Encouragement During Suffering (Gen. 21:17)

Read Genesis 21:17.

What you expect to read is "And God heard her voice."  Yes, He did, but that's not what the verse says.  It says, "And God heard the boy's voice."  (To my knowledge this is the only record of Ishmael's praying.  He probably did pray at other times, since Abraham would've modeled and encouraged that.)

1.  God hears the prayer of the one who suffers.
2.  God hears the prayer of the one who comes alongside the one who suffers.
3.  God not only hears your prayers but He responds to them.  He is full of compassion.

Why The Trials? (Prov. 17:3)

Read Proverbs 17:3.

The refining pot and the furnace both require heat to work correctly.  When God wants to test what's in your heart (trust, anxiety, peace, doubt, etc.), He uses trials.  He lets things "heat up" for a while.

Trials do not cause reactions in your heart; rather, trials reveal what's already in there.  God doesn't need your trials to educate Himself concerning you.  Why the trials, then?  That you might see what He does -- areas that still need to be brought under His lordship, areas where you still rely upon self, areas where He alone can satisfy.

Learning From Joseph (Psa. 105:17-19)

Read Psalm 105:17-19.

Joseph was misunderstood, misrepresented and mistreated until the day of fulfillment came.

1. Having a dream or call does not mean exemption from suffering and perseverance.
2. The way you learn to lead is by enduring hardship and remaining true to God.  Disadvantage doesn't mean disqualification.
3. Don't squander your adversity.  God deems it necessary.  To fight against His preferred method of training is to prolong both your deliverance and other people's sustenance.
4. You're not suffering for nothing.  Joseph had a dream, but did he realize the full significance of it?  You suffer for the dream so that others don't suffer during it.

When You're In Dire Straits (Psa. 77:2)

Read Psalm 77:2.

When you're in dire straits, frequently your soul doesn't want to cooperate.  You seek comfort, but it seems that it isn't coming.  If this happens, remember that God hears you.  He isn't teasing you.  Press on all the more!  Don't let your soul be lazy and dictate a false conclusion (in this instance, the conclusion God must not care, since you've been trying yet nothing happens).  Keep seeking God, keep pursuing Him, keep close to Him until the answer or relief comes. Tell your soul to conform to the desire in your spirit.

God's Oozing Compassion (Psa. 56:8)

Read Psalm 56:8.

This verse oozes the sympathy and compassion of God.

1.  God takes account of our wanderings.  This is not to scold us.  He remembers our default state without submission to Him, that we are prone to wander.  In His gracious dealings with us, He remembers we are so unlike Him -- dependent, finite, easily confused or deceived.  Why would God keep account of our wanderings, then? In order to bring us back to Him.  The purpose of His keeping records is restorative, not punitive.

2.  God collects our tears in bottles.  When we wander, it is sure to cause us pressure, trouble or deficiency.  As that pressure builds, we tend to gravitate toward anger or sadness.  How desperate we become, hoping for relief!  Each tear -- God sees it and preserves it.  He is the Archivist of your sorrow.  How great is His compassion toward us!  With God's watching,  we have no insignificant tears and no unnoticed disappointments.

3.  God keeps notes about each tear.  He is not only the Archivist of our tears, but He is also the Historian of them.  Each tear has its own notation.  Why?  Surely, it is not because God has any memory deficiency.  The Almighty God does not have Alzheimer's!  This record, I suggest, is for our benefit, as an eternal testimony to His faithfulness. Perhaps, someday, we can sit in God's library and read these "tear books."

Where's God? (Psalm 42)

Read Psalm 42.

When you're struggling with the question "Where's God?" . . .

1.  Don't stop passionately pursuing intimacy with God.  Let trouble drive you to Him, not pull you away (42:1-2).

2.  It is okay to cry and to release emotion (42:3).  You can experience a range of emotion when limited by circumstance, time, energy or lack of answers.

3.  Don't forget to remember the good times (42:4).  You weren't always in the situation you're in.  Things weren't always this way (42:6).

4.  Tell your soul what to do (42:5,11).  Discipline your words, thoughts and conclusions (42:6-9).

5.  Keep on waiting for God (42:11).

Jesus in The Storm (Mk. 6:47-52)

Read Mark 6:47-52.

• Jesus looks at you.
• He sees your storm.
• He sees your effort.
• He sees your weariness.
• He sees your frustration.
• He sees your fear.
• Jesus comes to you.
• He doesn't supervise from a distance but gets "up close and personal."
• He is not merely "God out there" but "God right here."
• Jesus talks to you.
• He speaks encouragement.
• He speaks peace.
• He speaks reassurance.
• He speaks relief.
• Jesus gets in with you.
• He's already been in your storm; He wants to be in your "boat."
• You need His presence as much after the storm as you did during the storm.

Hindrances to "Consider It All Joy" (Jam. 1:2)

Read James 1:2.

What interferes with "consider it all joy . . . when you encounter various trials"?

• Loneliness.  When you are in a temptation, though there is a way of escape, you are in that temptation alone.  That doesn't mean you can't access God.  It doesn't mean no one else ever went through the same trial.  "We" don't endure.  Endurance is always singular and personal.  You feel lonely during temptation.  Who wants that?

• Leisure.  Temptation is attractive.  Once you deny its appeal and take your stand, endurance can be a battle.  That doesn't sound like much fun!  We live in a culture that lives for leisure and  works hard in order to play hard.  Enduring temptation takes an intentional effort.  You might have to use some of your precious golf time in order to focus on spiritual health.

• Laziness.  Who ever suggested enduring temptation is easy?  Sometimes it comes down to this:  You don't endure because you don't want to.  You lack seriousness and discipline. When your spirit is lazy, it is because flesh was pampered.  Self-denial is not natural. How prone we are to stay reclined on the sofa instead of bent before it in prayer!

Change The Filter, See Things Differently

Roaring Run Trail, Kiski Twp., PA
Shot taken on December 25, 2016 at 1:09 P.M.

When I took this shot in color, it was a nothing-to-look-at, run-of-the-mill specimen.  When I edited the photo to black and white, something interesting "appeared."  Do you see the pair of beady eyes atop the wide deadwood? (Do you see the scant, eerie-looking "thing"?  What is that?)

Changing the photo from color to black and white didn't create the "eyes."  They were there before. My default (color) "filter" didn't accentuate them.

What is the situation, difficulty or challenge you are facing?  What "filter" are you using?  If you've tried common sense and haven't seen a way out, then going "old-fashioned" -- back to the Bible -- will yield better results.

It's New Year's Day.  Why not resolve to read the Bible?  Don't worry about reading it through.  Just read it regularly.  It will change your outlook.  You'll be amazed what you might "see"!

Faithful Then And Again (1 Sam. 17:36-37) (Part 5)

Conclusion:

• There is nothing wrong with talking to God about your obstacle. 
• However, that's not the invitation for today.
• There is nothing wrong with talking to your obstacle about the greatness of your God. 
• However, that is not the call for today.
• Today's opportunity is for you to talk to one another about the greatness of God.
• It is an invitation to remember and report His faithfulness.
• There might be a “Saul” here, someone who desperately needs to hear your testimony as much as you delight to give it.
• Be one who declares boldly, “He is faithful! I can prove it!”
• When you carefully steward God's faithfulness, you will be able to praise when others are panicking.
• Since God came through for you many times before, you should look for Him to come through for you again.
• God cannot not be faithful.

We ended the service with antiphonal testifying.  Someone from the left side of the congregation testified to the right side about a specific experience with God's faithfulness.  Then someone from the right side testified back to the left side. How quickly 15 minutes went by!

Faithful Then And Again (1 Sam. 17:36-37) (Part 4)

Transition: Since the best way to deal with adversity is to focus upon God's faithfulness, you must carefully steward it.

YOU MUST CAREFULLY STEWARD GOD'S FAITHFULNESS.

• EXPLANATION
• How do you carefully steward God's faithfulness? You must be “apt”.
• Awareness > To steward God's faithfulness, you must recognize it. Are you in the habit of looking for God's faithfulness?
• Preservation > To steward God's faithfulness, you must record it. If you rely only upon your memory, you will forget many occasions when God showed Himself faithful. For this reason, I suggest keeping a journal.
• Testimony > To steward God's faithfulness, you must repeat it. This will strengthen your own faith and another person's.
• ILLUSTRATION
• Beware of any narrowing, dismissing, limiting, downsizing or belittling comments about God's faithfulness.
• “It happens to everyone.”
• “I just happened to be in the right place at the right time.”
• “It was pure luck.”
• “It's no big deal.”
• APPLICATION
•  If you're guilty of using any of those sentiments, or others similar to them, right now is a good time to repent.
• Every act of God's faithfulness is a unique expression of His unchanging nature!
• Okay, so maybe you haven't received supernatural courage to grab a lion by its mane and club it to death, but what has God done for you?
• Why isn't that a big deal to you?
• Why isn't it still a big deal to you?
• Is it any less impressive or worthy of praise only because time has elapsed?

In tomorrow's post, we will conclude.

Faithful Then And Again (1 Sam. 17:36-37) (Part 3)

THE BEST WAY TO DEAL WITH ADVERSITY IS TO FOCUS ON GOD'S FAITHFULNESS.

• EXPLANATION
• How does David not deal with adversity?
• He does not get proud.
• He does not cower in fear.
• He does not panic.
• He does not implement the power of positive thinking and deny the size of the obstacle.
• He does not form a committee and thus talk himself out of contention.
• He does not wait it all out, hoping the situation will resolve itself.
• How does David deal with adversity?
• He focuses upon God's faithfulness.
• Can you hear him?
• “If God did it before, he will do it again. The only thing that has changed is the kind of predator.”
• ILLUSTRATION

“What the Lord has done for me,
I cannot tell it all.
He saved me and washed me in His blood.
Now I can sing, 'Hallelujah',
I can shout, 'Hallelujah',
I can shout and praise the Lord.”

• APPLICATION
• No, you can't tell it all, but what can you say?
• What has the Lord done for you?
• Has He saved you?
• Has He healed you?
• Has He comforted you?
• Has He strengthened you?
• Has He provided for you?
• Has He loved you?
• Has He convicted you?
• Has He forgiven you?
• Has He set you free?
• Has He directed you?
• Has He revealed Himself to you?
• Has He given joy and peace to you?
• Has He restored you?
• Has He baptized you in the Holy Spirit?
• Has He given to you a new name written down in glory?
• Has He proven His exceedingly great and precious promises to you?
• Has He guided you into the paths of righteousness for His name's sake?

In tomorrow's post:  What is your responsibility, considering God has been faithful and will continue to be faithful?

Faithful Then And Again (1 Sam. 17:36-37) (Part 2)

Background:  There are five things you need to know so that today's message will make sense.

• David is the youngest of eight sons and he is set apart to become the next king of Israel.
• Saul, the current king of Israel, is with his troops at the war zone.
• The Philistines, Israel's enemy, are people who live in the territory of Philistia.
• Goliath is the over-sized champion fighter of the Philistines.
• No fighter in Israel will accept Goliath's challenge to fight one-on-one to the death.

Introduction:

• In today's story, David shows up at camp when the soldiers and king are wondering, 'What are we going to do with Goliath?”
• The giant you face might have a different name – finances, health, career, relationships, grief, etc. – but the question remains the same.
• What is the best way to deal with the obstacle, challenge or opportunity before you?
• The answer to that question is the focus of this week's sermon.
• Context: Read 1 Sam. 17:31-37.
• Do you remember the question I mentioned earlier?
• What is the best way to deal with the adversity before you?

In tomorrow's post, I will answer that question.

Faithfulness Then And Again (1 Sam. 17:36-37) (Part 1)

This post is for pastors and preachers.  Actual sermon content will begin tomorrow.

Title: Faithful Then And Again

Text: 1 Samuel 17:36-37

Theme: Remembering & repeating God's faithfulness Expository

Exegetical Subject: (1 Sam. 17:31-37) > How did David persuade Saul to permit him to fight Goliath?

Exegetical Complement: (1 Sam. 17:31-37) > David persuaded Saul to permit him to fight Goliath by reporting God's faithfulness.

Homiletical Subject: What is the best way to deal with the obstacle, challenge or opportunity before you?

Homiletical Complement: The best way to deal with the obstacle, challenge or opportunity before you is to remember and report God's faithfulness.

Homiletical Proposition: Since the best way to deal with adversity is to focus on God's faithfulness, you must carefully steward it.

Lu. 3:5-6 (Part 4)

JESUS, THE LORD, IS COMING ON A PREPARED WAY INTO YOUR WILDERNESS.

Jesus doesn't want to come to every area of your life except the "wilderness" place.  He wants to come there too!

Admit that you need His help and presence.  Without Him, your "wilderness" remains a brutal taskmaster! Why do you tarry before finally "caving in" and crying out to Jesus in desperation? Away with dependence on self-help!  That hasn't been a successful strategy.

Jesus specializes in ministering to the beaten, bruised, burned, battered, belittled and burdened.  (I think that adequately describes someone's state during a "wilderness" experience.)  Oh, you might not say such things as those, but the tears in silence and solitude betray you.

"My Lord knows the way through the wilderness; all I have to do is follow." (Sidney E. Cox)

I Snooze, You Lose (Jonah 1:12)

You've heard, "You snooze, you lose." Here, it is "I snooze, you lose."

Consider this storm from the perspective of the sailors.

Not every "storm of life" is due to some action of yours. That's possible, but it's not the only explanation. Some storms are the result of someone else's actions.

Your choices affect others. God help us to live carefully.

Overwhelmed But Not Overcome (Psa. 61:2) (Part 3)

THOUGH YOU MIGHT BE OVERWHELMED, YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE OVERCOME.

There is something solid, something reliable – actually Someone solid and reliable – when your heart gets overwhelmed.

The dominant metaphor is a "rock."  We're back to the image of a fatigued swimmer or shipwrecked sailor who frantically looks for escape from the pounding surf.  He looks for a place that rises above the waves, a place where he can't be touched and can recover his strength.

Jesus Christ is that Rock!  What do we know about our Rock?

• This rock is solid. The world's rock is crumbling shale, but our Rock is invincible granite!  "On Christ the Solid Rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand."

•  This rock is sure.  Throughout history this Rock has been reliable.  Many people built their lives on this Rock and never regretted it.  Jesus talked about this (Mt. 7:24-27).  Upon what foundation is your life built?

•  This rock is set.  There is only one Rock.  There is only One who can satisfy your soul.  There is only One who can forgive sin.  There is only One who can grant you access to God the Father.  His name is Jesus (Jn. 14:6; 1 Cor. 10:4).  (The world wants you to believe there are many ways to God, that there are many Rocks of assurance, that there are many ways to please God and get to heaven.  This non-biblical perspective is called pluralism.)  Let's reaffirm our belief in one Rock, one source of strength and salvation (Ac. 4:12).

• This rock is safe.  No matter what life or hell throw at you – no matter the storms of life or attacks of Satan – you can't be tormented while you're in God's safe place (Psa. 91:1-2; Mt. 7:25).

Overwhemed But Not Overcome (Psa. 61:2) (Part 2)

THERE ARE TIMES IN LIFE WHEN YOU WILL BE OVERWHELMED.  Maybe you shouldn't be, but you are.

It is your heart that gets overwhelmed.  What does "heart" mean?  Your heart is where every issue of life begins (Prov. 4:23).  Your heart is the inner place where decisions and intentions develop.  The heart is the domain of passion and relationship.

The second word I want to discuss is "overwhelmed."  What does it mean to be "overwhelmed"?  It means to be wrapped up, wrapped around, veiled.  Think of interference or distraction that keeps you from seeing clearly, thinking soundly or acting properly.

What is there to be overwhelmed about?  Most don't need help with that one!  You can be overwhelmed by the world situation, human suffering, bad news, grief, life's storms, etc.  (By "storms" I mean those difficult, spontaneous situations in life that cause discomfort, grief, loss or panic.)

There is one thing for sure: In life you will get tossed, threatened or blown about. Jesus said you will have trouble in life (Jn. 16:33a).  No one wants trouble to arrive early, but arrive it will.  When it comes, don't think there is something wrong with you.  In fact, there is something normal.

Overwhelmed But Not Overcome (Psa. 61:2) (Part 1)

Many scholars believe Psalm 62 was written when David fled from Absalom, his son.  (For those unfamiliar with the story, Absalom rebelled against his father and stole the throne.  David fled across the Jordan River to a place called Mahanaim. That's quite an inconvenience, wouldn't you say? The story had all the elements of a good political thriller.  There was betrayal, conspiracy, counterintelligence, etc.  You can read more starting at 2 Samuel chapter 15.)

Think of a swimmer in trouble.  He is panicking, starting to sink, but isn't under yet.  Desperately he lunges toward that rock he just saw.  Even if he can get there, will he have the strength to pull himself onto the rock?  As David, we sometimes find ourselves in hard situations of life.   We're overwhelmed and exhausted.  How do we respond?  We feel helpless, but we're not hopeless.  We're overwhelmed but not overcome.

Keep Singing (Isa. 42:10)



Roaring Run Trail, Apollo, PA  12.27.12



It was cold and windy during my walk.  This bird didn't care.  It was snowy all around him.  This bird didn't care.  In spite of the cold, wind and snow, he kept singing.  That is how I got this shot.  Had I not heard his song, I'd have missed the picture.  

Sometimes we don't see clearly, so we misinterpret things if we're not careful.  Something is happening, but we can't quite define it.  During such times, keep singing.  Sing the song and you'll eventually get the picture.  Don't let your wintry surroundings silence your song.

"Sing to the LORD a new song, sing His praise from the end of the earth!" (Isa. 42:10)