CURRENT RADIO SERIES Best of 2016

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And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. -Philippians 1:6 Sometimes problems are like a big truck you’re following on the highway. It’s so big that you can’t see around it…and you’re not sure you can get around it because you don’t know what’s ahead of you. A problem can sometimes seem so big and overwhelming that you simply don’t know if you’re ever going to get around it. The good news is that even though you can’t always see on the other side of a problem, there’s something good there–the anticipation that comes from knowing that when you wrestle through a problem, God is there on the other side with the promise of a brighter and hopeful future. As a follower of Christ, you have the promise of God that He will finish what He started in you and not leave you stranded in the middle of a problem. And let me remind you that God permits trials in your life to strengthen your faith…and that should give you the anticipation of knowing that He is doing something wonderful through you and for you, even when the testing is hard. So if you’re going through a hard trial today, don’t let go of the hopeful anticipation of what Christ is doing in your life.   REGARDLESS OF THE TRIAL, YOU CAN LIVE IN HOPEFUL ANTICIPATION BECAUSE OF GOD’S PROMISE TO FINISH WHAT HE STARTED IN YOUR LIFE. Recognizing Jesus by Dr. Paul Chappell “And it came to pass, as he sat at meat with them, he took bread, and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them. And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight.” Luke 24:30–31 Hannah dedicated her son Samuel to the service of God before he was born, and when he was very small, he went to live with Eli at the tabernacle. Samuel worked with Eli, and was exposed to the things of God on a daily basis. But he was still very young, and when God spoke to him one night, Samuel did not recognize who was speaking. “Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD, neither was the word of the LORD yet revealed unto him. And the LORD called Samuel again the third time. And he arose and went to Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou didst call me. And Eli perceived that the LORD had called the child” (1 Samuel 3:7–8). Samuel had to be taught and trained to recognize and respond to the voice of God. The Lord is still working in our world today. Though He no longer speaks audibly as He did before the written Word of God was completed and we do not seek His leading in dreams and visions, He is still active. It is our responsibility to be alert and aware to the opportunities that He brings us to be part of the work He is doing in our world. We do not need voices from Heaven to let us know that we should witness to the lost, comfort the sick and hurting, encourage those who are lonely, give to those who are in need, and pray continually because God has already told us to do these things in His Word, and by His Holy Spirit, He reminds us of these commands as we go throughout our day. The reason some Christians do not feel like God is working in their lives is that they have not taken the time to listen to His voice. Today’s Growth Principle:  Christianity is a personal religion—God is alive and active in our lives, and we need to recognize His presence.