Elevation Point Church

We all desire to feel strong and capable in our daily lives. No one wants to feel weak. The reality, however, is that we all have weaknesses. While we often hide from or ignore our weaknesses, they are nothing to be ashamed of. Instead, we should embrace and acknowledge them, finding strength through the Lord. In Him, the Holy Spirit strengthens our weak areas and reinforces our strengths. We may feel weak, but as followers of Jesus, we are stronger than we appear.

In John 4:27-35, Jesus speaks to a woman, tells her all about herself, and she runs to share this encounter with others. The disciples return, utterly confused, and start talking to Jesus about needing food. Jesus then tells them He has a different food. Despite this, they still didn't understand because they were focused on physical needs, while Jesus was addressing spiritual needs. We frequently find ourselves frustrated, feeling caught in an endless loop of insufficiency. This sense of being stuck can be overwhelming, but perhaps the real issue lies in our focus. Could it be that our frustration stems from seeking fulfillment in the wrong places? Instead of addressing the root of our dissatisfaction, we might be chasing after things that don't truly satisfy our deeper needs. By reevaluating our goals and desires, we might discover that our sense of lack comes not from an external shortage, but from a misalignment of our priorities and values.

Saul’s insecurity drove him to the point of insanity, leading him to try to kill the very person who saved his entire army. This is fascinating because Saul's insecurity was so intense that he targeted David, though the real issue was deeper. If it wasn’t David, it would have been someone else, as David was merely the manifestation of a deeper problem. Insecurity is often hidden and unrecognized because we have learned to eliminate its triggers. For example, if someone’s profile makes us feel insecure, we might delete them as a friend and feel better temporarily, but soon someone else will trigger those feelings again. Many of us are skilled at removing the triggers of insecurity without addressing its root cause. However, if we don't deal with the root of our insecurity, it will persist. Because at the end of the day, it’s not about who we are, it’s about whose we are.

While many would say they believe in prayer, the reality is that it can also leave us confused at times. No doubt, we’ve all had times where we prayed for something that we thought was a good thing, but it didn’t come to pass. In those moments, it’s easy to wonder why. Why would God leave prayers, that we prayed with good intentions and even in faith for, unanswered? Sometimes, it may even feel as if praying is pointless because we’ve felt letdown time and time again. However prayer, while sometimes confusing, is always powerful. The key is to understand why we pray what we pray and how to position ourselves for God to answer them in His way, not ours. Because while we may have it all figured out in our minds, He always has a better way.

People often question, "If God is such a great God, then why do bad things happen?" Many leave the church almost daily because they were taught to believe that following Jesus would make their problems disappear. But God is able to work in the midst of all situations and circumstances, no matter how difficult, and can bring about good in spite of the bad. It may not be how we envisioned it to go, but God is still in control.

Life often brings unexpected difficulties, testing our resilience and challenging our belief in brighter days and God’s promises. In the face of relentless struggles, it's easy to feel disheartened and lose hope. However, it's crucial to remember that each new day carries the potential for a breakthrough. Amidst the uncertainty and hardship, a single moment can transform everything, reigniting our faith and reminding us that perseverance can lead to unexpected and profound changes. So, even in the darkest times, we are to hold on to the possibility that today could be the day when we finally see God do what we’ve been believing for.

In Romans 5, Paul says that as followers of Jesus we have hope and peace, but these concepts may not mean what we typically think they do. He then delivers a surprising message: we should "glory in our sufferings." Generally, we don't like pain, and that's a sentiment most people share. However, just because we don't like something doesn't mean it's bad. We often view suffering as negative, but sometimes pain can be beneficial. Growth and progress often come from pain! As followers of Jesus, we frequently encounter pain. We face suffering, but what truly matters is persevering through it and understanding that it will be worth it in the end.

We often fixate on the idea that our mistakes should disqualify us from God's love. Similarly, it's just as easy to dwell on others' mistakes and think they too should be disqualified. Both perspectives fail to grasp the vastness of God's love. His love surpasses our misdeeds and those of others. In the end, it's only us who are preoccupied with these mistakes—God is more concerned with our identity as His children.

Jesus pointed out that people are often so preoccupied with criticizing others for insignificant actions that they fail to address their own significant issues. The Pharisees, for instance, were well-versed in the rules, laws, and religious practices, yet they missed what truly mattered. While it's easy to criticize the Pharisees for this oversight, if we're honest, we often face the same struggle. We might have mastered the religious jargon, know when to shout, and understand the rules to follow. However, Jesus emphasized that if our hearts are not aligned with our actions, then those actions are meaningless. He taught that adherence to man-made rules is futile if it doesn't come from a sincere heart.