Crises for Christians, and How to Deal with Them by Frederick Hoehn, copyright 2013, all rights reserved. Chapter 1 In the last seven decades, I've had some crises. Most Christians will have one or more crises in their lifetimes. Jesus said, "In the world you'll have tribulation, but be of good cheer, I've overcome the world." (John 16:33) There's an important clue right there, about how to deal with crises. Jesus said, "Be of good cheer." Be cheerful. Don't let yourself get depressed. Of course, I’m writing for Christians. I’m assuming you’re already born again, according to John chapter 3, and Romans 10:9,10. If you’re not yet a Christian, then the first step in solving your problems is get the gospel message, such as by reading Matthew or Mark or Luke or John in the Bible. Pray a simple prayer, asking the Lord Jesus to save you. Believe in your heart that God raised Jesus from the dead, like the Bible says. Confess with your mouth that you are one of Jesus’ people. The Lord wants his people to be baptized in water, and He also wants us to get baptized with the Holy Ghost with the speaking in unknown tongues (languages). But some people might say, "But you don't know how bad my situation is." It's true that I don't know your exact situation, but in any situation, the Lord doesn't want you to get overwrought, as though the problems can’t be solved. When Jonah was in the whale’s belly, the Lord brought him out. When Paul was on a ship during a violent storm, the ship was destroyed, but Paul came through. When the children of Israel had mountains of problems, the Lord gave them deliverance. When Peter was thrown into prison, the Lord brought him out. The Bible is just full of the history of God providing deliverance for his people from their difficult circumstances. One of the worst things you could do is to say, “There is no solution to these problems.” For one thing, that statement would be incorrect. For another, you would be talking like our enemy, the devil, wants us to talk. Don’t cooperate with the devil. There’s no such thing as a problem God can’t solve. Some might say, “If the situation gets bad enough, it’s pretty hard to be cheerful.” Proverbs 4:23 says, “Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it are the issues of life.” So then, you can keep your heart. God’s not going to tell us to keep our hearts if that can’t be done. Young people sometimes say, “I couldn’t help falling in love with her,” (if you’re a man, or, with him, if you’re a woman). But God says you can diligently keep your heart. One of my family members went against the scripture in Corinthians that says, “Don’t be unequally yoked together with unbelievers…” (2 Cor 6:14) She became persuaded that if she married that man who wasn’t a Christian, that he would become a Christian. But for the rest of their lives, he never did become a Christian. So then, a Christian shouldn’t even be dating an unbeliever. You find out beforehand about your prospective date whether or not they’re born-again. And if they’re not a Christian, you say no to the offer of a date (for women), and the man doesn’t ask an unbeliever for a date. No, you ask the Lord for the right person to be your spouse. When you pray, believe that you receive. (Mark 11:24) Paul and Silas had been put in prison. They were also put in stocks in the prison, for extra security. So did they start griping about how unfair the situation was? Were they moaning and complaining? No, they started singing praises to God. (Acts chapter 16) And the Lord got them out of prison. But some of my crises had to do not with desperate situations, but when, after a period of time, things didn’t seem to be going the way the Lord had promised. So then, I was tempted to say that the Bible wasn’t working right. I was tempted to get angry with God. Let me give you a tip: There is nothing to be gained by getting angry with God. So don’t even mess with that. When you speak to God, show respect. But you can plead your case to God. You can quote scriptures to Him, and we should. Sometimes, the reason a scripture doesn’t seem to be working right is simply that we didn’t put our faith with that scripture. When you pray, believe you receive the things you ask for, and you shall have them. (Mark 11;24) People can start reasoning things out to where it seems like God is unfair or unreliable. It’s possible for Christians to persuade themselves that they made a serious mistake to become a Christian. And the Devil will try to help them come to that conclusion. Jesus said there would be people who wind up in hell who had been Christians. from Matthew chapter 7: 21 Not everyone that says to me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven, but he that does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me on that day, Lord, Lord, haven't we prophesied in your name? And in your name have cast out devils? And in your name done many wonderful works? 23 And then I will tell them, I never knew you, go away from me, you sinners. Notice that some of them had cast out devils. You don’t cast out devils unless you’re a Christian. The seven sons of Sceva, in Acts chapter 19, tried to cast out devils, and failed miserably, because they did so not being Christians. Jesus was talking to people who had cast out devils, so they really had been Christians. But they wound up in hell. (Matt 7:23) Why? Because, though they had been Christians, they didn’t “endure to the end.” (Matt 10:22) Because they weren’t “faithful until death.” (Rev 2:10) Because they didn’t obey “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.” (Phil 2:12) If you’re working out your own salvation with fear and trembling, you won’t try to blame God if things aren’t going well for you. Chapter 2 I know a man who had been a Christian. But then, I saw him last year, and he told me he stopped being a Christian. He had managed to persuade himself that Jesus had told a lie. It had to do with another man whose salvation had been prayed for by many. But that man didn’t get saved, and then died. So, this former Christian blames Jesus because Jesus said whatever you ask, I’ll do. Yes, but look at this—God never forces anyone to become a Christian. God will go to great lengths to try to persuade people to get saved. He’ll send preachers and teachers and Bibles and Christians to testify. But God won’t force someone, against their will, to become a Christian. I suspect the man that the former Christian was talking about had already made up his mind, early in life, that he wasn’t interested in God. I’m sure that that man had demons in him. That man said he was an Atheist. But God says, “The fool has said in his heart there is no God.” (Psa 14:1) So, this former Christian blames God. What?? Do you really want to go to hell because you think you’ve found a fault in God? That attitude does not employ enough fear of God. The fear of God is the beginning of wisdom. (Psa 111:10) Lack of fear of God can send you to hell, and it looks like that’s what will happen for this former Christian that I was talking with. I told him, “You’re talking like a man on his way to hell.” He said, “You’re not going to scare me.” I wish that I could scare him out of going to hell, but it looks like he’s right, and I can’t. But why are we talking about this in a book about dealing with crises? Because, I want to show you ahead of time that the wrong conclusion to come to would be that the Bible doesn’t work, or that God has lied. Don’t let any crisis send you to hell. Don’t let any person send you to hell. During one of my crises, I was tempted to believe that Jesus had spoken wrong. But the Bible teaches, and I know it’s true, that God the Father has accepted the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross for the sins of the world. But it’s a teaching of the Old Testament that sacrifices must be perfect. Moses taught that if you offered an imperfect sacrifice, that sacrifice would not be accepted by God. So then, there’s no use trying to find imperfection in Jesus, because God has already accepted him as a perfect sacrifice. If you say Jesus has faults, you are disagreeing with God the Father, and would therefore be failing to employ a sufficient amount of fear of God. Don’t try to tell God the Father that his son, Jesus, is imperfect. That’s not going to fly. That pot won’t hold water. That dog won’t hunt. But this former Christian that I spoke of was probably “hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.” (Heb 3:13) The man got involved in some things he shouldn’t have gotten involved in, including having for himself a girlfriend, for a long period of time, who was an unbeliever. He used to speak of winning her for Jesus. It looks like, instead, she’s won him over to going to hell with her. God warned the children of Israel about that before they went into the promised land. God said don’t intermarry with the inhabitants of the land, or they’ll draw you away from me. Now if we have settled it that we’re not going to blame God for the crisis, then here is what we must do. We must ask God to fix the problems. We must put our faith with our prayers. (Mark 11:24) We must claim God’s promises over ourselves and our families, yes, out loud with our mouths. (Josh 1:8) “My God shall supply all your needs according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” (Phil 4:19) Say it and believe it. Expect it to happen. Tell your friends the problem is solved, even if it doesn’t look like the problem is solved. If your friends call you crazy, they’re wrong. “Faith calls those things that are not as though they were.” (Rom 4:17) First, you believe, and then, you receive. (Mark 11:24) But if you leave out the believing, then forget about the receiving. We must bind the powers of the enemy (“Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven.”) (Matt 16:19) We must loose ministering spirits (the angels) to work on our behalf for the solutions to the problems. (Matt 16:19, Heb 1:14) We must speak into existence the things we need. (Mark 11:23) We must keep the switch of faith turned on, and trust the Lord to give us deliverance. But what if a Christian has lost a loved one? Did that person pass away quite recently? There is such a thing as Christians raising the dead, you know. You might say, well yes, Jesus did that when he was on earth. Yes, and he said we’d do greater things because he went to the Father. But there’s also the scripture, “All things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to his purpose.” (Rom 8:28) We must do like Jesus did, who “humbled himself and became obedient.” (Phil 2:8) That former Christian that I mentioned failed to humble himself before God. Jesus said you don’t go to heaven unless you humble yourself like a little child. Is the crisis about an illness? Have you applied James 5:14,15? 14 Is anyone sick among you? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord, 15 And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up, and if he has committed sins, he'll be forgiven. Have you used your authority over the demons that may be involved in your situation? (Luke 10:19, Mrk 16:17,18) Command them to cease in their operations and desist in their maneuvers, in Jesus’ name. Use the authority Jesus gave you as a Christian. Open your mouth and command your situation to get in line with the Word of God. If you have a problem, that’s your mountain, COMMAND IT TO GO. (Mark 11:23) www.FredHoehnMinistries.com ___Psalm 23 1 The Lord is my shepherd, I won’t lack what I need. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside the still waters. 3 He restores my soul, he leads me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. 4 Yes, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I won’t fear any evil, for you are with me, your rod and your staff comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies, you anoint my head with oil, my cup overflows. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I’ll live in the house of the Lord forever. ___Psalm 119 1 Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the Lord. 2 Blessed are those who keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart. 3 They also don't sin, they walk in his ways. 4 You've commanded us to keep your precepts diligently. 5 O that my ways were directed to keep your statutes! 6 Then I won't be ashamed, when I have respect to all your commandments. 7 I'll praise you with uprightness of heart, when I shall have learned your righteous judgments. 8 I'll keep your statutes, O don't completely forsake me. 9 How shall a young man cleanse his way? By giving heed to your word. 10 I've sought you with my whole heart, O don't let me wander from your commandments. 11 I've hidden your word in my heart so that I won't sin against you. 12 Blessed are you, O Lord, teach me your statutes. 13 I've declared with my lips all the judgments of your mouth. 14 I've rejoiced in the way of your testimonies, as much as in all riches. 15 I'll meditate in your precepts, and have respect to your ways. 16 I'll delight myself in your statutes, I won't forget your word. 17 Deal abundantly with your servant, so I can live, and keep your word. 18 Open my eyes so that I'll see wondrous things out of your law. 19 I'm a stranger in the earth, don't hide your commandments from me. 20 My soul breaks for the longing that it has to your judgments at all times. 21 You've reprimanded the proud that are cursed, who err from your commandments. 22 Remove reproach and contempt from me, for I've kept your testimonies. 23 Princes also sat and spoke against me, but your servant meditated in your statutes. 24 Your testimonies also are my delight and my counselors. 25 My soul sticks to the dust, make me alive according to your word. 26 I've declared my ways, and you heard me, teach me your statutes. 27 Make me to understand the way of your precepts, so I shall talk of your wondrous works. 28 My soul melts for heaviness, strengthen me according to your word. 29 Remove the way of lying from me, and grant me your law graciously. 30 I've chosen the way of truth, I've laid your judgments before me. 31 I've stuck to your testimonies, O Lord, don't put me to shame. 32 I will run the way of your commandments, when you enlarge my heart. 33 Teach me, O Lord, the way of your statutes, and I'll keep it to the end. 34 Give me understanding, and I'll keep your law, yes, I'll observe it with my whole heart. 35 Make me to go in the path of your commandments, for in it I delight. 36 Incline my heart to your testimonies, and not to covetousness. 37 Turn my eyes away from seeing vanity, and make me alive in your way. 38 Establish your word to your servant, who is devoted to your fear. 39 Turn away my reproach that I fear, for your judgments are good. 40 See, I've longed after your precepts, make alive me in your righteousness. 41 Let your mercies come also to me, O Lord, your salvation, according to your word. 42 So I shall have what to answer to him that reproaches me, for I trust in your word. 43 And don't take the word of truth completely out of my mouth, for I've hoped in your judgments. 44 So I shall keep your law continually forever and always. 45 And I'll walk at liberty, for I seek your precepts. 46 I will speak of your testimonies also before kings, and won't be ashamed. 47 And I'll delight myself in your commandments that I've loved. 48 I will also lift up my hands to your commandments that I have loved, and I will meditate in your statutes. 49 Remember the word to your servant, on which you have caused me to hope. 50 This is my comfort in my affliction, for your word has made me alive. 51 The proud have had me greatly in derision, yet I haven't declined from your law. 52 I remembered your judgments of old, O Lord, and have comforted myself. 53 Horror has taken hold on me because of the wicked that forsake your law. 54 Your statutes have been my songs in the house of my pilgrimage. 55 I've remembered your name, O Lord, in the night, and have kept your law. 56 This I had, because I kept your precepts. 57 You are my portion, O Lord, I've said that I would keep your words. 58 I entreated your favor with my whole heart, be merciful to me according to your word. 59 I thought on my ways, and turned my feet to your testimonies. 60 I made haste, and didn't delay to keep your commandments. 61 The gangs of the wicked have robbed me, but I haven't forgotten your law. 62 At midnight I'll rise to give thanks to you because of your righteous judgments. 63 I'm a companion of all of those who fear you, and of those who keep your precepts. 64 The earth, O Lord, is full of your mercy, teach me your statutes. 65 You've dealt well with your servant, O Lord, according to your word. 66 Teach me good judgment and knowledge, for I've believed your commandments. 67 Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I've kept your word. 68 You are good, and do good, teach me your statutes. 69 The proud have forged a lie against me, but I'll keep your precepts with my whole heart. 70 Their heart is as fat as grease, but I delight in your law. 71 It is good for me that I've been afflicted, so that I would learn your statutes. 72 The law of your mouth is better to me than thousands of gold and silver. 73 Your hands have made me and fashioned me, give me understanding, so I will learn your commandments. 74 Those who fear you will be glad when they see me, because I've hoped in your word. 75 I know, O Lord, that your judgments are right, and that you in faithfulness have afflicted me. 76 Please let your merciful kindness be for my comfort, according to your word to your servant. 77 Let your tender mercies come to me, so I'll live, for your law is my delight. 78 Let the proud be ashamed, for they dealt perversely with me without a reason, but I will meditate in your precepts. 79 Let those that fear you turn to me, and those that have known your testimonies. 80 Let my heart be sound in your statutes, so I'm not ashamed. 81 My soul faints for your salvation, but I hope in your word. 82 My eyes fail for your word, saying, when will you comfort me? 83 For I've become like a bottle in the smoke, yet I don't forget your statutes. 84 How many are the days of your servant? When will you execute judgment on those who persecute me? 85 The proud have dug pits for me, which are not according to your law. 86 All your commandments are faithful, they persecute me wrongfully, help me. 87 They almost consumed me on earth, but I didn't forsake your precepts. 88 Make me alive according to your loving kindness, so I'll keep the testimony of your mouth. 89 Forever, O Lord, your word is settled in heaven. 90 Your faithfulness is to all generations, you've established the earth, and it remains. 91 They continue this day according to your ordinances, for all are your servants. 92 Unless your law had been my delight, I would then have perished in my affliction. 93 I'll never forget your precepts, for with them you've made me alive. 94 I am yours, save me, for I've sought your precepts. 95 The wicked have waited for me to destroy me, but I will consider your testimonies. 96 I've seen an end of all perfection, but your commandment is very broad. 97 O how I love your law! It is my meditation all the day. 98 You, through your commandments have made me wiser than my enemies, for they are always with me. 99 I have more understanding than all my teachers, for your testimonies are my meditation. 100 I understand more than the ancients, because I keep your precepts. 101 I have refrained my feet from every evil way, so that I would keep your word. 102 I haven't departed from your judgments, for you've taught me. 103 How sweet are your words to my taste! Yes, sweeter than honey to my mouth! 104 Through your precepts I get understanding, therefore I hate every false way. 105 Your word is a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path. 106 I've sworn, and I will perform it, that I will keep your righteous judgments. 107 I am afflicted very much, make alive me, O Lord, according to your word. 108 Please accept the freewill offerings of my mouth, O Lord, and teach me your judgments. 109 My soul is continually in my hand, yet I don't forget your law. 110 The wicked have laid a trap for me, yet I didn't err from your precepts. 111 I've taken your testimonies as a heritage forever, for they are the rejoicing of my heart. 112 I have inclined my heart to perform your statutes always, even to the end. 113 I hate vain thoughts, but I love your law. 114 You are my hiding place and my shield, I hope in your word. 115 Depart from me, you evildoers, for I will keep the commandments of my God. 116 Uphold me according to your word, so I'll live, and don't let me be ashamed of my hope. 117 Hold me up, and I shall be safe, and I'll have respect to your statutes continually. 118 You've walked on all those who err from your statutes, for their deceit is falsehood. 119 You put away all the wicked of the earth like dross, therefore I love your testimonies. 120 My flesh trembles for fear of you, and I'm afraid of your judgments. 121 I've done judgment and justice, don't leave me to my oppressors. 122 Be surety for your servant for good, don't let the proud oppress me. 123 My eyes fail for your salvation, and for the word of your righteousness. 124 Deal with your servant according to your mercy, and teach me your statutes. 125 I am your servant, give me understanding, so I will know your testimonies. 126 It is time for you, Lord, to work, for they've made void your law. 127 Therefore I love your commandments more than gold, yes, more than fine gold. 128 Therefore I view all your precepts concerning all things to be right, and I hate every false way. 129 Your testimonies are wonderful, therefore my soul keeps them. 130 The entrance of your word gives light, it gives understanding to the simple. 131 I opened my mouth, and panted, for I longed for your commandments. 132 Look at me, and be merciful to me, as you used to do to those that love your name. 133 Order my steps in your word, and don't let any sin have dominion over me. 134 Deliver me from the oppression of man, so I will keep your precepts. 135 Make your face shine on your servant, and teach me your statutes. 136 Rivers of waters run down my eyes, because they don't keep your law. 137 Righteous are you, O Lord, and upright are your judgments. 138 Your testimonies that you have commanded are righteous and very faithful. 139 My zeal has consumed me, because my enemies have forgotten your words. 140 Your word is very pure, therefore your servant loves it. 141 I am small and despised, yet I don't forget your precepts. 142 Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and your law is the truth. 143 Trouble and anguish have taken hold on me, yet your commandments are my delight. 144 The righteousness of your testimonies is everlasting, give me understanding, and I'll live. 145 I called with my whole heart, hear me, O Lord, I'll keep your statutes. 146 I called to you, save me, and I'll keep your testimonies. 147 I got up before the dawning of the morning, and called, I hoped in your word. 148 My eyes go before the night watches, so I can meditate on your word. 149 Hear my voice according to your loving kindness, O Lord, make me alive according to your judgment. 150 They draw near who follow after mischief, they are far from your law. 151 You are near, O Lord, and all your commandments are truth. 152 Concerning your testimonies, I have known of old that you have founded them forever. 153 Consider my affliction, and deliver me, for I do not forget your law. 154 Plead my cause, and deliver me, make me alive according to your word. 155 Salvation is far from the wicked, for they don't seek your statutes. 156 Great are your tender mercies, O Lord, make me alive according to your judgments. 157 My persecutors and my enemies are many, yet I don't decline from your testimonies. 158 I saw the transgressors, and was grieved, because they didn't keep your word. 159 Consider how I love your precepts, make alive me, O Lord, according to your loving kindness. 160 Your word is true from the beginning, and every one of your righteous judgments endures forever. 161 Princes have persecuted me without a reason, but my heart stands in awe of your word. 162 I rejoice at your word, like someone who finds great treasure. 163 I hate and abhor lying, but I love your law. 164 I praise you seven times a day because of your righteous judgments. 165 Those who love your law have great peace, and nothing shall offend them. 166 Lord, I've hoped for your salvation, and done your commandments. 167 My soul has kept your testimonies, and I love them very much. 168 I have kept your precepts and your testimonies, for all my ways are before you. 169 Let my cry come near before you, O Lord, give me understanding according to your word. 170 Let my prayer come before you, deliver me according to your word. 171 My lips shall speak praise, when you've taught me your statutes. 172 My tongue shall speak of your word, for all your commandments are righteousness. 173 Let your hand help me, for I've chosen your precepts. 174 I've longed for your salvation, O Lord, and your law is my delight. 175 Let my soul live, and it shall praise you, and let your judgments help me. 176 I've gone astray like a lost sheep, seek your servant, for I don't forget your commandments.