Pressing Onward and Upward (James 5:10-12)
Press onward for the upward call of God in Christ Jesus... (Phil. 3:8-10)
Know that the Lord allows adversity to make you stronger, better and not bitter or discouraged.
Illustration: I’ll say this for adversity: people seem to be able to stand it, and that’s more than I can say for prosperity.
Kin Hubbard.
Illustration: Contrary to what might be expected, I look back on experiences that at the time seemed especially desolating and painful with particular satisfaction. Indeed, I can say with complete truthfulness that everything I have learned in my 75 years in this world, everything that has truly enhanced and enlightened my experience, has been through affliction and not through happiness.
Malcolm Muggeridge, in Homemade, July, 1990.
Illustration:
1. Problems often provide us with greater opportunities
2. Problems can promote our spiritual maturity (Ps 105:16ff)
3. Problems prove our integrity (1 Pt 3:15)
4. Problems produce a sense of dependence
5. Problems prepare our hearts for ministry (more empathetic)
The following are some suggested responses to afflictions:
1. Let the Lord take away the pain of your afflictions. Paul writes, "He comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we have received from God. For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows."2 Cor. 1 :4,5)
2. Believe that the Lord will use the affliction for some greater good. Paul writes, "God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God and are called according to His purposes. (Rom. 8:28)
Illustration: Faith does not panic, but realizes that what looks like devastating circumstances is actually God’s plan to bring glory to Himself by demonstrating His power. When Jesus walked on the water to the disciples in the fourth watch of the night, they thought he was a ghost (Matthew 14:26) They were so scared they couldn’t even call Ghostbusters. First appearances can bring such fear upon us even to the point of paralyzing us. Instead of doing something fishy like Finding Nemo, we need to find God in our circumstances. The lesson here is we need to exercise our faith as we spend time in the Word of God and trust God for His outcome in the situation no matter how painful it may be.
3. Thank God for the ways that He will use the affliction for building Godly character in you. James writes,"Consider it pure joy when you encounter trials of many kinds knowing that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Let endurance have its perfect work that you may be complete lacking in nothing. (James 1:2,3)
4. Follow the example of great men like the apostle Paul who turned affliction to his advantage. Paul writes, "As sorrowful yet always rejoicing, as beaten down and yet not killed, as being poor yet making many rich; having nothing and yet possessing all things. (2 Cor. 6:5-10)
5. Draw nearer to God in prayer through times of affliction. David writes, "O Lord my God, I take refuge in you; save and deliver me from all who pursue me, or they will tear me like a lion and rip me to pieces with no one to rescue me. (Psa. 7: 1,2) O Lord, see how my enemies persecute me! Have mercy and lift me up from the gates of death. (Psa. 9: 13) Keep me safe, O God, for in you I take refuge. (Psa. 16: 1)
6. Ask the Lord to fight your battles and it will relieve your stress. David writes, "Contend, O Lord, with those who contend with me; fight against those who fight against me." (Psa. 35: 1)
7. Ask the Lord for a special portion of His mercy, love and protection. David writes, "Do not withhold your mercy from me, O Lord; may your love and your truth always protect me. For troubles without number surround me; my sins have overtaken me and I cannot see, They are more than the hairs of my head, and my heart fails within me. Be please, O Lord, to save me; O Lord, come quickly to help me. May all who seek to take my life be put to shame and confusion. (Psa. 40;11-13) Deliver my soul, O Lord, from lying lips, and from a deceitful tongue. (Psa. 120:2)
8. Use every affliction as an opportunity to let the Lord show His mighty power on your behalf. One day Matthew observed, "Christ’s disciples came to Him afraid that they would drown and awoke Him, saying, "Lord, save us, we are perishing." (Matt. 8:25)
9. Allow affliction to show you where you are lacking in faith and knowledge. Matthew writes about Peter, "But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, "Lord, save me," (Matt. 14:30)
10. Follow the example of Christ who responded correctly to afflictions. Matthew writes, "And He went a little farther and fell on His face and prayed, saying, ’My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless, not as I will, but let your will be done. (Matt. 26:39)
11. Realize that God allows afflictions for His purposes that are beyond human understanding. John writes, "Neither this man nor his parents sinned, said Jesus, "But this blindness happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life." (John. 9:3)
12. Remember how God used an affliction with Paul to keep him humble. Paul writes, "Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me, but He said, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. (2 Cor. 1:8,9)
13. God allows affliction to show our need for help from Godly leaders. James writes, "Is any of you afflicted, let him pray. Is any sick among you? Let him call for the elders of the church and let them pray over him. (James 5: 13)
14. Remember that no one has endured afflictions like Jesus. "Consider Him who endured such suffering of sinners against Himself, lest you be wearied and faint in your minds." (Heb. 12:3)
15. God may use afflictions for our corrections, refinement and improvement. One psalmist wrote, "I know, O Lord, that you judgments are right, and that in faithfulness you have afflicted me. (Psa. 119:75)
16. Be confident that your afflictions will build Godly character and a greater sense of eternal hope in you. Paul writes, "But, we rejoice in our tribulations, knowing that tribulations works patience, and patience works proven character, and proven character hope. (Rom. 5:3,4)
Illustration: Acts 2:2
“And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting” KJV
A Christian has many things to learn from eagles:
The eagle is the ultimate meteorologist and “Tornado - Storm Chaser”. The Eagle is the only bird that loves any storm. When clouds gather, lightning strikes and thunder rattles --- eagles get excited for the challenge that lies before them.
The eagle has built in storm sensors that use the winds of the storm to its advantage. Eagles use thermals to help them soar. Thermals are currents rising of warm air and updrafts generated by terrain near rivers with cliffs, valley edges or mountain slopes. Soaring allows an eagle to stay aloft for great periods of time with out flapping its wings. An eagle is the only bird God created with a locking wing mechanism. When locked in place and caught in a thermal an eagle will glide and soar with little or no effort while at rest for long periods of time.
Long duration flights are accomplished by climbing high in a thermal, then gliding downward to catch the next thermal, where the process is repeated over and over again. Several eagles when soaring together in a thermal are described as a "kettle of eagles".
An eagle will sit on top of a large rock, in a tree over 75 feet high or on a cliff top and read the wind. When the time is right she catches a thermal and takes off soaring upward with her great wings outstretched. The eagle rides the wind and circles higher and higher toward the sun. Soaring is effortless and all it takes is submitting her will to the thermal and allowing the wind to take her. She just spreads her wings and soars on and on.
For a Christian the wind that lifts the eagle is a clear symbol of the Holy Spirit. The Christian is lifted by the wind of the Holy Spirit --- up, up and away. Some believe as the eagle soars toward the sun it is a parallel to a Christian walking closer to Jesus, tthe Son. Just as the eagle must submit its will to the wind the Christian must submit his will to the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit will then lift the Christian to soar over everyday problems. Then the Christian can lock his will like the eagle locks his wings and soar with the Holy Spirit.
The eagle successfully soars over storms and uses the adversity below to his advantage. The thermals of the storm hold the eagle aloft and out of harms way. Like wise a Christian must be able to soar above the conflicts and adversity of daily life.
Prayer: Father, thank You for sending Your Holy Spirit to allow me to soar over the difficulties of this life. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen!
Pastor Bill
17. We can rejoice in the fruits of our ministry after our afflictions. Paul writes, "I have great confidence in you; I take great pride in you. I am greatly encouraged; in all our troubles my joy knows no bounds. (2 Cor. 7:4)
18. Remember how God used affliction in the lives of the Godly prophets. James writes, "Brothers, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. As you know, we consider blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy. (James 5: 10,11)
Concluding Illustration: OKLAHOMA CITY - The Rev. Billy Graham has no plans to give up his extensive travels preaching the gospel, though he’s sometimes too weak to walk on stage by himself, shakes a bit from Parkinson’s disease (news - web sites) and says he’s growing deaf.
The 84-year-old evangelist, who has traveled around the world to preach his faith, is considering a possible mission to Kansas City, Missouri, in October. He also may make a trip to London next May to commemorate the 50th anniversary of his 12-week crusade there in 1954.
"Spiritually, I feel tremendously exhilarated," Graham told The Associated Press Wednesday. "I feel like the Lord comes in power when I stand up to speak."
Still, the evangelist isn’t confident he has the physical strength to lead a crusade in the fall.
Graham has been undergoing regular checkups at the Mayo Clinic because of a neurological problem that causes numbness that affects his walking and talking — a result of surgeries in 2001 to reduce fluid on his brain.
"I’m going to check with my doctors and talk to my wife ... pray about it and be sure the Lord is leading," he said. "That’s the big item for me."
In the last decade, Graham has made an effort to reach young people. He made "youth night" featuring Christian rock and pop music a part of his crusades in 1994.
"There’s a real move among young people today that we haven’t seen, maybe ever, in America," he said. "There’s a search on. They’re searching for something to anchor themselves in, some philosophy or some faith."
