In this sermon, Basil E. Shlink emphasizes that God lives and works today, even in the midst of our pain and suffering. He explains that as sinners, we need to have crosses and suffering in our lives because it purifies and transforms us. God sends us crosses as a loving Father to chastise and prepare us for eternity. Shlink encourages us to look at Jesus, who entered into glory through the cross, and to embrace our own crosses as the way to reach the goal of the glory of God.

God lives and works today. Sometimes his plans and leadings are painful, but he always knows what is best. If it is hard for you to understand his ways, today's meditation by Basilia Schlink can be of help to you. How often we think, how can God be a loving father when he imposes such a heavy cross on me? However, when such thoughts rise up in us, it's probably because we have forgotten that we're sinners. Sinners need to have crosses. Sinners need to have suffering in their lives because it purifies and transforms them. If God wouldn't chasten us, we would never reach the goal of the glory of God. For without holiness, no one will see the Lord. God is sending you a cross because as your father, he has to chastise and prepare you for eternity. Now he's waiting for your answer. Will it be the answer which a loving child gives to his father? Will he hear these words from your mouth? I want my cross. It comes from your hands. You've given it to me, and if you don't want to take it away, I want to accept it. It's an expression of your love. This commitment has power before all the invisible world. Satan, who hates the cross, will flee from you, and Jesus, who humbly carried his cross, will come to you and lovingly take you into his arms. You'll then be a true disciple who obeys Jesus' command. If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. This will bring joy to the heart of Jesus and the Father. Christ's holy stone, from heaven's highest throne, cross-bearing brings us peace. Therefore, do not try to reason or question God, asking, Why? Why does God, who says he is a Father of love, have to lay this cross on me? Don't look at yourself. Look at Jesus, who entered into glory through the cross. Your cross is the boat which will carry you into the city of God. There's only one way which leads to glory, the way of the cross. Yes, according to the Holy Scripture, it is the cross and suffering which bring us glory. Therefore, look forward to what will come and rejoice. I wait yearning for one great day, the day I return to my home and can stay at rest with my Father forever. On earth I wait yearning for one great day, when I with my Jesus shall leave away, united in love with him evermore. That's K-A-N-A-A-N dot org. If you contact us, we would be happy to send you a free inspirational booklet. If you do not have access to the web, please write to God Lives and Works Today, 9849 North 40th Street, Phoenix, Arizona, 85028-4099. God bless you.