Suffering as a Christian

1 Peter 4:12-16(NIV)
Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name.

Power Points

This scripture is a hard pill to swallow because no one wants to suffer.

But it is inevitable that as Christians we will suffer just as Christ did.

However we must remember to rejoice, not because of the suffering but because of our relationship with Christ.

When we suffer for Christ's sake, His glory is revealed in, on, through, and for us.

Being insulted, persecuted, or suffer for being a Christian means that the glory of God is resting on us.

We should not be ashamed but PRAISE God that we are associated with Christ and bear the name of a Christian.

Take comfort in knowing that all things are working together for good to those who love the Lord!

God is AWESOME...that's All I Know. -Tevin C. Jordan

The End is Near

1 Peter 4:7-9
The end of the world is coming soon. Therefore, be earnest and disciplined in your prayers. Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins. Cheerfully share your home with those who need a meal or a place to stay.

Power Points

The end is near!

PRAY!!!

LOVE!!!

Thank You, God!

James 1:17-18

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.

God is AWESOME...that's All I Know. -Tevin C. Jordan

Endure Temptation! Don't Err!

James 1:12-16

Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: but every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death. Do not err, my beloved brethren.

Power Points

We are blessed when we endure temptation.

Our ability to continuously endure is totally derived from our ability to trust and believe God.

God is well pleased with that state of mind.

God desires us to be totally dependent on Him and not to succumb to our own desires and ways.

The temptation we face does not come from God but from our own lust.

When that lust is conceived (takes form), it leads to sin.

When the sin is finished it leads to death.

Don't err (go astray; sin)!

God allows us to be in situations and circumstances for us to see where we stand in Him.

Our response to temptation shows our growth.

God wants to reveal His power and glory in us.

God wants men to be able to look at our lives and see how awesome He is!

God is AWESOME...that's All I Know. -Tevin C. Jordan

Don't Waver Back and Forth...Just Believe!

James 1:5-8
If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.

Power Points

If we are in need of anything, we can ask God for it.

He will give it to us according to His promises and will for our lives.

Here we are told that He will give us wisdom liberally (freely, willingly).

When we inquire of God, we must do so in faith believing that He is willing and able to supply all our need.

The first verses of this chapter of James talk about how God develops patience in us.

Here is where the patience plays a great role.

Here we read that we should not waver in our faith like a wave of the sea tossed and driven by our current situation and circumstances.

We must patiently endure and remember that God is faithful!

God is AWESOME...that's All I Know. -Tevin C. Jordan

Count It Joy!

James 1:2-4

My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

Power Points

Counting temptations as joy seems to be an odd request.

We have to learn to look at the big picture.

Being faced with temptation is an uncomfortable situation.

It is those situations that build and strengthen our faith, when we are able to resist and remain faithful to God.

When we resist temptation, we let God know that we are patiently awaiting his salvation, promises, and purpose for our lives.

God is in control.

Whatever He allows to come our way serves a purpose.

We must remember that as we trust God and patiently wait on Him, we will want for nothing!

God is AWESOME...that's All I Know. -Tevin C. Jordan

Continue to Love

Hebrews 13:1-2
Let brotherly love continue. Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.

Love All You Can! -Tevin C. Jordan

Call On Him

Psalm 116:1-2
I love the LORD, because he hath heard my voice and my supplications. Because he hath inclined his ear unto me, therefore will I call upon him as long as I live.

Power Points

God hears your voice.

God hears your supplications.

Continue to call upon Him as long as you live.

God is AWESOME...that's All I Know. -Tevin C. Jordan

The Lord Will Help You!

Isaiah 50:7-10
For the Lord GOD will help me; therefore shall I not be confounded: therefore have I set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be ashamed. He is near that justifieth me; who will contend with me? let us stand together: who is mine adversary? let him come near to me. Behold, the Lord GOD will help me; who is he that shall condemn me? lo, they all shall wax old as a garment; the moth shall eat them up. Who is among you that feareth the LORD, that obeyeth the voice of his servant, that walketh in darkness, and hath no light? let him trust in the name of the LORD, and stay upon his God.

Power Points

The Lord will help!

Trust God!

The Lord will HELP!

God is AWESOME...that's All I Know. -Tevin C. Jordan

Don't Leave God Out

Psalm 127:1
Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.

Power Points

Don't leave God out!

Acknowledge God in all your ways, He will direct your path.

Anything you do without God will be done in vain.

We are placed on this Earth to do God's will and serve His purposes.

God is in control.

God is AWESOME...that's All I Know. -Tevin C. Jordan

It's Alright to Cry...Just Stay Confident

Psalm 126:5-6
They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.

Hebrews 10: 35-36
Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward. For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.

Power Points

You may cry some tears.

But know that you may sow in tears but you will reap in joy.

God has perfect timing and purpose for everything that He allows to happen.

Keep your confidence in Him.

God is faithful.

He will exchange your sorrow for joy.

He will keep His promises!

God is AWESOME...that's All I Know. -Tevin C. Jordan

Believe

John 3:16-17

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. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

Power Points

God loves us.

He sent Jesus to die for our sins.

If we believe in Jesus we will have everlasting life.

God wants to save us.

What a LOVE!

God is AWESOME...that's All I Know. -Tevin C. Jordan

The Lord Is On Our Side

Psalm 124:1-8

If it had not been the LORD who was on our side, now may Israel say; if it had not been the LORD who was on our side, when men rose up against us: then they had swallowed us up quick, when their wrath was kindled against us: then the waters had overwhelmed us, the stream had gone over our soul: then the proud waters had gone over our soul. Blessed be the LORD, who hath not given us as a prey to their teeth. Our soul is escaped as a bird out of the snare of the fowlers: the snare is broken, and we are escaped. Our help is in the name of the LORD, who made heaven and earth.

Power Points

The Lord is on your side

Think about the many dangers and snares He was brought you through.

God loves and cares for you.

God is a very present help.

God is AWESOME...that's All I Know. -Tevin C. Jordan

His Word

Isaiah 55:11

So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.

Power Points

God's word can not return to Him void.

His word will accomplish what He pleases.

His word will PROSPER!

God is AWESOME...that's All I Know! -Tevin C. Jordan

He's A Keeper!

Psalm 121:7-8

The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul. The LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.

God is AWESOME...that's All I Know. -Tevin C. Jordan

He Knows

Psalm 121:1-4

I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth. He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber. Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.

Power Points

Our help comes from the Lord.

He keeps us.

He never sleeps on the job of keeping us.

He is alert and aware of every situation we face and every need we have.

God is AWESOME...that's All I Know. -Tevin C. Jordan

The Keeper

Psalm 121:5-6
The LORD is thy keeper: the LORD is thy shade upon thy right hand. The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night.

God is AWESOME...that's All I Know. -Tevin C. Jordan

Rejoice in the Shadow

Psalm 63:6-7
When I remember thee upon my bed, and meditate on thee in the night watches. Because thou hast been my help, therefore in the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice.

Power Points

Remember all that God has brought you through.

He has been a very present help in the time of trouble.

He is a keeper and protector.

No matter what you are facing right now, if you remember how He has been your help, you can rejoice in the shadow of His wings!

God is AWESOME...that's All I Know. -Tevin C. Jordan

Praise Him While You Live

Psalm 63:3-5
Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee. Thus will I bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy name. My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips:

Power Points

God's loving kindness is better than life.

Praise and bless Him while you live.

God is AWESOME...that's All I Know. -Tevin C. Jordan

ADDICTED

Psalm 63:1-2
O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is; to see thy power and thy glory, so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary.

God is AWESOME...that's All I Know. -Tevin C. Jordan

Hope and Wait

Lamentations 3:24-26
The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him. The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him. It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD.

Power Points

HOPE in the Lord.

WAIT on the Lord.

The Lord is GOOD to those that wait for Him.

God is AWESOME...that's All I Know. -Tevin C. Jordan

NEW MERCY

Lamentations 3:22-23
It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.

Power Points

Because the Lord has mercy we live!

His compassions for us DO NOT fail!

His MERCIES are NEW every morning!

God is AWESOME...that's All I Know. -Tevin C. Jordan

Think Like Christ

Philippians 2:5-8
Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: but made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

Power Points

Remember it is not about you or your position (of no reputation).

Become a servant to others.

Humble yourself.

Be obedient even unto death.

God is AWESOME...that's All I Know. -Tevin C. Jordan

What Are You Thinking

Philippians 4:8
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

Watch your thoughts, for they become words.
Watch your words, for they become actions.
Watch your actions, for they become habits.
Watch your habits, for they become character.
Watch your character, for it becomes your destiny.

God is AWESOME...that's All I Know. -Tevin C. Jordan

Don't Quit...Stay in the Race!

Hebrews 12:1-2
Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Power Points

Strip off every weight that slows us down.

Put aside the sin that easily surrounds and entangles us.

Run the race with patience.

Look to Jesus!

He endured the cross because he knew the joy that was set before him to be seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

God is AWESOME...that's All I Know. -Tevin C. Jordan