Why Do Christians Suffer?

Christians get sick. Christian marriages fall apart. Christian parents have trouble with their children. Christians have financial troubles. At one time or other Christians walk through some pretty dark valleys. 

When Jesus allows us to go through valleys, it serves to remove from our lives things that were not needed, and it brings us into a closer and purer relationship with the Lord.

1 Peter 1:7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:

As we weather the storms of life and see God come through time and again, we can learn to develop a spirit of praise as we journey toward Heaven. 

We will find that our unseen Savior will see us through every trial. 

John 16:33, "These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world."

Lay your burden at the feet of Jesus then walk away.

Ideas for this unprofitable blog are taken from The Sermon Notebook—Biblical resources for preachers and teachers of the word of God. They allow these sermons to be used as the Lord leads but not for profit without their expressed permission. 

A Faith To Embrace

When it comes to God, there’s a faith to embrace. 

His Promises:

Romans 4:21 And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.

His Power :

Ephesians 3:20-21 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.

Isaiah 40:12  Who hath measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, and meted out heaven with the span, and comprehended the dust of the earth in a measure, and weighed the mountains in scales, and the hills in a balance?

His Plans:

Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the    Lord ,  thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

Embrace the faith. 

Ideas for this unprofitable blog are taken from The Sermon Notebook—Biblical resources for preachers and teachers of the word of God. They allow these sermons to be used as the Lord leads but not for profit without their expressed permission. 

The Best Is Yet To Come

Often the most painful wounds are hidden deep in the heart. Setbacks and trials can rob our joy and weaken our faith. 

If we collect enough hurts it will stop us from wanting to press forward. Don’t let the hurts hurt you. 

Learn to trust God completely without reservation, and you have the tool you need to loosen what’s troubling you.   

Praise God, the burdens of life are temporary at best, 1 Pet. 1:6.

John 14:1-3  Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. 

2. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 

3. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

It will be far better when you get home. After all, the best is yet to come, Phil. 1:21-23. 

Ideas for this unprofitable blog are taken from The Sermon Notebook—Biblical resources for preachers and teachers of the word of God. They allow these sermons to be used as the Lord leads but not for profit without their expressed permission. 

God Is Still Able

The Lord wants us to come to that place where we realize that He is God regardless of what we are facing. 

He wants us to get our eyes off our need and get them squarely on the face of Jesus.  Heb. 12:2. 

He wants us to know that He is still able, 

Eph. 3:20, "Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us," 

You see, regardless of what we think about what we are facing, God is still God. 

Don’t forget, God is still able. 

Ideas for this unprofitable blog are taken from The Sermon Notebook—Biblical resources for preachers and teachers of the word of God. They allow these sermons to be used as the Lord leads but not for profit without their expressed permission. 

Do You Have Hope?

I know you have battles, but do you have hope?  

Are you resting in confidence that God will do as He has promised?  

That’s the essence of hope and hope is a possession we all need to be sure we own in large quantities. The following Psalm will help. 

Psalm 27:1 The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

These three great characteristics of God—light, salvation, and strength—serve to give us hope even in the midst of battle. 

Because of Who our God is, we need not fear any enemy that should arise against us.  Satan himself is no match for our sovereign God. 

Ideas for this unprofitable blog are taken from The Sermon Notebook—Biblical resources for preachers and teachers of the word of God. They allow these sermons to be used as the Lord leads but not for profit without their expressed permission. 

God Meant It For Good

Joseph looks back on thirty years and acknowledges God’s hand in every detail of his life—the hatred and betrayal of his brothers, the slavery and imprisonment, and the loneliness and separation. 

After his prison release, he is elevated to a position of prestige, power and prominence in Egypt. On this particular day he is reunited with his brothers because of a drought. 

Genesis 50:20 But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.

When we pass through hard places it’s easy to forget that God is in control. 

The next time life pulls the rug out from under you, remember that God is always there to catch you, Heb. 13:5; Matt. 28:20. 

Remember that He invites you to come to Him for comfort and consolation, Matt. 11:28; Phil. 4:6-7; 1 Pet. 5:7; Heb. 4:15-16. 

Remember, no matter what takes place in life, God Meant It For Good!

Ideas for this unprofitable blog are taken from The Sermon Notebook—Biblical resources for preachers and teachers of the word of God. They allow these sermons to be used as the Lord leads but not for profit without their expressed permission. 

God Is All We Need

Psalm 18:2 The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.

As children of God, we can know that God is all these things that the Psalmist David said He was. 

He will protect us. He will provide for us. He will help us and refresh us all the days of our lives as we live for Him. 

We should live like we believe that He is the God of the universe and the God of our now and the God of our future. 

Trust Him. Know that we can walk by faith and not by sight. 

Worship Him. Honor Him. Praise Him. 

Ideas for this unprofitable blog are taken from The Sermon Notebook—Biblical resources for preachers and teachers of the word of God. They allow these sermons to be used as the Lord leads but not for profit without their expressed permission.