Second, he tempts us to retaliate against others with anger and resentment. Are you ready for a close, personal relationship with the shepherd? LETTER FROM A PASTOR To My Dear Friend, Pastor Phil Blowhorn, Give me relief from my distress; be merciful to me and hear my prayer. You can have an easy life, or you can have a deep faith. Spend time in prayer acknowledging who He is. The car hit a massive pothole and suddenly the happy journey is over. Will you say yes today? And for the most part, we cant choose our trials nor can we avoid most of them. Another message on the awesome power of God! Note two key words in the last phrase. The Spirit will also lead you in obedience. God created the world to display His glory. Someone you know gets sick. Matthew 25:31-46. 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? 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. If we need faith, we will have it. God is trustworthy even when you dont see your prayers answered or problems solved right away. Evangelical/Non-Denominational. In fact, when we were with you, we kept telling you that we would be persecuted. 1 Trusting God When Youre Alone in the Gap (4.18.10) 2 Trusting God When the Brook Dries Up (5.9.10) 3 Trusting God My friend has decided to count it all joy in the midst of his cancer. Thats a picture of what God is up to in our fiery trials. We all have to undergo some furnace time sooner or later. "Equipping and encouraging people to keep believing in Jesus", Copyright 2020 Keep Believing Ministries. 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. We are love God with all of our heart, and our neighbor as ourselves. He is with you in difficulty. After several promising attempts at first contact, a team of five missionaries flew to a jungle landing strip, hoping to establish friendly relations. The doctors are hopeful but there are no guarantees. 1. Find Hope & Comfort During Hard Times: Inspire!, part 1, In a trial? It is one thing to know the truth. Advent 2022, week 5: During this series, we are looking at how hope, peace, joy and love are at the heart of Christmas. There are no accidents with God, only incidents that are appointed by him for our good and his glory. Haggai 2:1-15: Want to be closer to God? Trusting in Him means believing what He says about Himself, about the world and about you is true. We sent Timothy, who is our brother and Gods fellow worker in spreading the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith, so that no one would be unsettled by these trials (vv. A doctor may say, Im sorry. Here are You also act on obedience (doing what God says in His Word) and trust that He will ultimately take care of the rest. In You, O Lord, I put my trust; let me never be put to shameDeliver me, O my God, out of the Hope and Encouragement. Mercy, pastoring aint always easy, now is it? 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.. When Jesus was telling His followers that He was going to be killed, He knew that they would be worried. As he said, I would have preferred to find out whats behind Door # 2. We all feel that way when trouble come our way. Take the next step in your faith journey with resources on prayer, devotionals and other tools for personal and spiritual growth. Here Paul plainly says that we can overcome our trials by faith. However, when we begin to love others as we love ourselves Titus 3:3-8, GOD hates LAZINESS. Exodus 16:13-14 So when we could stand it no longer, we thought it best to be left by ourselves in Athens. Find out how much God loves you and wants to help you right now. Christian/Church Of Christ. When that happens, everything we believe will be put on the firing line. Read about individuals who have been transformed by faith. But as xtians we have antidotes against har, Surviving Hard times Nothing can separate you from Gods forgiving, healing love. Sin has stained every part of the physical universe. 10 words of encouragement during hard times Ive learned that you can keep going long after you think you cant Not all positive change feels positive in the beginning. Therefore, we should not complain when hard times come. And sin has deeply infected the human bloodstream. God cares about them both. Every hard trial is another step on the stairway that leads from earth to heaven. No doubt our main problem comes because we misunderstand the word joy. In contemporary parlance, the word is virtually a synonym for happiness. He will sustain you and grow your faith in the waiting. It reminds us again that we grow stronger as we lean on each other. WebFree Access to Sermons on Revelation End Times, Church Sermons, Illustrations on Revelation End Times, and Preaching Slides on Revelation End Times. If you trust someone, you feel comfortable being honest with them about anything. Difficult situations are not new to any generation. In Hard Times, God plots for your Victory : Biblical response to COVID 19 Pentecostal, Hard times are difficult times of life, a time that you hate to experience, not palatable with the flesh. It is understandable as this is a hugely unknown situation for all of us. Gods unchanging character can give us a firm foundation when things feel unsteady and uncertain. When hard times come, be a student, not a victim. Over 20 years have passed since that day, and I still regard that simple sentence as one of the most profound things I have ever heard. As I thought about the matter, I concluded that even if I had the power (which I dont), I wouldnt take the pain away or make the hard times disappear. So dont judge your circumstances by your feelings. Develop your leadership skills and learn how to launch a ministry wherever you are. 1 Samuel 24:1-24. Remember the shepherd and the shepherds tools. 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. How we seek to journey together with everyone towards a relationship with Jesus. There is an abundant life to be had, and there is spiritual victory, and there is joy in the Lord and the filling of the Spirit, but those things dont come in spite of our trials. Her story demonstrates that simply having Bible knowledge cannot save you from the consequences of wrong decisions. Jesus is the answer! WebPsalm 4:1 Answer me when I call to you, O my righteous God. 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. In fact, there are many times when it looks like just the opposite. Thanks Thich Nhat Hanh Have great hopes and dare to go all out for them. 3. When life gets too difficult to bear, your inner strength can help you fight your toughest battles. After 2000 years, his words still ring true today. 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. James tells us that God does good things for the Christian during the bad times of life. God wants to encourage us during hard times. As inhabitants of a fallen world, we oftentimes face heartache, intimidation, and seemingly insurmountable obstacles. But as children of God, saved and secure in Jesus, we are never beyond the reach of the Lords encouragement. We prayed, and I know it was a divine appointment. Reflecting Jesus together for the good of the city. Learn the basics of what Christians believe. We have been looking this month at the book of Philippians. What a difference it makes to be a student and not a victim: A victim says, Why did this happen to me? A student says, What can I learn from this?, A victim blames other people for his problems. God will help us get through all difficulties as we depend fully on Him. What kinds of questions do hard times make you ask? I want to begin this message by giving you some common contemporary types of difficult people you may encounter. Hebrews 11: Where do we find strong faith? So rejoice and be glad and take comfort; you have no reason to fear. Thats what Paul feared for the Thessalonians. Faith allows us to find our way through struggle the WebWe need to continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel (Colossians 1:23). What does it take to begin a relationship with God? This passage shows us three things we need to remember if we are going to pass the test with flying colors. Sermon: Persevere in Obedience - Jeremiah 37, 38; Scriptures: Jeremiah 20:1-13. For the non-believer, the shepherd is looking for you and desires for the two of you to be reunited. A victim begs God to remove the problems of life so that he might be happy. We need to gain all that God has for us. John 17:20-26: Are you dealing with a dispute, conflict, or falling-out? JUDE 17-21 Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything (v. 4). Youre able to confess to God when your feelings and beliefs are not lining up with His Truth. Because most of the time you dont have a choice about the bad things that happen to you. Try our selection of worship songs and sing along! Trials will come but they are never to hurt you; rather they are to build you up. 1 Samuel 17:1-11: Feel defeated, afraid, or unable to move? Galatians 6:4-10, Denomination: Many people in Scripture even reference other parts of Scripture to encourage themselves and those around them. Do you love him? Do your daily decisions reflect Godly living? Were I to take away the pain, I might move too soon and block Gods work in your life. Those early Christians were Jewish, scattered, poor, and struggling. For more resources on trusting God, check out: The Bible has no contradictions. Let the light of the Gospel shine in your heart. INTRODUCTION Dont trust your feelings! WebLife can be scary, especially during hard times.Maybe you've lost your job, are battling a chronic illness or your marriage is falling apart. When the phone rings with bad news, when your son winds up in prison, when your best friend betrays you, when you lose your job, when your parents suddenly die, when life comes apart at the seams, then you discover what you truly and actually believe in the depth of your soul. 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. We believe so much in the sovereignty of God that when hard times come, we know that God is at work for our good and his glory. They can pray for and support you. You can agree with Him that all He says is true. You are never alone no matter how you may feel. So, what do you do then? http:/www.LovingGodFellowship.org Leading from values so others will walk passionately with God to grow and bear fruit. Have tremendous expectations and believe in them. One day we wake up to find out that were being sued by a former colleague. You probably wont feel joyful or grateful or full of trust. He is always working in your life and in the world. Our friends turn into enemies. So, when it comes to trusting God, that means believing in His reliability, His Word, His ability and His strength. Unfortunately our troubles are never optional. WE have seen some athletes who have figuratively blown up locker If we need love, we will have it. read more, Scripture: Sometimes what you need to do is wait. read more, Scripture: Daniel 2:1-23, Denomination: Learn how you can know God personally. Strategies From Genesis (And Beyond) (Part 2) A Christmas sermon describing how Christ can be born into the most difficult of circumstances. Church Of God. Winning in Difficult Situations read more, Scripture: I was afraid that in some way the tempter might have tempted you and our efforts might have been useless (v. 5). This is one of his favorite tools when the hard times involve problems with friends and family members. COVID-19 has caused a great deal of concern, anxiety, fear, and worry throughout our world. James 1:2-11, Nothing is too Hard for YHWH, at the right time he answers our prayers, Promise Genesis 18:14 - is there anything too hard for the Lord? Are you nuts? We don't have to be miserable, frustrated and unhappy in difficult places. But thats how life is sometimes. Its not just welcome them as friends, which would be hard enough, but welcome them as friends! which to me sounds positively giddy, like Im welcoming long-lost friends to my home. Christian Church. "Equipping and encouraging people to keep believing in Jesus", Copyright 2020 Keep Believing Ministries. For the believer, the rod is like the word of God and the staff is the Holy Spirit. Lossyes. 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. 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. Evangelical Free. You need to find Him and His words, and by faith rest in Him. A situation may look dark and the shadows of all the problems you are walking through might appear impossible to you at the moment. You do not have to share struggles with everyone, but find those people who will encourage you and share the truth with you not just tell you what you want to hear. Learn how to find comfort and strength even if things seem overwhelming or you feel unsure of whats coming next. We are a troubled people living on a troubled planet. B. Phillips, hoping for some light (if not a way of escape). If you dont run to the Word to remind you of truth in difficult times, it is easier for you to be led into lies about your life and who God is. A time it appears you don't know what you are doing. Or you may be fired without warning. If you and I have been in the world very long, we've learned there are When we read this epistle, we get a glimpse of Christianity in its earliest form. It seems that this is the deep theological response to all calamity. It reminds you that He is trustworthy whatever your circumstances. read more, Scripture: I love the enthusiasm of the younger generation for the Word of God. Difficult circumstances feel all-consuming Life is Difficult, But God is Good Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-16 The truth of Scripture frees you from the expectations of earning your salvation (John 8:32). He will bring direction to you. Look for Things to Be Grateful For. Though it is the earliest of all the New Testament books (written around AD 38-44), it reads like a letter for the 21st-century. There is one other kind of faith that will help us in hard times. CT: Gods way is often the Hard Way. He is bigger than any of your circumstances. WebAnd Adam and Eve would deal with toil and difficulty in their daily work. I am so thankful that I am a child of the Father, redeemed by the Son, and sealed in the Spirit. Verse 3. Stop in your tracks and allow your eyes to adjust to the darkness. You need only to look. 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. To apprehend Gods sovereignty working in that love is we must say it the last and highest victory of the faith that overcomes the world. I sure hope attendance at your church was better than my church. This weeks message teaches us how to live for Christ in a fallen world. Paul reminded his friend that partnership is important and helps us have a greater understanding of God and His plan. Need a little pick-me-up? I wish it were not so, but it is true. This is the sort of faith that Paul has in mind in Romans 5. You may not see a way out of the situation you find yourself walking in today; but know this, you are not alone. CORONAVIRUS. By Greg Johnson But if you shift your focus to God, then you can find joy even in the worst moments of life. He always sees them and is always working for their good. A student has no time to complain because he is busy making the best of his situation. This text clearly states that only Gods people will reap this This message explores important questions about your faith and commitment to God. Dealing With Difficult People Series. The word face has the idea of falling or stumbling over a problem. He whispers in our ear that God has forgotten us, that he doesnt care, and that he isnt good. You cant have both. Learn about Cru's global leadership team. In a few months Ill teach Ezra in South Korea and then Galatians in New York. 1 Kings 19:19-21: What is God calling you to do? Be blessed? 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. Who is the Holy Spirit and What Does He Do. Sign up to join over 20,000 subscribers receiving our weekly sermon email. Which do you choose? JAMES 1: 2- 11 We all need to live each day fully for Him. It also reminds us of His presence. We know that he wrote very early because the book is addressed to the twelve tribes scattered abroad (1:1), meaning the very earliest Jewish believers who had been scattered because of the persecution of the church in Jerusalem (see Acts 8:1-3). The phrase you know refers not to head knowledge (what we sometimes call book learning) but to heart knowledge, the kind gained by years of experience. Presbyterian/Reformed. Third, he tempts us to give in to despair and discouragement. read more, Scripture: The issue is really how the sheep (you) choose to respond to the shepherd. Kindness or malice. Thanks for your interest! The enemy must flee and death is swallowed up in victory. Learn how and where to find Gods presence in the midst of difficult, lonely circumstances. Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning. Psalm 71 for When You Feel Like Everyone Is Against You. Answers to questions on donations, financial policies, Crus annual report and more. Some people may regard this as a negative, but to me it is a positive. Learn how Jesus life, death, and resurrection can help you have unity and love with others. All of us shall encounter loss, sorrow, disappointment, and disillusionment, God is completely trustworthy, but He does not ask you to trust Him blindly. Some people go through life as professional victims, always talking about how they have been mistreated. The tools of the shepherd are the rod and staff. What does it do? Yet storms often come to believers to make them able to stand firm, rather than to blow them away (cf. It is by faith. 2) This is necessary for my spiritual growth. Not a problem in the world, not a care or a concern. This message reveals what we can do to remain rooted in Christ and why its so important. James begins by reminding us that sooner or later (probably sooner) we will all face trials of various sorts. Idolatry is the worship of a false God. 12. Helping students know Jesus, grow in their faith and go to the world to tell others. What was her testimony? 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? Let the Lord minister to you through the resources of the body of Christ. Consider the following In fact, this is the opposite of chance or circumstance. Even in doubt and uncertainty, if you keep going to Him, He will continually show Himself to be trustworthy. Fellow believers can remind you of Gods character through encouragement and accountability. But those good times often get overshadowed by other more complicated things going on. Everybody in life is bound to pass thru hard time. But given the instability of our world, a question comes to mind: Where can you go where you arent in harms way? But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. For this reason, when I could stand it no longer, I sent to find out about your faith. Think of one of the hardest times in your life; what question would you like answered? read more, Scripture: ISIS Threatens to Kill Families of US Soldiers. Thanks to all of you for your prayers while my wife and I were away in Jamaica. Text: Romans 8 : 28 Get the answers to frequently asked questions on Christian beliefs and practices. In this case, the great Apostle himself drew strength from the courage of these new believers. A time it appears you don't know what you are doing. Perhaps weve lost a job and feel that were not qualified to do anything. God intends to put our faith to the test. He knows the way that I take. Remember Gods Love Dont be deceived, my beloved brothers (v. 16). WebThere are seasons and times of uncertainty in our lives. Be honest. First, trials are the common lot of every Christian. They want to know if what we say we believe is really enough for us in the hard times. HOW TO PROFIT FROM YOUR PROBLEMS 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. Romans 5:3-4 spells out how this process works: We also rejoice in our afflictions,because we know that affliction produces endurance, endurance produces proven character,and proven character produces hope. We all want hope, but we dont want affliction. They come when they come, and we have to cope as best we can. That said, if Im looking for wisdom, I wont start with them. My message will be rather brief this morning (no cheering, please! Community reminds you that you are never alone, even in hard times. One day you are announcing a new book; a few days later you are fighting for your life. Our leaders disappoint us. Years ago my friend Jim Warren told me, Ray, when hard times come, be a student, not a victim. Thats good advice. We are a Sign up to join over 20,000 subscribers receiving our weekly sermon email. (He told his conversion story in the bestseller Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus.) Thats not possible as long as you focus on the trial itself. Someone has counted over 50 commands in these five chapters. Hard times make us seek answers. God is with you, wherever you wander. Ecclesiastes 1:9, Denomination: If my experience can help someone else, feel free to use this information. He hears your requests and answers them. Are you open to what the Lord wants to do in your life? In this message, we learn that while trials and temptations are not sin, they can lead to sin if we dont stand firm in faith. The staff is used to correct, restrain, and pull to safety. PSALM 62:1-12 INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO HANDLE HARD TIMES I think its the exclamation point at the end that does it for me. That was on Thursday. This is battle-tested faith that stands up under withering fire from the enemy and does not cut and run. Luke 8:4-15: Are you settling for less than Gods abundant plan for you? Church Of God. Note to reader: I have hot-links to various subjects in this sermon. But he contacted cancer not long after their marriage and died slowly and painfully. Advent 2022, week 3: Do you feel robbed of joy? God does not explain himself to us. Our text shows how Paul reassured them. Thus the first step in seeking the Lord during your hard times is to examine your heart and confess your sins, relying on His grace through the shed blood of Jesus Christ. The list is endless because our trials are multi-colored and variegated (the phrase many kinds has this idea behind it). With that important understanding, we pass on to the third great truth regarding hard times. Everything that happens to us is either caused by God or allowed by God. You can tell God how you feel and in what areas of your life you are struggling to trust Him. Usually they just happen without any rhyme or reason. Hope or despair. Difficultyyes. Every word of this verse is crucial. WebSermons: TRUSTING GOD IN DIFFICULT TIMES. Second, your particular trial doesnt matter as much as how you respond to it. The word joy means joy. William Barclay notes that in the early church the martyrs gained the respect of unbelievers because in the moment of death, they had this quality. Romans 16:12.Greet the beloved Persis, who has worked hard in the Lord. To seek the Lord properly, review and affirm Gods attributes. First, it is good to acknowledge that His character is good and trustworthy. After Hurricane Andrew devastated Florida in 1992, this South Florida resident That is the shared faith of Gods people. Thank goodness! Raised in a Muslim family, Nabeel became a Christian after reading the New Testament and encountering the claims of Christ. Acts 9:32-43. He also gives you other believers to walk with. Thomas Constable has a very helpful word at this point: When trouble comes, Christians often react by doubting that they are where God wants them to be; they often think that they have done something wrong and that God must be displeased with them. To help the weak is not too hard 2 Chronicles 20:12 The Coffin and the Christmas Tree Scripture: What about joy? # GOD Heres a working definition: Joy is deep satisfaction that comes from knowing that God is in control even when my circumstances seem to be out of control. This and other sermons brought to you by Faith Chapel, an Assemblies of God church in Pleasanton, CA.
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