THE SOVEREIGNTY OF GOD LIES BEHIND EVERYTHING THAT HAPPENS
And the Lord God commanded the man, “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will certainly die.” Genesis 2:16-17 NIV
There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: Ecclesiastes 3:1 NIV
In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps. Proverbs 16:9 NIV
a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing, a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace. Ecclesiastes 3:2-8 NIV
What do workers gain from their toil? I have seen the burden God has laid on the human race. He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end. Ecclesiastes 3:9-11 NIV
'“You are worthy, O Lord our God, to receive glory and honor and power. For you created all things, and they exist because you created what you pleased.”Revelation 4:11 NLT
FOUR PILLARS
1. GOD IS WISE
And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. Romans 8:28 NLT
You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people. Genesis 50:20 NLT
2. GOD IS ALSO MYSTERIOUS
He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end. Ecclesiastes 3:11 NIV
Are we only fish to be caught and killed? Are we only sea creatures that have no leader? Habakkuk 1:14 NLT
Why then does my suffering continue? Why is my wound so incurable? Your help seems as uncertain as a seasonal brook, like a spring that has gone dry.” Jeremiah 15:18 NLT
3. WE CANNOT LET WHAT WE CANNOT KNOW DESTROY WHAT WE CAN ENJOY
I know that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to do good while they live. Ecclesiastes 3:12 NIV
That each of them may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all their toil—this is the gift of God. Ecclesiastes 3:13 NIV
So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Matthew 6:34 NLT
4. REST IN THE SOVEREIGNTY OF GOD
'I know that everything God does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it and v nothing taken from it. God does it so that people will fear him. Ecclesiastes 3:14 NIV
Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will leave this life. Job 1:21 CSB
'Whatever is has already been, and what will be has been before; and God will call the past to account. Ecclesiastes 3:15 NIV
'But God knew what would happen, and his prearranged plan was carried out when Jesus was betrayed. With the help of lawless Gentiles, you nailed him to a cross and killed him. But God released him from the horrors of death and raised him back to life, for death could not keep him in its grip. Acts 2:23-24 NLT
Watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble you, corrupting many. Hebrews 12:15 NLT
“Unforgiveness is like drinking poison yourself and waiting for the other person to die.” -Marianne Williamson
'Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Romans 12:14,17-21 NIV
TRUE JUSTICE IS PAYING ONLY ONCE FOR EACH MISTAKE. TRUE INJUSTICE IS PAYING MORE THAN ONCE FOR EACH MISTAKE.
1. HOW DO YOU RESPOND INWARDLY?
…For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of. Luke 6:45 NIV
'Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. Romans 8:5-7 NIV
HURT PEOPLE HURT PEOPLE
'A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere. Ephesians 6:10-18 NLT
The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to the inmost parts. Proverbs 26:22 NIV
A perverse person stirs up conflict, and a gossip separates close friends. Proverbs 16:28 NIV
'With their mouths the godless destroy their neighbors, but through knowledge the righteous escape. A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy person keeps a secret. Proverbs 11:9,13 NIV
“Self-pity is of the devil, and if I wallow in it, I cannot be used by God for his purpose in the world.” -Oswald Chambers
to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness. Ephesians 4:22-24 ESV
2. HOW DO YOU RESPOND OUTWARDLY?
THE REASON WE FEAR CONFRONTATION IS BECAUSE WE FEAR BEING EXPOSED AND BEING VULNERABLE.
He replied, “I heard you walking in the garden, so I hid. I was afraid because I was naked.” Genesis 3:10 NLT
FEAR WILL MAKE YOU DO AT LEAST 1 OF 3 THINGS…. GET DISTANT, GET DEFENSIVE, AND/OR GET DEMANDING.
For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline. 2 Timothy 1:7 NLT
“If another believer sins against you, go privately and point out the offense. If the other person listens and confesses it, you have won that person back. But if you are unsuccessful, take one or two others with you and go back again, so that everything you say may be confirmed by two or three witnesses. Matthew 18:15-16 NLT
Some people make cutting remarks, but the words of the wise bring healing. Proverbs 12:18 NLT
Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. James 1:19 NLT
GUIDELINES TO COMMUNICATING
Do not use harmful words, but only helpful words, the kind that build up and provide what is needed, so that what you say will do good to those who hear you. Ephesians 4:29 GNT