From Breakdown To Breakthrough

Sometimes it takes someone else coming into our situation to tell us that God has something better for us.

God has incredible ability to untangle an upward plan that do not serve His eternal purposes. We spend much of our time planning the path in front of us. We assume we know what we need. We think we can chart a proper path that will lead us to peace and prosperity. And then in the moment, the plans fail. Despair is the easy move and set times.

When your plans don’t work out or your strategy doesn’t come through for you, rather than being agitated and or agonizing over what didn’t happen, take some time to invite God into this situation. Ask him to lead with a word that speaks to your situation. Let him guide you into better plan that you could have an ever imagined.

If you turn to the Lord and receive His direction, He will release words that set you up for success, facilitate fruitfulness, and create a path that will bring His purposes about.

When our plans fail, that’s temptation is to fall into discouragement. But we might have to fight that off. Sometimes God allows our small plants to fail so that His big purposes or can prevail.

When is your vision, you try to hold onto it, but if it’s God’s vision it will hold onto you.

The Idol Of Self

We see it in the whines of a little boy, We see it in the entitlement of the teenager, you see it in the needless argument of married couples over something unimportant, and we see it in the bitterness of a old man. None of us has escaped this disease. It infects all of our hearts. It is the reason for so much of the brokenness, anger, and pain in the human community. It is the foundation of so much unhappiness and generations of war. It is a personal and moral disaster, yet it seduces us all. It’s power draws all of us in. We see it in others and deny it in ourselves. It makes for uncomfortable family moments, friendship disloyalty and violence in the streets. It makes us envious and demanding. It causes discontent to be more natural that thankfulness. It ruins our vacations and holidays. It makes us spend ourselves into hopeless debt, to fall into paralyzing addiction, and to eat more then we ever should. It turns siblings on siblings and makes war-making more natural than peacemaking.

What is this thing the kidnaps us all? It is the selfishness of sin. The idol of idols really is the idol of self. We make it all about us. We put ourselves in the center of the story. We evaluate life from the vantage point of a scary and tragic “me-ism.” We pull the borders of our concerns into the narrow confines of what we want, what we feel, what we dream, and what we think we need. A good day is a day that is pleasurable and easy for me. A good circumstance is one in which I get my way. A good marriage is one in which my spouse becomes a servant to my dream for my life. A good church has the worship, programs, and preaching that satisfy me. A good job is one that keeps me happy and engaged. It is a life shaped by a shrunken kingdom of one.

But the first four words of the Bible confront us with the inescapable reality that it is not all about us. They confront us with the truth that life comes from, is controlled by, and exists for another. We will never be at the center because God is. It will never be about us because it’s about Him. Our will won’t be done because His kingdom will. Life will not submit to us because ultimately all things will submit to Him. He is at center stage. He is the spotlight character. Life is not found in putting ourselves at the center. That only leads to disfunction, disappointment, and brokenness. Jesus came to decimate our misplaced loyalty so that we would find freedom from bondage to ourselves and know the peace that passes understanding. Adam and Eve’s rebellion becomes our delusion, and for that there is rescuing grace.

Amos 6:1-9

How To Trust God, Even In Difficult Times

Life is not predictable. There are ups and downs along the way. Many of us want to trust God. When times are good, it can feel easier. But when times are difficult, it is even more important to trust God. God’s unchanging character can give us a firm foundation when things feel unsteady and uncertain

Life can be going along smoothly for a season. Your job is satisfying, your friends and family are enjoyable. Your goals, finances, health, and outlook seem bright. Then, all of the sudden, life throws a curveball. Someone you know gets sick. You lose your job. A friend or family member betrayed you. The things you felt secure in all of the sudden are shaky and uncertain.

How do you trust that God is good in these circumstances? How do you trust him when you do not understand what is happening? When you cannot see a resolution? These are valid questions and God wants to help you navigate them.

What Does It Mean To Trust God?

To trust is to believe in the reliability, truth, ability or strength of something. So, when it comes to trusting God, that means believing in His reliability, His word, His ability, and His strength. The Bible says that God cannot lie. That He always keeps His promises. That He loves you and has good in store for you. Trusting in Him means believing what He says about Himself, about the world and about you is true.

Trusting God is more than a feeling; It’s a choice to have faith in what He says even when your feelings or circumstances would have you believe something different. Your feelings and circumstances matter and are very much worth paying attention to. God cares about them both. But those things alone are not reliable enough to base your life on. They can change at any moment, even in an instant. God, on the other hand is not king. He is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow and therefore is worthy of your trust.

Trusting God it’s not about ignoring your feelings or reality. It is not pretending that everything is OK when it isn’t. Trusting God is leading a life of belief and in obedience to God even when it’s difficult.

How To Trust God

Now that you know what it means to cross God, how exactly can you do that in your every day life?

If you trust someone, you feel comfortable being honest with them about anything. God is much more reliable than even your most trustworthy friend. When things get difficult, he doesn’t ask you to keep those feelings to yourself.

Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.

1 Peter 5:7

You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my cues in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book.

Psalm 58:8

Because God loves you, you can show your trust in Him by talking about all your feelings and circumstances with Him – the good and and hard through prayer. Don’t let your emotions run your life; Bring them to God so He can help you address them. He is not disappointed or frustrated by your struggles, doubts or pain. He cares about you, and you can trust Him with all things.

When you trust, you go to God and His Word when life is hard. You also act on obedience and trust that He will ultimately take care of the rest. In trust, you do not look for security and other things, you look to God to hold you securely in difficult circumstances. You won’t do this perfectly, but God is kind and patient with you while you learn to trust Him.

My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death, He said you’re gonna stay here and keep watch. Going a little farther, He fell to the ground and prayed that if possible the hour might pass from Him. Abba, Father, he said, everything is possible for You. Take this cup from Me. Yeah not what I will, but what You will.

Mark 14:34-36

Jesus Himself felt overwhelmed by what was before Him, and He went straight to His Father.

He cares for your hurts. He pays attention. How comforting is it know that the God of the universe is also paying attention to you. Knowing that God is for you will strengthen your trust in him during times of hardship and the unknown.

Here are seven practical ways to trust God in your every day life:

Seek Truth In Scripture

Scripture, or the Bible, is God’s Word. God knows you need somewhere to go when you feel unsure. That place is His Word. It is unchanging and completely trustworthy.

The Bible records which God has responded in difficult times in the past. It reminds you that He is trustworthy whatever your circumstances. Many people in scripture even reference other parts of scripture to encourage themselves and those around them.

The truth and scripture review from the expectation of earning your salvation (John 8:32). It also frees you from unrealistic scenarios that you run to in worry. If you don’t run to the Word to remind you of truth in difficult times, is easier for you to be led into lies about your life and who God is.

We need a strong foundation of scripture to stand on, especially when we feel uncertain. The Bible is God‘s unfailing, unchanging Word. You can cling two is truth when life throws you a curveball.

Confess Your Unbelief

Be honest. Allow God to remind you of who He is and what He promises, and then be honest with Him. You can tell God how you feel and what areas of your life you are struggling to crush Him.

First, it is good to acknowledge that His character is good and trustworthy. You can agree with him that all He says is true. You can also tell Him when it’s difficult for you to believe.

According to Mark 9, A man brought his son to Jesus for healing from being possessed by a demon. He ask you to fill heal him “if you can.” Jesus asked the man if he did not believe that He could heal, and this was his reply.

Immediately the boys father exclaimed , I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!

Mark 9:24

He believed, but it was difficult to believe so he asked for help.

It is one thing to know the truth. But it is sometimes hard to believe it when life takes unexpected turns. You’re human. You’re able to confess to God with your feelings and beliefs are not lining up with His truth. You can ask Him to help you believe what He says is true,

This help you except that God is bigger than you could ever understand. Confession help you humble yourself and allow you to grow in trust. He hear your request and answers them he want to help you grow in your faith.

Share Your Concerns With Your Community

You are not facing these difficult times alone. Lord is walking with you every step of the way. He also give you other believers to walk with.

The Apostle Paul was a follower of Jesus and a leader in the early church. He shared this with a fellow believer as encouragement.

I pray that your partnership with us and faith may be affective and deepening your understanding of every good thing we share for the sake of Christ

Philippians 1:6

Paul reminded his friend that partnership is important and helps us to have a greater understanding of God and His plan.

When you are struggling, share those concern with another follower of Jesus who you trust – someone you know is pursuing a relationship with God regularly and who knows God’s Word. You do not have to share your 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.

Fellow believers can remind you of God’s character through encouragement and accountability. They can pray for and support you. They can remind you of the truth when you’re struggling. Community remind you that you are never alone, even in hard times.

Remember God And Spend Time With Him

God is bigger than your circumstances. Difficult times may feel like they last forever, but they are temporary. God is present amid the bad times as well as the good. He is always faithful.

God wants you to go to Him with your circumstances. He wants you to come to him simply to spend time with Him. You should not let your circumstances shape your relationship with God. God can shape your review of the circumstances.

Spend regular time with God. Establishing a consistent time with the Lord when things feel good well hope you continue to go to Him when things feel rough. If you have not established that, it is never too late to start.

Read His word. Spend time in prayer acknowledging who He is. Meet with other believers and set your eyes on things that are bigger than your circumstances. Serve of those around you. These simple practices will help you see God outside of difficult things, which will establish trust in your heart that he will move in your circumstances.

Look For Things To Be Grateful For

Difficult circumstances feel all consuming at times. It’s really hard to see past them to other good things going on. But God’s grace is in all things. In your waking up. In the sunny days. In a call from my friend. He is in all of it,

But those good times often get overshadowed by even more complicated things going on. In the face of both difficulties, God shares His will for you and how you should respond to them.

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; For this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

Thessalonians 5:16-18

God called you to give thanks. He is always working in your life and in the world. In the moment when everything appears to be falling apart, it can be hard to see how God is at work, but no His mercy is consistent.

Giving thanks bites the light that everything is horrible. Even in tragic circumstances, there will be light and grace. God is present and Himself known. You need only look. Trust grows as you look for God’s presence in what feels dark and heavy. He never leaves.

Walk In The Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit lives in anyone who trust in Jesus. The Holy Spirit is your constant helper, pointing you to Jesus.

When Jesus was telling His followers that He was going to be killed, He knew that they would be worried. They would feel scared about being left alone. So He shared this with them to give them comfort.

But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.

John 14:26

The spirit comforts and remind you of the truth. The spirit will also lead you in obedience. He will bring direction to you.

A common struggle in difficult times and feelings of hopelessness and worry about an unknown future. The leading of the Spirit can ease struggles by guiding you to act of obedience. He does not always give you the big picture, but He will show you the next step.

Walking closely with the Holy Spirit will not only give you direction but remind you that you are not alone. God is not distant. He is with you in difficulty. He is making a way for you.

Wait On The Lord

The Holy Spirit will lead you in what you should do. Sometimes what you need to do is wait. Faithfully continue to seek the Lord, but wait on His timing. Wait on Him to act on your behalf wait on Him to do what you cannot do yourself.

In the book of Isaiah, God responds to the Israelites who thought that God had turned away from them. He reminds them that he does not sleep or take a break. He always sees them and you always working for their good.

They who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; it’ll run and not be weary; To walk and not faint.

Isaiah 40:31

He will help you wait with the endurance. Waiting on the Lord reminds you that you are not in control. Thank goodness! He is bigger than any of your circumstances. He will sustain you and grow your faith in waiting.

God is never neglecting your life. If He seems to be silent, remember His promised is that He is always hearing your prayers and responding.

When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of their troubles.

Psalm 34:17

When Trust Falters

God is trustworthy even when you don’t see your prayer answered or problem-solving right away. Life is unpredictable and difficult at times, and that difficulty may persist for longer than you had hoped. It may even bring you the end of your strength. So, what do you do then?

Wait, trust and remember that God loves you. You can trust Him to sustain you, provide for you and be with you even in the mist of your hardship. Jesus guaranteed his followers that they would be hard times (John 16:33), But He promised that He would always be with them (Matthew 28:20).

God is completely trustworthy, but He does not ask you to trust Him blindly. He wants you to learn to trust him I can get to know Him. You can get to know God through personal time with Him and through His word. Spending time exploring aspects of His trustworthiness in Scripture.

In the book of Romans, one of the early followers of Jesus, Paul, right you believe her about the present life. He reminds them that this life will have hardships and that our bodies will fail, but God is still working for our good.

And we know that all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to his purpose.

Romans 8:28

In times of doubt, remember His promises. Remember who He has always been. Even in doubt and uncertainty, if you keep going to Him, He will continually show Himself to be trustworthy.

The 5 Truths About Hell

It is easy to avoid the topic of Hell because it’s an uncomfortable topic to talk about. Did you know Jesus talked more about Hell than He did anything else in the Bible? He didn’t avoid the tough conversations, and He knew the gravity of eternity.

We all will die, and there are two places we will either end up: Heaven or Hell.

Before we look at these truths about Hell, we need to know how the Bible describes Hell.

Hell is described in the Bible as 3 words:

Abyss

A bottomless pit, the underworld, the primal deep, The realm of the dead (Psalm 71:20; Luke 8:31; Revelation 91, 3, 11, 17:8; 20:1,3).

Hades

The underworld, a land of darkness, a prison (Job 10:21; 26:5; Psalm 30:9; 115:17; Luke 8:30-31; Matthew 11:23; 16:18; Peter 3:19; Revelation 20:7).

Gehenna

A fiery place of eternal punishment where the body and soul are judged (Matthew 13:42, 50; 25::41; 46; Mark 9; 43; 45;47). Gehenna originally referred to the valley of the son of Hinnom, lying south of Jerusalem where children were sacrificed to the god, Molech, as they walked through fire (2 Kings 16:3; 21:6; 23:10; 2 Chronicles 33:6; Joshua 15;8; Isaiah 31:9).

Hell is a fiery, dark, and bottomless pit where there is eternal judgment for those who don’t believe in Jesus and continue to live like they want  to live, just honoring and obeying God intentionally.

The 5 Truth Of Hell

1. Hell is the point of separation from the greatest presence of God (Matthew 13:41-42.

2. Hell is the place of outer darkness and gloom (Mark 8:12; Jude 7, 13).

3. Hell is a place in conscience extreme sorrow and regret (Luke 16:22-24, 27-28; Revelation 20:10).

4. How is a place of fire (Matthew 5:22; 13:43-50; Mark 9:43; Luke 16:24; Hebrews 10:26-27; Revelation 14:10-11; 20:10, 14).

5. Hell last forever (Mark 9:43; Matthew 25:41, 46; Isaiah 66; Jude 7, 13; Revelation 20:10).

I have heard many people say Hell is going to be just one big party. Maybe they say it and make them selves feel better. I really don’t know the answer. But what from Jesus says about Hell In the Bible it doesn’t sound like a party to me.