When life is hard, really hard, we often spend all our time pleading, begging, yelling, refusing, and questioning. While none of these things are necessarily unusual, they are missing the ultimate point. When life is hard, when things get ugly, when all hope seems to be lost... that is when we are able to display the superiority of the life lived in God.
It is in those moments of despair, when we question what is happening, when we don't know what to do, when some trials never seem to end, that we can lean most heavily on God's promises and truths.
Working his way through five questions we've all had run through our heads, trusted pastor James MacDonald helps us understand what we should do now. We begin the journey by looking at different types of "trials", figuring out exactly what we're dealing with, and recognizing that God certainly knows. Second, the obvious question: "Why?" God sees us going through trials and we long for two things: for them to be over and to know why they happened in the first place. Next, we need to know what to do with these trials when they come (and they will most certainly come). Fourth, we have all wondered it, can trials be refused? Are God's purposes really being fulfilled in the midst of this trying time? And lastly, God reveals Himself to us through these trials. . . and sometimes, they just don't ever end. Why doesn't this trial go away?
God told us to expect trials-don't be surprised when they come. Grow when they come. Find hope when they come.
About the Author
JAMES MACDONALD received his BA from London Baptist Bible College in Ontario, his MA in 1988 from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Deerfield, Illinois and his D.Min from Phoenix Seminary in 1996. He is the founding and senior pastor of Harvest Bible Chapel in Rolling Meadows, Illinois.
Pastor MacDonald is the author of Lord, Change My Attitude...Before It’s Too Late, Gripped by the Greatness of God, I Really Want to Change ... So, Help me God, Seven Words to Change Your Family; God Wrote a Book, Downpour, Ancient Wisdom, Way of Wisdom, Restore My Soul, and 10 Choices: A Proven Plan for Change.
Pastor MacDonald’s teaching, which emphasizes the precise exposition of God’s Word and its practical life application, can be heard on Walk in the Word (www.walkintheword.com), a daily 30-minute radio program heard on outlets across North America, and Listen Up, a one-minute feature, which can also be heard on numerous stations.
Pastor MacDonald and his wife, Kathy have three children and reside in the northwest suburbs of Chicago.
Description:
When life is hard, really hard, we often spend all our time pleading, begging, yelling, refusing, and questioning. While none of these things are necessarily unusual, they are missing the ultimate point. When life is hard, when things get ugly, when all hope seems to be lost... that is when we are able to display the superiority of the life lived in God.
It is in those moments of despair, when we question what is happening, when we don't know what to do, when some trials never seem to end, that we can lean most heavily on God's promises and truths.
Working his way through five questions we've all had run through our heads, trusted pastor James MacDonald helps us understand what we should do now. We begin the journey by looking at different types of "trials", figuring out exactly what we're dealing with, and recognizing that God certainly knows. Second, the obvious question: "Why?" God sees us going through trials and we long for two things: for them to be over and to know why they happened in the first place. Next, we need to know what to do with these trials when they come (and they will most certainly come). Fourth, we have all wondered it, can trials be refused? Are God's purposes really being fulfilled in the midst of this trying time? And lastly, God reveals Himself to us through these trials. . . and sometimes, they just don't ever end. Why doesn't this trial go away?
God told us to expect trials-don't be surprised when they come. Grow when they come. Find hope when they come.
About the Author
JAMES MACDONALD received his BA from London Baptist Bible College in Ontario, his MA in 1988 from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Deerfield, Illinois and his D.Min from Phoenix Seminary in 1996. He is the founding and senior pastor of Harvest Bible Chapel in Rolling Meadows, Illinois.
Pastor MacDonald is the author of Lord, Change My Attitude...Before It’s Too Late, Gripped by the Greatness of God, I Really Want to Change ... So, Help me God, Seven Words to Change Your Family; God Wrote a Book, Downpour, Ancient Wisdom, Way of Wisdom, Restore My Soul, and 10 Choices: A Proven Plan for Change.
Pastor MacDonald’s teaching, which emphasizes the precise exposition of God’s Word and its practical life application, can be heard on Walk in the Word (www.walkintheword.com), a daily 30-minute radio program heard on outlets across North America, and Listen Up, a one-minute feature, which can also be heard on numerous stations.
Pastor MacDonald and his wife, Kathy have three children and reside in the northwest suburbs of Chicago.