If you have a lot of questions
Trust the Father up above
All of His answers they are written with truth and love, just listen
In the Bible you'll hear the solution
The surface of the sea constantly changes and,
is at times, unpredictable.
Our life could relate with the many unpredictable changes
that appear constantly.
Life will always have its ups and its downs.
All of us will experience both light and trying times.
The rich and the poor have their own alternating share of contentment
and worries.
What do you think, is the best way to react
to these ups and downs?
"One day at a time.
Ups and downs are part of life.
You gotta have the downs to have the ups."
"Well, you know, that's life, you know um
there's not always a straight and narrow road,
and so you have to be prepared
for whatever um life throws at you um...
That means that you have to have your faith, um...
And what you believe in, you stand by
you know, whatever the case may be, so..."
"...but I think it's really important to have people that
support you in your life
and when you have people that support you
those are the people you really want to lean on in times
when your life goes down and have them still there
when your life goes up."
"I think you should always stay positive and
try and look for a solution, and always
meet everything with love and optimism."
"Uh you just take the ups and downs and knowing that
more are coming and try to work through them and
get to the next day."
"Yea, when ups and downs come to me, I just don't let
really anything affect me.
Obviously the ups are great, but like, when things
are down, I just, it's whatever, like, I'll get past it
life goes on, you know."
"Um, you should probably, you should react calmly
and you should uh, I don't know, I guess
you shouldn't overreact
you should react calmly, you shouldn't...you shouldn't
take things too seriously but react appropriately.
It depends on the situation."
For us to face life's ups and downs in the way God wants us to,
we need to know the way His servants should recognize
these unpredictable changes we experience.
Should we drown ourselves in misery
when we experience life's challenges?
Let's begin our reading in the book of Job
we'll read 3:24 and we'll read until verse 26.
Should we drown ourselves in misery when we
experience life's challenges?
No.
Constantly thinking about one's miseries
won't drive them away.
A servant of God said,
"...sighing has become my daily food...
...I have no peace, no quietness...only turmoil."
Worrying would only make the situation worse,
which would rob us of peace, quietness, and much needed rest.
God does not want us to suffer
instead, He wants us to have peace.
What is the proof that God does not want us to suffer in this life?
Let's read that together in the book of Psalms
We'll read 62:5
What is the proof that God does not want us to suffer in this life?
He wants us to have inward peace.
King David reminded us, "only God gives inward peace,
"...and I depend on Him."
There are many examples in the Bible of people
that experience bitter moments in life.
One example were the Israelites.
They were people who belonged to God that
He allowed to be taken into captivity.
What they experienced was a very dark moment in their life.
Even though the Israelites experienced a bitter moment
in their life,
how did God comfort them?
We'll read that together in Jeremiah.
We'll read 31:16, and we'll keep reading 'till 17.
How did God comfort the Israelites
during the bitter moment of their life?
He advised them not to cry, and suppress any tears they may have.
Why?
God reminded His people, "there is hope for your
descendants, your children will return to their own land."
The horizon may be dim and the forecast of our
immediate future may seem miserable.
But even in the tightest of situations
God is able to bring His people out.
There's always hope for the future, through God's help.
So how should true Christians regard the ups and downs of life?
In first Peter 1:7, this is what we can read.
How should true Christians regard the ups and downs of life?
True Christians should welcome tests into their own experiences.
Why is this?
Trials show whether our faith is genuine or not.
Did you notice the blessing we'll experience if we prove
that our faith is genuine?
The Bible told us it will bring us much praise and glory
and honor on the the day when the Lord Jesus is revealed.
How else do tests benefit us?
And why should we welcome them in our life?
Let's read in James 1, we'll read 2 until verse 4...
How else do tests benefit us?
When we're tested our endurance has a chance to grow.
This molds us to be strong in character and ready for anything.
Have you ever done physical exercise that made your muscles
more flexible or stronger?
For those who have, it's common knowledge that
the consequence of growing and improving our muscles
are not always a comfortable experience.
Our faith and endurance, which we want to grow,
will also require us to go through situations
that may make us feel uncomfortable.
The result is great though, we continue to grow in endurance.
So should a son or daughter of God try to avoid tests then?
Is the time of testing a time to be sad?
We'll read that together in Romans
We'll read 5:3 and we'll keep reading 'till verse 5
Is the time of testing a time to be sad?
No.
Testing is a time to rejoice.
The Bible reminded us, we can rejoice too
when we run into problems and trials.
So should we try to avoid tests?
No.
We should welcome them gladly.
This is the time that our growing endurance
develops strength of character,
which in turn strengthens our confident hope of salvation.
Who is the one that wants us to rejoice during this time
of testing?
John, we'll read 16 and verse 33.
Who is the one that wants us to rejoice during this time of testing?
The Lord Jesus Christ.
He knew that we would have many trials and sorrows.
But what did the Lord Jesus Christ remind us?
He motivates the true Christians by saying,
"Cheer up, for I have overcome the world"
The ones who have reason to be of good cheer
are the true Christians.
Who are the true Christians, though?
Is it enough for one to claim to be a Christian
to be considered a true Christian in the sight of the Lord Jesus Christ?
We'll read that together in first John, we'll read 2 and 4
Why is it important that we identify those
who are true Christians?
Because there are those who are not true Christians.
The Bible informed us that there are those who claim
"I'm a Christian, I'm on my way to heaven."
I belong to Christ.
But what did the Bible tell us about such people?
But if he doesn't do what Christ tells him to
he is a liar.
Do we want good reason to be of cheer in time of difficulty?
If so, we should do what the Lord Jesus Christ commands.
What is it that the Lord Jesus Christ instructed us to do,
so that we would be considered as true Christians?
In John 10:7 and also verse 9,
we'll read the answer of our Lord Jesus Christ.
What is the command of the Lord Jesus Christ
that we need to do?
He said, "anyone who comes into the fold
through me, will be safe."
Which is the fold or flock that we need to enter in
for us to be considered true Christians?
We'll read it together in Acts 20:28
Which is the fold or flock that we need to enter?
The Church of Christ.
The ones in the Church of Christ, or
members of it,
are the true Christians that could be of good cheer
despite the many trials and sufferings that we may experience in this world.
Life does have its ups and downs.
There will be moments so great that we feel like we're
soaring on wings like eagles.
But there will also be moments that we feel like
life has hit rock bottom.
When these changes happen and it is a lot for us to handle,
becomes too much to bear,
what do we need to remember?
Who is always ready to help us,
in life's ups and downs?
We'll read in the book of Psalms, chapter 50 and the verse is 15.
What do we need to remember when life's ups and
downs challenge us?
We always have help.
Who is the one who will help us?
God said, "Call to Me when trouble comes."
Let's not try to handle life's challenges by ourselves or
go through the ups and downs all alone.
God promised us, "I will save you."
His unfailing love surrounds those who trust Him.
Life's unpredictable changes will surprise us
and others may be confused as to what to do.
We should never worry though.
God will always give us the solution.
Thank you for joining us, we'll see you next time.