Video Bible Lesson - When Things Go from Bad to Worse by MARY KASSIAN

1/2 Hour of God’s Power with Scott Ralls

4/9/2020

When Things Go from Bad to Worse
MARY KASSIAN

“Though the fig tree does not bud and there is no fruit on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will triumph in Yahweh; I will rejoice in the God of my salvation!” Habakkuk 3:17-18 (HCSB)
This past week, I had the opportunity to catch up with a friend who’s been going through an extremely difficult time because of a wayward, drug-addicted son. When I asked her how she was holding up, she exclaimed, “It’s just one thing after another!”
My friend went on to explain that in addition to the challenges with her son, she had been hit with all sorts of other troubles, too.
Her problems ranged from inconveniences like her washing machine breaking down, to heartaches like her dog dying, to serious medical issues like her husband being rushed to the hospital with a heart condition. “Every time I think things might get better,” she lamented, “they take a turn for the worse.”
Have you ever experienced a season like that? I have. So did the prophet Habakkuk.
In today’s key verse, he describes a series of problems that hit the nation of Israel. Like my friend, Habakkuk and his fellow citizens were caught in a “one thing after another” scenario. Helplessly, they watched the situation in their country escalate from bad to worse.
First, the fig tree didn’t blossom.
That meant no figs. Figs served as a delicacy, so losing them posed more of an annoyance than anything else. The people missed out on something they enjoyed, but not on something essential.
Next, they lost the grapes.
Grapes provided the daily beverage, so losing them posed a major inconvenience. Losing the produce of the olive was worse. They had no oil for cooking or for lighting lamps. That significantly hampered their ability to function.
Even more critical was the loss of grain.
That meant starvation for large segments of the population. The final blow was the loss of the livestock, as this not only deprived them of food, but also of their ability to produce it. Given a catastrophe of this magnitude, things looked very bleak indeed.
However, regardless of how bad it got, Habakkuk was determined to keep his heart from sinking into despair. How? By focusing on the bigness of God rather than the bigness of the problem. Habakkuk responded to the escalating crisis by rejoicing in God. Even in the most horrible bad-to-worse situation, he knew that the God of his salvation would be faithful to see him through.
It’s not easy to be grateful when we face challenging circumstances. It’s even tougher to be grateful when things go from bad to worse. And when the problems pile up and seemingly have no end, that’s when it’s the most difficult to be grateful. It’s also the time when we need gratitude the most.
After my friend finished recounting her distressing laundry list of problems, she threw her hands up in the air and burst into a big smile. “But Mary, guess what?” she concluded, “I’m actually doing alright … I’m so grateful that even when the tornado rips everything from my hands, I still have Jesus!”
I smiled back and nodded in agreement.
Gratitude enabled Habakkuk to triumph in a bad-to-worse situation. It’s helped me through some tough times. It’s helping my dear friend surmount her difficulties. And it can help you with any challenging situation you are facing, too.
Figuratively, when the fig tree in your yard doesn’t bud. When your olive crop fails. When your fields produce no food. When things seemingly go from bad to worse. Even then, you can triumph in the Lord and rejoice in the God of your salvation!
Heavenly Father, please help me be grateful instead of grumbly when hard things come my way. I want to be overcome by Your greatness, not by the size of my problems. Thank You that You are with me and will see me through. Like Habakkuk, I choose to triumph in Yahweh and rejoice in the God of my salvation! In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
TRUTH FOR TODAY:
1 Thessalonians 5:18, “Give thanks in everything, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (HCSB)
Colossians 3:15a, c, “And let the peace of the Messiah … control your hearts. Be thankful.” (HCSB)

#Jesus, #Christian, #Bible, #Salvation, #Heaven, #God, #HolySpirit

The First Empty Tomb.....Dr. Charles Stanley

The First Empty Tomb

Dr. Charles Stanley

1 Corinthians 15:35-58

Jesus is the only person who has an empty tomb. Everyone else who's died has returned to the dust, but Christ is alive and seated at the Father's right hand. Because He overcame death, His followers are also guaranteed empty tombs someday. When Jesus returns for His church, those who have died in Him will be resurrected into glorious bodies. And believers who are alive at that time will instantaneously be changed.

Knowing this, we naturally wonder, What kind of body will I have? The best way to answer that is to see what Scripture reveals about Christ's body after He rose from the dead. He didn't come invisibly in the form of a ghost but rather had a literal, physical body. He talked, walked, and ate with His disciples. Yet although He was recognizable, He was somehow different, and at times it took His words or actions to jog their recognition.

Here's one thing I can tell you about the resurrection: you will look better than you do today! God is going to give you a strong, glorious, eternal body which is perfectly fitted for your life in heaven. Believe me, you will not be disappointed, because God has far more in store for us on the other side than we can ever imagine. You will be more alive there than you could ever be here.

A more important issue we must face is how to get ready for that day. This life is just a puff of wind compared to our eternity. It's my personal opinion that the way we live here on earth will determine our capacity to enjoy heaven. The time to begin living for God is now.

The Scribbled Truth That Changed My Life

The Scribbled Truth That Changed My Life
LYSA TERKEURST

“Then Peter said, ‘Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you.’” Acts 3:6a (NIV)

When we lost my baby sister tragically and unexpectedly, my entire world flipped upside down. It was a very dark season of my life.

What I once knew to be true suddenly became questionable.

Is God good? If so, why this? And if I never know why, how can I ever trust God again?

Hard questions. Honest questions. Questions that haunted me.

Until one day, I got a note from a friend. A girl I not-so-affectionately called my “Bible friend.” She honestly got on my nerves with all her Bible-verse-quoting. I wasn’t on good terms with God at that point in my life — I didn’t even want to believe He existed. And I certainly wasn’t reading the Bible.

I made all of this very known to my Bible friend. But in her gentle, sweet, kind way … she kept slipping me notes of truth with verses gently woven in. And one day, one verse cracked the dam of my soul. Truth slipped in and split open my hardhearted views of life, just enough for God to make Himself known to me.

I held that simple note with one Bible verse scribbled on the front as the tears of honest need streamed down my cheeks. My stiff knees bent. And a whispered, “Yes, God,” changed the course of my life.

My Bible friend had reached me. And because of her, I’m determined to use my words as a gift to others who may be in hard places … like a friend of mine who recently told me she’s struggling with feeling like she has no real purpose.

Everything just feels hard, with very little reprieve.

If ever there were a drowning with no water involved, this is where my friend is. Maybe you have a hurting friend, too.

Desperately wanting to love my friend through my words, I sat down to write her a card and send her a little gift. My heart was full of care, compassion and a strong desire to encourage, but I struggled to translate all I felt on paper.

As I prayed about it, the word “loved” kept coming to mind.

Remind her she is loved. Remind her how much you respect her. Remind her she is a woman who has so much to offer. Remind her she is seen and she is valuable.

In Acts 3, Peter and John encountered a crippled man at the temple gate called Beautiful. They stopped. They noticed. They decided to touch. Riches weren’t available to them but the ability to value was.

As Acts 3:6-7a says, “… ‘Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.’ Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up …”

Peter and John didn’t have silver, but they had a hand to offer and value to give. The man in need was worth touching. He was a man who needed someone to see him as a man. He had so much to offer. After he got up, he went into the temple courts, praising and stirring up wonder and amazement about God.

I want my friend to remember she, too, has praise left inside her for our God. She, too, can get up. She, too, can stir up amazement and wonder about our God.

Yes, she is loved, and God has a good plan for her. I want to help her see that, just like my Bible friend did for me all those years ago.

I will never doubt the power of one woman reaching into the life of another woman with some written or spoken whispers of love.

Dear Lord, I’m so thankful for the relationships You’ve placed in my life. Would You help me discern what encouraging words my friend needs to hear today? I want to show her Your love. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

TRUTH FOR TODAY:
1 Thessalonians 5:11, “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” (NIV)

A Prayer to Renew Your Mind

A Prayer to Renew Your MindBy Remi Roy

"Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think." - Romans 12:2

What changes when we surrender our hearts to Jesus? Certainly, not our outward appearance, our income or the people in our families or at work. On the outside, we look the same. So, what changes?

The more we give in to the flesh the more our lives stay the same. The more we yield to the Spirit the more we begin to look like Christ. It is important to note that we cannot and do not change our ways first before we come to Christ. Hard as we try we do not have the power to do that and if God required that no one would be saved.

Paul, however, instructs us to renew our minds.

"Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think." Romans 12:2

Paul knew that it takes a sincere desire to want to obey God to resist the lure of the world, hence his admonition to not copy the ways of the world. The same temptations we experienced in the past will come our way as new creations in Jesus Christ. We will face the same hardships, deal with the same emotions and circumstances. What makes the difference is our sincere desire to please God. Our desire, fueled by God's grace and love makes real change possible.

Philippians 2:13 says, ‘For it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.’

But how do we carry out Paul's instruction to renew our minds in the practical sense?

It’s all in the Word. God’s Word empowers us and enables us to go all the way in our pursuit of Him.

Our job is to study and apply the Word. It is our weapon against everything that comes against us; whether sickness, fear or evil thoughts. God’s Word is the standard by which we measure our lives and conform to His will.

Lord, help us to study and apply your Word to our lives each day. Help us make this a discipline of the mind and heart, empowered by Your Spirit, transforming us each day more and more into your likeness. Help us have self-awareness of when we’re falling into temptation and turn quickly back to you. Thank you for your tender mercy and love, ever leading us onward. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen!

Whatever You Do

Whatever You Do
By Lynette Kittle

“And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” - Colossians 3:17

Do life’s everyday responsibilities like loading and unloading the dishwasher, cause you to mumble under your breath? Or do you find yourself grumbling about the mundane tasks you’re assigned at work? Maybe it’s the wear-and-tear of working weekly in the church’s nursery or serving on the worship team?

It’s easy to grow weary in serving others and even easier to become critical in thoughts and words, rather than to turn to God’s Word in how to respond in various situations. Still God encourages you to do everything without grumbling or arguing (Philippians 2:14).

Scriptural Examples

Sadly the Israelites’ journey in the wilderness reveals a crowd of grumblers. So much so, it led God to respond with ”How long will this wicked community grumble against me?” (Numbers 14:27).

Today in a culture where being outspoken, critical, and argumentative is celebrated and admired, most may not even consider grumbling something to avoid.

Jesus was the subject of grumbling, too, when He went to the home of Zacchaeus. Luke 19:7 states, “All the people saw this and began to mutter, ‘He has gone to be the guest of a sinner.’”

In another situation where a crowd was criticizing Him for some statements He made, Jesus confronted them saying “Stop grumbling among yourselves” (John 6:43).

Because fault-finding is so commonplace now, especially with the opportunities offered on the Internet and through social media to express opinions, the majority of individuals may not know that Scripture strongly cautions people to not grumble against one another (James 5:9).

How to Serve Well

Rather than complaining about serving others at home, on the job, in church, or in your community, Scripture urges you to “serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people” (Ephesians 6:7).

Likewise, Colossians 3:23, 24 encourages “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters,” knowing “that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving” (Colossians 3:24).

Scripture reveals to truth to serving well, which is to not look to people for your inspiration or reward but to look to God. Doing so makes it easier to “do everything in love,” as directed in 1 Corinthians 15:14.

So next time your tempted to mumble, grumble, complain, or argue while serving others, instead, consider it as an opportunity to serve God. Focus on Him rather than the task, knowing He sees your heart and actions, and will reward you for your service.

Moving Past Our Mistakes with Hope and Purpose: Jesus Forgives and Calls Us Forward.....🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

Moving Past Our Mistakes with Hope and Purpose: Jesus Forgives and Calls Us Forward
By Debbie McDaniel

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.”  2 Corinthians 5:17

In John 21 we read the story of when Jesus appeared to the seven disciples early one morning. It was just days after the Resurrection. They were out fishing, and hadn't caught a thing. Though they didn’t recognize Him, He called to them from the shore, "Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some." v. 6

So they did.

And a miracle happened. They caught fish. So many in fact, that they were "unable to haul the net in because of the large number..."

Our God of miracles.

That’s when Peter recognized Him.

But here's what I love too. Jesus had gone before them, He'd already prepared a fire with fish and bread for them. He'd been there waiting. He invited them to bring some of their fish and then, to "come and have breakfast." v. 10-12

And over a fire and some food, He had a heart to heart with Peter. Three times he asked Peter if he really “loved” Him, the kind of self-sacrificing love that was willing to give all. The kind of love that involved deep faithfulness, commitment, strong character, and active expression.

Peter, who Jesus had previously called a "rock." Peter, who had claimed he would never deny Christ, yet denied him three times in the courtyard before his journey to the cross. Peter, who was impulsive or fearful at times, yet strong and bold at other times. Peter, who was probably not feeling like much a "rock" that morning as he sat with Jesus.

Defeated. Guilt-ridden. Sense of failure hanging over. Maybe still rehearsing what he'd done, and beating himself up for it. Living under the weight of the "what if's."

And here he was again by a fire, possibly a reminder of the very fire that he'd warmed himself over when he had denied Christ. Yet this time, Jesus had pulled up a seat. He sat with him, ate with him, talked with him, and got right to the heart of it all.

Three times Peter had denied him. Three times Jesus asked Peter of his love and re-commissioned him into a life of service and purpose.

He forgave.

He instilled hope.

He gave him a mission.

He called him to follow, serve, love, tend to, and care for believers.

He brought to him a renewed purpose and vision, in the midst of deep regret, guilt, and shame.

Slate wiped clean.

Fresh start.

Deeper purpose and calling to press on, leaving the past behind, and walking stronger in what was still to come.

This is who our God is. The One who is Mighty in miracles, and loving, forgiving and kind. The One who waits for us and speaks to our hearts, who gives us a calling, and never allows our defeat and failures to have the final word in this life.

No matter what we've walked through, or where we find ourselves today, be assured that He is Able. He can turn around every wrong road we've taken, and get us back on course, stronger than before. He can use every failure or defeat, and turn it around for good somehow. Because that's just how He works.

Press forward friends, He has more ahead...great blessing and purpose…He makes all things new.

Intersecting Faith & Life: We are more than any mistake of our past. Christ calls us out, He wants us to move forward. He redeems and sets free. We can let go of the guilt and hurt that hovers close, and start spending our time on the "right side of the boat," where there is blessing and goodness still in store. He waits for us every morning, offering food for our spirits from His Word, and calling us to a life of love. Thank Him today for the fresh start He offers.

Further Reading:
John 21:1-25
Revelation 21:5

Stinky Feet

Stinky Feet
by Laura MacCorkle

A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.
John 13:34-35, NIV

Do you celebrate Maundy Thursday?

The word maundy means "a new commandment" and is derived from the Latin word Mandatum in translating Jesus' commandment in John 13:34-35.

Before He said that, Jesus had demonstrated His love that same evening during the Last Supper, as He humbled Himself and washed His disciples' feet (John 13:4-5). This act perfectly illustrated His new command.

So he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples' feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.

After reading this, I can only imagine what washing someone else's stinky feet must be like. 

Think about where your feet have been, especially if you live in a back-to-nature, shoe-optional locale. This starts getting very up close and personal. And, depending on the individual and their hygiene habits or lack thereof, perhaps not too pleasant. Washing another's feet is not a glamorous act of service at all. But neither is anything related to the role of a servant, since it represents a position of humility and a mindset of putting others first.

In this day and age, I know there are certain churches that do have foot-washing services on Maundy Thursday to commemorate Christ's actions and his command. I have not participated in one like this, but I am sure it is a great object lesson to help all ages understand how to love one another.

Taking this a step further, The Bible Knowledge Commentary has this to say about foot-washing:

"Foot-washing was needed in Palestine. The streets were dusty and people wore sandals without socks or stockings. It was a mark of honor for a host to provide a servant to wash a guest's feet; it was a breach of hospitality not to provide for it. ...[Jesus] had done a humble service for [the disciples]. Meeting others' needs self-sacrificially is what they ought to do too. This passage emphasizes inner humility, not a physical rite. Not to follow the example of Jesus is to exalt oneself above Him and to live in pride. No servant is greater than his master (cf John 12;26)."

So when we humble ourselves and serve the Lord as He served us, it is He who lifts us up. When we love Christ, He changes our hearts and motivates us to love others. And if showing this love means washing some stinky feet, then so be it. 

I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and keep my laws (Ezekiel 36:26-27).

Intersecting Faith & Life: Who is God impressing upon your heart today? Is he calling you to show love to this person? Determine your course of action that will show a humble heart: make a phone call, send a note, lend a hand, speak a kind word or wash some feet! And then follow through as you love one another!