Why struggling is part of the Christian life
December 28, 2010
And the LORD said to Moses, "Pass on before the people, taking with you some of the elders of Israel, and take in your hand the staff with which you struck the Nile, and go. Behold, I will stand before you there on the rock at Horeb, and you shall strike the rock, and water shall come out of it, and the people will drink." And Moses did so, in the sight of the elders of Israel.
Exodus 17:5-6
Not long ago, a man walked up to me after church and said, "Pastor, I'm worried I might not be saved."
So I asked him, "Why?"
"Well," he explained, "I've really been struggling with sin lately and have given in to temptation in some areas. Why would I be having such a tough time if I was really saved?"
So I told him, "The fact that you are doing battle with sin is evidence that you are saved!"
When the children of Israel were wandering in the wilderness, God gave them a great victory when Moses struck the rock and water came out in the middle of the desert. He provided refreshing water for His people when they needed it most.
Now in 1 Corinthians 10:4, Paul tells us that the rock that Moses struck is a representation of Jesus Christ, who was struck for our sins and out of his side flowed a river of blood and water.
So the children of Israel had been saved, delivered from the hand of Pharaoh. And they received the rock, which represents Christ. Then what happened? Immediately after they drank the water, they were attacked by Amalek. God gave Israel the rock of Christ and then called them to battle!
When you receive Christ and the Spirit of God takes up residence in you, a war begins. So let your struggles be a testimony to the fact that the Spirit of God is alive and active in your life!
WAGE WAR AGAINST SIN WITH CONFIDENCE BECAUSE STRUGGLES SHOW THAT THE SPIRIT OF GOD LIVES IN YOU.
For more from PowerPoint Ministries and Dr. Jack Graham, please visit www.jackgraham.org
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MY GIFT TO YOU!
Straight Up
Dear Friend,
I sincerely hope you will request my 10-message series called Straight Up, where I tackle 10 tough questions we all face. Like "When Does Life Begin?" and "Can Love Last a Lifetime?", "Can You Trust the Bible?", and "Are All Religions the Same?"
After listening, you'll be more equipped to live a confident life, knowing the truth and trusting the promises of Christ!
Thank you for giving to help PowerPoint continue to share the transforming power of Jesus!! --Jack Graham 
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