Powerpoint - Dec. 28, 2010, Daily Word from Pastor Graham

Powerpoint - Dec. 28, 2010

December 28, 2010

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.

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Straight Up

Dear Friend,

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About PowerPoint

PowerPoint Ministries is the radio and television broadcast ministry of Jack Graham, pastor of Prestonwood Baptist Church — a nearly 37,000-member church with three campuses in the Dallas and North Texas region. Through PowerPoint Ministries, Dr. Graham offers practical, biblical steps on how to tap into God's power for successful Christian living.

About Jack Graham

Dr. Jack Graham serves as Senior Pastor of Prestonwood Baptist Church, one of the nation’s largest, most dynamic congregations.

When Dr. Graham came to Prestonwood in 1989, the 8,000-member congregation responded enthusiastically to his straightforward message and powerful preaching style.

Now thriving with more than 57,000 members, Prestonwood continues to grow, reaching throughout the North Texas region. In 2006, the church launched a second location, the North Campus, in a burgeoning area 20 miles north of the Plano Campus. Prestonwood also has a flourishing Spanish-language ministry, Prestonwood en Español, which includes members from more than 20 nations. And Prestonwood.Live, the online community, draws worshippers from all over the world.
Dr. Graham is a noted author of numerous books, including the latest Reignite: Fresh Focus for an Enduring Faith. In this deeply personal book, Dr. Graham shares lessons he learned in the midst of crisis – offering insight on how to focus on Jesus even in the darkest days.

Other books include A Man of God: Essential Priorities for Every Man’s Life; Unseen: Angels, Satan, Heaven, Hell and Winning the Battle for Eternity; Angels: Who They Are, What They Do and Why It Matters; Powering Up: The Fulfillment and Fruit of a God-Fueled Life; and Courageous Parenting, written with his wife, Deb.

His passionate, biblical teaching is also seen and heard across the country and throughout the world on PowerPoint Ministries. Through broadcasts, online sermons and e-mail messages, Dr. Graham addresses relevant, everyday issues that are prevalent in our culture and strike a chord with audiences worldwide.

In October 2022, the Bible in a Year with Jack Graham podcast was launched in partnership with iHeartPodcasts and Pray.com, with a cinematic feel that brings the Bible to life. Within the first week of its release, the podcast reached the top spot on the Spotify religion list, and it has now surpassed 30 million downloads.

Dr. Graham has served as Honorary Chairman of the National Day of Prayer and has helped lead various national prayer initiatives. He served as President of the Southern Baptist Convention, the largest Protestant denomination in the country with more than 14 million members.

He and Deb have three married children and eight grandchildren.