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September 24, 2021 6:00 am
Pain hurt hardship disappointed with God. There is one thing you need to sustain you through it all will cover today living on the state with thanks for joining us for this Edition of Living on the Edge with a big burly Jets or Bible teacher for this international discipleship focused on helping Christians look like first in this program were wrapping up our new series led by Chip son Ryan called purposeful discovering God's calling on your life. Before we begin.
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Let's get to the second part of Brian's message, titled difficult good based of the book of acts by Cowgill Hyatt said it sent people lose their way. When they lose their why I could have you lost your why over the last year have you lost your why over your marriage. Have you lost your why with your work why God placed you there with that friendship. Have you lost your why is this people lose their way when they lose their like it clear on your purpose, you know, a few years ago. It was a really dark season for me. I actually went through 18 month just depression and yes even pastors get depressed and it just was a season that was so hard and honestly. My wife is the most amazing woman on the planet and cheapest potable with a lot with me and she really carried a lot of the way. It wasn't like I was ever going like you know II just want life to be done.
I just didn't care about life that I didn't really see like it if I die tomorrow. Who cares just a really dark place that endured is going through her counselor then even begin to identify didn't really know what was going on and is interesting. I can be preaching and getting into God's word and still is your why there's a little little but there is a crisis in our family summer of 2019 some things that were coming up and there's just some stuff with one of our kids that just required like me to engage as a dad in a way that a never engage in even really never knew how to engage like fight for our family and what was so powerful about that moment is literally one of those things that shook my soul out of this like dark depression because in that moment I saw the caliber of a father's voice in kids lives doesn't forget that sometimes we think as our kids grow older they don't need to hear from us know they need us more than need to know their love. They need to hear that you are so for them, your voices have you lost your why you asked your purpose when you're traveling through the difficulties of life. Get clear on your purpose. Get back to your why the second thing the apostle Paul is going to say is recognize suffering has a purpose is not pointless when life's difficult recognize the suffering has a purpose.
God is actually at work in the difficult seasons of life he may not not the cause of the pain. The difficulty but he will not waste your pain wasn't what he says to the church in Rome, he says, and we boast in the hope of the glory of God. Now she just stopped there.
By the way, isn't that right like you has an amen we boast in the hope of the glory got awesome. Thank you very much, but he goes on to something that is so foreign for us as the Western church as Americans not only sell but we also glory in our help me out sufferings we glory in our sufferings, why because we know that suffering produces something produces perseverance. Perseverance, character, and character, hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured out sooner into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us that there are some things in your life wasn't there some things in your life that can only be reshaped through the crucible of pain there. Some of the character things that God wants to help form the life of Christ, of who you are called to be an suffering plays a part in that suffering produces pursuit perseverance is the word Hoople minnow remaining under picture you know almost a like a weightlifter that just remains under that weight, and through remaining under is strengthened and as you endure as you endure, then it produces the character of the Christ likeness the godly life that suffering has a purpose in your life is not pointless and she's going know if you will surrender it to me.
I want to produce something in you through this. I remember when we lived in Alanna and is an incredibly hard time for us as a family. My job wasn't going well. It just was a rough air in and then and then we just had our desire like George it was great line is great but we love California love here. We grew up here wanted to be back want to be by the ocean and and then my son is born and from the get go.
The doctors told us he's failing to thrive.
Couple months after his birth. He is actually under his birth weight still and I mean were pumping among like protein shakes and everything and praying ever have one of those. I mean I'm in my you know mid 20s.
At this point just crying out to God never really gone through this much pain at this point in my life so didn't really know what to do or how to do it just is just hard gone mad.
My job sucks you don't like where we live, my son. I can even do anything about it can't change anything. Just get a hold this little being in pray were driving as a family down downtown in the Buckhead area next to the mall is one of those days are just pouring down the rain.
It basically felt looked how I felt, you know, just like is just dreary is just gloomiest awful and then I see on the scrolling marquee and literally I don't know if I just saw this guy God put that up for their for me or if this was really honest: he and downtown bucket, but on the scrolling marquee at the small. Here's what is said is that God does not bring a man into deep waters to drown him but to purify him. Oh my gosh there's a purpose you're going to work in this Sox, which is called what it is but you cannot left me, and he's not left you, and he's in the middle of the difficulty with you likes difficult. We gotta get clear on our purpose recognize the suffering has a purpose.
Next the apostle Paul is going to say your God-given calling is not limited by your circumstances, your God-given calling your purpose on this planet is not unlimited is not hindered by your circumstances by the problems by the obstacles by a pandemic is not limited. Notice what he says to the church in Philippi.
Now remember the church in Philippi. The church in Philippi is where that he was flogged and imprisoned and then now he's actually in Rome and he's in prison again and he's riding back to the church. Notice what he says now I want you to know brothers and sisters that what has happened to me.
House arrest imprisoned has actually served not hindered served to advance the gospel as a result is become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I'm in chains for Christ is served to advance the gospel. Paul gotta preach to the most elite soldiers of his day. The praetorian guard who had incredible influence in Rome and because of my change most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord because of my circumstances and mindfulness God is using this to embolden other people and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear. God-given calling is not limited by your circumstances.
Difficult circumstances can actually served to advance God's calling in your life the unexpected problems the detours the stuff that you never wish to go through when you say okay God I don't get it. I don't understand it but instead of throwing a pity party, which is our naturalist just be honest. What was me see.
I like how I think help Wartburg said it.
There's an important line and distinction between grief and self-pity on through those painful circumstances degree that's that's the absolutely but then when we cross that line self-pity and woe is me and we get stuck says now those circumstances will not hinder your calling, or your purpose.
It makes me think of someone that maybe some of you don't not encourage you to look this person do a little bit of research. Some of you know that a gal named Joni Erickson taught I was first introduced to her at a college in Chicago where she came and spoke. Her story is an incredible story of circumstance that none of us would choose that for most people, you say what that's it quit give up eager through life Johnny when she was a young woman was having some fun with some friends and dove into a lake headfirst and broke her neck from that day forward she was a quadriplegic only able to move her her head in her mouth. She didn't say well that's the end certainly struggled certainly had challenging days.
She decided to use her gift of art and painting and started to paint using her mouth should hold a brush in her mouth and begin to paint these paintings and realize that even though she doesn't have the use of her limbs. She still has use by God's amazing in 1974.
She actually wrote the story of her life and it released and became a international number one best seller later a movie of her life was made. She started a ministry Joni and friends for the ministry to the disabled is been an incredible ministry. The served thousands upon thousands of families all across the globe. She started a radio ministry called Joni and friends, radio, Pres. Reagan appointed her to the national Council of disability in 1988. She spoke at the Billy Graham Crusade over hundred thousand and has continued to this day, see friends if we would just expand our eyes and our sculptor God-given calling is not limited by your circumstance.
In fact, this is how Paul saw suffering is not how I see it to be clear, I want to see it this way Paul saw suffering and difficulty not as a problem to be solved, but an opportunity to be stewarded sitting he saw suffering and difficulty not as a problem to be solved, and here's what I'm not saying don't pray that you can't know God, would you heal this guy.
Would you take this way. Absolutely yet a thorn in his flesh. He prayed three times God take it away, but he said is an opportunity to be stewarded you heavenly father are going to use this. I don't know how but when his surrender to you will work through me, even in this life difficult. Get clear on your purpose recognize suffering as a purpose you're calling is not limited by your circumstances. And finally was awaiting what's awaiting you in Jesus is worth whatever you're going through when he writes back to the church in Corinth. If you have your Bible open flip it back a couple pages to Karen.
Second Corinthians chapter 4 verse seven says that we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all surpassing power is from God and not us that were just on display. I got our lives get to display not do anything about us, but the glory and the brilliance and the beauty of our Savior, so he goes on aces were hard-pressed on every side, but not crushed were perplexed, but not in despair were persecuted, but not abandoned, struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may be also revealed in her body. Therefore later on he says do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away inwardly were being renewed day by day.
For our light and momentary troubles like when we understand what's awaiting you in Jesus is worth whatever you're going through.
I would getting an internal perspective that life is way more than just about now. The troubles are light I know is been heavy right momentary feels like is forever achieving for us and into eternal glory that far outweighs them all to. I think mom's understand this better than most of us you mom's you understand that what's awaiting you through the process of child birth is worth whatever you're going through. I remember when our our first was born in. You know Jenny's giving birth and I thought that was a good time to make jokes. The worst time, the worse I remember species like you know and terrible terrible pain. I'm like yeah you know my backs really hurt and to about lost my head and rightfully so. There's something about that though the pain of childbirth, and how hard and how difficult it and yet it is eclipsing a moment when you see a mom hold their child for the very best the picture, here's a pulse painting force that what's awaiting you in Jesus Christ what's ahead of you is worth whatever you're going through and so this is what he says fix our eyes not on what scene but what is unseen since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal sure eyes on what's ahead so that you can endure what now fight for an internal perspective.
In the midst of trials and hardships what's awaiting you in Jesus is worth whatever you're going through that line. I wrote down in 2019.
Through season where I just felt like I was God's word to me so I had that 18 months, depression. I had actually that many of you remember had three concussions broken nose broken so and then the family stuff is tired and honestly I anybody remember being excited for 2020. That was sweet.
At the word of God remains the same.
What's awaiting you friends is not in this in Christ Jesus you are helping the grand destiny and consecrate. I want to talk to. The first is your listening you're in Christ, and you're tired or weary and on the edge of giving up or giving it.
I just want to encourage you difficulty and suffering is not the end of the story.
Don't give up and don't lose heart. You may be knocked down. But by God's grace get back up. You may have had the wind knocked out of you and I get it this year and maybe the last few years have knocked the wind out of you, but God will blow wind back into your life. In fact, I want you just to have this anthem or this refrain whatever you're walking through whatever's too overwhelming. I want you just bring this this is your prayer make it today make it tomorrow and the next day it's too big for me, whatever you're going through whatever you're experiencing the hard that you're walking through it is too big for me but it is not too big for you would just begin to say that and so got my marriage. The problem with my kids. Yet you know that internal thing that is just been overwhelming me. My anxiety and my depression.
It's too big for me but is not too big for you and so I'm going to bring it to you today. Would you not give up. Don't lose heart. Fix your eyes on Jesus, the other are those who are listening and you've never stepped into a relationship with Jesus and as I was talking insane.
What's awaiting you in Jesus is worth whatever you're going through your like I'm not in Jesus.
I want to be in Jesus. I want to know that I can have this confidence that what ever I'm going through is worth that's there's something awaiting me that God has good at ahead of me, and I think if you're in that place.
You might be feeling this way God can never love me and if you really knew what I have done what I've said whereof. Then God would never once me. I don't think he even likes me. Romans chapter 5 says you see, at just the right time while we were still powerless, why we could do nothing to change our own circumstances. There is nothing we could do to fix sets says that Christ died for us, Christ came for you very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person. Someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his love for you friend that Christ died for you while we were still sinners when we were at our worst God gave his best and in this moment right where you're at if you want to step into life in Christ. Would you pray after me. Heavenly father, I confess I need you. I long for you to come into my life and make me new. I believe that at my very worst in all of me you still love me and you gave your very best.
Today I put my trust and faith in you. Would you come into my life and make me brand-new today I choose to follow you. Thank you for new life in Jesus name, amen.
If you just prayed with Ryan, we'd love to put a free resource in your hands.
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333-6003 chip in the last year to 18 months. We've all been through a lot. Some of made it through. Way better than others as you think about it. Is there a common thread that sustained believers I mean something that's allowed them to not only survive but actually thrive through this difficult time. Day.
It's actually very simple. There's many many many Christians that are very sincere and there in I mean there in they love God. They prayed to receive Christ there in the Bible now and then there trying to be a good person there kinder than the average person. But here's the deal. They're not all in. They haven't made that big shift from Lord I love you and sort of on my terms to that Romans 12 one moment of full surrender and what I can tell you is it is a scary moment, but it is that moment of surrender of going all in.
That allows the power of God. Gift perseverance and perspective and answers to prayer, which, if it sounds like something we know could be, but still as we know how it's hard to take that step of what we doing to help people who are ready to say okay Lord I'm ready to follow you no matter what.
I'm all in, Dave.
We've actually developed something that has been one of the most exciting things I've ever done in my life is called daily discipleship with chip and right now were going through true spirituality. Romans 12 and is not a Bible study is not me teaching at people, it's me, meeting one-on-one, individually and mentoring people. It's walking through the. The barriers to surrender and how to study the Bible and I speak never more than 10 minutes and then I give them 10 minutes with a very clear outline to do some digging on their own and is just for 17 days at the end of that what I see is people develop a habit people walk with God on their own and what I have seen is people learn to go from in to all in because their view of God gets bigger. They can trust him more like change things that were barriers for years. Whether addictions are struggles, relationship issues over and over and over. I watch God melt those away.
Dave maybe you could take a minute and what it you tell them how they can get connected thanks to what were so excited to share with you this new daily discipleship with chip true spirituality based in Romans chapter 12 our heart behind this video series is to really help you dive into God's word and discover how to more intentionally live out your faith for 17 days. You and Chip will walk through were true spirituality looks like and how you can put these truths into practice. If you're looking for the next step along your faith journey. Let me encourage you to be a part of daily discipleship with chip true spirituality preregister for the study today and will send you our friend Lance Witt's devotional based on Romans 12 called leave ordinary behind at no cost. Sign-up now while this offer lasts by going to LivingontheEdge.org or by calling triple late.
333-6003 or go to LivingontheEdge.org hapless nurse just tap discipleship as we wrap up I want to say thanks to those who make this program possible through your generous financial support. Your gifts help us create programs purchase airtime and develop additional resources to help Christians live like Christians you've been blessed by the ministry of Living on the Edge. Would you consider sending a gift today. You can call us at triple late. 333-6003. Tap the donate button or donate online at http://livingontheedge.org. Your support is greatly appreciated. Well, until next time, this is Dave saying thanks for listening to this Edition of Living on the Edge