Facing Challenges with Faith

March 25, 2013

Opening Hymns:
529 How Firm a Foundation http://www.hymnsite.com/lyrics/umh529.sht

Scripture Reading:
John 12:20-36

²⁰ Now there were some Greeks among those who went up to worship at the festival. ²¹ They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, with a request. “Sir,” they said, “we would like to see Jesus.” ²² Philip went to tell Andrew; Andrew and Philip in turn told Jesus.
²³ Jesus replied, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. ²⁴ Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. ²⁵ Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. ²⁶ Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.
²⁷ “Now my soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. ²⁸ Father, glorify your name!”
Then a voice came from heaven, “I have glorified it, and will glorify it again.” ²⁹ The crowd that was there and heard it said it had thundered; others said an angel had spoken to him.
³⁰ Jesus said, “This voice was for your benefit, not mine. ³¹ Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out. ³² And I, when I am lifted up^[g] from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” ³³ He said this to show the kind of death he was going to die.
³⁴ The crowd spoke up, “We have heard from the Law that the Messiah will remain forever, so how can you say, ‘The Son of Man must be lifted up’? Who is this ‘Son of Man’?”
³⁵ Then Jesus told them, “You are going to have the light just a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, before darkness overtakes you. Whoever walks in the dark does not know where they are going. ³⁶ Believe in the light while you have the light, so that you may become children of light.” When he had finished speaking, Jesus left and hid himself from them.

Message:
It is so beautiful to me how Jesus understands what will occur, and faces everything with such grace and love. He even tries to explain why His death must take place. It causes me to look at myself and my life to see how I’ve handled challenges. I must admit that in the midst of seemingly insurmountable obstacles I have often asked God to “save me” from it. 

What if we tried to have faith in God’s plan just as Jesus had faith? What would happen if we had courage? Perhaps the obstacles that we face will not be as trying as they seem. With courage and faith we may notice that we handle our challenges much better. When we set our fears aside and trust, what changes will occur in our lives? We may never know unless we pray, hope, believe, and have faith in God.

Time of Prayer
Dear Lord, teach us to trust in You, and have faith in You just as Jesus trusted and had faith. Help us let go of the fear that can surround us in the midst of challenges. Instead, let us feel comforted by Your love, and strong in our faith in You. Be with each of us today and every day. Amen.


The Lord’s Prayer


Closing Hymn
301 Jesus Keep Me Near the Cross http://www.hymnsite.com/lyrics/umh301.sht

May the Lord bless you and keep you: May the Lord make His face shine upon you, and be gracious unto you: May the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace." Amen.

Go in peace, serve the Lord
Thanks be to God