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Light Defeats Darkness
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Shut the Door to Negativity
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We can try to fix the outside, but until we get to the root of the problem, until we get that infection out, until we delete that recording, the lies continue to limit us.
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Don’t Let the Thorns Steal Your Joy
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The Apostle Paul, who wrote about half the New Testament, talked about those secret frustrations. You see, God used Paul in a great way, but, as effective as Paul was, he had a secret frustration. He called it a “thorn in the flesh.”
Now, scholars love to debate what that thorn actually was. Some argue it was a physical condition – malaria, migraine headaches, maybe eye problems that left him nearly blind. Others argue that it was an emotional issue – after all, Paul was constantly persecuted and even some factions in the church were coming against him. I even heard one scholar argue that maybe Paul had marriage problems.
Whatever it was, whatever was bothering him, Paul prayed over and over for God to remove it. One translation of the Bible says he “implored” God to take it away. That means Paul gave God his best argument. God, I’ve served You. God, I’ve done my best. God, I’ve prayed for others, and they’ve been healed. God, please heal me. I’m tired of people treating me wrong. I’m tired of being sick. I’m tired of being hassled. I’m tired of these headaches. God, please take away this thorn in my flesh.
And you would think, wouldn’t you, that if anybody ever had pull with God, it was Paul. But what’s interesting is that God never removed that thorn.
Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 12 that God’s answer to him was: “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” (2 Corinthians 12: 9) In other words, “My grace is more than enough for you. And My power shows up best … when you need it the worst … when you feel the weakest.”
How about you? How about your secret frustrations? Is there something you’ve “implored” God to change – maybe a situation at work, maybe a chronic health problem, maybe a troubled relationship? You’ve asked God again and again, but nothing’s improved.
I’m not saying to give up. What I’m saying is: If God’s not removing it or changing it, don’t let it steal your joy, don’t let it sour your life. God has given you the grace to be there.
The right attitude is, I’m not going to let this frustration, this thorn in my flesh, frustrate me anymore. God, I know Your goodness and Your grace is more than enough for me. I have the power to be here with a good attitude. I believe that at the right time You will change it … but, even if it never does change, I’m still going to be my best and honor You.
You just have to make up your mind about that frustration. If that issue with your spouse doesn’t change … if your health doesn’t improve … if you have to put up with that grouchy boss for the rest of your life … if you have to struggle with that temptation until the day you die… you’re not going to complain. You’re going to tap into God’s grace. You’re going to tap into God’s goodness. It’s more than enough for you. That means you absolutely can enjoy your life in spite of those secret frustrations. Don’t let those thorns steal your joy.
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Dealing with Anxiety
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What did Jesus do with His anxiety? He talked to His friends. He talked to His Father. And He talked to His feelings. And that’s how you’re going to handle your anxiety.
Friend, let these words sink in deep. Here’s what God is saying to you today about anxiety: “Do not be anxious about anything.” I could put some words in there for you. Do not be anxious about this virus. (Is that too big to say?) Do not be anxious about the economy. Do not be anxious about your kids, or your bills, or your future. “But in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God and … Watch this! Watch this! The very same thing Jesus experienced! … the peace of God, which transcends all human understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7)
Those of you who need that peace of God, would you just nod your head … just nod your head yes. Yes, that’s me. Yes, I’m ready to receive that gift this morning.
It is the peace of God that will guard you. It is the peace of God that will stand watch over your heart and over your mind. It is the peace of God that is beyond any words to describe it, any intellect to fathom it.
It’s not a peace generated by you. It’s not a peace based on circumstances. That means the world can’t give it to you. And the world can’t take it from you.
You understand that even when your soul feels overwhelmed with anxiety, there is no storm that God cannot bring you through. There’s no obstacle that God cannot help you overcomes. There’s no enemy that our God cannot defeat. There is no heartache that our God cannot heal.
This peace comes from Jesus. When I say Jesus, the very mention, it shatters the darkness, and it calms my soul. When I say Jesus, even in a whisper, it breaks through my doubting, People of God, until all my fear gone. Jesus – that Name Above All Names – before whom angels bow and demons tremble. We go to Him …
Jesus, Name Above All Names, here is my biggest anxiety … the thing that worries me. I bring it to You. I know that before I even had this worry, You had a solution. Before I even had this problem, You had a plan. Nothing is too small for You to care about, or too big for Your power. So I leave this with You. I will stop worrying and let You handle it now. I will do what I can do, do my best, and trust You for the rest.
Now, that I have brought this to You, I feel the peace of God, which transcends all human understanding. If I allow it, Your peace will stand guard like a sentry, guarding over my heart and my mind. For I am safe in You, in Your love, in Your care, Christ Jesus. And I pray humbly in Your Name, Amen.
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Sheep
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Let me tell you something else: His hands and feet were pierced, but it wasn’t nails that held Him to that cross … it was love. Love for you. Love for me.
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Consider it Pure Joy
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Ambassador of Christ
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• When you walk into the workplace, hope walks into your workplace.
• When you walk into your own home at the end of a long day, love walks into your home.
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When Life Stinks
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Agents of Mercy
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Okay, time to get down to business. Folks, the truth of the matter is, God has chosen you to be a part of His network … one of His special agents. What’s your assignment? He wants you to be an “agent of mercy” – an “agent of mercy” – to the people around you.
What’s the best way to do that in today’s world? Let me put it this way: As the world becomes more unkind, more mean, more crass … we need to become more kind. That’s what it means to be an “agent of mercy.”
Let me ask you this: Is the world today becoming more loving or more self-centered? Is the world today more polite than it was ten years ago or more rude? Politics … more unified or more divided? Don’t even get me started!
So here’s the big breakthrough thought for you: In a mean world, our greatest witness to the world is showing mercy.
Would you say this? Dear God, I want to be an “agent of mercy.” So, Lord, help me to start looking and listening for people’s needs. If I care, I have to be aware. Help me to see the needs of people at work, at school, with the people I hang around with.
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What Holds You Captive?
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So many people are stuck in the past. They’re just stuck and they can’t get on with the future because they can’t let go of the past. If that describes you, here’s what Jesus is saying to you this morning. “I was sent to announce freedom to all held captive and forgiveness to all who have been imprisoned.” (Isaiah 61:1) He’s not just talking about people in a cold cement prison cell. He’s talking about the emotional prisons, the emotional prisons that we lock ourselves up in.
- Some of you right now, you are in a prison of regret. And you just can’t forgive yourself over that thing that happened in the past. You can’t let go of it. You’re in a prison of regret, over things you’ve done.
- Some of you are in a prison of resentment, over things that have been done to They hurt me and I’m never going to let it go. I’m never going to let another man get close to me, because he hurt me so bad. I’m never going to open my heart to that again. I’m never going to stop being a victim. And you’re in a prison of resentment.
- Some of you are in a prison of envy. How come my husband can’t be like her husband? How come they have a nice house and I’m stuck in this apartment?
- Some of you are in a prison of worry. What if I get this virus? What if my work doesn’t get back to normal? What do I do with my kids if the schools don’t open in the fall? You worry constantly and you’re sick and tired. And you get sick and tired of being sick and tired.
- Some of you are in a prison of addiction, and secret sins and secret habits. And you think: If we ever knew the real you … If they ever knew what goes on when I’m alone.
I ask you today: What holds you captive? What’s got you locked up inside? This morning Jesus holds out His hands to you. And He says, “I have come to save you and not to judge you.” (John 12:47) “I’ve come to help you, not hurt you; love you, not judge you.” I love Jesus! I want to be like Jesus. It’s not my job to judge the world. It’s my job is to point to the Savior.
Now, look at me. Let me be absolutely clear. There will be a Judgement Day. The Bible is clear about that. One day you are going to be required to give an account of your life to God. And that day is going to be a day of fearful judgment … only if you reject the mercy of God. God doesn’t want to judge you. He wants to show you mercy.
- For you, it can be a day of celebration, of victory, of incredible eternal reward, of unspeakable joy! Joy – not judgment!
- For you … Well, you’ll probably be an old man or an old woman when die. For you, it will be a day to get out of that wheelchair and dance!
- For you, it will be a day throw aside your walker and jump in the air and click your heals!
- For you, it will be a day to get the keys to your new home and get fitted for your new crown! Joy – not judgement!
So just go to God. Right now. While I’m still speaking. Go to God and say, “Lord, I’ve messed up. I want Your mercy.” And right now, God is instantly washing you clean. Right now, you are receiving forgiveness for all the times you messed up and freedom to change your future. And here’s what the Bible says, “Anyone who asks for mercy from the Lord shall have it and shall be saved.” (Acts 2:21)
Anyone. That’s me … that’s you … that’s awesome.