Turning to God in times of trouble

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In the midst of tragedies like we saw last week, we can be left feeling hopeless and wondering if God is still on His throne. Rest assured he is still on his throne. Rest assured there is hope, and justice will prevail. This world and its people are broken, but there is hope in Christ. This world is not forever. 


As Christians we do need to educate ourselves. Firstly in the scripture and then in how the things of God impact, interact with, and inform the things of this world. 


I urge you brothers and sisters to saturate yourselves in God’s word—to take the time to understand it and learn it. It will help you know God better, see how great He is, and realize how great it is that He loves you. It will also help you discern the truth from the lies when people twist His words.


Are you grieving? Is your confidence in this world shaken? Knowing God’s word builds confidence because you learn that His is the only approval you need. Knowing God’s word also builds a stronger more unshakable faith, and it builds better citizens of this world as we learn to value people the way God does and to see the value of His design and direction for mankind. 

We can’t be dependent on others for God’s truth, especially when we are being bombarded with sound bites, half truths, things taken out of context, and worse. I’m in my 37th year of leading Bible studies and I do it because I want people to know the truth and to learn how to study it for themselves.


If you are just learning to study God’s word or want a book to direct you (or to be part of a group study) I recommend doing a study that is Inductive, meaning it doesn’t start by giving you the answers or pointing to the answers others give, but instead encourages and directs you to inspect the scripture, compare it to other scripture, and to look up definitions. Then it pushes you to see what God is showing you before pointing you to what God has shown others. A few organizations and authors I recommend that use this method are Jen Wilkin, BSF (Bible Study Fellowship), and Precept Ministries. With any study or commentary keep in mind that the person who put together the study is human and fallible. If they are off concerning essential doctrine then that is a problem, also don’t blindly take someone’s word that scripture says “thus and so.” Study it yourself. I’m always happy to talk about scripture if you message me.



2 Timothy 4:1-4 (ESV) 1 I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: 2 preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. 3 For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, 4 and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.



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