Good Morning Everyone,
Our theme for this month: “Playing by the Rules”
Our Bible verse for today: “I have told you these things so that in Me you may have peace. You will have suffering in this world. Be courageous! I have conquered the world.” John 16:33 (HCSB)
Our thought for today: “We need Jesus!”
Jesus told us straight-out that in this world we will have trouble. Wow, talk about an understatement! I don’t know about your life but mine sure does seem to be filled with lots of trouble. Fortunately most of my problems are small, especially when compared to what others go through but still, life often seems like a roller coaster of highs and lows, good times and bad.
So Jesus tells us in John 16:33 that in Him we can find peace in this midst of those troubles. We can also find strength and courage. He has overcome the problems and trials of the world and in Him we can share in the victory. That doesn’t mean that our problems will all magically go away (they won’t), but it does mean He will give us strength and courage and peace so we can deal with them.
I’m inspired by the stories of other Christians. I read one last night in the book, “On This Day in Christian History” by Robert Morgan. Morgan tells the story of a man by the name of Polycarp who, although not mentioned on the pages of the Bible, did live during the time of the book of Acts, and we know from Christian history that he was a friend and ministry partner of the Apostle John.
Polycarp was the Pastor of the church in Smyrna, which was only twenty miles away from the church in Ephesus where John was the Pastor. The church in Smyrna was one of the seven churches of the Revelation that John wrote about in the book of Revelation and it is notable because there were no critical words written about it.
Polycarp went on to become one of the most influential leaders of the early church and he bravely led the church through some times of intense persecution. Polycarp himself ended up being imprisoned, tortured, and eventually burned at the stake because he refused to recant his faith in Christ. It’s an inspiring story of someone who relied on Jesus to help him handle times of immense trouble and hardship.
Most of us will probably never have to face those kinds of trials for our faith, but we will have problems and challenges of our own. We will face things like sickness, money problems, unemployment, an unfaithful spouse, rebellious children, etc.
Jesus cautioned us to expect problems in this life. Problems are simply part of life and we all have them. But He has also promised to help us through it, to give us peace and courage and strength, and ultimately, victory.
How do people make it through life without Jesus? I don’t know but I’m sure glad I don’t have to. He promised that if I call on Him, He will be there for me. It’s one of the rules for living the Christian life. Call on Jesus. He will help you.
God Bless,
Pastor Jim
Oak Hill Baptist Church 