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!!!

Praying for You

I know that there are so many people that are going through struggles today with economic and other issues. I found this video over at The Katinas blog and wanted to share it with you today. I hope it encourages you!



If you have something you're struggling with and need prayer, please let me know how I can word it on your behalf!!!

Am I hitting the mark???

Okay, I am still sulking a bit over the Sooners' loss last night in the BCS Championship. However, I am glad to see Florida's Tim Tebow get some of the spotlight, because of his steadfast walk and testimony for Christ. I found it quite amazing that announcers were touting his mission work and Christian walk last night during the game. So, hats off Gators for a great season!!!

Let's get things going today by looking at our week's memory verse found in Philippians 3:14..."I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus."

I look at the verse and then reflect upon what my life says in respect to following what it says. I fall so short in the grand scheme of things! Do I really think that I can pull off talking as if my walk is in perfect harmony with my calling? Am I truly striving to hit the mark daily? Not always...point blank!

But, does this mean that God loves me any less on the days I struggle? NO! The end of Hebrews 13:5 tells us plainly..."I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee." It is in times that we struggle and are searching for "our" own answers that we should be practicing what Psalm 46:10 says..."Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth."

If I keep my eyes upon who He is, my life will be kept in the proper perspective...and pressing toward the high calling will be much less difficult, because my eyes are on Him and not me!

I came across a video at Sermonspice.com that shares the thought I am talking about in Psalm 46:10...check the video out here...

I pray that you have a great day...continue going over the memory verse for this week...ask for the chance to share it with someone else...pray that God will speak to you through it...feel free to share how this verse speaks to you by commenting below...

And, as always, please let me know if there is a special prayer request I can word on your behalf today!!!

Am I prepared???

Today, I am doing some real thinking about self and the way I portray myself. Do I try to make myself seem as a super-Christian who walks with God perfectly every moment? or am I portraying myself as a sinner who was saved by grace who needs the help of a Master to guide my ways?

If you think I am the first, I am sorry to have given that impression. Each day is such a struggle to do the right things for me, how about you? Some days, don't you just wanna "call it in" and "do your own thing". The reason I have started this journal was to keep myself seeking God's words for me, and have an accountability set up that people can look back and see what I have been learning. If I tend to be "preachy", I am not speaking at anyone, but rather emphasizing what God is telling me.

It's so easy for me to sit back and ask for everyone else to volunteer to do work in our church, or be challenged to memorize verses, but am I really take the first step and doing it myself? If I as Christian leader in a church am not willing to roll up my sleeves and get to work, how can I ask others to?

For me to get past struggles that come my way daily, I must remain in a close relationship with God. When I take a "day off" from my study or prayer time, I allow myself to be open to Satan's attacks. And each "day off" can be followed by more days and soon turn into weeks, months, etc. Once you break the chain, it gets to be so hard to get back into it. A sense of comfortability sets in. That is why I must get into God's Word daily and think upon it and live by the teachings I receive.

Let's look at this week's memory verses in Ephesians 5:15 & 16..."See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, (16) Redeeming the time, because the days are evil." Once again, these verses reminding us to stay vigilant, because the world is out to bring us down. We aren't to just wander around with no direction, but rather as someone with wisdom, knowing which roads to take, who to talk to, and see the opportunities that God provides us to minister.

Even though the world is in such a state of flux, we do have a hope as stated in 1 Peter 1:13 (NIV)..."Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed." We are to be prepared mentally and show self-control. What better place for me to get wisdom and self-control than from God's word and asking for His help? Is my hope set fully on the grace given by Jesus? or am I just saying that? It's very easy to say, but there are days that things happen, and I want to throw my hands in the air and just give up. But, the more I stay in His word and in prayer, the more I rely upon His grace to get me through!

If you are struggling today and can't seem to find time for God, I pray that you will make time for Him and let Him help you through whatever you are battling...

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