The Big Picture

Oh, the trials and troubles of Job. I suppose losing your family, wealth, friends, and health in one day justifies a few pity parties. 

But now he gets his eyes on the big picture. He begins to look beyond the here and now to some things he can rejoice in.

Job 19:25-27 For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me.

When life is rough and you feel defeated, these are some sure facts that can bring you joy in it all.

If you understand that the Lord is in control of all of life, Job 1:6-12; Job 2:1-6, then you can rest in the sure knowledge that God is in control of all that comes to pass in life. 

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 permission. 

O How Rich We Are!

Those who believe in Christ are wealthy. We believers are wealthy beyond measure because we are adopted into the Family of God and assured of that fact everyday of our lives by the Spirit of God. 

Romans 8:16-17 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

Not only are we heirs of God, but we have been made joint-heirs with Christ Jesus. 

That’s why Phil. 4:19 means so much to us. “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”

As pilgrims and strangers struggle in this world, the fulness of our inheritance will not be realized until we arrive at home in our Father's House. 

Then we will see just how rich we are and were. Rev. 21:1-22:5.

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 permission. 

Time For The Spiritual Things Of God

William R. Inge said, "If we spend sixteen hours a day dealing with tangible things and only five minutes a day dealing with God, is it any wonder that tangible things are 200 times more real to us than God?" 

So, what are we living for? What do we value? Are we making the best possible investment with our lives?  We can’t spend too much time on the spiritual things of God.  

David hit the nail on the head when he described the desire in his heart to be near the Lord. 

Psalm 42:1 As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O 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 permission. 

Glory To God

Colossians 1:16-17 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.

The Lord Jesus is first in rank, standing over all created beings, because He is their Creator. 

I know that Jesus created all things with His Heavenly Father and the Holy Spirit, but I tend to forget thrones, dominions, principalities and powers. 

He is preeminent over His creation. He is in control of it all. In the Godless world we live in, I find that comforting. 

Thus, Jesus and Jesus alone is to be exalted. 

Jesus and Jesus alone is to be worshiped. 

Jesus and Jesus alone is to receive all the glory in our lives and in our church. 

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 

Day By Day

God gives us the strength we need according to our daily requirements. We mustn’t make the mistake of trying to “store up grace” for future emergencies, because God gives us the grace we need when we need it. 

Nobody, no matter how wealthy or gifted, can live two days at a time. 

2 Corinthians 4:16-17 For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.  For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;

When we learn to live a day at a time, confident of God’s care, it takes a great deal of pressure off our lives.

Of itself, suffering won’t make us holier men and women. Unless we yield to the Lord, turn to His Word, and trust Him to work in our lives, our suffering could make us bitter. We need that “spirit of 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. 

Spiritual Contentment

David had experienced the depths of sin and the heights of the grace of God. He tells us that spiritual contentment is found in spiritual cleansing.

True spiritual contentment is defined as a heart that is clean, forgiven and honest before the Lord.  

If we could ever grasp that truth it would change our perspective on happiness and contentment in life.  

Sometimes believers lose their spiritual joy. If so, it may help to pray this prayer. 

Psalm 139:23-24 Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

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 Who He says He Is

It pays to be a child of God. Gods way is the only way. That’s the place we must all come to if we are to enjoy victory in the difficult days of life. 

We need to see things like they really are, and not like we think they are. We have to lose the human perspective and adopt the heavenly perspective. 

Basically, it boils down to changing the place where we are standing. How do we get to this place?

. . . By Prayer . . . By the Bible . . . By Grace . . . By Faith. 

We get to the place where we can trust the Lord by trusting the Lord. 

In other words, the more we allow ourselves to believe that God is Who He says He is and that He can do what He says He will do, the easier it is to trust Him with all of life. 

It’s the first step that’s the hardest. 

Psalm 73:28 But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord God , that I may declare all thy works.

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.