encouraging sermons for difficult times

Proverbs 6:6-11, Proverbs 10:4-5, Proverbs 13:4, Denomination: How many times have we heard the first part of the text quoted? He cares about you, and you can trust Him with those things. Our hard times are designed to bring us closer to the Lord. The Bible is Gods unfailing, unchanging Word. Trials will come but they are never to hurt you; rather they are to build you up. Difficult situations are not new. The Final Judgment Matthew 25: 31-46 25:40 Advent 2022, week 3: Do you feel robbed of joy? Baptist. But thats how life is sometimes. For more resources on trusting God, check out: The Bible has no contradictions. You will know beyond a doubt, Jesus is present in your situation and that you are not alone no matter how dark the valley or how lonely you may feel. * The cockroach immediately punched him between the eyes and scampered off. Have some fun taking various quizzes and assessments to learn about yourself and others. For the believer, the rod is like the word of God and the staff is the Holy Spirit. In Him, you can have comfort and peace, and encouragement. How comforting it is to know that the God of the universe is also paying attention to you. WebLife can be scary, especially during hard times.Maybe you've lost your job, are battling a chronic illness or your marriage is falling apart. Then you find out, for better or for worse. Confession helps you to humble yourself and allows you to grow in trust. October 20, 2020 Judges 7:8-15 As inhabitants of a fallen world, we oftentimes face heartache, intimidation, and One of the great assets we had was in the 100 yard dash, we had the kid that was the fastest kid in the whole league. Your goals, finances, health and outlook seem bright. Listen to the sounds around you. He believed, but it was a difficult thing to believe. Acts 12:1-19. Must you become a better person so that God will accept you? You are never alone no matter how you may feel. Advent 2022, week 2: During this series, we are looking at how hope, peace, joy and love are at the heart of Christmas. Lets BE DELIGENT. Every hard trial is another step on the stairway that leads from earth to heaven. 1. Intro: People, by nature, are inquisitive. Volunteer abroad this year on a short term global missions trip offered by one of the best, most-reliable Christian missions organizations in the world. Many of us know the story of Elisabeth Elliot. How does the devil tempt us in hard times? In your waking up. Trusting in Him means believing what He says about Himself, about the world and about you is true. You wont do this perfectly, but God is kind and patient with you while you learn to trust Him. Pentecostal, Hard times are difficult times of life, a time that you hate to experience, not palatable with the flesh. But it is true whether we believe it or not. Job spoke of this experience when he declared of the Lord, He knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold (Job 23:10). If we want a natural response, we can talk about anger or despair or complaining or getting even or running away. God does not explain himself to us. And further in the distance, others watch what we go through. God wants to encourage us during hard times. When hard times come, we can know that God is at work in our trials for our benefit and for his glory. In the book of Isaiah, God responds to the Israelites who thought that God had turned away from them. In 1:1, the book introduces us to this man Job, describing him as a man who was blameless and upright, one who feared God and turned away from evil.. As I survey the New Testament teaching regarding trials, two truths stand out. Thats what Paul feared for the Thessalonians. God is not distant. This is how he handles verse 2: When all kinds of trials and temptations crowd into your lives, my brothers, dont resent them as intruders, but welcome them as friends! Even as I type these words, there is a rueful smile on my face. You may have heard Psalm 23 many times, but I want to focus on one verse: Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me (Psalm 23:4, NIV). But we can choose how we respond. You need to find Him and His words, and by faith rest in Him. Introduction: Hard times are real for everyone regardless of who we are or where we are. Jesus guaranteed His followers that they would face hard times (John 16:33), but He promised that He would always be with them (Matthew 28:20). We all have a story. Faith in Gods Purposethat he is conforming us to the image of Jesus Christ. But thats not what the Bible means. Fellow believers can remind you of Gods character through encouragement and accountability. When life gets too difficult to bear, your inner strength can help you fight your toughest battles. Why? To help the weak is not too hard 2 Chronicles 20:12 WE have heard of the diva athletes and entertainers who are almost impossible to deal with. Youre able to confess to God when your feelings and beliefs are not lining up with His Truth. Text: Romans 8 : 28 Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, That is the shared faith of Gods people. The word face has the idea of falling or stumbling over a problem. All things do not work for the good for all people. However, when we begin to love others as we love ourselves That sounds so odd that one wonders if he is serious. Now that you know what it means to trust God, how exactly can you do that in your everyday life? 1. The Passage: Job Did Not Sin with His Lips (2:9-10) As we enter this book 30 verses in, it's critical that we review what's happened up to this point. To apprehend Gods sovereignty working in that love is we must say it the last and highest victory of the faith that overcomes the world. For the non-believer, the shepherd is looking for you and desires for the two of you to be reunited. He hears your requests and answers them. Gentleness or stubbornness. Philippians is a manual on living in joy. Hard work! * The 1. John 20:11-18: Are you in a hopeless situation? Introduction. I will share common types of difficult behavior in a few minutes, but I want to lay a proper foundation first. Our bodies wear out. In a call from a friend. Would you like to give your time to work with Cru? In a sunny day. When trials have finished their work in us, we will not lack anything the Lord wants us to have. COVID-19 has caused a great deal of concern, anxiety, fear, and worry throughout our world. Faith in Gods Promisethat he will never leave us or forsake us. So He asked for help. Find Hope & Comfort During Hard Times: Inspire!, part 1, In a trial? Evaluate where youve placed your faith and get practical instruction for building a faith that can outlast any storm. read more, Scripture: This is the sort of faith that Paul has in mind in Romans 5. And hard times can come as a result of our own sin, natural catastrophe, economic From the shadows they watch us as we suffer to see if what we have is real or not. (From the Bible Knowledge Commentary). - Resurrecting Hope, part 2, Easter Brings Resurrection Hope - Resurrecting Hope, part 1, Consider Your Ways to Experience the Presence of God Life Is a Journey, part 43, God Is Your Shepherd, Comforter, Defender Life Is a Journey, part 36, God Is Your Shepherd, Leader, Protector Life Is a Journey, part 35, Be Ready Like Elisha & Find Your Calling Life Is a Journey, part 34. This message teaches us what to do when we find ourselves in difficult situations. It is one thing to know the truth. He will help you wait with endurance. Strategies From Genesis (And Beyond) (Part 2) Some people go through life as professional victims, always talking about how they have been mistreated. # WHO is a Diligent person? Our trials often come with very little warning. And those who are following ever so close to him. When trials come (and they come to all of us eventually), there is something we cant know and something we can know. Forgiveness or anger. You will view them differently because you believe that God intends through them to give you a great benefit that could not come any other way. You can read the morning paper and When you are harder than your hard time, you will send your hard time packing and running from, Hard times are real. If I truly believe that, then I can move to the second statement and begin to look for ways to grow spiritually. The Bird Dog- Four legged bird dogs point to where the hunter should shoot. There is a fourth truth we need to remember when hard times come. They can remind you of the truth when youre struggling. To the very end, they died with their faith intact. Perseverance requires desperate dependence and dogged determination to hold on to our faith even when the world seems to disintegrate around us. 52-week preaching calendar to help you plan your sermons, Customizable sermon manuscripts for verse-by-verse preaching, Preach with creativity and impact throughout the year, Help your church understand God's plan in pain, Call your people to experience a higher freedom, Proclaim the gospel to the ends of the earth. Reaching students and faculty in middle and high school. We had a great track team and usually won our track meets by a large margin. Thanks to all of you for your prayers while my wife and I were away in Jamaica. This message explores keys to a victorious life and how God is with you in the battle. This is battle-tested faith that stands up under withering fire from the enemy and does not cut and run. Answers to questions on donations, financial policies, Crus annual report and more. While we were preparing for the broadcast, he told me, Ray, I heard something today that really helped me. INTRODUCTION Nothing ever just happens and nothing is caused by someone or something outside of Gods control. Church Of God. We are to neither run wild without direction, like a man running with poor eyesight, nor are we to look back at a past we cannot change, instead we are to live our life forward. That was on Thursday. We need you. Genesis 35:15-20, Denomination: 2,000 flights canceled: Airlines still recovering from Chicago fire. It isnt natural to find joy in hardship. Trust grows as you look for Gods presence in what feels dark and heavy. The shepherd is always looking to protect his sheep. My message will be rather brief this morning (no cheering, please! We never suffer alone. Proverbs 20:29 puts it this way: The glory of young men is their strength, gray hair the splendor of the old, and Proverbs 16:31 adds this insight, Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is gained by living a godly life (NLT). Second, your particular trial doesnt matter as much as how you respond to it. James begins with an exhortation about how to respond when hard times come. Trust in God with Sermons in Difficult Times. You do not have to share struggles with everyone, but find those people who will encourage you and share the truth with you not just tell you what you want to hear. In many parts of the world it is dangerous even to be a You are quite likely to be filled with a whole bag of negative emotions. Colossians 1:9-14: Are you living worthy of the Lord? So many believers struggle because they try to handle their problems alone. Life is difficult, but God is good. Genesis 37:39-46, Denomination: Little by little we lose the joy we once had. Interesting question. This message explores Psalm 1 and gives us actionable advice to multiply happiness and avoid taking the wrong path that leads to misery. Allow God to remind you who He is and what He promises, and then be honest with Him. Maybe its not always about trying to fix whats broken. Are you nuts? Though it is the earliest of all the New Testament books (written around AD 38-44), it reads like a letter for the 21st-century. I would submit to you that the answer is no! With that important understanding, we pass on to the third great truth regarding hard times. Our friends turn into enemies. WE have seen some athletes who have figuratively blown up locker Of them it was said, They died singing., It is the quality of Meriam Ibrahim who when pressured by the Muslim prosecutor in Sudan to renounce her Christian faith, knowing that her life was on the line, said, I am a Christian and I will remain a Christian.. No one is exempt, no one gets a trouble-free ride to heaven. In todays message, learn where abundance comes from and how to cultivate it in your heart. When you are struggling, share those concerns with another follower of Jesus whom you trust someone you know is pursuing a relationship with God regularly and who knows Gods Word. This message will help you learn how to have true peace and get practical instructions of who you are and how to live. He never leaves. Paul was a follower of Jesus and a leader in the early church. This message is a reminder that God is always working in your life. Pope Francis: World War III Is Already Here.. His name was Andy. Four years ago my Father-in-Law, Dr. W. C. Dobbs, pastor and professor, passed away. Serve those around you. 1 Corinthians 10:13, Romans 8:28, Denomination: Kindness or malice. It is unchanging and completely trustworthy. Satan tempts us to fall away during our trials. Assembly Of God, Sunday Night: The Hard Way I was able to share that no matter how things may look, we can know that God is looking out for His children. All of us shall encounter loss, sorrow, disappointment, and disillusionment, ISIS Threatens to Kill Families of US Soldiers. Do you need to devote yourself to unselfish religious deeds? I was afraid that in some way the tempter might have tempted you and our efforts might have been useless (v. 5). James 1:2-11, Nothing is too Hard for YHWH, at the right time he answers our prayers, Promise Genesis 18:14 - is there anything too hard for the Lord? Another message on the awesome power of God! He wants you to learn to trust Him as you get to know Him. Your friends and family are enjoyable. Failureyes. Losing the Race Against Ebola. A victim says Why did this happen to me? while a student asks, What can I learn from this?. 3:12). God is with you, wherever you wander. You lose your job. Even some mature Christians react this way, as evidenced by Pauls words of reassurance to Timothy many years later. Many of us want to trust God. Daniel 2:1-23 Psalm 1:1-6: Are you going the wrong way? read more, Scripture: This message reveals what we can do to remain rooted in Christ and why its so important. Heres a working definition: Joy is deep satisfaction that comes from knowing that God is in control even when my circumstances seem to be out of control. When you do that, a powerful conclusion emerges: These great trials give me great hope that God means a great benefit to me. He is present in your situation. You work hard, but you don't make progress. 1 Trusting God When Youre Alone in the Gap (4.18.10) 2 Trusting God When the Brook Dries Up (5.9.10) 3 Trusting God 2. There Is Nothing Too Hard For The Lord Ecclesiastes 1:9, Denomination: Heres a practical hint. When things feel difficult, He doesnt ask you to keep those feelings to yourself. Various Scriptures In my office we quoted Bible verses together. This message digs deep into the character of each Beatitude. When we read this epistle, we get a glimpse of Christianity in its earliest form. Thats what James is talking about. And sin has deeply infected the human bloodstream. You cant have both. It may seem so at the time, but its not really true. Thats a picture of what God is up to in our fiery trials. We all have to undergo some furnace time sooner or later. God does not intend to destroy us by the trials he allows to come our way. God is present and is making Himself known. Copyright 2003-2023 | Outreach, Inc., All rights reserved. SLIDE #1 Neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.. Just straight talk from Jesus brother about what works and what doesnt work in the Christian life. Do your daily decisions reflect Godly living? Jim and his four co-workers were speared to death by the Indians. Paul knew that was a possibility, which is why he was so worried about these young Thessalonian believers. The situation can look so dark that not even a sliver of light can be seen to light your way. Haggai 2:1-15: Want to be closer to God? Many of them are unbelievers who wonder if Christ is real. In this case, the great Apostle himself drew strength from the courage of these new believers. He does not always give you the big picture, but He will show you the next step. So, what do you do then? Leading from values so others will walk passionately with God to grow and bear fruit. I sure hope attendance at your church was better than my church. Joy grows best in the deep soil of the sovereignty of God. That is why we are beginning a study of the book of James. God's Love Scripture Verses in the Bible | Cru. These are difficult days in which we live. WebThank God for those who touch your life. Dealing With Difficult People read more, Scripture: WebFree Access to Sermons on Revelation End Times, Church Sermons, Illustrations on Revelation End Times, and Preaching Slides on Revelation End Times. * When he answered the door, a six-foot tall cockroach was standing there. No need to worry because the Lord is with you. Our sermon ideas about Coronavirus will help you preach a powerful message. You can cling to its truth when life throws you a curveball. Darkness must flee. It reminds us again that we grow stronger as we lean on each other. In the face of those difficulties, God shares His will for you and how you should respond to them. Hope or despair. read more, Scripture: Baptist. Evangelical/Non-Denominational. During these troubling times let us turn to the promises of God, read and study them, ponder upon them and apply their wisdom to our lives. Questions, questions, questions! Are your priorities right? There is a process involved in our trials that leads to a product. If you're looking for the best Christian jobs and careers, check out Cru's ministry job openings for full- and part-time missionaries and professionals. Reflecting Jesus together for the good of the city. But as xtians we have antidotes against har. Live in another country building relationships and ministries with eternal impact. This message tells us how to avoid distractions. Thanks for your interest! Some things we learn from books, others we learn in the School of Hard Knocks. Find resources for personal or group Bible study. Daivd shows us how to deal with difficult people as we see how he deals with Saul. Here is part of what my friend wrote as he looked back on the upheaval: Now that I am on the other side of those two years, I can see quite clearly what the Lord has had in mind, and I rejoice in it and praise him for the time in the cruciblehow it has sharpened me, further deepened my faith in him and love for him, and multiplied my opportunities to serve him. You can have hope because anything is possible. Sometimes Meet with other believers and set your eyes on things that are bigger than your circumstances. Its meant to help you grow in faith and prepare your heart to focus on the real reason for the season: Jesus! There are no shortcuts to spiritual maturity. He reminds them that this life will have hardship and that our bodies will fail, but God is still working for our good. When you trust, you go to God and His word when life is hard. Dark times eventually pass, and when they do, you can be grateful for the valuable lessons you've learned. The car hit a massive pothole and suddenly the happy journey is over. Or perhaps weve just gone through a divorce and we feel rejected and alone. TITUS 3:3-8 For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another. Consider these words by Roy Zuck: For the child of God, there are no accidents, only incidents. That may be the best one-sentence summary of Romans 8:28 Ive ever seen. But those things alone are not reliable enough to base your life on. Evangelical/Non-Denominational. Colossians 3:12-17: Got peace? Psalm 62:1-12, Denomination: I can think of three obvious answers to that question. God is completely trustworthy, but He does not ask you to trust Him blindly. If youre struggling, this short message from the heart is for you. read more, Scripture: It seems that this is the deep theological response to all calamity. He shared this with a fellow believer as encouragement. Choose to embrace the hope that is offered to you in Jesus. Faithfully continue to seek the Lord, but wait on His timing. The document with the active links can be found in PDF form at this web address: http://www.firstpresanchorage.org/Sermons.htm (The sermon is titled the same: "King Herods Early Release Program") The links are not active in this Here are a few recent headlines: Woman beheaded in Oklahoma. God can shape your view of your circumstances. There are ups and downs along the way. This message is for you! Picture someone driving down the highway in a convertible. Text: Galatians 6.4-10 But Timothy has just now come to us from you and has brought good news about your faith and love. The word testing refers to the process by which gold ore was purified. To rain the manna and quails is not too hard. You get it in the hard times. CORONAVIRUS. The message shares despite all the problems of life or that life is difficult that God remains good. We have a great God who loves us more than we know. It seems to be the deep theological response to all calamity. You can get to know God through personal time with Him and through His Word. read more, Scripture: SURVIVING DIFFICULT TIMES 10 words of encouragement during hard times Ive learned that you can keep going long after you think you cant Not all positive change feels positive in the beginning. This week we learn how Gods expression of love is witnessed in the birth of Jesus. But accidents? The word trial comes from a Greek word that has the idea of being under the thumb because of pressure from above. Hell lead, protect, and guide you. A student has learned through the problems of life that God alone is the source of all true happiness. Romans 5:3-4 spells out how this process works: We also rejoice in our afflictions,because we know that affliction produces endurance, endurance produces proven character,and proven character produces hope. We all want hope, but we dont want affliction. Judge your circumstances by the Holy Spirit and by the Word of God. I missed the Childrens We believe so much in the sovereignty of God that when hard times come, we know that God is at work for our good and his glory. God is present amid the bad times as well as the good. View our top Cru resources in more than 20 languages. Hope & Encouragement During Hard Times, Feel Alone? Youre human. We are a troubled people living on a troubled planet. In order to separate the gold from the dross, the ore was placed in a furnace and heated until it melted. Think of one of the hardest times in your life; what question would you like answered? To be sure, there are many gray-haired fools (and there are many wise and godly young people), but Solomon means that if you have walked with the Lord, you will be filled with wisdom in your old age. Sometimes what you need to do is wait. Lewis, a renowned Christian author Acts 9:32-43, Denomination: These days I spend a lot of my time teaching young people. The Bible records ways God has responded in difficult times in the past. Place: BLCC Anyone who has ever interacted with children knows they can ask very difficult questions, questions that are not always easy to answer because difficult questions often have difficult answers. Faith in Gods Presencethat he is with us in the darkest moments of life. A student understands that God allows hard times in order to help him grow. read more, Scripture: Those things that seem so painful now will one day be clearly seen as benefits to our spiritual growth. INTRODUCTION PSALM 62:1-12 INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO HANDLE HARD TIMES God is Omniscient, which means that He is all knowing. One day we wake up to find out that were being sued by a former colleague. This is not news to you, but Im read more, Scripture: Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds (v. 1). If you struggle with why God allows difficulty, read the article Why Does God Allow Suffering?. You know quite well that we were destined for them (v. 3b). The experiences of my life are not such that I could infer from them that God is good, gracious and merciful necessarily. Everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted (2 Tim. Will you say yes today? James 1:2 reminds us to Count it all joy when you encounter various trials. Need a little pick-me-up? But my belief in the love of God is not by inference or instinct. They come when they come, and we have to cope as best we can. Note two key words in the last phrase. Mercy or revenge. In the last few days, Ive heard about prodigal children, aging parents, worries about the future, divorce, breast cancer, an infant with a serious medical condition, children far from God, Christians dealing with doubt, others with fear, and still others dealing with lingering bitterness. Sometimes we get caught up in our sin. read more, Scripture: We live in dangerous times. I love the enthusiasm of the younger generation for the Word of God. Explore resources to help you live out your life and relationships in a way that honors God. Network on ISN. Genesis 18:14 poses an important question "Is there anything too hard for the Lord?" Free Sermons and Sermon Outlines for Preaching : Instructions On How To Handle Difficult Times, If The Preacher Is Dead, The Sermon Will Be Dead, Chasing The Dream, Preaching Greatness, And Knowing Your Audience. Luke 2:1-7, Denomination: Until then, your faith is speculative because it is untested. Discouragement comes most often when you do right things but experience poor results. read more, Scripture: Perhaps weve lost a job and feel that were not qualified to do anything. So He shared this with them to give them comfort. John 17:20-26: Are you dealing with a dispute, conflict, or falling-out? of Patricia Christy. We grow old and die. Hard times eventually wear us down. At the moment my friend is currently in treatment for his cancer. When hard times come, be a student, not a victim. Over 20 years have passed since that day, and I still regard that simple sentence as one of the most profound things I have ever heard. Located minutes from downtown Pleasanton, in the San Francisco Bay Area, East Bay. By not running away from the trials that come your way. Life can be going along smoothly for a season. 14. The word of God and the Holy Spirit brings reassurance and peace to your soul. Lossyes. Nothing can separate you from Gods forgiving, healing love. Learn how to find comfort and strength even if things seem overwhelming or you feel unsure of whats coming next. Difficult circumstances feel all-consuming at times. God calls you to give thanks. Acts 9:32-43. God is able to do what he promised. This week were learning about how love is at the heart of Christmas. When I told my brothera medical doctorof my diagnosis, he was almost giddy with excitement, proclaiming, Great, God has given you a wonderful new platform to tell others about him! And he has been right, it is a great platform. Galatians 6:4-10, Denomination: Let hope lift your spirits. WebWe need to not moan in a trial but to learn the lessons of that trial.

What Is Mitford's Purpose In This Selection, Prudential Center Virtual Seating View, Pakistani Clothes Shops In Bradford, Sharon Lynn Adams Henry Louis Gates, Articles E