Date:
September 15-17, 2015What's So Good About Tough Times?
Look beyond the tough stuff by remembering that God is working in and through all things—everything. He has a higher good in mind than just our temporal good.
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Tough Stuff
A crisis is any event that leads, or is expected to lead to, an unstable and dangerous situation, which affects an individual, family, group, community or society as a whole. Crises are deemed to be negative changes in life especially when they occur abruptly. Since a crisis is a testing time or an emergency event, we may panic, become stressed, or struggle to cope as a result.
Regardless of the reason for the crisis God is always in control. He cares about what we are going through (1 Peter 5:7) and He never forsakes us (Hebrews 13:5). God provides grace for our times of need if we humbly look to Him (John 15:5; Philippians 4:13). That grace can manifest itself in whatever we need: peace (Isaiah 26:3), comfort (Psalm 23:4), stability, protection, or guidance (Psalm 31:3). He will strengthen and uphold us (Isaiah 41:10). God also assures us that He can work in and through the crisis for our good and His glory (Romans 8:28).
Rethinking God's Sovereignty
In times of great stress we need a solid foundation to fall back upon. It is in those moments of panic and fear our training kicks in and we realize even though we feel lost and alone, it's not truth. God is with us.
Remembered and Promoted
In life, testing is more often than not “par for the course.” But sometimes God rescues us from our plight, bringing us into new circumstances. For 13 years Joseph had been a slave in Egypt. And all the while, His plans for Joseph were in motion, leading Joseph to the cusp of his release from prison and an unexpected blessing. Through Joseph’s example, we should be encouraged to trust God—even in difficult times of waiting.
Imprisoned and Forgotten
The pain of unjust suffering—one of the most severe trials we can experience—tests our faith like nothing else. In our world today, we can’t escape it. As difficult as injustice is to endure, the greater challenge is facing it with an attitude that preserves faith. For the most part, we can’t control what happens to us today or tomorrow, whether fair or foul. But we can choose our attitude.
A Time for Strong Resolve
Courage is just another word for inner strength. God’s Medal of Honour winners are made in secret, because our most courageous acts occur down deep inside, away from the view of the general public. That takes courage. It takes a strong resolve.
Abortion...after the Fact
What do we say to the woman who has already gotten an abortion? How can we help the person who advised a friend or relative to abort her child? This is the flip side of a crucial issue and cannot be ignored.
The Sanctity of Life
Abortion will be in the forefront of our nation’s political and legal future for years to come. Essentially, however, it is not merely a political or legal issue, but a moral one, with deeply spiritual overtones. Because this is true, we need to be alert, informed, and concerned.
How God Gives You Wisdom
“How does a person get wisdom? I realize we are to be men and women of wisdom, but few people ever talk about how it’s acquired.” His answer was quick and to the point. “Pain.”
Welcome to Whine Country
I grumble. I gripe. I have grievances. In the midst of my whining, something happened. Our family took a trip to a third-world country with Compassion. While we were there, God hit me with the shallowness of my outlook on life.
How Can I Learn to Embrace Change?
There’s a saying, “No one likes change except a baby with a dirty diaper, and even then the baby will cry about it!” Embracing change involves three attitudes: acknowledgement, adjustment, and acceptance.
