“Jesus knew that they wanted to ask him, so he said to them, “Is this what you are asking yourselves, what I meant by saying, ‘A little while and you will not see me, and again a little while and you will see me’? Truly, truly, I say to you, you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice. You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy.” John 16:19-20 ESV One of my pet peeves is when a person gloats. I’m quite competitive by nature so when I’m losing, it infuriates me when someone rubs that…
“Sorrow is better than laughter, for sadness has a refining influence on us.” Ecclesiastes 7:3 I know, this scripture is usually recited in times of utter despair as a means of encouragement. While the above scripture is 100% true, it can be a hard truth to swallow in moments of heartbreak, loss, and tragedy. Think back over your life and remember all the moments that truly defined and shaped you as an individual. Chances are, most of them may be trials you had to face, storms you had to weather, and battles that needed to be fought. No one enjoys the valleys of life, I know that I certainly don’t, but I do know that dark seasons are often when God speaks to us the most. Just like the old hymn says, He is the God of the valley. The lessons you learn in your current situation will have a defining influence for the rest of your life. These seasons will shape your character as a Christ follower, and take you closer to your destiny in Him. Allow yourself to be molded in this season, and don’t fear the pain of change. God has something incredible for you in this…
“And the disciples said to him, “Where are we to get enough bread in such a desolate place to feed so great a crowd?” And Jesus said to them, “How many loaves do you have?” They said, “Seven, and a few small fish.” And directing the crowd to sit down on the ground, he took the seven loaves and the fish, and having given thanks he broke them and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. And they all ate and were satisfied. And they took up seven baskets full of the broken pieces left over. ” Matthew 15:33-37 ESV Sometimes reaching such a lost and broken world can be incredibly overwhelming and frightening. Cancel culture bares its teeth and threatens us into silence, sin is being celebrated and many loved ones have walked away from the truth. It’s devastating, and if we aren’t careful, we will begin to shrink back and quiet ourselves. We are living in desolate times, a place of loneliness, confusion, and questions. The disciples in the above scriptures ask in the literal sense where they will be able to find enough bread to feed the crowd. It was their personal desolate place, and I imagine that…
“Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said, Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge? Gird up now thy loins like a man; for I will demand of thee, and answer thou me.” Job 38:1-3 As Elihu was speaking to Job in Chapter 37, a thunderstorm arose, and when the storm was over, God spoke out of the splendor of the sky. Job had challenged God to speak and now he is taken at his word. God asked Job a series of questions, instructing him like a child in how man was unable to understand God’s…
“If only someone would listen to me! Look, I will sign my name to my defense. Let the Almighty answer me. Let my accuser write out the charges against me.” Job 31:35 NLT It appears that at this point Job realizes that someone must have gone to God and accused him of sinning. As we read the book now, we know that this is true. Satan did ask God for permission to try Job and prove he was the man that God thought he was. In Chapter 31, Job looks back over his life and lists all the good things that he had done, all the ways that he had lived to please God and to bless others. He had treated his servants and employees well and had shown benevolence to the poor and needy. He had walked in integrity and purity. He then throws out a challenge that if these claims were not true, he would be punished. Verse 22 “Then let mine arm fall from my shoulder blade, and mine arm be broken from the bone.” He appeals to God and asks for a reply. Then ends his arguments with these words “The words of Job are ended.”…
“Then Job answered and said, Even to day is my complaint bitter: my stroke is heavier than my groaning. Oh that I knew where I might find him! that I might come even to his seat! I would order my cause before him, and fill my mouth with arguments. I would know the words which he would answer me, and understand what he would say unto me. Will he plead against me with his great power? No; but he would put strength in me.” Job 23:1-6 In this chapter we see Job admitting that his complaints seemed rebellious, but can we blame him after all his suffering? Now he is longing for a personal audience with the Lord if only he knew where to find Him. He knew that he could stand before Him without fear, he could plead his cause, and the Lord would listen, and treat him fairly. Job did not realize that the Lord had been with him all this time, but deep down in his heart, he knew that God had a plan for him (verse 10) and controlled his destiny (vs. 14). As we consider Job’s story, it is important to remember that he did not have the resources…