Cet enseignement est donné par un protestant et pour des protestants. Il doit donc être reçu avec certaines précautions et adapté. On sera attentif en particulier à la place des sacrements, de l’Église, et à ne pas avoir une utilisation instrumentale de la Parole de Dieu.
Embedded Files
How should you react to circumstances that are beyond your control ? What should you depend on when what you depended disappeared (context Covid 19) ?
Series : a faith that works when life doesn't. Objective: discover a practical faith, that lasts, even in hard times. Life doesn't always work the way we want to.
Seven ways to react to a crisis
Are also stages. We get through them.
Denial. "This is not my problem"
Dismissal. "It's real, but it's no big deal." It will pass, won't last.
Defiance. "I refuse to let this limit me."
Delayed acceptance. "OK it is a big deal, and it will affect me."
Disruption. "My life is upside down. I am going to have to make tough choices."
Distress. "This is going to last, and to change everything."
Determination. "With God's grace, we are going to get through this together." Our objective.
Life is about choices and decisions. We make choices, then our choices make us.
How does trusting God make tough choices easier ?
James 1, 5-8
A tough choice means : "none of the option is obviously more favourable". Because equally good, equally bad, equally painfull. Don't flip a coin ! Your ability to chose is a wonderful gift God made you. It's what makes you human ! Animals can't do this. You want to know how to make tough choices. So how does trusting God make this easier ?
1. When I trust God, he gives me his wisdom.
James 1, 5. Sometimes we don't have just because we don't ask !! Why should I want wisdom ? Proverbs 3, 18. You want to be happy ? The Bible says : you are going to need God's wisdom. Proverbs 4, 7. Wow. And how do I get wisdom ?
Put God first in my life. Make him the top priority. In my thoughts, in my time, in my money, in my plans. Make god first. Psalm 111, 10. Proverbs 15, 33. God doesn't give to anyone, but to those who ask.
Practice God's Word in my life. Action ! You don't get wisdom by listening, but by implementing what God says to do in your life. John 13, 17. The point isn't just to know the Bible. The parts of the Bible that you really believe are the one that you practice. If you don't practice it, you don't really believe it. 2 Samuel 22, 31. When I have a tough decision to make, I need to remember that God is True and Good. So I listen to him and follow him ! James 1, 25
Get some godly people in my life. In want to have people in my life that also know and follow God's Word. People around you, people thant you hang out with can help you or hurt you, cause you to worry or cause you to worship, are stress generators or stress relievers. The quality of your life and decisions depends also on it. So chose wisely ! Proverbs 13, 20. Spend some time with godly people : small groups, etc.
2. When I trust God, he frees me from second guessing and self doubt
You have a rough choice to make. And you can't decide. Finally you make a choice. And at that precise moment, you start doubting yourself. Some of you are pros of that. And you torture yourself ! And when you trust God, he sets you free from second guessing yourself. Pr 17, 24. Jc 1, 6-8.
We are in a season of ever changing wind. You don't want to be submitted to that. Ever filled like that, not sure what to do ? That self-doubt creates unstability : unstable emotions, unstable relationships.
3. When I trust God, he acts on my behalf
He moves moutains on my behalf. He moves blocades, he move barriers. Mt 9, 29.
When I trust God, he uses even my mistakes
Even if I make wrong decisions, he will bring out some good from it. When I act in faith : Rm 8, 28. Brings down the level of stress !
*
Now let's pray. Bow your head, and think about a difficult decision you have to make. Pray like this : "Dear God, I want to trust you with my life by putting you first in my life. Trust you to give me wisdom, as I am asking it. Help me to know your word, and practice it. Help me spend some time with godly people, good people. Etc."
*
Now a few "next steps" than we do every week at Saddleback Chruch.
Recommit our lives to Jesus Christ every week.
Express our gratitude to God by giving back. Do you trust God enough to give back to him ? Used to feed thousands of people, visiting the most vulnerable, etc.
Discuss what we have learnt with a group of friends : small groups.
Stay connected to help others. We need volunteers to serve !
We are just trying to help people. Next week, we will talk about ... it will be an important message.
Write to me at : ...
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse