WHEN DIFFICULTIES BOMBARD US
Where can we find strength and confidence when we face troubles? Paul explains: God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose…If God is for us, who is against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?…Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?…In all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord [Romans 8:28, 31-32, 35, 37-39].
Dear friend, the only place to go is to Jesus Christ. May I give you four principles from God’s Word I believe will help make a difference when believers face difficulties in this fallen world.
First, whenever you face difficulties, remember that God is in control of all your circumstances. Psalm 103:19 declares, “The LORD has established His throne in the heavens, and His sovereignty rules over all.” This is why believers can be sure that we will overcome every obstacle and problem---because God can handle whatever happens and is responsible for leading us to victory. Though He may not have initiated our trials, He allowed them. That means He can bring good out of them and teach us powerful lessons if we trust Him.
Second, remember that the Lord takes full responsibility for all your needs when you are following Him in obedience (Romans 8:31-32). Paul confirmed this principle when he wrote, “God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus” [Phil.4:19]. The Father is faithful to provide for you, even when you cannot see how He will do so (Ps. 37:25). After all, He provided His very best, His only begotten Son to save you from your sins and a Devil’s hell. Of course, this does not mean that God will give you everything you want. Sometimes the things you desire do not fulfill His purpose for your life. But you can be sure that whatever the Lord offers you, and even in what He withholds, He always has your best interest at heart (Matt. 7:9-11).
Third, remember that if you have trusted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, He is always with you (Romans 8:35-37). You are not alone. No matter where you go or what you go through, God will never forsake you. (Deut. 31:6,8; John 14:18; Heb. 13:5). David testified to this when he wrote, “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for you are with me” (Ps. 23:4). Others may abandon you, but the Lord won’t. He can’t because as a believer, you are sealed with His Holy Spirit (Eph. 4:30). This means you always have the most powerful Friend, Counselor, and Advocate with you to heal, help, and lead when the road of life grows lonely, and confusing.
Finally, remember that the Lord loves you with an eternal, irrevocable love (Romans 8:38-39). You cannot lose God’s love. It is unconditional, sacrificial, without limit, and based on His unwavering character, not on your behavior (Rom. 5:8; I John 4:7-10). That does not mean He condones sin. On the contrary, ungodly behavior is destructive to you, so He despises it. What it means is that His love for you is not bases on what you do or don’t do. In other words you don’t have to earn it or work to keep it. When you fail, you do not forfeit it, and no one could ever convince Him to care for you less. His love is freely given and all you have to do is open your heart to receive it.
We cannot escape the trials of life, but we can have confidence no matter what the circumstances are, our Heavenly Father is in control, provides for our needs, is always with us, and loves us very much. If you belong to Jesus, you are forgiven, you are loved, you are going to live forever, so go out and tell someone today for goodness sake. May God richly bless you is my prayer, in Jesus Name.
POINTS OF GRACE NETWORK
Dear friend, the only place to go is to Jesus Christ. May I give you four principles from God’s Word I believe will help make a difference when believers face difficulties in this fallen world.
First, whenever you face difficulties, remember that God is in control of all your circumstances. Psalm 103:19 declares, “The LORD has established His throne in the heavens, and His sovereignty rules over all.” This is why believers can be sure that we will overcome every obstacle and problem---because God can handle whatever happens and is responsible for leading us to victory. Though He may not have initiated our trials, He allowed them. That means He can bring good out of them and teach us powerful lessons if we trust Him.
Second, remember that the Lord takes full responsibility for all your needs when you are following Him in obedience (Romans 8:31-32). Paul confirmed this principle when he wrote, “God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus” [Phil.4:19]. The Father is faithful to provide for you, even when you cannot see how He will do so (Ps. 37:25). After all, He provided His very best, His only begotten Son to save you from your sins and a Devil’s hell. Of course, this does not mean that God will give you everything you want. Sometimes the things you desire do not fulfill His purpose for your life. But you can be sure that whatever the Lord offers you, and even in what He withholds, He always has your best interest at heart (Matt. 7:9-11).
Third, remember that if you have trusted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, He is always with you (Romans 8:35-37). You are not alone. No matter where you go or what you go through, God will never forsake you. (Deut. 31:6,8; John 14:18; Heb. 13:5). David testified to this when he wrote, “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for you are with me” (Ps. 23:4). Others may abandon you, but the Lord won’t. He can’t because as a believer, you are sealed with His Holy Spirit (Eph. 4:30). This means you always have the most powerful Friend, Counselor, and Advocate with you to heal, help, and lead when the road of life grows lonely, and confusing.
Finally, remember that the Lord loves you with an eternal, irrevocable love (Romans 8:38-39). You cannot lose God’s love. It is unconditional, sacrificial, without limit, and based on His unwavering character, not on your behavior (Rom. 5:8; I John 4:7-10). That does not mean He condones sin. On the contrary, ungodly behavior is destructive to you, so He despises it. What it means is that His love for you is not bases on what you do or don’t do. In other words you don’t have to earn it or work to keep it. When you fail, you do not forfeit it, and no one could ever convince Him to care for you less. His love is freely given and all you have to do is open your heart to receive it.
We cannot escape the trials of life, but we can have confidence no matter what the circumstances are, our Heavenly Father is in control, provides for our needs, is always with us, and loves us very much. If you belong to Jesus, you are forgiven, you are loved, you are going to live forever, so go out and tell someone today for goodness sake. May God richly bless you is my prayer, in Jesus Name.
POINTS OF GRACE NETWORK
posted by Mel | 6:16 PM
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