2 Jan, 2008
A lot of bad news...here are 2007's top 10 stories, as voted by AP members:
1. VIRGINIA TECH KILLINGS
2. MORTGAGE CRISIS
3. IRAQ WAR
4. OIL PRICES
5. CHINESE EXPORTS
6. GLOBAL WARMING
7. BRIDGE COLLAPSE
8. PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN
9. IMMIGRATION DEBATE
10. IRAN'S NUCLEAR PROGRAM
How will you respond if your 2008 story includes these circumstances?
- your brother or sister annoy you?
- you lose the big game?
- you don't get the part in the musical?
- your friends let you down?
- you're sick and can't go anywhere?
- you lose your wallet and there was $110 in it?
- your parents don't understand you?
- you lose your job?
- your application for college isn't accepted?
- YOU'RE STRIPPED, BEATEN AND CHAINED IN A DUNGEON?
pictures courtesy images.google.com
What if your story in 2008 is difficult?
Acts 16:16-26
Paul and Silas in Prison
16 As we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a slave girl who had a spirit of divination and brought her owners much gain by fortune-telling. 17 She followed Paul and us, crying out, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to you the way of salvation.” 18 And this she kept doing for many days. Paul, having become greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.” And it came out that very hour.
19 But when her owners saw that their hope of gain was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace before the rulers. 20 And when they had brought them to the magistrates, they said, “These men are Jews, and they are disturbing our city. 21 They advocate customs that are not lawful for us as Romans to accept or practice.” 22 The crowd joined in attacking them, and the magistrates tore the garments off them and gave orders to beat them with rods. 23 And when they had inflicted many blows upon them, they threw them into prison, ordering the jailer to keep them safely. 24 Having received this order, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks.
The Philippian Jailer Converted
25 About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them, 26 and suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken. And immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone's bonds were unfastened. (ESV)
What does today's God's Story scripture teach us about dealing with tough times?
How can we connect today's God's Story scripture to our lives?
- Thank God that He is in control. Thank Him for using your problems and circumstances to help you trust Him more completely. Ask His Spirit to teach you to choose joy in 2008.
- For one or two weeks, keep a written journal to record your daily response to problems and disappointments. At the end of this exercise, write a note to God thanking Him for what you learn.
How can you connect today's story, God's Story scripture and your story to others?
- Get some friends together late night and talk about how you respond when life seems to beat you up. At midnight, read the story of Paul and Silas and pray for each other.
- Think of a friend or family member who needs Jesus and is currently facing tough times. Pray for this person and for the opportunity to care for them, listen to them, and make the connection with your story and God's Story.
- February 2012 [5]
- January 2012 [18]
- December 2011 [20]
- November 2011 [15]
- October 2011 [15]
- September 2011 [14]
- August 2011 [22]
- July 2011 [19]
- June 2011 [21]
- May 2011 [20]
- April 2011 [20]
- March 2011 [21]
- February 2011 [20]
- January 2011 [21]
- December 2010 [21]
- November 2010 [21]
- October 2010 [21]
- September 2010 [22]
- August 2010 [21]
- July 2010 [22]
- June 2010 [20]
- May 2010 [18]
- April 2010 [21]
- March 2010 [23]
- February 2010 [19]
- January 2010 [22]
- December 2009 [22]
- November 2009 [21]
- October 2009 [22]
- September 2009 [21]
- August 2009 [20]
- July 2009 [21]
- June 2009 [22]
- May 2009 [18]
- April 2009 [15]
- March 2009 [7]
- February 2009 [17]
- January 2009 [20]
- December 2008 [23]
- November 2008 [19]
- October 2008 [22]
- September 2008 [22]
- August 2008 [19]
- July 2008 [22]
- June 2008 [11]
- May 2008 [19]
- April 2008 [22]
- March 2008 [21]
- February 2008 [18]
- January 2008 [20]
- December 2007 [18]
- November 2007 [15]
- October 2007 [19]
- September 2007 [18]
- August 2007 [12]
- July 2007 [12]
- June 2007 [9]
- May 2007 [11]
- April 2007 [10]
- March 2007 [11]
- February 2007 [14]
- January 2007 [7]
- December 2006 [4]
- November 2006 [13]
- October 2006 [17]
- September 2006 [11]
- August 2006 [16]
- July 2006 [10]
- June 2006 [3]
