This Isn’t Fair – Day 4

Today’s reading – Matthew 5:10-11, 2 Corinthians 4:7-11

Transformation Circumstance  – I didn’t do anything wrong

Today we look at the third circumstance of transformation almost all of us experience.  Probably the most confused I have ever been about my relationship with Jesus is when I feel like something isn’t fair. You keep the rules, you are following him with great passion and then BAM, something hard happens.  Maybe you feel like you deserve more, maybe you feel forgotten and passed over, it’s the worst.  Sometimes we are taken through experiences when it feels like God isn’t there, or even that He cares.  When things aren’t fair it causes us to ask, “where are you God?”

“But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.  We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed, perplexed but not driven to despair, persecuted but not forsaken.”  2 Corinthians 4:8-9

 

When the hardest times come in life we can feel forgotten by God.  The word for forsaken in the passage literally means deserted and abandoned.  But here is the truth,  just because our circumstances leave us feeling a certain way it doesn’t mean God isn’t there.  The enemy may have you believing an illusion of isolation.  Our perception can lead to paralysis, but it just isn’t true.

 

When Jesus went to the cross and was enduring the most excruciating experience known to man at the time, he uttered the words, “My God, my God why have you forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:46) Could it be the reason that Jesus was willing to be absolutely forsaken by God, humiliated, left alone, left for dead with certain death, lonely, enduring one hundred percent despair, was so we would know he would NEVER, EVER do that to us?  Jesus paid the ultimate sacrifice for sin, and He was separated from God so we wouldn’t have to be!  Maybe you have always only thought of God as one who forgives sin through Jesus.  This is true, but have you ever truly contemplated and meditated on the nature of separation that Jesus endured so we never would have to?

 

Son or daughter of the living God, I know you are facing the most excruciating situation you ever have, but the truth above means HE WILL NEVER ABANDON YOU.  Believe this…

 

1. Your Isolation is an Illusion – The enemy will do anything and everything he can to get you to believe the lie that the Spirit isn’t with you. Jesus will never leave you and nothing can separate you from Him.  (Hebrews 13:5, Romans 8:38-39)

 

2. Your Loneliness is overshadowed by Love – Whenever you sense being isolated and alone remember the love poured out on the cross that overshadows your perceived loneliness.  (Psalm 91:1, Titus 3:5-6)

 

3. Your Struggle is for a Season –  Whatever you are facing, it will pass.  I’m not trying to minimize your struggle, but give it time, dive into his refining process.  He is protecting you, pruning you, and proving you…the morning is coming.  (Psalm 30:1-5)

 

“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”  
Matthew 5:10

Josh

The 40 Day Fasting Explanation

A season of fasting and prayer – Over the next 40 days leading up to our 9th anniversary, our church family will be in a season of fasting and prayer.  I invite you to come along with us and ask God for a transformation by the renewal of our minds.

A 40 Day Prayer and Fasting Guide for 217church

1. An Everyday Habit in the Word – Each day I will be sending out a short devotional based on some selected readings.  This begins through a simple prayer of asking God to renew us.

2. Continual Fasting  – A 40 Day Prayer and Fasting Guide for 217church

God has blessed us through incredibly unique circumstances over the last nine years as 217church.  We have baptized over 275 people and been given the unique calling to have a church planting and multiplication vision.  The past 18 months of ministry have led the pastors and elders to call us as a congregation to a season of prayer and fasting.  We want to use this time to understand the depth of God’s heart for us and the next steps he is calling us to.  I trust your heart will be open and God will bring us to a deeper understanding of what it means to “rebuild lives one person at a time.”

We believe God wants us to fast over a period of 40 days.  As a reminder, what you choose to fast is between you and Jesus. But you may want to include some natural encouragement and accountability over this 40 day period.  This may mean you are doing one of the following as an example:

  • Skipping a meal or a whole day of meals.
  • Eliminating something like sugar, coffee, or meat to remind you of your total dependence on God.
  • Encouraging one another in the church family as you pray together and sacrifice your physical sustenance for spiritual direction and focus.

What will God do? I am looking forward to see his direction.

Renewal is on the way – Join me along this process

 

Josh Conn is the founding pastor of 217church, a contemporary church in Mercer County NJ.  217church meets Sundays at 9:30am & 11:00am at Sharon Elementary school in Robbinsville, NJ.  Visit www.217church.com for more information, or watch a weekend message here.

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Categories: 2019, 217church, Fasting, Prayer

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