Do you ever feel like you can’t get ahead? Like the world is against you? Most of us have days, or even weeks where nothing seems to work. We can feel trapped by circumstances, and want to give up because our circumstances seem so overwhelming. Don’t quit. There is hope when we look beyond our circumstances and focus our attention on the One who is greater than our circumstances.
What can we help you find?
Overwhelmed
Unexpected Circumstances
September 15, 2013
by Mark Stuenzi
Paul and Silas were simply doing what God had called them to do. They were proclaiming the Good News about a living Savior. When they came to Philippi, they encountered a demon-possessed woman and they set her free from her oppression. The servant girl’s owner became angry that his source of profit was gone and he incited a riot against Paul and Silas. The last thing they expected that day was to be arrested, beaten and imprisoned. In the midst of their pain, they chose to look beyond their chains and worship the God who was still in control.
Global Calamity
September 22, 2013
by Mark Stuenzi
There seems to be a growing fear of future events – whether it’s global warming, the next terrorist attack, a world war or a financial meltdown. More and more people seem to be stockpiling weapons, food and fuel in anticipation of a coming calamity. There is a growing movement of “preppers” and even Christians have bought into this bunker mentality. Should we be living in fear, or should we be trusting in the God who holds future events in his hands?
Financial Fears
September 29, 2013
by Mark Stuenzi
These are scary times financially. Some of us look ahead and worry how we’ll pay the rent, mortgage or grocery bill. Others of us have no worry about putting food on the table, but panic over having fewer zeros in the bank account or wonder if we will have enough for retirement. To all of this God says, “I know your needs and I am more than enough for you.”
Demands of Life
October 6, 2013
by Paul McGuinness
For many people, life is all about trying to decide who to disappoint and which balls to let drop. We are always trying to balance the demands of career, family, spiritual life, recreation and sheer survival. We can end up feeling guilty, overwhelmed and constantly behind. How do we find balance?
Feelings of Insignificance
October 13, 2013
by Mark Stuenzi
In a world of 6 billion people it’s easy to feel as if my ordinary life doesn’t matter. Does God really see me? Do I have anything to offer? Is it too late for me? Moses had a somewhat dysfunctional start to life; he made some unwise decisions in his younger years; and in midlife he used every argument he could think of to counter God’s request to lead the people of Israel out of Egypt. Yet God stuck by his desire to use this imperfect individual for a major task at hand. God may be calling you at a time when you feel unworthy or incapable or totally lacking in the skills to be in relationship with him or to accomplish the task to which he’s calling you.
Depression
October 20, 2013
by Mark Stuenzi
When we live in difficult circumstances for a long period of time, we can start to slide into depression. Some people believe that faithful Christians don’t get depressed, yet the Bible tells us that some of the Godliest people in history struggled with depression. Moses said “God, please go ahead and kill me”; Elijah prayed that he would die; Jonah said, “Lord, take away my life, for it is better for me to die than to live”; Paul said, “We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired of life itself.” Even seasoned believers are not immune from depression. Depression is often caused by having unrealistic expectations of ourselves, of others, and even of God. The solution begins by addressing that may be wrong inside of us
God's Silence
October 27, 2013
by Mark Stuenzi
Doubt is a natural companion of faith. If there were no room for doubt, then faith would not be necessary. John the Baptist was a man of great faith. In fact, Jesus once said his about him, “Among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist.” Later, when John confronted Herod about his relationship with his sister-in-law, he was put in prison and was facing the real possibility of death. While in prison, he sent word to Jesus saying, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?” In the middle of his difficult circumstances, even John was beginning to doubt. Jesus sent word back to John, reminding him of all the miraculous things that were being done. We can never judge God’s power and presence by our own circumstances, we must view our circumstances through the lens of who we know God to be.
The Sting of Death
November 3, 2013
by Mark Fitch
Many people, when facing death (their own or the death of a loved one), begin to wonder if God is there; if he hears and if he cares. The message of the Gospel is that God not only cares, but he came into this world to “taste” death and to conquer it. He weeps with us in our grief and walks with us through the valley of the shadow of death. In the face of death, loss and deep questions, we can look up and see the face of a Heavenly Father.