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Like Job, sometimes we suffer even though we cannot figure out why!

Job 1&2 ... Job suffering,with reverence

God is always faithful and full of compasionS

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The first question I’d like to take up this morning is whether Jesus’ words about persecution are still relevant. IOW: Has Modern Society Become So Tolerant That Talk Of Persecution Is Outdated?

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We come to the 8th & final beatitude. It speaks of a blessing no one wants—a blessing that comes to those who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness.

Jesus was sent to establish peace & His message explained peace & His death purchased peace & His resurrected presence enables peace.

It’s in the secrecy of your thoughts & feelings, where nobody knows but God. And what or who you are at the invisible root matters as much to God as what you are at the visible branch. Listen to the LORD speaking to Samuel (1 Sam 16:7) “Man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.” So, we can say From The Heart Are All The Issues Of Life.

In the age to come—when we meet Jesus—the people who will receive mercy from Him are the people who have been merciful. Is this salvation by works? NO!

Matthew 5:6, KJV, Blessed are they which do hunger & thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

Biblical wisdom is never merely intellectual. It’s a disposition of the heart as well as ideas in the head. In a sense, meekness & wisdom are one thing: peaceable, gentle & open to reason.

WE ARE RESTORE … A MISSIONAL COMMUNITY WITH A HEART FOR THE LOST. TOGETHER WE WILL DO GOD’S WORK, GOD’S WAY, & TRUST IN HIS SUPPLY.

How Would You Answer This: “Isn’t Christianity just a crutch for people who can’t make it on their own?” My reply was: “Why is the thought that Christianity is a crutch considered to be a valid criticism of Christianity?”

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I’m sure all of you know that our God works all things: including snowstorms—FOR OUR GOOD (Rom 8:28). But some of you may be thinking—nice try Pastor—but what good, God-glorifying purposes, might God have for sending us all this cold & snow & ice?

For many people no question seems as puzzling as the problem of unanswered prayer.

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The Planning of Proverbs. Paul, God & Jesus

Q: Why does Christmas joy turn so quickly into new-year anxiety? A: Maybe it’s because what felt like joy at Christmas wasn’t really anchored deeply in Jesus.

The shepherds were changed by what they saw & we can also profit from what they went through. Work faithfully; Wonder fearfully; Welcome favorably; Witness frequently; and then Worship fondly!

I don’t know about you—but some seasons of the church year—like Advent—are shocking because it shouts out: “the kingdom of God is at hand!” And suddenly, we realize that we’d stopped looking for or praying for this kingdom to come!

On This 1st Sunday Of Advent, Turn Our Hearts & Minds Toward Your Son, Jesus Christ. Fill Us With HOPE As We Remember His Coming & Await His Return.

Psalm 40:1-3 ... Being IN a pit is one thing ... Getting OUT is another!

: Has there ever been a time in your life that you would’ve described it as being in “crisis mode”? Or would you say: “I’m right there, right now?

If you find your heart leaps up more vigorously for anything else than it does for the forgiveness of God, *REPENT! In Other Words: DON’T BE A MULE

It’s Not What Happens To Us That Matters, It How We Respond That Makes The Difference. And Ps 119 had a lot to say about trouble. In fact, the author suffered so much he was an expert. Ps 119 (67-71-75) reminds us that God is intimately involved.

Our focus today is on one of the most beloved psalms. Years ago, this psalm was sung to a tune called “the Old 100th.” We also know it as the “Doxology” & you can find a version of Ps 100 in most hymnals, titled “All Creatures That on Earth Do Dwell.”

In Ps 60—as the tides of defeat began to rise for David—surviving soldiers turned to the banner—to regroup & fight—and while the banner still flew—hope remained.

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God's sheep (those who trust Him) will never lack anything that a good shepherd thinks is good for them.

Most common is Knowing an act or an attitude is sinful. BUT it has become such a part of you over the years, that in a moment of weakness you say with Paul "I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I do."

This gospel truth is part of the living water that flows into the roots of our lives … AND … this is part of what we meditate on day & night when we read & sing the Psalms, the source of sweetest delight.

J. Hudson Taylor, pioneer missionary to China, said it this way: “There are 3 stages in any great work attempted for God: Impossible, Difficult & Done.”

What Is the purpose of funerals ... 3 purposes ... 2 Corinthians 1:3-4!

In other words, how can we trust God with our mouths, unless it is true that He works ALL things together for our good when we trust him (Rom 8:28)?

All God needs is a bush that is burnable--and any old bush will do~

All of life is—a series of choices we make that lead us in one direction or another. Moses had to say NO to the world before he could say YES to God. And so do we!

Today's text (Isaiah 55:12-13) is not only God's Word for today, but of great relevance for YOUR future. Your happiness is God's reputation. Your peace is God's memorial. And this is an everlasting sign of his love that shall not be cut off.

Here are some 7 specific ways to pray during our difficult times:

God's Word is & a SEED, SPAN & SOVEREIGN

Is 55:6 says: SEEK THE LORD WHILE HE MAY BE FOUND; CALL UPON HIM WHILE HE IS NEAR

“Come to me.” Why? BECAUSE HE IS THE WATER & THE MILK & THE WINE.

Galatians 6:11-18 ... Paul's final warnings and pleading

God never calls any of us to “do it all.” But that doesn’t excuse us from doing what we can when we can. The question is: Will You Do It? Will You Be A Burden Bearer?

Our old self has been dealt a mortal wound & has been stripped of its power. The Christ-followers life—the fruit of the Spirit—is a constant reckoning then of the flesh as dead & a constant relying on the living Spirit of Christ to produce love & joy & peace within.

Galatians 5:13-15 (NASB), For you were called to freedom, brothers & sisters; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh but serve one another through love. For the whole Law is fulfilled in 1 word, in the statement, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” But if you bite & devour one another, take care that you’re not consumed by one another.

THIS MAY BE THE MOST IMPORTANT VERSE IN PAUL'S LETTER: Galatians 5:6 (NASB), "For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor un-circumcision means anything, but faith working through love."