🔵Model Christ 🔵Serve Others 🔵BE The Church
Hannah was being tormented by her sister-wife, Peninnah. She had a longing, this DEEP DESIRE, and she was begging God to help her. We see her humanity meets God’s sovereignty.
Have you ever had a deep, deep longing? This want that verges into something that is deeply central to something you feel to your core? Guess what: God cares! He listens. And while the answer may not come immediately, God does hear. Let’s review Hannah’s story and see God working in and through Hannah and her son, Samuel.
Do you need peace? Do you need a reset? A chance to just take a breath, and find a new breath in our hearts? In the middle of the disciples’ most trying time — when Jesus was taken by the Romans and crucified — just before that, Jesus gave them a very pointed message. “Take the peace I’m offering. I don’t give it as the world gives it, so you can trust in this peace.”
God promises that we can have that when we draw close to him and hold on. It may be strange and uncomfortable, but He promises us it will be there. It’s ours for the taking, if we just take the time to receive it. Let’s look at how Jesus himself teaches us to receive his peace. We’ll look at the specifics and do a bit of a deep dive today, so buckle up and let’s go look together.
Do you have peace? I’m not talking a lack of conflict. I mean, are you at peace, despite the conflicts and challenges? God’s word teaches us that we can be. Isaiah teaches us that God will keep the person in question in perfect peace when they focus and keep God at the center of their daily moments. Let’s look at this and dive in deeper.
Life gives us worry after worry. Bills. Money. Health. And do we need to be afraid of artificial intelligence? What about this new government policy?
Yes, we need to be aware, but… our enemy loves when we worry about a future that isn’t even ours to control. Striving to be the driver of our future, and ignoring the present moment to love, live, help and worship.
Jesus promises that we don’t have to worry. Literally saying, “do not worry.” Let’s review those, here.
You may have faced many struggles, abuse or uncertain futures, but we have to remember that Jesus is Victorious. Not just over death. Not just over the largeness of life. But over the minutiae, the small things. He CARES about everything. He cares about our family, our health our lives and our day-to-day. And Jesus — even over all of this — is, and will be, victorious.
I’m not sure what you’re going through. But as you listen to this, remember that God is with YOU too. Are you willing to surrender to Jesus? Are you ready for different? Jesus may challenge you to do some strange things. But if we humble ourselves and submit to the process, Jesus will be victorious in this situation. It may not look like we want (and it may). It may not feel like we expect (but it may). No matter what it looks like, I can assure you that it will be victorious on the other side, if you’re willing to take the walk with him.
Paul’s purpose of writing to the Ephesians was to let them know of the wonderful gift of Redemption they had through Jesus.
Redemption is the core of the gospel message. Jesus’ blood paid our price of death and separation. If we accept this, we have redemption — to be redeemed, reclaimed, made whole, to be set free. Our past does NOT define us. We have been redeemed for his purpose and plan.
Today we discuss the resurrection of Jesus Christ — more than the fact that he is risen, but the implications of it.
The resurection of Jesus from death means that we have a new purpose and identity. When we put our trust in his death, his resurection means that we are no longer who we were, but are made new. The old “self” is crucified with Christ. I encourage you to give yourself grace and see yourself through the same lense through which God sees you.
The main point of the cross and Jesus on the cross was God’s love for us.
He doesn’t merely put up with us. He doesn’t just tolerate humanity. God is actively persuing a relationship with us. It is universal, every individual, despite our shortcomings and mistakes.
We praise God for Jesus, for his gift of taking the sin of those who trust and making it his own. Where do you stand in your faith? We’ll discuss more of that soon.
God is warning us that sin can hinder us from hearing him. Not that he’s not speaking. Not that he’s not reaching out. It is a warning, and another aspect of God’s love.
As you listen to this today, remember that God does love us. He does want to commune with us, to talk with us, to be with us. Our iniquities (chosen sins) cause divisions that separate us from being able to communicate with God.
But take heart… though we may make his job harder, God’s hand is NOT too short.