Hope in Time of Discouragement

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You shall rise above your storm and onslaughts of discouragement in Jesus name. One of the perils plaguing the joy and peace of men and women across the globe is discouragement. In Nigeria in particular, we are faced with myriads of challenges that have claimed many lives leaving homes and businesses bewildered. Considering all the troubles, poverty, insecurity and lacks in our land, it seems they are insurmountable. However, you can rise above them for there is hope for you. The word of God says, “For there is hope of a tree, if it be cut down, that it will sprout again, and that the tender branch thereof will not cease.” Your situation has brought you down and you cannot pray or study the Bible as usual; there is hope for you. Your branches will not cease in Jesus name. If there is hope for ordinary tree that you cut down, don’t you think you are more precious than that tree? You are created in God’s image and you have the Spirit of God dwelling in you; so God will not allow you to be consumed by the trials you are going through. Discouragement is an ill wind. It blows everywhere and can actually ruin vision, dream, marriages, businesses, leadership and nations. Your religious inclinations does not immune you against discouragement except you do needful. 

CAUSES OF DISCOURAGEMENT

Intimidation from the pit of hell: - “Then Jezebel sent a messenger unto Elijah, saying, So let the gods do to me, and more also, if I make not thy life as the life of one of them by to-morrow about this time. 3 And when he saw that, he arose, and went for his life, and came to Beer-sheba, which belongeth to Judah, and left his servant there. 4 But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a juniper-tree: and he requested for himself that he might die, and said, It is enough; now, O Jehovah, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers. 5 And he lay down and slept under a juniper-tree…” 11 Kings 18: 2- 5 Elijah began to confess negatively due to discouragement. 

The threat of hell that is weakening your faith and commitment be paralyzed in Jesus name. All agents of darkness trying to bring you down shall die in Jesus name    

Whatever may be the arrow of weariness that is tormenting you now catch fire in Jesus name.

Persistent illness and or incurable diseases:  “15 Why criest thou for thy hurt? thy pain is incurable: for the greatness of thine iniquity, because thy sins were increased, I have done these things unto thee.” Jeremiah 30: 15 after spending much money and time on a particular sickness and still feeling incurred could lead to discouragement. Such experience had led to consulting soothsayers, false prophets, herbalists and magicians. However, cheer up, the Lord is here to intervene. He will pardon your sins and heal you perfectly in Jesus name

The root of such incurable disease dries up in Jesus name

That inherited curses and evil covenant causing perpetual illness in your family is consumed by fire in Jesus name

Other causes of discouragement are: - Disappointments, disasters, death of loved one, oppression, persecution, poverty, repeated failure, worries about family demands. 

How to rise above discouragement: -

1. Beware of what you hear. Romans 10: 17; Numbers 13: 28-33

2. Avoid excuses and complaints: Ruth 1: 20-21; Jonah 3

3. Stay around people of pure faith

4. Cultivate the habit of praise and thanksgiving Phil 4: 6-7

Conclusion

As you do these, examine your heart, if there be any sentiments or unconfessed sins. Approach the throne of grace with all humility and sincerity of heart. Confess your sins and decide to forsake them. Invite Jesus into your situation and life. Finally, “Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time; 7 casting all your anxiety upon him, because he careth for you. 8 Be sober, be watchful: your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: 9 whom withstand stedfast in your faith, knowing that the same sufferings are accomplished in your brethren who are in the world. 10 And the God of all grace, who called you unto his eternal glory in Christ, after that ye have suffered a little while, shall himself perfect, establish, strengthen you. 11 To him be the dominion for ever and ever. Amen.”

Overcoming Life’s Challenges through Jesus Christ

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The World is tough but we can be victors. it is indisputable fact that the world can offer anyone except troubles. There are challenges include pain, both physical and emotional; fear, frustration, disappointment, discouragement, natural or man-made disasters, disease and death, Christian or not.  Troubles are a universal language. “No one is without troubles, without personal hardships and genuine challenges.  That fact may not be obvious because most people don't advertise their woes and heartaches.  But nobody, not even the purest heart, escapes life without suffering battle scars” -Richelle E. Goodrich. Our life’s challenges are either temptations, or persecutions, or afflictions. However, they are meant to shape us and mold us into the divine agenda.  If achieving goals were easy, everyone would do it quickly and without difficulty. Even if your vision is clear and you can articulate a detailed destiny, there are always obstacles in the path. Those who succumb to their life’s challenges are crushed and have no fulfillment.

• I declare to you today, the challenges you see today shall bow before you in the name of Jesus Christ. 

• The Lord shall lift up your head and anoint you with fresh oil in the name of Jesus Christ. Psalm 92: 10

The Lord won’t give us more than we can handle. The basic truth is God knows every detail about our life. He knows the good things, and He knows the ugly things. No part of you is hidden from His presence. He knows your genuineness as a Christian or otherwise. The word of God says. “And there is no creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and lay open before the eyes of him with whom we have to do.”  Hebrew 4: 13. He will not give you more than you can handle. His abiding presence will see us through. He says, “19 Now Jesus knew that they were desirous to ask him, and said unto them, Do ye enquire among yourselves of that I said, A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me? 20 Verily, verily, I say unto you, That ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy. 21 A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow, because her hour is come: but as soon as she is delivered of the child, she remembereth no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world. 22 And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you.” 

• You shall rejoice again in Jesus name

• Stop bowing to your situations and challenges, the Lord shall silent your storm in Jesus name

Conclusion 

In difficult times, man is tempted to employ human weapons but they cannot stand the heat and fiery shorts of the Devil. Satan rules the world system against people of God. So it is of no use going to people of the world for help. All you need to do is to pray:

 Lord Jesus, I agree that I am a sinner and cannot save myself. You suffered and died for my sake. I am ready today to forsake my sinful life. I invite you into my heart today. Save me and be my Lord for the rest of my life. I will always serve my God in fellowship with other believers in Christ. Thank you for saving me. 

The Power of God through the Cross of Christ

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Text: - “The message of the cross is foolish to those who are headed for destruction! But we who are being saved know it is the very power of God.”

The Truths about Christianity:

1. Christianity is not all about denomination

2. Christianity is not all about education

3. Christianity is about crucification, resurrection and redemption

Considering verses 12&13 of 1 Corinthians 1, Apostle Paul rebuked the church in Corinth for religious segregation. Such chasm was bone out of complexity.  “Now this I mean, that each one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas;  and I of Christ. Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were ye baptized into the name of Paul?” It is high time the body of Christ stop denominational barriers for Christ did not suffer and die for that. The focus of any denomination should be on Christ crucified which is the power and wisdom of God for the salvation of the world. “18 For the word of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us who are saved it is the power of God.”  

Secondly, Christianity is not all about certificates or degrees in education. Philosophy and sciences are limited in their efforts to give everything man requires. “Jews ask for signs, and Greeks seek after wisdom: 23 but we preach Christ crucified, unto Jews a stumbling block, and unto Gentiles foolishness; 24 but unto them that are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.” Knowledge is good. The Lord gives mankind intellect, instinct not to dispute Him but to demonstrate His glory. Every effort to explain and prove the works of God out of ordinary common sense ends in foolishness.

What is the cross all about? It is the cross that tells us that we are not gambling with our faith. It is the cross that tells us that the stakes are real. Prophet Isaiah says, “Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows; yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.  But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.”

The cross of Christ is significant to Christian faith. Through the cross, God offered His only begotten Son as sacrifice for the entire world for all our sins and its consequences. 

Coming with sin are sorrow, griefs, moral decadence and bodily afflictions. 

The cross makes knowing God personal, not merely personal for us but for God. He sent his Son to die! He paid the price that no human father or mother would ever pay for the sake of anyone. His Son Jesus gave up glory itself for the purpose of dying for us. 

Therefore you can trust Him for remission, provision, satisfaction and redemption. 

You can just approach the throne of grace with your desires as you pray:

Lord Jesus I thank you for taken my griefs and sorrows that I may be free.

By the power in the bloodshed on the cross of Christ Jesus, every evil covenant against my destiny is canceled in Jesus name.