People have been asking me for the notes from this message; so I'll share them here.
David Hall

What to Do When Your World Crashes

 

Any Gospel that only promises prosperity is NOT the full Gospel.

God’s blessings are real. And they come in different ways.

But there’s another side of the coin. The same Bible that offers blessing also says: “Everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” 2 Tim. 3:12. (some versions use the word suffer).
 
To be honest, I haven’t suffered much persecution. Maybe I’m not living godly enough?
But I've had some: x Indonesia, death threats by some M leaders; so we had to evacuate the school…

Few in the so-called “Western world” have experienced much persecution. But suffering comes in different ways – not just via persecution. Most of us have experienced some kind of major loss. How did you deal with it? Could you have dealt with it better?

What can or should we do when it seems like our world crashes?

• Broken home / divorce
• Loss of a loved one – x my parents.  x  ...dementia
• Loss of $ - FAC (fraud)
• Loss of  a job – Art (almost reached retirement, then cut off by Ventura County)
• Loss of health – (cancer); family member who accidentally (shot off his leg)

Story of Job

Disciples after J’ death – devastated!  Peter: I’m going fishing.

So what can we do? Here’s ten things you can do, or should do.

It’s not a complete list.

1. Press in to God / Draw close to Him.  (Draw near to me, and I will draw near to you.)
   

He may seem like a million miles away.  That doesn’t matter.

This is where FAITH can be developed like no other way.

2. Ask for more GRACE.  Receive it by Faith. (His grace IS sufficient!)
   

3. Praise God for who He is

Example of Jehosephat (see below)

Paul & Silas in prison

4. Do the Possible

Example of 3 times I was pulled out to sea & could see I was losing, doing all I could to swim back.

5. Ask God to show you one or more people who can be a support to you.

If they’re like Job’s friends, go it alone.

6. Ask God to lead you, step by step.  He may give you a whole strategy to follow.

More often He just gives you the next step or points you in the right direction.

7. Don’t make decisions based on emotions.

8. Spiritual Warfare – Eph. 6:  We have a real enemy; and he’d love to claim us back.

9. Stand firm in your commitment to the Lord and what you know He’s called you to.

10. Watch and Wait for God’s deliverance.  For some people this is the hardest part.

 

Conclusion:

God is God.  He’ll come through – in His way and in His time.

And if He doesn’t?  What then?

If I perish, I perish.  Esther 4:16

Philippians 1:21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.

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In 2 Chronicles 20 there is a story about a great army, made up of the Moabites, Ammonites, and some of the Meunites, which came against Jehoshaphat king of Judah and his people. Jehoshaphat was so overpowered by the information that he stood up and made a plea to GOD asking for HIS direction of on the circumstance. In verse 14 the Spirit of the Lord came down upon Jahaziel son of Zechariah and stood in the assembly.

Verse 15-18 NIV is as follows.

He said: Listen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the LORD says to you: 'Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but GOD'S. Tomorrow march down against them. They will be climbing up by the Pass of Ziz, and you will find them at the end of the gorge in the Desert of Jeruel. You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the LORD will give you, O Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the LORD will be with you.' ” Jehoshaphat bowed with his face to the ground, and all the people of Judah and Jerusalem fell down in worship before the LORD.

The next day when the people went out to confront the apposing army Jehoshaphat appoint men to sing to the LORD and praise GOD for the splendor of His holiness. These men traveled before the army, saying: “Give thanks to the LORD for His love endures forever.” While the people were singing GOD set ambushes against the men of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir who were invading Judah, and they were defeated. GOD had turned those three armies against one another and had them destroy each other before Jehoshaphat and the people of Judah ever got to there location. When Jehoshaphat and his people saw what the LORD had done they traveled back to Jerusalem went to the temple and worshiped the LORD. The news of what had happened spread though out the neighboring countries and the fear of GOD came upon those kingdoms giving Judah peace and rest at every boarder.

I say all that to say this: Jumping Jehoshaphat is a phrase that was used to remind people that when startling, unexpected, or troubling news come to you, you will remember to “jump” into GOD'S arms and allow HIM to take care of your problem. Just like Jehoshaphat the king of Judah did when there was such a vast army there looked to be no way of escape. Jehoshaphat and his people called on the LORD and HE took care of the problem in a way that no man could have. So remember when something comes your way that makes you shout “Jumping Jehoshaphat” GOD can be the answer to your problem.  (this section is from the Bible and an internet blog)

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A number of years ago a friend of mine - Andrae Crouch - wrote this song during a difficult season he was going through. This song of course has blessed so many around the world.

Through It All :

Verse 1
I've had many tears and sorrows,
I've had questions for tomorrow,
there's been times I didn't know right from wrong.
But in every situation,
God gave me blessed consulation,
that my trials come to only make me strong.

Chorus
Through it all,
through it all,
I've learned to trust in Jesus,
I've learned to trust in God.

Through it all,
through it all,
I've learned to depend upon His Word.

Verse 2
I've been to lots of places,
I've seen a lot of faces,
there's been times I felt so all alone.
But in my lonely hours,
yes, those precious lonely hours,
Jesus lets me know that I was His own

Chorus

Verse 3
I thank God for the mountains,
and I thank Him for the valleys,
I thank Him for the storms He brought me through.
For if I'd never had a problem,
I wouldn't know God could solve them,
I'd never know what faith in God could do