Finding God in a Crisis

FINDING GOD IN A CRISIS

You became Satan's worst nightmare, the moment you said: "Yes, Lord, I'm yours."

And now he's fighting back in the only way he can, he's trying to destroy you by every means possible, and his weapon of choice is always a crisis.

It's totally unfair.

It's a crisis that could devastate -- or even kill you.

And it's a crisis that you don't deserve.

It's not of your own doing, they happen to everyone, but especially to those who are serving God. Jesus met Satan in the desert, face-to-face, the day He was baptized and began His ministry. It's just the way this broken world works.

The day you picked up your cross to follow Him, you took out an ad that plays in very dark places, announcing that you must be stopped from completing the task God has given you to do.

You have fought the good fight, but the crisis continues. It may even be getting worse. What are you supposed to do now?

It won't be easy, but try to remember that the world is watching.

Those who don't believe in God, will marvel at your stupidity for skipping along with a fairy tale to your own destruction. Ignore them. They're God's problem, not yours. But some, the one's you were sent to help, will wonder how a follower of Jesus Christ deals with an unfair crisis. Those precious people are searching for meaning and substance. They are searching for the "hope and a future" you have told them about. Show them, through your actions, that the true measure of a man is how he handles adversity, and how far he rises above even the worst of circumstances, trusting God and needing nothing more.

When there's nothing else you can do, read these verses and pray.

1. BE JOYFUL - James 1:2–4

“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”

2. ACCEPT HIS LOVE. Matthew 11:28–30

“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

3. DON'T WORRY - Philippians 4:6–7

“. . . do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

4. FOLLOW HIS LEAD TO FIND GOODNESS & MERCY - Psalm 23:1–6

“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

He makes me lie down in green pastures.

He leads me beside still waters.

He restores my soul.

He leads me in paths of righteousness

for his name’s sake.

“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,

I will fear no evil,

for you are with me;

your rod and your staff,

they comfort me.

“You prepare a table before me

in the presence of my enemies;

you anoint my head with oil;

my cup overflows.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me

all the days of my life,

and I shall dwell in the house of the lord

forever.”

5. SEEK HIM - Matthew 6:25–34

“Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?

And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?

And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.

But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you."

HE IS NEVER MORE THAN A PRAYER AWAY

In parting, as this may be my last post for a while, remember the most important way to find God in a crisis: simply remember that He is always there.

He is never more than a prayer away.

God bless and keep you all, my dear friends,

Michael

Monday, March 19, 2018, 4:40 AM