Elevation Point Church

Daniel wasn’t thrown into a lion’s den for doing something wrong — he was thrown in for doing something right. He was thrown in for being consistent in his relationship with the Lord. This teaches us that just because everything is not ok, that doesn’t mean you’ve done something wrong. In fact, it often means you’ve chosen to do what’s right. The same God who is with us before the lion’s dens of life, is also with us during the lion’s den experiences in life. When we’re consistent, we can walk through every situation unbothered.

It’s never easy when what God said doesn’t match what we see. When the word God gave doesn’t match our situation. For Abraham, God told him he would be a father, but he was too old by everyone’s standards. Rather than seeming like he would be a father, it looked like the dream of Abraham ever having children was finished — much less be “the father of many nations.” However, it didn’t matter what it looked like, and it didn’t matter that God’s word seemed to have ended. All that mattered was what God had said.

It’s never easy when what God said doesn’t match what we see. When the word God gave doesn’t match our situation. For Abraham, God told him he would be a father, but he was too old by everyone’s standards. Rather than seeming like he would be a father, it looked like the dream of Abraham ever having children was finished — much less be “the father of many nations.” However, it didn’t matter what it looked like, and it didn’t matter that God’s word seemed to have ended. All that mattered was what God had said.

Storms tend to show up suddenly in our lives. And in the midst of them, especially if we’re caught off guard; we can feel as if they’re going to take us under. We may have been making progress in one area, but a new storm shows up to shatter the newfound hopes and dreams. However, in Jesus we are able to overcome what seems to be taking us under.

Moments of disappointment often lead us to feel stuck in the same position we’re in. We feel as if we’ve tried and failed, been overlooked, or missed out. These feelings tend to translate into claiming the role of a victim. As if we’re not progressing because others aren’t allowing us to. In times such as this, patience is important — but complacence is dangerous. When it comes to overcoming and moving forward in the face of disappointment, being a little restless is actually a good thing.

We have all experienced dark moments in our lives. Some of us may even currently be facing dark moments, situations, circumstances. While nobody wants to go through those moments, and while they’re never enjoyable — they also do not define us. In fact, beautiful moments often springboard out of dark moments. It’s true in our lives, it was true in Jesus’ life. The moment that He died seemed to be the darkest moment anyone could ever imagine. Not just for Jesus, but for all of humanity. However, it was through that dark moment that the light He carried was released. Because Jesus overcame darkness, we too are able to come out of darkness.

From the time Jesus entered Jerusalem, marking the start of a painful and trying time, those closest to Him were trying to talk Him out of it. Because the reality is — no one prefers pain over peace, trouble over ease, death over life. Those around Jesus wanted to protect Him from all He was preparing to encounter. However, Jesus knew that the painful season would pass, and that it would prepare Him for the reason He was here. Ultimately, Jesus knew that His sole purpose was to glorify the Father. We often wonder "why?" Why the pain, why the uncertainty, why the trouble, etc. What if the things we’ve been avoiding and viewing as an ending were really momentary seasons that God was using for a reason?

Potential is such a loaded word. We use it all the time to describe things that could happen but aren’t guaranteed. The reason potential is not guaranteed is because it has to be put to work in order to fulfill what it could be. There are always variables around potential that can prevent it from coming to pass. One of the greatest variables that works against potential are hindrances. The reasons that we believe (or are told) that the potential cannot be fulfilled. In order to step into the full potential, we have to be able to see past the hindrances and disqualifications. We have to be able to see something greater, in the midst of something smaller. When it comes to the potential God’s placed in your life, what do you see?

We all desire for grace to be shown to us. We all seek mercy and forgiveness from Jesus and others for things we’ve done. While others may not always show the upmost forgiveness, Jesus never fails to forgive. No matter what we’ve done, no matter what we do — He shows grace, love, and forgiveness. Why is it, then, that we struggle to forgive others as easily? Do we view ourselves as special or more deserving of forgiveness? And if so, why? Grace and forgiveness is for us to RECEIVE, but it is also for us to GIVE to others.