10 words of encouragement during hard times Ive learned that you can keep going long after you think you cant Not all positive change feels positive in the beginning. Our bodies wear out. My message will be rather brief this morning (no cheering, please! But when times feel difficult, it is even more important to trust God. #1 Sermon: John 10:1-10 Inspirational; Small Group Studies; Church Media. 1 Kings 19:3-18, Psalm 22: Are you burdened by feeling alone? This weeks message teaches us how to live for Christ in a fallen world. Verses 7-8 reveal another way in which our trials are productive: Therefore, brothers, in all our distress and persecution we were encouraged about you because of your faith. If we need hope, we will have it. Psalm 23:4: Feel Alone? But the result is the pure gold of Christlike character. Whenever I tell others about my rough road back to Christ from non-Christian relationships, the one question I am always asked is, What would have helped make my road back a little easier? My answer is, during my time of spiritual loneliness, if I had had a sister in Christ seek me out and tell me, Ive been there, I love you, and I can help you find your way back to Jesus, perhaps I could have been spared a lot more pain than having to discover the answers on my own. Acts 12:1-19. Hope & Encouragement During Hard Times, Feel Alone? (From the Bible Knowledge Commentary). Are you ready for a close, personal relationship with the shepherd? If you trust someone, you feel comfortable being honest with them about anything. 8 Inspiring Messages For The Christian Trying To Stay Strong In Faith. The most peaceful actions can be the ones that What was her testimony? Our sermon ideas about Coronavirus will help you preach a powerful message. Explore resources to help you live out your life and relationships in a way that honors God. This message tells us how to avoid distractions. Sometimes we will see it; often we will simply have to take it by faith. You are not facing these difficult times alone. read more, Scripture: Even some mature Christians react this way, as evidenced by Pauls words of reassurance to Timothy many years later. Daniel 2:1-23, Denomination: 13. One of the major themes in the book of Philippians is joy. Are you open to what the Lord wants to do in your life? A staff can bring comfort, assurance, confidence and support. Volunteer abroad this year on a short term global missions trip offered by one of the best, most-reliable Christian missions organizations in the world. ( 1:4,18, 25,26 You never know what you believe until hard times come. 52-week preaching calendar to help you plan your sermons, Customizable sermon manuscripts for verse-by-verse preaching, Preach with creativity and impact throughout the year, Help your church understand God's plan in pain, Call your people to experience a higher freedom, Proclaim the gospel to the ends of the earth. But those good times often get overshadowed by other more complicated things going on. Winning in Difficult Situations And for the most part, we cant choose our trials nor can we avoid most of them. It is by faith. 4:15-16). Kindness or malice. 2,000 flights canceled: Airlines still recovering from Chicago fire. He is present in your situation. He hears your requests and answers them. Why? Joy or bitterness. So He asked for help. In a few months Ill teach Ezra in South Korea and then Galatians in New York. What do you do when your world caves in? God is never neglecting your life. Four years ago my Father-in-Law, Dr. W. C. Dobbs, pastor and professor, passed away. You may have heard Psalm 23 many times, but I want to focus on one verse: Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me (Psalm 23:4, NIV). Let hope lift your spirits. Independent/Bible. Colossians 1:9-14: Are you living worthy of the Lord? Reaching students and faculty in middle and high school. The Bible says that God cannot lie. We live in a madcap world that work the whole night and sleep the whole day with no time for self Thanks The truth of Scripture frees you from the expectations of earning your salvation (John 8:32). These are difficult days in which we live. He does not always give you the big picture, but He will show you the next step. For the last few years, he has served as a speaker with Ravi Zacharias International Ministries. 2. 52-week preaching calendar to help you plan your sermons, Customizable sermon manuscripts for verse-by-verse preaching, Preach with creativity and impact throughout the year, Help your church understand God's plan in pain, Call your people to experience a higher freedom, Proclaim the gospel to the ends of the earth. After several promising attempts at first contact, a team of five missionaries flew to a jungle landing strip, hoping to establish friendly relations. Hard times make us seek answers. You can agree with Him that all He says is true. Difficult situations are not new. This message will help you learn how to have peace and get practical instructions of who you are and how to live, plus 4 steps to peace and blessing. William Barclay notes that in the early church the martyrs gained the respect of unbelievers because in the moment of death, they had this quality. The word trial comes from a Greek word that has the idea of being under the thumb because of pressure from above. Luke 21:5-36, Denomination: The words joy or rejoice are to be found in all four chapters of the book. Sign up to join over 20,000 subscribers receiving our weekly sermon email. What happened? Choose to embrace the hope that is offered to you in Jesus. Advent 2022, week 5: During this series, we are looking at how hope, peace, joy and love are at the heart of Christmas. Presbyterian/Reformed. read more, Scripture: He is making a way for you. Romans 16:12.Greet the beloved Persis, who has worked hard in the Lord. Mystery Virus Causes Paralysis. You get it in the hard times. Look to Jesus and you will find the strength you need. Proverbs 20:29 puts it this way: The glory of young men is their strength, gray hair the splendor of the old, and Proverbs 16:31 adds this insight, Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is gained by living a godly life (NLT). When we obey line upon line and precept upon precept, we will I have firm faith that my soul is saved by the grace and mercy of the Triune God, and not by any accomplishment or merit of my own. Psalm 1: Want a blessed life of meaning and fulfillment? Take the next step in your faith journey with resources on prayer, devotionals and other tools for personal and spiritual growth. We have an anchor for our lives in the Lord. In order to separate the gold from the dross, the ore was placed in a furnace and heated until it melted. Thats the true Christian position. Whatever youre facing, victory is just ahead. He reminds them that He does not sleep or take a break. What can we do to keep our faith strong? So He shared this with them to give them comfort. Gods uses our trials to produce perseverance. The Greek word is sometimes translated as endurance or steadfastness or patience. In the book of Revelation, this word describes the faith of those brave saints who would not take the Mark of the Beast (Revelation 14:12). Remember the shepherd and the shepherds tools. WebWe need to not moan in a trial but to learn the lessons of that trial. You are never alone no matter how you may feel. We had a great track team and usually won our track meets by a large margin. The message shares despite all the problems of life or that life is difficult that God remains good. Youve been added to our email list. read more, Scripture: God has ordained that your trials are part of his plan to make you like Jesus. Lets BE DELIGENT. If I truly believe that, then I can move to the second statement and begin to look for ways to grow spiritually. I am glad to share it because it is truly encouraging. According to Mark 9, a man brought his son to Jesus for healing from being possessed by a demon. ), because given the fact that we will be eating shortly, then have our meeting, I dont want to keep us any later than necessary. That He always keeps His promises. The book of Jude is one of those that we skip over most of the time. # WHO is a Diligent person? A student asks, How much of this did I bring on myself?, A victim looks at everyone else and cries out, Life isnt fair. A student looks at life and says, What happened to me could have happened to anyone.. Or someone you trusted may start spreading lies about you. Now that you know what it means to trust God, how exactly can you do that in your everyday life? Difficult situations are not new to any generation. We had us a bunch of sick folk, and them added to all the You may have heard of people coming through the school of hard Knocks, but as I look through the word of God, I find some NOTs that are hard for some people to swallow. No theory here. Community read more, Scripture: As I am making notes to share with you, I received a call from a dear friend and it was a call of rejoicing even as someone we both know is walking through a valley. But during a period of loneliness, she fell in with a bad crowd and began to dabble in sin. Many people in Scripture even reference other parts of Scripture to encourage themselves and those around them. God wants to encourage us during hard times. As inhabitants of a fallen world, we oftentimes face heartache, intimidation, and seemingly insurmountable obstacles. But as children of God, saved and secure in Jesus, we are never beyond the reach of the Lords encouragement. Introduction Look up and call out to Jesus. The Holy Spirit is your constant helper, pointing you to Jesus. By not running away from the trials that come your way. Genesis 18:1-14 Were I to take away the pain, I might move too soon and block Gods work in your life. 12. We are all in harms way. Norman Vincent Peale Heres a working definition: Joy is deep satisfaction that comes from knowing that God is in control even when my circumstances seem to be out of control. When you are struggling, share those concerns with another follower of Jesus whom you trust someone you know is pursuing a relationship with God regularly and who knows Gods Word. Walking closely with the Spirit will not only give you direction but will remind you that you are not alone. Serve those around you. A friend or family member betrays you. God wants you to go to Him with your circumstances. Good News for Dealing with Difficult People. But it is sometimes hard to believe it when life takes unexpected turns. A touch from the shepherds staff and the presence of his rod is reassuring to the heart. We have been looking this month at the book of Philippians. Truthfully, its probably a choice well have to make again and again and again. This week we learn how Gods expression of love is witnessed in the birth of Jesus. Now, it is not because we disagree with anything that it says, its just that the book is so short that when you blink as you turn the pages in your Bible you miss it. Someone who takes his/her work seriously and who does it well and rapidly These were tough consequences, for sure. I wish it were not so, but it is true. If we need faith, we will have it. He is faithful. Free Sermons and Sermon Outlines for Preaching : The Finish Line - Running The Race Of Life, In Times Like These (A Message Of Encouragement), If The Preacher Is Dead, The Sermon Will Be Dead, Chasing The Dream, Preaching Greatness, And Knowing Your Audience. No help there. Do you love him? 1 Kings 19:19-21: What is God calling you to do? Trusting God is living a life of belief in and obedience to God even when its difficult. Gentleness or stubbornness. JAMES 1: 2- 11 read more, Scripture: There are ups and downs along the way. They dont know, they arent sure, maybe theyve read the Bible, maybe they havent, but theyre watching how we respond to mistreatment, malicious accusations, sickness, the loss of a job, the end of our marriage, a career setback, or a financial collapse. We live in a madcap world that work the whole night and sleep the whole day with no time for self or family. Date: 2/26/17 The dross rose to the surface and was skimmed off, leaving only pure gold. He has told us that you always have pleasant memories of us and that you long to see us, just as we also long to see you (v. 6). The Psalmist David gives us some good instructions on how to handle hard times when they come. Have some fun taking various quizzes and assessments to learn about yourself and others. Probably never heard of Patricia Christy, but she is a woman who found out the hard way that you cant run away from the problems of life. God does not explain himself to us. 14. - Resurrecting Hope, part 3, Are You Living Like You Love God? You work hard, but you don't make progress. From canceling worship services and holding our Sunday gatherings online, to not Advent 2022, week 4: During this series, we are looking at how hope, peace, joy and love are at the heart of Christmas. A victim says Why did this happen to me? while a student asks, What can I learn from this?. They would feel scared about being left alone. Perhaps were sick and feel as if well never get better again. Pope Francis: World War III Is Already Here.. WebPsalm 4:1 Answer me when I call to you, O my righteous God. This message explores Psalm 1 and gives us actionable advice to multiply happiness and avoid taking the wrong path that leads to misery. Everybody in life is bound to pass thru hard time. Sermons for Difficult Times, New Beginnings Encourage your members to keep looking forward; to not get so discouraged with the state of the world, but to see that there is still hope for the future. Sermons for difficult times that center around these realities are often effective. We live in dangerous times. When you trust, you go to God and His word when life is hard. If you dont need this sermon today, put it in your back pocket because you will definitely need it tomorrow! Trials will come but they are never to hurt you; rather they are to build you up. Ecclesiastes 1:9, Denomination: Many people reading this message are going through hard times right now. Genesis 18:1-14. But we can choose how we respond. When he has tried me, I will come forth as gold (Job 23:10). Heres what we need to know about the book. A victim feels so sorry for himself that he has no time for others. The Spirit will also lead you in obedience. Its not just welcome them as friends, which would be hard enough, but welcome them as friends! which to me sounds positively giddy, like Im welcoming long-lost friends to my home. That place is His Word. I am talking today of working hard for the Lord! Babies are born with defects that cannot be corrected. A student has learned through the problems of life that God alone is the source of all true happiness. At the moment my friend is currently in treatment for his cancer. Look up and call out to Jesus - Psalm 23:4: Even though I walk through the darkest valleyyou are with me.. Psalm 23: God, Jehova-Rohithe Lord is my shepherd, knows where you are, and he will answer you. There are two ways of life. Spend time in prayer acknowledging who He is. Lift up your head in hard times and look for the Son of Man. The book of Eccl.1: 9 says, The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun. The hard time that you are experiencing now, or that you will ever What does it take to begin a relationship with God? read more, Scripture: 2) This is necessary for my spiritual growth. You need only to look. WE have heard of the diva athletes and entertainers who are almost impossible to deal with. Because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance (v. 3). This message is a reminder that God is always working in your life. Our text shows how Paul reassured them. When things in life get in the way and draw you away spiritually from the will of God, he will do whatever it takes to bring you close to him. Paul was a follower of Jesus and a leader in the early church. Someone has counted over 50 commands in these five chapters. We all have a story. The situation can look so dark that not even a sliver of light can be seen to light your way. I was afraid that in some way the tempter might have tempted you and our efforts might have been useless (v. 5). The doctors are hopeful but there are no guarantees. When I was a high school kid, one of the sports I competed in was Track and Field. But you can control how you respondin faith or unbelief, in humility or arrogance, in forgiveness or in anger, in hope or in despair. B. Phillips, hoping for some light (if not a way of escape). read more, Scripture: Trust in God with Sermons in Difficult Times. Allow your other senses to heighten. Join her on Mondays at 8:30 AM and 8:30 PM EST. 1 Samuel 24:1-24. So when we could stand it no longer, we thought it best to be left by ourselves in Athens. Without warning there is a sudden jolt, the car swerves to the right and comes to a halt. Paul had set the example of joyfulness in difficult times. Our friends watch to see how we will respond to tragedy. Who is the Holy Spirit and What Does He Do. He believed, but it was a difficult thing to believe. A few days ago we interviewed Nabeel Qureshi on American Family Radio about his new book No God But One: Allah or Jesus?. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything (v. 4). Go to How Do I Hear Gods Voice? to learn more about how to follow the Spirits leading. There is an abundant life to be had, and there is spiritual victory, and there is joy in the Lord and the filling of the Spirit, but those things dont come in spite of our trials. When the global church comes together then powerful things can happen. Let the light of the Gospel shine in your heart. Sin has stained every part of the physical universe. Various Scriptures Job 5:7 reminds us that man is born for trouble as surely as the sparks fly upward.. The phrase you know refers not to head knowledge (what we sometimes call book learning) but to heart knowledge, the kind gained by years of experience. Proverbs 6:6-11, Proverbs 10:4-5, Proverbs 13:4, Denomination: Are you nuts? Even in doubt and uncertainty, if you keep going to Him, He will continually show Himself to be trustworthy. Life is not predictable. It also reminds us of His presence. You need to find Him and His words, and by faith rest in Him. Learn the prescription for joy and success. Jim and his four co-workers were speared to death by the Indians. No one is exempt, no one gets a trouble-free ride to heaven. WebWe need to continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel (Colossians 1:23). In the last few days, Ive heard about prodigal children, aging parents, worries about the future, divorce, breast cancer, an infant with a serious medical condition, children far from God, Christians dealing with doubt, others with fear, and still others dealing with lingering bitterness. The Final Judgment Matthew 25: 31-46 25:40 He cares about you, and you can trust Him with those things. Allow God to remind you who He is and what He promises, and then be honest with Him. read more, Scripture: HOW TO PROFIT FROM YOUR PROBLEMS You can talk about heaven all you want, but youll discover whether or not you believe in it when you stand by the casket of someone you love. In Daniel chapter two, King Nebuchadnezzar has a dream that is very troubling to him. In the face of those difficulties, God shares His will for you and how you should respond to them. Paul knew that was a possibility, which is why he was so worried about these young Thessalonian believers. He is always working in your life and in the world. This message helps us understand how and why we should live worthy of the Lord; plus, learn how to push back spiritual darkness and what brings endurance and strength. Years ago my friend Jim Warren told me, Ray, when hard times come, be a student, not a victim. Thats good advice. The phrase we were destined comes from a verb that means to put or to place. Its a very strong way of saying these hard times were placed here by God. They didnt happen by accident. At one point I told her that if she didnt make the decision to come clean, it wouldnt be long before I spoke at her funeral. There Is Nothing Too Hard For The Lord Genesis 16:1-10. Dark times eventually pass, and when they do, you can be grateful for the valuable lessons you've learned. They were being persecuted for their faith in Jesus. read more, Scripture: 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. Think of one of the hardest times in your life; what question would you like answered? The rod is used to protect and drive the enemy away. The Bird Dog- Four legged bird dogs point to where the hunter should shoot. Therefore, we should not complain when hard times come. Located minutes from downtown Pleasanton, in the San Francisco Bay Area, East Bay. Some people go through life as professional victims, always talking about how they have been mistreated. How does a Christian respond when hard times come? Children get hooked on drugs or alcohol or sex. He never leaves. Here is part of what my friend wrote as he looked back on the upheaval: Now that I am on the other side of those two years, I can see quite clearly what the Lord has had in mind, and I rejoice in it and praise him for the time in the cruciblehow it has sharpened me, further deepened my faith in him and love for him, and multiplied my opportunities to serve him. Job spoke of this experience when he declared of the Lord, He knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold (Job 23:10). Web5 Best Sermon Themes for Difficult Times 1. Hard times eventually wear us down. Then I challenged her to become a woman of truth because the truth will set her free. Matthew 22:15-22, Denomination: God is bigger than your circumstances. Evangelical/Non-Denominational. Mercy or revenge. Find rest in Jehovah-Rohi: There's power in the name! read more, Scripture: If we can make the choice to view life that way, then we can make the following statements about our struggles and our trials: 1) This is sent from the Lord. When Jesus was telling His followers that He was going to be killed, He knew that they would be worried. Romans 5:3-4 spells out how this process works: We also rejoice in our afflictions,because we know that affliction produces endurance, endurance produces proven character,and proven character produces hope. We all want hope, but we dont want affliction. CORONAVIRUS. Trust in God with Sermons in Difficult Times It is hardest to trust God during times of conflict, uncertainty, and anxiety. And especially, in times of sickness, plague, even death. This is the question on many peoples minds: If God does indeed love us so much, why does he still allow hardships and suffering? 2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. And further in the distance, others watch what we go through. She then adds this P.S. read more, Scripture: Evaluate where youve placed your faith and get practical instruction for building a faith that can outlast any storm. Heres why, along with some analysis digging into nine commonly presented contradictions. An issue has occurred.