Smile: God Makes Me Smile: Nahum 1:7

 

The Lord is good, a stronghold in a day of distress; he cares for those who take refuge in him.
Nahum 1:7 (CSB)

1. God is Really Good

The Lord is good, a stronghold in a day of distress; he cares for those who take refuge in him.
Nahum 1:7 (CSB)

I would have despaired had I not believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord.
Psalm 27:13 (AMP)

Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart be courageous. Wait for the Lord.
Psalm 27:14 (CSB)

2. God is Really Strong

The Lord is good, a stronghold in a day of distress; he cares for those who take refuge in him.
Nahum 1:7 (CSB)

He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; grief, crying, and pain will be no more, because the previous things have passed away.
Revelation 21:4 (CSB)

The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are protected.
Proverbs 18:10 (CSB)

3. God is Really Compassionate

The Lord is good, a stronghold in a day of distress; he cares for those who take refuge in him.
Nahum 1:7 (CSB)

The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul.
Psalm 23:1-3 (NIV)

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
Psalms 23:5 (NIV)

Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me.  Your rod and your staff will protect and comfort me.
Psalm 23:4 (NLT)

The Lord is good, a stronghold in a day of distress; he cares for those who take refuge in him.
Nahum 1:7 (CSB)

source https://edgechurchcolorado.com/smile-god-makes-me-smile-nahum-17/

Doubters Welcome: Rescued From Doubt: Matthew 14:23-33

 

After dismissing the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. Well into the night, he was there alone. 24 Meanwhile, the boat was already some distance from land, battered by the waves, because the wind was against them. 25 Jesus came toward them walking on the sea very early in the morning.
Matthew 14:23-25 (CSB)

1. Take A Step of Faith

When the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost!” they said, and they cried out in fear.27 Immediately Jesus spoke to them. “Have courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”28 “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter answered him, “command me to come to you on the water.” 29 He said, “Come.”
Matthew 14:26-29 (CSB)

Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.
Matthew 7:7-8 (NIV)

2. Keep Your Focus

…And climbing out of the boat, Peter started walking on the water and came toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the strength of the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink…
Matthew 14:29-30 (CSB)

When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.”  5 Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything.
Luke 5:4-5 (NIV)

When she saw Peter warming himself, she looked closely at him. “You also were with that Nazarene, Jesus,” she said. 68 But he denied it. “I don’t know or understand what you’re talking about,” he said, and went out into the entryway.
Mark 14:67-68 (NIV)

3. Ask For Help

But when he saw the strength of the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me!”
Matthew 14:30 (CSB)

4. Receive His Grace

Immediately Jesus reached out his hand, caught hold of him, and said to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?”32 When they got into the boat, the wind ceased. 33 Then those in the boat worshiped him and said, “Truly you are the Son of God.”
Matthew 14:31-33 (CSB)

source https://edgechurchcolorado.com/doubters-welcome-rescued-from-doubt-matthew-1423-33/

Doubters Welcome: Don’t Doubt God Out: Matthew 11:1-15

 

1) Clarify Your Christ

When John heard in prison what Christ was doing, he sent his disciples to ask him, “Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else?”
Matthew 11:2-3 (NIV)

Jesus replied, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see:  The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor.  Blessed is the man who does not fall away on account of me.”
Matthew 11:4-6 (NIV)

2) Discover What Scripture Says

Jesus replied, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see:  The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor.  Blessed is the man who does not fall away on account of me.”
Matthew 11:4-6 (NIV)

Yet faith comes from listening to this message of good news—the Good News about Christ.
Romans 10:17 (NLT)

3) Don’t Let Circumstances Distract

John the Baptist, who was now in prison, heard about all the things the Messiah was doing. So he sent his disciples to ask Jesus, to ask him, “Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else?”
Matthew 11:2-3 (NIV)

4) Remember Jesus Is Patient

I tell you the truth: Among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. 12 From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing, and forceful men lay hold of it. 13 For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John. 14 And if you are willing to accept it, he is the Elijah who was to come. 15 He who has ears, let him hear.
Matthew 11:7-15 (NIV)

“‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for him who believes.” Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”
Mark 9:23-24 (NIV)

source https://edgechurchcolorado.com/doubters-welcome-dont-doubt-god-out-matthew-111-15/

Doubters Welcome: Unbelievable: Luke 24:36-53

 

 

1) PEOPLE HAVE QUESTIONS

They went in but did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 While they were perplexed about this, suddenly two men stood by them in dazzling clothes. 5 So the women were terrified and bowed down to the ground.
Luke 24:3-5 (CSB)

But these words seemed like nonsense to them, and they did not believe the women.
Luke 24:11 (CSB)

The disciples thought he was a ghost But they were startled and terrified and thought they were seeing a ghost.
Luke 24:37 (CSB)

2) JESUS HAS ANSWERS

HE SPEAKS TO OUR FEELINGS

As they were saying these things, he himself stood in their midst. He said to them, “Peace to you!” 37 But they were startled and terrified and thought they were seeing a ghost.
Luke 24:36-37 (CSB)

Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Don’t let your heart be troubled or fearful.
John 14:27 (CSB)

HE SPEAKS TO OUR SENSES

“Why are you troubled?” he asked them. “And why do doubts arise in your hearts? 39 Look at my hands and my feet, that it is I myself! Touch me and see, because a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you can see I have.” 40 Having said this, he showed them his hands and feet. 41 But while they still were amazed and in disbelief because of their joy, he asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” 42 So they gave him a piece of a broiled fish…
Luke 24:38-42 (CSB)

HE SPEAKS TO OUR MIND

He told them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you—that everything written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” 45 Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures. 46 He also said to them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead the third day, 47 and repentance for forgiveness of sins will be proclaimed in his name to all the nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
Luke 24:44-46 (CSB)

3) JESUS’ ANSWERS EVOKE RESPONSE

SHARING

You are witnesses of these things. 49 And look, I am sending you what my Father promised. As for you, stay in the city until you are empowered from on high.”
Luke 24:48-49 (CSB)

JOY

After worshiping him, they returned to Jerusalem with great joy.
Luke 24:52 (CSB)

WORSHIP

And they were continually in the temple praising God.
Luke 24:53 (CSB)

source https://edgechurchcolorado.com/doubters-welcome-unbelievable-luke-2436-53/