You and I live in a fallen creation. Everyone is born with a rebellious sin nature. Sin and death have entered the world. Nothing is perfect. Nothing is ideal. Sometimes in the storms of life, our circumstances seem overwhelming. We ask ‘where is Jesus?’  Does He really know and care about our hurts? In this study we will examine what the Bible says Jesus is doing, even when life hurts.

We continue Section #1 with what Jesus is doing for you when life hurts.

In this session we will examine Jesus Christ’s willingness and ability to enable you to stand. Sometimes we face accusers. They can be from the past (what has already happened) or the present (current circumstances) or the future (what might happen).  In this fallen creation even believers will have differing opinions about things. Some believers think church music should be only organ and piano while other believers include timbrel instruments. Some believers think dress codes are appropriate while other believers do not. When you receive Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, you become His. You come into a relationship with Him as child and heir. You belong to Him.  You are accountable to Him. He loves you unconditionally. As your good and great Shepherd, Jesus Christ provides you provision, protection, direction and correction for your earthly journey.

No matter what is hurting you, Jesus Christ enables you to stand

Romans 14:⁴ Who art thou that judgest another man’s servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand.

Proverbs 24:¹⁵ Lay not wait, O wicked man, against the dwelling of the righteous; spoil not his resting place: ¹⁶ For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief.

Do not fear those who accuse you

Matthew 10:²⁴ The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his lord. ²⁵ It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as his lord. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more shall they call them of his household? ²⁶ Fear them not therefore: for there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; and hid, that shall not be known. ²⁷ What I tell you in darkness, that speak ye in light: and what ye hear in the ear, that preach ye upon the housetops. ²⁸ And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

Destroy = to render useless; to defeat completely

Are you afraid of unbelief? Ask Jesus to help your unbelief.

Remember your value to Jesus Christ!

²⁹ Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. ³⁰ But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. ³¹ Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows

Jesus Christ knows not only how many hair are on your head but He has assigned a number to each of them.

What do these verses mean to you?

How can you use these verses against what is attempting to topple you?

Remember His promises

Hebrews 13: ⁵ Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

1 Corinthians 15:⁵⁶ The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. ⁵⁷ But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Conversation – manner of living

What difference does the promise of Jesus Christ make in your circumstances?

Notice that He gives the victory. What does that mean to you?

You stand in grace by faith

Romans 5:¹ Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: ² By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. ³ And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; ⁴ And patience, experience; and experience, hope: ⁵ And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. ⁶ For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. ⁷ For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. ⁸ But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. ⁹ Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. ¹⁰ For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. ¹¹ And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.

What does standing in grace mean to you?

Paul’s admonition

Philippians 3:²⁰ For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:²¹ Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.¹ Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved.

Conversation – manner of living

Questions for reflection

1)  What does it mean to you that Jesus Christ is with you in your circumstances?

2) What about your circumstances hurts you most? – tell it to Jesus!

3) How do you see victory coming from Jesus Christ in your circumstances?

4) What provision of the good and great Shepherd do you see in your circumstances?

5) What protection from the good and great Shepherd do you see in your circumstances?

6) What direction of the good and great Shepherd do you see in your circumstances?

7) Is there some correction of the good and great Shepherd for you in your circumstances?

8) How many hairs are on your head?

Our focus – Hebrews 12:¹ Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,² Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. ³ For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.

Our challenge -Dearly Beloved,

Run with your eyes on Jesus alone!

Run in faith that Jesus loves you, has uniquely designed and created only one you, has a good plan for your life, runs with you and will accomplish His purposes for you and           through you!

Run in His strength alone!

Run with your eyes on the prize!

Run with your focus on His mission: to conform you to the image of Jesus Christ!

Run with the desire to finish strong!

Run with the desire to finish with your lamp burning!

Run with the expectation of being in His physical presence when you cross your finish line!

Run to His glory alone!

Run and keep on running!

Coach Patti