Temporary Troubles

Bible Reading: 2 Corinthians 4
Focus verse: 2 Corinthians 4:17-18 "And this small and temporary trouble we suffer will bring us a tremendous and eternal glory, much greater than the trouble. For we fix our attention, not on things that are seen, but on things that are unseen. What can be seen lasts only for a time, but what cannot be seen lasts forever."

We live in a world where troubles just come as a part of life on earth.   We have experiences in our lives and some are wonderful, but others are sorrowful, painful and things we really struggle through.  Yet, somehow we hold on to hope.  There is a sense of something that is better to come. The good news is that these troubles don't last long. 

We are created for eternity and feel that longing for heaven to be with God.  In Ecclesiastes 3:11, the Bible says that God has placed eternity in our hearts.  This gives us that sense that there is more to life that what we are just seeing now.  God gives us this longing for a future with Him in eternity.

Are you feeling trapped and afraid?  Wondering about your next meal or your poor health?  Take heart.  You can bear up these troubles with the strength and courage of the Lord because they are temporary.  The God who made you has a future for you.  If you are a born again Christian, there is a better world ahead in a place called Heaven.  A place that outweighs all of the troubles of the earth. 

Page Johnson
Interlocking Ministries

Hymn:When We All Get to Heaven

Sing the wondrous love of Jesus
Sing his mercy and his grace
In the mansions bright and blessed
He'll prepare for us a place

[Chorus:]
When we all get to heaven
What a day of rejoicing that will be
When we all see Jesus
We'll sing and shout the victory

While we walk the pilgrim pathway
Clouds will overspread the sky
But when traveling days are over
Not a shadow, not a sigh

[Chorus]

Onward to the prize before us
Soon his beauty we'll behold
Soon the pearly gates will open
We shall tread the streets of gold

[Chorus]

Time Spent with God Makes the Difference

Scripture reading: Exodus 34:29-35
Focus verse: Exodus 34:29, 30, 34, 35a – "When Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the two tablets of the Testimony in his hands, he was not aware that his face was radiant because he had spoken with the Lord. When Aron and all the Israelites saw Moses, his face was radiant, and they were afraid to come near him. But whenever he entered the Lord’s presence to speak with him, he removed the veil until he came out. And when he came out and told the Israelites what he had been commanded, they saw that his face was radiant. "

When Moses went to Mount Sinai and spent time with God, his life did not remain the same. He came back radiant because he had spoken with the Lord. Aaron together with the Israelites could see a difference in his life and they even feared to come near him. Not only that, but whenever he entered the Lord’s presence and talked to him, his face shone, meaning he came out different and the people could witness.  I have often fallen a victim of an overcrowded program of activity that leaves me with no or less quality time to spend with God. I know this affects many other believers, we have so many tasks put on our list of activities that leaves us with less time for prayer, study of God’s word and meditation on God’s word.
One reason why many Christians are not living a life of difference is because they don’t spend quality time with God. When you don’t spend time with God you will not grow to become different. John 15:5 – I am the vine; you are the brunches. If a man remains in me, and I in him he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. Christians are in a constant spiritual battle. As Paul puts it in Ephesians 6:10-18, we must put on the full armor of God in order to overcome the schemes of the devil. God sent his Son so that we are reconciled back to him and he now wants us to spend quality time with Him.

Pastor Eliazar Wambo
Director of Bethesda Faith Ministries

Comissioned by God

Scripture Reading: Genesis 12: 1-4

Focus Verse: Genesis 12: 4  “So Abram departed as the Lord had spoken to him.”

Over the next few weeks we will continue with this subject of "Commissioned by God", and how we are on assignment for the King.  Are you a Christian, saved by grace and submitted to God as your boss?  If you answered yes, then you are one of God’s commissioned officers.  Commissioned...which means that He called him to be a leader under God's authority,

 

In our scripture reading we read about Abram.  God placed a call on Abram’s life.  He commissioned him for use in service to God.  God told him to move out from where he was and made a promise to Abram if he would obey.  The promise was that Abram would lead a great nation, but first Abram would have to move his home to a new place.  

 

God told Abram not only would he lead a great nation, but other nations of the earth would be blessed through Abram’s descendants.  And not only that, but through Abram’s family tree Jesus would be born to save humanity from their sins. Let us never underestimate the importance of what God is asking us to do.  For Abram, it all started when God asked him to move.  And Abram obeyed God and moved even when that was the only step that he knew to take.  God would teach him as he went.

 

God has called you to do something and if you will listen and obey Him, He will do His good work through you so that He will be glorified.  God might not be asking you to move, but He certainly asks us to pray, read our Bible, fellowship with believers, love one another, worship Him and make disciples.  Though maybe He’s also asking you to teach a Sunday school class, work with the widows in your community or serve the needs of the sick or orphaned.  There are many different things God could be asking you to do to serve Him.   Have you been faithful in obeying that call?  Why not pray and ask God to give you the courage and strength to obey Him.

Bobby Johnson

Interlocking Ministries