Encounter Church

"There are lots of uncertainties in life. It's hard to say if that decision is going to

pan out the way you hoped for. There's no guarantees in life. You may or may not

get that promotion, may or may not get married, or that family member may be

more judgmental and less helpful than you originally thought. Life is a crapshoot,

But as Christians we have an extra layer of certainty: the blood & love of Jesus

Christ.

"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." Romans 8:38-39 ESV

Jesus remains the same through it all. He is steady, dependable, and loving. Jesus

is home. His love endures it all. He is a steadfast reliable Savior. All we have to do

is have faith and he will see us through everything.

"And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with

you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because

it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and

will be in you." John 14:16-17 ESV

"It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave

you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.” Deuteronomy 31:8 ESV

It's important to remember that we weren't promised a life without struggles.

Life, especially life as a Christian comes along with persecution. Those of the

world won't understand our faith.

"Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to

test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice

insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be

glad when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted for the name of Christ,

you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you." 1

Peter 4:12-14 ESV

"For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults,

hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am

strong." 2 Corinthians 12:10 ESV

“Blessed are you when people hate you and when they exclude you and revile you

and spurn your name as evil, on account of the Son of Man!" Luke 6:22 ESV

Just remember that our Christ will see us through our hardships & struggles. Do

your best not to stoop down to the level of earthly people. As Christians we are

called to do our best to walk as our Savior walked. Remain strong in your faith and

you will weather ANY storm!

"More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces

endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and

hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts

through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us." Romans 5:3-5 ESV

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not

for evil, to give you a future and a hope." Jeremiah 29:11 ESV

"A Psalm of David. The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie

down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He

leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Even though I walk through

the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod

and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of

my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows." Psalm 23:1-6 ESV