In many ways the little letter of James is the most practical book in the New Testament. What will life look like in a month, in six months, in a year. God calls you to give thanks. The great danger is that we will try to short-circuit the process by running away from our problems. They were being persecuted for their faith in Jesus. Interesting question. But those things alone are not reliable enough to base your life on. This text clearly states that only Gods people will reap this Idolatry is the worship of a false God. Learn how to build and strengthen your spiritual heart, and be blessed in the process. They want to know if what we say we believe is really enough for us in the hard times. In my office we quoted Bible verses together. But we can choose how we respond. Find Hope & Comfort During Hard Times: Inspire!, part 1 Find resources for personal or group Bible study. Christian/Church Of Christ. Internship opportunities with Cru's ministries. If youre having a hard time keeping your head above water, tell someone else. Some people may regard this as a negative, but to me it is a positive. Uplifting Think of one of the hardest times in your life; what question would you like answered? That is why we are beginning a study of the book of James. kindness..I had a time to relax, but I did not get a chance to You can have an easy life, or you can have a deep faith. In a call from a friend. We had a great track team and usually won our track meets by a large margin. Dealing With Difficult People Go to How Do I Hear Gods Voice? to learn more about how to follow the Spirits leading. How do you trust that God is good in these circumstances? The staff is used to correct, restrain, and pull to safety. Then you find out, for better or for worse. October 20, 2020 Judges 7:8-15 As inhabitants of a fallen world, we oftentimes face heartache, intimidation, and They havent lived long enough. When he has tried me, I will come forth as gold (Job 23:10). Trusting God is more than a feeling; its a choice to have faith in what He says even when your feelings or circumstances would have you believe something different. Acts 9:32-43. Waiting on the Lord reminds you that you are not in control. I am talking today of working hard for the Lord! Or you may be fired without warning. Colossians 3:17-25: Whats the key to true peace? Blessed by the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and Not a problem in the world, not a care or a concern. I received a note from someone who found her way back to God after a long time in the wilderness: I felt I should tell you a little bit of a story in hopes it might help someone else. We had us a bunch of sick folk, and them added to all the Youre able to confess to God when your feelings and beliefs are not lining up with His Truth. What happened to her can happen to any of us if we respond wrongly to hard times. We need to know how to survive as the culture turns against us. Because we live in a fallen world, nothing works the way its supposed to. Philippians 1:12-18, Denomination: You need only to look. Thats what James is talking about. You know quite well that we were destined for them (v. 3b). Remember the shepherd and the shepherds tools. This passage shows us three things we need to remember if we are going to pass the test with flying colors. INTRODUCTION So when we could stand it no longer, we thought it best to be left by ourselves in Athens. God is completely trustworthy, but He does not ask you to trust Him blindly. John 17:20-26: Are you dealing with a dispute, conflict, or falling-out? Listen to the sounds around you. For more resources on trusting God, check out: The Bible has no contradictions. Discouragement is part of life. So many believers struggle because they try to handle their problems alone. The truth of Scripture frees you from the expectations of earning your salvation (John 8:32). For the last few years, he has served as a speaker with Ravi Zacharias International Ministries. * The cockroach immediately punched him between the eyes and scampered off. Thanks for your interest! Gods uses our trials to produce perseverance. The Greek word is sometimes translated as endurance or steadfastness or patience. In the book of Revelation, this word describes the faith of those brave saints who would not take the Mark of the Beast (Revelation 14:12). Without warning there is a sudden jolt, the car swerves to the right and comes to a halt. He hears your requests and answers them. For the non-believer, the shepherd is looking for you and desires for the two of you to be reunited. There are two ways of life. Neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.. - Resurrecting Hope, part 2, Easter Brings Resurrection Hope - Resurrecting Hope, part 1, Consider Your Ways to Experience the Presence of God Life Is a Journey, part 43, God Is Your Shepherd, Comforter, Defender Life Is a Journey, part 36, God Is Your Shepherd, Leader, Protector Life Is a Journey, part 35, Be Ready Like Elisha & Find Your Calling Life Is a Journey, part 34. Network on ISN. The first statement reflects a high view of Gods sovereignty. Hard Times A) I read about a man that was sitting at home one evening when the doorbell rang! Our leaders disappoint us. In 1:1, the book introduces us to this man Job, describing him as a man who was blameless and upright, one who feared God and turned away from evil.. Have some fun taking various quizzes and assessments to learn about yourself and others. C.S. God is able to do what he promised. That sounds so odd that one wonders if he is serious. Hard times, times of trials and tribulations, seem to be as constant as the sunrise. These simple practices will help you see God outside of difficult things, which will establish trust in your heart that He will move in your circumstances. Gods mercy is limitless. Genesis 37:39-46, Denomination: As I am making notes to share with you, I received a call from a dear friend and it was a call of rejoicing even as someone we both know is walking through a valley. Trusting in Him means believing what He says about Himself, about the world and about you is true. Our trials often come with very little warning. When no one seems to care about you, self-love can make you stronger. Maybe its not always about trying to fix whats broken. 8 Inspiring Messages For The Christian Trying To Stay Strong In Faith. 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. Our text shows how Paul reassured them. Because his death happened right before Christmas it was the first time that I had ever missed any events of my churchs Christmas season. When those you love are in great pain or when you face senseless tragedy or when friends turn against you or when life tumbles in around you, your feelings wont be an accurate guide. I personally have much more confidence in someone who expects trouble and prepares for it than in someone who goes through life singing Everythings Coming Up Roses. The truth is, every rose has its thorns, and the sooner we understand that the happier we will be. I am so thankful that I am a child of the Father, redeemed by the Son, and sealed in the Spirit. When a friend wrote to say that his daughter was leaving to serve in the Armed Forces in Afghanistan, he asked special prayer because she would be in harms way. I prayed for his daughter and am happy to report that she made it back safely. Which do you choose? Even in tragic circumstances, there will be light and grace. Judge your circumstances by the Holy Spirit and by the Word of God. Spend time exploring aspects of His trustworthiness in verses of Scripture. The tools of the shepherd are the rod and staff. Thanks for your love and your When hard times come, its easy to blame God for our problems. WebPsalm 4:1 Answer me when I call to you, O my righteous God. Thanks for your interest! It reads like a sermon or perhaps even more like a pep talk from a football coach. Second, your particular trial doesnt matter as much as how you respond to it. Under pressure we begin to give in to bad habits, wrong attitudes, and then we begin the long slide in the wrong direction. TRUST GOD IN UNCERTAIN TIMES | Hope In Hard Times He reminds them that this life will have hardship and that our bodies will fail, but God is still working for our good. Help families pursue the relationships that matter most. No matter how things might appear immpossible to ue, there is nothing too hard for the Lord. Everybody in life is bound to pass thru hard time. Paul was a follower of Jesus and a leader in the early church. And it turned out that way, as you well know (v. 4). With that important understanding, we pass on to the third great truth regarding hard times. Text: Galatians 6.4-10 We often see the full flowering of this process in the life of an older saint of God. 1. Many people reading this message are going through hard times right now. It is hardest to trust God during times of conflict, uncertainty, and 2. Job 5:7 reminds us that man is born for trouble as surely as the sparks fly upward. I see no way to deny that statement. 1 Samuel 17:40-54: Need to experience victory? You can get to know God through personal time with Him and through His Word. It's anything that people serve, love, desire, trust, fear, and worship that isn't God. I see no way to deny that statement. If we can make the choice to view life that way, then we can make the following statements about our struggles and our trials: 1) This is sent from the Lord. Hard times can confuse us and make us ask the wrong questions or expect wrong 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. In fact, there are many times when it looks like just the opposite. At the moment my friend is currently in treatment for his cancer. Learn about Cru's global leadership team. Psalm 1: Want a blessed life of meaning and fulfillment? read more, Scripture: To help the weak is not too hard 2 Chronicles 20:12 He also wants you to come to Him simply to spend time with Him. A student understands that God allows hard times in order to help him grow. Fear not, Christian friend. Faith allows us to find our way through struggle the The word testing refers to the process by which gold ore was purified. Handbook for Hard Times | Keep Believing Ministries Allow the word of God to light your path and the Holy Spirit to be a very present help. When trials have finished their work in us, we will not lack anything the Lord wants us to have. The Final Judgment Matthew 25: 31-46 25:40 To us, joy means the absence of all pain. 1 Samuel 17:1-11: Feel defeated, afraid, or unable to move? Trust in God with Sermons in Difficult Times It is hardest to trust God during times of conflict, uncertainty, and anxiety. And especially, in times of sickness, plague, even death. This is the question on many peoples minds: If God does indeed love us so much, why does he still allow hardships and suffering? You cant have both. SLIDE #1 1 Kings 19:19-21: What is God calling you to do? Hard work! This helps you accept that God is bigger than you could ever understand. #1 Sermon: John 10:1-10 Inspirational; Small Group Studies; Church Media. Then she walked out of my office. Psalm 34:19, Acts 14:22, Denomination: Many of them are unbelievers who wonder if Christ is real. Paul reminded his friend that partnership is important and helps us have a greater understanding of God and His plan. I will visit on the right time, Then you will have a blessing which cannot be destroyed Creation is Gods gift to Himself, and creation is a gift that leads to celebration. Psalm 23:4: Feel Alone? Is it important? Learn how to hold onto joy no matter the situation youre in with this weeks encouraging message. I have a friend who within the space of two years lost his job of 30 years, found a new job that required him to relocate, and then was diagnosed with cancer. Count it all joy? Know that you are not alone even though things may seem dark and overwhelming right now, and you may feel unsure of whats coming next. For the believer, the rod is like the word of God and the staff is the Holy Spirit. read more, Scripture: 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. He wants to help you grow your faith. To have one husband murdered and another one disintegrate body, soul and spirit through cancer, is not what you would call a proof of the love of God. Peace or worry. A sermon examining the fact that God is all powerful. Everything that happens to us is either caused by God or allowed by God. That place is His Word. One of the major themes in the book of Philippians is joy. Sometimes we get caught up in our sin. This message will help you learn how to have true peace and get practical instructions of who you are and how to live. If you struggle with why God allows difficulty, read the article Why Does God Allow Suffering?. Are you open to what the Lord wants to do in your life? Trials will come but they are never to hurt you; rather they are to build you up. The document with the active links can be found in PDF form at this web address: http://www.firstpresanchorage.org/Sermons.htm (The sermon is titled the same: "King Herods Early Release Program") The links are not active in this Lets BE DELIGENT. read more, Scripture: Choose to embrace the hope that is offered to you in Jesus. God created the world to display His glory. Verse 3. The greater the tragedy, the greater will be the mystery. 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. When life gets too difficult to bear, your inner strength can help you fight your toughest battles. Haggai 1:1-15: Distracted? This message explores Psalm 1 and gives us actionable advice to multiply happiness and avoid taking the wrong path that leads to misery. WebEncouragement in Difficult Times. God cares about them both. Keeping your eyes on Jesus is the best way to be encouraged. The Coffin and the Christmas Tree A student has no time to complain because he is busy making the best of his situation. Nothing is Too Difficult for God Every word of this verse is crucial. Love or hatred. I will share common types of difficult behavior in a few minutes, but I want to lay a proper foundation first. Some things we learn from books, others we learn in the School of Hard Knocks. Christian/Church Of Christ. And get 5 action steps for enduring Faith in Gods Promisethat he will never leave us or forsake us. Genesis 18:1-14 Losing the Race Against Ebola. 12. In your waking up. Let us therefore endure our trials with grace and courage, knowing that in the end the clouds will part and the sun will shine again. Still, God answers the prayer. This message tells us how to avoid distractions. FAS: What is the type of religion that would bring the most happiness to the individual who practices that religion? We are all in harms way. Are you ready for a close, personal relationship with the shepherd? 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). Our friends watch to see how we will respond to tragedy. Advent 2022, week 1: During this series, we will look at how hope, peace, joy and love are at the heart of Christmas. James offers what appears to be a strange piece of advice: Consider it pure joy or Count it all joy (KJV). He is making a way for you. Sermons They can remind you of the truth when youre struggling. WebThere are seasons and times of uncertainty in our lives. And for the most part, we cant choose our trials nor can we avoid most of them. Our perspective makes all the difference. Youve been added to our email list. What was her testimony? Encouragement Genesis 18:1-14. But when she is high, she begins to talk about God. Be blessed? Read His Word. WebIn stormy seasons like this, it can be hard to maintain hope. 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. A victim would rather complain than find a solution. I conclude, then, that counting it all joy is a conscious choice we make when hard times come. During these troubling times let us turn to the promises of God, read and study them, ponder upon them and apply their wisdom to our lives. 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. How does a Christian respond when hard times come? "Equipping and encouraging people to keep believing in Jesus", Copyright 2020 Keep Believing Ministries. All of us shall encounter loss, sorrow, disappointment, and disillusionment, Wait, trust and remember that God loves you. Reaching students and faculty in middle and high school. Someone who performs with intense concentration and focus When you cannot see a resolution? Lossyes. You may have heard Psalm 23 many times, but I want to focus on one verse: Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me (Psalm 23:4, NIV). There is a fourth truth we need to remember when hard times come. Paul had set the example of joyfulness in difficult times. The words joy or rejoice are to be found in all four chapters of the book. Copyright 2003-2023 | Outreach, Inc., All rights reserved. Hes talking about a supernatural reaction made possible by the Holy Spirit who enables us to see and to respond from Gods point of view.

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