Joy In Trials?

Good Morning!! Do we realistically count it all joy today? Does today's statement even make sense? Let us examine these verses more closely and see if we can better understand what James is saying. One of the main reasons for us to read and study the Bible is not just to learn meaning and content,...but also to learn how to apply its principles to our lives. The Holy Spirit teaches us, and opens our minds to understand what God is saying to us personally through His Word. So, what is God saying to us about trials, faith and patience from these verses?

My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.—James 1:2-3 (NKJV)

In these two verses, there are three main points: one; we will fall into different types of trials,...two; our faith will be tested,...and three; patience will be produced from the testing. Today, we deal with all kinds of trials in our lives, and that's a fact. So the issue is not if we will have them,...it's how we will get through them. When we feel as though the battle is too much and the struggles are too intense, how do we respond? Difficulties with marriage, kids, finances, health and daily issues of life can seem overwhelming at times. But James says to "count it all joy" when these problems come. We can only begin to understand the meaning of this statement if we look at the results in our own lives.

There is not much we can do about avoiding such things in life,
...however, we can decide how we want to get through them.

Holy Spirit, help us to "count it all joy" even before we go through our trials, with the assurance in God's Word, that the end result will benefit our faith. Remind us of the many times, that after a trial has passed, we've been able to recognized the benefits it produced in our life. Amen.

"If we want to be used by the hand of God, then we must learn to live in the Word of God."

Who Will You Listen To?

Good Morning!! We live in a world filled with deceit and wickedness,...and this world tells us that pretty much everything is acceptable, on some level. If it feels good, then do it. It you feel bad for doing it, then take a pill or do something else, to feel better. We can always acquire permission from the world to do whatever it takes to make ourselves feel better. Yet, so often, we end up feeling worse, rather than better. From the heights of happiness to the depths of depression we swing. And if we're not mindful, and focused, we'll wake up one day filled with regret, wondering; "What have I done?"

Why has this people slidden back, Jerusalem, in a perpetual backsliding? They hold fast to deceit, They refuse to return.—Jeremiah 8:5 (NKJV)

Life is lived one day at a time. Some days are better than others, but everyday belongs to the Lord, as a Christians. When times are hard and depression creeps in, don't look for the instant fix offered by the world,...turn to the Lord. When you feel good about yourself or things in your life, turn to the Lord,...and give Him thanks. None of us want to feel bad, but when the Holy Spirit convicts us of sin, we must be willing to repent and to turn from our sin. As we walk daily with the Lord, these convictions keep us from falling into sin's many traps. Listen to the Holy Spirit,...and be willing to change as He guides you.

The only way to walk with the Lord consistently, is to spend time with Him every day.

Holy Spirit, give us ears to hear, and a heart to do,...this we ask in Jesus' name. Amen.

"If we want to be used by the hand of God, then we must learn to live in the Word of God."

Spirit Lead?

Good Morning,...and Thank GOD For Another New Chance To Get It Right!!! Are you living according to your old nature, or are you living by the Spirit? This is not a trick question,...it's an answer that you need to know, for a life more abundant. We often claim to be living by or in the Spirit, when we aren't even close.

It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.—John 6:63 (KJV)

In Galatians 5, Paul tell us that we can surely know if the Holy Spirit is in charge of our lives. He writes, "[If] sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealously, fits of rage" etc. are part of our lives,...we will know that we are not living by the Holy Spirit. However, when our lives demonstrate love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control,...then we can be sure that we are living by the Holy Spirit of God, for these are the fruit of the Spirit. So again I ask; Are you living according to your old nature, or are you living by the Spirit?

The Holy Spirit won't take us over,...we must yield to Him.

Holy Spirit, you are welcome, come on in,...we acknowledge your presence O' Lord.

"Remember, there is no problem too big for our God."

Grace,The Greatest Gift

Good Morning!! What is the greatest thing you can wish for someone whom you care for very much? Is it wealth or success or fame or wisdom or happiness or even perfect health? As much as Paul may have desired all these things for his brothers and sisters in the churches of Galatia, that which he desired most for them was the grace and peace of God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Grace be to you and peace from God the Father and from our Lord Jesus Christ,—Galatians 1:3 (KJV)

Grace is the gracious, free salvation made possible through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Peace is the deep sense of spiritual well-being one experiences who is in a right relationship with a holy, just and righteous God. Surely these are the two greatest blessings I could wish for anyone. They are the two gifts I wish for you in the remainder of this year, and the next. They can be yours, no matter what your circumstance or situation is on this day. You can know the grace and peace of God by surrendering your life to the Lord Jesus Christ. Reach out in faith and God will grant you these two precious discoveries today.

Grace: Great Redemption At Christ's Expense.

But when the fullness of time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, To redeem them that were the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.—Galatians 4:4,5 (KJV)

"Remember, there is no problem too big for our God."

We're Not Meant To Be Alone

Good Morning!! When God put Adam in the Garden of Eden, He gave him everything he needed. He would never get hungry or thirsty. He never had to worry about bad weather, or shelter from the elements. Best of all, Adam had a personal relationship with God,...one can only imagine how wonderful that must have been. But even with all of his needs being met, God knew that Adam was alone. God loved Adam so much that He made a mate just for him,...a woman.

Then the rib which the Lord God had taken from man He made into a woman, and He brought her to the man.—Genesis 2:22 (NKJV)

In society today, there is much debate about the roles of man and woman, especially related to marriage issues. There are those who disagree with the biblical account of what God intended in creating man and woman and why He put them together in the first place. We get hung up on the concepts, duties and rights of marriage to the point that the true meaning of it is lost. The most basic element of marriage is companionship, to never have to be alone. God's heart for us is that we never feel alone. Whether married or not,...we need friends and relationships that encourage and edify us.

This time of year, loneliness can be especially debilitating and depressing,...to the point of death.

Sweet Spirit of God, remind us to start praying for the Lord's help, whenever we're feeling isolated. Help us to see opportunities to fellowship. Lead us to others, needing to feel the love of God. We may not know exactly what God has in store for us,...but one thing we all can be sure of,...He does not want us to be alone. Amen.

"Remember, there is no problem too big for our God."

Love Like Jesus, And Heal Like Jesus

Good Morning, My Friend!! We've all heard that love brings more love. But did you know that this theory holds up even when the element or issue is pain. Pain can't and won't cause anything but more pain. People everywhere are in pain,...suffering, lost with no idea about how to make it go away. Things get said that cut like a knife,...and no one says; "I'm sorry". Pain and hurt are laid on top of each other,....again and again, until hope, love and peace become; out of reach concepts.

And everyone who has this hope in Him, purifies himself, just as He is pure.—1 John 3:3 (NKJV)

There is a way to stop the pain. First, Stop what you are doing,...don't worry about anyone else's actions. L.I.G. let it go. Love enough to forgive. Yelling, pointing out pass mistakes, anger, blaming or criticizing are not the tools you want to use,....they did'nt work be fore and the aren't about to suddenly start working now. Your life is no mere accident. God carefully crafted you. The purpose of your life is not destroyed by a few mistakes or poor choices. Jesus’ death and resurrection erased the mistakes of your yesterday, revealed the depth of God’s love for your today, and gave you hope for a brighter tomorrow. He loves you and calls you His child, so you can have hope, in Him.

Because of Jesus,...our past does not have to be our future.
We can let go of all those thing that hold us back, or down.

Our Father, let Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. I am praying for that peace, love and hope be restored to the family and home. I pray that children and parents learn to let go of anything that causes them to be apart. We have a duty to love,...for this is Your will.

"Remember, there is no problem too big for our God."

The Price Of Deception

Good Morning!! Jacob: "one who takes over, especially by tricky means." Laban would have called it a, perfect name, for his nephew. Jacob bribed his brother,...then deceived his father,...and later his uncle. A rock for a pillow couldn’t have been comfortable, but neither were Jacob’s inner contradictions. His life was out of joint. Like so many of us today, outwardly he looked to be well off,...but in relationships he was poverty-stricken.

Then the man said, "Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with humans and have overcome."—Genesis 32:28 (NIV)

A life filled with half-truths and deceptions, eats away at our integrity. Jacob wrestles with God,...in the form of a man, and picks himself up from the desert sand with a new name,...Israel. In the exchange the God-man breaks his hip,...and blesses him. Like Jacob, we can at times be dishonest with ourselves, with others, and even with God. But such deception brings about anger,...and anger demands appeasement,...Israel attempted to appease his brother with many gifts. For us, only one appeasement will do, to mend our relationship with God. Jesus has provided it, through the bitter cross. HE appeased divine judgment against sin,...yours and mine.

Honest self-examination is painful, yet brokenness often lead to wholeness,
...and it gives birth to a restored relationships with God and others.

Father, make us whole, within and without. In the name of Jesus, Amen.

"Remember, there is no problem too big for our God."