GPS-Life is Hard

APR 21  / Sunday – Read Rom 8:33-39 / Ps 23 / 1 Cor 15:17-26 / 1 Thess 4:13-18)

Overview: A dead Jesus is the same as no Jesus. But there is a comfort and a peace that surpasses understanding in the Risen Jesus.

22 / Mon – Life is hard  |  Read John 16:33

Jesus’ words here compare two things: what you will find in the world and what you will find in him. Some people erroneously believe that following Jesus should result in a trouble-free life. When it does not, they walk away. In troubling times, are you tempted to blame God? Do you feel He has abandoned you and cannot be trusted? The resurrection proves that the Lord does what He said He would do. Will you look to Him for peace in your hard times? It is the only place you will find it.

23 / Tue – Even if…  |  Read Daniel 2:48-49 / Daniel 3:1-30

The king demanded everyone in his kingdom worship his gods and bow before the image he had erected. Death was the consequence for not doing so. Read what these three godly young men replied when facing this life-or-death decision (v 17-18). What will you choose if you are expected to do unethical things at work, knowing refusal could cost your job? Would you lose some friendships if you said ‘no’ to their expectations? Are you willing to make the right choice even if…?

24 / Wed – Even when…  |  Read Job 13:15-16

You probably know the story of this godly man who lost everything through no fault of his own. His children are killed in a natural disaster. His possessions were destroyed or stolen. He was bankrupt and then he contracted a painful skin disease that covered his whole body. In this situation, many would blame God and turn away, believing Him to be untrustworthy. What happened to Job was unjust and he maintained his innocence. But after venting his pain, see what Job’s bottom-line response was in verse 15a. Are you willing to trust God even when…?

25 / Thu – A strong foundation  |  Read Matthew 7:24-29

The troubles of life are sometimes described as storms. They can come without warning. They might be intense. Some pass quickly while others seem to last forever. What ‘storms’ have you faced in your life? If you didn’t fall apart, what kept you standing? If you crumbled, how might Jesus’ words give you hope? In what ways are you ‘hearing’ and putting his words into practice to prepare for future storms? What could you share with others going through similar hard times?

26 / Fri – Beyond the ability to endure  |  Read 2 Corinthians 1:8-11 / I Peter 1:6-7

Paul’s life became more difficult after he started following Jesus. The hardships he went through seemed beyond his ability to endure. He believed God had allowed those things for a reason. How did he describe it in v 9? Something changes when you have no one else to rely on but God. Have you been in such a place? What happened? Paul also thanked his friends for praying. Do the prayers of others help you as they did Paul? Are you praying for those going through difficult times, that they would be able to endure with God’s strength, that their faith would not fail?

27 / Sat – Comfort and hope  |  Read 2 Cor 4:16-18 / Rom 8:35, 37-39 /  Rom 8:28 / 2 Cor 1:3-4

Nothing lasts forever. What you see is temporary. Nothing, nothing can separate you from God’s love. No sorrow is wasted. No mistake is irredeemable. You have God’s promise that He is working in all situations for your good. When life is hard, your compassionate Father, the God of all comfort, will comfort you in all your troubles. Count on it. And the comfort you receive from Him will give you the ability to comfort others. Will you choose to trust these promises He has made?