Just a reminder that Monday Dec. 24th Christmas Eve, we will be having a candlelight service @6:30pm. I hope you will make it a part of you're holiday plans.
I want us to look the next few days at overcoming in our Life's Journey. Paul writes, 'No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to [mankind].' Notice the word 'overtaken'. Suddenly you're 'overtaken' by a set of circumstances you didn't create, don't want, and don't know how to get out of. Kind of like what happened over the weekend with the shootings or loss of job; you get the point. Understand this: You don't pick the test, the test picks you! You don't get to choose who breaks your heart, or who gets on your nerves, or who lets you down. When you first held your child you didn't think that one day you'd be down at a detention center trying to get them released. You couldn't have known that a routine checkup would have you in the hospital fighting a life-threatening illness. Maybe your problem is so personal and embarrassing that you're afraid to even discuss it with anybody. So you walk the floor at night praying, 'Lord, get me out of this or I'm finished!' Even Paul wrote, '...We despaired...of life.' (2 Corinthians 1:8 NAS) When you've been 'overtaken' by a situation you learn three things: (1) Don't judge others. The Bible says, 'Every man is...drawn away by his own lust, and enticed.' (James 1:14 KJV) When you don't know what somebody's been through or the circumstances which have conditioned them, be quiet. If you have to talk about it, talk to God! (2) Don't tell your troubles to the wrong people. Look for people who will share your burden, not spread your problem. (3) Bring it to Jesus. 'Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.' (Hebrews 4:16 NIV) You have what it takes, because your Savior never leaves you. You are loved!
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