"God Is Tender" goTandem
We give great honor to those who endure under suffering. For instance, you know about Job, a man of great endurance. You can see how the Lord was kind to him at the end, for the Lord is full of tenderness and mercy.
(James 5:11)
Is this ever hard for you to see?
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"Believe!"
One of the twelve disciples, Thomas (nicknamed the Twin), was not with the others when Jesus came. They told him, "We have seen the Lord!"
But he replied, "I won't believe it unless I see the nail wounds in his hands, put my fingers into them, and place my hand into the wound in his side."
Eight days later the disciples were together again, and this time Thomas was with them. The doors were locked; but suddenly, as before, Jesus was standing among them. "Peace be with you," he said. Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here, and look at my hands. Put your hand into the wound in my side. Don't be faithless any longer. Believe!"
"My Lord and my God!" Thomas exclaimed.
Then Jesus told him, "You believe because you have seen me. Blessed are those who believe without seeing me."
(John 20:24-29)
Why did Thomas doubt? How did Jesus respond to his doubt?
What do you think about the fact that we can't see God? Is there evidence of His work in the lives of people you know that offers some proof of His existence?
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"Peace with God"
Since we have been made right in God's sight by faith, we have peace with God. (Romans 5:1)
What does peace with God feel like? An easy life?
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My Strength My Shield
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Ever feel like you don't measure up? Ever feel like life's assignment is beyond your skill level?
In Psalm 28:1 David readily admits he doesn't have what it takes. If God didn't come to his aid, and quick, he concluded, "I will be like those who go down to the pit"
Real adequacy--the ability to meet each challenge and opportunity of life--must come from the Lord. Listen to how David finishes his prayer in Psalm 28:7: "The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him."
What do you need to trust God for today? That's the real question, isn't it?
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"Crowd of Witnesses"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. (Hebrews 12:1-3)
The people who have gone before us in the life of faith were just like us with struggles and challenges. How does their faithfulness inspire you?
What weighs you down in the race of faith? What frees you?
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"Mine Eyes Have Seen"
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When Jesus was eight days old, Mary and Joseph took Him to be circumcised according to the Law. The Holy Spirit moved Simeon to meet them in the temple courts. And there Simeon took Jesus in his arms and praised God, saying:
"For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you prepared in the sight of all people, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel."
That's Luke 2:31-32.
Have you seen the Lord’s salvation? Have you experienced the peace that Jesus brings? That little baby Simeon held grew up and went to the cross to die for your sins. And it's only through Jesus that we can have peace with God.
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"Value in Waiting"
"Though you have been unable to have children, you will soon become pregnant and give birth to a son." (Judges 13:3)
Waiting can prepare us for God's blessings.
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Click here to listen
When Jesus was eight days old, Mary and Joseph took Him to be circumcised according to the Law. The Holy Spirit moved Simeon to meet them in the temple courts. And there Simeon took Jesus in his arms and praised God, saying:
"For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you prepared in the sight of all people, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel."
That's Luke 2:31-32.
Have you seen the Lord’s salvation? Have you experienced the peace that Jesus brings? That little baby Simeon held grew up and went to the cross to die for your sins. And it's only through Jesus that we can have peace with God.
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"Value in Waiting"
"Though you have been unable to have children, you will soon become pregnant and give birth to a son." (Judges 13:3)
Waiting can prepare us for God's blessings.
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| "All About Comfort"All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. (2 Corinthians 1:3-4) |
What does this verse tell you about God?
When have you felt God's comfort? When have you passed it on to someone?
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"Through Christ"
God chose him as your ransom long before the world began, but he has now revealed him to you in these last days. Through Christ you have come to trust in God. And you have placed your faith and hope in God because he raised Christ from the dead and gave him great glory. (1 Peter 1:20-21)
Why is Jesus referred to as a ransom?
How important is the ransom to someone who's being held captive? What if there was no ransom?
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"Unending Grace"
So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most. (Hebrews 4:16)
Having spoken to hundreds of believers about their walk with Christ, I know that a grace based, performance-driven faith is not uncommon. While grace ushers in your new life in Christ - "For it is by grace you have been saved" (Ephesians 2:8) - it does not stop there. God continues to pour out his grace on you throughout your life. God's grace empowers you to live a life of meaning and impact now. Grace allows you to forgive yourself and forgive others. Grace allows you to develop as a follower of Jesus Christ.
Grace, simply defined, is God's gift of underserved favor. It cannot be purchased or earned. It is free of charge to us with no strings attached. Grace is often partnered with mercy. These two truths are like two sides of the same coin.
Through grace, God gives you what you don't deserve. Through mercy God doesn't give you what you do deserve. Salvation cannot be earned or reached by achievement. It begins with the gifts of God's grace and mercy. And those same gifts continue to characterize God's love for you for the rest of your life.
How are you experiencing God’s grace and mercy today?
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"Darkest Valley"
Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me. (Psalm 23:4)
Why is the psalmist thankful for God's presence?
What are some ways God comforts you in the midst of suffering?
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"Through Christ"
God chose him as your ransom long before the world began, but he has now revealed him to you in these last days. Through Christ you have come to trust in God. And you have placed your faith and hope in God because he raised Christ from the dead and gave him great glory. (1 Peter 1:20-21)
Why is Jesus referred to as a ransom?
How important is the ransom to someone who's being held captive? What if there was no ransom?
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"Unending Grace"
So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most. (Hebrews 4:16)
Having spoken to hundreds of believers about their walk with Christ, I know that a grace based, performance-driven faith is not uncommon. While grace ushers in your new life in Christ - "For it is by grace you have been saved" (Ephesians 2:8) - it does not stop there. God continues to pour out his grace on you throughout your life. God's grace empowers you to live a life of meaning and impact now. Grace allows you to forgive yourself and forgive others. Grace allows you to develop as a follower of Jesus Christ.
Grace, simply defined, is God's gift of underserved favor. It cannot be purchased or earned. It is free of charge to us with no strings attached. Grace is often partnered with mercy. These two truths are like two sides of the same coin.
Through grace, God gives you what you don't deserve. Through mercy God doesn't give you what you do deserve. Salvation cannot be earned or reached by achievement. It begins with the gifts of God's grace and mercy. And those same gifts continue to characterize God's love for you for the rest of your life.
How are you experiencing God’s grace and mercy today?
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"Darkest Valley"
Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me. (Psalm 23:4)
Why is the psalmist thankful for God's presence?
What are some ways God comforts you in the midst of suffering?
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"Your Word Is Truth"
"Make them holy by your truth; teach them your word, which is truth." (John 17:17)
This verse is Jesus speaking to God the Father on our behalf. What does it mean to be made holy by God's truth?
Do you think of yourself as holy?
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"The Victor. The Rock."
My victory comes from [God]. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will never be shaken. (Psalm 62:1-2)
How is God like a rock?
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"More Power"
Jesus...said, "Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But with God everything is possible." (Matthew 19:26)
What do you want God to do? Are you trusting him?
"Your Word Is Truth"
"Make them holy by your truth; teach them your word, which is truth." (John 17:17)
This verse is Jesus speaking to God the Father on our behalf. What does it mean to be made holy by God's truth?
Do you think of yourself as holy?
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"The Victor. The Rock."
My victory comes from [God]. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will never be shaken. (Psalm 62:1-2)
How is God like a rock?
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"More Power"
Jesus...said, "Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But with God everything is possible." (Matthew 19:26)
What do you want God to do? Are you trusting him?
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