Series: Grace For Times Of Trouble (Part II)

Read: Philippians 3:7-9 – (7 “But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. 8) Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord. 9) And be found in Him, not having my own Righteousness, which is of the Law, but that which is through the Faith of Christ, the Righteousness which is of God by Faith:

     You probably have a childhood memory of being sick and having to take some awful medicine. It was a disgusting color and smelled horrible, and you just know it would taste worse than it looked. Still, your mother said, “It’s good for you – really. You’ll feel better.” It was hard to imagine how something that seemed so bad could actually be for your good.

     Paul endured beating after beating, rejection, mockery, shipwreck. Yet with rejoicing and confidence, he made this statement of conquering faith while in a Roman prison: “I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. . .” (vv. 8).

     The events that many people would consider a curse or a punishment, Paul considered trivialities, unimportant when compared to the outcome of following Christ. As a result, Paul not only found deep and abiding fellowship with Jesus, but he was God’s key instrument for reaching much of the world with the gospel.

     Do you view your problems in light of God’s purpose? Even when it’s difficult to see what lies ahead, you can rely on His grace to make every trouble a channel of His blessing. The flow of His grace is swiftest when the need is greatest.

Series: Grace For Times Of Trouble

Read: 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 – (7 “And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the Revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. 8) For this thing I be sought the Lord thrice that it might depart from me. 9) And He said unto me, My Grace is sufficient for you: for My strength is made perfect in weakens. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the Power of Christ may rests upon me. (10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.”

     True or false: If you have enough faith, pray regularly, and obey God, He will change or remove the negative circumstances in your life?

     Anyone who tells you the answer to this statement is “true” isn’t being honest. The message of Jesus Christ is not a “name it and claim it” gospel that says if you want a certain blessing badly enough God will give it to you on your conditions.

     As your loving Father, He has your best interest at heart. If something you ask for doesn’t fit His perfect plan for your work and wellbeing, He may say no. His care goes beyond the pleasure of the moment. He is always at work preparing you for the future, sometimes at the expense of temporary pain.

     Paul learned this lesson well, after petitioning God three times to remove a problem, he began to understand why God didn’t taken his trouble away. “And He has said to me, My Grace is sufficient for you: for My strength is made perfect in weakens. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the Power of Christ may rests upon me.”(vs.9).

Stay tuned for another installment shortly of:  “Grace For Times Of Trouble”

SECRETS

     Secrets – whether a grandmother’s special recipe or a company’s unique product formula are rarely revealed. In his letter to the Philippians church, the Apostle Paul provided all who would read the Scriptures with the secret of contented living (Philippians 4:11-13).

     Paul announced to them and us that he was content in life – whether he had scraps for dinner or a feast, whether his purse was bulging or flat. His secret is shared in Philippians 4:13: “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.”

     The Greek word for contentment is translated “self-sufficiency” or “self-satisfaction.” That may surprise you. At first glance, Paul appears to say that the secret to contentment lies in his own resilient self.

     But what he was expressing was this: “My self-sufficiency, my level of contentment, lies in the sufficiency of Christ to meet my every need. I can endure rain or shine, darkness or light, sorrow or joy because through Him I am equipped and sustained.”

     Paul’s secret is yours. Despite the circumstances you may be experiencing, you can enjoy true contentment when you accept the truth that Christ is adequate for your every need – in good times and bad.

Blindness (Physical & Spiritual)

Physical blindness (the inability to see the material world) has several origins: disease, injury, malformity, age, etc. Spiritual blindness (the inability to understand spiritual truth) has only one cause: Satan, “the god of this world” who “has blinded the minds of the unbelieving. (2 Corinthians 4:3).

     Although the devil is involved in accusing and harassing followers of Christ; don’t forget he also is intensely active in obscuring the truth of salvation.

     Those who have received Christ have triumphed over the devil through the blood of Christ. But those who continue to be deceived through his lies are victims of his cruel and deadly tyranny. Satan’s objective is to bring along with him as many people as possible in his rebellion against God. Just look at the entirety of the world situation around us (i.e. riots in the streets, conflicts, and confusion in the minds of young and old people alike regarding their purpose and responsibilities in life thinking someone else is responsible for their well being – Don’t forget Satan is a liar and the truth is not in him).

     How does Satan blind? Primarily by undermining the inerrancy and integrity of the whole of Scripture. In this way he removes the convicting tool of the Holy Spirit for repentance and faith.

     He also blinds by exalting self and diminishing the effect of sin. “I’m not lost. Sure, I’m not perfect, but who is?” Satan blinds the minds of the unbelieving by making “the word of the cross…foolishness” (1 Corinthians 1:18).

     Just as there is only one cause for spiritual blindness, so there is only one cure. Paul prescribes it in his letter to the Corinthians: “But whenever a man turns to the Lord the veil (of unbelief) is taken away” (2 Corinthians 3:16).

     Only a personal encounter with the risen Christ can bring life and light. The Apostle John proclaimed that Christ is “…the true light which, coming into the world, enlightens every man” (John 1:9)

     Unbelievers abide in the dominion of darkness and Satan. It is God the Father Who “delivered us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son” (Colossians 1:13).

     As the Gospel (the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ) is preached, the Holy Spirit moves in the hearts of men to guide them into the truth that sets them free. We understand our alienation from God is the result of our sins. We realize our inability to win His favor. We also clearly see that we can be forgiven and reconciled to God the Father only through Christ’s sin bearing work at Calvary.

     We call on Jesus’ name, asking Him to save us from our sins, placing our faith in Him alone – and in that moment our blindness is lifted and we can see the kingdom of God. Thus, the love of God is triumphant.

Ride Out Your Storm

     Sometime in the past a dream was related to me who involved people and boats. As I thought about a boat, it came to me that one of the standard pieces of equipment found on a boat, large or small, is an ANCHOR. Its purpose is to hold the vessel fast and to secure it to one spot, keeping it from drifting while not under power.

     In life we often encounter what could be referred to as storms. My wife (Peggy) sings a song “Hold onto Jesus and ride out your storm.” How well do you ride out your storm? Do you just survive – blown around by every contrary wind and wave? Or do you cast your anchor – and does it hold you fast?

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In what have you placed your hope as your anchor?

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     Like the song if you are depending on anyone other than Jesus Christ, the Solid Rock, you will surely loose anchor and know disappointment.

Opinion Page - Line in the Sand

     Regarding the so-called Occupy Wall Street movement all over the nation, I would remind the crowd that it is easy to not do anything and sit in parks for several weeks holding signs, to be part of the fun employed. It’s much easier to expect free stuff and to have no intention of getting a job, than it is to become a viable part of society and be fruitful.

     As Americans, it is time to reclaim our history, reclaim our intuition, strive for what is great rather than what is easy, and to restore ourselves first to the rightful place as a powerful son or daughter of the all-powerful living God. It’s time to draw a line in the sand, and do the small and simple things of accepting the responsibilities that will make each of us and America great again.  We must also understand that there is no such thing as collective salvation, it is only individual salvation.

     Listen my friends, there is a storm coming of biblical proportions, This Wall Street movement, flash mobs and those who call for the redistribution of wealth. They all want to take. They all want revenge. That’s not who we are.

QUESTIONS – People Ask

I seem to have problems believing God can answer my prayers. So often, when I do pray, my prayers are not answered. Can you help?

     Here is a verse from the one and only chapter of Jude that I think will encourage you: “Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy.” (Jude 24)

     Concentrate on those first few words: “Now to Him who is able.” Whatever your need, your request, your circumstances, our God is able to help, guide, enable, and sustain you.

     The Greek word used for able is translated as “the one who has power.” God has unlimited power to involve Himself in your life. Therefore, when we go to Him in prayer, we should never doubt whether He is able to answer our request.

     Too often believers fail to comprehend the magnificent, unequaled power of our mighty God. One reason, as you point out, is that all of our prayers seem not to be answered. “If God has all power,” we say, “then why doesn’t He grant our petitions?”

     When we talk about God’s unlimited power, we must remember that does not mean God can do all things. For instance, we know that God cannot lie. He cannot change. That is because God never works contrary to His nature and character.

     Just as important, His power is always coupled with His purposes. God could have saved His Son, Jesus from Calvary’s cruel death. He could have rescued His and shattered the opposition. Why didn’t He?

     Because His plan to save mankind from their sin rested on the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. If He had intervened, man would live in utter futility – without hope of abundant or eternal life.

     Our God is able to help us face life in assured victory. He is at work to fulfill His eternal plans through His awesome power.

     When we pray, concentrate on God’s power to supply our needs. Dwell on His character and faithfulness, realizing that He is for you, not against you. He is also within you through the power of the Holy Spirit.

     Because He is able, we are also able to endure any situation through His keeping power.

     God will always link His power with His purposes for your life. He wants the best for you, and that sometimes means denying your petitions.

     That does not limit His omnipotence. It puts it to work on your behalf with your highest welfare in mind. That should give you great confidence to approach the Heavenly Father in absolute trust.

FIRST LIGHT - Persevering Prayer

The other day I was looking through some old sermon notes of mine and came across a reference I had made about Charles Finney, who was one of the foremost evangelists of the nineteenth century. The foundation of his ministry was persevering prayer. In his Principles of Prayer Finney instructs the believer?

     “There are three ways in which God’s will is revealed to men for their guidance in prayer.”

1.  “By express promises or predictions in the Bible, that He will give or do certain things.”

2.  “Sometimes God reveals His will by Providence. When He makes it clear that such and such events are about to take place, it is as much a revelation as if He had written it in His Word.”

3.  “By His Spirit. When God’s people are at a loss (about) what to pray for, (but while also being) agreeable to His will, His Spirit often instructs them. When there is no particular revelation and Providence leaves it dark and we know not what to pray for as we ought, we are expressly told that the ‘Spirit also helps our infirmities’ and ‘the Spirit itself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.’”

     The Word of God, the Providence of God, and the Spirit of God – all are supernatural aids to discerning the will of God in prayer.