Tag: Genesis 1:1

How well DO we recall how from our childhood we have known the Holy Scriptures, which give us the wisdom that leads to our deliverance through our trusting in Yeshua the Messiah? 2 Timothy 3:14-17

2 Timothy 3:14-17 Amplified Bible

14 But as for you, continue in the things that you have learned and of which you are convinced [holding tightly to the truths], knowing from whom you learned them, 15 and how from childhood you have known the sacred writings (Hebrew Scriptures) which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus [surrendering your entire self to Him and having absolute confidence in His wisdom, power and goodness]. 16 All Scripture is God-breathed [given by divine inspiration] and is profitable for instruction, for conviction [of sin], for correction [of error and restoration to obedience], for training in righteousness [learning to live in conformity to God’s will, both publicly and privately—behaving honorably with personal integrity and moral courage]; 17 so that the [a]man of God may be complete and proficient, outfitted and thoroughly equipped for every good work.

The Word of God for the Children of God.

Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, amen.

The authority, sufficiency, infallibility, and inerrancy of Scripture are doctrines that are absolutely foundational to the ongoing work of God and His church.

We well can we authentically engage a slowly disintegrating, lost and hurting world with the gospel truth unless we are 100% convinced of its divine origin.

As Bishop J.C. Ryle (1816-1900) wrote, without the Bible as a “divine book to turn to as the basis of their doctrine and practice,” Christians “have no solid ground for present peace or hope, and has no right to claim the attention of mankind.”[1]

1 Bible Inspiration: Its Reality and Nature(William Hunt, 1877), p 6.

Apostle Paul towards the end of his life, addressed this very issue when he sternly reminded Timothy that “all Scripture is breathed out by God.”

In other words, the Bible is not a human product infused with divinity; it’s a divine gift produced through human instrumentality. Its every book, chapter, sentence, word and syllable was originally given by God’s inspiration.

The doctrine of Scripture, like many other Christian doctrines, can be hugely challenging to grapple with.

But the fact that something is difficult to understand does not undermine its depths of authentic hardcore truthfulness.

Furthermore, when it comes to the doctrine of Scripture, there are matters that we can consider objectively.

For example, it’s easy to see that the Bible is a completely harmonious work.

While it was written by more than thirty authors over a period of about fifteen hundred years, all the writers tell the same story, giving the same account of this world, the character of its Creator, and the problem of the human heart, and broken spirit all pointing to the same wonderful way of salvation through the sacrifice of the Lamb of God—all the way from Genesis through Revelation!

The Bible also transcends time, culture, gender, wealth, power and intellect.

Some books may fit a certain person, a certain era, or a certain place, but there is no other book that perfectly stands up to the challenges of every day and of every age and to the myriad and myriad of questions that confronts life itself.

The brightest minds, the greatest thinkers, charismatic of speakers, cannot exhaust the riches of God’s word, and yet, at the same time, even young girls and boys can read their Bibles and discover its truth transforming their lives.

Try to plumb for yourselves the utter depths of Genesis 1:1 Amplified Bible

The Creation

1 In the beginning God ([a]Elohim) [b]created [by forming from nothing] the heavens and the earth.

Your efforts may be so vast, so comprehensive, so mind boggling, so fully enriching, so empowering, overwhelming, you may never get to verse 2.

2 The earth was [a]formless and void or a waste and emptiness, and darkness was upon the face of the deep [primeval ocean that covered the unformed earth]. The Spirit of God was moving (hovering, brooding) over the face of the waters.

Once you look up at a clear star filled night sky or through a telescope, at the pictures from the Hubble and James Webb Space telescopes, try to calculate what it means to go from one end of the universe to the other or trying to find the exact center of an ever expanding universe then hearing that it would take you tens of trillions of light years (look that up) if not more to accomplish it.

Who else but God, the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit can ever hope to speak of it in such a way that the finite intellect and wisdom of mankind can grasp even .01% what our own finite eyes can observe and thoughts grasp?

Psalm 19 Amplified Bible

The Works and the Word of God.

To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David.

19 The heavens are telling of the glory of God;
And the expanse [of heaven] is declaring the work of His hands.
2 
Day after day pours forth speech,
And night after night reveals knowledge.
3 
There is no speech, nor are there [spoken] words [from the stars];
Their voice is not heard.
4 
Yet their voice [in quiet evidence] has gone out through all the earth,
Their words to the end of the world.
In them and in the heavens He has made a tent for the sun,
5 
Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber;
It rejoices as a strong man to run his course.
6 
The sun’s rising is from one end of the heavens,
And its circuit to the other end of them;
And there is nothing hidden from its heat.

7 
The law of the Lord is perfect (flawless), restoring and refreshing the soul;
The statutes of the Lord are reliable and trustworthy, making wise the simple.
8 
The precepts of the Lord are right, bringing joy to the heart;
The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes.
9 
The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever;
The judgments of the Lord are true, they are righteous altogether.
10 
They are more desirable than gold, yes, than much fine gold;
Sweeter also than honey and the drippings of the honeycomb.
11 
Moreover, by them Your servant is warned [reminded, illuminated, and instructed];
In keeping them there is great reward.
12 
Who can understand his errors or omissions? Acquit me of hidden (unconscious, unintended) faults.
13 
Also keep back Your servant from presumptuous (deliberate, willful) sins;
Let them not rule and have control over me.
Then I will be blameless (complete),
And I shall be acquitted of great transgression.
14 
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
Be acceptable and pleasing in Your sight,
O Lord, my [firm, immovable] rock and my Redeemer.

The authority, sufficiency, infallibility, and inerrancy of Scripture are the grounds on which we must stand; and we have divine help in order to do so.

The same Spirit that inspired the word of God illumines the word of God and illuminates our sin darkened wisdom, convinces us that it is 100% the word of God, given to us so that we may believe in Him who is the Word made flesh.

It is as the Spirit does this work in you that your belief in the divine authorship of Scripture is undergirded and moves from only being an intellectual assent to becoming a doctrine raising to becoming an active starvation level hunger for more of the word—and more of the one who is both its author and its subject.

The Power of the Word of God, the Word of Truth

Acts 6:5-8 Amplified Bible

5 The suggestion pleased the whole congregation; and they selected [a]Stephen, a man full of faith [in Christ Jesus], and [filled with and led by] the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas (Nikolaos), a proselyte (Gentile convert) from Antioch. 6 They brought these men before the apostles; and after praying, they laid their hands on them [to dedicate and commission them for this service].

7 And the message of God kept on growing and spreading, and the number of disciples continued to increase greatly in Jerusalem; and a large number of the priests were becoming obedient to the faith [accepting Jesus as Messiah and acknowledging Him as the Source of eternal salvation].

8 Now Stephen, full of grace (divine blessing, favor) and power, was doing great wonders and signs (attesting miracles) among the people.

It is tucked away almost like a fleeting footnote within the biblical story of the rapid growth of the church of Christ in the first months after Jesus’ death, resurrection, and ascension to heaven.

And yet, recalling the rejection and betrayal Jesus experienced from his very own people, these so few words in today’s verse come as a surprise: “a large number of priests became obedient to the faith.”

Perhaps for a while these priests had gone along with the efforts of their leaders, thinking that if they could force people to stop talking about Jesus, the whole matter would just go away.

Perhaps for a while they had tried to go along with covering up the evidence of Jesus’ resurrection.

It was probably very difficult for some of these priests to change; after all, they had spent their whole lives serving in the temple worship, bringing sacrifices and doing many other rituals on behalf of the people. But now they were called to fulfill new previously unknown roles as believers in Jesus, whom they had opposed but who was also acknowledged the Messiah they had been waiting for.

This little footnote note reminds us how the penetrating virus of self-deception can be overwhelmed and healed by the medicine of simply admitting the truth.

As Jesus himself promised, “The truth will set you free” (John 8:32).

Are you ready acknowledge Jesus as God’s Messiah? 

Are we ready to acknowledge the Word of God as being 100% authentic?

In the name of God, the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit,

Let us Pray,

Psalm 29

A psalm by David.

1 Give to Yahweh, you heavenly beings.
    Give to Yahweh glory and power.
2 Give to Yahweh the glory his name deserves.
    Worship Yahweh in his holy splendor.

3 The voice of Yahweh rolls over the water.
    The El of glory thunders.
        Yahweh shouts over raging water.
4 The voice of Yahweh is powerful.
    The voice of Yahweh is majestic.
5 The voice of Yahweh breaks the cedars.
    Yahweh splinters the cedars of Lebanon.
6         He makes Lebanon skip along like a calf
            and Mount Sirion like a wild ox.
7 The voice of Yahweh strikes with flashes of lightning.
8 The voice of Yahweh makes the wilderness tremble.
    Yahweh makes the wilderness of Kadesh tremble.
9 The voice of Yahweh splits the oaks[a]
    and strips the trees of the forests bare.
        Everyone in his temple is saying, “Glory!”

10 Yahweh sat enthroned over the flood.
    Yahweh sits enthroned as Melek forever.
11 Yahweh will give power to his people.
    Yahweh will bless his people with peace.

Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, amen.

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How Can We Use All Our Creative Talents to Thank and Glorify God? Psalm 116:12-19

When in our music God is glorified,
And adoration leaves no room for pride,
It is as though the whole creation cried:
Alleluia!

How often, making music, we have found
A new dimension in the world of sound,
As worship moved us to a more profound
Alleluia!

So has the Church, in liturgy and song,
In faith and love, through centuries of wrong,
Borne witness to the truth in every tongue:
Alleluia!

And did not Jesus sing a Psalm that night
When utmost evil strove against the light?
Then let us sing, for whom he won the fight:
Alleluia!

Psalm 116:12-19 The Message

12-19 What can I give back to God
    for the blessings he’s poured out on me?
I’ll lift high the cup of salvation—a toast to God!
    I’ll pray in the name of God;
I’ll complete what I promised God I’d do,
    and I’ll do it together with his people.
When they arrive at the gates of death,
    God welcomes those who love him.
Oh, God, here I am, your servant,
    your faithful servant: set me free for your service!
I’m ready to offer the thanksgiving sacrifice
    and pray in the name of God.
I’ll complete what I promised God I’d do,
    and I’ll do it in company with his people,
In the place of worship, in God’s house,
    in Jerusalem, God’s city.
Hallelujah!

The Word of God for the Children of God.

Adeste Fideles! Laeti Triumphantes! Venite Adoremus! Dominum.

Gloria! In Excelsis Deo! Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Amen.

What Shall I Render Unto the Lord?

The Psalmist expresses the depths of his love for the Lord because God hears and God answers unto His children when they call to Him.

In this Psalm, his song of deepest praise, the Psalmist recalls the many troubles and sorrows he has already encountered, then unleashes upon all his readership exactly how gracious and exactly how compassionate the Lord has been to him.

The Lord heard his cry for help, the Lord rescued him from death and despair.

And as the Psalmist remembers the merciful kindness and patient grace of the Lord towards him, he cries out,

“How can I repay the LORD for all the good He has done for me?

What can I give to the LORD for all he has done for me?

What shall I render to the LORD For all His benefits toward me?”

The Psalmist knows there is so much he wants to do to say “Thank You, God!”

Yet also within this psalm, the Psalmist knew, as we do, that there is nothing that we can do to exactly repay the Lord for all His grace and love towards us.

There is no amount of payment or reward that we can offer to God that could possibly pay Him back for the miraculous, wonderful things He has done for us.

There is nothing we can do, but we can surely offer Him our sacrifice of praise.

We can pour out our whole heart of gratitude to Him for our great salvation.

We can tell others, we can shout and sing to others of the wonders of His grace and mercy, and we can render unto God our hearts, to seek to do His will with a willing and obedient heart that is overflowing with love for our gracious Savior.

Oh! I wish I could influence God, but God is never influenced by man’s foolish attempts to repay Him for what He has freely given as an eternal gift of grace.

There is nothing we can do to repay the Lord for all His goodness and loving-kindness He has shown towards us, but we can live a life that is pleasing to Him by trusting His Word and seeking in all that we say and do to live a godly life.

We can render unto God our gifts and our talents, to walk in spirit and truth, submitted to the guidance and the leading of the Holy Spirit, and letting the love of Christ shine through us in thought and deed, to the glory of the Father.

We Can Use All Our Creative Talents to Glorify God

Psalm 138:4-6 The Message

4-6 When they hear what you have to say, God,
    all earth’s kings will say “Thank you.”
They’ll sing of what you’ve done:
    “How great the glory of God!”
And here’s why: God, high above, sees far below;
    no matter the distance, he knows everything about us.

It is written in the very first line of the Bible: “In the beginning God created…” (Genesis 1:1, emphasis added).

Creativity begins with God.

He had a plan and had a good design for the cosmos and spoke it into being.

We have a written account of how creation came to be, and how the very first people were made by God. God spoke, made, and revealed it all through the written word – He was behind the entire creative order that we see around us.

When we look at the intricacy of a snowflake or a leaf or a spider web, the symmetry of a butterfly, or the perfect location of the earth’s position in the rest of the solar system, we witness to all the handiwork of our Creator God.

He also planned that we would be made in His image (Genesis 1:26), so it is no surprise that we get to experience the wonder and joy of creativity ourselves.

With all of the wonders and miracles of this creative potential surrounding us every single day we live, how can we use our creative talents to glorify God?

Give All the Glory to God Alone

Whatever we do, we are to do it to the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31).

That includes our creative endeavors.

As the apostle Paul shared,

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving” (Colossians 3:23-24).

In Colossians 1:16 it says: “For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him.”

It is through Jesus that everything has been made and it is all for Him (John 1:3).

God made the universe through His Son (Hebrews 1:2) and it is by faith that “we understand the universe was formed at God’s own spoken command, so what is seen was not made out of what was visible” (Hebrews 11:3).

It’s right, it’s good, it is an abundantly authentically joyful thing, to always give all of the glory to the only One who made it all, for whom it is all for.

It also fulfills the command to “love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength” (Luke 10:27).

What we create should not ever be worshiped, nor should we glorify ourselves or others in ours or theirs creative pursuits.

That does not mean that we do not enjoy or appreciate what we create, what they create but we remember to keep our love, affections in their rightful place.

Participate in God’s Masterpiece

We have the immense privilege of joining with God in His creative purposes for the world.

It was God’s wonderful idea to create people and to get the first man to name the livestock, the birds and the wild animals (Genesis 2:20).

God “brought them to the man to see what he would name them; and whatever the man called each living creature, that was its name” (Genesis 2:19).

This was God’s idea to involve us, not an idea of our own making.

God made the first woman as a helper, creating her from the rib of the man, and he named her too (Genesis 2:21-23).

They would work together in the world.

God invites us to participate in His grand design on earth, and invites us into actively participating in mission and ministry for His own kingdom purposes.

We are made in His image and formed by Him, God has a plan and a purpose, establishing our steps (Proverbs 16:9).

We can use our creative talents for good or for ill, but as we look to Jesus, our desires will become more and more like His.

Using our gifts of creativity enables each of us to singularly, uniquely, express a critically important part of who God has designed us all to be (Psalm 139:13-16).

That will definitely look different for each person, as we are all individuals with unique gifts, talents and abilities, yet we are, each and every single one of us, all “fearfully and wonderfully made” shaped, by Him in His Image (Psalm 139:14).

Love Others with Our Creativity

It is important to remember the first two commandments as we create: love the Lord your God and love your neighbor as yourself.

Loving the Lord always comes first.

We need to spend time with Him regularly; it is vital to build and nurture a relationship with our Heavenly Father.

As we do this, it will transform our longings, desires to love and serve others. 

God loves the people whom He created, and He designed us to be in community together.

As we create to the glory of God and out of love for Him, it will spill over into how we use our gifts, talents, time and creative resources for edifying others.

This might look like caring for those in need, volunteering our skills, designing something to the best of our ability with utmost integrity, photographing or painting beautiful landscapes to show God’s work on display, so much more.

There are endless opportunities to be creative.

The people in our homes, communities and the wider world can be unbelievably and miraculously blessed, truly uplifted, inspired by our God-given creativity.

Manage Our Creative Talents Well

We are to steward what God has given us and remember that all good gifts come from Him (James 1:17).

Even as we are diligent and disciplined with our time, resources and creative talents, we can continue to learn and develop and mature in our creativity.

As we look to Him who is the giver and provider of all we need, we worship Him alone, rather than anything that we create.

Throughout the Bible, there are examples of humans using their gifts and abilities to create things to worship other than God.

We saw it when the Israelites created a golden calf to worship (Exodus 32) and in the construction of the Tower of Babel (Genesis 11:1-4).

In both cases, they made a god or a name for themselves, demonstrating the skill, but also the deep-rooted malignant pride too characteristic of mankind.

Even idolizing people made in the image of God lends itself to the worship of the creation rather than the Creator (Romans 1:25).

There is risk and temptation to pursue and follow created things and step into idolatry, rather than to the single minded single directed worship of our God.

Therefore, we must bring our creativity before the Lord, knowing it is Him that we are serving, and we should use our gifts and talents respectfully and wisely.

Embrace the Skills Given to Us

God gives skills to different people.

We are all given certain abilities, even if it may take us a little while to discover or develop what they are.

In the building of the Tabernacle, there were many who had different skills given to them by God which would be used to complete it:

“All who are skilled among you are to come and make everything the Lord has commanded” (Exodus 35:10).

It is a beautiful picture of some of God’s people who were “willing and whose heart moved them” and brought materials and offerings to God for this work (Exodus 35:21-22).

Men and women all participated together, and there was a fervent willingness, highly developed skill involved to make what God had commanded come to be.

Are we also willing to offer our skills in whatever way is needed for God’s glory and purpose?

God Equips Those Who He Calls

God also equips those whom He calls to a specific task.

In the building of the Tabernacle, the Lord chose Bezalel of the tribe of Judah, and filled him with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, understanding, knowledge and all kinds of skills, to make artistic designs (Exodus:35:30-34).

He also equipped him and Oholiab of the tribe of Dan to be able to teach others. God is the one who fills us with the skills for the tasks that He has called us to.

The creative process means walking through trials and frustrations at times, but can also develop our perseverance and character.

God can use our creativity to shape and transform us into the likeness of Jesus as we seek to use our creative talents for His glory.

He is interested in our hearts.

As we create, we can ask Jesus to help us honor Him in our pursuits.

We can use our gifts and talents and our creativity to build up believers, spread the good news to those who do not know Jesus, support those in need, and use it as a way to provide an income for our families and programs of our churches.

As we surrender, yield to God, continually thinking “not my will but yours be done,” He takes our creative offering, transform it for His glory and purposes.

God saw the two loaves and five fish, and He was the One who filled the crowd.

Give Him your imagination, your creative talents, your need to express your gratitude, no matter how big or small, let Him deeply satisfy your every need.

As pastor and theologian Reverend Dr. John Piper said:

“God is most glorified in you when you are most satisfied in him.”

In the name of God, the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit,

Let us Pray,

My dear loving Heavenly Father, I just want to thank You for loving me so much that You sent Your Son to die for me so that I might live with You forever. Thank You, Father, for the innumerable ways that You demonstrate Your love, protection, and provision toward me. I pray that I may have an attitude of gratitude toward You in all I say and do so that You are praised and glorified in my life. Remember all those artists, inspire their diverse creative gifts, those whom you have placed among us, for are they not, O Lord, the fellows of your inspiration? Do they not, Lord God, bring to your people great proof of your divinity and our part in it? In Jesus’ name, AMEN.

Adeste Fideles! Laeti Triumphantes! Venite Adoremus! Dominum.

Gloria! In Excelsis Deo! Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Amen.

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How Can I Be Faithful When I am Struggling With Discontentment? Ecclesiastes 2:20-25

Ecclesiastes 2:20-25 Easy-to-Read Version

20 So I became sad about all the work I had done. 21 People can work hard using all their wisdom and knowledge and skill. But they will die and other people will get the things they worked for. They did not do the work, but they will get everything. That makes me very sad. It is also not fair and is senseless.

22 What do people really have after all their work and struggling in this life? 23  Throughout their life, they have pain, frustrations, and hard work. Even at night, a person’s mind does not rest. This is also senseless.

24-25 There is no one who has tried to enjoy life more than I have. And this is what I learned: The best thing people can do is eat, drink, and enjoy the work they must do. I also saw that this comes from God.[a]

The Word of God for the Children of God.

Adeste Fideles! Laeti Triumphantes! Venite Adoremus! Dominum.

Gloria! In Excelsis Deo! Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Amen.

According to Winston Groom,

“Life is like a box of chocolate. You never know what you’re going to get.”

But what if you did?

What if life was always exciting and rewarding?

Could you still be happy?

What about pain?

Suffering? Heartache? Sadness?

Are those emotions essential to living completeness?

Are those emotions essential to living in a complete cycle of struggling

How would you grow?

How would we mature?

What would you learn from a life full of bliss?

What would we learn from a life full of struggling

Do you and I need to struggle at constantly struggling?

Do you and I need to struggle at living a life full of constant bliss?

Within all of this constant and moment to moment barrage of these choices and decisions, how do we remain faithful, what do we remain faithful to, who do we remain faithful to, when do we remain faithful to whatever and whoever it is we are supposed to remain faithful to?

Hmm.. you and I have much to think over, many choices and decisions to make.

Dealing With the Struggles of Life

Everyone faces struggles in life.

It can be as simple as a skinned knee at the playground, or it could be as hard, complex as being confronted by the issues of raising your growing children, growing in your marriage, career and financial choices leading from buying a home for your family, retirement, saving for the college education of children and even by our own, or that of a loved ones chronic life-threatening illness.

All too often we try to face these struggles alone and in private, thinking we have to ‘tough it out’ to get through.

Life’s struggles—they come in all flavors.

They come at the most unexpected times.

They interrupt plans and dreams.

Yet some are chosen!

What are your struggles and how do you cope with them?

For too many it is a struggle with health, such as diabetes or cancer—where the struggle can literally go on for years.

For parents it can be with the struggles of their children.

For some it is a struggle with beliefs and doubts and remaining faithful.

For too many it is a never ending struggle with housing, or finances, or finding a job—or just plain searching for justice and fairness and significant meaning.

Some struggles are thrust upon us and we resent their intrusion very much.

And then sometimes we say, Life’s not fair! 

Bad things happen: things that neither you or I didn’t choose; things neither you or I didn’t, don’t deserve.

And you know what?

That’s really difficult.

As our reading from Ecclesiastes teaches: One thing is for sure about life: we are absolutely guaranteed to have all measure of troubles at some point or another.

There’s no avoiding it.

There is no trying to avoided.

There is not enough bubble wrap in the world to wrap ourselves, our family and friends with to keep us 100% safe and 100% secure from all of life’s alarms.

I think there are two key factors that are essential for overcoming hard times:

  1. my attitude, and
  2. my support system.

Facing Problems in Our Lives

When you face problems in your life:

  • How do you react?
  • What is your attitude about the problem?
  • Are you a worrier?
  • Do you avoid the problem?

Picture the scene:

While walking downtown one hot summer afternoon, you see a crowd gathered before a street preacher, standing atop a soapbox with a megaphone in hand.

In that most unexpected of moments, subtly, suddenly Curiosity (temptation?) gets the better of you and you make the choice and the decision to move closer.

As you approach, you begin to “hear” and “listen” to his message:

“Worried about sickness? Jesus is the healer. Worried about hardship? Jesus is the Prince of Peace. Worried about struggles with finances, job loss, or tragedy? Jesus says my yoke is easy and my burden light. I tell you that if you believe in Jesus, then all the worries, anxieties, and troubles of your life will disappear!”

Now, think about it as you are diligently hearing and listening to the words; If someone had publicly proclaimed this message to you, would you believe them?

How about if someone had privately proclaimed this message for your timely or not so timely consideration?

Is it a Word from God?

Is Jesus coming alongside of you and quietly whispering into your soul?

Is the Holy Spirit nudging your rib cage?

In our busyness, I think we all know that the above message, although sounding attractive, lacks a certain measure and degree of reality and believability to us.

As people of faith, we do recognize that our faith is not an escapist dream.

Faith is not an hallucination, illusion or a delusion which rips us away from the inescapable reality of our having to struggle with the fallen world around us.

As followers of Jesus, we are not immune from the struggle, from contending with the inevitable display of all of the imperfections of our life.

Our fallen world will naturally throw conflicts and crises upon us.

To deny this fact is to deny the very world in which we live.

To deny this fact would be to deny the existence of God, the works of God from Genesis 1:1 through Revelation 22:21 the final verse of the Bible.

Consider the opening verse of Genesis:

Genesis 1:1 Easy-to-Read Version

The Beginning of the World

1 God created the sky and the earth. At first,

Now consider the final verse of the Bible;

Revelation 22:21 Easy-to-Read Version

21 The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all people.

Everything started with God Creating.

In the end, the Grace of the Lord Jesus WILL BE with ALL people.

Jesus is clear about this reality.

He repeatedly tells his disciples that they will be led into times of trouble or persecution; they will witness crises in the heavens and on the earth and will be repeatedly and brutally persecuted and even put before governors and rulers.

Jesus plainly states that the disciples may even be put to death on account of their faith (Luke 21:8-19).

Jesus is honest about the times of struggle his disciples will face.

Furthermore, the history of the church testifies that this is, indeed, what the disciples struggled with and faced and what we will struggle with, have to face.

Given this, what does it mean to be faithful when we are going through a time of difficulty?

How might we respond to the difficulties of life with faithful witnesses?

Here are three things we might consider praying over, a choice to consider, a decision to consider making when these struggles are found on our doorstops.

1. Do Not Deny the Reality of the Struggle

Faith is never lived in the absence of struggle but in response to it.

This is the heart of the incarnation.

The bold and audacious claim of our faith is that God did not, does not, will not ever remain separated from the struggles of life. (Genesis 1:1 – Revelation 22:21)

Instead, in an act of inconceivable, radical love, God physically entered into the affairs of mankind, became incarnate, within our imperfect and fallen world.

God became flesh and entered the fullness of human life. (John 1:1-5)

The incarnation, however, makes no sense without the crucifixion.

Paul writes that “God demonstrates his love for us in this, while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).

Jesus bore the full weight of the world’s struggle, conflict, rejection, and pain.

From literally the cradle to the cross, from cradle to the grave, Christians can be assured that the resurrected Lord has fully embraced the fullness of human life.

Following Jesus, therefore, isn’t about escaping the difficulties we go through.

We follow Jesus to the cross, which means that we sometimes contend with the fallenness of this world.

Jesus is clear, “In this world, you will have trouble” (John 16:33).

But Jesus is also clear about something even more critical to our struggles;

33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

Our faith never keeps us immune from wars and rumors of wars, earthquakes, pestilences, or famines nor financial nor healthcare nor any other kind of crisis.

As Christian people, we are called into an imperfect world as agents of new life.

We are given the ministry of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:18).

Thus, we do a disservice to ourselves and others when we assume that the faithful response to the ills of the world is to deny their effect upon us.

We are not to run from our hurts or struggles but to acknowledge them.

Faith never masks the struggles of life; it speaks into them.

It is only as we recognize that the Lord stands with us amid the hardships we face that we can testify to Christ’s life-giving power.

Ultimately, faith pertains to real live life and the real live stuff we go through.

2. Proclaim the Good News

It is in the presence of our obstacles that we are to express our faith.

Jesus is honest about the disciples’ upcoming experiences. 

Yet Jesus also states “this will give you the opportunity to testify” (Luke 21:13).

During persecution and rejection, hardship and struggle, crisis of one kind or another, disciples of Jesus are called to “raise up,” bear witness to the gospel.

We bear witness to Jesus by proclaiming how our faith gives us the strength and perseverance to endure.

Paul’s confession, prayers over his thorn in his flesh, for example, is what gave him the opportunity to declare that only God’s grace is sufficient at all times. (2 Corinthians 12:7-10)

This is exactly what happened with the other disciples.

Their lives of witness, amid profound hardship and persecution moved the gospel throughout the world.

As people saw the effect of Jesus in the lives of the disciples, they began to explore the truth of the gospel in their own life.

The circumstances of our lives become the material for our faithful witness.

As followers of Jesus, we raise up to proclaim the presence of Christ as we have experienced and as we have received him.

“Come and hear…let me tell you what he has done for me,” says the psalmist (Psalm 66:16).

This is the cry of faith.

The call of our faith is never to deny the hardship of the world or to pretend it’s not there. Rather, we stand and declare the power of the gospel.

Ultimately, the reason we can proclaim the good news amid life’s difficulties is because we rest on the promise that “by your endurance you will gain your life” (Luke 21:19).

By leaning on our relationship with Jesus, we gain a deeper life than we could ever possibly imagine; we become mature and complete, not lacking anything (James 1:4).

Our eternal life isn’t based on a life without problems. It is based on a life in a relationship with Christ. It is that relationship that we proclaim above all else.

3. Be Boldly Faithful

Returning then to our original question, how might we respond in times of struggle, persecution, or hardship?

As followers of Jesus, we are called to be boldly faithful.

We trust that Christ will be with us no matter what we face.

After all, Jesus says that, amid all our trials and difficulties, we are to “raise our heads, because our redemption is drawing near” (Luke 21:28).

Jesus promises our full, total redemption, and in that promise, we have hope.

While the world in its fallenness may ebb and flow away, Jesus secures our futures.

Jesus stands with us regardless of what we may be experiencing.

Thus, we can stand firm in our faith, particularly because no matter what this world throws at us, it will never defeat our life in Christ Jesus.

So, if you are walking through a time of difficulty today, take this promise to heart: the structures of life might crumble around you, but you will remain.

The wealth of all of the nations may come to nothing, but you will survive.

The bastions of security and ease may all dry up, but you and I will endure.

Whatever you and I face in life, whatever discouragement or hardship you and I are, or will inevitably find ourselves walking through, by His resurrection, Jesus says it wont ever have the final word – in faith, we all stand in the power of God.

It All Comes Down To Our Attitude

God talks to us over and over in Scripture about the attitude he wants us to have in difficult times.

This attitude encompasses humility, trust, and joy.

First God calls us to humble ourselves. 

James 4:10 says, “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.”

I don’t know if we’ve figured it out yet, but no matter how hard we try to control our life, stuff still happens.

Stuff that you didn’t choose, didn’t plan for, could not possibly plan for.

And some of it seems to be just too much to bear.

Admit that to God.

Don’t try to cast blame or point fingers.

Simply humble yourself and admit you need help.

Second, God calls us to entrust our problems to him.

Let him be the first friend you ‘call’ in times of trouble. 

1 Peter 5:7 says, “Cast all your anxiety on him for he cares for you.”

Nothing is too big or too small for God.

He loves you and wants to carry you through the hard times.

Third, God wants you and me to keep a positive outlook, and even somehow to quite deliberately and quite intentionally and purposely find joy in our trials. 

James 1:2-4 says:

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, when you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”

Know that in and within and through every single one our trying times, God is forever with you (Psalm 121) and He, through Jesus is doing a great work in you.

To understand this, ask yourself:

  • What can I learn from this situation?
  • What have I learned about myself?
  • What am I learning about God?
  • Where has God been working in my life up to this point to prepare me and support me?

Believe it or not: Struggles Strengthen Us

There is joy to be had in knowing that hard times won’t last and you will come out of it stronger, wiser, and more mature.

When difficult times hit, remember that God works ALL things for the good of those who love him. (Romans 8:28)

God doesn’t make bad things happen.

That’s just part of being in this world.

But God can make good things come out of any situation.

Some questions to consider:

  • When you face problems in your life, how do you respond?
  • What is your attitude about the problem?
  • How do you move forward?
  • Do you turn to God for help?
  • Do you trust God to hear you and answer you?
  • Are you able to find joy in the midst of your troubles?

So the Word of God teaches that God offers help for those facing struggles.

Not all struggles are bad for us—we can learn some pretty valuable lessons.

Transformation Through Struggle

1 Peter 1:6-9 English Standard Version

6 In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 8 Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, 9 obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

God’s empowerment for transformation often comes through struggle.

We may reach a point in our lives when we hurt so much that we have to change.

Our faith is refined by fire so that it may become as gold.

As the story goes of a man named Louis Braille;

Nine-year-old Louis was watching his father work with leather in his harness-making shop in nineteenth-century France.

“Someday, Father,” said Louis, “I want to be a harness maker, just like you.”

“Why not start now?” retorted his father.

He took a piece of leather and showed his son how to work with a hole puncher.

Excited, the boy began to work, but soon the hole puncher flew out of his hand and pierced his eye!

He lost sight in that eye immediately.

Later the other eye failed, and Louis was totally blind.

His life came to a standstill until his pain produced a world-changing idea.

Louis was sitting in the family garden, holding a pinecone.

As he ran his sensitive fingers over the layers of the cone, he could picture it clearly in his mind.

Suddenly he thought, “Why not create an alphabet of raised dots to enable sightless people to read?”

So Louis Braille opened a new world for the blind—all because of his pain.

In times of trouble I need to repeatedly, joyfully say, “God has brought me here, God will keep me in his love, and God will somehow make this trial a blessing.”

In the name of God, the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit,

Let us Pray;

Psalm 121 The Message

121 1-2 I look up to the mountains;
    does my strength come from mountains?
No, my strength comes from God,
    who made heaven, and earth, and mountains.

3-4 He won’t let you stumble,
    your Guardian God won’t fall asleep.
Not on your life! Israel’s
    Guardian will never doze or sleep.

5-6 God’s your Guardian,
    right at your side to protect you—
Shielding you from sunstroke,
    sheltering you from moonstroke.

7-8 God guards you from every evil,
    he guards your very life.
He guards you when you leave and when you return,
    he guards you now, he guards you always.

Lord Almighty, we know that difficult circumstances produce spiritual growth. Use our trials to make our faith genuine and to honor and glorify your name. In Jesus,

Adeste Fideles! Laeti Triumphantes! Venite Adoremus! Dominum.

Gloria! In Excelsis Deo! Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Amen.

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