Led in the Way of Truth

Led in the Way of Truth

Genesis 24: ⁴² “And this day I came to the well and said, ‘O Lord God of my master Abraham, if You will now prosper the way in which I go, ⁴³ behold, I stand by the well of water; and it shall come to pass that when the virgin comes out to draw water, and I say to her, “Please give me a little water from your pitcher to drink,” ⁴⁴ and she says to me, “Drink, and I will draw for your camels also,”—let her be the woman whom the Lord has appointed for my master’s son.’

 

⁴⁵ “But before I had finished speaking in my heart, there was Rebekah, coming out with her pitcher on her shoulder; and she went down to the well and drew water. And I said to her, ‘Please let me drink.’ ⁴⁶ And she made haste and let her pitcher down from her shoulder, and said, ‘Drink, and I will give your camels a drink also.’ So I drank, and she gave the camels a drink also. ⁴⁷ Then I asked her, and said, ‘Whose daughter are you?’ And she said, ‘The daughter of Bethuel, Nahor’s son, whom Milcah bore to him.’ So I put the nose ring on her nose and the bracelets on her wrists. ⁴⁸ And I bowed my head and worshiped the Lord, and blessed the Lord God of my master Abraham, who had led me in the way of truth to take the daughter of my master’s brother for his son. ⁴⁹ Now if you will deal kindly and truly with my master, tell me. And if not, tell me, that I may turn to the right hand or to the left.”

 

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Continuing in his explanation, Abraham’s servant told everyone why Rebekah was chosen. He spoke about his prayer to the LORD and the immediacy of GOD’s answer.

 

My Observations:

• Abraham’s servant was surprised by how fast GOD favorably answered his prayer.
• Abraham’s servant described how fast things happened, which showed the willingness he was looking for.
• Abraham’s servant recognized that this circumstance could only be arranged by GOD.

 

Being led by the truth meant circumstances were arranged outside of Abraham’s servant’s power. He was still being led by the HOLY SPIRIT by asking Laban and Bethuel for Rebekah to come with him. He knew they could still say no, but in his heart, he knew she was the one GOD had chosen.

 

Abraham’s servant may have gained faith that he never had before. To see Abraham get his prayers answered over the years was one thing. But to see his own prayer get answered was special. He bowed his head and worshipped the LORD. GOD had done the impossible right in front of him.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD tell Moses about this recap given by Abraham’s servant?
• Are you facing the impossible?
• Can you believe that GOD can say “Wait” or “No” or “Yes” to your circumstance and still make it all work for you?

Infectious

 

Infectious

Romans 9: ²⁷ And Isaiah exclaims about Israel: “Even if the people of Israel are as many as the grains of sand by the sea, yet only a few of them will be saved; ²⁸ for the Lord will quickly settle his full account with the world.” ²⁹ It is as Isaiah had said before, “If the Lord Almighty had not left us some descendants, we would have become like Sodom, we would have been like Gomorrah.”

 

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Raining and gloomy, it was a day where everyone on the bus felt despair. As I sat, dreading my work destination, I could see a person smiling. Actually he was laughing. I brushed it off as another person who was going through some weird stuff. But I could not stop looking at him. I felt better. He got up and said, “GOD bless all of you” as he departed the bus. My day wasn’t as bad.

 

• There have been some people who have changed my attitude with a simple smile.
• There have been some people who made me laugh because they were laughing.
• There have been some people who had a positive effect on me simply because they were there.

 

Paul quotes the prophet Isaiah to get his point across. It doesn’t matter how large the number, many people would choose to walk away from GOD. BUT GOD left a few descendants so this would not happen.

 

• GOD wants me to be infectious to my family and neighbors.
• GOD wants me to speak about HIS SON, no matter the circumstance.
• GOD wants me to point to HIS strength, not my own.

 

Being infectious means rising above the current situation. I mean, the winds and storms of life look very scary at times. BUT GOD places me in the middle of the storm to be a beacon of light pointing to HIM.

 

Only a few descendants kept following HIS word and JESUS was born as a human. If it weren’t for those few, salvation would not have come about. JESUS then lived out a perfect life and was murdered by HIS creation. HE rose from the dead and infected those who believe in HIM with the HOLY SPIRIT. I am glad to be infectious to the world.

 

• Does the situation around you seem dismal?
• Are you looking at the storm versus seeing the Savior?
• Will you ask GOD for the strength to be the one who is calm in the middle of the storm so others can see JESUS through you today?

Pride doesn’t match the crowd

Psalm 60: ⁵ Save us and help us with your right hand,
    that those you love may be delivered.

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Curiosity got the best of me as I desired to see if my head could fit between the railings on the porch. It was a snug fit and took a bit of squirming but I triumphed! This short lived victory was followed by deep panic. How was I going to get myself out of the predicament? I know, “Cry!”

• Sometimes I get myself in predicaments that require outside help.
• Sometimes I get myself in situations that need others to assist.
• Sometimes I get myself in circumstances that I cannot get myself out of.

As innocent as my thinking may have been, many times I have gotten into predicaments that I needed help. This means that when I cry out for help I should expect a crowd of people to help me. But what if I made enemies or what if I cried out once too often. Will I get help?

• GOD says to me “Cry out to ME and I will save you.”
• GOD says to me “Confess to ME and I will forgive you.”
• GOD says to me “Trust ME and believe in ME and I will give you and abundant life.”

Sometimes I think GOD is not in my corner. I mean I’m the one who chose to get myself in “name the situation.” “HE can’t possibly forgive me this time” is the lie that pops into my head. BUT GOD says different. GOD says “MY grace is sufficient. HE knows the heart is willing but the flesh is weak. JESUS called me a “sheep” and rightfully so.

Sheep have no means to really take care of themselves. They are curious animals who innocently wander off, looking for greener pastures to graze. They constantly need rescuing and forget they got rescued yesterday. JESUS was right in HIS comparison. HE desires that I recognize where salvation comes from, both in eternity and here on earth. GOD delivers me.

• Do you need deliverance?
• Are you in a predicament that you cannot get yourself out of?
• Will you patiently cry to GOD without panicking?
• Will you be able to wait on the LORD for HIS deliverance, HIS way in HIS timing?

The Roadmap to Success

2 Chronicles 26: ⁵ He sought God during the days of Zechariah, who instructed him in the fear of God. As long as he sought the Lord, God gave him success.

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“I am the best” is the attitude I carried into my meeting. After the third round of interviews my handler said “You did great, they would like to extend you an offer, but just hold tight we are on a hiring freeze that we should come out of soon.” The company never recovered and I was stuck.

I groused for a while and realized, maybe GOD wants me here. I began to warm up to the fact that I was going to spend my days in this little town. Months later I received a call, interviewed and got a job that moved me back to my large city.

• My pride sometimes fools me into thinking the circumstance will go my way.
• My pride sometimes dupes me into thinking the circumstance will go the way I thought.
• My pride sometimes tricks me into thinking the circumstance will play out just as I thought.

Looking back on my life I realize my crystal ball is quite broken. I would look at my ability and jump into something, thinking I can control the outcome. BUT GOD says something different.

• GOD has given me gifts but HE controls the outcome.
• GOD has given me talents but HE controls the accomplishments.
• GOD has given me abilities that only I can do bur HE controls whether I will be raised up or knocked down.

I can never say I am “self-made.” GOD made me and my capabilities are ZERO compared to HIS. No matter how clever, sharp or smooth I think I can be, GOD can knock me down with unforeseen circumstances. GOD can also raise me up just as fast. HE can take a moment of fear and doubt and bring the right people and circumstances in my life to raise me to heights I never would have known.

• Are you pouting at GOD?
• Do you think HE owes you something?
• Can you release your will and ask GOD “what do YOU want me to do?”
• Will you seek GOD without trying to get something from HIM today?

Trust because the battle is not mine

1 Chronicles 5: ²⁰ They were helped in fighting them, and God delivered the Hagrites and all their allies into their hands, because they cried out to him during the battle. He answered their prayers, because they trusted in him. 

²¹ They seized the livestock of the Hagrites—fifty thousand camels, two hundred fifty thousand sheep and two thousand donkeys. They also took one hundred thousand people captive, ²² and many others fell slain, because the battle was God’s. And they occupied the land until the exile.

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Looking in the engine, I had no clue what I was searching for. The car wouldn’t start, that was the bottom line. I sat and wondered, “Would I ever get out of THIS circumstance?” As my friend turned the ignition, I heard a rumble in the engine that gave me hope. Suddenly a plastic part blew off of the engine and hit me in the face cutting my eyebrow. This situation seemed hopeless.

• Sometimes when things go wrong, I feel like giving up.
• Sometimes when things look bleak, I feel like sitting in a corner and giving up.
• Sometimes when things aren’t going so well, I feel like throwing up my hands and giving up.

As I got up off the ground I collected myself and looked in the engine once more. I replaced the loose part and begged GOD for some help even though I wasn’t really following HIM. My old car started and I was able to get my friend home and get myself bandaged up. The car seemed to work fine.

• GOD will listen when I cry out to HIM.
• GOD will help when I trust HIS plan and HIS promises.
• GOD will help when I believe He has ALL the power and I have none.

What I noticed is “They cried out”, “They trusted”, and “They reaped benefit of GOD fighting the battle.” Their hands still had to be in the fight and they could not give up, but against all odds they won because GOD was on their side. I now add “Prayer” and “Trust” to my faith.

• Are you in the middle of a battle?
• Do you think the battle is yours?
• Can you cry out to GOD and remain fighting?
• Will you add “trust” to your faith so GOD will answer your prayers?

GOD chooses some strange methods

1 Samuel 14: ⁶ Jonathan said to his young armor-bearer, “Come, let’s go over to the outpost of those uncircumcised men. Perhaps the Lord will act in our behalf. Nothing can hinder the Lord from saving, whether by many or by few.”

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“You have a great idea! Why don’t you run with it? But you don’t have any budget” were the words of the guy who was trying to trip me up.  The idea was huge and would require a lot of resources. I felt trapped.

• Sometimes when I face a giant circumstance I panic.
• Sometimes when I face a huge situation I get scared.
• Sometimes when I face a humongous obstacle I fall down and get tired of running.

After the trapped feeling was over, the LORD blessed me with a confusing peace. I made some phone calls and got people to volunteer their efforts in this huge undertaking. To my surprise, we were more than successful! I guess I shouldn’t have been surprised.

• GOD has all the power so I need to trust HIM.
• GOD has all the might so the situation has to bow to HIM.
• GOD has all the strength so the circumstance will be in trouble if it tries to get in the way of GOD’s plan.

Fear has a tendency to blind me and make me think there is no way out. GOD laughs at the circumstance because HIS might is incredible! HE provides manna and incredible dwelling places. His desire is peace and wants me to feel HIS love on a daily basis.

I can face the day without fear and know HE is my deliverance!

• Are you facing a giant?
• Do you realize the giant has to bow down to GOD?
• Can you look to GOD and be filled with courage this day?
• Won’t you stop groveling at the circumstance and get up because GOD is with you? 

When the noise is too noisy

Deuteronomy 27: ⁹ Then Moses and the Levitical priests said to all Israel, “Be silent, Israel, and listen! You have now become the people of the Lord your God. ¹⁰ Obey the Lord your God and follow his commands and decrees that I give you today.”

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With one eye open I peered at the clock and to my dismay it was 4:37 in the morning. I had a very large project due and since I was awake I got up and thought about it.  That led to other thoughts. I realized I had gone to bed without doing voicemail.

As my brain slipped back into consciousness I remembered all of the people I had to contact for that day. By 5:00AM I was fully awake. I worked until 10:00PM. Oh, and I forgot to do voicemail again!

• Noisy situations keep me awake.
• Noisy circumstances bring on many thoughts that I lose sleep over trying to resolve.
• Noisy environments make me lose my concentration and it seems like I can’t focus.

There are many things that can cause noise in my life. People bring me problems. Material things break or are lost or stolen. Someone gets sick or feisty or demanding.  All of these things add to the noise and when the noise is too noisy, I want to go in the corner and ball up like a child.

• “Be silent” is what GOD wants me to be so I can hear HIM.
• “Stand still” is what GOD says to me when I’m running too fast.
• “Have rest” is what GOD is giving me when I lay awake worried about ‘insert situation.’

The most powerful and high GOD tends not to yell at me. In fact HE speaks in a very soft, calming, inaudible voice. When life is rushing at me too fast, GOD says “Quiet down and listen to ME. The situation is close to MY heart and I love you.”

• Do you have a lot on your mind?
• Does it seem like you are getting confused trying to figure out what to do next?
• Can you take a moment to quiet yourself sown to listen to GOD?
• Won’t you let GOD tell you what to do next instead of worrying about it?

Will it get any harder?

Exodus 5: ²² Moses returned to the Lord and said, “Why, Lord, why have you brought trouble on this people? Is this why you sent me? ²³ Ever since I went to Pharaoh to speak in your name, he has brought trouble on this people, and you have not rescued your people at all.”

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“I think I’ll start going to church” was my decision that I finally made. It had been a long time and a lot of sins that a church had seen me. The pastor spoke, I felt good, and life was good. Weeks later someone broke in my car and stole all my music.

Around the same time I was trying to sell an old car and the transmission went out on it. Then to top it off, I had unbearable pains in my chest. Isn’t life supposed to be better now that I am serving GOD? It seems to be worse! GOD where are you?

• When I start serving GOD I can expect opposition.
• When I give my life to GOD I can expect things to go wrong.
• When I pledge my allegiance to GOD I can expect retaliation from the enemy.

It seems like the moment I decide to serve GOD, things go downhill. Pressures of life, temptation to follow corruption and a desire to jump on the easy road all become obstacles to following GOD. It doesn’t get easier because few will say “It’s great that you are following GOD” rather they will exclaim “Why not do what we are doing?”

• GOD says to me “stay the course.”
• GOD says to me “don’t give up or give in.”
• GOD says to me “people may doubt but I AM with you always.”

GOD’s love for me is unfailing in spite of my sins. When I turn my face to HIS, my back is turned to those who do not follow HIM. Opposition will arise but GOD’s love and power is unmatched!

• Have you decided to follow GOD and more trouble has popped up?
• When you said “I give my life to YOU LORD” did things start getting worse?
• Can you still see that GOD loves you tremendously?
• Won’t you take a moment to release the situation and praise HIM?

All things are possible

Genesis 18: ¹³ Then the Lord said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh and say, ‘Will I really have a child, now that I am old?’ ¹⁴ Is anything too hard for the Lord? I will return to you at the appointed time next year, and Sarah will have a son.”

¹⁵ Sarah was afraid, so she lied and said, “I did not laugh.”

But he said, “Yes, you did laugh.”

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Patting my picket I noticed I didn’t have enough money to get on the bus. To my dismay, my money had fallen out of a hole in my pocket. And I couldn’t get home. I was too ashamed to ask people for money.  The bus stopped right in front of me and a person handed me their “bus transfer” ticket. I got a free ride home that day.  It’s hard to believe GOD had a plan for me to run a large department of a corporation someday.

• There are times when things seem impossible.
• There are times when only a miracle would transform my situation.
• There are times when life seems unfair to me.

Current situations blind me to what truly is possible. I think the world is ending because I’m seeing things through a dismal view.  If anyone would have told me my future, I would have laughed.

• GOD knows the future and doesn’t want me to doubt HIS power.
• GOD knows what HE is capable of and doesn’t want me to laugh at HIS might.
• GOD knows HIS plan for me and doesn’t want me to stray away from HIS path.

When I have bad days it seems like GOD doesn’t know what HE is doing. GOD knew the day would be a struggle and has taken that into account with HIS plan for me. All things are possible!

• Do you think your situation is impossible?
• Do you feel a bit lost?
• Can you stop for a moment and ponder GOD’s power?
• Won’t you believe that if HE says it you should believe it?

GOD is with you through the tough times

Genesis 15: After this, the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision:

“Do not be afraid, Abram.
    I am your shield,
    your very great reward.

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As I sat at my desk I calculated just how much work I had to do to get the project finished.  My boss seemed to care less about our health and well being and just wanted everything done. I actually thought this was going to be the place I was going to retire from.  I tried to look at my future but the more I looked at it the more frightened I became. What was I going to do?

• When things look difficult I can only see problems.
• When situations get tough I get blinded by my circumstances and I fret about the outcome.
• When obstacles are placed in front of me I think there is no way out and I get frightened.

One problem with looking into the future is I don’t own it. In other words I have never been in the future so why do I think it is going to be as bad as my mind is making it.  Looking back on the many times I have been scared about situations I realize GOD brought me through them and made me a bit stronger.

• GOD said “Do not be afraid” for HE alone holds the future.
• GOD said “I am your shield” so anything that will harm my soul will be guarded by HIM.
• GOD said “I am your great reward” so instead of thinking of the solution to my circumstance I should be thinking about how GOD is using this to grow me.

Life has its difficult moments and GOD knows I will be frightened about the future BUT HE wants me to focus on HIM rather than the circumstance to grow me and mature me in areas HE knows I need to grow.

• Are you going through something?
• Do you believe you need to grow?
• Can you understand that GOD knows you and loves you deeply?
• Won’t you let go of your fears and allow GOD to grow you today?

I know how you feel

Revelation 2: ⁹ I know your afflictions and your poverty—yet you are rich! I know about the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.

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My parents had given me five dollars to go to the amusement park. Somewhere between here and there I lost my money. I cried and cried because my possibilities of having a fun day turned out to be disastrous.

Now as I look back on this incident I find it humorous. I mean I have traveled to other countries and have seen people who wonder where their next meal is going to come from. How in the world can the poor be rich?

• When I think I am poor I am usually blinded by my ambitions rather than GOD’s blessings.
• When I think I am afflicted I am focused on the ailment or the wound rather than GOD’s sovereignty.
• When I think I am finished I have given up too quickly because my faith in GOD has waned.

There are some situations that are more difficult than others but each time I look back on them I realize GOD was there watching over me. I can’t lie and say I felt this way during the trial, but after I have gone through it I felt stronger.

• GOD says “I know your afflictions” so HE knows when my body is sick or hurt.
• GOD says “I know your poverty” so HE knows when I worry about finances.
• GOD says “Yet you are rich!” so HIS view of being rich is thoroughly different than mine.

Being “rich” is having a large “bank account” of people. The more people I help, the larger my account grows. My account grows even larger when I can help others praise GOD even when I am going through a very tumultuous time. GOD says “I know” which means HE has understands the trial is difficult but HE has it in control and will not let it destroy my soul.

GOD’s plan is sovereign and full of love. Though trials appear my faith in GOD grows.

• Are you facing a trial?
• Are you feeling nervous about your finances?
• Do you believe GOD knows what you are going through?
• Can you stop listening to what “they” are saying about you and focus on how GOD made you perfect for HIS purpose?

Why am I surprised?

1 Peter 4: ¹² Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. ¹³ But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.

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Ever had one of those mornings? I mean this day was important because it would determine my future.  I had overslept because my alarm clock took a day off and buzzed softly that day, but I could still make it. I jumped in the car and it wouldn’t start. There was no way I was going to make it to the interview because it was clear across campus. “Why is this happening to me” I thought to myself!

• When difficult situations arise I throw a pity party and ask why me.
• When I feel a slightly discomforted I look around to change the environment and when I can’t I ask why me.
• When I am not getting my way and it seems like things are breaking I throw up my hands and ask why me.

“Why me” is my question to GOD when I don’t like what’s going on.  I mean “Aren’t I serving YOU well” is my question to HIM.  Then my bargaining comparisons appear by saying “Look at those other people who don’t serve you…they seem to be getting away with everything” as if to say “GOD YOU don’t know what YOU are doing.”

• GOD’s plan for me includes the difficulty that I go through.
• GOD’s plan for me includes a season of pain that I must endure.
• GOD’s plan for me includes some turbulent times that I have to persevere.

I don’t like tough circumstances, but every time I have gone through them I actually feel stronger and a bit wiser. I really shouldn’t be surprised when a situation arises. I actually should know by now that what I’m facing will grow me in ways I never would have grown had I now gone through the situation. GOD’s plan is a great one for me and I should always know that.

• Are you going through some difficult situation?
• Are you facing tough circumstances?
• Can you face your situation as a growth opportunity?
• Will you seek GOD in the middle of this storm and feel HIS comfort?

Spiritual personal trainer

1 Peter 1: ⁶ In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. ⁷ These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.

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“Are you going to the general graduation” a friend asked me. “You better believe it” I exclaimed! I wanted to sit and savor every moment because I was finished! My college experience was now complete and I didn’t have to face sleepless nights studying again.

I could now look back and see how painful it was to go through many situations and failures. Whatever went wrong actually helped prepare me for “the real world.”

• When I am in pain I only want relief.
• When I am in a circumstance I can’t see anything else but that circumstance.
• When I am in a world of hurt I beg for liberation and want to give up!

Each trial I have faced seemed like it would never be over but looking back at them I can honestly say I needed them.  Struggles don’t feel good but, just like exercise, builds me up in ways I can’t express.

• GOD knows how much pain I can handle and motivates me to hang in a little longer.
• GOD knows how much suffering I can take and says to me keep going you’re almost there.
• GOD knows how much anguish I can face so and HE uses difficult circumstances to develop spiritual muscles.

Faith is like a muscle, the more it’s used the stronger it gets. Trials, while uncomfortable and unwelcome, build my character, perseverance, endurance and patience. GOD has placed HIS HOLY SPIRIT in me to comfort me and lead me “through” trials, refining my faith so it shines as bright as purified gold.

• Are you going through trials?
• Is it difficult for you to keep going?
• Can you stop looking at the trial for a moment and ask “what am I being prepared for?”
• Won’t you begin seeking the new ministry GOD is giving you no matter how young or old you are?

It’s the GOD in me

Galatians 2: ²⁰ I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

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Many of my “mom’s” and “dad’s” are aging now. They have been through many circumstances, situations and impossible surroundings that would make you cringe just listening. When I go through my situations I always wonder… how did they make it? I mean I think I would have given up. What kept them going?

• My situation blinds me to what I am here for.
• My circumstance blinds me to what is truly important.
• My surroundings blind me to what really matters.

When I am feeling down and despondent I think the world is crashing around me. I think there is no way out and I feel like just sitting and doing nothing. Then I start feeling “deserving” where I ask “Why don’t YOU care anymore LORD?” The answer always comes back the same… “I do love you.”

• GOD loves me dearly and knows what I am going through.
• GOD loves me wholeheartedly and gave HIS own body to save mine.
• GOD loves me unconditionally and forgave ALL of my sins.

GOD placed HIS SPIRIT in me to seal my eternal life. HE wants me to live for HIM instead of trying to live for me. When I live for HIM my circumstances seem to diminish, no matter how large. I can face the day knowing that whatever happens, it’s part of GOD’s plan and what a great plan it is.

• Are you living for you or GOD?
• Are you focused on your situations or HIS?
• Do you believe you are in the middle of HIS plans or are you nervous about yours?
• Will you stop focusing on you for a moment and focus on what GOD wants you to do?

I want hope

Romans 15: ⁴ For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.

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Towards the end of a track meet I wanted to give up. I was tired of running. Towards the end of school I wanted to give up.  It seemed like I had been in school forever and I was tired of learning. Towards the end of a major project I wanted to give up and just crawl into some hole and watch the world pass by for a while.

• Life will have difficult moments that I must endure.
• Life will have tough situations that I must go “through” not around.
• Life will have extreme circumstances that sometimes make me want to “give up.”

Every once in a while I survey the horizon of my life and see holes, land mines and snipers in my way. Where did all these obstacles come from?  I mean at one point in my life it was smooth sailing. GOD knows I will face challenges and HE has made provisions for my safety.

• GOD knows I will face difficult circumstances so HE sent the COMFORTER to help me.
• GOD knows I will face trials and I will want to give up so HE gave me HIS promise that HE would be with me always.

There is not a single problem that GOD is not aware of.  HE knows every circumstance and has listed similar circumstances in the Bible. When I go back and see how other people felt like giving up and how GOD rescued them at the right time, it gives me hope.

I see the extreme situations people endured and it makes my circumstance seem smaller. GOD brought them through and HE will do the same for me. HIS promises give me hope.

• Are you going through a trial?
• Are you facing a difficult circumstance?
• Do you realize there is nothing more powerful than GOD and HE knows your circumstance?
• Will you place your trust in HIM?

From bad to worse.

Acts 27: ³ Paul gathered a pile of brushwood and, as he put it on the fire, a viper, driven out by the heat, fastened itself on his hand. ⁴ When the islanders saw the snake hanging from his hand, they said to each other, “This man must be a murderer; for though he escaped from the sea, the goddess Justice has not allowed him to live.” ⁵ But Paul shook the snake off into the fire and suffered no ill effects.

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Darkness seemed a little darker this particular night as my car sputtered and died on the side of the road.  I had no idea how far I was from my town and cell phones, well let’s just say, they were few years away from being sold to the masses. “Come on GOD!” “I live in a town I don’t like and now this!?”

As I sat on my trunk in the middle of nowhere I wondered if anyone would ever stop. A couple stopped, asked me if I needed help and volunteered to take me to the nearest rest stop. On the way they told me about the Great News about JESUS. “Whew” I said to myself. GOD sent them!

• Sometimes when I think I am in a bad to worse situation, I can no longer see or hear GOD.
• Sometimes when I think I am in a bad to worse situation, I think there is no way out.
• Sometimes when I think I am in a bad to worse situation, I feel pitiful.

Paul went from bad to worse, from out of a shipwreck and into a snakebite. What more could happen to him? All he was trying to do was live for GOD. Everyone around him thought he deserved the things happening to him and they just didn’t understand he was being used as an example of GOD’s power.

• GOD can handle all situations especially when things get worse.
• GOD can handle all situations especially when I take my hands off of them.
• GOD can handle all situations especially when I believe HE will use this for HIS perfect plan.

In my mind, it’s actually great when things go from bad to worse because I believe I am on the right track. The enemy wants me to stop believing GOD will deliver me so he tries harder and harder to make me give up and conform to his ways. GOD says “stand still and watch MY deliverance.” Believing in GOD’s plan grows my faith more than I know.

• Have situations gone from bad to worse for you?
• Do you think there is no way out of your circumstance?
• Will you praise GOD for HIS deliverance even before it happens?
• Can you put your trust in HIM first and then watch HIS deliverance from your trial?

What is my purpose today?

Acts 20: ²² “And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. ²³ I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. ²⁴ However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.

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Sitting on my couch in a daze was about all I could handle at the time. My mind had conjured up what I thought was the end of the road. With bill collectors calling, car on the fritz, school not going well and working a dead end job I wondered “where was all this going?” I mean was this it? Was this where I was going to end up?

• Sometimes my circumstances make me want to give up.
• Sometimes my situations seem larger than what I can handle.
• Sometimes my current position can seem bleak and cause me to despair.

Something… okay it was the HOLY SPIRIT who told me to “get off the couch and do something about the circumstance for there is a purpose for your life.” “Go talk to the school, go talk to the bill collectors, learn how to fix your car and work the job like it’s supposed to be worked.” Wow! You mean I don’t have to believe everything is a mess and I have a purpose?! Absolutely!

• Faith in GOD has shown me to wait and watch HIM a little longer because HE always comes through!
• Faith in GOD has taught me to there is no circumstance that is not in HIS control.
• Faith in GOD has never failed; in fact I have been quite amazed at how HE works things out.

When I live my life with “purpose” there is no failure especially when my focus is on GOD. No matter how bleak the situation is I can trust GOD knows about it and has complete control. I can continue serving HIM through the circumstance and watch HIM do some amazing things in the lives of those HE directs me to.

GOD has given me purpose to reach those HE has given to me. There is no situation, circumstance or trouble that can thwart HIS plan for me.

• Is your situation bleak?
• Are you feeling troubled?
• Do you realize that by holding on a little while longer HE will deliver you to your purpose?
• Have you asked GOD “please show me my purpose?”
• Are you willing to tell people about CHRIST in spite of your troubles?

Be ready for opposition

Acts 17: ² As was his custom, Paul went into the synagogue, and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures, ³ explaining and proving that the Messiah had to suffer and rise from the dead. “This Jesus I am proclaiming to you is the Messiah,” he said. ⁴ Some of the Jews were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, as did a large number of God-fearing Greeks and quite a few prominent women.

 ⁵ But other Jews were jealous; so they rounded up some bad characters from the marketplace, formed a mob and started a riot in the city. They rushed to Jason’s house in search of Paul and Silas in order to bring them out to the crowd.

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“This is the wrong class” I said to the teacher.  I was supposed to be in Honors English but they put me in the regular class.  I had to fight this for two weeks. Finally I was placed in the correct class.  The Honors English teacher was tough and very unforgiving; in fact she gave me an “F” for the quarter because I had missed a major assignment during the two weeks I wasn’t there.

“Hey that’s not fair” I said to her. Her reply was “life’s not fair.” What was I to do? I had to study harder.

• Life will dish out situations that are not fair.
• Life will dish out circumstances that are against me.
• Life will dish out challenges to my path even though I am trying to do what is right.

Paul and Silas were trying to preach about JESUS but the religious politicians felt their wealth and power were at stake. They falsely accused Paul and Silas and started a riot.  After this incident a lot of unfair things happened but Paul and Silas held their ground and preached about CHRIST in spite of being falsely accused.

• Even though life may be unfair, I have to persevere towards CHRIST.
• Even though life may be unfair, I must continue to preach about JESUS’ unconditional love.
• Even though life may be unfair, I need to depend that GOD has the situation handled.

Any time I take on the challenge of living for CHRIST, I will face opposition. Things will break and relationships will sever. BUT GOD will heal all and fix all with HIS might, grace and love.

• Are you facing unfair situations?
• Do you feel you are being wronged?
• Have you examined your life to see if you are living for CHRIST?
• If you are living for CHRIST then “why don’t you expect opposition?”