Category Archives: seeking understanding

“For the righteous will never be moved; he will be remembered forever. He is not afraid of bad news; his heart is firm, trusting in the Lord. His heart is steady; he will not be afraid, until he looks in triumph on his adversaries.” Psalm‬ ‭112‬:‭6‬-‭8‬ ‭ESV‬

“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?” Jeremiah‬ ‭17‬:‭9‬ ‭ESV‬‬

“I the Lord search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds.” Jeremiah‬ ‭17‬:‭10‬ ‭ESV‬

“Consequently, he [Jesus] is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.” Hebrews‬ ‭7‬:‭25‬ ‭ESV‬‬

So…

“I will extol you, my God and King, and bless your name forever and ever. Every day I will bless you and praise your name forever and ever. Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised, and his greatness is unsearchable.” Psalm‬ ‭145‬:‭1‬-‭3‬ ‭ESV‬‬

“O Lord, you have searched me and known me! You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar. You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways. Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O Lord, you know it altogether.” Psalm‬ ‭139‬:‭1‬-‭4‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Is this a refreshing truth to you? Or does it strike a chord of fear?

As you ponder your answer, what does it say about your view of the holiness of God?

Does the doctrine of the holiness of God bring comfort to your heart?

An example of that holiness:

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” Isaiah‬ ‭55‬:‭8‬-‭9‬ ‭ESV‬‬

1. There is a relationship between joy and suffering:

Romans 5:3

James 1:2

1 Peter 4:13

Hebrews 10:34

Acts 5:41

2 Corinthians 12:9

Philippians 2:17

Colossians 1:24

1 Thessalonians 1:6

2 Corinthians 8:1

Joy comes from grace not circumstances, neither pain nor pleasure can supersede the joy we have in God!

2. Why does suffering come?

One reason is to produce a deeper holiness through deeper faith as we go through.

Hebrews 12:10

2 Corinthians 1:8

1 Peter 4:12-13

This outline from Ask Pastor John podcast. Click ⬇️

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ask-pastor-john/id618132843?i=1000614289364

This Sunday I’ll be sharing about what we can learn from the book of Acts and the letter to the Hebrews about trouble.

Here are three steps to help us with discouragement, and to cultivate trust.

1.    As soon as you’re discouraged, look to Scripture, remember Jesus is greater than all our troubles. Meditate on faith building verses.

2.    As soon as someone hurts you, pray for them.

3. Thank God for the struggle and ask Him what will he teach you through it? Remember, the struggle now is less than the joy that will come as Christ fills you and changes you. Joy will result.

These are truths in Scripture that have never failed me:

FAITH BUILDING TEXTS:

Joshua 1:9

Psalm 27:1

Psalm 46:1-3

Proverbs 3:5-7

Isaiah 30:15, 18

Isaiah 43:1-3a

Jeremiah 17:7-8

Lamentations 3:22-24

Habakkuk 3:17-19

It has been noted that the ascension of Christ Jesus was the ascension to His coronation at the throne of God.

Tomorrow is the Sunday before Ascension day and I’ll be preaching from the end of Luke and doing a quick survey of some texts in Hebrews. Hebrews has more about Jesus as our High Priest and Mediator than anywhere else. As I’ve worked in these Scriptures this week, my mind has been set toward the throne of grace. (Heb. 4, Col. 3) and then, just now as I read todays Psalms, I saw this:

“O kingdoms of the earth, sing to God; sing praises to the Lord, Selah

to him who rides in the heavens, the ancient heavens;

behold, he sends out his voice, his mighty voice.

Ascribe power to God, whose majesty is over Israel, and whose power is in the skies. Awesome is God from his sanctuary; the God of Israel—he is the one who gives power and strength to his people.

Blessed be God!” Psalm‬ ‭68‬:‭32‬-‭35‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Glory be to His great name, Jesus, the King of kings!

When we properly dwell on His greatness, our trust in Him grows and we can lay all our cares upon Him, for he cares for us.

“Be exalted, O God, above the heavens! Let your glory be over all the earth!” Psalm‬ ‭57‬:‭5‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Soli Deo Gloria!