Good Morning Everyone,
Our theme for this month: “Getting through the tough times”
Our Bible verse for today: “Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will help you; I will hold on to you with My righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10 (HCSB)
Our thought for today: “God will get you through it.”
I once saw a bumper sticker that read, “Life stinks … and then you die.” Sometimes life can feel that way. Sometimes it can seem as if every day is a burden, every issue is a problem, every person is an adversary, the trials never seem to end … and then you die. King Solomon felt that way. In fact, he wrote an entire book of the Bible about it. He even started it in Ecclesiastes 1:2 by writing, “Absolute futility, says the Teacher. Absolute futility. Everything is futile.”
But then, if you read to the end, you find that Solomon also discovered an answer for the seeming futility of the never-ending trials and tribulations of life – the answer was God.
Whatever it is you’re faced with, God will get you through it. Not only that, He will enable you to get through it victoriously and He will even show you how to find joy in the middle of it.
Joy in the middle of pain? Happiness as I’m harassed? Fear and uncertainty that leads to fulfillment and peace? Yes. And also spiritual growth, stronger faith, a greater ability to help others going through similar trials, and much more. Not only does God get us through the tough times, but He redeems them and uses them for our ultimate good.
It has been said that storms in life are so common that you have either just come through one, you are currently going through one, or you’re about to enter one. That being the case, we need to learn how to survive and even thrive in those times.
All this month we will explore the topic of “Getting through the tough times.” As we will learn, God has many ways in which He helps us get through those times and to do so victoriously. He uses the Bible, other Christian literature, sermons, miraculous answers to prayer, Christian counselors, and the help and encouragement of other Christians, just to name a few. I look forward to learning and growing with you as we explore this important and very common theme which is a big part of all of our lives.
God Bless,
Pastor Jim
Oak Hill Baptist Church 