SUNDAY, 19TH JANUARY, 2025
UNRUFFLED BY CHALLENGES – Pastor Chris
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us (Romans 8:35-37).
What we just read should help you further understand why the Bible admonishes us to rejoice evermore (1 Thessalonians 5:16) and be anxious for nothing (Philippians 4:6). Nothing is to your disadvantage; we win in the midst of adversities. Those who don’t know this spend their time writing down all the problems they want God to fix for them. They’re so consumed by their troubles that they forget the simple yet profound instruction God has given us in His Word.
He said in 1 Thessalonians 5:16, “Be happy [in your faith] and rejoice and be glad-hearted continually (always)” (AMPC). Practice this. Make every day a day of joy. He didn’t say rejoice only when things are perfect. No; He said, “Rejoice evermore.” There’re always things trying to steal your joy: bad news, disappointments or challenges that seem overwhelming. But you must refuse to be troubled or overwhelmed; do what the Word says: cast your cares upon the Lord for He cares for you (1 Peter 5:7).
He didn’t ask you to carry your burdens or be anxious about them. Rather, He says, “Be anxious for nothing: but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God” (Philippians 4:6 NKJV). It’s easy to think, “l won’t worry about the little things, but there’re some serious issues I must be anxious about.” No! The Word says to refuse anxiety about anything.
When the situation seems most serious, that’s when you should laugh. Troubles may come, but they don’t have to trouble you. Your responsibility is to live in the Word. Meditate on it day and night as the Scripture enjoins (Joshua 1:8). The Word of God builds your spirit and gives you purpose, direction, encouragement and enlightenment. It strengthens your spirit and shapes your personality to one of confidence, peace and joy in the midst of adversities. Glory to God!
PRAYERDear Father, I thank you for your Word that builds me up and strengthens my spirit. I refuse to be anxious about anything because in Christ I have victory over adversities, and I triumph always. Your peace garrisons my heart and mind, and I rejoice evermore, for the joy of the Lord is my strength. Hallelujah!
FURTHER STUDY
Philippians 4:6-7
Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Romans 8:28
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to [his] purpose.
Romans 8:35-37 AMPC
Who shall ever separate us from Christ’s love? Shall suffering and affliction and tribulation? Or calamity and distress? Or persecution or hunger or destitution or peril or sword? 36 Even as it is written, For Thy sake we are put to death all the day long; we are regarded and counted as sheep for the slaughter. 37 Yet amid all these things we are more than conquerors and gain a surpassing victory through Him Who loved us.
James 1:2
My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;
DAILY SCRIPTURE READING
1-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN
Matthew 13:24-43 & Genesis 44-45
2-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN
Matthew 7:21-29 & Genesis 19
