Sitting In Darkness

Topic: Sitting in Darkness

 Text: Matthew 4:13-16

Key verse: “the people who sat in darkness have seen a great light. And for those who lived in the land where death casts its shadow, a light has shined.” Verse 16 NLT

Emotional pain caused by hurt, failure, loss or shame can make people sit in darkness. It is a state of hiding, a life of loneliness and withdrawal from activities that you once loved and choosing solitude in place of people’s company.

Sitting in darkness is a place of physical inactivity; you simply lack the strength and will to do anything for yourself or others.

When you sit in darkness, you are cut off from hearing people, and you are locked up with your thoughts. Often these thoughts simply relive the events of the past and offer you no hope for the future.

After a while, these emotional problems begin to have physical symptoms like insomnia, stomach aches, headaches, loss of appetite and different kinds of eating disorders.

A person in this condition is a prisoner. And will remain here except help comes from outside.  

God knows there will be situations in life that will put people in this kind of prison, that’s why Jesus came.  He is the light of the world, his coming brought light. Have you seen the light? Are you willing to let his light invade your life?

No matter how dark the darkness, he is the light that shines and the darkness cannot overcome it.

Let Jesus in!

Blessings

Roses&Thorns

Opportunity in Pain

Topic: Opportunity in Pain

Text: Isaiah 53: 1- 12

Key verse: Yet it was the will of the Lord to crush him to grief….. Isaiah 53:10

Our beloved brother Andrea Crouch, who has gone to be with the Lord, wrote a song titled” l don’t know why Jesus loves me. It reminds me constantly of the enormous price Jesus had to pay to rescue me. Our text gives a detailed record of what Jesus would have to go through because of love.

 Some people find it hard to believe that God’s will could include pain. But he allowed his son to bear so much pain for others to meet different needs. Every detail in the kind of pain he bore was significant for an aspect of need in man’s life: grief, sorrows, transgressions, iniquities, peace, and our wounds.

Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds, we are healed. All we, like sheep, have gone astray; we have turned—everyone—to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. Isaiah 53:4-6(ESV)

At the time this event took place, no one who witnessed it could understand why it had to happen that way. He was despised by those for whom he suffered. Yet, it was the will of God.

In his infinite wisdom, God had determined that this was how he would show his love for the world. This path of pain would bring opportunities for satisfaction to Jesus, more offspring for the Father, and salvation to all humanity.

But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8(ESV)

But it was the Lord’s good plan to bruise him and fill him with grief. However, when his soul has been made an offering for sin, then he shall have a multitude of children, many heirs. He shall live again, and God’s program shall prosper in his hands. 11 And when he sees all that is accomplished by the anguish of his soul, he shall be satisfied; and because of what he has experienced, my righteous Servant shall make many to be counted righteous before God, for he shall bear all their sins. Isaiah 53:10-11(TLB)

It is wrong to believe or teach that God’s will, will always be free of pain. If the Son of God went through suffering and pain for you and me, then God must have a purpose for your pain, or else you would have had a miraculous escape from prison as he did for Peter.

 This suffering is all part of the work God has given you. Christ, who suffered for you, is your example. Follow in his steps: He never sinned, never told a lie, never answered back when insulted; when he suffered, he did not threaten to get even; he left his case in the hands of God who always judges fairly. 1 Peter 2:21-23(TLB)

The devil may determine harm for a believer, but God works out the good from the situation. I met a lady who waited several years to have a baby and could not. She suffered for a while until she saw an opportunity in pain. She noted that several babies were abandoned and found in dumpsites. She developed a burden for them and went on to build a place to care for such babies until someone came along to adopt them and give them a home. Years later, God gave her biological children. 

Be encouraged by this truth, “…and we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28

Blessings

Pastor Ada

Reflection

How did Jesus respond to his pain?

How does God want me to respond to the pain I feel?

What opportunity do l have to serve others during this season of my life? 

A Harvest of unbearable Pain

Topic: A harvest of unbearable Pain

Text: 2 Samuel 21:1-10

Key verse: All seven sons died together. They were put to death during the first days of the harvest season at the beginning of the barley harvest.

This text is one of the passages that quickly brings tears to my eyes, it’s one case where life spins out of control, and there is nothing you or anyone can do to stop the disaster. Many times, it doesn’t make sense! 

Saul, in his zeal, killed the wrong people. Then Saul died, and during the reign of David, the judgment for Saul’s error appeared. Through a prayer of inquiry, God revealed the cause. The people had no room in their hearts for forgiveness. They asked King David to kill the seven sons of Saul.

 Reading this story made my head spin with so many questions. How could the death of the innocent appease their wrath? They could have asked for silver, gold, or land. Why didn’t they enslave the people instead of killing them?

I don’t believe in karma. I know there is a principle of cause and effect. The Gibeonites wanted their one pound of flesh!

That day was a great day of pain for the house of Saul, the first King of Israel. Merab lost five sons, and Rizpah lost only two. Notice the action of both women. Rizpah mourned day and night – she barely slept! Her pain was unbearable.

Her grief did not go unnoticed; the children were eventually given a burial along with their father and grandfather.

How can there be purpose in this kind of pain? God speaks so loudly through pain. There are consequences for our actions and inactions. God respects covenants, whether made in error or intentionally.

Sometimes people plant seeds and never live to eat their fruit. This whole event happened during the first days of the harvest. Harvest season is usually a time of Joy, but for this family, it was the most painful day in their history because their patriarch took some wrong steps.

This kind of significant loss can occur when natural disasters like Hurricanes, floods, and earthquakes occur and even worse when the events result from the cruelty of men like suicide bombing, terrorist attacks, and assassinations. Whatever may be the cause of the pain you feel, you can find the comfort of the Holy Spirit.

What a wonderful God we have—he is the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the source of every mercy, and the one who so wonderfully comforts and strengthens us in our hardships and trials. And why does he do this? So that when others are troubled, needing our sympathy and encouragement, we can pass on to them this same help and comfort God has given us. 2 Corinthians 1:3(TLB)

His anger lasts for a little while, but then his kindness brings life. The night may be filled with tears, but in the morning, we can sing for joy! Psalms 30:5(ERV)

More frequently today, people resort to taking their lives when they experience huge business losses or the emotional pain of betrayal; this response is not the right path to take. Though the loss may never be replaced, God can give you a new beginning from the ashes.

Those in Zion who mourn. I will take away the ashes on their head, and I will give them a crown. I will take away their sadness, and I will give them the oil of happiness. I will take away their sorrow, and I will give them celebration clothes. He sent me to name them ‘Good Trees’ and ‘The Lord’s Wonderful Plant.’ Isaiah 61:3(ERV)

May the Lord show us how we must choose, and may his fear keep us from actions that will have devastating consequences on others in Jesus’ name. Amen

Blessings

Pastor Ada

Reflections

What decisions have l made that could affect others negatively?

Who around me is suffering from unbearable pain 

What can l do to help?

Photo by Héctor J. Rivas on Unsplash

There is a seeing God

Topic: There is a seeing God

Text: Genesis 16:3-13

Key verse … “You are a God of seeing” for she said, Truly here l have seen him who looks after me “.Genesis 16:13(ESV)

Several life-saving processes cause pain; extracting an infected tooth is always a painful exercise, but the pain it brings is mild compared to the trauma an infected hole in the tooth can cause.

When you sit before the dentist, you know it’s an invitation to pain. Nevertheless, you’re willing to submit to it and even pay good money for the service. The path out of pain can sometimes lead through seasons of more pain.

Hagar was an Egyptian maid living with Sarai, her mistress. She must have served so well that Sarai considered her an excellent candidate to be a surrogate mother for Abraham’s children. She didn’t seem to have a choice about this, but she obliged them.

Months later, after becoming pregnant, she looked at her mistress contemptuously. Sarah didn’t fail to notice the change in attitude; she quickly rose to assert herself as the legitimate wife and put Hagar in her place.

“… then Sarai dealt harshly with her, and she fled from her.”

The natural reaction towards anyone who causes you pain is to run from them, especially if you can’t fight them. She ran into the wilderness away from discipline, not abuse. She could have run to other relatives, fellow servants, or anyone who could mediate on her behalf. Still, instead, she chose to run to the wilderness: a place of loneliness, isolation, dryness, a fearful and hopeless place.

 Where is your favorite place to go in a time of pain? How helpful is that place? It is not wise to run to where you are left alone with the devil, except you have the word living in your heart. Thank God! Hagar found a spring of water, similar to the word of God, in a hurting heart.

When I am hurting, I find comfort in your promise that leads to life. Psalm 119:50(CEV)

The angel sent her home to her mistress with a word of prophecy about her pregnancy and her son’s future. She had to go through more seasons of pain to get to that place of pleasure: seeing her son live to fulfill destiny. There are lessons you can only learn in a season of pain. Character is developed during hard times.

She discovered God in a new way!

” You are a God of seeing” and “Truly here I have seen him who looks after me.” 

In that pain season, we can see a new revelation of who God is. Not just what others have said about him, but what he has shown us about himself.

It’s time to catch a revelation!

There are times l have felt pressured to explore opportunities to earn money, and deep in my spirit; I hear a NO; as the tears begin to fall, I remember his promises that seem like a distant future so far away that it will take forever to come to pass. I have known him as a seeing God because I suddenly see miraculous interventions, more than enough, just on time, that only a seeing God could make happen. As a child who looks up with confidence to Papa, I have learned to trust Abba. 

Blessings

Pastor Ada

Reflection

 What am I running away from? 

Why do l doubt God’s presence with me at this time?

What can I learn about God’s ways?

Photo by Maxine yang on Unsplash

Pain propels you towards a better future

Topic: Pain propels you towards a better future

Text: 1 Chronicles 4:9 -10

Key verse:  He was the one who prayed to the God of Israel, “Oh, that you would bless me and expand my territory! Please be with me in all that I do, and keep me from all trouble and pain!” And God granted him his request. ! Chronicles 4: 10

I want to start today’s devotional with a quote from C.S. Lewis. “Pain insists upon being attended to. God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our consciences, but shouts in our pains. It is his megaphone to rouse a deaf world.” Can you hear God through the pain?

 Jabez was born in pain, so he was called sorrow from birth. He must have asked questions about why his name was different from that of others. He lived with a constant reminder that he was an instrument of pain.

When you have lived with pain for a while, either pain from verbal or physical abuse, you tend to accept it as usual. This mindset prevents you from finding a way out and making excuses for the abuser. 

Do you know that pain can be the tool that drives you into God’s presence in prayer to find answers? Prayer is not just an opportunity to ask for relief but a time to hear God’s heart about the situation. 

“But I will court her again and bring her into the wilderness, and I will speak to her tenderly there. Hosea 2:14(TLB)

Hannah’s pain drove her from her food to the altar; she realized her need was not as critical as the need for a priest to serve in God’s house. Her request changed when she discerned God’s will, and her prayer was not just to be a mother like every other woman, nor was her motive to relieve her pain; instead, she wanted to meet God’s need and become a vessel to birth a Prophet. 

Then she made this promise: “Lord of heavenly forces, just look at your servant’s pain and remember me! Don’t forget your servant! Give her a boy! Then I’ll give him to the Lord for his entire life. No razor will ever touch his head.” 1 Samuel 1:11(CEB) 

Pain doesn’t need to last a lifetime; Jabez’s name was like a scar, a constant reminder of the event that caused the pain until he realized he didn’t have to live his life that way. He heard of the power of prayer and resolved to give it a shot.

“He prayed to the God of Israel….”

A prayer is a tool that gives you access to the riches of the God of grace. Often, we rely on ourselves to fix our pain until we are at our wit’s end. Pain should push us towards God and propel us into a better future. Don’t waste time and emotional energy on the past by blaming yourself or another. Jabez knew that a blessing from God could earn him a new and better name.

I wallowed in grief until I believed in my future to have a new name, another baby, contracts, and breakthroughs. Be specific about asking for fresh possibilities. God gets the glory from new beginnings, impossibilities, and changed lives. That’s one purpose for your pain!

Blessings

Pastor Ada

Reflection

Where am l feeling pain now?

What has God said about this situation?

How can l respond differently to it? 

How can l pray like Jabez?

Photo by Vultar Bahr on Unsplash

 When The Pain Leads To The Call 

Text: Psalm 105:16-22

Key verse: “…Until what he had said came to pass, the word of the Lord tested him;” Genesis 105: 19

When l think of pain, so many thoughts run through my mind. Everyone avoids pain, but the pain is a tool that produces positive results when it is in the hand of God.

For most of Joseph’s early life, he had little or no pain. God had planted great dreams in his heart that would make him happy and bring blessings to his family.

The big picture was in God’s view, while Joseph could see just one scene in the script.

In our text, we read, “…what he had said“. Who said what? God spoke many things years ago to Abraham and would bring them to pass, only at the right time. There is timing to every prophecy and the right season for a promise to be fulfilled.

God needed the right man to get the job done, so he had to put that man to the test to see if he qualified for the assignment. Joseph had a call to be a saviour; a life of national or global relevance will require training and mastery.

Then the king sent for him and set him free. He was put in charge of all the king’s possessions. At his pleasure, he could imprison the king’s aides and teach the king’s advisors. Psalm 105:20-22(TLB)

 God had to use the tool of pain for the test: the pain of rejection, betrayal, slavery, hardship, false accusation, imprisonment, solitude, abandonment ….etc.

The word of the Lord tested him and produced character in Joseph. Beyond the pain you feel, ask the questions that will help you learn about God’s way, wisdom and people.

Everything that happened to him was contrary to the word he had received. But Joseph chose to judge him faithful. He refused to cast away his confidence in the goodness and righteousness of God. He resolved not to use any shortcut to get to the place of destiny but rather to trust the all-knowing God, whose presence in his life had made him flourish like a palm tree.

Nothing changed as long as he tried to justify himself and seek relief from pain. But when he decided to minister and serve others, his gift made way for him.

A man’s gift maketh room for him and bringeth him before great men. Proverbs 18:16(KJV)

Can you see any purpose in your pain? Try to join the dots in Joseph’s life, and then you will see how your thread is weaving a beautiful picture.

 God is working with the events and experiences of your life, and one day, the promise will soon become a reality, and what was meant for evil will lead you to your Call. When everything fits the big picture, then it is the right time. Trust it.

Pastor Ada

Reflections

Can I see God’s presence with me despite my pain?

Am I growing in character in this season?

What gift do l have that can serve those around me in this season of my life?