Sermon Central
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God Sees Over The Horizon
Contributed by Tony Abram on Sep 9, 2006 (message contributor)
Summary: CONTRAST BETWEEN WHAT WE SAY AND WHAT GOD SAYS. FOR EXAMPLE: We say: I am too tired.E God says: I will give you rest.E(Mat 11:28 KJV) Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 11:29 Take my yoke upon you, and lear
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GOD SEES OVER THE HORIZON
The only survivor of a shipwreck was washed up on a small, uninhabited island. He prayed fervently for God to rescue him. Every day he scanned the horizon for help, but no hope in sight. Exhausted, he eventually managed to build a little hut out of driftwood to protect him from the elements, and to store his few possessions. One day, after scavenging for food, he arrived home to find his little hut in flames, the smoke rolling up to the sky. The worst had happened everything was lost. He was stunned with grief and anger. EGod, how could you do this to me?Ehe cried. Early the next day, however, he was awakened by the sound of a ship that was approaching the island. It had come to rescue him.EHow did you know I was here?Easked the weary man of his rescuers. He saw your smoke signal, Ethey replied.
It is easy to get discouraged when things are going badly. But we should not lose heart, because God is at work in our lives, even in the midst of pain and suffering. Remember, next time your little hut is burning to the ground; it just may be a smoke signal that summons the grace of God. For all the negative things we have to say to ourselves, God has a positive answer for it:
We say: It is impossible.
God says: (Luke 18:27 KJV) And he said, The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.
We say: I am too tired.
God says: I will give you rest.(Mat 11:28 KJV) Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 11:29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 11:30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
We say: Nobody really loves me.
God says: I love you. ((John 3:16 KJV) For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 13:34 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.
We say: I can not go on.EGod says: My grace is sufficient.(2 Cor 12:9 KJV) And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. (Psa 91:15 KJV) He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.
We say: I can not figure things out.
God says: I will direct your steps. (Prov 3:5 KJV) Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 3:6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
We say: I can not do it.E
God says: You can do all things. (Phil 4:13 KJV) I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
We say: It is not worth it.
God says: It will be worth it.E(Rom 8:28 KJV) And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
We say: I can not forgive myself.
God says: I forgive you.E(1 John 1:9 KJV) If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
(Rom 8:1 KJV) There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
We say: I can not manage.
God says: “I will supply all your needs.E(Phil 4:19 KJV) But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
We say: I am afraid.E
God says: I have not given you a spirit of fear.E(2 Tim 1:7 KJV) For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
We say: I am always worried and frustrated.E
God says: Cast all your cares on ME.(1 Pet 5:7 KJV) Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
We say: I do not have enough faith.
God says: I have given everyone a measure of faith.E(Rom 12:3 KJV) For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.
