Joy

Promises of God – Nothing is too hard for Him!

Posted on by Bob Mathews

“And the Lord said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh, saying, ‘Shall I indeed bear a child, when I am so old?’ Is anything to difficult for the Lord? At the appointed time I will return to you, at this time next year, and Sarah will have a son.”” – Genesis 18:13, 14

When difficulties beset us, we tend to try and work our way out of them (on our own) until a situation comes along that we can’t handle or is too hard and we just give up and lose hope. Sarah is an example of this. They were promised a child and when that promise wasn’t being fulfilled quick enough she tried to take matter into her own hands by offering her maid Hagar as a way to obtain that child (Gen. 16:1-2). She couldn’t wait for the promise from God, putting trust in Him, and wanted to trust in what she could do.

To add a little more context, this promise was given when Abraham and Sarah, his wife, were both well on in years. Abraham was about 100 and Sarah about 90. Past the point of childbearing as is mentioned in Genesis 18:11. So, this would come across as a ridiculous promise to any normal person, which is what led to Sarah’s laughter.

Like Sarah, we look at what we understand about how the world works and go off of that knowledge. Sarah knew children were out of the question for her body at that age and all of us would agree that to be true. We are not here to deny how the world works. What we have to do is push past those things to the one who made the world! God created all things and governs all things. Just because something doesn’t work regularly for us, doesn’t mean that God can not dictate a change in that normal process.

Though some things in life seem too difficult for us, nothing is too hard for God. Sometimes He does His most amazing work when all hope seems gone. He gives hope when all seems hopeless. He fills us with peace when we’re in the middle of chaos. He saves the souls of people who deserve death. He makes the impossible possible. Think about the hard times; the last second, the darkest hour, the deepest hole. They are “mission impossible” for us. Trust Him with your hard times. Every one of them is “mission possible” for Him.

God has never promised that there wouldn’t be difficulties in our lives. However, He will be there for us, helping us through if we let Him. Sometimes we sing a song called Trust and Obey. In the song we sing, “trust and obey for there is no other way to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.” God has promised and proven time and time again that nothing is too hard for Him! He now offers true happiness to all through His Son if we are willing to trust and obey.

A Fresh Perspective

Posted on by Bob Mathews

We are coming to the end of 2020 and it is truly difficult to even know what to say. It has been a difficult year around the world. Unfortunately, the ramifications of this year are likely to continue to plague us. It would be nice if we could just hit the reboot button and get a fresh start. However, our very existence on this Earth means that we will have to deal with the happenings on it. None of us can fully avoid it no matter how much we might like to. So why is it, that even with all the turmoil this year has brought, some still hold their heads up high unfazed by the struggles? That question may not be answered the same way by all but let me tell why Christians have the ability to do this year after year.

In the book of James, he states early in the first chapter, “Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials,” (James 1:2). To many this is an insane concept. Why would you ever be happy or joyful to undergo trials in life? First, think about what it says. The word “consider” in this verse has a awesome notion built into the root of the word that means ‘lead’ or ‘leadership.’ This means that James is telling us to lead our minds in this way. Simply put, it means we have to decide to have this type of attitude in our lives. God does not promise us that our lives will be easy, in fact, there is plenty said throughout Scripture that would prove otherwise. What we are asked to do is to have the right perspective in life. Bad times will come and go but we are told what these trials can bring IF we have the right perspective.

Continue looking at James picking back up at verse three, “knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let that endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing” (James 1:3-4). What we can see is that these trials or struggles that we deal with has value. Think of exercising, you put your body through difficult training so that your body will be strengthened. Your muscles may hurt and be sore but slowly you will see the benefit of that labor. From a spiritual standpoint this is what James is getting at. With the right perspective the struggles or trials that come are way can make us stronger rather than tear us down. This can lead to us becoming complete (mature) Christians that can endure what this world throws at us.

Maybe now it is easier to understand why, even when life is tough or the world seems to be falling apart around us, those who believe in God can continue pushing forward with a positive outlook. If you need a little more insight look at what James 1:12 says, “Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.” We can push forward with joy because of what we look ahead to, what we have been promised.

I wish I could promise that life would get easier or better just because a digit changes on the calendar. What can be promised is that struggles and trials will always be a part of life. What perspective will you choose to view them through? If you want to walk through life with hope and joy ever before you then align yourself with God. If your really have a desire for 2021 to be an amazing year, then I suggest that your prepare your mind with a fresh perspective. One that will hopefully lead you back to God’s open arms. May this new year bring peace and joy to all, but especially to those of the faith.