Again, God Is Faithful

Regardless of what life sends our way, we can be confident that the Lord will give us the necessary strength and grace to make it through.

At this time in my life, I’m in the midst of cancer treatment, but my Lord has been ever so close, giving me strength after chemotherapy, easing my aches, soothing my dreads.

God is always present with His children, even when He can”t be seen. I know for a fact that over and over, again and again God is faithful. 

Lamentations 3:22-25  It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. 

[23] They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. 

[24] The Lord is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him.

[25] The Lord is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him.

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“I've stood on the bank of a wide raging river —  Trusting that I'd get across. — I've made my way through some valleys and deserts. —  Believing that I'd never get lost. —  I've been at the foot of what felt like Mt. Everest, —  Knowing I'd have the strength for the climb. —  'Cause through every trial, each test and temptation, —  One thing is sure every time.

“Over and over, again and again God is faithful. — Over and over, again and again —  Through it all He's made me able  —. To stand and survive, to come through alive. —  when it sure looked like I couldn't win.  —. Jesus is with me so I claim the victory. —  Over and over again.”

     Sheri Easter

Ideas for this unprofitable blog a 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.  

Until Then

Psalm 43:5   Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.

The Psalmist asks his soul a question: "Since God is in control of this thing, why are you so upset?" Then he tells his soul the only prescription for joy in the valleys of life is "Hope in God! He has it all under control!".

We might want to ask our souls the same question. There is no room for overwhelming sadness and worry and fear in the heart of a believer. 

Worry says, "God is dead! Life is hopeless and defeat is sure." 

We know that’s not true. Let God take care of your situations, Phil. 4:6-7; Matt. 6:7-8; Matt. 6:25-34. Look up. Keep the faith.

We will spend eternity in a place where the trials of life can’t find us ever again, Rev. 21:4. 

But until then, we will face trials. We will face valleys and we will go through hard times. Until then, have faith in God and remember; trials don’t come to stay, they merely came to pass. The Lord will walk you through them.

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“My heart can sing when I pause to remember. —  A heartache here is but a stepping stone  —. Along a trail that's winding always upward. — This troubled world is not my final home. 

“But until then my heart will go on singing. —  Until then with joy I'll carry on.  —. Until the day my eyes behold that city,  —  Until the day God calls me home.

“This weary world with all its toil and struggle. —  May take its toll of misery and strife;  —. The soul of man is like a waiting falcon;  —. When it's released, it's destined for the skies. 

“But until then my heart will go on singing  —  Until then with joy I'll carry on.  —. Until the day my eyes behold that city,   —  Until the day God calls me home.”

      Stuart Hamblen

Ideas for this unprofitable blog a 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.  

My Hope

In one of her poems, Emily Dickinson said, “Hope is a thing with feathers that perches in the soul.” 

The world says that hope is merely a fond wish or desire.  But, the words used for hope in the Bible tell a different story.  

They teach us that hope is “A deep settled confidence that God will keep His promises!”

That is the essence of hope and hope is a possession we all need to be sure we own in large quantities.

David has a personal relationship with God. He wrote of the basic foundation for hope.

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?

Light, salvation, and strength are three great characteristics of God. They give us hope even in the midst of battle.  

Are you resting in the sure confidence that God will do just as He promised?

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“My hope is built on nothing less. —  Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness; —. I dare not trust the sweetest frame, —  But wholly lean on Jesus’ name.  

On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;  —  All other ground is sinking sand.  —  All other ground is sinking sand.

“His oath, His covenant, and blood —  Support me in the whelming flood;  —  When all around my soul gives way, —  He then is all my hope and stay.  

On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;  —  All other ground is sinking sand.  —  All other ground is sinking sand.“

      Edward Mote

Ideas for this unprofitable blog a 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.  

Standing On The Promises

We don't always appreciate what we have in Jesus. In fact, we spend a lot of time asking for things He has already given us.

We pray for love when God says that His love is "shed abroad in our hearts" (Rom. 5:5).

We pray for peace when Jesus has already said, "Peace I leave with you . . . (John 14:27).

We pray for joy when the Bible tells us plainly that we have "joy unspeakable and full of glory" (1 Pet. 1:8 ).

We pray for strength to do the things God has called us to do when He already told us that we can "do all things through Christ which strengtheneth us" (Phil. 4:13).

We Worry over our needs when The Lord has already promised to meet them (Phil 4:19).

We seek His presence when He has said, "I will never leave thee nor forsake thee." (Heb. 13:5).

2 Peter 1:4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

“Standing on the promises of Christ my king, —. through eternal ages let his praises ring;  —. glory in the highest, I will shout and sing, —. standing on the promises of God.

“Standing on the promises that cannot fail,  —. when the howling storms of doubt and fear assail.  —. by the living Word of God I shall prevail, —. standing on the promises of God.”

     Russell Kelso Carter 1886

Ideas for this unprofitable blog a 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.  

Have Faith In God

Often the most painful wounds are not the scars that are outwardly seen, but those hidden deep in the heart. 

After observing the Passover, Jesus and His disciples enjoy a pleasant meal, then Jesus washes their feet. 

After these things Jesus drops a major bombshell. He tells them that he will be betrayed by one of them, and that he will be going away.

The Savior’s words must have broken their hearts, shattered their confidence, and left them devastated. That’s why we have the precious, comforting words of John 14:1-3.

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.

Jesus tells them to believe in God.

If you can ever learn to trust God completely, without reservation, then you have the very tool you need to loosen fear’s grip on your life. 

As soon as you come to the place where you know God will do as He has promised, and you leave life up to Him and His will, then you are free. 

This is the kind of faith that will bring you through the valleys. This kind of faith believes that God exists and that He is in absolute control of all things.

“Have faith in God when your pathway is lonely.  — He sees and knows all the way you have trod;  —  Never alone are the least of His children;  — Have faith in God, have faith in God.

“Have faith in God in your pain and your sorrow,  — His heart is touched with your grief and despair;  —  Cast all your cares and your burdens upon Him,  —  And leave them there, oh, leave them there.

“Have faith in God, He's on His throne,  —  Have faith in God, He watches over His own;  —  He cannot fail, He must prevail,  —  Have faith in God, Have faith in God.”

      B.B. McKinney

Ideas for this unprofitable blog a 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.  

Higher Ground

God’s gracious provision of strength for all the days of our lives promises us that there will be grace regardless of where the path of life might lead us.

There are times when we feel defeated and unable to rise above our circumstances. 

Those who learn to “hope in the Lord — to wait on the Lord” find that He has a way of helping us to go through our problems, whether spiritual, physical, sins, valleys, emotions, etc. 

He has a way of allowing us to soar above the difficulties of this life.

Isaiah 40:31 But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

“I’m pressing on the upward way,  — New heights I’m gaining every day;  —. Still praying as I’m onward bound,  —. “Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.”

“Lord, lift me up and let me stand,  —. By faith, on Heaven’s tableland,  —. A higher plane than I have found;  —. Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.

“My heart has no desire to stay. —  Where doubts arise and fears dismay;  —. Though some may dwell where those abound,  —. My prayer, my aim is higher ground.”

       Johnson Oatman, Jr.

Ideas for this unprofitable blog a 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.  

Don’t Worry

In Luke 12 Jesus tells His disciples that they don’t need to be eaten up with worries and fears. They are children of the King and He will see to their needs. 

These encouraging words are for believers today as well.

He points out God's gracious provision for the birds and that we are of more value to Him., Luke 12:22-24. 

Then, in Luke 12:29-31 He tells us that the secret to having our needs met is to live for the Lord and love God.

Luke 12:32  Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.

We all have needs, and we have them all the time, and God is aware of every one of them. Trust Him.

“Why should I feel discouraged?  — Why should the shadows come?  —. Why should my heart be lonely. — And long for heav’n and home?  —. When Jesus is my portion —. My constant friend is He. —  His eye is on the sparrow. —  And I know He watches me.

“I sing because I am happy. —I sing because I am free.— His eye is on the sparrow. —And I know He watches me.

"Let not your heart be troubled"  —. His tender words I hear. — And resting on His goodness. —  I lose my doubt and fear.—. Though by His path He leadeth. —  But one step I may see.—. His eye is on the sparrow. — And I know He watches me.”

        Civilla D. Martin

Ideas for this unprofitable blog a 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.