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Can I Find Joy When Life is Difficult?

When we face difficulties in life, our temptation is to blame God, rather than claim God. We are always looking for someone to blame. We may say, “This is not my fault… This is my parents fault…This is my friend’s fault…Maybe this is even God’s fault…God doesn’t care about me…And that’s why I’m suffering.” So we blame God, and I just want to tell you, folks, that is not with the New Testament apostles and disciples were doing, when they faced trials & difficulties, they were not blaming God, they were claiming God.

  • They were claiming God’s promises.
  • They were claiming Gods power.
  • They were claiming God’s everlasting Spirit at work in all circumstances.
  • They were claiming God’s providence.
  • They were claiming God’s sovereignty.

So here’s the question for you, when you face difficulties in life, will you choose to blame God or will you choose to claim God? That’s a decision. That’s a choice. And one of those choices will lead to despair. But, one of them will lead you to CHOOSE JOY.

Dave Hentschel

Dave Hentschel

David Hentschel serves as Lead Pastor: Preaching, Spiritual Formation and Care at Millington Baptist Church in Basking Ridge, NJ. He is a graduate of Philadelphia Biblical University and Dallas Theological Seminary. He and his wife Juli enjoy three children.

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All Things New

A Sermon Summary on Revelation 21:1–22:5 Pastor Dave Hentschel As we study Revelation 21:1–22:5, we witness the culmination of God’s redemptive plan. The old order of things, characterized by suffering, sin, and sorrow, is gone. What replaces it is a glorious, new creation—a city of joy, hope, and peace. This passage invites us to look

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Dave Hentschel December 17, 2024

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Bells on Christmas Morning There are many reasons people love the Christmas season. Maybe it’s the hot chocolate. Maybe it’s the eggnog. Maybe it’s the presents. Maybe it’s the decorations, and lights, and snow but I guarantee it is the music—which sometimes starts back at Halloween! (Shame on you!). One famous song, “I Heard the

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Dave Hentschel December 2, 2024