church blog Archives - Galilee Baptist Church

Standing Firm in Trials — Part 4: Christ’s Victory Over Suffering

November 14, 2025 By Alesha Williams

SERMON RECAP – November 16, 2025

In Part 4 of Pastor Williams’ Standing Firm in Trials series, we were reminded that while trials are unavoidable, victory through Christ is guaranteed. Scripture teaches us that the believer’s strength in suffering doesn’t come from personal ability or willpower. Our strength comes from trusting in the One who already conquered every battle we will ever face.

Our anchor scripture for this message calls every believer to spiritual readiness:

“Be of sober spirit, be on the alert.
Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion,
seeking someone to devour.”
— 1 Peter 5:8 (NASB 2020)

Pastor reminded us that standing firm is not passive; rather, it is an intentional, watchful posture of faith.

1. Recognizing the Battle: Satan’s Strategy of Discontentment

The enemy’s goal is to undermine our faith by stirring discontentment; causing us to lose gratitude, lose perspective, and eventually lose strength. But God has equipped us with everything we need to recognize and resist these attacks.

We are not powerless in this battle, nor are we alone.

2. Remembering Christ’s Confrontation: The Ultimate Spiritual Battle

Pastor walked us through how Jesus faced and defeated Satan’s attacks at every major moment of His earthly life:

In the wilderness
Throughout His ministry
At the cross

Hebrews 12:3 encourages us to look to Christ’s endurance:

“Consider Him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”

When we reflect on how Jesus stood firm, we gain strength for our own trials.

3. Responding With Weapons of Victory: Christ’s Example for Our Battles

Pastor Williams highlighted five spiritual weapons that empower believers to stand firm:

1. Fix Your Eyes on Jesus — Hebrews 12:2

2. Submit and Humble Yourself — 1 Peter 5:6

3. Cast Your Anxieties on Him — 1 Peter 5:7

4. Resist with Firm Faith — 1 Peter 5:9

5. Embrace Suffering’s Purpose — 1 Peter 5:10

These steps are not burdens, they are biblical anchors that steady us when trials try to shake us.

4. Results Beyond the Battle: Eternal Perspective as Ultimate Victory

Pastor closed by reminding us that suffering is temporary, but God’s promises are eternal. When we adopt an eternal perspective, we can endure the present moment with hope.

Because Christ has victory over suffering, we can walk through our trials with confidence and assurance.

Journaling Questions

1. Where do I see the enemy using discontentment in my life, and how can I guard against it?

2. How does considering Christ’s endurance give me strength in my current trial?

3. Which of the five “weapons of victory” do I most need to put into practice this week?

Standing Firm Series, Part 2: “Hope in Extended Trials”

November 3, 2025 By Alesha Williams

Sunday, November 2, 2025

Sermon Recap

When life stretches longer than we expected—when the waiting feels endless and the answers don’t come easily, God still calls us to stand firm. This message preached by Pastor Williams titled, “Hope in Extended Trials,” reminds us through the story of Joseph that delay does not mean denial. God’s purposes are still unfolding, even in seasons of silence.

1. From Comfort to Waiting

Joseph’s life shifted overnight from favored son to forgotten slave. Each stage of his waiting (the pit, Potiphar’s house, and the prison) refined his faith and strengthened his dependence on God. Our own seasons of waiting serve a similar purpose, they strip away self-reliance so we can fully trust God’s timing.

“Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial…” — James 1:12

2. Challenges Along the Journey

Trials expose our hearts. Joseph faced betrayal, false accusation, and disappointment. Yet in every challenge, he chose faith over frustration. He didn’t allow bitterness to shape him; he let obedience lead him.

3. Continuing to Maintain Faith

Even when forgotten, Joseph practiced habits that sustained his hope:

Integrity: He honored God in private and public.
Service: He used his gifts to bless others, even while confined.
Spiritual awareness: He stayed sensitive to God’s voice and presence.
Perseverance: He believed that every step (even painful ones) was part of God’s plan.

4. Comparison: Learning from Joseph’s Example

When we compare our situation to Joseph’s, we find guidance:

Maintain integrity even when no one is watching.
Continue serving even when recognition is missing.
Stay spiritually attuned—trusting God’s unseen work.

5. Consideration: The Genesis 50 Perspective

In the end, Joseph could look back and say, “You meant evil against me, but God meant it for good.” (Genesis 50:20)
What others intended for harm, God transformed into purpose. The same God who redeemed Joseph’s story is writing yours, even in the waiting.

Journal Reflection Questions

What “waiting season” are you in right now, and how might God be refining your faith through it?
Which of Joseph’s practical habits—integrity, service, spiritual awareness, or perseverance—do you most need to strengthen?
Looking back, can you see a time when something painful later revealed God’s purpose? How can that memory anchor you today?

“Standing on the Promises of God”

October 5, 2025 By Alesha Williams

Sermon date: October 5, 2025

What a powerful reminder we received from Pastor Williams in this week’s message titled, “Standing on the Promises of God.”

Our focus scripture, 2 Peter 1:3–4, reminds us that God’s divine power has already given us everything we need for life and godliness. Through knowing Him, we have access to “precious and magnificent promises” that strengthen us, sustain us, and set us apart from the world around us.

Pastor shared six (6) key points to help us build a faith that truly stands on God’s promises:

Faith as Our Foundation in Uncertain Times
Focus on the Precious Promises in 2 Peter 1:3–4
Firmly Standing on Faith: Our Response to God’s Promises
Fine Examples of Faith: Biblical, Historical, and Personal Testimonies
Forging Ahead with Practical Steps to Strengthen Our Faith
Finally, Living Confidently on the Foundation of Faith

Each point reminded us that faith isn’t just something we talk about; it’s something we live out. When we choose to trust God, we discover that His promises aren’t just comforting words, they’re living truths that sustain us through real-life storms.

Pastor pointed to so many beautiful examples: Elijah being fed by ravens, the widow whose jar of oil never ran out, the Israelites receiving manna every morning, and Paul learning to be content in every circumstance. We also heard about modern believers like George Müller and Corrie ten Boom, whose stories remind us that God still provides, protects, and performs miracles today. And if we’re honest, many of us could add our own testimonies, those moments when God showed up right on time, sent help through a friend, made provision we didn’t expect, or gave us peace when we couldn’t find it anywhere else.

Pastor didn’t just leave us with inspiration; he gave us practical steps too. To stand firm in faith, we should:

Know the promises God has made, get familiar with His Word.
Remember past faithfulness, keep a record of answered prayers.
Surround ourselves with faith-filled people who speak life.
Act on faith, even when the path isn’t clear.
Praise in advance, thanking God before the blessing arrives.

When we live this way, we begin to see that God’s promises aren’t distant or abstract, they’re personal. They meet us where we are and lead us where we need to go.

So let’s keep standing, trusting, and believing that what God has spoken, He will perform. 💪🏽✨

Take a few minutes this week to reflect or journal:

Which of God’s promises has carried me through a difficult season?
Where in my life am I still struggling to fully trust His timing?
Who in my circle demonstrates faith under pressure — and what can I learn from them?
What’s one way I can “praise in advance” this week?
How can I remind myself daily that God is faithful?

Promises from Scriptures

During tough times, focusing on specific promises from Scripture can provide comfort and strength. Here are some key promises to keep:
1. God’s Presence
   – Promise: “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

     (Hebrews 13:5)

   – Focus: God is always with you, even in your darkest moments.
1. Peace in Troubling Times
   – Promise: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you.”

     (John 14:27)

   – Focus: God offers a peace that transcends understanding, even amid turmoil.
1. Strength in Weakness
   – Promise: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

     (Philippians 4:13)

   – Focus: In your weakness, Christ provides the strength you need to persevere.
1. Hope and a Future
– Promise: “For I know the plans I have for you, declare the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

(Jeremiah 29:11)

– Focus: Trust that God has a purpose and plan for your life, even when things seem bleak.
1. Comfort in Sorrow
   – Promise: “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.”

     (Matthew 5:4)

   – Focus: God promises to comfort you in your grief and sorrow.
1. Help in Times of Trouble
   – Promise: “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.”

     (Psalm 46:1)

   – Focus: You can turn to God for refuge and assistance in your struggles.
1. Restoration and Renewal
   – Promise: “He will restore the years that the locust has eaten.”

     (Joel 2:25)

   – Focus: God has the power to restore and renew what has been lost.
1. Victory Over Fear
– Promise: “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”

(2 Timothy 1:7)

– Focus: You have the power to overcome fear through God’s strength.
1. Unfailing Love
     – Promise: “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end.”

     (Lamentations 3:22-23)

   – Focus: God’s love and mercy are constant, providing hope each day.
1. Eternal Life
     – Promise: “And this is the promise that He made to us – eternal life.”

     (1 John 2:25)

     – Focus: No matter the trials of this life, you have the promise of eternal life with Him.

Conclusion

In challenging times, meditate on these promises, write them down, or share them with others. Let them remind you of God’s unwavering faithfulness and love.

SERMON RECAP – November 16, 2025

Our anchor scripture for this message calls every believer to spiritual readiness:

“Be of sober spirit, be on the alert.Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion,seeking someone to devour.”— 1 Peter 5:8 (NASB 2020)

Pastor reminded us that standing firm is not passive; rather, it is an intentional, watchful posture of faith.

1. Recognizing the Battle: Satan’s Strategy of Discontentment

The enemy’s goal is to undermine our faith by stirring discontentment; causing us to lose gratitude, lose perspective, and eventually lose strength. But God has equipped us with everything we need to recognize and resist these attacks.

We are not powerless in this battle, nor are we alone.

2. Remembering Christ’s Confrontation: The Ultimate Spiritual Battle

Pastor walked us through how Jesus faced and defeated Satan’s attacks at every major moment of His earthly life:

In the wilderness

Throughout His ministry

At the cross

Hebrews 12:3 encourages us to look to Christ’s endurance:

“Consider Him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”

When we reflect on how Jesus stood firm, we gain strength for our own trials.

3. Responding With Weapons of Victory: Christ’s Example for Our Battles

Pastor Williams highlighted five spiritual weapons that empower believers to stand firm:

1. Fix Your Eyes on Jesus — Hebrews 12:2

2. Submit and Humble Yourself — 1 Peter 5:6

3. Cast Your Anxieties on Him — 1 Peter 5:7

4. Resist with Firm Faith — 1 Peter 5:9

5. Embrace Suffering’s Purpose — 1 Peter 5:10

These steps are not burdens, they are biblical anchors that steady us when trials try to shake us.

4. Results Beyond the Battle: Eternal Perspective as Ultimate Victory

Pastor closed by reminding us that suffering is temporary, but God’s promises are eternal. When we adopt an eternal perspective, we can endure the present moment with hope.

Because Christ has victory over suffering, we can walk through our trials with confidence and assurance.

Journaling Questions

1. Where do I see the enemy using discontentment in my life, and how can I guard against it?

2. How does considering Christ’s endurance give me strength in my current trial?

3. Which of the five “weapons of victory” do I most need to put into practice this week?

1. From Comfort to Waiting

2. Challenges Along the Journey

3. Continuing to Maintain Faith

4. Comparison: Learning from Joseph’s Example

5. Consideration: The Genesis 50 Perspective

Journal Reflection Questions

Take a few minutes this week to reflect or journal:

Which of God’s promises has carried me through a difficult season?

Where in my life am I still struggling to fully trust His timing?

Who in my circle demonstrates faith under pressure — and what can I learn from them?

What’s one way I can “praise in advance” this week?

How can I remind myself daily that God is faithful?

Promises from Scriptures

During tough times, focusing on specific promises from Scripture can provide comfort and strength. Here are some key promises to keep:

God’s Presence

– Promise: “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

(Hebrews 13:5)

– Focus: God is always with you, even in your darkest moments.

Peace in Troubling Times

– Promise: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you.”

(John 14:27)

– Focus: God offers a peace that transcends understanding, even amid turmoil.

Strength in Weakness

– Promise: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

(Philippians 4:13)

– Focus: In your weakness, Christ provides the strength you need to persevere.

Hope and a Future

– Promise: “For I know the plans I have for you, declare the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

(Jeremiah 29:11)

– Focus: Trust that God has a purpose and plan for your life, even when things seem bleak.

Comfort in Sorrow

– Promise: “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.”

(Matthew 5:4)

– Focus: God promises to comfort you in your grief and sorrow.

Help in Times of Trouble

– Promise: “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.”

(Psalm 46:1)

– Focus: You can turn to God for refuge and assistance in your struggles.

Restoration and Renewal

– Promise: “He will restore the years that the locust has eaten.”

(Joel 2:25)

– Focus: God has the power to restore and renew what has been lost.

Victory Over Fear

– Promise: “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”

(2 Timothy 1:7)

– Focus: You have the power to overcome fear through God’s strength.

Unfailing Love

– Promise: “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end.”

(Lamentations 3:22-23)

– Focus: God’s love and mercy are constant, providing hope each day.

“Be of sober spirit, be on the alert.
Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion,
seeking someone to devour.”
— 1 Peter 5:8 (NASB 2020)