Preached by Rev. Ed Brouwer at The Gathering Place
Pulpit Series Volume 16 Issue 42 11/19/2006
Pulpit Series Volume 16 Issue 42 11/19/2006
The Christian life is not a life of clear sailing. You might as well get it into your head now… every believer is going to have a bad day. In fact you may have more than one.
No matter how holy you think you are it is inevitable. However Christ is with us!
When hard times hit us, he doesn't disappear, saying, "I'll be back after you get it worked out." NO he's faithful and caring through every kind of season. And he's touched by every feeling we endure during our hard times. Hebrews 4:15
We have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the Excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us II Corinthians 4:7
The Greek word Paul uses for "earthen" is "frail clay" meaning, "weak, easily broken, easily tempted."
He's saying, "Yes, we hold Jesus' presence in our very bodies. But our bodies are weak, easily tempted and easily broken!" The fact is, we all suffer what the Bible calls "infirmities."
For many Christians, a common infirmity of life is a frail constitution or poor health. Paul spoke of Timothy's frequent illnesses, calling them "often infirmities" I Timothy 5:23.
The Greek word "infirmity" here means "sickly, without strength, feeble of body or mind."
Yet there are other kinds of infirmities besides physical ones, and they're just as difficult to handle. Infirmities of the mind are probably the most widespread. I'm not talking about mental illness, but rather those unexplainable times when your feelings betray you and play tricks on your mind. Let me explain.
Have you ever gone to bed feeling contented, on top of the world, and yet wake up the next day with a cloud of gloom hanging over you? All day long you feel down, you don't know where it came from, but it just keeps hanging over you.
Guilt, fear and anxiety are all infirmities of the mind. Things from your past may haunt you, or some sin may still cling to you. These influences all affect your feelings.
You might not be able to shake off some harsh words someone spoke to you a few days before. Or, you may constantly battle feelings of rejection or unworthiness. Without question, these feelings have a direct effect on the way you live.
Your bad “feelings” may open the door to a demonic attack against your faith. At the end of the day you may be tempted into doubt and depression. Thinking your self unspiritual.
This is an old trick of the devil. he's putting thoughts into your mind to try to strike at your faith. He wants to confuse you!
Shake it off or Ride it out!
Your heavenly father knows exactly what you're going through and he'll see you through it all. Remember, God has promised never to leave you. Just keep turning to him, by faith alone!
He has already provided the Holy Ghost to chase away all your doubts! Let Him do His thing! Don't try to argue with the devil. You can't prove anything to him. Instead, when the next attack comes, stand on God’s Word with patience and hope!
Paul was hit with a bad day while traveling in Macedonia. When we were come into Macedonia, our flesh had no rest, but we were troubled on every side; without were fightings, within were fears II Corinthians 7:5
This godly man confessed that his inner man was plagued not just by one fear, but by many fears! Now come on folks, the Apostle Paul didn’t have a super hero’s cape, he didn’t change in a phone booth. He was subject to the same human emotions we all face.
Yes, Paul had awful days. But he never gave in to his feelings and the temptations that accompanied them.
He testified in his worst time: I am filled with comfort, I am exceeding joyful in all our tribulation…. God...comforts those that are cast down II Corinthians 7:4
Paul says, The Lord is never closer to you, never more ready to help you, than when you're down and hurting. Blessed be God, the God of all comfort; who comforts us in all our tribulation... II Corinthians1:4.
The Greek word for "comforts" here means "to call close." What an amazing thing! When we experience bad days, our heavenly father takes advantage of them to draw us close.
As we continue in our walk with the Lord, we should become more aware in our bad times that we have all the resources needed to deal with the enemy who also takes advantage of our bad times - to draw us away.
I believe our bad days are often meant to bring us into maturity and out of childish bondages.
However, what they are meant to do and what they really do are often two different things!
Think about it: Most of our bad days are caused by our childish reactions to life situations. And consider the way children react to life: One minute they're laughing, and the next they're screaming. They pout. They're a bundle of fears. They're easily hurt, and they cry a lot. They have short attention spans, and they demand instant gratification….. Sound familiar? Ouch!
But really, no tantrum could ever cause a loving parent to disown or reject his child.
Colossians 2:9 states God has given Jesus all riches in glory. Therefore, he has every resource needed to bring us out of every bad day we might face!
Beloved, your Heavenly Father begins by meeting all your physical needs! His word promises, My God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus
Yes, Paul had awful days. But he never gave in to his feelings and the temptations that accompanied them.
He testified in his worst time: I am filled with comfort, I am exceeding joyful in all our tribulation…. God...comforts those that are cast down II Corinthians 7:4
Paul says, The Lord is never closer to you, never more ready to help you, than when you're down and hurting. Blessed be God, the God of all comfort; who comforts us in all our tribulation... II Corinthians1:4.
The Greek word for "comforts" here means "to call close." What an amazing thing! When we experience bad days, our heavenly father takes advantage of them to draw us close.
As we continue in our walk with the Lord, we should become more aware in our bad times that we have all the resources needed to deal with the enemy who also takes advantage of our bad times - to draw us away.
I believe our bad days are often meant to bring us into maturity and out of childish bondages.
However, what they are meant to do and what they really do are often two different things!
Think about it: Most of our bad days are caused by our childish reactions to life situations. And consider the way children react to life: One minute they're laughing, and the next they're screaming. They pout. They're a bundle of fears. They're easily hurt, and they cry a lot. They have short attention spans, and they demand instant gratification….. Sound familiar? Ouch!
But really, no tantrum could ever cause a loving parent to disown or reject his child.
Colossians 2:9 states God has given Jesus all riches in glory. Therefore, he has every resource needed to bring us out of every bad day we might face!
Beloved, your Heavenly Father begins by meeting all your physical needs! His word promises, My God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus
Philippians 4:19.
The Greek word for "need" here is from a root word meaning, "to handle all business, all that is lacking or necessary."
Paul is saying, God is faithful to take care of all your concerns business, financial and otherwise.
He is most certainly…. Taking Care Of Business!
That covers your employment, your food, your clothes and your home. Yet there are also the riches of his goodness, strength, wisdom and grace. As well as the riches of his full assurance of salvation, there are His unsearchable riches!
Look at what Paul says, "God shall supply all your need" using the singular.
In short, he's saying, "You need only one thing Jesus! All your needs are wrapped up in him. You need only to seek him and he will provide all for you!"
The Greek word for "need" here is from a root word meaning, "to handle all business, all that is lacking or necessary."
Paul is saying, God is faithful to take care of all your concerns business, financial and otherwise.
He is most certainly…. Taking Care Of Business!
That covers your employment, your food, your clothes and your home. Yet there are also the riches of his goodness, strength, wisdom and grace. As well as the riches of his full assurance of salvation, there are His unsearchable riches!
Look at what Paul says, "God shall supply all your need" using the singular.
In short, he's saying, "You need only one thing Jesus! All your needs are wrapped up in him. You need only to seek him and he will provide all for you!"
You Must Be Wholly Convinced Your Father in Heaven
Has Great Affection for You!
Even though you may question God's love for you, he does not condemn you. On the contrary, he feels your pain and despair. And he wants you to know his storehouse is full of everything you need and it's all available to you!
However, You can't use or enjoy any of it unless you lay hold of it by faith. You must realize who He is and rest in His presence standing on His promises to take care of all your needs and affairs.
Your prayer should go something like this: Jesus, the author and perfector of my faith, will heal my doubt and give me the gift of faith to trust him completely. I pray he will heal me of unbelief and help my faith. I pray that I will be a fast learner, passing this test and come into victory, as a testimony to God's grace and faithfulness.
I have good news and bad news.
Good news - Bad days are doable!
Bad news - you may have a few more bad days coming.
Come to the place where you can say, Jesus, I cast all my cares on you now. I'm an heir to the riches of God in Christ Jesus. I know those riches include full supply of all my physical needs."
Can you believe God for that?
II Corinthians 12:9
My grace is sufficient for you: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.
Romans 15:1
Romans 15:1
We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.
