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Searching for "difficult" in the Quiet Time Archive
Displaying results from "25" to "50". (67 found)

2010-03-14 - To Live is Christ - Fellow Worker and Soldier
Epaphroditus was committed to Paul in the most difficult of circumstances - Philippians 2:25-30
Having a brother to encourage you and not be ashamed of you while in prision meant the world to Paul

Great friends are fellow worker - To accomplish a common goal
Great friends are fellow soldiers - a common enemy and a common plan to go make disciples

Easy to get wrapped up in our own needs
If we are selfless in our thinking and actions - do we think we will lose out in some way?
Paul was eager to send Epaphroditus - not reluctantly
Who we have been so generous?




2010-08-08 - Waking Dead - At War (part 3)
Until we come to terms with war, we will not understand life
We will misinterpret most of what is happening around us:
  • Difficult to believe God's intentions are eternal life
  • Hard to not feel that we are blowing it
  • We will accept some awful things as God's will
  • God is ignoring our problem or just does not care
Most people get stuck at some point because God appears to have abandoned them
We have to realize we are part of a story and the situation we are in right now will change

We won't understand our life until we see it as a battle - warring against your heart

The issue is: we can not see things as clearly as we ought to - but we need to
The attack on our hearts weighs down our lives and glory is being held back
We don't see clearly because we don't see with the eyes of our heart

2010-08-12 - Waking Dead - Myths (part 3)

Myth tell us three truths, this third one is:

3. In this desparate hour, we have a crucial role to play

Neo sees himself as Thomas Anderson, but he was the one
Dorthy see herself as just a farm girl from Kansas but Joan of Arc was also on the farm but saw much more

People in the scriptures that saw this:

  • Little boy slays the gaint
  • Loudmouthed fisherman who can not keep a job to lead the church
  • Sinful woman with a golden heart became a example of humility to the Pharisees

This eternal truth is the most difficult for us to believe
Our days are extraordinary but most don't see it this way
It is the 'veil of familarity' - you are not what you think you are

There is a glory to your life that your enemy fears

The one who knows what you could be, fears it
The whole world lies under the power of the evil one - 1 John 5:19

Things happen to you and we question why
There is a bigger story going on

If believe we have a crucial role to play and come to know it is true, everything would change



2010-09-02 - Waking Dead - Ask God
  • Peter was one of Jesus' best friends
  • Went to see the Transfiguration (with James and John)
  • He came along to see Christ raise Jarorus' daughter from the dead
  • Jesus went to Peter in the garden of Gethsemane for strength (but failed)
Peter had a special place in Jesus' heart
When Christ arose, he did not let Peter sweep the whole matter under the rug - John 21:15-17
It would have haunted the old fisherman for the rest of his life

Most of us try to "put things behind us"
  • Guilt would have made it had to pray
  • Made it more difficult to tell others about Jesus
He want truth in our inter most being - so he has to take us to our inter most being

Jesus was asked would he feed his sheep times - for each betrayal
Lessons that have been laid down in pain can be accessed only by pain
Christ must open the wound not just bandage it over

Instead of burying the pain, ask God what he is wanting to speak to you

2010-10-21 - Dealing With Debt (Part II)
  1. Why Get Out of Debt?
    1. It hinders us from being able to give generously. When we are paying 18%+ interest on top of the principal, it is difficult to have anything left to share with others.
    2. It is wasteful. The exorbitant interest we pay on our credit cards is totally wasted.
    3. The balance is probably there because you were not following God's plan for your finances.
  2. How to Get Out
    1. You must be radical (Matthew 5:29-30)
      1. Cut up all your credit cards (if you have outstanding balances that you have not been able to pay off for 3 months or more).
      2. Call your credit card companies and cancel the accounts.
      3. Work out your budget with the goal of removing your debt. Do not buy anything that is not necessary. Cut all unnecessary expenditures out of your budget (e.g. cable TV, newspaper).
      4. Get input (Proverbs 15:22)
      5. Commit your plan to the Lord (Psalms 127:1-2)
    2. Finish the job (Luke 14:28-30)
      1. Let godly sorrow lead you to repentance (2 Corinthians 7:10-11). You must take responsibility for your debt.

QUESTIONS
  1. Am I in sinful/foolish debt? If so, why?
  2. Am I willing to apply the principles set forth to get out of debt?
  3. What will be the hardest thing for me to change to get out of debt?
  4. Who do I know that will be able to help me with my plan?


2010-11-06 - Contagious Christian - The Blind Man's Testimonial Approach
Blinded since birth, Jesus change his life by giving him sight
The first time he came in contact with an audience after his sight he was asked to explain what happen
The crowd was hostile but he refused to enter into a theological debate - John 9:25
"One thing I do know, I was blind but now I see"

He was born blind so that the work of God might be displayed in his life
God had been preparing this man to tell the story of his life and to point people to Jesus

Some people might not respond to a challenge or a debate but a personal account of someone's coming to faith can move them powerfully

Effective testimonies don't have to be dramatic
For some it would be difficult to relate to a dramatic testimony that may give them an excuse
Might say "People like that, need religion"

If you have a more dramatic story, ask God to lead you concerning how much detail and whom to tell it

2010-11-10 - Contagious Christian - Dorcas' Service Approach
Dorcas was "always doing good and helping the poor" - Acts 9:36
She well-known for her loving acts of service
She made robes and articles of clothing for widows and other needy people in her town

It was very difficult to see her activity without seeing the love of Christ that inspired
Her work was so important that when she died a premature death, God sent Peter to raise her from the dead

People who take on this approach find it relatively easy to servers others
Often those who are quite and enjoy expressing compassion through action

No one fits perfectly into just one approach and you probably use all of them one way or another
God has designed diversity on His team and each member is stronger in some styles than others

A team of Christians who are made up of different styles will strong because they can reach virtually every type of seeker

2010-11-13 - Contagious Christian - Indirect Method
This method involves taking some element of conversation and utilizes it to turn the conversation to faith

Business
How is your year going?
Financial, OK; family-wise, pretty well; spiritually, going great. Which one are you talking about?

Relocations
Moving to a new neighborhood
Have you found: places to shop, dining out locations, get your car repaired, a good church?

Hobbies and Spare Time
Talk to someone about your hobbies and roles in relating to church
If you work with the sound system, website, children programs, etc - share about that

Nature
Talk about what God may have been thinking when creating plants and animals
Goal is to raise the topic, not to envoke an affirming response - this may spur a discussions

Shared Struggles
Difficulty in a common with someone can be an opportunity to share how God has helped you

Holidays
They are an excellent opportunity to turn conversations toward the spiritual side
  • Easter - What do you think happened to Jesus' body?
  • Thanksgiving - what we are thankful for
  • Independence Day - what kinds of freedom mean the most to them
  • Conversations about what holidays their family likes to keep



2011-01-12 - Followup - Bible Study Rewards
What benefits do we get from God’s Word?

  1. 2 Timothy 2:15 - We will be well equipped
  2. 2 Timothy 3:17 - Workman who is not ashamed
  3. 1 Peter 3:15 - Equipped for evangelism; able to answer questions.
  4. 1 Corinthians 2:15-16 - We will have the mind of Christ (ie. Able to handle difficult situations as Christ would handle them. )
  5. Matthew 4:4-10 - We will be able to fight off temptation and Satan.


2011-01-19 - Followup - Balanced Rewards
Rewards

What benefits do we get from God’s Word?
  1. 2 Timothy 2:15 - We will be well equipped
  2. 2 Timothy 3:17 - Workman who is not ashamed
  3. 1 Peter 3:15 - Equipped for evangelism; able to answer questions.
  4. 1 Corinthians 2:15-16 - We will have the mind of Christ (ie. Able to handle difficult situations as Christ would handle them. )
  5. Matthew 4:4-10 - We will be able to fight off temptation and Satan.


2011-03-27 - Cheerful giver
2 Corinthians 9:7
Let each one as he has made up his own mind and purposed in his heart to give, not reluctantly or sorrowfully or under compulsion, for
God loves
God takes pleasure in
God prizes above other things,
and God is unwilling to abandon or to do without
a cheerful, joyous, and prompt giver.

Easy for me to be cheerful giver when spring time comes around
  • Dreaming of all thing we want to do this spring summer with friends and family
  • When i get off of work, taking Juniper to the park, great atmosphere
    • She choose the park by the slide color
    • Change up - chalk
  • When we go shopping, weakness for summer type items
Recap verse
Why God loves a cheerful giver? He is cheerful giver
  • He does not look at the cost
  • He looks at end result and who benefits
The challenge for us to be a cheerful giver
Difficult to do our best when it is not from the heart

The focus for us is be like God, and be a cheerful giver
  • Dream what God will do with the amount I give today
  • Dream God can do with my time
 

2011-04-06 - Old Testament - Counting the Cost

Counting the Cost in the Old testament

  • Deuteronomy 30:11-20 - What I am commanding you today is not too difficult for you or beyond your reach
  • Joshua 24:14-15 - As for me and my household, we will serve the LORD
  • Ezra 10
  • Psalms 84
  • Daniel 3


2011-05-20 - Righteousness instead of worry and pride
Righteousness instead of worry

Matthew 6:25-34
  • Think about things you worry about.
  • What do you worry about?
  • How much do you think about?
  • How can worrying about those things make it difficult to be righteous?
  • Do seek righteousness first or something else first?
Righteousness instead of pride

Matthew 5:17-20
  • Are you living more righteously than the Pharisees?
  • They obeyed the law but what were they missing?
  • Where is your righteous coming from? Jesus? Self? Something else?


2011-08-30 - Fearing God - Turning Aside Wrath
It is difficult for us to think about God's wrath; we prefer to think about his love
We envision a wrathful person as out of control

God's wrath is controlled, it is also described as anger, fury, and indignation

Unrepentant people are storing up wrath - Romans 2:5
We were born by nature as objects of wrath - Ephesians 2:3
Through condemnation of Adam's sin and our own personal sin

On the cross, Jesus suffered God's wrath in our place
"Why have you forsaken me?" - Matthew 27:46

Really start to enjoy fearing God:
  • Realize in the depth that we deserve the wrath of God yet it was poured out on Jesus instead
  • We are awed by His wrath and His love


2011-09-08 - Followup: Humility I (part I)
Humility is essential in beginning and maintaining a relationship with God. Pride, the opposite of humility, is often difficult to see in yourself and difficult to define in one’s character. It can be described as stubbornness toward God and his Word as well as others, or as independence from God and/or others.

Let’s look at a few examples of what humility is NOT.
  1. Stubborn: Pharaoh was stubborn towards the Lord’s will - Exodus 13:15
  2. Pride: It’s hard to see your own pride but others can easily - Psalms 73:6
  3. Arrogance: God hates arrogance - Proverbs 8:13
Let’s look at what examples of humility truly looks like.
  1. Proverbs 15:33 - fear of God brings about wisdom and humility
  2. Proverbs 16:3 - put God first and you will be successful
  3. Philippians 2:3 - putting others before yourself
  4. Colossians 3:12 - we are to put on humility daily
  5. 1 Peter 5:5 - respect others and clothe yourself with humility


2011-09-09 - Followup: Humility I (part II)
What humility is not:
  • Being wimpy and letting people walk over you: Jesus was no wimp - John 2:15
  • Have no opinions, become a spiritual robot: Paul pleased God not man - Galatians 1:10
What humility is:
  • Getting and applying input - Proverbs 19:20
  • Taking correction - Proverbs 12:1
Philippians 2:5-8
How was Jesus humble?
  • He was God but left heaven to become man (like you becoming an ant)
  • He gave up being a king to serve those who didn’t love or respect him.
  • He died for you and me.
Question: Is there anyone in your life difficult for you to be humble towards?
Question: What would Jesus advise you to do with that situation?

To be like Jesus is to be humble

2011-09-29 - Proverbs on Laziness (part I)

Proverbs 18:9 - One who is slack in his work is brother to one who destroys

A three (3) toed sloth is one of the ugliest creatures in the world.

  • It spends most of its time hanging from a tree
  • It’s as slow as molasses in winter (ultimate example of laziness)

The sluggard is the spiritual three (3) toed sloth. The Bible has nothing good to say about the sloth.

Laziness comes in little spurts.

  • Little amounts of unproductiveness
  • Spurts of lost time adds up to a lot of lost time (time that can never be regained)

Proverbs 26:14 - As a door turns on its hinges, so a sluggard turns on his bed

A sluggard has a difficult time getting out of bed, and loves the snooze button. It caters (snooze button) to those that can’t begin the day on time.

Proverbs 26:15 - The sluggard buries his hand in the dish; he is too lazy to bring it back to his mouth

Here is another picturesque description of the sluggard. His is so lazy that he needs someone to spoon him his meal. This description should warn us of how disgusting laziness is to God.

Proverbs 26:16 - The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven men who answer discreetly

One of the saddest things about a sluggard is that most of the time he doesn’t even realize how lazy he really is.

  • He looks at his unproductive day and actually believes he had no control over his lack of productivity.
  • He blames it on other things (parent’s, kids, spouse, work, weather, health, etc.)


2011-10-08 - Genesis 8 - The Flood (part III)

Summary

The flood abated. Noah sent out a raven and two doves. When the earth was dry God called them all out of the ark. Noah built an altar.

Observations

Genesis 8:1 - But God remembered Noah
God does not forget us. No matter how much He has going on, we are in the forefront of his mind. Noah may have been felt like he was all alone in an endless sea of water but this was not the case. We may also feel this way sometimes but God is always right there with us [Joshua 1:5].

Genesis 8:20 - Then Noah built an altar to the LORD
What is the first thing Noah does when Noah gets off an ark he has been on for about a year? Build an alter for the Lord. Would we do the same thing? DO we do the same thing. When we have face a prolonged trial and it finally ends, we go out and celebrate and forget the Lord? Or do take time to truly thank him for helping us through? Like God remembered Noah, Noah also remembered the Lord.

Genesis 8:21 - never again will I destroy all living creatures
God's promised that He will never destroy all living creatures again. Many worry about this through scientific studies or other ideas come up with ways the earth will be destroyed because of what man does. Whether that is true or not is not the point but we do know that God will not be the one doing it. When God promises something it happens.

Personal Application

I seem to forget the lessons of difficult times as soon as the pain has lifted. We go through tough times so our character can mature and grow but will I have to go through the same lessons again to learn the same lessons. I want to be grateful for God's discipline (does not come naturally) and change my character accordingly. God discipline the ones he loves, I need to remember why He is doing it [Hebrews 12:6].



2011-10-09 - Genesis 9 - The Rainbow & Capital Punishment

Summary

God blessed Noah and set the rainbow as a sign that he would never flood the earth again. Noah got drunk and cursed Ham's son Canaan.

Observations

Genesis 9:3 - Everything ... will be food for you; I now give you everything
Again God shows his willingness to everything to become eatable but meat that still had lifeblood. Many of our reactions would have given up on mankind. And if we had not given up, we would not have given as much freedom so there would less possibility of disobedience to occur. But God continues to give freedom to his people.

Genesis 9:17 - sign of the covenant I have established between me and all life on the earth
Freedom is not free. There was great pain for God  [Genesis 6:6]  to see the state of man's heart and how the only solution was to destroy all living things and start over again. Today, God is still grieving over how our hearts turn from him. This time - He had to pay the ultimate sacrifice of His only Son so that he and us may have a relationship. This is the only way, How have we responded?

Personal Application

I don't grow very well in the good times. It is the times of trials and difficulty when I forced by God's discipline to change. I want to change and grow while not under all circumstances. What does it show God when I move toward him only when pushed?



2011-11-25 - Grace (part I)
Sometimes, one of the most difficult truths to understand as a young disciple is grace. So much confusion exist in the religious world on this topic so it is critical that you have a correct, Biblical understanding of the this powerful truth. Obviously, God wants us to thoroughly enjoy the grace He has given us and will continue to give us as disciples. However, we must feel a responsibility to live for Him in response to His grace.

Grace allowed you to be spared when you weren’t pursuing God
  • Romans 5:6-8 - God was patient and loved us while we were enemies of His
  • Ephesians 2:1-5 - We were objects of wrath; deserving to be squished (cockroach example)
  • 1 Timothy 1:12-17 - We were shown unlimited patience, making it possible to have a chance
Grace was given to you at your baptism
  • Titus 3:3-7 - You were justified by grace at your baptism; nothing you did earned it
  • Hebrews 10:19-22 - Your baptism gave you full assurance of God’s grace
  • Acts 2:38-41 - You were forgiven, got the Holy Spirit, added to God’s kingdom – by grace


2011-12-13 - Day 10 - Praying Like Jesus
Mark 1:32-39
  1. What sacrifices did Jesus make to go and pray? Think of his previous day. What excuses could he have made to not pray?
  2. When do you feel the need to pray? Do you ever make excuses not to pray?
  3. How has your prayer time been the past 10 days?
Hebrews 5:7-10
  1. What kind of prayer life did Jesus have?
  2. What things, besides going to the cross, would have been difficult for Jesus to obey?
  3. What things are difficult for you to do as a disciple?
  4. Have you been praying with loud cries and tears for God to help you be obedient?
  5. What situations in your life do you need to pray more about? Make a list and be specific.
Application: Spend time today praying about the things you wrote about on your list. Be specific in your prayers. Try praying out loud and talking to God as if you could see him. Tell him how you feel about these things and what is difficult and why it is difficult. Being real and open with God will help you change things quicker.



2012-01-23 - Ministry - Unless You Change
Matthew 18:2-4

Deeply rooted in the mature of adults is a strong sense of resistance to change. Even when we feel deeply discontent with our lives, we are more willing to stay in the familiarity of our misery than to venture into the untested waters of change.

Fortunately, Jesus, in his desire to put us out of our misery, makes it clear that for a Christian to make it to heaven we must keep on changing. We must choose to grow even if it is challenging, difficult, tiring, confusing or scary. Why this strong direction? Because there is just so much about our hearts, character, habits, lives that the Lord wants to change! Too many souls will be lost if we stop growing. Jesus gives us the secret to change in the same verse - humble yourself. Thank God we live in a kingdom where the Lord rushes to help the humble. He will send the word, wise advice from a disciple, a protecting angel, and a physical blessing, all to the humble. It seems that we have two choices: Be
humbled or get humbled.

Questions:
  • Which will you choose in this year?
  • What are three things that you most feel the need to change in your life?
  • How will you take the first step in each of these three?
Go and ask a child that knows you well to please tell you one thing about you they think God would want you to change.

2012-02-07 - Ministry - The Serving Heart of Jesus
John 13: 1 - 17

At a time when Jesus could have most concerned about himself and what lay ahead he chose to serve the disciples instead. Jesus was known for his acts of service before God and men. Rather than just telling people what they should do for him and each other Jesus set the example. After he served them he asked them if they understood what he had done for them. Do we really understand the importance of serving?

True servitude comes from a childlike heart.

Matthew 18: 1 - 9
Children are humble-hearted and love to serve. We need to consider others and look for ways to meet their needs both physically and spiritually. Sin is what stops us from serving. When we are in sin we are serving ourselves: our pleasures and desires. Jesus had a radical attitude toward sin because it keeps us from the spiritual act of serving and into the acts of the sinful nature. When we are serving it is difficult to be selfish, inward focused, prideful, self-righteous, sad and depressed. Jesus experienced great joy by meeting other people's needs. Jesus understood that serving is the true path to greatness. If we desire to be like Jesus we must develop deep convictions in the area of servitude.

How did Jesus Serve?
  • He met people's spiritual needs. John 4: 1 - 26
  • He taught people to serve by meeting physical needs. Luke 10:25 - 37
Sometimes serving others means saying "no" to ourselves. How can you say "no" to your needs today in order meet someone else's?

2012-02-18 - Fear of Failure - Letting Problems and Failures Build Your Faith
by Tracey Jones, San Francisco Church of Christ

Romans 4:18-22; Jeremiah 29:11; Romans 5:1-6

We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they are good for us--they help us learn to endure. And endurance develops strength of character in us. Romans 5:3-4 (NLT) I think as a non-Christian, I was the most anxious, controlling person in the world. I remember I would have almost every minute of my life planned out from beginning to end. Although it helped me to be disciplined and to achieve goals, it stopped me from letting people into my heart. I was always the strong one to my friends and family…"the rock". They saw all the successful things on the outside, but they didn't see the desperate, feeble person I was inside. When I began to work with people, it was very difficult for me,  because I had no control whatsoever over them. That lack of control began to crush me. Now I see that God is using my problems and failures to encourage me to grow. He is telling me the little that I know is not enough - I need to keep growing and changing and developing into the person He wants me to be. One decision I have made when I have problems in my ministry, marriage, or family is to pray about them and to commit them fully
to God. Now, instead of giving in to thoughts like “I can't change that woman's heart, I pray specifically about what I need help with and have confident expectation of what God will do. This has brought much more joy to my marriage, ministry, and life.

What is stealing your joy? Could it be that you are letting problems and situations dictate your life?

Decide today to commit those things to prayer and ask God to give you increasing character to deal with your life.

2012-10-03 - Prayer of the Righeous - God is Crawling (part II)
We think he could never accept us just as we are

Peter: Go away from Lord - Luke 5:8
When Jesus started getting too close, he was afraid

Legion: Ran from Jesus when he saw him - Mark 5:6
He was wearing a mask of anger and violence and self-destructive habits to hide the pain inside his hear

We feel too sinful to let him in
Our relationship suffer because we are afraid of rejection because of lack of closeness with God
He set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand - Psalms 40:1-2

He is willing to get dirty and and get involved with the real you
Confession and humility you closer
He will not reject you no matter how dirty you are

Are you afraid of rejection to the point of finding it difficult to pray?

2012-10-13 - Prayer of the Righeous - Arms Wide Open (part III)
The older son a problem with his brother's return and his father's warm welcome
The father pleaded with him - Luke 15:28
He refused to call him brother but instead "this son of yours" - Luke 15:30

It is difficult to pray when you are angry with God and you feel like he owes you something
May feel God has not brought justice but Jesus promises to bring it but we need to persevere - Luke 18:7-8
Justice will come but not on our timetable
When God's arms are wide open to us, we should not fold ours
We can draw close to God with bitterness in our heart

Reconcile with our brother BEFORE offering gifts to God - Matthew 5:23-24
Husbands treat your wives with respect so nothing will hinder your prayers - 1 Peter 3:7

If we can not throw our arms wide open for others around us, we are not being like God
If we do not forgive, he can not forgive us - Matthew 6:15


2013-06-27 - Why we need men of resolution (part IV)

Our generation desperately needs courageous men to step up.

  • Men who will forgive their dads, break the chains of the past, and set new standards.
  • Stick up for our marriages during difficult times
  • Refuse to let entertainment eat up our time
  • Refuse to sacrifice family for the sake of a promotion

When strong men work together, they can accomplish amazing things.

David armies came together to face enemies amid seemingly impossible odds.
Be strong, and let us show ourselves courageous for the sake of our people - 2 Samuel 10:11-12

Remember one immovable, unconditional truth: we have a Father in heaven who is for us.

We must lock shields with other men around us and refuse to allow one another to fail
If my battle gets too strong for me, then you shall help me, but if your battle is too strong for you, then I will come to help you!



2014-12-11 - Genesis 24 - Search for the Bride of Isaac (part III)

Summary

Rebebekah went back with Eliezer and she married Isaac.

Observations

Genesis 24:49 - Tell me yes or no, then I know what to do next
After sharing his faith in verses 34 to 48 about how God blessed his faithfulness, Abramham's servers did not want to waste any time - he wanted a straight answer on which direction they would choose. Sometimes it is difficult to get a straight answer but he did not want them to waiver in this very important decision. Sometimes we guard our hearts to share because we do not want to sound "too religous" but Eliezer just shared his heart and was not concerned about their opinons.

Genesis 24:50 - The Lord has obviously brought you here, there is nothing we can say
There is no reason to fight the Lord. When they saw what had happen before them, they were conveicted that the Lord was speaking to them that day. Eliezer was full of faith and excitement for what the Lord had done and he could not help but to share it with them that day.

Application

The God should be obvious in our lives. Do people see God in us and if so is it obvious or is there doubt in their mind? In order for me to reach out to others, my life needs to show Jesus. When I speak and invite others to church/Bible study does it come as a surpise or an invitation or extention of what I am already doing?

Prayer

Pray to be real with people and to share my faith without reservation. 



2015-02-15 - Our Source of Joy

Yet I will rejoice in the Lord! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation - Habakkuk 3:17-18

What we think about and focus on really does affect our attiutde - The Power of Positive Thinking

Habakkuk fortold:

  • The coming destruction of Jerusalem 
  • The Babylonian captivity that would follow

Habakkuk grieved over the coming destruction but he did sink into despair

Joy in God was a choice, Babylonians or no Babylonians

To maintain his joy, he counted two truths

  • His difficult times would not last forever
  • His source of joy lay in the God he loved

His loving God was the one constant in his life

 



2015-02-16 - Right Man for the Job

He reprimand them strenly to make them strong in the faith - Titus 1:12-13

God often calls men of character and commitment to handle more difficult assignments

Among this group was a young man name Titus

Paul send him to Crete, known for its:

  • Lack of discipline
  • Untruthfulness
  • Excessive gluttony
  • Cruelty

Only a man of strong character who came solve problems, confront, and love God and His word can qualify for such a charge

How would you respond in Crete? How can you be God's man in a tough situation?



2015-02-28 - Contentment

I have learned how to be content with whatever I have - Philippians 4:11-12

Paul didn't learn the value of contentment in a vacuum but through his own difficulties

There is nothing like sitting naked, in pain in a bare jail cell to focus your attention on what really matters

How does a man of God learn contentment? By being satisfied with whatever provisions God make for him.

Paul did not say "I will be content once" but in every situation

When we live like this, we will defeat the spiritual enemies of envy, pride, and greed. We will also enjoy what God has already so generously given you

Contentment mean living with an attitude of gratitude for all that God has given you



2015-03-25 - Hope

Jeremiah: Great is his faithfullness and his mercies begin afresh each morning - Lamentations 3:22-24

He surveyed th ruins of the once great city of Jerusalem

Jeremiah saw death and destruction all around and felt a pain we can only imagine

He found it within himslef to speak to his one Source of hope

Jeremaih recognized God had granted him life and could hope for better things from the hand of his heavenly Father

Where do you place your hope when you or loved ones encounter pain and difficulty?



2015-04-21 - A Choice

I will not test the Lord like that - Isaiah 7:12

Ahaz, the ungodly king of Judah, found himself in a dilemma of equally difficult alternatives

Assyria, a dominate power of the day, was a growing treat to Judah, Israel, and Syria

His choice was to side with his enemies - Israel and Syria or Assyria and trust God would work things out or side with Assyria

Ahaz made an unwise chose to side with Assyriaw which had disastous consequences for Judah - 2 Kings 16:7-9

 



2015-04-23 - Use Your Gifts

You gave me five bags of silver to invest and I have earned five more - Matthew 25:30

The Bible explains the importance of good strewardship

Faithful handling of a small amount leads to more responsibility - Matthew 25:21

The wise and faithful servant understood the wealth he was using belonged to his master

One reason God entrusts you with spiritual gifts is so you can produce fruit for him

What make it difficult for you to see yourself as a steward? 



2015-04-29 - Suffering

Yet I want your will to be done, not mine - Mark 14:36

We sometime have a difficult time with the idea of a loving God when we go through difficult times

A life of without suffering is prefered and you will would probably do anything you could to avoid it

Even as Jesus prayed for relief, he remained completely and single-mindedly submitted to his Father's will

At the moment of truth, he was willing to go through with the appointment God had made for him

Nothing tests your submission to God's will and plans like adversity



2015-05-21 - Opportunities to Speak

You have abandoned me, so I am abandoning you to Shishak - 2 Chronicles 12:5

The Bible includes many examples of God sending men to free his people from their sin and rebellion

Shemaiah to a message of freedom to his people - All that was required was for them to turn to God

It was difficult message for Shemaiah to give such a message to his home country of Judah

Shemaiah's willingness to speak God's message made a difference:

  • The leaders listened
  • Judah humbled themselves
  • God relented on his plan to destroy Judah - 2 Chronicles 12:6-8

When you have the courage to give a difficult message to hear, you can make a difference in your world



2015-07-29 - Unexpected Blessings

The Lord fulfilled the prophecy he had given Jeremiah - Ezra 1:1

What tools has God used to mold you?

  • Intolerant Boos
  • Family member that want nothing to do with God
  • Phyiscal difficulties

Cyrus issued a decree to free the people of Judah and have all the gold and silver returned

At first, it might appear acted out of compassion and love of God

He did not serve God but God stirred his heart

Cyrus was an instrument in God's hands as he worked out his will in his people's lives

When you submit to his will and purpose, he can even use thing you consider "secular".



2015-08-06 - Hearing God

What are you doing here, Elijah? - 1 Kings 19:13

With all the noise life makes, it can be difficult to hear God

Although he had preached and performed miracles, the people refused to listen Elijah

Elijah had death threats and was hiding in a cave in fear and despair - desperately needing to hear from God

God wanted to speak to Elijah:

  1. Told Elijah to come out the cave
  2. A windstorm arose
  3. A earthquake
  4. A fire

All were forerunners of the rela deal was to follow - then Elijah heard God's voice and poured out his broken heart and then just listened

Can you hear God above life' everyday noise?

 



2015-10-25 - Whose Voice?

Make us some gods who can lead us - Exodus 32:1

With Moses away, Aaron heard many insistent voices wanting him to do wrong

Aaron knew the commandments about idol worship very well, but one moment he caved - Exodus 20:4

He agreed what they demanded

Aaron had a golden opportunity to make a bold statement but instead he made a golden idol

When leadership get difficult and you feel tempted to cave, can you stand strong?

 



2015-11-01 - Secure in Love

I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God's love - Romans 8:38

Through difficult times we are tempted to think God must really hate me

Some have the misguided idea of the relationship between difficulties and God's love

Paul opposed such thinking through his suffering that most of us can not imagine

He never saw his suffering as an occasion to doubt God's love for him

Can anything ever separate us?

  • Trouble
  • Calamity
  • Persecution
  • Hunger
  • Danger
  • Threatened with death

No! Despite these things overwhelming victory is ours through Christ - Romans 8:37



2015-11-12 - In Spite of

My salvation come from the Lord alone - Jonah 2:9

Can you praise God for your times of difficulty, weakness, burdens?

Jonah did some time in the belly of the sea creature - a dark and foulplace that defies human imagination

He didn't ask why, he already knew why

God knew that Jonah had come full circle from his words of thanksgiving and his promise to fulfill his vows

It meant he was ready and willing to obey God

God immediately arranged for his freedom - Jonahv2:10



2016-01-29 - Genesis 25 - Esau and Jacob (part II)

Summary

Isaac and Rebekah had twins: Esau and Jacob. Esau sold his birthright to Jacob for a meal.

Observations

Genesis 25:22 - the two children struggled with each other in the womb
Sibiling rivaly starts early - even before they born in this case. Our thoughts and personalities are formed before we leave the womb. Sure, we can learn and further be formed afterwards but in some sense their parents did not help smooth the relationship. Their parents practiced favoritsm: Issac's love for Esau was conditional based off performance and Rebekah's love for Jacob was consistant and uncondtional [Genesis 25:28].

Genesis 25:32 - I'm dying of starvation... what good is my birthright to me now?
Short term pleasure can lead to long term consequences and lose of sight of the future. Was Esau really going to die of starvation? It does not seem so from his actions after he ate as he just got up and left quickly [Genesis 25:34]. Esau resorted to exaggeration to prove his point. The issue was nothing else mattered at the time except for food and Esau lost perpective of what was most important. Jacob, ironically, was the hunter in this case by patiently laying a trap for his brother's arrival. 

Application

Getting through the short-term pressure-filled moment is often the most difficult part of overcoming tempation. I need to have God's long term perpective when confronted with a short sided want.

Prayer

Praying for God's strength in my weaknesses



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