Video Bible Lesson - When We Lose Heart By Susie Larson

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

6/16/2020

When We Lose Heart
By Susie Larson

“Go and tell John the things you have seen and heard: that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, the poor have the gospel preached to them. And blessed is he who is not offended because of me.” - Luke 7:22-23
When John the Baptist sat in prison, most likely knowing that his execution was imminent, he battled a dark season of discouragement and doubt. According to Jesus, John was one of the greatest men who ever lived, and yet his heart and soul were weary and in need assurance that Jesus was who He said He was. John sent word to Jesus’s disciples, asking if He indeed was the Messiah, or if they should keep looking for someone else. Jesus answered this way:
“Go and tell John the things you have seen and heard: that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, the poor have the gospel preached to them. And blessed is he who is not offended because of me.” Luke 7:22-23
When, like John, we are going through a painful season of waiting for God’s provision or deliverance, it’s common for us to be so focused on the angst in our heart and on the unmet desires in our lives that we forget that God has never failed us in the past. And that He has always come through at just the right time.
If you find yourself weary in the wait, step away from your current situation and recount again some of the ways that God has come through for you. Declare right now that, though you can’t see it, God is at work in your midst. He moves when you pray and He absolutely cherishes your faith. Believe it. Embrace it. Because it’s true.
And if you’re tempted to blame God for your current hardship, I encourage you to consider this a dead-end attitude, one that will derail your faith and perspective. Why blame the very One who can do something about your circumstances?
Nobody loves you like God. Nobody keeps promises like God does. And nobody has the wisdom to intervene at just the right time like God does, and God will. Jesus says that we’re blessed when we resist the impulse to blame Him or be offended by what He allows us to endure. As a matter of fact, we should look to Jesus as our example. He suffered torture, persecution, and rejection, yet Jesus never got offended with His Father. How’s that possible?
It’s possible when you believe that the heart of your Father is always good, and that anything He allows you to endure will serve you and glorify Him in the end. Trust your good God’s promises and His process. He knows what He’s doing with your life.

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

The Answer to Prayer 

Streams in the Desert

Patiently wait for God alone, my soul! For he is the one who gives me confidence. — Ps 62:5 

Our too general neglect of looking for answers to what we ask, shows how little we are in earnest in our petitions. A husbandman is not content without the harvest; a marksman will observe whether the ball hits the target; a physician watches the effect of the medicine which he gives; and shall the Christian be careless about the effect of his labor?

Every prayer of the Christian, made in faith, according to the will of God, for which God has promised, offered up in the name of Jesus Christ, and under the influence of the Spirit, whether for temporal or for spiritual blessings, is, or will be, fully answered.

God always answers the general design and intention of His people’s prayers, in doing that which, all things considered, is most for His own glory and their spiritual and eternal welfare. As we never find that Jesus Christ rejected a single supplicant who came to Him for mercy, so we believe that no prayer made in His name will be in vain.

The answer to prayer may be approaching, though we discern not its coming. The seed that lies under ground in winter is taking root in order to a spring and harvest, though it appears not above ground, but seems dead and lost.
—Bickersteth

Delayed answers to prayer are not only trials of faith, but they give us opportunities of honoring God by our steadfast confidence in Him under apparent repulses.
—C. H. Spurgeon

Following the Father’s Example.....Dr. Charles Stanley

Following the Father’s Example

Dr. Charles Stanley

Ephesians 6:1-4

Do you have a strong relationship with your children? The way we first think about God has much to do with how we were parented—especially by our father. What image of the Lord are youportraying?

Many men struggle in their role as dads because their own fathers were either absent—physically or emotionally— or poor examples. But regardless of what a person experienced in the past, the best thing any parent can do is imitate God the Father. But how do we know who He really is?

We get our best glimpse of what the heavenly Father is like by looking at His Son. Speaking with the disciples, Jesus said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me . . .
He who has seen Me has seen the Father” (John 14:6, 9). Not only is Christ our path to relationship with God; He is also the way we come to know the Father’s true character.

When we look at Jesus’ life, what do we see? He was merciful, patient, gentle, compassionate, kind, and full of goodness toward all people (Matt. 9:10-13). The Savior healed the sick, provided for needs, and offered forgiveness—regardless of the offense (Matt. 14:14-21; Luke 23:34). But in love, He didn’t hesitate to discipline or correct others when required.

More than a solid education or material possessions, your child’s greatest need is a role model of devotion to God through prayer, Bible reading, and holy living. If you make knowing and following the heavenly Father your first priority, you won’t have to worry about what kind of parent you will be.

Our Imperfections Make Us Usable

Our Imperfections Make Us Usable
JASMINE WILLIAMS

“Not that I have already reached the goal or am already perfect, but I make every effort to take hold of it because I also have been taken hold of by Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:12‬ (‭CSB‬‬)‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

Do you find it so much easier to give advice to others than it is to live by those same words you give out? I’ve found myself thinking many times after a phone call with a friend: Did those words of wisdom really come from me? Wow! Maybe I should follow that advice too!

Admittedly, it can feel a little hypocritical at times — needing the very same advice I’m giving out — but I don’t think God sees it that way at all. He knows that even when we believe in His Word, there are times we don’t hold on to it as tightly as we should, times when we worry and doubt, more than we pray.

But I’m reminded of Paul’s words to the church of Philippi. He said in Philippians 3:12, “Not that I have already reached the goal or am already perfect, but I make every effort to take hold of it because I also have been taken hold of by Christ Jesus.”

Paul had shared so many instructions with them on humility, unity and knowing God, and then right there in verse 12, he lets them know he still hadn’t reached the goal himself!

That verse gives me hope.

While I have godly advice to share and wise words for friends at times, I know we’re all working through this together. None of us has arrived. The key, as Paul pointed out in Philippians, is to remain humble. There will be times when our actions don’t measure up to the Christlike advice we give out, but we keep pushing to reach the goal. God’s Word is still life’s perfect blueprint, even when we fall short.

Paul made every effort to take hold of the goal of knowing God because Christ had taken hold of him. He’s talking about that in-between state where we, as believers, reside. Yes, Jesus has captured our hearts! Yes, we want to share Him with others! But even in our sharing, we’re still seeking to know God.

Friend, keep sharing Christ. Keep using His words to advise and console. For He is the very best we have to offer. Will we miss the mark at times? Sure, but that’s okay as long as we don’t stop seeking Him. God knows our influence doesn’t come from a place of perfection. Rather, it’s our victory over brokenness and our battle scars that say to those around us, “I know you’ll make it if you follow God — because that’s what helps me to overcome every day.”

Maybe you’ve found yourself giving advice on trusting God while secretly worrying about so many things in your own life. Or maybe you’ve told others about the importance of a personal relationship with God, but you’re not prioritizing Him in your own day-to-day life.

It’s OK.

Realize the flaw, and keep trying.

When we stand on God’s Word, despite not exactly living up to it, we walk in faith. We tell the world that this Jesus who changed our lives is still working in us, using our imperfections to draw others to Himself.

Dear Jesus, help me to see I’m Your vessel for impacting the world around me. I will never be perfect enough to represent You, and You don’t need me to be. Help me to trust You with my weaknesses, knowing You can use them for Your greater plan. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

TRUTH FOR TODAY:
2 Corinthians 12:9, “But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is perfected in weakness.’ Therefore, I will most gladly boast all the more about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may reside in me.” (CSB)

Pharisees on Facebook

Pharisees on Facebook
by Ryan Duncan

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 

I have a friend who loves starting debates. Every once in awhile, he'll post an article or question on his Facebook page, then send out a request asking people to share their thoughts. These questions can cover every topic from politics to pop-culture, and typically generate good discussion. There was one post however, where things got pretty grim. It all started when my friend posted an article about a group of Christians who went to a Gay Pride parade holding signs that read "We’re sorry for how the Church has treated you." Personally, I was pretty touched at the article, but as you might expect on such a hot button issue, not everyone felt the same way.

It didn’t take long before the whole discussion exploded into a big honking argument and I remember leaving the thread in disgust, both by what others had written and how I had responded. The most unnerving part however, happened three days later when I picked up my Bible and read a passage where the Pharisees interrogated a man Jesus had just healed.           

Then they asked him, "What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes?" He answered, "I have told you already and you did not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you want to become his disciples, too?" Then they hurled insults at him and said, "You are this fellow's disciple! We are disciples of Moses! We know that God spoke to Moses, but as for this fellow, we don't even know where he comes from." The man answered, "Now that is remarkable! You don't know where he comes from, yet he opened my eyes. We know that God does not listen to sinners. He listens to the godly man who does his will. Nobody has ever heard of opening the eyes of a man born blind. If this man were not from God, he could do nothing." To this they replied, "You were steeped in sin at birth; how dare you lecture us!" And they threw him out. – John 9:26-34 

We like to think we are different from the Pharisees, but the truth is we're not. The Pharisees were the religious elite of the day, but they were so full of pride at their own self-righteousness, they could not even see the work of Christ when it was literally standing right in front of them. Instead, they argued and hurled insults at their enemy, a man who had done them no harm at all. I hate to say it, but that sounds a lot like me sometimes.

As Christians, we must remember that everything we say and everything we do reflects the presence of God in our lives. If we respond to others with cruelty, should we be surprised when their perception of Jesus is twisted? But if we respond in love, than perhaps they’ll begin to understand how Christ sees them. So ask yourself, how does the world see Christ when they look at you?

Intersecting Faith and Life: Are you loving others the way Christ has loved you? Consider your actions.

Further Reading

John 9

Things That Seem Good.....🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

Things That Seem GoodBy: Jennifer Waddle

So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate. - Genesis 3:6

As Eve gazed at the forbidden fruit in the Garden of Eden, it’s easy to understand why she was drawn to it. Delightful to the eyes and desirable for wisdom, it was too tempting to resist. Many of us can relate to Eve’s dilemma as we encounter things that seem good—too good to pass up. But in the end, some of those seemingly good things lead us away from the intended path God has for us. And, the delight of our eyes can leave us with a mess of unfavorable consequences.

One practical example would be buying a car. You set out to replace your old, unreliable car for something newer. However, the moment you step onto the lot, your budget-friendly goals are quickly met with stars-in-your-eyes options that offer the latest and greatest everything. Those brand new, shiny vehicles are a delight to the eyes. And there is a pull for your affections that’s difficult to resist.

The thing is, temptations that seem so good, often lose their appeal (and value) once you give in to them. That top-of-the-line vehicle depreciates the second you drive off the lot. And the hefty monthly payment soon becomes a burden you wish you didn’t have to carry. What seems so good at the moment almost always opens your eyes to the undesirable consequences that follow.

I wonder how many times Eve thought about that fateful moment in the garden. Did she and Adam lay awake at night, talking about how different things could have been—should have been? Genesis 3:6 describes the battle of the flesh—the tendency to follow our own desires. Yet, there was another element to Eve’s dilemma that happened right before she considered the forbidden fruit. The enemy slithered in without warning and disrupted her thoughts. As she went about her day, without a care in the world, the serpent swept in with a single question.

The life of contentment Eve had was suddenly disrupted by a suggestion of doubt. And it’s no different for us. We go about our lives doing just fine until one thought, one question, one suggestion offers us something too good to pass up.

Eve’s story can be a guide for us; an example of how NOT to listen to the whisper of the enemy. Even when something seems so good, we can (and should) take a moment to pray and ask for God’s wisdom. His Spirit will either confirm that it is good, or He will open our eyes to the truth of the situation.

Imagine if Eve would have recognized Satan’s question as a diversion from the truth. If she would have stepped away from the situation and called out for God’s help, imagine what a different world it would be! The next time something seems too good to resist, allow yourself some space to ask for God’s direction. That is one good course of action you won’t regret.

A Prayer for Good Rest

A Prayer for Good Rest
By: Kristine Brown

“Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from him.” - Psalm 62:1 NIV

“I don’t think I’ll ever sleep through the night again,” my young friend and mom-to-a-newborn spilled. Was it so long ago she could drop into dreamland whenever she wanted? Now her pattern (or lack thereof) meant grabbing a few moments whenever her baby cooperated. Which wasn’t very often.

We all long to experience good rest every night, but for most of us, rest comes in waves. Hectic schedules, unexpected circumstances, and more get in the way of the sweet sleep we crave.

Jesus appreciated our need for rest. He knew the dangers of pushing our human bodies beyond physical limits, but He also understood those times when life wouldn’t allow for a consistent eight hours-a-day. So what do we do in those hectic times? When we want a good night’s rest, but sleep seems elusive?

One day, Jesus’ disciples “gathered around Him and reported all they had done and taught.” (Matthew 6:30) They were exhausted. So, Jesus suggested a quick getaway from the crowds to find relief.

“...He said to them, ‘Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.” (Matthew 6:31)

People ran ahead and waited for the disciples to arrive, hungry to hear more. No time for rest. Just like my friend with a new baby relying on her for food, God’s children needed what the disciples had to offer. Though sleep-deprived, they continued ministering until “late in the day.”

Since they didn’t get the chance for physical rest in that moment, the disciples relied on the soul-satisfying rest that only comes from God. They learned a precious lesson, one that still brings truth to our lives in the most uncertain times.

When we don’t have time to rest, let’s reconnect our souls with the Prince of Peace.

These faithful men eventually found rest. In fact, Scripture says Jesus “immediately made His disciples get into the boat” while He stayed behind to send the people home. Maybe a few hours in a boat is what they needed.

There are times when life allows us to maintain a consistent pattern of rest. When prayers lull us into carefree sleep the minute our head touches the pillow. But when early bedtimes and interruption-free sleep seem like distant wishes, we can look to the truth of Psalm 62:1 for the only rest that satisfies the soul, “Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from him.”

Let’s allow this prayer to draw us closer to the Rest-Giver today.

Dear Heavenly Father,

There are times when rest is a struggle. I try to get enough sleep, but my busy life is affecting my ability to rest well. When I don’t rest, I feel more overwhelmed than the day before. On and on, until sleepless nights affect my thinking. Lord, I need your help to get a good night’s rest.

Your Word tells me “you grant sleep to those you love.” (Psalm 127:2) I look to you for rest today, knowing you give good gifts to your children. And when worry threatens to keep me awake, I will remember that your peace “guards my heart and mind.” (Philippians 4:6-7) Thank you for sending us Jesus, the Prince of Peace. True rest for my soul can only be found through Him.

Lord, in those times when I am needed as a mom, wife, employee, or friend, and I don’t get much rest, I pray the few hours I have will refresh my spirit and bring new life to my weary soul. Thank you for the gift of a good night’s rest. In Jesus’ name, Amen.