Well, the TRUTH is...

Mary Mary sings a song called Dirt. The message of the song is that we all need a little dirt to grow.  A line from the song says, "Reality will make you cry, but the truth will dry your eye."

Reality:
You've been diagnosed with cancer, high blood pressure, or some medical condition. 
You have been prescribed medication to take daily.
Truth:
By His stripes you are healed. -Isaiah 53:5
Jesus is able to heal all manner of sickness and disease. -Matthew 4:23

Reality:
You loss your job and have no idea how you will make it.
Or you have more bills than money.
Truth:
But my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory through Christ Jesus. -Philippians 4:19
Now unto Him who is able to do exceedingly and abundantly... -Ephesians 3:20

Reality:
You have made poor decisions that led to sinful, ungodly actions and behaviors. Now you have to face horrific consequences or have feelings of shame.
Truth:
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us and cleanse of us of all unrighteousness. -1 John 1:9

Reality:
 You have no idea where your life is headed or where to go next. Everything you do seems to fail.
Truth:
In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your path. -Proverbs 3:6
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and give you an expected end. -Jeremiah 29:11

Reality:
Your current situation and circumstances have you on the brink of insanity. 
Truth:
If you keep you mind stayed on Him, He will keep you in perfect peace. -Isaiah 26:3

Reality:
Some friends and family have left you.  You feel hurt, betrayed, and alone.
Truth:
God will never leave us nor forsake us. -Hebrews 13:5

Reality:
Your back is against the wall. Demands are placed on you in every area of your life. You are tempted to do things that would not be pleasing to God.
Truth:
And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it. - 1 Corinthians 10:13

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

Trouble...Transformation

John 16:33a (NIV)
In this world you will have trouble.

Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV)
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not to your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.

2 Corinthians 3:18
And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate[a] the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.


Power Point

• Trouble trains us to trust God as He transforms us into His image.
• Don't grow weary for in due season you shall reap a harvest. (Galatians 6:9)
• No matter what you see, be confident that God, who began a good work in you, will carry it on to completion. (Philippians 1:6)
• Don't be overwhelmed by your trouble. Let it teach you to fully trust God moment by moment.

Who Are You Walking With?

>Proverbs 13:20
He who walks with wise men will be wise, but the companion of fools will be destroyed.

Power Point
Watch the company you keep.

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

Rely on Him

Psalm 63:7-8
Because thou hast been my help, therefore in the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice.My soul followeth hard after thee: thy right hand upholdeth me.

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

How many times in our lives have we said, "I just can't deal with this."?

Or we have said, "This is just too much for me to deal with."

God allows us to be in "I CAN'T TAKE IT!" situations for a purpose.

The purpose is to remind us that we are to rely on Him alone.

The difficulties that we face in life highlight our weaknesses.

God's strength is made perfect in our weakness. (2 Corinthians 12:9)

When in a pressing situation, just go ahead and give it to God, remember you can't take it!

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

Go FOWARD!

Ephesians 6:13
Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

Power Points

In Ephesians Paul encourages us to put on the whole armor of God in order to withstand evil.

If you notice there is no armor listed that covers our back.

Perhaps this is because we should also be moving FORWARD and not backward!

We should not be reliving and rehearsing our past hurts and disappointments.

By living in the past, we cripple our own selves for battle because those thoughts lead us to depression, anger, withdrawal, and bitterness.

We must pressed towards the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus (Philippians 3:14).

Focus on Jesus and trust Him. He will give you perfect peace (Isaiah 26:3).

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

Only Believe

Mark 5:22-23,35-36

Verses 22-23
And, behold, there cometh one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name; and when he saw him, he fell at his feet,and besought him greatly, saying, My little daughter lieth at the point of death: I pray thee, come and lay thy hands on her, that she may be healed; and she shall live.

Verses 35-36
While he yet spake, there came from the ruler of the synagogue's house certain which said, Thy daughter is dead: why troublest thou the Master any further? As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, he saith unto the ruler of the synagogue, Be not afraid, only believe.

Power Points

Jairus made his request to Jesus, asking him to come and heal his daughter.

Jairus spoke that if Jesus laid his hands on her she may be healed and shall live.

However before they got back to Jarius' house, he got a bad report.

Sometimes, even while we are walking with Jesus and waiting on him to do what we have asked of him, we will get a bad report.

Jesus responded and told Jairus not to be afraid, only believe.

God has not given us the spirit of fear.

We can not allow our situations and circumstances cause fear and ultimately doubt to form in our hearts and minds.

At all costs we must BELIEVE!!!

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

Believe Enough to Speak It in Advance

Mark 5:25-29,34
And a certain woman, which had an issue of blood twelve years,and had suffered many things of many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse,when she had heard of Jesus, came in the press behind, and touched his garment. For she said, If I may touch but his clothes, I shall be whole. And straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of that plague.
Verse 34
And he said unto her, Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague.

Power Points

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. (Hebrews 11:1)

We must have enough faith and belief in God, His word, and His promises to speak things into existence before we ever feel or see it.

The woman with the issue of blood spoke her healing before she felt it.

Jesus went on to tell her that it was her FAITH that made her whole.

Trust God enough to speak even though you don't see it.

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