The major benefit of enduring trials is developing the patience, perseverance and character to recognize that neither the Plan of God, the situation in the world, nor our own personal destiny revolve around our desires of the moment.

Scientific observation and experimentation exist so that men can predict and control nature. When unique events occur that are outside of nature, scientists can not duplicate them or experiment on them, so scientists develop theories to explain these events. These theories have no scientific basis, but fit the belief structure of scientists, which may be prejudiced against the existence of God. Since Jesus’ resurrection was a unique historical event, outside of nature, rather than one that can be examined by science, we need to go to the testimony of history, rather than to the prejudices of scientists, to decide whether or not the resurrection actually happened.

We are here because Jesus loved us and gave Himself for us, and also because someone that we don’t know loved us and gave themselves for us.

Jesus Christ has come to be the sacrifice for our sins, to take the punishment that we are owed for the sins that we have committed so that God can give us a new, spiritual nature by the power of the Holy Spirit, and then allow us into Heaven rather than give us the punishment that we so justly deserve.