Family Worship Center - Raton, NM
This five-week series explores characters from the Bible who experienced seasons of uncertainty—the “in-between” trials of life. Job, Daniel, Abraham, Paul and the disciples all experienced times of frustration, pain, suffering, and difficult questions. We too experience these difficult times, and it’s vital that even in the midst of hard circumstances the church relies on God to carry us through.
…and just like that, we are at the end of January. One thing i’m certain of in this uncertain world… if the Lord tarries or not, wether i’m in it or not… tomorrow is February!
Things begin to change in one’s perspective when you can grasp on to the fact that even in uncertain times,
“You can make many plans, but the LORD’S purpose will prevail” Pr 19:21 NLT
God neither faints, nor gets weary Isaiah 40:28
“God never sleeps, nor slumbers” Psalm 121:2-4
“But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength. They shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31
AMEN??
“Life is not like a school exam that we can finish ahead of time if we are especially clever. We can’t retire early from life itself. As Yankee baseball legend Yogi Berra said, ‘It’s not over until it’s over’” Don’t look for shortcuts in the life of faith. Be resilient in your faith, and trust God to give you the needed strength. Be content with whatever you have in all things.
((Douglas D. Webster, Preaching Hebrews: The End of Religion and Faithfulness to the End [Eugene, OR: Cascade Books, 2017], 159))
Philippians 4:10-13 NLT
Big Idea: The apostle Paul went through tremendous hardship in his ministry for Christ. However, he was content and had peace in all circumstances.
1) How We Live Matters
(Write notes below)
2) How We Respond Matters
(Write notes below)
3) Our Perspective Matters
(Write notes below)
Application Point: Even in the worst of seasons, we will find contentment in Christ and not in our circumstances.
Big Ideas:
Week 1
Job never lost his faith in God, but trusted him in times of suffering
Week 2
In exile, Daniel never lost hope in God’s plan for his people and his provision in both times of prosperity and persecution.
Week 3
Abraham believed in God’s promise and covenant before anything even happened in the physical world.
Week 4
The disciples were challenged by Jesus and had to changed the way they saw God AND the world.
Week 5
The apostle Paul went through tremendous hardship in his ministry for Christ. However, he was content and had peace in all circumstances.
Application Points
Week 1
Even when we don’t know why we are suffering, we should trust God no matter what.
Why???? Because…
Week 2
Both in times of prosperity and persecution, we will have hope in Jesus Christ.
That hope is because…
Week 3
Christians have a covenant with God and can believe is his promises in the worst of times.
So with that understanding…
Week 4
We will let our expectations be shaped by Jesus and not by our own desires.
And when we do that,
Week 5
Even in the worst of seasons, we will find contentment in Christ and not in our circumstances.
This space left open to write notes as Pastor Josh seems to go down rabbit trails...
Luke 15:7 NLT