God's Promise
Guidance
WHEN YOU ARE TEMPTED
So the Lord knows how to save those who serve him when troubles come. (II Peter 2:9)
Be strong in the Lord and in his great power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can fight against the devils' tricks. Our fight is not against people on earth but against the rulers and authorities and the power of this world's darkness, against the spiritual powers of evil in the heavenly world. (Ephesians 6:10-12)
If you think you are strong, you should be careful not to fall. The only temptation that has come to you is that which everyone has. But you can trust God, who will not permit you to be tempted more that you can stand. But when you are tempted, he will also give you a way to escape so that you will be able to stand it. (I Corinthians 10:12-13)
I stand a few feet from a mirror and see the face of a man who failed,... who failed his Marker. Again. I promised I wouldn't, but I did. I was quiet when I should have been bold. I took a seat when I should have taken a stand.
If this were the first time, it would be different. But it isn't. How many times can one fall and expect to be caught?
Your eyes look in the mirror and see a sinner, a failure, a promise-breaker. But by faith you look in the mirror and see a robed prodigal bearing the ring of grace on your finger and the kiss of your Father on your face.
Your eyes see your faults. Your faith sees your Savior.
Your eyes see your guilt. Your faith sees his blood.
٭ Father, when I confront temptation, when I stand face to face with evil, I pray that you would give me strength and that you would use your power to block the path of evil.
WHEN YOU WORRY
Give all your worries to God, because he cares about you. (I Peter:5-7)
Jesus said, "Don't let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust in me." (John 14:1)
You, LORD, give true peace to those who depend on you, because they trust you. So, trust the LORD always, because he is our Rock forever. (Isaiah 26:3-4)
Worry makes you forget who's in charge. And when the focus is on yourself- you worry. You become anxious about many things.
You worry that: Your co-workers won't appreciate you.
-Your leaders will overwork you.
-Your superintendent won't understand you.
-Your congregation won't support you.
With time, your agenda becomes more important than God's. You're more concerned with presenting self than pleasing him. And you may even find yourself doubting God's judgment.
God has gifted you with talents. He has done the same to your neighbor. If you concern yourself with your neighbor's talents, you will neglect yours. But if you concern yourself with yours, you could inspire both.
٭ Lord, I don't ask that you take from me the worries of this life but that you surface the worries of this life so that I can share them with you and turn them over to you.
WHEN YOU SUFFER
Those who go to God Most High for safety will be protected by the Almighty. I will say to the Lord, "You are my place of safety and protection. Your are my God and I trust you." (Psalms100:3)
LORD, even when I have trouble all around me, you will keep me alive. When my enemies are angry, you will reach down and save me by your power. (Psalms138:7)
I leave you peace; my peace I give you. I do not give it to you as the world does. So don't let your hearts be troubled or afraid. (John 14:27)
There is a window in your heart through which you can see God. Once upon a time that window was clear. Your view of God was crisp. You could see God as vividly as you could see a gentle valley or hillside.
Then, suddenly, the window cracked. A pebble broke the window. A pebble of pain. And suddenly God was not so easy to see. The view that had been so crisp had changed. You were puzzled. God wouldn't allow something like this to happen, would he? When you can't see him, trust him. Jesus is closer than you've ever dreamed.
٭Father, I believe that when I see you, any suffering that I endured on the face of this earth will be worth it. Help me to understand. And when I cannot understand help me to trust you.
WHEN YOU ARE ANGRY
The wisdom that comes from God is first of all pure, then peaceful, gentle, and easy to please. This wisdom is always ready to help those who are troubled and to do good for others. It is always fair and honest. (James 3:17)
When you are angry, do not sin, and be sure to stop being angry before the end of the day. Do not give the devil a way to defeat you. (Ephesians 4:26-27)
My dear brothers and sisters, always be willing to listen and slow to speak. Do not become angry easily, because anger will not help you live the right kind of life God wants. (James 1:19-20)
Anger. It's easy to define: the noise of the soul. Anger. The unseen irritant of the heart. Anger. The relentless invader of silence. The louder it gets the more desperate we become. Some of you are thinking you don't have any idea how hard my life has been. And you're right, I don't.
But I have a very clear idea how miserable your future will be unless you deal with your anger. X-ray the world of the vengeful and behold the tumor of bitterness: black, menacing, malignant. Carcinoma of the spirit. Its fatal fibers creep around the edge of the heart and ravage it.
Yesterday you can't alter, but your reaction to yesterday you can. The past you cannot change, but your response to your past you can.
٭Father, at one time or another I have looked at the circumstances of my life and wondered why these things happen. I have the courage to wonder, when I read page after page in the Bible sharing the agony of those who sought you. And I find great encouragement from those who found you.
WHEN YOU ARE DISCOURAGED
Do not lose the courage you had in the past, which has a great reward. You must hold on, so you can do what God wants and receive what he has promised. (Hebrews 10:35-36)
We must not become tired of doing good. We will receive our harvest of eternal life at the right time if we do not give up. (Galatians 6:9)
God began doing a good work in you, and I am sure he will continue it until it is finished when Jesus Christ comes again. (Philippians 1:6)
LORD, even when I have trouble all around me, you will keep me alive. When my enemies are angry, you will reach down and save me by your power. (Psalms138:7)
Is there anything frailer than a bruised reed? Look at the bruised reed at the water's edge. A once slender and tall stalk of sturdy river grass, it is now bowed and bent. Are you a bruised reed? Was it so long ago that you stood so tall, so proud?
Then something happened. You were bruised. -by harsh words -by a friend's anger -by a spouse's betrayal -by your own failure -by religion's rigidity Painted on canvas after canvas is the tender touch of a Creator who has a special place for the bruised and weary of the world.
٭ Father, help me not to minimize my struggles; yet, at the same time, help me recognize that any struggle I have is small in comparison to the great God I serve.