by Jerry Bridges / Read all the posts
published to date in this 9-part series on God’s Providence from
Cruciform’s good friend, the late Jerry Bridges. This was a teaching
Jerry was presenting in the months leading up to his fatal heart attack
in March, 2016.
GOD’S PROVIDENCE, PART FOUR OF NINE
So far in this series we have defined God’s providence, distinguished
it from miracles, and offered reasons why it can seem so mysterious.
Now we will take a look at sovereignty as it pertains to our personal
and collective plans. The sovereignty of God means that He is in absolute control of every
event and circumstance in His creation. As the Psalmist put it, “Our God
is in the heavens; he does all that he pleases” (Psalm 115:3).
Whether person, family, tribe, or nation, God alone ultimately
determines whether we will accomplish what we have planned. For a brief
but powerful description of this, see James 4:13-16.
Centuries ago, Augustine said, “Nothing, therefore, happens unless
the Omnipotent wills it to happen; he either permits it to happen, or He
brings it about himself.” This means that nothing in your life
is so small or trivial as to escape the attention of His sovereign
control; and nothing is so great as to be beyond His power to control
it.
In Matthew 10:29-31,
Jesus taught that there is no detail in His creation that is beyond
God’s control. Even the little sparrow cannot fall to the ground apart
from His will. Jesus spoke these words in the context of expecting
persecution. Thus, even when a believer suffers the injustice of
religious persecution, God is still in sovereign control of his or her
life.
Think of the major political and military issues of our day,
including the atrocities committed by the terrorist organization known
as ISIS, and the danger of a nuclear warhead from Iran or North Korea.
Even these are completely under God’s sovereign control.
Nebuchadnezzar was the most powerful monarch in history up to his
time. After being insane for seven years he was finally able to clearly
learn this about the sovereignty of God: “All the inhabitants of the
earth are accounted as nothing, and he does according to his will among
the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can
stay his hand or say to him, what have you done?” (Daniel 4:35)
In 1279, the Mongol empire established by Genghis Khan was the
largest contiguous empire in the history of the world. It included
modern day Mongolia, China, Russia, and much of central Asia and Eastern
Europe. It covered more than 12 million square miles and contained 25
percent of the world’s population. So why is present-day Mongolia less
than 8 percent of its previous size? The empire was the origin point of
the bubonic plague, known as the Black Death. Fleas that traveled on
rats transmitted the disease, eventually killing one-third of the entire
human population. With the Mongol empire already suffering internal
divisions, the chaos created by the plague made political control
impossible, and the empire collapsed. Was God sovereign over the fleas? Yes. The rats? Yes. The plague?
Yes. And the empire? Yes. From the tiniest to the greatest, God’s
sovereignty extends over all.
This has been Part 4 of a 9-part series on God’s providence from Jerry Bridges.
Jerry Bridges (1929-2016) was the author of Who Am I? — Identity in Christ, as well as numerous other books, including The Pursuit of Holiness (which has sold more than 1.4 million copies), and the award-winning The Discipline of Grace and I Will Follow You, O God.
He maintained an international speaking ministry and, from 1955 until
his death, served in a variety of capacities with the Navigators.
Infidelity is a big cause for divorce in the United States. The
causes for infidelity are varied and not just confined to sexual lust,
but certainly lust is the starting point in most cases that later lead
to adulterous sex. This is the great conundrum of life for many
men. Our DNA is pre-loaded with the strong instinct to feel attraction
and desire, yet life and morality demand that we are able to control
those instincts in proper balance. So how do we do that? For the
sake of our marriages, relationships or just spiritual well-being, we
need to be able to find the answer. You are in a battle against sexual
lust. Here is how you win:
1. Consistent prayer. Prayer
is the act of communicating your thoughts, worries, hopes and dreams to
God. Lift up the desires you are feeling and ask for help. God made you
and knows you and can deliver you time and time again. Here are 10 Things to Pray for in Your Marriage.
2. Avoid pornography. Besides
the obvious reason—that avoiding porn will help guard against
lust—there are psychological reasons as well. Porn creates unrealistic
expectations and desensitizes our minds toward our spouses. They can’t
possibly live up to what is viewed, and would we even want them to? This
pushes the focus of your sexual desires outside of the home and can
only lead to paths of destruction. Here are 10 Ways to Fight Pornography.
3. Use social media with caution. The
benefits of the age of social networks are many. The pitfalls are
equally as great. We are reunited with people from our past and
introduced to those who are new. Old sparks can be renewed or new ones
can be lit. For a married man, this can be extremely perilous. Always
remain alert to true intentions when using social media. Here are 10 Marital Principles for Social Media.
4. Consider the consequences. Fear
is a great protector. While pondering the object of your desire, also
ponder the consequences of action. Do you want to wind up in couples
therapy? Could your lust lead to an STD or even an addiction? If you
think of these things while your desires are at their peak, you will
find them quickly receding to normal levels.
5. Question your intent. Most times when our minds
wander sexually, we aren’t really seeking pure sex. We are seeking to
replace something missing in our lives and our relationships. For each
man, these things will be specific to his experiences. Figure out the
root issue and work to correct it.
6. Practice sexual intimacy. Do
you remember falling in love and the feeling that nobody in the world
existed except the person you loved? The reason for that is the high
level of intimacy that was shared while you were getting to know each
other. While there is no reset button to start the marital relationship
over, there are certainly plenty of ways to regain that level of
intimacy. Improving communication, date nights, passionate kissing and
thoughtful gestures are just a few examples. When our minds and hearts
are occupied in the right place, sexual lust has little room to operate.
7. Avoid tempting situations. The
last thing you want to do is find yourself alone with the object of
your lustful desires. If contact with that person is a must, then make
sure it is always in a public space and others are around. Do not paint
yourself into a corner where further action is possible.
8. Choose your friends wisely. When
battling lust, there are plenty of people we can find who will enable
that to grow even more powerful. As men, we all have friends who are
single and living that lifestyle, who are married but cheating, or who
are just drawn to trouble. You can still be their friend, but by all
means avoid joining them in their choices.
9. Keep high standards. To
be a gentleman is a choice—a very good choice, and this world today
needs a great many more. Despite the vast amount of temptations life
throws our way, we should hold ourselves to the highest of moral
standards. Self-discipline in all areas of life leads to positive
results.
10. Harness your passion. In most
cases, overwhelming sexual lust is really just a desire to release the
deep passion inside of you that has nothing to do with sex. Instead,
direct that passion in positive directions. Volunteer at a homeless
shelter. Coach a youth sports team. Mentor troubled individuals. The
satisfaction that comes from building and creating will defeat the
destruction that comes from succumbing to the path of sexual lust and
desire.
" OUR LORD AND OUR GOD. WE REJOICE IN YOU. WITHOUT YOUR HELP WE COULD NOT FACE UNAFRAID THE YEAR 2019 BEFORE US".
Thus says the Lord Jesus of Nazareth: I stand between the years. The Light of My Presence is flung across the year to come-the radiance of the Sun of Righteousness. Backward, over the past year, is my shadow thrown, hiding trouble and sorrow and disappointment.
Dwell not on the past-only on the present. Only use the past as the trees use my Sunlight to absorb it, to make from it in after days the warming fire rays. So store only the blessings from me, Jesus the True Light of the World. Encourage yourselves by the thought of these.
Bury every fear of the future, of poverty for those dear to you, of suffering, of loss. Bury all thoughts of unkindness, and bitterness, all your dislikes, your resentments, your sense of failure, your disappointments in others and in yourselves, your gloom, your despondency, and let us leave them all behind and buried, and go forward to a new and risen life.
Remember you must not see as the world sees. I hold the year 2019 in my hands-in trust for you. But I shall guide you only one day at a time. Leave the rest with me. You must not anticipate the gift by fears or thoughts of the days that lie ahead. And for each day I shall supply the wisdom and the strength you need to forge ahead.
Overcoming
adversity it is part of the Christian lifestyle. We have all faced it.
It’s a time of hardship, affliction, recession, depression and
otherwise unfortunate circumstances. If you are like me, you probably
thought adversity would never come nigh your dwelling after you sold out
to Jesus. Wow,
was I ever wrong! In the beginning of my Christian walk, it seemed the
more I obeyed God the more adversity came my way. I quickly discovered
that I didn't like adversity. I still don't. I like peace. Like a severe
storm, you can almost sense adversity coming…the calm before the storm.
When the storm of adversity comes, it demands your total attention.
ADVERSITY DEFINITIONS Adversity
visits us all from time to time - and in many different ways. It can
come disguised as marriage trouble, sickness, financial calamity,
hardship from personal attacks, or even difficulty in the workplace.
Adversity is no respecter of persons. All of us will face it. The
question is how we will respond to it.
There
is a telling Scripture in the Word of God that reveals, "If thou faint
in the day of adversity thy strength is small" (Proverbs 24:10). In this
context, fainting doesn't mean to literally lose consciousness; rather
it means to withdraw, let go, or to show yourself slack.
When
adversity hits, most people have a tendency to look for a way of
escape. The Lord is very specific in this verse. He makes it clear
withdrawing from adversity is not the way to go. He also makes clear if
we back off from times of trouble we lack spiritual strength.
I
remember the first time I heard this Scripture preached. It was during a
season when the winds of calamity were blowing full gale against me.
All I wanted to do was find shelter and escape the raging tempests. When
I discovered my response was because my spiritual strength was weak I
had two reactions.
ADVERSITY FEELING LIKE WITHDRAWING My
first reaction was to complain, "But you don't understand how terrible
my situation is!" Since adversity is so personal, many feel their
situation is worse than anybody else. My second thought was, "If I feel
like withdrawing from adversity then I must be weak in faith." This made
me search the Scriptures for solutions on how to gain some much needed
spiritual strength and fortitude.
FACING ADVERSITY Throughout
my life, I have found we haven't been properly trained to face
adversity. Most just go to church to get blessed, not to prepared for
trouble. Just because you love Jesus doesn't mean you are equipped to
handle the battles of life. The good news is adversity can work for you.
It can help you find the strength of the Holy Spirit. I want to help
you as much as possible, too.
Since
I don’t know exactly what your adversity is or what you might face in
the future, let me offer some practical steps for victory in every
circumstance: Run to Jesus Cast all your cares on Him Encourage yourself Submit to God and resist the devil Let faith fight for you Pray in tongues WHEN ADVERSITY ATTACKS When
adversity attacks, the first thing you should do is run to Jesus. Don’t
flake out, shut down, break rank, or isolate yourself from those who
can help you. Run to Jesus. Remember Jesus is the Author and Finisher of
your faith. He said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you” (Hebrews
13:5). Jesus will not let you down. You can trust Him to get you through
this turbulence. After
you run to Jesus, check your heart. Go down your personal checklist and
examine yourself. If you have sinned, repent. If you violated the Word
in any way, repent. Running to Jesus, coupled with repentance, should
always be your first reaction to adversity.
WEAPONS AGAINST ADVERSITY Cast
All Your Cares: The next weapon in our arsenal against adversity is
casting all your cares on Jesus. This is not an escapist’s act. Casting
all your cares on Jesus is a spiritual step toward freedom. Scripture
says, “Cast all your care on Him for he cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7).
Casting your cares on Jesus requires giving your adversity to Him. There
are some things you just have to put in Jesus’ capable hands.
Pray.
Sometimes, however, one prayer session isn’t enough. Some adversity has
several dates booked on your calendar. In my case, one prayer didn’t
take all the problems away. There was a time when I was really hurting
and constant flashbacks came to remind me of my calamity. Some of it was
real and some was just fearful imaginations. The only thing that helped
was continuing to cast my situation on the Lord.
FEAR AND TEMPTATION DURING ADVERSITY Every
time fear tried to grip me I prayed, “I cast all my cares on you Lord
because I know you care for me.” I said it in my heart over and over
again until the burden lifted. Sure, fear and the temptation to run from
my problems returned several times, but I would cast the cares back on
the Lord again and again until finally my adversity hoisted up the white
flag of surrender and withdrew from the battlefield.
Encourage Yourself:
Encouragement is another powerful antidote against adversity. Have you
ever heard a car engine knock because it was low on oil? Then after oil
was added the engine hummed along smoothly? Our lives are the same. Many
times we get so busy with the cares of this world and just getting by
that we run low on oil. We stop putting the Word in our hearts and that
only puts our lives in jeopardy.
With
the Word of God written solidly on the tablets of your heart, you can
encourage yourself. The Bible tells us that David encouraged himself in
the Lord. The Psalms are full of David’s prayers for deliverance from
oppressors. Weaved throughout all these prayers you can feel David’s
plea for God’s help. The Lord helped him every time. David was called to
be a king, yet adversity and opposition to his divine calling often
surrounded him.
One
of David’s greatest characteristics was that he never gave up. He
refused to quit and run. In spite of adversity, David pressed into God.
David did his part and let God do His part. You, too, can be like David.
Don’t give up on yourself. Don’t disconnect from God and check out of
the battle. Press into Jesus. God is on your side and He knows all the
answers. Jesus does not fear what you fear.
OVERCOMING ADVERSITY While overcoming adversity, avoid isolation.
In times of difficulty, we can’t afford to isolate ourselves. We can’t
afford to run from the battle. When adversity strikes we need to run to
the battle. scripture declares, “God has not given us a spirit of fear,
but of love, power, and a sound mind” (1 Timothy 1:7). David saw God as a
Man of War. He saw God as his Great Deliverer. Many times David asked
the Lord during prayer, “Shall I go up to battle?” And God responded,
“Go up!”
Tribulation
may pay us a visit, but the Word assures “Hast thou not known? Hast
thou not heard that the everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the
ends of the earth, faint not, neither is weary? There is no searching
of his understanding. He gives power to the faint; and to them that
have no might he increases strength. Even the youths shall faint and be
weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: But they that wait upon
the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as
eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not
faint” (Isaiah 40:28-31).
Submit and Resist:
Scripture also admonishes, “Submit yourself to God, resist the devil
and he shall flee” (James 4:7). Notice this twin advice for freedom from
adversity, “Submit to God.” That means that He becomes your Commander.
You release your will to Him and let His Word govern you, your actions,
your situation, and your entire life. You also release the outcome of
the adversity to Him.
The second half of that Scripture assures, “Resist the devil and he will flee.”
He didn’t say ignore the devil, hide from the devil, deny the devil’s
existence or compromise with the devil. God said to resist him. You
resist the devil just like Jesus did. When the devil attacked Jesus in
the wilderness He said repeatedly, “Devil. It is written.” You can do
the same.
Speak
to your situation like this: “Adversity, it is written, no weapon
formed against me can prosper. I can do all things through Christ that
strengthens me. Thank you, Jesus, that you renew my strength. I shall
not grow weary. I shall not faint. I will overcome in Jesus’ name.” Find
a scripture that deals with your situation, hold fast to it, and speak
it over your life. This works. Go for it.
Let Faith Fight For You:
Did you know that faith is one of the most powerful weapons against
adversity you possess? Faith is the clothing of every warrior. Paul told
his spiritual son Timothy, to endure hardship as a good soldier (2
Timothy 2:3). He wasn’t teaching him how to cope with adversity. He was
teaching him to fight on through until he saw the victory. Let hope
arise in you right now. Jesus won’t let you down. Submit yourself to Him
and use your faith in Him to battle against your adversity. scripture
promises, “This is the victory that has overcome the world, even your
faith” (1 John 5:4). The word “overcome” in this Verse means “to carry
off the victory.” When you use the Sword of the Spirit, which is the
Word of God, that is exactly what will happen. Faith in God will bring
you through adversity every time.
Pray in Tongues:
Praying in tongues is vital. That’s right. Let your spirit talk with
God. The Apostle Paul said, “If I pray in an unknown tongue my spirit
prays” (1 Corinthians 14:14). He also said, “Forbid not to speak in
other tongues” (1 Corinthians 14:39). The Word declares that we can
strengthen ourselves by praying in the Spirit and that the Holy Spirit
helps us pray the way we should. He literally helps us get freedom. If
you want a fast track way to strengthening yourself, start by reading
and meditating on the Word of God, and praying in tongues. Praying in
tongues is not a “Pentecostal thing,” it is a Spirit-life key to
victorious Christian living.
One more thing to help you overcome adversity – get back to church.
God’s Word is very specific: don’t forsake the assembling of yourself
together with other believers (Hebrews 4:9). Listen, faith comes by
hearing and hearing by the Word of God. Isolation is not healthy. Find a
good Bible-believing church where the power of changed lives is
visible. Plug in and help that church fulfill its vision.
ADVERSITY ATTACKS ALL Adversity
attacks everybody, but with your love for Jesus and these simple truths
you can overcome it every time. Remember this, God causes all things to
work together for good to those that love him and are called according
to His purpose (Romans 8:28). That’s you! With Christ in your life, you
can make it through every sorrow, oppression, trouble, and adversity. www.jonasclark.com
A PRAYER FOR SPIRITUAL WARRIORS
Father in heaven, I thank you that you are with me and you will never leave me or forsake me, even to the end of the age. I repent of all my sins, of anything I've thought, said or done that has grieved your Spirit. If I've opened the door to the enemy, show me the door so I can shut it. If I've wronged anyone unknowingly, convict my heart so I can make it right in Jesus name.
I thank you that you always lead me into triumph in Christ Jesus. God, strengthen my inner spirit so I can sustain this spiritual warfare. Open my eyes and help me see what is coming against me so I can fight accurately in the spirit realm. Give me your battle plans, your strategies and your tactics. Father, help me avoid presumption. Teach my arms to bend a bow of bronze, my hands to battle, and my fingers to war. Remind me that when people stand against me, that my battles are not just limited to flesh and blood. Help me move in the opposite spirit, to bless and not curse, to walk in love and forgiveness, and to pray for those who persecute me. Break in with light and help me fight these battles, because my battles are your battles. I'm merely your battle axe.
Rally prayer intercessors around me to help me make it through this war. Surround me with spiritual reinforcements. Send your warrior angels on assignment to war on my behalf. I take authority over every enemy attack in the name of Yeshua. I break and bind all demonic assignments and persecutions coming against my life. I stand firm and resist all foes HUMAN AND SPIRITUAL in the evil day, wearing the full armor of God and fully equipped with the weapons of my spiritual warfare, which are not man made but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds. I cast down vain imaginations and pull down every enemy stronghold over my life in the name of Yeshua(Jesus).
Now Father "THE LORD GOD AND KING OF THE UNIVERSE", I praise you for the victory. I thank you in advance that the war is already won. I rejoice in you, and I am strengthened to continue fighting every good fight of faith until your perfect will is accomplished in my life. I give you all the glory and honor for you alone are worthy of my adoration AMEN!
).
Whether person, family, tribe, or nation, God alone ultimately
determines whether we will accomplish what we have planned. For a brief
but powerful description of this, see James 4:13-16
Jerry Bridges (1929-2016) was the author of Who Am I? — Identity in Christ, as well as numerous other books, including The Pursuit of Holiness (which has sold more than 1.4 million copies), and the award-winning The Discipline of Grace and I Will Follow You, O God.
He maintained an international speaking ministry and, from 1955 until
his death, served in a variety of capacities with the Navigators.
Overcoming
adversity it is part of the Christian lifestyle. We have all faced it.
It’s a time of hardship, affliction, recession, depression and
otherwise unfortunate circumstances. If you are like me, you probably
thought adversity would never come nigh your dwelling after you sold out
to Jesus.
