Weekly Devotional
Pastor’s Weekly Devotional
Encouragement, biblical insight, and wisdom for your walk with Christ — from the heart of Pastor Jim.
Murphy’s Law
January 22, 2026
Pastor Jim Harper
We’ve gone through a challenging week at Bayshore with some deeply disappointing ‘people’ issues – including a significant rough patch for our Key Leadership Team (more details follow on an additional attachment). The late Howard Hendricks, one of my zany professors from Dallas Seminary, used to say regarding ministry: “Things would be great if it wasn’t for people.” I used to think he was joking and he probably was - but only partially. People can hurt us deeply, but to be fair, the ‘flip side’ is also true. I’m sure I’ve done my share of relational damage over the years – knowingly or unknowingly. My wife could shed some light on this - if she wasn’t such a forgiving type. Bless her.
We’ve all been there, haven’t we? I’ve heard it said over the years that things often happen in threes. Granted, no scientific verification for that, but it does seem at times to ‘play out’ that way. I suspect anyone reading my words today can relate.
But that’s not all. My laptop died on Monday morning. It’s not just waning…running slower than usual…glitching from time to time. It’s dead. Comatose. Unresponsive. For perspective – good or bad - my entire professional life resides on my laptop, so this week has been a period of scrambling like a mad-man just to make sure my basic life responsibilities get accomplished, let alone dealing with deeper (and more important) issues around the edges. Are you feeling sorry for me yet? Don’t. Why not? Because Jesus and other NT writers were clear that life, in this broken world, would often be rife with trouble – challenge – disappointment. Consider a few examples.
“Here on earth, you will have many trials and sorrows…” (Jesus - John 16:33b)
“Beloved, don’t be surprised when the fiery trials come upon you…” (1 Pet. 4:12)
“No temptation/struggle has overtaken you that is not common to man…” (I Cor. 10:13
“Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trials…” (James 1:12)
There are numerous other examples in scripture affirming the consistency and reality of tumultuous trials for all human beings. So, what’s the key – for you and me – when the screaming winds are threatening to pull the very ‘roof’ off our lives? Three things:
1. Don’t be surprised by trials (1 Pet. 4). I’m not suggesting we act like it’s not happening. That’s not healthy either. What we do, however, is acknowledge trials are a normal part of life on a broken, temporary planet. When trials come, we don’t search out a way to ‘medicate’ in unhealthy ways. We seek out the true (and only) source of help and lean in closely. What is that Source of help?
2. Move strongly forward in the midst of the trials. How so? Following the model of Christ (pressing on in His Spirit’s unlimited power). Jesus affirmed that earthly trials and hardships would be normal, but he also said (and showed) that those living in and through His power could overcome whatever setback – to move powerfully forward in His supernatural strength (Heb. 12:1, 2). He affirmed this very thing in John 16:33b: “but take courage (in the midst of the trial). I have overcome the world.” In short, when it seems a deep struggle is going to be our undoing, Jesus calls us to unnatural courage – not in ourselves, but in the reality that our most devastating setback is nothing in comparison to His supernatural power. Finally,
In conclusion, life on this earth really hurts at times, but because of Jesus, our circumstances don’t have to define us, and the worst of times are only temporary setbacks. So just HANG ON… A LITTLE WHILE LONGER! It’ll be worth it all, when we see Jesus. (Romans 8:18)
3. Rejoice in a coming eternal state without trials. I admit readily that my deepest trials pale in comparison to what the apostle Paul suffered, and yet he pressed on. How so? He relied strongly on/in His Savior’s supernatural strength, but that wasn’t all. Paul realized, due to Christ’s payment on the cross and the promises in His Word, that any trial this planet could dish out was a pittance in comparison to the eternal glory to come with Christ. (2 Cor. 4:17)
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