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  WHAT I THANK GOD FOR MOST
  by Basilea Schlink
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Summary: The sermon emphasizes the importance of experiencing God's
reality in our hearts, suffering with Jesus, and realizing His
persecution, leading to a deeper love and dedication to Him.

Duration: 4:35 Topics: "Radio Show"
Scripture References: Isaiah 53:3, Matthew 5:11

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DESCRIPTION
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In this sermon, the speaker shares their personal testimony of losing
and rediscovering their faith in God. They reflect on how the
destruction of their city in an air attack in 1944 served as a turning
point in their spiritual journey. They emphasize the importance of
experiencing the reality of God in one's heart, rather than just having
head knowledge. The speaker also expresses deep sorrow over the ridicule
and persecution that Jesus and Christians face, and encourages believers
to be willing to suffer with Christ and follow Him wholeheartedly.

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CONTENT
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God lives and works today, and the happiest people in the world are
those who know that God is alive, not just from outward evidence, but
who have experienced His reality in the depths of their hearts. Today's
meditation is the testimony of someone who lost and rediscovered the
reality of God. Looking back over my life, it seems very wonderful to me
that the Lord used the destruction of our city by an air attack in 1944
to touch my heart anew.

Very softly and gradually, the first love for Jesus began to blossom
again. As Jesus drew near to me anew, something happened. During my
youth I had also experienced this, but at that time it was more of a
head knowledge than a heart knowledge.

I came to know our Lord Jesus as the man of sorrows. Now I not only know
about His suffering today, but I can bear it as a wound in my heart. The
fact that there are musicals like Superstar and Godspell and others
which ridicule Jesus brings my heart to tears.

And the fact that I can cry about this is a great blessing for me. Thus
the Lord has given me a test to show me that I do love Him, that I can
suffer with Him. I realize with my intellect that probably all
Christians will be persecuted tomorrow in one way or another.

But I realize even more deeply that Jesus, our head, is being persecuted
today. And that is much more painful than when we, the members of His
body, are persecuted. Because of our sin, we deserve to suffer and to be
chastened.

But what wrong has God done? Our Lord Jesus Christ loved the world so
much that He gave His life for it. And the Father continues to sustain
the world in spite of its sin. Nevertheless, they are so hated.

This indeed is worth shedding tears over. And how much it must hurt Him
if we Christians do not realize that He is being despised and ridiculed.
Yes, if we even pretend that this is just a different way of proclaiming
the Gospel.

I am truly grateful that the Lord has laid His suffering on my heart and
let me suffer a little bit with Him. What amazing grace! Jesus forgives
our sins so completely that we are inspired with love for Him so that we
want to share and carry His sufferings today in our hearts. My fervent
wish for all of us is that if the Lord wants to lead us into suffering
tomorrow, we will follow Him in complete dedication of love.

Jesus, Lord, to love you only, I shall live for that alone. To your
heart some comfort bringing, all your suffering making known. Not I care
now for my troubles, since I've seen your pain and loss, but endeavor to
console you, willingly take up my cross.

May my heart now burn within me for your grief and agony, leading then
to heed your suffering and your comforters to be. For more information,
please write to God Lives and Works Today, 9849 North 40th Street,
Phoenix, AZ 85028-4099. That's God Lives and Works Today, 9849 North
40th Street, Phoenix, AZ 85028-4099.

God bless you.

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Audio: https://sermonindex1.b-cdn.net/21/SID21226.mp3
Source: https://sermonindex.net/speakers/basilea-schlink/what-i-thank-god-for-most/
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