How Difficulty Can Make You Better Not Bitter

Difficulty Can Make You Better, Not Bitter

Read a devotional from God's Dream for Your Life by Rick Warren.  It began with the phrase Life is not fair.  Have you ever felt that way?  Maybe it seems as if your life is full of difficulties, problems, and hurts.   They can make you better or bitter.  You will either grow up or give up. You can become who God wants you to be or you can let your heart become hard.  You have a choice to how you will respond to the tough times in your life. 

As you go through the difficulties of life, you change. What is important is what happens in you not what happens to you.  Why?  Because it builds your character, and your character is what you take with you into eternity, not the circumstances. 

In Acts 27: 15-20 - you learn three ways you shouldn't respond. 

1.  Don't drift - verse 15:  "The ship was caught by the storm and could not head into the wind; so we gave way to it and were driven along".  This ship carrying Paul and the other prisoners was in the middle of the Mediterranean and hadn't seen the sun for 14 days.  They didn't have any means to get their bearings, so they began to drift. 

Some people during difficult times begin to drift through their lives. They have no goals, or purpose, or ambition, or dreams for their lives.  Today we would say they are coasting, but there is a problem with coasting. They will be headed downhill.   Can't coast through life. Don't lose your ambition or your dreams. 

2.  Don't discard -verse 18: "We took such a violent battering from the storm that the next day they began to throw the cargo overboard."  The storm was so tough, that they had to lighten the load. So they threw away things they needed: cargo, tackle and food. 

When storms of life become unbearable, people tend to abandon values, and relationships. They give up on their marriages, and dreams.   God says to "Stay with the ship."  If you don't you will always be tempted to walk  or run away. To build character you must stay on board.  It is never God's will to run from a difficult situation. God wants you to learn, grow, and develop. Stick with it. 

3.  Don't despair - verse 20: "We finally gave up all hope of being saved".  After 14 days, giving up their cargo, tackle and food, the passengers finally gave up hope. They had forgotten that even a storm is in God's control. He hasn't left you. And if you feel that God is far from you, guess who moved?  

God is always with you in the storm and he will help you through it, if you TRUST HIM. 

Remember God loves you and so do I. 

JESUS KNOWS HOW YOU FEEL

JESUS Knows How You Feel

“Jesus saw the huge crowd as he stepped from the boat, and he had compassion on them and healed their sick.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭14:14‬ ‭NLT‬‬

You are over whelmed. You have more to do than is humanly possible.  You continually give to others who never give anything in return. Your teenagers won't listen and if you are a teacher your students won't try.  Jesus knows how you feel.  You are precious to Jesus, so precious that he became like you, so that you would come to him. 

When you struggle he will listen. When you yearn he will respond to you. When you question he will hear. Jesus has been there. 

I am going to share a story with you. You may have heard it before, but it is worth hearing again.   A boy went into a pet store, looking for a puppy. The store owner showed the boy a litter of puppies in a box. The boy looked at the puppies. He carefully picked up each one, examined it and put it back in the box. After several minutes, he walked up to the store owner and said, "I picked one out. How much will it cost?"  The store owner gave him a price and the boy promised to be back in a few days with the money. "Don't take long," the store owner said, "Puppies like these sell quickly."  The boy smiled , "I'm not worried," he said, "Mine will still be here."

The boy went to work - weeding, washing windows, cleaning yards.  He worked hard and saved his money. When he had enough for the puppy he returned to the store.   He walked up to the counter and laid down his money.  The store owner counted the money, verifying the amount, smiled and said, "All right, son, you can go get your puppy."  

The boy reached into the box, pulled out a skinny dog with a limp leg and started to leave. The owner stopped him. "Don't take that puppy, he is crippled. He can't play. He'll never run with you or play fetch. Get one of the healthy pups."

"No thank you, sir. This is exactly the kind of dog I've been looking for", said the boy.  As the boy turned to leave, the owner started to speak, but remained silent.  Suddenly he understood, for extending from the bottom of the boys trousers was a brace - a brace for the boy's crippled leg. 

Why did the boy want the dog?  Because he knew how it felt and he knew this sweet puppy was very special.   JESUS KNOWS HOW YOU FEEL!

Remember God loves you and so do I. 

Be Open

Z“Jesus left Tyre and went up to Sidon before going back to the Sea of Galilee and the region of the Ten Towns. A deaf man with a speech impediment was brought to him, and the people begged Jesus to lay his hands on the man to heal him. Jesus led him away from the crowd so they could be alone. He put his fingers into the man’s ears. Then, spitting on his own fingers, he touched the man’s tongue. Looking up to heaven, he sighed and said, “Ephphatha,” which means, “Be opened!” Instantly the man could hear perfectly, and his tongue was freed so he could speak plainly! Jesus told the crowd not to tell anyone, but the more he told them not to, the more they spread the news. They were completely amazed and said again and again, “Everything he does is wonderful. He even makes the deaf to hear and gives speech to those who cannot speak.””

‭‭Mark‬ ‭7:31-37‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Have you ever wondered why Jesus touched the man who couldn't hear or speak?    Always before He merely spoke the powerful healing words. But this man wouldn't be able to hear them. He couldn't even ask for help. 

After touching the man's ears and tongue, Jesus called out EPHATHA / Be Opened. This is a strong word which would be more easily recognized through a reading of the lips. 

Jesus does this for us today through the Holy Spirit. He calls for us to "be open".

OPEN:

- our hearts to Him

- our minds to His teachings

- our ears to listen for His voice

- our eyes to see His working around us

- our lives and concerns to Him through prayer & faith

What actions will you take to keep yourself continually open to God through Christ? 

#How Do I See God Working Today

Remember God loves you and so do I. 

FAITH

FAITH

“ Then Jesus left Galilee and went north to the region of Tyre. He didn’t want anyone to know which house he was staying in, but he couldn’t keep it a secret. Right away a woman who had heard about him came and fell at his feet. Her little girl was possessed by an evil spirit, and she begged him to cast out the demon from her daughter. Since she was a Gentile, born in Syrian Phoenicia, Jesus told her, “First I should feed the children—my own family, the Jews. It isn’t right to take food from the children and throw it to the dogs.” She replied, “That’s true, Lord, but even the dogs under the table are allowed to eat the scraps from the children’s plates.” “Good answer!” he said. “Now go home, for the demon has left your daughter.” And when she arrived home, she found her little girl lying quietly in bed, and the demon was gone.”

‭‭Mark‬ ‭7:24-30‬ ‭NLT‬‬

http://bible.com/116/mrk.7.24-30.nlt

This is the first time that Jesus outwardly recognized the faith of a person who was not a Jew. In fact, Jesus had gone to Tyre to get away and rest for awhile.

Tyre was actually home to a population that was hated by the Jews (and the population of Tyre generally hated the Jews also.) Jesus withdrew to Tyre to get away from the crowds. He probably figured that no one would have heard of Him yet in Tyre.

However, even in Gentile territory, there was a lady who knew who Jesus was, who had heard of Him and trusted that Jesus could heal her daughter. When Jesus said, “It is not right to take the children's bread and toss it to the dogs;” he was challenging the woman to a game of wit. The term “dog” was actually used as a derogatory term which the Israelites used to describe the people of Tyre. But the word Jesus used here is actually a word for a small dog, a puppy. Jesus was saying to the woman, “I shouldn't heal you, I was sent first to help and guide the Jewish people. I cannot give my healings to people associated with enemies of the Jews.” This is what Jesus most likely meant when he said, “First let the children (referring to his Jewish people) eat all they want....for it isn't right to take the children's bread and feed it to the puppies (a puppy here is likely referring to someone born to the hated enemy, the dog.)

Gentiles, the enemy of the Jews, she recognized somehow in her spirit that Jesus was Lord. She called Jesus, “Lord;” and next she said, “even the little dogs get to eat the crumbs that fall off the children's table.” This lady meant, “Even just a crumb from you will be enough.”  When she said to Jesus, “even the dogs eat crumbs from the children's table;” she was, in effect saying, “We also need you.  We see that Jesus will respond to those who approach Him with faith.

What are some areas of your life where you need “just a bit of Jesus” to help you? Do some of those areas seem “too small” to ask Jesus to intercede? Or do you feel unworthy to ask Jesus for help in certain areas?

Perhaps if you aren't confident enough to pray for Christ's assistance in “small areas” of your life, maybe you will be confident to ask Jesus merely to send you some “crumbs” of his glory to help you in that area. Crumbs from the table of Christ are enough! You will want more, but one crumb from Jesus's powerful and holy glory is all it takes to transform you and the area of your life. It doesn't matter if you have been seen or been associated as an enemy of God's people in the past. Even the enemies of God will get glimpses of who Jesus is, and many will recognize their need for Him. And when they approach Jesus in prayer, and ask even just for “crumbs” with faith; Jesus will fully heal them spiritually as well. How will you pray to Jesus for His help in areas where you lack confidence that he cares or in areas you feel unworthy to request His helping hand?  #How Do I See God Working Today

Remember God loves you and so do I. 

A New Day

This is the day the LORD has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it. (‭Psalms‬ ‭118‬:‭24‬ NLT)

The faithful love of the LORD never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning. (‭Lamentations‬ ‭3‬:‭22-23‬ NLT)

I messed up yesterday. Have you ever said this or thought it?  Maybe you said the wrong words, or took the wrong turn, or loved the wrong person, or reacted the wrong way, or spoke when you should have listened, or walked when you should have waited, or judged when you should have trusted or indulged when you should have resisted. 

Okay, so you messed up yesterday. Don't let yesterday' mistakes sabotage today's attitude. God's mercies are new every morning.  We can learn a lesson from the forest in Washington State. Some of these trees are hundreds of years old.  These trees have surpassed the typical life span of 50-60 years.  Ever wondered what makes the difference?  Daily drenching rains, that keep the ground moist, the trees wet, and the lightning impotent. 

You can be struck by lightning, thunderbolts of regret that can consume you.  But you can counteract them with downpours of God's grace, daily washings of forgiveness.  Once a year, or once a month or even weekly will leave you dry.  You will be combustible.  You need a daily soaking. 

God's unconditional love is your hope.  When you mess up His loving kindness covers you with acceptance and forgiveness.  No matter how many times you fall short/miss the mark, you can trust yourself to God's mercy and know you will find His love.  He will never turn away from you when you fail. He will pick you up, dust you off, and set you back on the right path. He will guide along life's journey.  All you need is a solid soaking of God's grace and mercy every single day. 

I am so grateful for do overs, second changes that God blesses me with each new day. 

Remember God loves you and so do I. 

The Cross

Two others, both criminals, were led out to be executed with him. When they came to a place called The Skull, they nailed him to the cross. And the criminals were also crucified—one on his right and one on his left. Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.” And the soldiers gambled for his clothes by throwing dice. The crowd watched and the leaders scoffed. “He saved others,” they said, “let him save himself if he is really God’s Messiah, the Chosen One.” The soldiers mocked him, too, by offering him a drink of sour wine. They called out to him, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!” A sign was fastened above him with these words: “This is the King of the Jews.” One of the criminals hanging beside him scoffed, “So you’re the Messiah, are you? Prove it by saving yourself—and us, too, while you’re at it!” But the other criminal protested, “Don’t you fear God even when you have been sentenced to die? We deserve to die for our crimes, but this man hasn’t done anything wrong.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.” And Jesus replied, “I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.” (‭Luke‬ ‭23‬:‭32-43‬ NLT)



Do you find it strange that a tool of torture would come to embody the movement of hope?



Look there is the place called the skull.  Do you see the two thieves, one on each side of JESUS. One looks over and sees JESUS. He hears the insults and sees the man remain quiet. This man has fresh blood on his cheeks, a crown of thorns scrapping his scalp and the thieve hears him whisper, "Father, forgive them."  He heard the people shouting crucify him, shaming him as a criminal as they nailed him to the cross.  Why do they want him dead?  Why doesn't he retaliate?  No, JESUS left the judging up to God.



The soldiers steal the thieve's attention as they throw dice in the dirt and gamble for the ragged robe.  He looks up and sees the the sign above Jesus' head.   It is painted with sarcasm, King of the Jews.



All of a sudden his thoughs are interrupted by the accusation of the criminal on the other cross.   He too has been studying JESUS, but through eyes of cynicism: "So you're the Messiah, are you?  Prove it by saving yourself - and us, too, while you're at it!"



Here we have two individuals, each see the same Savior - one sees hope, and the other sees nothing but himself.



Now we see the first criminal place himself between the accusers and JESUS, and speaks on his behalf, while the other criminal protested, "Don't you fear God even when you have been sentenced to die? We deserve to die for our crimes, but this man hasn't done anything wrong."  The soldiers look up.  The priests cease chattering. Mary wipes her tears and raises her eyes.  All eyes turned to the criminal.   Maybe Jesus even turned and looked over at him, after all he was offering a final gesture of love while JESUS was still alive.  A lost sheep trying to get back into the fold.  The criminal's two statements are what everyone needs to recognize in order to come to Jesus:

   - we are getting what we deserve and this man has done nothing wrong

We are guilty and he is innocent

We are filthy and he is pure

We are wrong and he is right

He isn't on the cross for his sins, He is there for ours.

The criminal understands this, his request seems only natural   He makes the same request ant Christian has made;  then he said, "JESUS remember me when you come into your Kingdom."  No excuses, just a desperate plea for help.  At this point JESUS performs the greatest miracle of the cross. Greater than the earthquake, greater than the tearing of the curtain, greater than the darkness, greater than the resurrected saints appearing on the streets. He performs the miracle of forgiveness.  A sin-soaked criminal received by a blood-stained Savior.   And Jesus replied, "I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise."  If anyone was ever worthless this criminal was. If any man deserved to die, he probably did. If anyone was ever a loser, this fellow probably was at the top of the list.  Maybe that is why JESUS chose him to show us what he thinks of the human race. 

Did you know the sign above JESUS head was written in Hebrew, Latin and Greek?  Pilate had intended the sign to threaten and mock the Jews, but God used it as an instrument for spreading the gospel.  Everyone in Israel spoke one of the three languages. Christ was declared King in all of them.  Jesus was a king for all people.



We don't have to look very far in any direction to see a cross:  perched atop a chapel, carved in a headstone, on a ring, or suspended from a chain.  The cross is the universal symbol of Christianity. An odd choice?  A tool of toryure as a movement of hope. Why the cross for our symbol of faith?  It is really very simple: one beam horizontal - the other vertical. One reaches out - like God's love, the other reaches up - as does God's holiness.  The cross is where God forgave his children without lowering his standards.   Christ lived the life we could not live and took the punishment we could not take to offer the hope we cannot resist.  It wasn't the soldiers who killed JESUS, nor the screams of the mob, but His devotion to us.



Christ stretched one hand to the right and the other to the left and had them nailed in that position so we would know He died loving you and me.  Christ came to earth for one reason to give his life as a ransom for you and me - for all of us. He sacrificed himself to give us a second chance.  # He Choice The Nails

Remember God loves you and so do I.

It's Time

From that time Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised. (‭Matthew‬ ‭16‬:‭21‬ ESV)

Once again it is Lent Season.  As I read this scripture I wondered if I would have understood JESUS any better than the twelve.  How could I imagine such horrible things happening to JESUS.

JESUS always knew what time it was.  He knew when it was time to heal or teach or even rebuke.  He knew when it was time to retreat, rest and pray.   He knew when it was time to celebrate dinners.  And His Father let Him know when it was time to die.   Now Jesus tells his disciples their traveling ministry was almost over.

From that time Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised. (‭Matthew‬ ‭16‬:‭21‬ ESV)  He knew that his royal entrance into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday would be his last.

A great miracle happened amidst the palms. The people recognized that the quiet man on the humble donkey colt was their Messiah, the fulfillment of all Old Testament Scripture. Their shouts of hosannas showed that they knew what time it was.   Their King was riding right into their lives and and claiming their hearts.

Do you know what time it is?  It is time to claim or reclaim JESUS Christ as your Lord and Savior.  Through his word, through the splash of baptismal water, through his body and blood given in the Lord's Supper, Jesus comes to you personally.  The palms are calling you to come worship him now.
Remember God loves you and so do I.