Psalm 62:1-12, Denomination: We need you. The leading of the Spirit can ease struggles by guiding you to acts of obedience. One day I joined him on Moody Radio for Primetime America, the program he hosted each weekday afternoon. It is the in-between times when faith grows, and God brings life to the dead. But we can choose how we respond. Genesis 18:1-14. This message will help you learn how to have true peace and get practical instructions of who you are and how to live. This week were learning about how love is at the heart of Christmas. Romans 16:12.Greet the beloved Persis, who has worked hard in the Lord. Mercy, pastoring aint always easy, now is it? read more, Scripture: A few days ago we interviewed Nabeel Qureshi on American Family Radio about his new book No God But One: Allah or Jesus?. For now we really live, since you are standing firm in the Lord. Here is the final truth about hard times you need to know. It also frees you from the unrealistic scenarios that you run to in worry. Four years ago my Father-in-Law, Dr. W. C. Dobbs, pastor and professor, passed away. Heartacheyes. 1 Samuel 17:1-11: Feel defeated, afraid, or unable to move? And those who are following ever so close to him. When you are struggling, share those concerns with another follower of Jesus whom you trust someone you know is pursuing a relationship with God regularly and who knows Gods Word. But when times feel difficult, it is even more important to trust God. Jesus is the answer! Philippians 1:3-7: Want more joy in your life? So He asked for help. We are love God with all of our heart, and our neighbor as ourselves. A student asks, How much of this did I bring on myself?, A victim looks at everyone else and cries out, Life isnt fair. A student looks at life and says, What happened to me could have happened to anyone.. The experiences of my life are not such that I could infer from them that God is good, gracious and merciful necessarily. Learn the prescription for joy and success. Look up and call out to Jesus - Psalm 23:4: Even though I walk through the darkest valleyyou are with me.. You are not alone. That He always keeps His promises. They may in fact be a sign that we are in the will of God. How do you trust that God is good in these circumstances? This message is a reminder that God is always working in your life. But you can control how you respondin faith or unbelief, in humility or arrogance, in forgiveness or in anger, in hope or in despair. No theory here. I am glad to share it because it is truly encouraging. Get more articles, podcasts and videos to help you keep growing in your Christian faith. This isnt like Paul in Romans with his intricate theological arguments. James offers what appears to be a strange piece of advice: Consider it pure joy or Count it all joy (KJV). We have been looking this month at the book of Philippians. So rejoice and be glad and take comfort; you have no reason to fear. One day we wake up to find out that were being sued by a former colleague. Not a problem in the world, not a care or a concern. God knows you need somewhere to go when you feel unsure. Incidentsyes. He is not disappointed or frustrated by your struggles, doubts or pain. Thanks for your interest! Have tremendous expectations and believe in them. This text clearly states that only Gods people will reap this Genesis 18:14 poses an important question "Is there anything too hard for the Lord?" And to do it well have to take the long view of life, to understand that what we see is not the final chapter of the story. To be sure, there are many gray-haired fools (and there are many wise and godly young people), but Solomon means that if you have walked with the Lord, you will be filled with wisdom in your old age. 1 Kings 19:19-21: What is God calling you to do? So I decided to check out some other translations. In trust, you do not look for security in other things; you look to God to hold you securely in difficult circumstances. The word trial comes from a Greek word that has the idea of being under the thumb because of pressure from above. We cant always know why things happen the way they do. God cares about them both. I have firm faith that my soul is saved by the grace and mercy of the Triune God, and not by any accomplishment or merit of my own. You can talk about heaven all you want, but youll discover whether or not you believe in it when you stand by the casket of someone you love. Sometimes we get caught up in our sin. No accidents! God calls you to give thanks. Be encouraged because God is a God of mercy and comfort. Whatever youre facing, victory is just ahead. Genesis 35:15-20, Denomination: 12. He will help you wait with endurance. He asked Jesus to heal him if you can. Jesus asked the man if he did not believe that Jesus could heal, and this was his reply. In 1 Thessalonians 3:1-8 Paul writes to some new believers who suddenly found themselves in great difficulty. Do you have any idea what Ive just been through? It does sound rather idealistic, if not downright impossible. Hope is important because it can make the present moment less difficult to bear. Partnering with urban churches to meet physical and spiritual needs. We are to neither run wild without direction, like a man running with poor eyesight, nor are we to look back at a past we cannot change, instead we are to live our life forward. If you and I have been in the world very long, we've learned there are Someone you know gets sick. Thats a picture of what God is up to in our fiery trials. We all have to undergo some furnace time sooner or later. In the face of those difficulties, God shares His will for you and how you should respond to them. WebPsalm 4:1 Answer me when I call to you, O my righteous God. Allow your other senses to heighten. Sign up to join over 20,000 subscribers receiving our weekly sermon email. Darkness must flee. Those early Christians were Jewish, scattered, poor, and struggling. This is cut-to-the-chase, heres-the-bottom-line talk from a man who knew his readers needed encouragement to stand strong in hard times. Becky Dvorak is the host of the dynamic teaching program, Empowered for Healing and Miracles, featured globally on the Its Supernatural! A doctor may say, Im sorry. 1 Samuel 17:40-54: Need to experience victory? Or your husband may decide he doesnt want to be married anymore. read more, Scripture: Proverbs 20:29 puts it this way: The glory of young men is their strength, gray hair the splendor of the old, and Proverbs 16:31 adds this insight, Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is gained by living a godly life (NLT). You work hard, but you don't make progress. Children get hooked on drugs or alcohol or sex. 2. James isnt talking about a natural reaction. One version says, Be very glad and another says, Consider yourselves fortunate. That didnt help at all, so I turned to the translation of J. Difficult circumstances feel all-consuming 1. You will view them differently because you believe that God intends through them to give you a great benefit that could not come any other way. Get seven steps to put these into practice. Are you nuts? This message teaches us what joy is, how can we find it, and what can get in the way. Jesus Himself felt overwhelmed by what was before Him, and He went straight to His Father. Christian/Church Of Christ. CT: Gods way is often the Hard Way. Choose to embrace the hope that is offered to you in Jesus. There are no shortcuts to spiritual maturity. All things do not work for the good for all people. A student has learned through the problems of life that God alone is the source of all true happiness. The Final Judgment Matthew 25: 31-46 25:40 It is hardest to trust God during times of conflict, uncertainty, and 2. Hard times are nothing new. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything (v. 4). They come when they come, and we have to cope as best we can. Third, he tempts us to give in to despair and discouragement. Joy grows best in the deep soil of the sovereignty of God. We are a In my office we quoted Bible verses together. So in these difficult days, God tells us here in Philippians, stand firm. Stand firm in the Lord, my beloved. He starts off this passage with the word Therefore. 5 Smooth Stones, part 1, How To Get Through Trials and Tests James: Faith & Works, part 2, Stand Firm in Faith and Persevere, An Intro to James James: Faith & Works, part 1, You Are Not Alone: Sitting with Elijah Under the Broom Tree, Faith in 3D: Build a Strong Faith Thats Defined, Demonstrated, & Directed, The Importance of Unity in Christ - Resurrecting Hope, part 4, God, Where Are You? To trust is to believe in the reliability, truth, ability or strength of something. Disappointmentyes. Intro: People, by nature, are inquisitive. Someone who performs with intense concentration and focus Thanks for your love and your God is never neglecting your life. Illus. Jude 1:17-21, Denomination: # WHO is a Diligent person? The Coffin and the Christmas Tree Use your hobbies and interests to find the best place for you to serve. When your trials are over, you will come forth as gold. It seems to be the deep theological response to all calamity. Let hope lift your spirits. Troublesyes. Christian/Church Of Christ. Consider these words by Roy Zuck: For the child of God, there are no accidents, only incidents. That may be the best one-sentence summary of Romans 8:28 Ive ever seen. 1. It isnt natural to find joy in hardship. read more, Scripture: If you dont need this sermon today, put it in your back pocket because you will definitely need it tomorrow! Showing God in action in and through His people. You get it in the hard times. This is how he handles verse 2: When all kinds of trials and temptations crowd into your lives, my brothers, dont resent them as intruders, but welcome them as friends! Even as I type these words, there is a rueful smile on my face. I think its the exclamation point at the end that does it for me. Lets BE DELIGENT. Free Sermons and Sermon Outlines for Preaching : Instructions On How To Handle Difficult Times, If The Preacher Is Dead, The Sermon Will Be Dead, Chasing The Dream, Preaching Greatness, And Knowing Your Audience. # GOD From this passage I want to share with you five truths about hard times. A Christmas sermon describing how Christ can be born into the most difficult of circumstances. You are never alone no matter how you may feel. Wait on Him to do what you cannot do yourself. Internship opportunities with Cru's ministries. If you want hope to flood your heart, it starts with affliction that leads to endurance that produces proven character that results in the Holy Spirit filling us with hope. This message reveals what we can do to remain rooted in Christ and why its so important. What we believe about the gospel and our call to serve every nation. read more, Scripture: Perhaps weve lost a job and feel that were not qualified to do anything. Write out your question. Our perspective makes all the difference. There are ups and downs along the way. And further in the distance, others watch what we go through. Haggai 1:1-15: Distracted? Joy or bitterness. Bringing hope and resources to military families worldwide. 2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Copyright 2003-2023 | Outreach, Inc., All rights reserved. One of the great assets we had was in the 100 yard dash, we had the kid that was the fastest kid in the whole league. Let the Lord minister to you through the resources of the body of Christ. The issue is really how the sheep (you) choose to respond to the shepherd. Just straight talk from Jesus brother about what works and what doesnt work in the Christian life. I was afraid that in some way the tempter might have tempted you and our efforts might have been useless (v. 5). Surviving Hard times Gen 35: 15 -20 Hard times are difficult This message reminds us that were never alone offers advice for what to focus on and how to confront Satan. He will sustain you and grow your faith in the waiting. You can trust Him to sustain you, provide for you and be with you even in the midst of your hardship. Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise To all, life Thou givest, to both great and small, In all life Thou livest, the true life of all; We blossom and flourish as leaves on the tree, And wither and perishbut naught changeth Thee. (Walter C. Smith, 1867) 2. Be blessed? They dont know, they arent sure, maybe theyve read the Bible, maybe they havent, but theyre watching how we respond to mistreatment, malicious accusations, sickness, the loss of a job, the end of our marriage, a career setback, or a financial collapse. In the moments when everything appears to be falling apart, it can be hard to see how the Good Father is at work, but know His mercy is consistent. 52-week preaching calendar to help you plan your sermons, Customizable sermon manuscripts for verse-by-verse preaching, Preach with creativity and impact throughout the year, Help your church understand God's plan in pain, Call your people to experience a higher freedom, Proclaim the gospel to the ends of the earth. In a sunny day. A touch from the shepherds staff and the presence of his rod is reassuring to the heart. These are difficult days in many parts of the world. Jim and his four co-workers were speared to death by the Indians. (Cited by James Montgomery Boice in his Romans series.). Most of the time we will carry those unfilled blanks with us all the way to heaven. You need to find Him and His words, and by faith rest in Him. Even in doubt and uncertainty, if you keep going to Him, He will continually show Himself to be trustworthy. (He told his conversion story in the bestseller Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus.) The shepherd is always looking to protect his sheep. Still, God answers the prayer. Learn how Jesus life, death, and resurrection can help you have unity and love with others. And get 5 action steps for enduring trials, tests, and persecution. But Gods grace is in all things. Look up and call out to Jesus. Here is part of what my friend wrote as he looked back on the upheaval: Now that I am on the other side of those two years, I can see quite clearly what the Lord has had in mind, and I rejoice in it and praise him for the time in the cruciblehow it has sharpened me, further deepened my faith in him and love for him, and multiplied my opportunities to serve him. Difficultyyes. Text: Philippians 1:12-18 Therefore, we should not complain when hard times come. Introduction: Hard times are real for everyone regardless of who we are or where we are. I will visit on the right time, Then you will have a blessing which cannot be destroyed A rod is a sign of power and strength to defend against attacks. He hears your requests and answers them. 2) This is necessary for my spiritual growth. There Is Nothing Too Hard For The Lord We have an anchor for our lives in the Lord. THE SCHOOL OF HARD "NOTS" Look to Jesus and you will find the strength you need. Trials will come but they are never to hurt you; rather they are to build you up. Second, your particular trial doesnt matter as much as how you respond to it. Our leaders disappoint us. Gen 35: 15 -20 This is not news to you, but Im Think of one of the hardest times in your life; what question would you like answered? 1.

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