In Philippians 4:4 we are commanded to “Rejoice in the Lord always!” That is quite a remarkable command given that we had already been warned by Christ that life won’t always feel good (cf. Jn.16:33). But the directive is given and our response is expected…
The vindication of the gospel always involves waiting, difficulties, and rejection—but God provides the resources to patiently and resolutely endure.
The world is filled with injustice. Our lives at times seem to be filled with it too. While we should always seek to pursue justice for the sake of the One who embodies it (Ps.97:2), there are many times when equitable solutions are not attainable this side of heaven. Thankfully, God has promised…
Pain hurts, and few of us would choose it if we had a choice. But often God chooses it for us, so we can experience his strong deliverance and learn to praise him more perfectly. Consider Psalm 102 (a psalm with a preface that reads “the prayer of an afflicted man”) where we…
First Thessalonians 5:18 requires that Christians “give thanks in all circumstances.” While to some this may seem crazy or at least a strange kind of spiritual masochism, the Bible has good reason for directing us to be grateful even when…
You cannot have a peaceful heart if your expectations about life are inaccurate. When we seek to achieve a calm and contented spirit by asking God to fix all our problems we can be certain our lives will be filled with angst and anxiety. While it may be intuitive…
Fear, worry, and anxiety for the Christian is sinful and illogical because we have an omnipotent Father who is willing and able to strongly support us when we put our confidence in him.
Though painful circumstances and personal opposition may tempt us to doubt God’s care, we must recall his promises and his faithfulness and choose to live confidently as we rest in his good plan for his kids.
We must remember and wholeheartedly affirm God’s good management of all things in history, in life, and the future, confident that all things work together for good.
It is easy to fool ourselves (and others) with the words we use to express our loyalty to Christ, what matters is possessing a faith that expresses itself by a willingness to follow him despite the costs.
We need a wholehearted reliance on all the promises of Christ, knowing that past experiences won’t be enough when trials come to test our faith.
When times get tough Christians need to rely on the unchangeable realities that are guaranteed to us because of the grace provided to us in Christ.
God often prepares us to be useful through various trials which we must preserve with hope and resolve to parlay all he brings our way for the promotion of Christ.
God’s promise of provision and his track record of care in our lives ought to be ample cause for us to confidently trust him no matter how difficult or painful life might be.
Life can be tough sometimes, but we trust in a God who is not ignorant of our suffering. Pastor Mike explores one response when life gets tough.
When problems, pressures or people are pitted against you and they threaten to do you harm, make sure you’re right with God, focus on him and leave your opponents for him to deal with.
Marriage is not easy being made up of two fallen and sinful individuals, but God is ready to assist us in utilizing the difficulties of marriage as catalysts of spiritual growth.
God is able to grant us true peace and real joy regardless of our circumstances as long as we are faithful to choose to trust his love and cast our anxieties on him!
Because of our relationship with God (and each other) we can wisely & productively navigate any difficult station in life.
We can face the future with confidence and joy knowing that God`s difficult appointments only confirm our faith, and earn for us a better place in our future home.
When tough times hit remember that as a part of God’s family he’ll help you establish what is right as you entrust yourself to him!