[lead dropcap="yes"]Have you ever thought to yourself, "Lord, what have I done to deserve this situation? What did I do wrong?" If so, you're not alone. Many of us share these sentiments, and may need to alter our perspective towards our circumstances.[/lead]Pastor Nick Del Vento continued the series of talks on Jesus and His “I am” statements throughout the gospel of John. In John chapter 10, we see Jesus states, “I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture.” (John 10:9)From this declaration we have four powerful truths to reflect on this week:
Things don't happen to you, they happen for you.
If we reframed our perspective and asked, "Lord, what are you doing for me?" instead of, "God, what are you doing to me?” We may see our circumstance as things that happened so that the works of God might be displayed.
Encounter always produces identity.
God allows us to go through certain encounters so that our identity can be defined.After saying this, he spit on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and put it on the man’s eyes. “Go,” he told him, “wash in the Pool of Siloam”. So the man went and washed, and came home seeing. His neighbors and those who had formerly seen him begging asked, “Isn’t this the same man who used to sit and beg?” Some claimed that he was. Others said, “No, he only looks like him.” But he himself insisted, “I am the man.” John 9:6-9
Your testimony is powerful.
People can have arguments against your family, who you were, and what you’ve done. Yet they wouldn’t be able to debate your testimony, your intimate belief of an encounter.
People may reject you, but God always accepts you.
Simply believing in Jesus is the only requirement for God’s acceptance.Jesus is the door, and no one can enter God's kingdom without walking through the door. And if Jesus is the door, what are we? We are the doorknob, that people may grab ahold of us before they walk through. We are the welcome mat, the ones who invite people home with open arms. And we are the peephole, giving those on the outside a glimpse of the God inside. Whichever we choose to be, it's a blessing to point others to the gateway of freedom, Jesus.
Questions to think about this week:
- What are you declaring when you encounter difficult situations?
- Are you allowing your testimony to bring glory to God?
- Are you seeking the acceptance of man or receiving the love of God?
Listen to the Full Message On the Podcast
VOUS Podcast
Just once is never enough! Listen to this week’s message and more by subscribing to the VOUS Church Podcast on iTunes.Get the Podcast
Subscribe to the VOUS Church Blog
Get VOUS Church blog posts delivered straight to your inbox![wysija_form id="2"]
%202.avif)
