© 2023 United Church of God Australia
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Written by Kim Mihalec
It's been a cold winter. Your bones and muscles are aching. You drag yourself out of bed each morning and through the day, just waiting for the chance to fall back into bed at the end of the day. Life seems like one endless meaningless merry-go-round that's anything but merry. When you read the saying "can someone stop the world, I want to get off", you nod and sigh. If only you could get off the world for a day or two...
These feelings can have many causes - clinical depression, chronic ill health, trauma, grief, physical exhaustion... However, there is one sure remedy, regardless of the cause: taking it to God.
You may not be "into" God or religion, and if you've suffered long and deeply, the idea of taking your problems to God may seem ridiculously simplistic. On the other hand, if you've suffered long and deeply, what is there to lose?
Do you have a favourite painting or piece of artwork? Go study it. Drink in every detail and think about what it tells you about the artist. And now, study your own body. Even if it is broken, even if you are seriously disabled or missing limbs, you are a piece of art. Your body is a network of intricate details. Your mind, with its ability to analyse, consider, empathise and express itself is a work of pure genius. David, an ancient king wrote: "I am fearfully and wonderfully made..." (Psalm 139:14). Great men and women throughout the ages have marvelled at the complexity of the human body and the miracle of life. This incredible piece of artwork that you live inside is the product of a Great Designer.
Think about what this piece of artwork tells you about the Divine Artist, the Almighty God. In the Bible, we are told that we can see what God is like through His creation (Romans 1:20). Look at the plants around you, which live without moving. God has provided for them. Look at the living creatures, from the ants that invade your kitchen to the great whales that sail beneath the ocean. The diversity, beauty, harmony and symmetry all speak of a Mind beyond our comprehension.
Jesus Christ, the Son of God who came to die so that we could live forever, said that God actively provides for all of His creation - even the ravens and wild flowers. Jesus went on to say that if God looks after even common birds, He will certainly look after any person who calls on Him for help (Matthew 6:25 and 26; Luke 12:22-32).
Be warned, though, God looking after you may not turn out how you expect. Jesus Christ warned that those who followed Him would suffer hardship, in some cases great hardship. The Bible records that Paul the Apostle pleaded with God to be relieved from a "thorn in the flesh", only to be told "my grace is sufficient" (II Corinthians 12:7-9). However, Paul went on to write that he suffered gladly, knowing that this was all part of God's greater purpose both for Paul and the people he taught (II Corinthians 12:9-10).
One way or another, there will come a time when life gets hard for all of us. If we take our pain and discouragement to God, then we have our Creator on our team! He may not give us what we want, but we can trust Him to give us what we need - after all, He gave us life in the first place. You may find it hard to trust a God you can't see, especially if you've suffered long and deeply, but if your world is collapsing around you, what is there to lose?
Posted in Christian Living on Saturday, 29 August 2015
Have you ever wondered why the Creator God would have any interest in you or me, or in humanity? David asked the very same question – “What is man that You are mindful of him ... the son of man that You visit him?” The answer to this question has gone generally unknown or misunderstood throughout human history. When we pause, meditate on and embrace the answer, our lives will be forever changed. Dare to read on?
Posted in Worshipping God | Sunday, 16 August 2015.
Various theories exist about how humans came into existence and about the purpose, if any, for human life. Is there a reason for us being on earth? Or, as evolution would like us to believe, did we come into existence by pure coincidence? If that were the case, we might as well eat and drink for tomorrow we die. This lesson shows from the Bible the fantastic potential we have from God-not only now, but for all eternity.
Why do you exist? What is your destiny? Is there a reason, a purpose, for human life? These questions have baffled the greatest thinkers and philosophers down through the ages.
Stephen Clark speaks on the importance of forgiveness.
What is the purpose of human life? Are we here for a reason? Does the Bible provide answers for these questions? What does the Bible mean when it talks about repentance, baptism and conversion? Inside this booklet you will find the answers to these questions.
"...Broad is the road that leads to destruction...and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it" (Matthew 7:13,14).
In this booklet we will examine the Bible's teaching on conversion—it is not just a one-time event. Instead the Scriptures reveal that it is a process. The process begins with God's calling, followed by the key steps of repentance, baptism and the receiving of the Holy Spirit, finally climaxing with the return of Jesus Christ — when the dead in Christ are resurrected to immortality and given eternal life — the ultimate transformation!
Suffering. It's not a pleasant subject to discuss, but a necessary one. Suffering plagues our world. In its many forms it affects us physically, psychologically and emotionally. This featured booklet will help you understand how suffering began, how it will end—and why it continues.
How is God One? Is God a Trinity? Who was Jesus of Nazareth? Was He a mere man, or much more? What was the significance of His death and resurrection? In this booklet you'll learn more about the nature of God and Jesus Christ and our future destiny with them as revealed in the Bible.
Is the devil real? Many people assume he’s just a mythological figure or some sort of symbol of all evil. But your Bible tells a very different story. It describes a very real being of enormous power and influence over human beings. In fact, it tells us that this being “deceives the whole world” (Revelation 12:9). It describes him as “the god of this age” (2 Corinthians 4:4)—an evil spirit being who desires to be worshiped by human beings and who tries to usurp the one true God. How does he deceive the entire world? A major way is through false religion—by infiltrating churches and denominations and subtly influencing them into teaching a “different gospel” and “another Jesus” quite different from what the original apostles taught (2 Corinthians 11:4; Galatians 1:6-9). Could you possibly be influenced by this being? How can you know? You need to read this issue of Beyond Today! It’s vitally important that you understand the truth!
What You Need to Know About Baptism
Are we here for a reason? "...Broad is the road that leads to destruction...and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it" — Will you?
Jesus Christ taught important spiritual lessons regarding the "fruit" of our lives. What are they, and how well are we applying them?
Alcohol can be an uncomfortable subject. If you have an alcohol problem it's not easy to admit it and seek help. If you know someone with a problem, confronting them with the issue or knowing how to help can be very difficult.
Overcoming Pornography Addiction
Pornography addiction is a real and very serious problem for people of all types and backgrounds. It may even be a serious problem for you. If you or someone to know is struggling with the sexual sin of porn addiction, this study aid can help break the chains of slavery to sin.
Marriages are in crisis! Divorce is rampant. How do you build a truly loving and life-long relationship?
© 2023 United Church of God Australia
All correspondence and questions should be sent to . Send inquiries regarding the operation of this Web site to .