Archive for the 'Bible Studies for Life' Category

Others May Forget You, but God Never Does

Have you ever forgotten something you just purchased? Ever been talking on the phone while collecting change from a cashier then walked out of the store leaving your purchase in the checkout line? Have you ever gone to a store to buy one item, bought three other things but forgot the reason you went to the store in the first place?

I think we’ve all done that. Many of us do it regularly.

Perhaps your experience is worse. Have you been personally forgotten? Were you the child whose father drove away never to return? Did your mother abandon your family for another man and his kids, and you felt she had completely forgotten you? The emotional scars of being forgotten are deep and take many years to heal.

God never forgets us

The Old Testament story of Joseph reminds us that though we may sometimes feel forgotten, God never forgets us.

The favored son of Jacob was named Joseph. He was the focus of his father’s attention. Jacob’s favoritism was such that his other sons became jealous of Joseph and sold him into slavery.

Joseph quickly attained a leadership position within the household of an influential Egyptian political official, but it was short lived. Joseph, an ethical man, was falsely accused of sexual assault by the official’s wife. Though innocent, he was thrown into prison.

While in prison, Joseph was able to help the chief cup-bearer to Pharaoh. This official was restored to his position in Pharaoh’s court, but forgot to recommend Joseph’s release as Joseph had requested. As a result, Joseph languished in prison two more years.

Forgotten by man, but not forgotten by God.

God is always aware of your circumstances

Finally, the chief cup-bearer remembered Joseph, and Pharaoh released him from prison. With God’s guidance and blessing, Joseph was elevated by Pharaoh to have authority over all the land of Egypt.

Eventually, Joseph was used by God to bless the very family who had betrayed him into slavery to begin with. His family was saved and reunited, as God provided for all of them. Noting Joseph’s reaction at every turn, Alex Himaya writes, “The life of Joseph offers proof that God doesn’t forget you. He’s always aware of your circumstances. And, like Joseph, you can choose positive action while you wait to see what God is doing in your life.”1

God is with you always and forever

It’s easy to feel forgotten by God, especially if we are dealing with the emotional turmoil or depression. When abandoned by friends, we sometimes equate that to being abandoned by God. But it isn’t true. God is with His children always and forever. As Romans 8 reminds us, “For I am persuaded that not even death for life, angels or rulers, things present or things to come, hostile powers, height or depth, or any other created thing, will have the power to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord!”2

Therefore, be encouraged, Christian friend. Others may walk out of your life, but God is always with you. He never leaves you or forsakes you. Yes, He is with you always and forever.

Yours for the Great Commission,

Ronnie W. Floyd

Senior Pastor, Cross Church
General Editor, Bible Studies for Life
President, Southern Baptist Convention

1Bible Studies for Life, Overcome, Alex Himaya
2– Romans 8:38, 39, HCSB

4 Truthful Realities That Will Help Us Overcome Temptation

Do you ever find yourself wishing all temptations would just come to an end? Maybe sin would be a little easier to ignore if not for the temptation to give in to it. Sin and temptation go hand-in-hand. Temptation without the accompanying sin has no allure.

Satan creates doubt

When Satan approached Adam and Eve in the garden, he placed doubt. He questioned whether God had indeed told the truth. Was God holding out on Adam and Eve? Was there something better to be had as a result of eating from the Tree of Knowledge? The answer, as Adam and Eve found out, was “no.” It’s a lesson each and every one of their descendants has learned.

Temptation always offers the promise of something better, but it turns into a bitter pill. Alex Himaya writes, “Wouldn’t life be easier if temptations came with warning labels? Sin promises great things up front, but it’s only after we give in that we learn about the consequences.”1

God is faithful

The Holy Spirit spoke through the Apostle Paul on overcoming temptation. Writing to the troubled church at Corinth, Paul encouraged, “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to humanity. God is faithful, and He will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation He will also provide a way of escape so that you are able to bear it.”2

There are four truthful realities that will help us overcome temptation.

1. Whatever temptation we face is common to every other believer.

While it may feel at times we are being tempted in a way no one else ever has, scripture is clear. We face what everyone else faces, and everyone else faces what we face. Remembering that our temptation has been overcome by others helps us overcome.

2. God is faithful.

This alone is a startlingly helpful truth. God is not absent. God is not indifferent. God is faithful. God’s faithfulness means He is always aware and He is always able to empower us overcome.

3. God will not allow us to be tempted beyond our ability to resist.

This is a great comfort and a promise we must take on faith. Think about this: you have never been tempted beyond your ability to resist it. What an encouragement to know that God protects us in this way. He has laid down a boundary beyond which temptation cannot go. When tempted, no matter how strong or seemingly insurmountable, we can always resist it in God’s strength.

4. God will provide a way of escape to every temptation we face.

Part of the strategy of overcoming temptation is to look for the way of escape. Is it phoning a friend to ask for a ride out of a bad situation? It is simply walking away? It is dropping to our knees–literally–in prayer? Is it a greater commitment to memorizing scripture? Looking for and taking the way out is a path of overcoming.

Temptation is part of our walk in Christ, but so is overcoming it. God does not intend for us to succumb; He intends for us to overcome, and by His grace we can do so.

Yours for the Great Commission,

Ronnie W. Floyd

Senior Pastor, Cross Church
General Editor, Bible Studies for Life
President, Southern Baptist Convention

1Bible Studies for Life, Overcome, by Alex Himaya
2– 1 Corinthians 10:13, HCSB