Is Your Faith Being Tried???

Last night in our services, we read through several passages of Scripture, but one stuck out that I wanted to share with you today.

It is found in James 1:2-7..."My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; (3) Knowing this , that the trying of your faith worketh patience. (4) But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. (5) If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. (6) But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. (7) For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord."

I know it seems like an odd thing to find pleasure in, but when we are tried and tested, we are doing so much of the time because of the stand we have in Christ. If we are living on "Easy Street", so to speak, maybe we should look at our lives a bit closer. We are promised that life will be tough and people will not accept us because of our walk with Christ.

However, we can glory that the trials we face will grow our faith, strength and patience. And notice what verse 4 states..."that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing." When we rely on Christ to see us through these times, we realize that with Him we are complete. Like Psalm 23 states..."The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want." or the Amplified states it like this..."THE LORD is my Shepherd [to feed, guide, and shield me], I shall not lack." We shall lack nothing!!! It doesn't get much better, does it?

Continuing on in verse 5, we see that if we lack in wisdom we can ask God and will receive. Verses 6 and 7 does put forth the stipulation in receiving that wisdom, that we ask in an unwavering faith. For if we ask in unbelief, we shall not receive!

I found this passage comforting and eye-opening...because if I am lacking, all I have to do is ask the Lord for the guidance and HE WILL PROVIDE!!! The key to all of this is to ask in faith. May we allow the struggles we are facing today to make us stronger, more complete, and more perfect in our walk with Christ!

Take the time to share what God is doing in your life with someone else! And, as always, please let me know if you have a special prayer request I can word on your behalf today!!!

Unto Thee, O Lord...

Sunday evening, we sang the chorus "Unto Thee, O Lord" as one of our opening worship songs. It has been in my head ever since, and I thought it wold be a good place to start in the passage this morning.

Psalm 25:1-5..."Unto thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul. (2) O my God, I trust in thee: let me not be ashamed, let not mine enemies triumph over me. (3) Yea, let none that wait on thee be ashamed: let them be ashamed which transgress without cause. (4) Shew me thy ways, O Lord; teach me thy paths. (5) Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day."

This passage is a prayer from David, giving himself fully to God, and asking God for boldness and strength. He asks for God to let him not be ashamed and for protection against his enemies. Do you ask for God's strength to cover you when you are going through troubled times? Do you place your trust in Him alone?

Here David shows us to let go of our selfish desires and ask for God's hand to lead. He also asks for others to not be ashamed while they wait upon the Lord. I believe he is speaking of not only those in biblical times, but also the future, which is us...and he even asks for shame upon those who sin without reason, just to sin. Do you ask to feel guilt or shame when you sin??? I don't know about you, but it comes without asking in my life. I think David's prayer is still reaching me today!!!

Next, we find a passage that many of us have said...show me your ways and teach me your path...sometimes, we say it so much that it is just stated without meaning, but when we put ourselves into it God can show us great and mighty things...

And finally, we need to ask for God's leading and teachings DAILY, because He is the God of our salvation and we should wait on Him all the day...

Lift your soul to Him today...trust in Him...do not be ashamed...He will protect you from your enemies...ask for His guidance...and teaching...and wait upon Him...He will guide you in the way that you should walk...

Please let me know if there is a special prayer i can word on your behalf today...

Renew your strength...

One of my favorite verses is Isaiah 40:31. This evening, I would like to lead up to it starting with verse 29..."He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. (30) Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: (31) But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint."

This is a passage of great comfort to me. When down and out, burdened, burned out, or just plain lacking spiritually, I know that God will give me strength in time of need.

Many of you have used an energy drink when you need an extra "boost". The problem is that after the initial boost, you end up feeling worse than before you had it. I know from experience...

The strength the Lord provides doesn't wear off and won't leave you wanting for something more. God provides strength for the faint, the youth, young men, and you where you need it.

If you are struggling in your life, simply lift a prayer and ask God for His help. He is there waiting...all you have to do is humble yourself and ask...and "wait upon the Lord"...