kNOw suffering, kNOw glory

Yes, that's the theme of this year's FOCUS church camp: kNOw suffering, kNOw glory. It was a great 4 days 3 nights at Port Hacking Conference Centre. Studying God's Word, fellowshipping with other brothers and sisters-in-Christ, good food (both the physical food as well as the more important food for the soul: the Bible), great environment (in the middle of a wonderful national park with the bushes and beaches beckoning) - what more can one ask for from church camp?

For the Bible Studies sessions, we focused on Romans 8. It was really encouraging and reassuring to read how God has adopted us as His sons (wretched sinners as we are) that we may be co-heirs with Christ and be glorified with Him. But as Christians, we can expect suffering. After all, Christ suffered first when He was persecuted and crucified on the cross for our sins. Our suffering may vary from a simple teasing by a non-Christian friend to a death threat for what we believe in but patience and endurance are quintessential for we have a greater inheritance awaiting us in His Kingdom.

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. (Romans 8:18)

So, stand firm in Him and persevere for the sake of the Gospel - it IS worth it.