Marriage Grow Stronger Together Forever

 Our country was built on strong families...Christian families. A lot of younger people believe marriage is an outdated institution. Because marriage is so powerful, it is going to be attacked. 

Divorce law firm in California looked at 115 studies and found...

- America ranks 3rd in the world in crude divorce rate. Divorce per capita. Russia, Belarus rank higher and we are tied with Gibraltar.

- Divorce rates have gone down in the last 10-20 years, BUT...

-50% of all marriages end in divorce, 41% of 1st marriages (although 1 suggests 67% over 40 years), 60% of 2nd marriages, 73% of 3rd marriages.

-Average 1st marriage is 8 years

Spiritual status affect marriage. Evangelical and Catholics have a much lower divorce rate. Non Christian faiths have a much higher divorce rate. Social and political conservatives have a lower divorce rate than liberals.

So many of these stats just back up what God told us to do. Alcohol abuse, drug use, promiscuity before marriage, cohabitation before marriage, infidelity all raise chances of divorce. This causes negative effects on kids, adults and societies.

The greatest ministry is the ministry at home and it starts with your spouse.

Ephesians 5:29 (ESV) "For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church."

Marriage paints a picture of Christ's love for the church. Husbands are encouraged to love their wife, but we all would be blessed  and encouraged and bettered by marriage. Husbands and wives become "one flesh" Genesis 2:24 (ESV) "Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh." Nourish and cherish and build one another up.

How can you grow your marriage

I Grow in Faith   

    1 Thessalonians 1:3 (ESV) "remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ."

John 13:34-35 (ESV) "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another."

The closer you both grow closer with God. The more that you love God the more that you one another. But since the fall it's a struggle...we fight, we struggle, we quarrel. What causes this?

James 4:1-3 (ESV) "What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions."

II Repent

In Proverbs it warns us that women can be quarrelsome, can make home miserable and men can be harsh, straying. Ephesians is more positive and tells us that wives should submit and respect their husbands and husbands should love and lead their wives. There are areas where we fall short that we must repent of. It might be a big something or it might be a small something.

2 Chronicles 7:14 (ESV) " if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land."

A lot of little things can tear down a home.

III Forgive 

It is easier said than done. Our failure to forgive one another can damage a marriage. No one wants to forgive, but want to be forgiven. Unforgiveness can lead to bitterness.

Ephesians 4:32 (ESV) "Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you."

Colossians 3:13 (ESV) " bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive."

We must forgive...and when we do STOP bringing it up.

1 Corinthians 13:5 (NIV) "It does not boast, it is not proud."

IV Communicate 

In order to do the last 2 we must communicate. Listen and care, show respect for one another. It can be hard, but it has to be done. Talk to one another and LISTEN

James 1:19 (ESV) "Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger."

V Learn Contentment

If you are pursuing stuff or money more than God and spouse-you are doing it wrong. You we need some money, but we should be content with what you have. If you think about it some of our happiest moments are when you didn't have anything but each 

Your Homework

1. Do Something this week that will touch your spouses heart. (5 love languages)

2. Make a list of expectations for each other.

3. Pray together and for each other.

4. Get the tech out of your bedroom

5. Have some fun (walk, ride, eat out, go fishing...) Do something fun together.

What would our future look like in OBC, our community and nation if spouses really loved each other?

Family Series: Genesis 2:18-24

 Gen. 2:18-24 (ESV) "Then the L0RD God said, 'It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him,' Now out of the ground the LORD God had formed every beast of the field and every bird of the heavens and brought them to  the man to see what he would call them. And whatever the man called every living creature, that was its name. The man gave names to all livestock and to the birds of the heavens and to every beast of the field. But for Adam there was not found a helper fit for him. So the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and while he slept took one of his ribs and closed up its place with flesh. And the rib that the LORD God had taken from the man he made into a woman and brought her to the man. Then the man said, This at last is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.' Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh."

I We are created needy beings

For 6 days everything was good. Then God said that it was not good for man to be alone. Man was incomplete w/o a helper...a woman. This was before the fall. Some of our needs can only be met by another person.

II Some of our needs can only be met by people.

It is said that we have a "God shaped" hole in our heart that can only be filled by God. It can also me said that we have a "human sized" hole in our heart that can only be filled by a person. In the New Testament we find multiple "One Another's" mentioned. Love one another, greet one another, encourage one another, edify one another, bear with one another, serve one another, admonish one another, confess (your sins) to one another, forgive one another, pray for one another, be devoted to one another, honor one another (above yourself), prefer one another, live in harmony with one another, stop judging one another, accept one another, be kind to one another, be compassionate with one another.

Romans 13:8 (ESV) "Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law."

We have the need for reconciliation with God ("God shaped" hole) and also a need for relationships with others ("human shaped" hole).

This does not mean that you are incomplete if you do not marry. Even single people need people, need relationships. (Jesus/Paul)

This morning we will be focusing on the marriage relationship, but it parallels and applies with/to all human relationships. (parent/child, friends, neighbors, associates) We are also focusing on emotional and relational needs.  

Relational and Emotional Needs

Companionship-friendship; not alone

Partnership-working together; a team of two

Affection-to be loved and shown that love

Acceptance-to be loved...just as I am

Appreciation-recognition of my efforts

Affirmation-(approval) a favorable opinion of me

Attention-taking note (notice) of my presence and opinions

Encouragement-to instill confidence, to motivate onward

Comfort-to ease pain, grief, distress

Respect-to honor; hold in high esteem, look up to

Support-help when needed; to bolster up

Security-freedom form fear of danger, harm; to be guarded, cared for

All this adds up to...

Significance-a sense of being important, valuable, lovable; knowing you matter

Peace-a sense of well-being; emotionally at ease; satisfied with the relationship

Love-agape, the way God loves

If  your physical needs are being met, but your emotional needs it can be detrimental. It is important to have our emotional and relational needs met. We have a need to feel significant. We don't need it to survive, but need it to thrive.

III If you are married (or plan to be married) you are to be your spouse's NEED MEETER 

You are their PRIMARY need meter. Needs can be met by other people, but the spouse is primary. (family, friends, associates)

IV The focus of scripture is NOT getting your needs met...but rather meeting the needs of others

Phil. 2:3-9 (ESV) "Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name,"

Eph. 4:29 (NIV) "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen."

Romans 14:19 (NIV) "Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification."

If you meet the needs of others, but don't get your needs met you will starve. But scripture focuses on being a need meeter not a need getter. What is best is if both parties pursue this goal.

V Your needs wont always be the same as your partner's needs

Sometimes you give your partner what you are needing and not what they need. Sometimes there are gender differences...Butterflies and Buffalos . We sometimes give what we need. We have to take into consideration what your spouse needs. The point is to discover what your spouses' needs are and not just assume they are the same as yours.

VI Your partner's needs will change from time to time

We have to keep learning each other's needs due to changes in circumstances and daily events, aging. You can never stop learning/discovering.

VII Your partner will always have needs

Solutions

1.Communication - you have to talk (meaningful talk!), you have to listen (an attempt at understanding). When some one says they are fine.... F-freaked out, I-insecure, N-neurotic, E-emotional

Sometimes you will need to communicate your needs.

2. Establish "Good Will" You have to express that you want to make it work. Communicate love, desire, intentions...both verbally and actively

3.Commitment and Re-Commitment We easily become self satisfied, at ease  and comfortable in our relationships. We assume all is well. We need to be intentional. 

4. EFFORT It is not always easy

5. Continuity always be willing to get back on board. Don't quit!

Observations

1.You will never be a perfect need meeter because you are a sinner and fall short, but that doesn't mean you should not try, to keep pursuing, growing and improving.

2. Your spouse will never be a perfect need meeter There is a need for apology, forgiveness and moving forward

Eph. 5:25-29 (ESV) "Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present, the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hated his own flesh, nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church,"

Christ sacrificed himself for the church to IMPROVE the church. To sacrifice is to build up.

Ladies your husband is always going to be a clod! Not all the time or everyday, but a male human. But why settle for a simple clod when you have the power to develop him into an IMPROVED CLOD!

Men you are never going to have a perfect wife. But why settle for a plain Jane when you have the power to develop her into a MARVELOUS MARY!

It is within your power (as a couple) to spiral up or spiral down. It is a partnership it takes 2. But somebody has to start...and that somebody as you!  

The touchstone verse for the Marriage and Family series is

Proverbs 14:1 (NIV) "The wise woman builds her house, but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down."

The Shunamite Woman: A Good Mom

 Mother's Day is a special day...No one would be here without a mom! But today can also be a difficult day for some due to loss or not having a great mom. For others it is bittersweet. It is appropriate, good and biblical to honor mother's.

Mother's play a crucial role in the family...in their children's lives. On average mother's spend 2+ more hours with their children than do their fathers...including 78-80% working moms. Moms help with schoolwork, consoling, giving advice, teaching and shaping their children. More so than in the past moms are involved more with discipline. This is sad but true.

Proverbs 13:24 (ESV) "Whoever spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is diligent to discipline him."

Statistically women are becoming moms later in life. They are also having fewer children and statistically less enjoyable. I believe that is changing.

No one shapes a child like a mother. Paul credited Timothy's mother and grandmother with his upbringing.

Titus 2:4-5 (ESV) "and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled." A good mom's calling is to her children and family.

It should be a mom's goal to display the qualities of a good wife/mother to their sons to marry a woman like her, and for their daughters the type of wife/mother they should be.

Not all moms are good. They are imperfect, sinners some good and some bad.

An example of a godly mom in the OT might be the Shunamite Woman

I. What makes a good mom?

2 Kings 4:8-13 (ESV) "One day Elisha went on to Shunem, where a wealthy woman lived, who urged him to eat some food. So whenever he passed that way, he would turn in there to eat food. And she said to her husband, 'Behold now, I know that this is a holy man of God who is continually passing our way. Let us make a small room on the roof with walls and put there for him a bed, a table, a chair, and a lamp, so that whenever he comes to us he can go in there.' One day he came there, and he turned into the chamber and rested there. And he said to Gehazi his servant, 'Call this Shunammite.' When he had called her, she stood before him. And he said to him, 'Say now to her, 'See, you have taken all this trouble for us; what is to be done for you? Would you have a word spoken on your behalf to the king or to the commander of the army?' She answered, 'I dwell among my own people.'"

    A. She cares about the things of God by aiding Elisha she was aiding in the work of God. Her heart was aligned with God. She went out of her way with nothing expected in return. You cannot love your children until you have experienced the love of God. Not until you have the Holy Spirit in you and receive that fruit of the spirit love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness can you show the same to your children. If  you have never trusted Christ as your Lord and Savior doing so would be the greatest gift that you could give your family...to be right with God.

    B. Pray for her children Your mother prayed for you! In 1 Samuel 1 Hannah cried out to God for a child. She was praying in the Temple, weeping and silently mouthing her prayer and Eli thought she was drunk.

    C. Teaching her children

 2 Timothy 1:5, 3:14-15 (ESV) "I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure dwells in you as well." "But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the scared writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus." Timothy grew up from a little boy being taught the scriptures by his mom and grandmother.

Proverbs 22:6 (ESV) "Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it."

    D. A godly mother cares for her children physically as well as spiritual.

2 Kings 4: 14-20 (ESV) "And he said, 'What then is to be done for her?' Gehazi answered, 'Well, she has no son, and her husband is old.' He said, 'Call her.' And when he called her, she stood in the doorway. And he said, 'At this season, about this time next year, you shall embrace a son.' And she said, 'No, my lord, O man of God; do not lie to your servant.' But the woman conceived, and she bore a son about that time the following spring, as Elisha had said to her. When the child had grown, he went out one day to his father among the reapers. And he said to his father, 'Oh, my head, my head!' The father said to his servant, 'Carry him to his mother.' And when he had lifted him and brought him to his mother, the child sat on her lap till noon, and then he died."

The Shunamite woman cared for and nurtured her son. A godly mom, cares through the hurt, comforts, holds, applies band aids, is there for breakups, sickness and even death. It is the ministry of mamas.

    E. She is hard working

2 Kings 4:21-30 (ESV) "And she went up and laid him on the bed of the man of God and shut the door behind him and went out. Then she called to her husband and said, 'Send me one of the servants and one of the donkeys, that I may quickly go to the man of God and come back again.' And he said, 'Why will you go to him today? It is neither new moon nor Sabbath.' She said,  'All is well,' Then she saddled the donkey, and she said to her servant, 'Urge the animal on; do not slacken the pace for me unless I tell you.' So she set out and came to the man of God at Mount Carmel. When the man of God saw her coming, he said to Gehazi his servant, 'Look, there is the Shunammite. Run at once to meet her and say to her, 'Is all well with your husband? Is all well with the child.?' And she answered, 'All is well.' And when she came to the mountain to the man of God, she caught hold of his feet. And Gehazi came to push her away. But the man of God said, 'Leave her alone, for she is in bitter distress, and the Lord has hidden it from me and has not told me.' Then she said, 'Did I ask my lord for a son? Did I not say, 'Do not deceive me?' He said to Gehazi, 'Tie up your garment and take my staff in your hand and go. If you meet anyone, do not greet him, and if anyone greets you do not reply. And lay my staff on the face of the child.' Then the mother of the child said, 'As the LORD lives and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.' So he arose and followed her."

The Shunammite woman is willing to go to the ends of the earth for her child. Mothers don't give up on the wayward or rebellious child. She does not quit. She sacrifices for her family. She cares for her family. She did not complain. A good mother will do what she can for her children.

    F. A godly mom is grateful

2 Kings 4:31-37 (ESV) "Gehazi went on ahead and laid the staff on the face of the child, but there was no sound or sign of life. Therefore he returned to meet him and told him, 'The child has not awakened.' When Elisha came into the house, he saw the child lying dead on his bed. So he went in and shut the door behind the two of them and prayed to the LORD. Then he went up and lay on the child, putting his mouth on his mouth, his eyes on his eyes, and his hands on his hands. And as he stretched himself upon him, the flesh of the child became warm. Then he got up again and walked once back and forth in the house, and went up and stretched himself upon him. The child sneezed seven times, and the child opened his eyes. Then he summoned Gehazi and said, 'Call this Shunammite.' So he called her. And when she came to him, he said, 'Pick up your son.' She came and fell at his feet, bowing to the ground. Then she picked up her son and went out."

The Shunammite woman was grateful for what God had done in her life.

1 Thes. 5:18 (ESV) "give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of  God in Christ Jesus for you."

Col. 3:15 (ESV) And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body."

II How to honor your mother?

Exodus 20:12 (ESV) "Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the LORD your God is giving you." This is the 5th commandment and the 1st commandment with a promise.

    A. Give her grace. Mom wont be perfect.

Matt.7:2 (ESV) "For with the judgement you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you."

Ephesians 4:32 (ESV) "Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you."

    B. Praise her/Appreciate her

Everyone appreciates a pat on the back. Moms shouldn't have to ask to be appreciated/praised.

Proverbs 31:28-31 (ESV) "Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: 'Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all.' Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates."

Eat the food she prepares for you, pick up after yourself, listen to her , care for her.

    C. Obey her

Ephesians 6:1-3 (ESV) "Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right, 'Honor your father and mother' (this is the first commandment with a promise), that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.'"

    D. Pray for her

    E. Time and Attention

A phone call, lunch dinner, a visit

    F. Don't badmouth her

    G. Don't be a doofus

Proverbs 10:1 (ESV) "The proverbs of Solomon. A wise son makes a glad father, but a foolish son is a sorrow to his mother."

Don't do the things that will break her heart. Honor your mother by honoring God.

Tis So Sweet To Trust In Jesus

 Last week we talked about the difference between belief and trust. We need to do an evaluation of our life to see where we need to trust Jesus more. When things are good we forget to trust in Jesus but when things get bad we tend to question God . Asking where He is, why is He not helping. Are we trusting Him in all areas of our lives.

I. Why should we trust Jesus?

Father vs Jesus... they are on the same team.... God is one... Father is God...Jesus is God...Holy Spirit is God . They are one.

    1. He has walked in our shoes. Hebrews 4:14-16 (ESV) "Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need." He was despised, rejected, ridiculed, mocked, abandoned, he experienced loss, tortured, he died. Everything you could go through, he went through. Jesus knows what we are going through. No one can understand like Jesus.

    2. He kept His word.  Jesus predicted the destruction of the temple. He told of the coming Holy Spirit. He told about the resurrection. John 2:18-22 (ESV) "So the Jews said to him, 'What sign do you show us for doing these things?' Jesus answered them, 'Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up.' The Jews then said, 'It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and will you raise it up in three days?' But he was speaking about the temple of his body. When therefore he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this, and they believed the Scripture and the word that Jesus had spoken." Matt. 27:62-64 (ESV) "The next day, that is, after the day of Preparation, the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered before Pilate and said, 'Sir, we remember how that imposter said while he was still alive, 'After three days I will rise.' Therefore order the tomb to be made secure until the third day, lest his disciples go and steal him away and tell the people, 'He has risen from the dead,' and the last fraud will be worse than the first."  Jesus had/has credibility, a track record, he never lied. Jesus is a TRUTH teller.

    3. He proved His love Romans 5:8 (ESV) "-but God show his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us."  John 15:13 (ESV) "Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends." He proved His love for us when he taught us to love one another. He calls us friends.

    4. He really cares.  He is not a Deist God, He is actively involved in our lives. Luke 12:6-7 (ESV) "Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And not one of them is forgotten before God. Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows."  1 Peter 5:7 (ESV) "casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you."

II How do we trust Jesus 

Belief can be easily changed or altered, but trust involves aligning actions with the belief, creating a more consistent and reliable relationship. 

James 2:19 (ESV) "You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe-and shudder!"

"Oh for grace to trust him more."

       1.Trust Jesus for Salvation 

Acts 4:11-12 (ESV) "This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved."

Jesus to be at the center of what you believe. If you have never trusted in Jesus it is not too late...it is NEVER too late for you...the thief on the cross, Samson, David, Sarah

    2. Follow through in baptism

Acts 2:41 (ESV) "So those who received his word were baptized,  and there were added that day about three thousand souls."

    3. Obey in sharing the word

Romans 10:13-15 (ESV) "For 'everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.' How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, 'How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!'"

Evangelism is hard. You may not be a natural born evangelist, but all are called to share the word. We don't know in the moment what God will do, how He will you use you and you will be blessed.

    4. Submit to the call 

God has a plan to use you. We are to follow through with His call. Listen for God.

    5. Pray, Read, Believe, Do

John 14:15 (ESV) "If you love me, you will keep my commandments."

John 14:21 (ESV) "Whoever has my commandments and keeps them he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him."

Romans 12:2 (ESV) "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect."

III. Why Trust in Jesus?  

    1. Eternal Life Eventually something is going to get us. No one is getting out of here alive. There is something greater that awaits us.

2 Cor.5:6-8 (ESV) "So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, for we walk by faith, not by sight. Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord."

Phil. 1:23 (ESV) "I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better."

    2. Abundant Life

John 10:10 (ESV) "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly."

John 11:26 (ESV) "and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?"

    3. Rest 

Matt. 11:28 (ESV) "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."

    4. Direction 

Proverbs 3:5-6 "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths."

    5. All good fruit 

Gal. 5:22-23 (ESV) "But  the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law."

IV What about when disaster strikes This is a sin sick world. But God is not far away. We can trust God . Sometimes God uses our circumstances to discipline us...Jonah, the Babylonians. Sometimes God our circumstances to test us...Abraham. Sometimes God uses our circumstances to teach us. Sometimes God uses our circumstances to put us in a different place.... Joseph and his brothers. But make no mistake in all of it God loves his people.

Romans 8:18 (ESV) "For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us."

Romans 8:28 (ESV) "And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose."

Romans 8:35 (ESV) "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?"

Romans 8:37-39 (ESV) "No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord." 

No matter what you are going through is going to compare to what we will experience when we are with Him.

This is not a far off God. This Jesus is worth trusting.

Isaiah 41:10 (ESV) "fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."

The song "Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus" was written out of tragedy. The writers husband was killed in a accident where he was trying to save a child from drowning in the ocean. She went on to become a missionary.