Accepting God’s Will, Even If It’s Difficult

Whether it's the loss of a loved one or loss of a job, a loss is overwhelming. What benefit is there in accepting and trusting God's plans for your life?

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TRANSCRIPT

Accepting God’s Will, Even if it Seems Difficult

Brother Bob Pellien: Hello everyone, and welcome to this program The Message. We truly hope that all of you and your families [are] doing well.

You know, dear friends, there’s already been so much discussion about this Covid-19 pandemic. However, the actual damage created by this pandemic is what we want to address today. You know, some of you, you may have lost a friend, you may have lost a loved one to this Covid-19 disease which has drastically altered your lives. Dear friends, we grieve with you, and on behalf of all of us here we extend to you our sincerest condolences. And we hope today you find comfort, hopefully, in the words of God that, together, we will soon be reading in this episode of The Message.

Brother Richard Juatco: We also know that death is not the only loss that many are experiencing today. Many are actually losing their sources of income to provide for themselves and their families. And this, in itself, can cause someone to grieve and wonder what happened to them. How is it that they can move forward from this?

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Brother Richie: So today we are asking, “How can one learn how to fully trust in God; how to accept God’s will even when it might seem to be difficult?

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Accepting God’s will, even if it seems difficult

Brother Bob: I’m Brother Bob Pellien.

Brother Richie: And I’m Brother Richie Juatco. And we’ll get answers from the Bible today in this episode of The Message.

[Show open]

Brother Bob: Dear friends, we come to you again this week from our homes still under the shelter-in-place orders from the government. And as members of the Iglesia Ni Cristo, the Church Of Christ, under the leadership of our Executive Minister, Brother Eduardo V. Manalo, we’re always taught to obey the government ordinances.

So Brother Richie, let’s get right to it. Dear friends, in general, when a person doesn’t immediately understand what’s happening in their life, they don’t understand why things are happening as they do. Unfortunately, some look to place blame. And even try to blame God. Or they blame others, or they just simply become discouraged about what they know; discouraged about what they’ve always believed, and begin to doubt their own faith.

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No offence, but where is God? People are dying man, people have always been dying way before their time too! Where is he? Someone answer me? #God #whereisgod

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Brother Richie: Brother Bob, granted people, they vary, in their basis of what they use to understand things. But for us that use the Bible as the basis of understanding things; understanding life—well, we ask, “What should, or what should we not do when things seem confusing?”

Brother Bob: And to that point, Brother Richie, we can just look to the apostles and to what’s recorded in the Bible, right?

Brother Richie: That’s right, Brother Bob. We can use the apostles as examples to pattern our decisions after so that when we don’t immediately understand what is happening, we can find out what they (the apostles) did.

Brother Bob: Were the apostles—did they experience a time or circumstances that were really challenging where they became baffled, they became perplexed at what was happening around them?

Brother Richie: Yes! Yes, that is what happened to them, and you know it’s important to note: even though that happened to them, how is it that they handled it? So what did they do? We can read what is recorded here in II Corinthians, we’ll read chapter 4 and the verses are 8 to 9:

We are pressed on every side by troubles, but not crushed and broken. We are perplexed because we don’t know why things happen as they do, but we don’t give up and quit. We are hunted down, but God never abandons us. We get knocked down, but we get up again and keep going.

[II Corinthians 4:8-9 The Living Bible]

Brother Richie: So here we can clearly see that there were times when they were perplexed, or they were puzzled over things that were happening to them.

Brother Bob: Maybe Brother Richard, that’s very much like some who may be watching our program right now, right?

Brother Richie: Yes Brother Bob. But what we were able to read from the Scriptures is even though that was happening they did not—they didn’t give up; they didn’t quit, or they didn’t renounce or reject their basis of belief, or their faith.

Brother Bob: Their faith must have been very strong, obviously. What was the basis of their belief? What was the basis of their faith? It must have been strong enough to enable them to overcome the challenges and the difficulties, the disappointments that they were experiencing, that they felt. Because it didn’t shake them, they didn’t give up, they didn’t lose hope. But the reality remains, as many are experiencing so many challenges nowadays amidst this virus, everyone doesn’t react the way those apostles did, some actually do lose hope.

Brother Richie: You’re right! And it’s like there are those that when things don’t go according to their plan, based on their faith, well then what they end up doing is they just change their faith.

Brother Bob: So what does the Bible give, Brother Richie, as some guidance to anyone joining us in our program for today? What does the Bible provide as help and guidance to those who may feel like that?

Brother Richie: So Brother Bob we can answer those questions, especially when you mentioned, you know, there are many people right now they are going through these things because of Covid-19. There might be some thoughts running through their mind. So your original question, what was the faith of the apostles? How come even though they were going through difficult times, they didn’t quit?

Well we can get the answer by what actually happened to Job. We can read what is written here in Job chapter 2, the verses that we’re going to read from now are 9 to 10. And it says this:

Then his wife said to him, Do you still hold fast your blameless uprightness? Renounce God and die! But he said to her, You speak as one of the impious and foolish women would speak. What? Shall we accept [only] good at the hand of God and shell we not accept [also] misfortune and what is of a bad nature? In [spite of] all this, Job did not sin with his lips.

[Job 2:9-10 Amplified Bible, Classic Edition]

Brother Richie: So the basis, or the faith, that the apostles had in God. And we can see many people, they can actually relate to the experiences of Job.

Brother Bob: Now for reference, dear friends, we can be reminded that, well Job was a wealthy man, yet he lost everything. He lost his livelihood, and he lost it all at once.

Brother Richie: Job also had a very large family, and then suddenly he lost his loved ones. Ten children without even getting the chance to say goodbye.

Brother Bob: Isn’t it, Brother Richie, it kind of sounds like the story of many nowadays who could not say to their loved ones as they were isolated in Intensive Care units, in hospitals all over the world, from this virus. They were not able to say goodbye. The family members could not go there and say goodbye.

Brother Richie: That’s right, Brother Bob, very relatable to what’s happening now. And Job, as we know, not only did he lose those things, he even lost his health, as we can see what’s happening today, as well.

Brother Bob: Yea, and you know dear friends, Job may not have known also why all those things were happening to him. Just like you, just like many people nowadays. He may not [have known] really—why did he lose his livelihood? Why did he lose his children? Why did he lose loved ones? Why did all these things happen to him?

By the way, Brother Richie, what was the reaction of Job’s wife? How did she react?

Brother Richie: Job’s wife, Brother Bob, she actually reacted the way many are accustomed to acting when things don’t seem to go their way.

Brother Bob: How’s that?

Brother Richie: Well according to what we’ve read, she said, ‘Do you still hold fast your blameless uprightness? Renounce God and die!’ That’s what she told her husband.

Brother Bob: So how did Job react then? Was he convinced to go along with the way of thinking of his wife? How did Job, instead, prove his faith was still in God? Regardless of the seemingly devastating things that were happening to him in his life.

Brother Richie: Well as we read it said, ‘In [spite of] all this, Job did not sin…’ So like the apostles, where they did not give up, they did not quit, they kept on following God’s words.

Brother Bob: Dear friends, although we may not know every one of your particular situations and circumstances that you’re experiencing, but we do know is that what’s happening is permanently altering so many people’s lives. And we grieve along with you.

Brother Richie: We also know that grieving a loss, that’s normal. And sometimes that’s necessary. But as you try to understand what’s happening when you have lost these things, what we suggest is don’t lose your faith in God. In fact, it’s when we don’t understand why things in our life happen as they do, that’s when, all the more, we need to trust in God. And we want to help you turn to God.

Brother Bob: Brother Riche, why is that so? What would be the result for all our viewers, if they were guided to learn how to place all their trust in God during these times of bitter experiences in life?

Brother Richie: Well again, Brother Bob, we can learn from the apostles’ experiences. We’ll read now here in II Corinthians chapter 1, and we’ll read verses 8 to 10. It says:

We don’t want you in the dark, friends, about how hard it was when all this came down on us in Asia province. It was so bad we didn’t think we were going to make it. We felt like we’d been sent to death row, that it was all over for us. As it turned out, it was the best thing that could have happened. Instead of trusting in our own strength or wits to get out of it, we were forced to trust God totally—not a bad idea since he’s the God who raises the dead! And he did it, rescued us from certain doom. And he’ll do it again, rescuing us as many times as we need rescuing.

[II Corinthians 1:8-10 The Message]

Brother Richie: So this time, we can see that the situation of the apostles, it was so bad. They didn’t think that they were going to make it out alive. But we notice as we look back at their situation, they actually said it was the best thing that could have happened to them.

Brother Bob: Brother Richie, that seems like a different kind of response that one would expect. Why did they have such a positive outlook in the midst of a seemingly destructive and bitter experience?

Brother Richie: Well because according to what we said, it said that they trusted God totally.

Brother Bob: And this is also important, dear friends. Which is the God that they placed their complete trust in? Because you know, Brother Richie, people believe in all kinds of different gods and different perceptions of God.

Brother Richie: Well they did say that they believe in the God that raises the dead. So they trusted in the true God.

Brother Bob: So what we’ve also learned in the past from our lessons here is that trusting in God means following His instructions, following His laws, obeying His commands.

So once again, beloved friends, we want to help any one of you watching this program with us. We want to help you. We want to help you right now to continue learning with us. Learn with us. Learn God’s instructions, learn His commands that are written here in the Holy Bible. Why? So that you can then learn how to trust in God and receive the needed help and guidance in times of bitterness, times of tragedy. Just like Job, and just like the apostles, like we’ve read.

Brother Richie: That’s why, friends, connect with us. Ask us your questions and let us help you learn how to totally trust in God.

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Brother Bob: So what happened when the apostles did that; when they totally put their trust in God? They trusted in God during a time when they thought that they weren’t even going to survive the grief they were in the midst of. They weren’t even going to survive, they weren’t even going to live through it? They were even going to “make it out alive”, to use the words of apostle Paul.

Brother Richie: Well we read that God rescued them from certain doom. And then we also noticed the conviction that grew inside of them because of the trust and faith in Him (God), they said that, “and He’ll do it again”, rescuing us as many times as (we) need rescuing.

Brother Bob: Dear friends, you might be thinking that what you’re going through right now. Maybe it was the loss of a loved one, or maybe you lost your employment. You’re unsure of what’s going to happen when you go back to your job. Will it still even be there? What’s going to happen to your business? All these things, it just may seem to be too much to bear, too much to take.

Maybe you’re thinking, I can’t make sense of it all. My life is doomed, because it has so drastically changed. But for those of you, dear friends, who might be thinking that way, now is the time to put your trust in God, now is the time to learn what He is teaching. Dear friends, do you want to know what will happen to you, if in fact you accept that and decide you want to learn how to really put your trust in God, you want to take the next step, you want to do what you know you must do?

Brother Richie: Friends, just like God’s servants written in the Bible, if you do put your trust in Him, if you do follow His commands, He’ll rescue you from certain doom.

Brother Bob: So, here’s the question for our friends watching us in this program, Brother Richie, where do they start? What’s the action that they need to take right away?

Brother Richie: That’s a good question, Brother Bob. I’m sure many are actually thinking that. You know, for those that their worlds have been turned upside down,

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BROTHER RICHARD JUATCO

MINISTER OF THE GOSPEL

Brother Richie: and trusting in their own strength, trusting in their own wits, it’s not enough to understand all that is happening. So, that question is very crucial. How is it that they can put their trust in God? Well, let’s read what’s recorded now in Ephesians chapter 3, we’ll read verses 14 and 20:

When I think of the wisdom and scope of his plan, I fall down on my knees and pray to the Father… Now glory be to God, who by his mighty power at work within us is able to do far more than we would ever dare to ask or even dream of—infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, or hopes.

[Ephesians 3:14 & 20 The Living Bible]

Brother Richie: So, first, we have to recognize why it’s so important to trust in the Father even more when we don’t understand why things are happening as they do. It is because God is able to do far more than we would ever dare to ask or dream of—infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts or hopes.

He’s the one. He’s the one that we should run to. He’s the one that we should hope in. He’s the one that should trust. Now we asked, “What should we believe in, so that we could start putting our trust in Him?” Well, according to what we have read, it says, “I think of His wisdom and the scope of his plan.”

Brother Bob: So, God has a plan. What we don’t know, God knows, and we should trust in the wisdom and the scope of God’s plan. What is it, dear friends, that we should all know and understand about His plan? Some might be wondering is my loss, is my grief, is that part of God’s plan? I’m going through a very difficult time, and the way I see it, I don’t know how to turn this around. Is that part of God’s plan?

Brother Richie: I see what you mean, Brother Bob. So, what should we understand about the power of God and the wisdom of His plan? We can, again, get our answers from what’s recorded here in the holy Scriptures, now, Romans chapter 8, we’ll read verse 28:

We know that in everything God works for the good of those who love him, whom he has called according to his plan.

[Romans 8:28 Chinese Contemporary Bible]

Brother Richie: So, we should understand that, in everything, God works for the good. So, whatever we’re going through, whatever we might be experiencing, we might think it’s so difficult right now, it’s not us but it is God that can turn things around. He has the power of making a seemingly devastating situation actually for our own good.

Brother Bob: But, Brother Richie, our viewers may certainly want to pose this kind of question, it’s such an important question, for whom is God planning to present His rescuing power, His guidance and direction, all the things that we’ve been reading about, who is that for, just anyone and everyone who has a problem?

Brother Richie: Well, Brother Bob, the Bible says for those who love Him.

Brother Bob: Yes, but of course everybody, especially those who may be viewing this program, they all would say I love God.

Brother Richie: That’s true, and it’s easy to say, Brother Bob, but the latter part of that verse is what needs action, it’s that qualifier. It’s those who love Him, whom He has called according to His plan.

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BROTHER BOB PELLIEN

MINISTER OF THE GOSPEL

Brother Bob: Well, we know already, Brother Richie, dear friends, that loving God, it was in fact mentioned in I John 5:3, the manifestation of one’s love for God is a willingness to follow and obey His commands. And that’s why, dear friends, when it comes to loving God, and we’ve read this before here I John 5:3, when it comes to manifesting one’s love for God, it’s done by means of following and obeying, putting into practice His laws and commands. That’s how we show our love for God.

Again, that is why we want to help you learn His commands. We want to help you learn how to truly express your love for God. You can’t just say I love God. Loving God is not just saying I love you, it’s not just merely a feeling for God, but rather it has to include, it does include, one’s obedience to His laws and His expectations or instructions.

How about that second part that you mentioned there, Brother Richie? Where does God call people, because you mentioned, or you read rather, about a calling. Where does God call people and bring them according to His plan? Where does God call those so they can obey His commands, express their love, and be part of His plan?

Brother Richie: Well, Brother Bob, we can read where God calls them. We’ll read here in Colossians, chapter 3, the verse is 15, it says:

And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body and be thankful.

[Colossians 3:15 New King James Version]

Brother Richie: So, we see, according to God’s plan, those that love Him or those that obey His commands, they are called in one body. So, the calling, inside this one body, this is vital—this is vital. Because those are the ones that, God, He’ll make everything work for the good, and that is especially what we need right now.

Brother Bob: But, Brother Richie, there may be those who would say, well, I’m already part of that body. They might even call it a body of believers, or a body of this or a body of that. They might even say that the verse says body, not church. So, we have to ask then, Brother, what is the body being referred to wherein God calls and places people, like the apostles that we read about earlier?

Brother Richie: All good questions, Brother Bob. We could even add to that question, since the apostles are also in that body, how about our Lord Jesus Christ? What is His relationship to the body? We’ll read here, now,in Colossians, chapter 1. So we’ll stay here in Colossians, chapter 1, now, verse 18, it says this about Christ and his relationship to the body, it says:

And He is the head of the body, the church,…

[Colossians 1:18 New King James Version]

Brother Richie: So, we can see that one body being referred to, where God calls people who love Him, that is the body of Christ. Christ is the head, and what is His body is the Church.

Brother Bob: What is also very noticable, there, Brother Richie, it mentions a particular church that God is calling people into, according to His plan. It did not say churches. It was a particular church. Which is that particular, then, body of Christ?

Brother Richie: So, we can read that body of Christ, which is the church, as we mentioned, here in Acts, the chapter is 20, the verse is 28, it says:

Take heed therefore to yourselves and to all the flock over which the Holy Spirit has appointed you overseers, to feed the church of Christ which he has purchased with his blood.

[Acts 20:28 LAMSA]

Brother Richie: Therefore, that one body of Christ, or the Church, and that is where God calls people according to His plan, is the Church Of Christ. Those that truly love God, inside the Church, are those that hold on to their faith. They don’t give it up, they don’t quit, especially when they’re hurting, especially when they’re grieving, when something happens and they don’t know why it happened. If they keep holding onto their faith, they will find that God will rescue them.

Brother Bob: Dear friends, G preod’s words are true. What’s happening today only adds to the evidence of that. These things were all predicted, we’ve studied that here. So, believe and learn more about the teachings of God that we embrace here in the Church Of Christ. That’s the primary reason why we produce programs like this, especially with all these things that are happening in the world,

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Brother Bob: We want to help you, we want to be with you, we want to help you get through these tragic times. We know how hard it is. We want to help you know God’s laws. We want to help you meet the conditions that He sets, so you can be a recipient of His abundant blessings and love, rescuing power, and the surrounding of His love in your life.

For our viewers, we extend to you our earnest invitation. Connect with us. Join with us.

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Brother Richie: Now, for our viewers, not only suffering from a loss, but they also may be anticipating a loss. Maybe you have a loved one, someone that is affected by this sickness claiming the lives of many, or you might be expecting to be laid off. Knowing how to handle these problems, knowing how to handle the inevitable, learning how to accept God’s will, learning how God requires to be approached, that can make all the difference in the world.

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Brother Bob: So, beloved friends, you have been able to learn and you have been able to hear, today, as the words of God in the Holy Bible have been placed up on the screen. You’ve heard the words of truth that can provide comfort, that can provide guidance. We invite you to continue learning more with us. We invite you to continue watching our programs just like this, all on incmedia.org and IGLESIANICRISTO.NET

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Brother Bob: And other platforms, wherein the words of God are being sent out over video conferencing, and such, during these trouble-filled times. We believe in these teachings, we uphold them. We invite you to join with us, and have a life changing impact in your life, today, and going forward. Visit incmedia.org and email us.

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Brother Bob: Email us your questions, email us your concerns and contact us. We’ll be there for you. Contact (us), ministers in the church, and through this video conferencing method.

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Brother Bob: In these times of isolation, and what the government is calling social distancing, your questions can be answered. And, as soon as we are able, we extend to you our invitation to join us at the nearest house of worship, at the nearest congregation of the Iglesia Ni Cristo, the ChurchOf Christ, that’s near to your area. Join, with us, in our worship services there, when this is all over. Join our Bible studies, meet the ministers, meet the church officers, meet the members. Everyone will be so ready to help you through your journey, and ultimately being embraced fully by God’s powerful, comforting Holy Spirit.

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Brother Bob: You may also go to our official website, and learn with us there, inside the Iglesia Ni Cristo, the Church Of Christ. We thank you for joining us in our study for today. We will see you again, next time, on this program The Message. We invite you to, please, join us for a short prayer of thanks.

Merciful Father, Lord, we thank You so much for, in spite of this pandemic and everyone being sheltered in their homes, we are still able to broadcast Your teachings throughout the world. We thank You for this, dear Lord. We thank You, also, for the Church Administration providing us the ways and means to reach out to our fellow man through this website and other platforms. We ask you, dear Father, to please may You touch the lives of all of our guests joining us, viewing this program. May You inspire them to continue learning.