[Faith-talk] {Disarmed} Fwd: God Gave Us His Promises For One Reason...

[Amy Ragain]

minus the fact that he's asking for money in this letter, he's got some very good things to say...



Begin forwarded message:

> From: "James MacDonald" <webmaster at walkintheword.com>
> Date: January 28, 2011 1:24:00 PM CST
> To: "Amy" <loveroftheking at hotmail.com>
> Subject: God Gave Us His Promises For One Reason...
> Reply-To: "James MacDonald" <webmaster at walkintheword.com>
> 
> If you are unable to see this email, please click here.
>              
> Dear Amy:
> 
> Why are we always so shocked when bad stuff happens to us?
> 
> Somehow we cling to the false notion that the Christian life is supposed to be some kind of glorified cakewalk. We assume that following God in obedience results in a life where God serves as a personal body guard . . . helping us dodge bullets, evade the bad guys, and circumvent suffering of any kind.
> 
> But here's the truth. Jesus said, "In the world you will have tribulation" (John 16:33b ESV).
> 
> Oh, great. Now there's a warm fuzzy for you. Tribulation? Even the word itself sounds nasty. But it's right there in my Bible, and yours, too. Tribulation. Jesus said to expect it. In this world, from time to time. . . in some form or fashion, it's coming our way.
> 
> In case you don't think this verse applies to you, let me give you a few synonyms that'll put Jesus' words into the Yep, that's me right now, category.
> 
> Tribulation is an industrial strength word for suffering. It includes things like misfortune, trials, pain, ordeals, distress, difficulties, troubles, problems, hardship, affliction, agony, misery, anguish, and travail. Oh man, these are depressing thoughts.
> 
> You're getting the point. All of us are destined for lives that will include tribulation. It's not a cheery concept . . . but it's reality. And the sooner we realize it, the better we'll respond when those inevitable times of hardship come.
> 
> If you read my letter to you last month, you know that my wife, Kathy, and I encountered tribulation at a whole new level. For a full year, we found ourselves basking in a hot cauldron of adversity. We didn't see it coming. With no relief in sight, there were days when we didn't know if we'd make it. Some weeks I wasn't sure if I could stand up before our church family and preach another message.
> 
> But praise God, the Scriptures remain unchanging when everything else seems about to crumble. Leaning hard on the Lord, I delivered a series of messages called, "Always True: God's 5 Promises When Life is Hard." Our church family dug into five key categories of assurance that God gives us again and again.
> 
> God Is Always With Me — I Will Not Fear
> God Is Always in Control — I Will Not Doubt
> God Is Always Good — I Will Not Despair
> God Is Always Watching — I Will Not Falter
> God Is Always Victorious — I Will Not Fail
> How ironic that I was the man gasping and going under for the third time. And even in that condition, God steered me to these precious promises. They became the lifeline that pulled me to safety.
> 
> Well, enough about my personal despair. Let's talk about you. As you read my letter, do you find the projector of your mind rolling back ugly memories from the last twelve months? Are you caught in the vortex of a whirlpool that's about to suck you under for good? Maybe you're reeling from a broken relationship. Has someone violated your trust? It's possible you're recovering from bad news from the doctor.
> 
> Whether your trials are big or small, public or private, you can grab the lifeline and be rescued, too. Think of these five promises as an all-access backstage pass to Scripture's greatest treasure. These promises will give you strength in stormy waters and they can keep you from going under. When nothing else makes sense, these five promises will be the virtual rock you can stand on while you wait for the better days that are coming. And, yes, better days are coming.
> 
> After preaching these messages, I wrote a book to help you the way I have been helped. It's also titled, Always True: God's 5 Promises When Life is Hard. This is a brand new book and I want to send you a copy. I believe that it will encourage you and give you the hope and faith you need to weather any storm.
> 
> Let me insert a parenthetical thought about our radio ministry. As we begin 2011, we've never felt such optimism about making an impact for the Kingdom. Listeners are responding at record levels with both their heartfelt needs . . . and their generous support. We just hosted a weekend at our headquarters near Chicago with several hundred of our Change Partners. It was a true shot in the arm for our entire staff as we interacted with our loyal and supportive friends.
> 
> But we need you to join us in this campaign to ignite passion in the people of God through the proclamation of truth, too. Your contribution to Walk in the Word will mean so much as we continue, day by day, to deliver the truth of God's Word to a drowning world desperately in need of a lifeline. Please be generous as you prayerfully respond to the need.
> 
> In closing, let me affirm the fact that in an unpredictable world of uncertainty and tribulation, only God can be trusted. All the time. Only God is always true. No one but God, and nothing other than His Word, delivers a non-negotiable, unconditional always.
> 
> I started this letter by quoting the words of Jesus. If you're a student of the Bible, you know I left out the most important part of that discussion between Jesus and His disciples. He said, "I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world" (John 16:33 ESV).
> 
> No matter what you're facing today, don't be shocked about your plight. God isn't surprised. You shouldn't be either. The better reaction is to acknowledge the conflict . . . and go immediately to God's never-changing promises.
> 
> You can be sure that these promises are true for you right now. Take hold of them, cherish them, believe them, and wait for God to make them reality. I have taken, tested, and proven the promises of God, and you can, too. He is always true.
> 
> In Christ who overcame the world,
> 
> 
> 
> James MacDonald
> 
> P.S. Be sure to click and request my newest book Always True. I will send it to you for a gift of any amount in support of Walk in the Word. When you give a donation, be sure to fill out the enclosed card. Get your copy today. Read it. And share it with someone who needs a lifeline, too. Thank you for all you do to make this ministry possible.
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