August 11 2013 Trusting God During Adversity And Misunderstandings

Trusting God During Adversity/Misunderstandings

Genesis 50:20 - You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good, to accomplish that which is now being done, the saving of many lives.

5 Ways To Hang On In Adversity

1.  He knew the practics of survival.

3 Things To Remember
• He didn’t give in to self pity.
Genesis 39:3 - The Lord gave him success in everything he did.

• He didn’t give in to bitterness.
Genesis 45:15 - He kissed all his brothers and wept over them.

• He knew God sees everything and cares.
“But the Lord was with Joseph.”

2.  We see the plan of God.
Romans 8:28 - In all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.

Psalm 37:25 - I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken.

3.  Remember the promises of God.
Romans 15:4 - For everything that was written was so that we might have hope.

Psalm 9:10 - For you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.

Psalm 34:6 -I sought the Lord and He answered me and delivered me.

Philippians 4:19 - My God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.

4.  The people of God.
Hebrews 10:24-25 - Spur one another on, encourage one another.

2 Corinthians 1:3-4 - The God of all comfort comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others in trouble.

Genesis 39:21

Genesis 40

5.  There is God’s presence through Christ.
Rom 5:10 - When we were God’s enemies we were reconciled to Him through the death of His Son.

1 Peter 5:7 - Cast all your cares upon Him because He cares for you.

Genesis 49:22 - Joseph is a fruitful bough.  Whose branches run over the wall.

Two Words In Turning To Christ

• Repent of your sins.

• Trust in Christ alone.

October 7 2012 The Choice Of Comfort

THE CHOICE OF COMFORT
Matthew 5:4 - Happy are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

How To Experience God’s Comfort

1.  Realize God is with you.
Psalm 34:18 - The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
Psalm 121:2-3 - Where does my help come from?  My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth, He will not let your foot slip, He who watches over you will not slumber.

Things I need to remember:

• God is aware.
Job 13:27 - You (God) keep a close watch on all my paths.

• God is sympathetic.
Nahum 1:7 - The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in Him.

• God let’s you talk about your discomfort.
Heb. 4:16 - Let us approach (God) with confidence, so we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

2. Release the hurt.

How?

I must stop focusing on what has been lost,
And start focusing on what’s left.

Options for our hurts:
•  You can repress it
•  You can rehearse it.
•  You can refuse to resent it.

Isaiah 43:18 - Do not dwell on the past. See I am doing a new thing (says the Lord).

Romans 12:19 - Dear friends, never avenge yourselves. Leave that to God, for He has said He will repay those who deserve it.

Psalm 10 - Victim’s Psalm

3. Rely on God’s resources for comfort.

Three Comforters:

• God’s Word.
Psalm 119:25, 52 - I am completely discouraged.  Revive me by your Word.  Your Word has been my comfort.
Philippians 4:13 - I can do all things through Christ Who strengthens me.

• God’s people.
II Cor. 1:3-4 - The God of all comfort comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort others with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.

• God’s Spirit is a comfort.
Romans 15:13 - May the God of hope fill you will all joy, that by the power of the Holy Spirit your whole life and outlook may be radiant with hope.

Revelation 21:4 - He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.