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In Tough Times

In Tough Times

Tough times are a blessing because they test

the genuineness of our faith in God!

In Tough Times

It’s easy to thank God when everything is going your way.

But what about when the bottom drops out?

In Tough Times

Job is the perfect example of someone who had

everything…then lost it all in one day.

In Tough Times

In the land of Uz there lived a man whose name was Job. This man was blameless and upright; he feared God and shunned evil. He

had seven sons and three daughters, and he owned seven thousand sheep, three thousand camels, five hundred yoke of oxen and five hundred donkeys, and had a large

number of servants. He was the greatest man among all the people of the East.

Job 1:1-3

In Tough Times

 Then the LORD said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job? There is no

one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil.” “Does Job fear God for nothing?”

Satan replied. “Have you not put a hedge around him and his household and

everything he has?Job 1:8-9

In Tough Times

 You have blessed the work of his hands, so that his flocks and herds

are spread throughout the land. But now stretch out your hand and strike everything he has, and he will surely

curse you to your face.” Job 1: 10-11

In Tough Times

 … a messenger came to Job and said, “The oxen were plowing and the

donkeys were grazing nearby, and the Sabeans attacked and made off with them. They put the servants to the

sword, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!” Job 1:14-15

In Tough Times

While he was still speaking, another messenger came and said, “The fire

of God fell from the heavens and burned up the sheep and the

servants, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!” Job 1:16

In Tough Times

While he was still speaking, another messenger came and said, “The Chaldeans formed three raiding parties and swept down on your

camels and made off with them. They put the servants to the sword, and I am the only one who has escaped to

tell you!” Job 1:17

In Tough Times

While he was still speaking, yet another messenger came and said, “Your sons and daughters were feasting and drinking wine

at the oldest brother’s house, when suddenly a mighty wind swept in from the desert and struck the four corners of the house. It collapsed on them and they are

dead, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!”

Job 1:18-19

In Tough Times

At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground

in worship and said: “Naked I came from my mother’s womb,

   and naked I will depart. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the

name of the LORD be praised.” Job 1:20-21

In Tough Times

DANG! In one day, Job went from being the greatest man in his

region to being utterly destitute.Job’s response was to…

worship and praise God!

In Tough Times

This was more than just fatalistic resignation to his situation.

This was recognition of …

God’s constant goodness!

In Tough Times

“God is good all the time and

all the time God is good!”

In Tough Times

Job’s Secret: Focusing on blessings

that can’t be taken away!

In Tough Times

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he

has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus

Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil

or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you… 1 Peter 1:3-4 

In Tough Times

Count Your (Eternal)Blessings

In Tough Times

Eternal Blessing #1: New Birth

For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word

of God. 1 Peter 1:23 

In Tough Times

Eternal Blessing #2: Living Hope

And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love

into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. Romans 5:5

In Tough Times

Eternal Blessing #3: Unfading Inheritance

…giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light. Col. 1:12

In Tough Times

Invitation:Become a recipient

God’s eternal blessings today by asking Jesus to be your

Savior and Lord!