Suffering for Something Worthwhile

Good morning,
 
Have you ever suffered and never been able to understand why?  Maybe, but most of the time we know why.  We may have made a mistake and cut our finger, or broken a leg like I did once trying to ride a horse I should not have tried to ride.  Maybe you or someone you work with made a mistake and you were injured on the job.  Maybe you purchased something you shouldn't have at the time, and now you are suffering financially for it.  The list could go on. 
 
Paul wrote:  "For this reason I also suffer these things;....."  For what reason did Paul suffer?  Just before our verse for today, he said he preached and taught the gospel of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.  He taught and preached it to the Jews and Gentiles.  When he said:  "I suffer these things."  What things was he referring to?  As he wrote this, he was in prison, but you can also read what he suffered in 2 Corinthians 11 starting with verse 24.  Did it change his mind about what he was doing?
 
"For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that day."  2 Timothy 1:12
 
Commitment is a crucial part of becoming a Christian and growing in Christ.  In fact there is little if any growth in that commitment without a commitment to share what Christ has done for us and given to us.  Have you ever made an unreserved commitment to be a sharing person?   Anthony's message this past Sunday may have convicted you, as it did me, of my weakness, but I don't want it to stop with conviction.  With God's help I plan to be strengthened in sharing His love with others. 
 
A quote from Leighton Ford:  "Commitment to Christ must involve commitment to our neighbor and our world, for Christ's sake."
 
May God bless you today, as you look for someone to share your faith in Jesus with, and never forget that you are loved!!!   

Henry