Spurgeon God is too good to be unkind
Spurgeon: "God is too good to be unkind. He is too wise to be confused. If I cannot trace his hand, I can always trust his heart. “ Warren: “Behind every publicly successful ministry, there is private pain. Pain is God’s megaphone [to gain our attention]. There is no testimony without a test. There is no message without a mess. Your greatest ministry will come out of your deepest hurt. We mistakenly think that the world is impressed by how we handle prosperity, but the fact is the world is impressed by how we handle adversity. ”
Romans 5: 2 -5 “Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory. We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. . endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. This hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love. ”
Can I really trust God’s Heart for me? Today let’s unravel the issues of our: • Myopic Vision • Fractured Trust
Myopic Vision Myopia: “A condition in which visual images come to a focus [just] in front of the retina of the eye resulting in defective vision of distant objects. ” It can also refer to “a lack of foresight or good judgement – a narrow view of something. ” Myopia is like the flustered woman who told a police officer at the scene of her accident: “The telephone pole came at me so fast, I couldn’t get out of the way in time!” Sometimes life comes at us just like that, and, before we know it, we’ve fallen victim to brokenness.
Myopic Vision Romans 8: 28 “We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. ” Yet, deep within we’re wondering if a loving Heavenly Father would really allow this kind of pain to enter our lives. During these seasons, it’s a good idea to remind ourselves that we’re all myopic or shortsighted when it comes to God’s plans for us. 1 Corinthians 13: 12 reminds us that “now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. ”
Myopic Vision
Fractured Trust 1 Corinthians 13 “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered [and] it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, trusts always hopes [and] always perseveres. ” Maybe the greatest roadblock to living in God’s love on the painful side of life is the erosion of trust that’s all around us.
Fractured Trust 1 Corinthians teaches that love always trusts. Genuine trust can’t exist without healthy relationships, and, the more loving a relationship grows, the greater the level of trust. None of us likes it when God allows hard times to overtake us. However, in the midst of our storms, we can find the peace that comes from knowing that he desires only what’s best for us IF we’re in touch with his heart through a deep, intimate link that has grown richer over the years.
Row, Row Your Boats Pocock: "It is hard to make that boat go as fast as you want. . The enemy…is water resistance, as you have to displace the amount of water equal to the weight of [the nine] men and equipment. However, that very water is what supports you and that very enemy is your friend. So it is with life: The very problems you must overcome also support you and make you stronger in overcoming them. "
- Slides: 12