Showing posts with label adversity. Show all posts
Showing posts with label adversity. Show all posts

Saturday, August 15, 2009

When the going gets tough, the tough get going

When the going gets tough, the tough get going !!!

Are you facing a tough situation? There is a word of encouragement for you today. We will look into the lives of 3 mighty men found in 2 Samuel 23: 8-12 and let us gain some perspective into the challenges and battles faced and how each of them responded.

The first mighty man, Adino, slew 800 men at one time with a spear. This tells me that there will be challenges that we will face in life that we may be able to deal with at once and defeat them. The Hebrew translation for Adino’s name means to be sharp or strong.

When the going gets tough, the tough get going. Sometimes you have to make up in your mind that you are going to have what God says you can have and you will not be intimidated because of the size or the number of the opponent. We no longer wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, powers, and spiritual wickedness in high places. One of the main attacks by the enemy is against the mind. If he can get you to think the situation is bigger than you are, he is hoping that you will back off, and not pursue your dreams and goals because the obstacles seem bigger than we are. But I have good news. We serve a God who is all powerful. He speaks and sets things in motion. He requires that we have faith and believe that With God all things are possible. So if you have a dream, a vision, a ministry, a work a goal you would like to accomplish in this life; remember With God, not without him, but with God all things are possible. We must make up in our minds that we will put on the whole armor of God and be prepared to fight if the Lord instructs us to do so. And if you are going to fight, then fight with all your might.

The second mighty man, is Eleazar. He is found fighting until he was so weary and his hand stuck to the sword. There are some fights in life that will make us become weary. But you cannot put down your sword. We must continue fighting and continue steadfast in the Word of God. Then the people came back and begin taking the spoils. You have to understand that some people are not going to stand with you as you are in the fight, but they will show up when the dust settles to collect the spoils. They show up when you no longer need any help.

The third mighty man is Shammah. Shammah came upon a piece of ground full of lentils. And the Philistines also came upon this same piece of ground. The people fled from the area, but Shammah stood in the midst of the ground defended the land. And the Lord was with him and he had a great victory. In each of these examples the Lord is the one who gives the victory.

Sometimes we have to fight for what you believe in even if you have to stand by yourself. Don’t look for everyone to stand with you or even be in agreement with your cause or your fight. Sometimes we spend too much time asking other people what they think instead of moving forward in the things of God. I am not saying that you should not listen to others; there is safety in the multitude of counselors, however sometimes we become too dependent upon what people say instead of what the Lord says. Be strong in the Lord and the Power of His Might. God Loves you and so do I……. Pastor Tammy

Saturday, May 16, 2009

Crossroads

CROSSROADS
“From the Point of Decision to Destiny”

A crossroad has been defined as the place where the road intersects; a point at which a vital decision must be made. Choices have consequences, whether good or bad. These consequences will be for our betterment or will work to destroy us. We are all responsible for our choices. Every decision ultimately leads us to our destiny.

Another way to put it is that things will get better or worse for us. The Bible challenges us with this admonition in Deuteronomy 30:19: "I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live"

One of the messages stressed in our society is about the “right to choose”; but we have not balanced it with the message that our choices also have consequences. Hollywood movie producers and some celebrities have glamorized many things that are bad for us and have not generally shown the destructive side of the things that are portrayed to bring so much happiness. (drugs, alcohol, adultery, fornication, gambling)

From the time we get out of bed until the time we go to sleep we are making decisions that are leading us one step closer to our destiny. The efforts which we make to escape from our destiny only serve to lead us into it. Because God gave us freedom of choice, we can ignore the will of God, argue with it, disobey it, and even fight against it. But in the end, the will of God shall prevail; because “the counsel of the Lord stands forever” –
If we obey God’s will, everything in life holds together; but if we disobey, everything starts to fall apart. Nowhere in the Bible is this truth better illustrated than in the experiences of Elimelech and his wife Naomi.In the book of Ruth chapter one, we find several mistakes that we must avoid as we deal with the problems and trials of life.


1. We cannot run from our problems
2. Be careful how we represent God in times of adversity
3. Don’t try to hide your mistakes, learn from them
4. Don’t let life make you bitter, but a better person
5. Don’t forget God is “with us” and “for us.”


Ruth’s decision to stay with Naomi led to her meeting Boaz and ultimately being in the lineage of Jesus. The decisions we make today will wash up on the shores of tomorrow. When facing a crossroad, pray to the Father, not my will, but thy will be done……God Loves You and So do I …….Pastor Tammy