kids entering Kindergarten – grade 4.

Cost: $100/camper/week or $225 for a family of three or more children.

What: Sports, games, stories about God, crafts.

Registrations are limited – first come first serve basis. Secure environment; all workers are screened.

For information or to register contact Whyte Ridge Baptist Church (489-3875 or wrbc@wrbc.mb.ca).