Happiness

Hey everyone!
I hope you all had a wonderful weekend! :)

 

So I wasn't able to make it to church yesterday because I was feeling really bad :(

BUT I listened to a sermon (for the second time haha) and I figured I would use it for my "Sermon Notes" series, especially since it's clear that I enjoyed it enough to listen to it twice within a few days. It wouldn't make sense if I didn't share it with you.

 

 

I'm going to summarize it, but provide you with the link in case you want to listen to it (which I think you totally should so you get all the great examples and details).

 

The sermon is titled "A Christian's Happiness" by Pastor Tim Keller and is based upon the popular verses, Romans 8:28-30...

²⁸ And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. ²⁹ For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; ³⁰ and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified.

 

I know I've talked about this verse a lot, but I feel like it's something people really need to grasp, as well as the encouragement it can provide.

 

Many people believe this idea that when you put your faith in Jesus Christ, that life will be easier. Perhaps suffering, life obstacles, and trials can't touch a Christian, but the truth is, that's not true. This idea can create a lot of heartache because if you are a believer and something bad happens in your life, it would be natural for you to question God's goodness or even the strength of your faith.

In fact, there was a period where I thought why is this happening to me and is my faith not strong enough that God would allow this to happen?

 

Pastor Tim Keller would answer, "No." He explains his reasoning in 3 simple points.

1. Bad things will happen.

2. Good things will never be lost.

3. The best things are yet to come.

 

Let's dig a little deeper into each point...

1. "Bad things will happen even if you love God."

Jesus never promised that if you believe in Him, your life will be free of worry, suffering, and hardship.

Instead, He promised that you will face trouble. For example, all of His disciples faced many hardships, even persecution and death. Therefore, we can't believe that suffering is not included if we love God.

John 16:33 says, "These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world."

So bad things will happen, however, God can use them for good in totality. 

Pastor Tim  says, "The lower you lay me, the higher you'll raise me."

If something bad happens to us, we can't expect it to turn to good the following week. Maybe it will, but maybe it won't.

In my experience, the first 6 months after my diagnosis, I was angry. I didn't understand why God would let this happen to me. It became a wedge between us. However, as time went on, I realized that through this suffering God had shown Himself to me in ways I had never experienced. I started seeing the good that has come out of it. Lyme Disease is bad. Period. However, God has shown me that through times of suffering, good can be created.

We may never see the good that comes from our suffering whether it be death or disease, but we can rest in the truth that even if we don't see the positive outcome, our suffering can bring us closer to God if we realize that He's not doing it to us, but better things are yet to come.

 

2. "The good things will never be lost."

Anything good that happens to us means that God is working together for good.

"Jesus did not suffer so that you will not suffer, but when we suffer we will become like Christ."

Through our suffering we can become like Christ and closer to Christ because we are able to taste a piece of what He went through for us. We can come to appreciate the life that He lived, including the suffering.

Our faith can be strengthened.

These good things will never be lost.

 

3. "The best things are yet to come."

"The Bible doesn't promise better circumstances, but a better life."

Things like grad school and marriage are considered a circumstance.

We are never promised that because we are Christians that we will go to the best grad school and have the best marriage, but we are promised that our life in totality can be better. In verse 30, it says that our life is already better because "He has glorified" us. The "ed" shows that it's already been done.

God will change our inner essence into Christ's essence which in turn gives us a better life because we are able to live in humility, nobility, joy, love, service, etc.

The circumstances don't last, but what Christ can offer us can last forever.

Just like I talked about in the last post, the stuff doesn't last, but the way we live can. Not to mention, the best thing that is yet to come, is the truth that we will live forever with Jesus.

 

When bad things happen, Jesus is right by your side, crying with you. Use that time to cling to Him.

When good things happen, praise Him for the good in your life because that's where it comes from and know that this life isn't promised to be paradise, that's later...the best is yet to come.

 

Here is the link to the audio of the sermon...check it out! It's much better than my summary.

http://sermons2.redeemer.com/sermons/christians-happiness

 

Reading plan:

Today: Isaiah 5-8

Tuesday: Isaiah 9-12

Wednesday: Isaiah 13-17

Thursday: Isaiah 18-22

Friday: Isaiah 23-27

Saturday: Isaiah 28-30

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Where are you?

 

¹ As the deer pants for streams of water,
    so my soul pants for you, my God.
² My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.
    When can I go and meet with God?
³ My tears have been my food
    day and night,
while people say to me all day long,
    “Where is your God?”
⁴ These things I remember
    as I pour out my soul:
how I used to go to the house of God
    under the protection of the Mighty One^[d]
with shouts of joy and praise
    among the festive throng.

⁵ Why, my soul, are you downcast?
    Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God,
    for I will yet praise him,
    my Savior and my God.

~Psalm 42

 

Yesterday, I went to my boyfriend's church.

The sermon was based upon Psalm 42. It was very relatable so I figured I'd share some of my favorite points with you.

 

During the sermon, Pastor Eric painted us a picture of what it looks like to be caught in the middle of a drought. Not literally, but figuratively.

The kind of drought that brings about questions and emotions. Not just any questions, but questions that are so desperate for answers. Questions that are life changing. Questions of why, where, and how.

Not just any emotion, but raw emotion. The emotions that well up deep within the soul that are fighting so desperately to come out. Emotions that come from an experience that often leaves a person feeling wrecked.

This is the kind of drought I'm talking about.

 

As I listened to the message, tears rolled down my cheek. My mind went straight to my close friends who have recently lost parents. I haven't experienced the death of a loved one so I can't really relate, but I do know that what so often follows a death are questions like "Why God? Where are you?!"

My heart aches for them.

 

Although I haven't asked those questions in that sense, I have asked them.

I've asked these questions when plans haven't work out the way that I had planned.

I've asked these questions when I've seen the world, as well as the tragedy it has faced.

Mostly, I've asked these questions in terms of my health. While I've writhed in pain, I've cried out to God, "Where are you? Why are you letting this happen? Rescue me!"

 

I'm sure you've faced similar experiences. If it hasn't been a death or illness, maybe it has been a broken relationship or disappointment. Who knows, but I bet that you've asked the why, where, and how questions before.

 

While some people may say that questioning God is bad, Pastor Eric encouraged us that questions are good. Questions are healthy, as well as emotions (even anger and sadness). He said, "being Christian doesn't mean we have it altogether, but what happens when you get it wrong."

 

So be encouraged if you are facing a drought right now and don't understand why...I may not have an answer for you, but I do know it isn't because God has left you. He hasn't left you. He is by your side. He never promised that life would be easy. He never said that if you follow Him nothing bad will happen, but instead Jesus said, "take up your cross and follow me" (Matthew 16:24).  The cross may be heavy and may rub the wrong way at times, but it's worth it in the end.

 

Don't feel ashamed to question or to feel emotion. Lean upon God and have hope.

You see, a drought is always followed by a shower.

If you are in a drought, I pray that you will feel a shower of love, peace, and comfort that only God can provide.

(If you need more encouragement check out my post, Joy Abounds),

 

In loving memory of Andi & Jim - 2 people I was blessed to have known.

 

 

 

Don't forget to pray for the unreached people group of the day!

 

Reading plan for the week:

Today: 2 Chronicles 28-31

Tuesday: 2 Chronicles 32-34

Wednesday: 2 Chronicles 35-36

Thursday: Ezra 1-3

Friday: Ezra 4-7

Saturday: Ezra 8-10

 

 

 

Because of Your love

Happy Easter/Resurrection Sunday everyone!

 

 

I wanted to share with you my sermon notes from the Good Friday (the day when we remember Jesus' crucifixion) service.

 

I think we've all asked the question, "Why do bad things happen to good people?"

 

We all hear stories about tragic things happening to people that just don't "deserve" it and maybe we've been those people. We just can't seem to understand why.

Pastor Brian said we should first divide that question into 2 questions...

Why do bad things happen?

To good people?

 

Let's find the answer for the first question...

Bad things happen because we live in a sinful world.

When Adam and Eve disobeyed God because they wanted to be all powerful, sin entered the world. God didn't intend for it to be that way. He didn't want them to eat from the tree, but they did and that's when "bad things" made it's big entrance into this world.

 

Now for the second question...

Well this may come as a shock to you but there are no good people. Okay, so maybe you've never stolen or committed murder, that's great. However, I'm almost positive you have committed other sins like saying God's name in vain or dishonoring your father and mother. You know why I'm so sure of it? Because we are sinful creatures. We aren't perfect. We mess up. We may donate to charities and use our manners, but that doesn't mean we are "good". The only person who is good...truly good... is Jesus Christ.

 

Now that we've answered those questions, we can understand why bad things happen to "good"/or I'll say "decent" people, but what about Jesus?

 

Why did Jesus have to suffer such a painful death even though He was perfect?

 

One word...

love.

He loves us so much that He sacrificed His life for us.

 

He was wrongly accused.

He was mocked.

He was beaten.

He was hung on a cross.

 

Not because it was fair (because it wasn't), but because He loves us.

This was His way of saving us. He put Himself in a place where we deserve to be...on the cross.

He didn't do it to manipulate us. He did it because He loves us.

 

What's even more amazing than the sacrifice and pain He endured for you and me is that He didn't stop there.

3 days after He was tortured, hung on a cross, and placed in a tomb, He rose again. So much is to be said for this amazing act of love...

 

He rose from the dead to show us that...

 

death has no power over Him

We are sure of this because Christ was raised from the dead, and he will never die again. Death no longer has any power over him. ~Romans 6:9

 

nothing is impossible 

For nothing is impossible with God. ~Luke 1:37

 

He remembers our sins no more and forgives us

And I will forgive their wickedness, and I will never again remember their sins.~Hebrews 8:12

 

no matter our sins, He can make us new

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!~2 Corinthians 5:17

 

whoever believes will live forever with Him in paradise the way He intended

 I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?~John 11:25-26

 

This should make us want to jump up and down, praising God for the sacrifice and love He has covered us in.

 

Check out this song by Phil Wickham - "Because of Your Love"

 

 

 

 Don't forget to pray for the unreached people group of the day!