God's presence in our lives helps us to go through life with peace in our hearts. Do not be worried but look to Him with hope. (Psalms 68:19)

As the Lord has shown us mercy even in our sin, we must also show mercy to others; then we will be children of the Most High (Luke 6:38)

Devotion - AS YOU GO...
We need to have the consciousness that as we go out today:
1. We are going for WORSHIP - Psalm 122.1
2. We should go prepared
3. We should know who we are going to worship - John 4.22-24

SERIES: DEALING WITH CRISES
Devotion - Coping In Crises Time
1. Trust in the Lord - Proverbs 3.5-6
2. Be patient - Habakkuk 2.1,3; James 1.2-3
3. Live righteously - Hebrews 12.14; 1 Corinthians 15.24
Conclusion - 2 Corinthians 4.7-10

SERIES: DEALING WITH CRISES
Devotion - The Bible And Crises Types
Yesterday, we were able to look at one of the four scholarly researched types of crises; accidental or Situational Crises which has to do with an event that's less or not expected. We saw this in the life of the religious man - Job who never knew of the debate that went on between God and Satan concerning his life. And we saw that many of us are in the position of Job too when we lost our loved ones, encounter new diseases, experience of rape and violence, social disturbance like war and killings etc. we become worried in the midst of these accidental crisis. But the consolation is that God is aware and He will take control of the situation.
Therefore this morning, we will consider the remaining three types of crises namely:
2. Developmental crises is an event that's mostly expected hence, creating a room for adjustment. Like moving to school, getting married, handling criticism, facing retirement, adjusting to declining health and staying alone when your children have all become adults, the death of one's friends can all be crises that demand new approaches to coping. Consider Abraham and Sarah, who coped with their unknown journey to an unknown destination but with a known God. Handling barrenness for years alongside criticism. We might also wonder how an elderly Zacharias and Elizabeth handled their unique son like John the Baptist, or how Mary and Joseph were able to raise their unusual and brilliant son, Jesus. It appears these were developmental crises leading to a turning point that demanded adjustment and a prolonged period of decision making that also led to increased growth.
3. Existential crises overlap the other two. These are situations that all of us face when we encounter disturbing truths, often about ourselves. For example, thinking about not getting married, not achieving your goals at old age, dealing with the thought of incurable illness, seeing that your life is complex, having no direction, facing the fact that you are now a widow or widower again.
Realizations like these take time and effort to assimilate. They are changes in self perception that can be denied temporarily, but in time they must be faced realistically if life is to go on and be fulfilling.
After a great spiritual victory, Elijah ran into the wilderness with a conclusion that his life is a failure. Jonah had similar thoughts as he debated with God. In the midst of his crises, Job must have wondered why all these crises were happening. Did the disciples also wonder about the uncertainty of their future in the hours following the crucifixion? The beautiful part of all these crises is that God is aware.
4. National or Community Crises extend beyond individuals to involve large groups of people. When a country is attacked by insurgency like we are experiencing in Nigeria currently. It affects everyone through the economy and health and other sectors. People can't go to the farm which has resulted in the hiking of prices of food. Public properties are being destroyed and young girls abducted. People are being killed everyday and it should be of concern to everyone in the Nation or community where this crisis is happening.
We shouldn't feel unbothered when others are being inflicted with pain, because it may get to our doorstep tomorrow. The terrorists are already in Kwara State, who knows if your State will be next.
In all of these, people wonder why? The truth is that crises may be as a result of disobedience against God's law by the leaders and the people like the nation of Israel. It could be the bad decision of the leaders like David. Though the Bible talks about all types of crises, it does not give clear and complete reasons to explain why crises occur. However, we may agree that every event has a divine purpose and ultimately is under God's control. We know that crises can be a learning experience that mold character, teach us about God and His resources, and stimulate sound growth. But the ultimate reasons for specific life crises may never be known, at least while we live on this earth.
It is my earnest prayer that God will help us to trust in Him in our crises time in Jesus' name. Amen!

Oghenevwede Arison, Ubiuku
Minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and a Faith-based Christian Counselor.
[email protected]
+2348050470484 (Whatsapp)

SERIES: DEALING WITH CRISES
Devotion - The Bible And Crises Types
Topic: Accidental or Situational Crises

Much of the Bible deals with crises. Adam, Eve, Cain, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Joseph, Moses, Samson, Jepthah, Saul, David, Elijah, Daniel, and numerous other people faced crisis that the Old Testament describes in details.
Jesus faced crisis especially at the time of the crucifixion, and also the disciples. Paul, and many other believers as well. Several of the epistles were written to help individuals and congregations meet crises.
Contemporary writers have identified three types of crisis, each of which has both modern and biblical examples. So, let us meticulously identify each one of them.

1. Accidental or Situational Crises: this crisis occurs when there is a sudden threat, disruptive event, or unexpected loss. Examples include the death of a loved one, the outbreak of diseases, the experience of serious violence like killings, rape, and abduction. Social disturbance like war, and depression.
All are situational crises that can affect an individual, and family members.
Think about Job. Within a short period of time, Job lost his family, wealth, health and status. His marriage appears to have been strained and his critics soon learn about Job's anger and inner turmoil. He was confused at the spot about why a caring God would let such crises happen to a good Job.
Yes, you and I may have been in similar situations of the accidental crisis. How did we respond? Did we go about hating God or trusting His word?
Given the current situation in the country, many people are confused about why God will sit on His throne and watch evil befallen His children. The truth is, when crises happen to us, we are expected to trust more in God's word and a call to live a holy life.

Oghenevwede Arison, Ubiuku
Minister and a Faith-based Christian Counselor.
[email protected]
+2348050470484 (Whatsapp)

SERIES: DEALING WITH CRISES
Devotion - Opportunities in crisis
Philippians 1.12-14
Along the dangers of crisis, however, crisis also presents people with the opportunity to;
1. Change
2. Grow
3. Develop better ways of coping

SERIES: DEALING WITH CRISES
Devotion: Dangers Of Crises
It has often been stated that the Chinese word for crisis involves two characters.
One means danger; the other means opportunity.
Crises are filled with danger because they disrupt life and threaten to overwhelm the people who are affected.
We read in the Bible of those who are in this group:
Moses faced the disruptive version of his life when he murdered an Egyptian royal guard - Exodus 2.11-12
The Israelites faced the disruptive version of their lives when a new Pharaoh who knew not Joseph arose - Exodus 1.9-13
What about Elijah? He fled for his life after slaughtering the prophets of Baal (1 Kings 19)
Paul's life and ministry was disrupted when he was arrested and beaten even by his own country men (Acts 21.27-36; 22.22-24)
Given the current situation in the world; the middle east, Africa, Nigeria, Plateau, Benue States and other areas facing the danger side of crises, you will notice that many people have been displaced, churches burnt down, schools destroyed by the insurgency and family relationship disrupted yet, man being wicked, claimed that there's no Christian genocide in Nigeria.
People are being killed, farm properties are being destroyed, people can no longer sleep in the houses they built and some people due to selfish interest proclaim no Christian genocide. Woe to them.
We can also see the danger side of crises even in our homes; when parents are head confused, it disrupts the peace and love of the home. When brothers are at crises, it only fosters disunity. Even in the church of Christ, when leaders are at crises with each other, the growth of the church will be greatly impacted negatively.
But then, when we are faced with all of these, we should not fret, we should understand that these ugly moments are building us in a way that we will develop an extra effort to cope with crises on a larger scale and to use every opportunity provided.
It is my earnest prayer that Christ will help us to anchor our hope on Him even in our darkest days of crises in Jesus' name. Amen.
Arison Oghenevwede Ubiuku
Minister of the gospel of Christ and a Faith-based counselor with the Church of Christ Rayfield Jos, Plateau State.
[email protected]
08050470484

SERIES: DEALING WITH CRISES
General Introduction
Definition of crises; crises is a turning point that usually cannot be avoided - Gary Collins
It can be expected or unexpected, real or imagined, actual or potential.
However, in all of our crises whether internal or external, there is a consolation - Psalm 34.17-18 tells us that when the righteous cry out to God in the day of trouble, He will answer.
May God grant us the ability to trust His saving power in Christ' name. Amen.

In the absence of standards, anything is permissible. God wants us to live a life that is patterned according to his word, and be saved therein. (Hebrews 4:12)