Tuesday, July 30, 2013 -- You're In Trouble
Tuesday July 30, 2013
Jesus said: In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. John 16:33 NIV
How do you know when you are in trouble? When I was growing up I knew I was in trouble when I heard my mother's voice calling out my full name. I knew I was in trouble when she said to me, "Wait until your father gets home." Then there were the times that I got in trouble in school. I remember the circles drawn on the chalkboard and having to stand with my nose in the circle for a specified amount of time. I remember the pages and pages of "lines" we wrote saying what we would not do or what we would do. You would think punishment at school was sufficient for my crimes there. However, I have many brothers and sisters and we attended country schools with several grades in one room. No matter how hard I tried to bribe them and cajole them into not reporting back home what had happened in school, one of my siblings was sure to tell at some point and then further punishment would be added at home.
No one likes trouble. We’d all like to make trouble go away as quickly as possible. Many times people wonder why they have trouble if they follow God. They assume that God will not allow any suffering and trouble to touch their lives. In fact, God knows our human circumstances. God knows there will be troubles and problems that we will all face. He also promises to help us at every turn.
Trouble comes from different sources. People co-operate with the thoughts and suggestions of the evil one and strike out in hurtful ways with words or actions. We live in a world that is broken down because of sinful choices down through the ages. We are drawn into evil by our own lusts and desires. Sometimes life just happens and we will not understand why those things occurred.
Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. 1 Peter 5:8 (NLT)
Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death. James 1:14-15 (NLT)
But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people. 2 Peter 3:1-5 (NLT)
Today God wants to help us in our trouble. He will help us to identify the source of the trouble so we can take appropriate action. God has wisdom and strength to help us deal with problems we face. God wants to care for us and comfort us because He loves us.
God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. Psalm 46:1 (NLT)
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