The Way Life Is

• God’s purpose in our lives is not; make certain we have a trouble free existence.

John 16:33 “These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.”

Strong’s Greek Dictionary – θλιψις thlipsis thlip’-sis from 2346; pressure (literally or figuratively):—afflicted(-tion), anguish, burdened, persecution, tribulation, trouble.

• The World is deceived – Don’t be.

Romans 12:2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.

• Grow up in Christ – The Christians of the Early church were NOT second rate Christians. They went through great persecution and the Lord cared for them as much as He cares for you.

Romans 8:35-37 Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? Just as it is written, “FOR YOUR SAKE WE ARE BEING PUT TO DEATH ALL DAY LONG; WE WERE CONSIDERED AS SHEEP TO BE SLAUGHTERED.” But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us.

• Understanding God’s foreknowledge and your free will

Matthew 10:30 “But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.

Luke 12:7 “Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear; you are more valuable than many sparrows.

Matthew 6:27 “And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life?

Luke 12:25-26 “And which of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life’s span? “If then you cannot do even a very little thing, why do you worry about other matters?

Psalms 139:16 Your eyes have seen my unformed substance; And in Your book were all written The days that were ordained for me, When as yet there was not one of them.

Matthew 10:29 “Are not two sparrows sold for a cent? And yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father.

Luke 12:6-7 “Are not five sparrows sold for two cents? Yet not one of them is forgotten before God. “Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear; you are more valuable than many sparrows.

This set of notes came from a message I preached on December 27, 2020. It is very relevant to this blog. I will eventually be doing four short vlogs on the four points of this message. I am including a link to the sermon should you wish to listen. It covers all four and lasts 36 minutes