In episode 3 of our series on How To View Suffering, Roger Duncan discusses the pattern we find in Scripture regarding suffering and glory. What we discover is that, in God's economy, suffering always precedes glory. It's suffering first, then glory. He also shares some very practical purposes or reasons for why God uses and allows suffering in the lives of His children.

In today's devotional, Roger Duncan reminds us that the reason we should receive Paul's writings about how to properly view suffering is because he was blessed to have a heavenly vision that he refers to in II Corinthians 12. This event took place several years before he wrote the letters to the Romans or Corinthians. So, when Paul tells us that our sufferings on this earth should not even be compared to the splendor and joy we are going to enjoy in heaven, he is not just speaking by faith, he is speaking from experience! This helps us better understand why he describes our afflictions as being light and momentary, and when we considered them in comparison to the weight of glory that we will enjoy for all eternity, we have to agree with the great Apostle.

Roger Duncan begins a series on how we, as believers, are to view our suffering. He uses Romans 8:18 and II Corinthians 4:17 as our primary Scriptures, both penned by the Apostle Paul. Paul begins, in these verses, by explaining his position on suffering. Paul concludes that the trials and heartaches we face down here on earth cannot even compare to the glory, splendor, and joy we are going to experience in heaven. One day, our suffering will end, but glory will last forever, for the believer!

In part 2 of this series, Roger Duncan shares with us about how the scribe in this story knew the Scriptures and was speaking face-to-face with Jesus, yet Jesus' response to him was, "You are not far from the kingdom." Imagine being this close to the Lord, yet still missing heaven. A sad truth is that many people are going to miss heaven by 18 inches - the distance from their head to their heart. The good news, however, is that we can learn from the scribe's mistake, and if you have never placed saving faith in Jesus, you can do so today!

In today's devotional from Mark 12, Roger Duncan provides the setting and background to the story that contains a very solemn conversation between Jesus and a scribe. This story serves as a reminder to us of how close some people can get to accepting Christ; yet for various reasons, they chose not to do so. It also serves as a warning for us to remember that knowledge of the Scriptures and having an interest in Jesus are not enough to save a person's soul.

In this final episode on the Life of Nicodemus, Roger Duncan focuses on the third stage or phase in Nicodemus' life, as it related to Jesus. In John 19, we find Nicodemus boldly declaring his allegiance to Christ through his actions surrounding the Lord's burial. Nicodemus had come to the point in his life that he no longer cared who knew or what it might cost him, to follow Jesus. May the same be said of you and me!

In today's episode, Roger Duncan discusses the second phase in the life of Nicodemus and his faith journey. In John 7, we find Nicodemus speaking up for Jesus. It was done subtly, but at least, he did it. At some point and time in our lives, each of us, as believers, are going to find ourselves in a position where we need to speak up for the Lord and our faith. May we be found faithful and unashamed in this situation.

In today's episode, Roger Duncan begins a series on the life of Nicodemus. There were three phases, or stages, that Nicodemus went through in his relationship with the Lord Jesus. In this first stage, we find Nicodemus being drawn to Christ, and his meeting with Jesus in John 3 reminds us of the wonderful truth that the gospel is for every one and is available on a personal level.

In our last episode in this series, Roger Duncan provides several practical principles we can live by, in order to protect our joy. Satan longs to hinder and steal our joy, so we must be vigilant in guarding and defending it. We are also reminded that, ultimately, having joy in our lives comes down to a choice. We must be determined that we are going to experience all the joy that the Lord has for us.

In part 3 of our study, Roger Duncan provides the final 3 parts to Paul's formula for joy. They are found in Philippians chapters 2-4, and they consist of having a selfless mindset, a spiritual mindset, and a secure mindset. The key to maintaining our joy involves putting others first, focusing on heavenly things as opposed to earthly things, and allowing God's peace and His strength to help us guard our minds and have victory in our thought life.