encouraging sermons for difficult times

(John 14:26, NIV). God can shape your view of your circumstances. He will help you wait with endurance. You may not see a way out of the situation you find yourself walking in today; but know this, you are not alone. God wants to encourage us during hard times. All of us face those questions because we all go through deep trials eventually. read more, Scripture: The shepherd is always looking to protect his sheep. Life is Difficult, But God is Good Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-16 When life gets too difficult to bear, your inner strength can help you fight your toughest battles. Look for Things to Be Grateful For. Philippians 1:12-18, Denomination: The following Tuesday he announced that he has been diagnosed with advanced stomach cancer and the prognosis is grim. Thanks for your interest! 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? Four years ago my Father-in-Law, Dr. W. C. Dobbs, pastor and professor, passed away. read more, Scripture: 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. Get the latest service information, weekly sermon, and other updates. read more, Scripture: We are a Wait on Him to do what you cannot do yourself. When he announced his cancer in a Facebook post, he went on to give this testimony: In the past few days my spirits have soared and sank as I pursue the Lords will and consider what the future might look like, but never once have I doubted this: that Jesus is Lord, His blood has paid my ransom, and by His wounds I am healed. Evangelical Free. 1 Kings 19:3-18, Psalm 22: Are you burdened by feeling alone? Another message on the awesome power of God! Most often they come through and with and alongside our trials. Must you become a better person so that God will accept you? Questions, questions, questions! Instead learn the principles that will make you harder than your hard time. View our top Cru resources in more than 20 languages. 14. Incidentsyes. Waiting on the Lord reminds you that you are not in control. 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. Forgiveness or anger. Many years ago I learned an important truth from my friend Jim Warren. And we will rejoice if we believe what God has said. You can watch the news on any given day and hear of the hard times of those around our country. Titus 3:3-8, GOD hates LAZINESS. In many parts of the world it is dangerous even to be a I will visit on the right time, Then you will have a blessing which cannot be destroyed The Lord is walking with you every step of the way. The experiences of my life are not such that I could infer from them that God is good, gracious and merciful necessarily. To have one husband murdered and another one disintegrate body, soul and spirit through cancer, is not what you would call a proof of the love of God. He is in all of it. She and her husband Jim joined a group of missionaries reaching out to the Auca Indians of Ecuador. Faith in Gods Powerthat he can deliver us from every temptation. Dealing With Difficult People Series. Still, God answers the prayer. They may in fact be a sign that we are in the will of God. Allow your other senses to heighten. Everything that happens to us is either caused by God or allowed by God. JUDE 17-21 read more, Scripture: Write out your question. Judge your circumstances by the Holy Spirit and by the Word of God. Under pressure we begin to give in to bad habits, wrong attitudes, and then we begin the long slide in the wrong direction. There Is Nothing Too Hard For The Lord Serve those around you. Nothing can separate you from Gods forgiving, healing love. It is one thing to know the truth. He will sustain you and grow your faith in the waiting. And hard times can come as a result of our own sin, natural catastrophe, economic This message is a reminder that God is always working in your life. Get more articles, podcasts and videos to help you keep growing in your Christian faith. John 11:1-45: Ever wondered, God, where are you? This message helps us understand that the power of God is revealed in difficult situations. Thats what perseverance looks like. You may have heard of people coming through the school of hard Knocks, but as I look through the word of God, I find some NOTs that are hard for some people to swallow. Hard times, times of trials and tribulations, seem to be as constant as the sunrise. Just straight talk from Jesus brother about what works and what doesnt work in the Christian life. Until then, your faith is speculative because it is untested. Advent 2022, week 4: During this series, we are looking at how hope, peace, joy and love are at the heart of Christmas. Even some mature Christians react this way, as evidenced by Pauls words of reassurance to Timothy many years later. Disappointmentyes. read more, Scripture: Babies are born with defects that cannot be corrected. First, he tempts us to doubt Gods goodness. 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. A victim says Why did this happen to me? while a student asks, What can I learn from this?. This message explores important questions about your faith and commitment to God. Trusting in Him means believing what He says about Himself, about the world and about you is true. of Patricia Christy. Internship opportunities with Cru's ministries. Luke 8:4-15: Are you settling for less than Gods abundant plan for you? The Lord your shepherd is always with you. Or someone you trusted may start spreading lies about you. Showing God in action in and through His people. This week we learn how Gods expression of love is witnessed in the birth of Jesus. You may have heard Psalm 23 many times, but I want to focus on one verse: Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me (Psalm 23:4, NIV). Advent 2022, week 3: Do you feel robbed of joy? After Hurricane Andrew devastated Florida in 1992, this South Florida resident We all need to live each day fully for Him. Thank goodness! HOW TO PROFIT FROM YOUR PROBLEMS Try our selection of worship songs and sing along! That is why we are beginning a study of the book of James. Thats a picture of what God is up to in our fiery trials. We all have to undergo some furnace time sooner or later. When Jesus was telling His followers that He was going to be killed, He knew that they would be worried. read more, Scripture: Thich Nhat Hanh Have great hopes and dare to go all out for them. But thats not what the Bible means. What happened? This isnt like Paul in Romans with his intricate theological arguments. But thats the whole point. You never know what you believe until hard times come. Jesus Himself felt overwhelmed by what was before Him, and He went straight to His Father. Often we focus intently on the details of our difficulties as if the difficulty itself were the most important thing in the world. Not Herod, not the guards, not the people of the church, not even Peter himself. 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. It also reminds us of His presence. Help families pursue the relationships that matter most. This message digs deep into the character of each Beatitude. He also wants you to come to Him simply to spend time with Him. In various ways we will all struggle every day as we make our earthly pilgrimage. Acts 9:32-43, Denomination: Partnering with urban churches to meet physical and spiritual needs. But during a period of loneliness, she fell in with a bad crowd and began to dabble in sin. You can have an easy life, or you can have a deep faith. All things do not work for the good for all people. A victim believes his hard times have come because God is trying to punish him. A rod is a sign of power and strength to defend against attacks. The top is down, the music is blaring, and the driver is having a blast. For the last few years, he has served as a speaker with Ravi Zacharias International Ministries. Youve got cancer. Or the voice may inform you that your daughter has just been arrested. 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. Will you choose to live Gods best for you, no matter the circumstances? Learn the basics of what Christians believe. Youve been added to our email list. The first statement reflects a high view of Gods sovereignty. God cares about them both. This message teaches us what joy is, how can we find it, and what can get in the way. Illus. After 2000 years, his words still ring true today. Get seven steps to put these into practice. Learn how to find comfort and strength even if things seem overwhelming or you feel unsure of whats coming next. This message reminds us that were never alone offers advice for what to focus on and how to confront Satan. When I told my brothera medical doctorof my diagnosis, he was almost giddy with excitement, proclaiming, Great, God has given you a wonderful new platform to tell others about him! And he has been right, it is a great platform. A Mighty Fortress Is Our God Maybe its about starting over and creating something new. Hope or despair. How, then, should we respond to these hard times that suddenly come to us? Be encouraged because God is a God of mercy and comfort. 1 Samuel 17:40-54: Need to experience victory? A few days ago we interviewed Nabeel Qureshi on American Family Radio about his new book No God But One: Allah or Jesus?. Jesus reduced the ten commandments down to just two. Your feelings and circumstances matter and are very much worth paying attention to. Find Hope & Comfort During Hard Times: Inspire!, part 1, In a trial? It is unchanging and completely trustworthy. Nothing is too hard: Community Gen 35: 15 -20 Trust grows as you look for Gods presence in what feels dark and heavy. Live in another country building relationships and ministries with eternal impact. If we believe that tomorrow will be better, we can bear a hardship today. It is the in-between times when faith grows, and God brings life to the dead. My parting words were the words of Jesus, Go and sin no more. She smiled and thanked me and said she needed to go and get some heroin or she wouldnt make it through the day. A student understands that God allows hard times in order to help him grow. So when we could stand it no longer, we thought it best to be left by ourselves in Athens. John 9:1-39: Are you limiting God, or living with your spiritual eyes wide open? Creation is Gods gift to Himself, and creation is a gift that leads to celebration. That is the shared faith of Gods people. The dross rose to the surface and was skimmed off, leaving only pure gold. Philippians 1:3-7: Want more joy in your life? Marriages break up. Find rest in Jehovah-Rohi: There's power in the name! Years ago my friend Jim Warren told me, Ray, when hard times come, be a student, not a victim. Thats good advice. John 21:1-19: You are valuable to God. Wait, trust and remember that God loves you. These were tough consequences, for sure. Some people may regard this as a negative, but to me it is a positive. One of the major themes in the book of Philippians is joy. By Greg Johnson Please try again or contact website administrator. 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. Network on ISN. Learn to develop your skills, desire and ability to join others on their spiritual journeys and take them closer to Jesus. This passage shows us three things we need to remember if we are going to pass the test with flying colors. But it is sometimes hard to believe it when life takes unexpected turns. During our interview with him, he sounded very strong and confident in all his answers. First, it is good to acknowledge that His character is good and trustworthy. What can we do to keep our faith strong? The truth of Scripture frees you from the expectations of earning your salvation (John 8:32). 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. But as xtians we have antidotes against har, Surviving Hard times What was her testimony? Difficult circumstances feel all-consuming Are your priorities right? 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). Psalm 1: Want a blessed life of meaning and fulfillment? If you trust someone, you feel comfortable being honest with them about anything. Her story demonstrates that simply having Bible knowledge cannot save you from the consequences of wrong decisions. These days I spend a lot of my time teaching young people. Sometimes we will see it; often we will simply have to take it by faith. God has ordained that your trials are part of his plan to make you like Jesus. No accidents! If you have not established that, it is never too late to start. Winning in Difficult Situations You also act on obedience (doing what God says in His Word) and trust that He will ultimately take care of the rest. Troublesyes. Opt out at any time. God knows you need somewhere to go when you feel unsure. In the last few days, Ive heard about prodigal children, aging parents, worries about the future, divorce, breast cancer, an infant with a serious medical condition, children far from God, Christians dealing with doubt, others with fear, and still others dealing with lingering bitterness. There is Jesus Power in the hard times 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. Here are a few recent headlines: Woman beheaded in Oklahoma. Trust or unbelief. Everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted (2 Tim. Were I to take away the pain, I might move too soon and block Gods work in your life. read more, Scripture: 2. James begins by reminding us that sooner or later (probably sooner) we will all face trials of various sorts. This message helps us understand how and why we should live worthy of the Lord; plus, learn how to push back spiritual darkness and what brings endurance and strength. There is one other kind of faith that will help us in hard times. They are not meant to defeat us but to be the means to a greater spiritual victory. Romans 16:12.Greet the beloved Persis, who has worked hard in the Lord. Our perspective makes all the difference. Genesis 18:14 poses an important question "Is there anything too hard for the Lord?" 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. To help the weak is not too hard 2 Chronicles 20:12 The enemy must flee and death is swallowed up in victory. A victim begs God to remove the problems of life so that he might be happy. I was able to share that no matter how things may look, we can know that God is looking out for His children. Meet with other believers and set your eyes on things that are bigger than your circumstances. This week were learning about how love is at the heart of Christmas. Raised in a Muslim family, Nabeel became a Christian after reading the New Testament and encountering the claims of Christ. Then I challenged her to become a woman of truth because the truth will set her free. 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. Introduction. Joy to many people speaks of a pep rally or a champagne party or a New Years Eve bash. Today well learn about the remarkable offer of peace: Who is it for? The most peaceful actions can be the ones that Psalm 23:4: Feel Alone? If we need hope, we will have it. Why? read more, Scripture: You can trust Him to sustain you, provide for you and be with you even in the midst of your hardship. Acts 20:22-31. The Spirit will also lead you in obedience. Fellow believers can remind you of Gods character through encouragement and accountability. Someone you know gets sick. Eugene Peterson (The Message) translates part of verse 4 this way: Dont try to get out of anything prematurely! Thats good advice; its not always easy to follow. Gentleness or stubbornness. 1-3a). In my office we quoted Bible verses together. As I survey the New Testament teaching regarding trials, two truths stand out. Pope Francis: World War III Is Already Here.. Are you ready for a close, personal relationship with the shepherd? Losing the Race Against Ebola. He is always working in your life and in the world. The Bird Dog- Four legged bird dogs point to where the hunter should shoot. Paul was a follower of Jesus and a leader in the early church. Walking closely with the Spirit will not only give you direction but will remind you that you are not alone. As we go through life, we can look back and see many blanks that we wish God would fill in for us. Perseverance requires desperate dependence and dogged determination to hold on to our faith even when the world seems to disintegrate around us. We need to know how to survive as the culture turns against us. A touch from the shepherds staff and the presence of his rod is reassuring to the heart. In Daniel chapter two, King Nebuchadnezzar has a dream that is very troubling to him. Dark times eventually pass, and when they do, you can be grateful for the valuable lessons you've learned. Thats what Paul feared for the Thessalonians. All of us shall encounter loss, sorrow, disappointment, and disillusionment, Daniel Speaks to Us Today Series And some of us will spend an extended time in the furnace of affliction. The Holy Spirit will guide, comfort and help. When he has tried me, I will come forth as gold (Job 23:10). He shared this with a fellow believer as encouragement. Spend time exploring aspects of His trustworthiness in verses of Scripture. Picture someone driving down the highway in a convertible. 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. I am so thankful that I am a child of the Father, redeemed by the Son, and sealed in the Spirit. We should rejoice. God is Omniscient, which means that He is all knowing. In Hard Times, God plots for your Victory : Biblical response to COVID 19 Haggai 2:1-15: Want to be closer to God? He is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow and therefore is worthy of your trust. Those things that seem so painful now will one day be clearly seen as benefits to our spiritual growth. Answers to questions on donations, financial policies, Crus annual report and more. Read His Word. James tells us that God does good things for the Christian during the bad times of life. Develop your leadership skills and learn how to launch a ministry wherever you are. The book of Eccl.1: 9 says, The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun. The hard time that you are experiencing now, or that you will ever To us, joy means the absence of all pain. INTRODUCTION Note to reader: I have hot-links to various subjects in this sermon. But given the instability of our world, a question comes to mind: Where can you go where you arent in harms way? Difficult times may feel like they last forever, but they are temporary. For the children of God, all things do indeed work together for good. People kill each other. Learn the prescription for joy and success. A time it appears you don't know what you are doing. Our friends watch to see how we will respond to tragedy. Copyright 2003-2023 | Outreach, Inc., All rights reserved. But if you shift your focus to God, then you can find joy even in the worst moments of life. Psalm 1:1-6: Are you going the wrong way? Thanks to all of you for your prayers while my wife and I were away in Jamaica. Philippians is a manual on living in joy. In the book of Romans, one of the early followers of Jesus, Paul, writes to believers about the present life. There is a fourth truth we need to remember when hard times come. There is a process involved in our trials that leads to a product. Because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance (v. 3). Here are I wish it were not so, but it is true. When we obey line upon line and precept upon precept, we will Second, he tempts us to retaliate against others with anger and resentment. 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. Strategies From Genesis (And Beyond) (Part 2) Youre human. They were being persecuted for their faith in Jesus. One day I joined him on Moody Radio for Primetime America, the program he hosted each weekday afternoon. 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. He reminds them that this life will have hardship and that our bodies will fail, but God is still working for our good. A student focuses on helping others so that he has no time to feel sorry for himself. Listen to the sounds around you. It is really hard to see past them to other good things going on. Remember the shepherd and the shepherds tools. You are not facing these difficult times alone. Every hard trial is another step on the stairway that leads from earth to heaven. The Coffin and the Christmas Tree How do you trust that God is good in these circumstances? Sometimes what you need to do is wait. No matter how hard we try to figure things out, there will always be many mysteries in life. Many of you know from experience the unrelenting pressure from circumstances that keeps you awake at night and saps your strength during the day. Wait on Him to act on your behalf. Dont trust your feelings! God is much more reliable than even your most trustworthy friend. It is hardest to trust God during times of conflict, uncertainty, and 2. 1 Samuel 24:1-24. Allow the word of God to light your path and the Holy Spirit to be a very present help. Thats a revolutionary thought to some people. Luke 2:1-7, Denomination: Sin has stained every part of the physical universe. The word of God and the Holy Spirit brings reassurance and peace to your soul. Learn how Jesus life, death, and resurrection can help you have unity and love with others. I sure hope attendance at your church was better than my church. But hard times are especially hard to handle when it seems like youve done everything right and you suffer anyway. But those things alone are not reliable enough to base your life on. If you dont need this sermon today, put it in your back pocket because you will definitely need it tomorrow! What do you do when your world caves in? In 1 Thessalonians 3:1-8 Paul writes to some new believers who suddenly found themselves in great difficulty. 1. spiritual health, strength, faith, difficult situations, courage, mature christian, obedience, trials, - Series: Lesson's From Revelation's Seven Churches, integrity, holy spirit, victory, encouragement, hope, fear, stress, promises, spiritual health, strength, faith, difficult situations, courage, mature christian, obedience, trials, - Series: Lesson's From Revelation's Seven Churches, integrity, holy spirit, good & evil, How to Avoid Spiritual Distractions Consider Your Ways, part 1, Cling To Jesus Always, Even in Times of Trouble, A Song of Single-Mindedness: How to Have a Blessed Life, How to Live with The Peace of God in Your Heart (continued) Live in Christ, part 6, How to Live with The Peace of God in Your Heart Live in Christ, part 5, How to Live Rooted in The Lord Live in Christ, part 3, How to Live Worthy of The Lord Live in Christ, part 2, Cultivating Your Heart: Finding Abundance Living an Abundant Life, part 1, With You in The Battle: Victory Brings Glory to God 5 Smooth Stones, part 4, How to Live in Christ in a Fallen World - Live in Christ, part 1, Jesus Is at The Heart of Christmas The Heart of Christmas, part 5, Love Is at The Heart of Christmas The Heart of Christmas, part 4, True Joy Is at The Heart of Christmas The Heart of Christmas, part 3, Peace Is at The Heart of Christmas The Heart of Christmas, part 2, Hope Begins with Christmas The Heart of Christmas, part 1, What voice are you focused on? Nothing will be left out; nothing will be left behind. I confess to be being bothered by this so I decided to check it out in the Greek. 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? "Equipping and encouraging people to keep believing in Jesus", Copyright 2020 Keep Believing Ministries. Evangelical/Non-Denominational.

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