pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

Tag Archives: struggle


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All the Sheep

When Christians reflect on the parable of the sheep and the goats, in general we think we are all sheep.  We consider ourselves to all be in the flock, under the care of Christ, the Good Shepherd.  Ezekiel 34 points out, however, that all sheep aren’t always good sheep.

Even with the flock that is our church, sometimes a sheep can try to bull its way or its agenda through the other sheep.  Sometimes a group of sheep fail to take the whole flock’s wellbeing into consideration.  Sometimes the flock doesn’t notice the ones on the edge, struggling to make it out there on the margins.

As Christ’s body we are all connected together, all a part of one another.  The Good Shepherd is concerned with all of the sheep.  He calls us to be concerned with all as well.  As we grow in our relationship with Jesus Christ, we too gain eyes to see the needs and hearts that seek to love.  As Jesus cares for and loves us, we are in turn empowered to love and care for each other, especially the ones that are struggling and lost.  The blessings that God has entrusted us with are meant to be shared so that all may be blessed.

Scripture reference: Ezekiel 34: 20-24


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Fellow Travelers

Often times when we go on a journey, we like to have company go along with us.  This is especially true if it is a long journey.  We have someone to talk to, someone there in case we have trouble, and someone to keep us focused on the journey.

Our journey of faith is long and should be one of continual growth and development as we move along our “path.”  It is a journey meant to be made in the company of other Christians, but how often we try to go it alone.  We don’t usually mind sharing the good things in life or even coming together at a funeral in or common time of grief, but sharing our inner demons and struggles is much harder.  Yet it is in the honesty and accountability that we find strength and power.

Jesus himself turned to others in times of trial and struggle.  The Holy Spirit walked with Him in the desert and often He turned to the disciples for prayer and support.  If Jesus needed others to be with Him, how much more so do we.  May we find and be for others fellow travelers along the road of faith.

Scripture reference: Judges 4: 1-9


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Hold On Tight

There will be times when we wrestle with or question our faith.  Perhaps you are in one of those times now or maybe you have been through one recently.  In these times of vulnerability and honesty, we are often refined and emerge with a stronger faith and a new outlook on our journey.  Jesus took opportunities to wrestle with God too.  On several occasions he got up early and went to a solitary place by himself or found a quiet pace late at night to wrestle with God.  Jesus found strength wrestling with God.

Jacob has an evening of wrestling with God.  He was alone on one side of the stream, having sent his family and possessions on across already.  He had left home but wasn’t ‘there’ yet.  He was on the journey.  God came and wrestled with him all night long.  Jacob held onto God throughout the struggle.  Because of this, God blessed him.  Jacob emerged as Israel.

At times we find ourselves feeling alone, left only with our faith.  If we are open to t and seek Him out, God will also take hold of us.  He will push and prod and toss us about to force us to consider our faith.  And if we stay in the fight, if we delve deep within, we too will emerge new.  We too become changed by our wrestling with God.  Hold on tight, for “He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 1:6)  Notice the tense is present, it is not past.  God will continue to complete us until the day of Christ’s return.  None of us are ‘there’ yet.  Wrestle with God.  Hold on tight to your faith.  Like Jacob, God will work within us to help us emerge with a new, stronger faith.

Scripture reference: Genesis 32: 22-31


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In Our Struggle

Inside of us is an almost constant tug-of-war between God and Satan.  We face choices and decisions every day that either draw us closer to God or pull us away from Him.  All the while the Holy Spirit is trying to guide us to do what is right.  On our other ‘shoulder’ sits Satan, bringing in temptations.

Paul knew this battle well.  I thin in His time here on earth, Jesus caught a glimpse of it.  Although Jesus was without sin, I like to think that He felt the pull of our human condition enough that He fully intercedes for me (and you) before God.  Maybe this is wishful thinking!

Paul also tells us in Romans 8:26 that the Holy Spirit “intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.”  It is amazing that we are being prayer for in ways that we cannot even understand!  But we can rest assured that we are being wrapped in prayer by the Spirit.

In our struggle we too have a role.  Through disciplines such as prayer, study, scripture reading, worship, meditation, and fasting we can build up our spiritual muscles t better fight off Satan’s attacks.  Bu it is still good to know that the HS has our back too.  Thank you God!!

Scripture reference: Romans 7: 15-25a


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Near to God

In times of trial or distress, it is common to ask God “Why?” or to wonder where God is in the midst of it all that is happening.  In general we hold to the belief that God is supposed to fix things or at least make them better.  And when He doesn’t, we begin to question and wonder.

During these “dark nights of the soul” it can be so difficult to find God.  It’s not that God is absent from us, it is just that we are having a hard time connecting to or feeling God is near.  It is truly like we are wandering around in the dark.

And at just the right moment, after all has been stripped away and we are desperate, God is right there.  He comes alongside, arms around us, and He walks us through.  When we get to the point of crying out to God, we find He is right there.  Then the gloom begins to lift and we begin to see the light ahead.  James 4:8 says, “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.”  This is an important verse to remember when we are in the midst of struggle and we feel alone.  May we keep it ever in our hearts.


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To Know Him

Some people get used to living in a dry and barren place.  Life has beaten them down.  Over the years they come to expect little.  And because of this they feel they have little to give.  Maybe they don’t even notice the little flower poking up next to their front door.

For some an illness or a loss can lead them into a valley of dry bones.  Sickness settles in and becomes the way of life.  A loss of a loved one casts a pall that seems to always be there.  For some they are forever walking with their head down and their heart heavy.  They don’t see the flower either.

God’s desire is for all people to know Him, to find love and joy in Him, to be happy and content in this life.  God wants to use us to draw people to Him.  He wants us to love others so that through that love they can come to know God.  Our Lord wants our shining light to be that thing that draws their eyes up and lightens the burden others carry on their heart.  May we be the love and light of Christ to all we meet so that they see that beautiful little flower, smile to themselves, and begin to walk with God.