Colossians 1:9-14: Are you living worthy of the Lord? Often we focus intently on the details of our difficulties as if the difficulty itself were the most important thing in the world. Verses 7-8 reveal another way in which our trials are productive: Therefore, brothers, in all our distress and persecution we were encouraged about you because of your faith. TITUS 3:3-8 For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another. What kind of faith does he have in mind? Youre able to confess to God when your feelings and beliefs are not lining up with His Truth. Title: Having Joy in the hard things Recently I spent a week teaching the book of James at Word of Life Bible Institute in Hudson, Florida. You are never alone no matter how you may feel. In my office we quoted Bible verses together. Life is not predictable. (part 6), - Series: Inspire! He does not always give you the big picture, but He will show you the next step. You need a strong foundation of Scripture to stand on, especially when you feel uncertain. 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. CT: Gods way is often the Hard Way. Read His Word. Place: BLCC read more, Scripture: That He loves you and has good in store for you. Wait, trust and remember that God loves you. Daniel Speaks to Us Today Series Many of us know the story of Elisabeth Elliot. Then, all of a sudden, life throws a curveball. I confess to be being bothered by this so I decided to check it out in the Greek. Learn how Jesus life, death, and resurrection can help you have unity and love with others. Network on ISN. From this passage I want to share with you five truths about hard times. For the non-believer, the shepherd is looking for you and desires for the two of you to be reunited. He is always working in your life and in the world. Verse 3. 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. Need a little pick-me-up? As he said, I would have preferred to find out whats behind Door # 2. We all feel that way when trouble come our way. 2) This is necessary for my spiritual growth. God is Omniscient, which means that He is all knowing. Probably never heard of Patricia Christy, but she is a woman who found out the hard way that you cant run away from the problems of life. Even in tragic circumstances, there will be light and grace. Sermons for Difficult Times, New Beginnings Encourage your members to keep looking forward; to not get so discouraged with the state of the world, but to see that there is still hope for the future. Sermons for difficult times that center around these realities are often effective. Would you like to give your time to work with Cru? 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. When you do that, a powerful conclusion emerges: These great trials give me great hope that God means a great benefit to me. Second, he tempts us to retaliate against others with anger and resentment. It also frees you from the unrealistic scenarios that you run to in worry. The Holy Spirit will guide, comfort and help. 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. The Holy Spirit is your constant helper, pointing you to Jesus. For the believer, the rod is like the word of God and the staff is the Holy Spirit. Blessed by the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and Sometimes Methodist. 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 A victim would rather complain than find a solution. How to Trust God, Even in Difficult Times | Cru - Cru.org James 1:1-4: Did you know that trials have a purpose? Find Hope & Comfort During Hard Times: Inspire!, part 1, In a trial? This message reveals what we can do to remain rooted in Christ and why its so important. Do you need to devote yourself to unselfish religious deeds? Genesis 16:1-10. No accidents! These days I spend a lot of my time teaching young people. You work hard, but you don't make progress. You may feel alone. You wont do this perfectly, but God is kind and patient with you while you learn to trust Him. Your job is satisfying. The Bible says that God cannot lie. 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. 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. Genesis 18:1-14 It may seem so at the time, but its not really true. The shepherd is always looking to protect his sheep. A sermon examining the fact that God is all powerful. God will help us get through all difficulties as we depend fully on Him. Let no one condemn her, but instead let us consider our own lives and realize how vulnerable we are to Satans attacks. 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. #1 Sermon: John 10:1-10 Inspirational; Small Group Studies; Church Media. What does it do? He is in all of it. My message will be rather brief this morning (no cheering, please! Maybe its about starting over and creating something new. No one is exempt, no one gets a trouble-free ride to heaven. Do you have any idea what Ive just been through? It does sound rather idealistic, if not downright impossible. Many years ago I learned an important truth from my friend Jim Warren. James was evidently the half-brother of Jesus, meaning that he was the biological son of Joseph and Mary. We need you. In 1 Thessalonians 3:1-8 Paul writes to some new believers who suddenly found themselves in great difficulty. Community 2 Cor. I am talking today of working hard for the Lord! In a call from a friend. 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. You know quite well that we were destined for them (v. 3b). 8 Inspiring Messages For The Christian Trying To Stay Strong In Faith. Jesus is never tolerant of sin, but always willing to forgive it. That was on Thursday. Jesus Himself felt overwhelmed by what was before Him, and He went straight to His Father. The book of Jude is one of those that we skip over most of the time. 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. Truthfully, its probably a choice well have to make again and again and again. The words joy or rejoice are to be found in all four chapters of the book. Mercy, pastoring aint always easy, now is it? Date: 2/26/17 Maybe its not always about trying to fix whats broken.
