Trust......

"²Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, ³ because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. ⁴ Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."
  James 1:2-4 (NIV)

When I read my heart stopped, a light bulb moment-..... "Consider it pure joy" ...I began to really think about this verse. I don't know if I or anyone else has had this come to mind when faced with the news of terminal illness or while you are going through fear of losing their home or job.  Does "Consider it pure joy" come to a persons mind when they are laying in a hospital bed or when your child is in the hospital with a life threatening illness or in a VERY dark place suffering from depression feeling hopeless thinking no one cares.  My mind was racing with so many different things I have gone through and what others I know have gone through. I do not think,"Consider it pure joy"  is the FIRST thing that comes to mind, believer or not!  I know I have been very guilty of feeling pity for myself with feelings of defeat.  But as I thought about it more and the Lord revealed, as I was reading, with a proper perspective we would be able to see pure joy in our trials.

God lets trials happen because, you see.....trials are character building. Trials shows us what we are made of; they humble us and remind us of what is really important. And through our tests/trials they bring us closer to Him.    God lets trials happen to us to help us with our spiritual inventory.  He will allow us to go through trials so that we realize what is in our hearts.  God knows what is in our heart. He is not testing us for Him; He is testing us for us, to help us.

What will keep us,  is trust in God. The trust that God is working things out for His own Holy purpose. No matter the depth of the trial having the right perspective will dictate how we react. "⁴ Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." James 1:4  Using wisdom before reacting emotionally and keeping proper perspective is key. But that is hard, how can you NOT react emotionally when our heart gets ripped from our chest with the challenges of life.....do you think you would or can find joy in it or through it?  Can you see your faith in your test?  Go to God with it....scripture says that  "If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you." James 1:5   

We have all had our fair share of trials.  Whatever we are facing or have faced there is a reason for it.  What should we take out of our trials?  What do they teach us?  When I read chapter 1 in the book of James, I thought about the things that I have gone through in my life and I can honestly say that I am who I am because of my trials.  A test of our faith is how I see trials.  They remind us of what we are made of, like in Job. He was faithful throughout all his lose and personal tragedy. Never once cursing or giving up on God.  And Abraham,  he did exactly what God told him to do because he had faith His Heavenly Father had a Holy Purpose for asking him to sacrifice his son, this is why he is called "Our Father of Faith" (find Abraham's story in Genesis 22) Trials also keep us humble and shows us what we really love. They help us to see where our perspective is and helps to grow into a person with tools equipped to help others. We all have testimonies of  developed faith;  faith that has been strengthened through trials in turn growing more mature and spiritually strong in faith to better serve our Heavenly Father!

Psalm 23:1-4

¹ The Lord is my shepherd;
       I have everything I need.
 ² He lets me rest in green pastures.
       He leads me to calm water.
 ³ He gives me new strength.
    He leads me on paths that are right
       for the good of his name.
 ⁴ Even if I walk through a very dark valley,
       I will not be afraid,
    because you are with me.
       Your rod and your shepherd's staff comfort me.

A prayer for Wisdom and His Wise Counsel for a dear friend...

Dear Heavenly Father, We come to You now in the name of our Lord and Savior Christ Jesus.  Heavenly Father, we thank You that Your Word gives knowledge, instruction, wisdom, and understanding to all who pays attention to its truths.  You promised to impart wisdom to us if I listen to Your Words and attain unto Your wise counsels.  We, therefore, enter Your presence with trust, knowing You will give us wisdom according to 2 Chronicles 1:10.  Heavenly Father, fill us with the spirit of wisdom so that we will be able to discern Your will.  With You, Lord, there is both strength and wisdom according to Job 12:13. Heavenly Father, let our mouths speak Your wisdom, Lord, because of the righteousness You have imparted to us according to Psalm 37:30. 

2 Chronicles 1:10

"Now give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may go out and come in before this people; for who can judge this great people of Yours?” 

Job 12:13

“With Him are wisdom and strength,
      He has counsel and understanding."

 

 Psalm 37:30

"The mouth of the righteous speaks wisdom, 

and his tongue talks justice."

 

I ask You.... destory, false memories, unrighteous agreements, bad attitudes, bad thoughts, ungodly negative impressions, and imprints according to John 14:14.  Heavenly Father, I ask You to cleanse our minds with the Blood of the Lord Christ Jesus of all thoughts and preconcieved ideas that do not conform to Your will and destiny for our lives and the way You want us to believe and think.  Lord Jesus, we ask you to do all of these things according to John 14:14; and Heavenly Father we ask You to give us these things according to John 16:23.  In the Name of Lord Jesus Christ, we pray with thanksgiving. To God be the Glory....Amen!

John 14:14

"If you ask ask anything in My Name, I will do it"

John 16:23

“And in that day you will ask Me nothing. Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you."

                                                              

Being Who I AM in Christ....

In Galatians 6:4 the apostle Paul urges us to be strong and us to grow in the Lord until we come to the point of having personal satisfaction and joy of doing something commendable without bringing yourself to prideful and boastful comparison with others.  

 "Pay careful attention to your own work, for then you will get the satisfaction of a job well done, and you won’t need to compare yourself to anyone else." Galatians 6:4

Once you know who you are in Christ, you are set free from the stress of comparison and competition.  You know you have worth and value apart from your works and accomplishments.  So then you can do your best to glorify God, rather than just trying to be better than someone else.  Those who look for God's approval will not need to envy others.  Because we are God's sons and daughters, we have His Holy Spirit as the loving guarantee of God's approval.  What a glorious and wonderful feeling to be secure in Christ and not having to be controlled by strife, envy or jealousy.  Thank God, I can be who God created me to be! He doesn't make mistakes!! 

"Let us not become vainglorious and self-conceited, competitive and challenging and provoking and irritating to one another, envying and being jealous of one another." Galatians 5:26

Dear Heavenly Father, I come to before You humbly with thanksgiving; for making me who I am today.  Thank You that I am not a mistake and You knew me before I was conceived.   As You had a purpose for Jeremiah, You have a purpose for everyone of us, each of us appointed by You Father to do Your specific work. 

I receive Father, that You have always thought of me and everyone of us to be valuable and worthy.

We will do Your works without feeling of envy and competition but only to glorify You and Your Name. We will seek You to fulfill our purpose and strive to do so with diligence and joy and with cheerful acceptance!  Father, I ask that You guide me and those I pray for today to fulfill our divine opportunities and appointments as You present them to us. Fill us the Your wisdom, love, grace and mercy to walk and accomplish Your works for Your Glory.  As we listen for instruction and guidance thank You for Your clarity and purposeful understanding for Your Will.  Lord fill us with Your Holy Spirit, and use our lives as a willing vessel.  Heavenly Father we will live our lives to glorify You.  Thank You, Father for our salvation by faith in Christ Jesus and Truth of Your Word, in Jesus. Name…..Amen!!!

 1 Corinthians 15:58 (NIV)

Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. 


We Love You Lord, Our Heavenly Father, "You created the Heavens and the earth, in You there is no shadow of turning" James 1:17  Thank You Father God.  Heavenly Father we come to Your throne of Grace through the Precious Blood of Jesus Christ and trust.  We lay down before You our imperfections, our shortcomings, our iniquities and ask that You supply us with wisdom in times of confusion and chaos so we don't get caught in our own flesh and distraction of earthly things.  We ask for confirmation of Your presence upon us and help us walk in Your Glory...In Jesus name, Amen!

Talk the walk...Are YOU walking the talk?

   
   Heard this question this morning as I woke.... "You talk the walk but are YOU walking the talk?"  Had to chuckle because I knew what that meant and who was asking.     
God has reminded me that living and enjoying life is not a series of enjoyable circumstances. It's an attitude, an attitude of the heart...  I see my struggle when I heard my friend's diagnosis of cancer or when my teenagers act up or even, when my hubby and I get into an argument.  In most cases I am trusting Him and enjoying life as He presents it to me.  I know my heart is good and strong, I confess, I still have weaknesses.  God wants me to be consistent in my walk.  As a believer I know that I have an abundant quality of life that comes from God.  And getting caught up in my BAD circumstances I could fail to enjoy the pleasures God provides every day.  He has given me abundant life and my goal is to enjoy it to the fullest!!

God has given all of us sufficient grace to handle ANY circumstance that may come before us or around us.  "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." 2 Cor.12:9 (NIV)  We have to embrace the challenge and/or bad circumstance and forge on with confidence.  Put the whole armor of God upon ourselves and be victors  for His glory. Ephesians 6:10-17     


Thank You Father God for Your precious gift of grace.  Through the power of the Holy Spirit we will live life for Your glory and take ALL circumstances in our paths to You.  We receive....  "The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have [it] more abundantly." John 10:10 (KJV)  and will not forget our standing in Your Name LORD.   Through Your word we gain strength and new understanding. Your praise will be always upon our lips and we exalt Your name forever. (Psalm 34) In His blessed name Christ Jesus we pray.....Amen!!!

God's Ways...Trust IT!

     Did you know a lack of understanding of how God does things can wear you out?  If you don't understand His ways, you could end up fighting and resisting things, thinking they are an attack from the devil, when in reality they are an attempt by the Lord to work something good in your life.
    We know God does not do bad things.  But sometimes we fail to realize that everything that feels bad is not necessarily bad for us.  Reminding our self that His ways are not our ways will help us trust Him even when our circumstances are hard to understand.  So at the close of your busy day, put yourself in the hands of almighty God...and rest in the knowledge that He is good and knows what's best.

    Father God, In Jesus name, we thank You for Your will in our lives.  Please forgive us when we fall short and resist.  As we learn and continue to grow we will remind ourselves through You all things are possible and all things are for our good.  We love and trust Your way...Amen!

Isaiah 55:8-9 (NIV)

  “For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
   neither are your ways my ways,”
            declares the LORD.
 “As the heavens are higher than the earth,
   so are my ways higher than your ways
   and my thoughts than your thoughts.

Seeing through Darkness

 There are times you just can't see through the darkness that seems to closing in around you.  It is in those times the strength and patience of your faith is stretched and you learn to trust God even when you can't hear His voice.
   You can grow in your confidence level to the point where "knowing" is even better than "hearing."  You may be unsure of what to do but it is enough to know there is one who does know. We all like specific direction; however, when you don't have it, knowing God IS faithful and ever true to His promise, and that He has promised to be with us always, is comforting and keeps us stable until His timing comes to illuminate the situation.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for favor in our lives and the wisdom to know You are faithful. God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.  1 Corinthians 1:9 (NKJV)  Through our faith we can endure and trust that in your divine timing we will see through the darkness.  We will be patient.  We will be steadfast. And we will stand in confidence in Your promises.  Through You, O gracious Lord, we can endure and be victorious.  In Jesus name...Amen!