"Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that thte testing of your faith produces steadfastness, and let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing." (James 1:2-4)
James writes and tells us that tests and trials coming our way are designed to work in us God's purpose. WHen we trust Christ to be our Lord and Savior, God goes to work to shape us and mold us into the image of His Son. So James does not say, 'If" trials come, but "when".
God is not so much interested in our comfort as He is our Christlikeness. He is not focused on our happiness as much as our holiness. So James suggests we begin to think differently. When the trials come that are going to be used to shape and mold us, we should "Count it all joy". The original language of the text suggests something of a celebration. "Throw a party", he says. Indeed, cooperate with the Holy Spirit so that God can fulfill His purpose in your life.
Something that helps me is to remember that satan tempts you in order to bring out the worst in you, but God tests you in order to bring out the best. God will never allow greater trials than you can handle. And He will always walk through them with you.
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Be a Blessing
"May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face to shine upon us, that your way may be known on earth, your saving power among all nations." (Ps. 67:1-2)
How often have you desired God's blessing in your life? Is it OK to pray that God will bless us? The psalmist prays that. He cried out, "God be gracious to us and bless us." Notice, however, the prayer does not end there. He goes on with a "so that" to his prayer. God blesses us in order that He might get glory throughout all the earth.
From the beginning of Genesis to the end of Revelation God's heart is for all the people's of the world. Every tribe and nation and tongue. Nation in the Bible, by the way, is "ethnos" which is a reference to people groups, not political and governmental borders. God desires that every people group hear His Word and know His glory.
So God blesses us in order that we might bless others. Whenever we hoard God's blessings to ourselves, they rot like the manna in the wilderness when the Israelites gathered too much and tried to keep it to themselves. It is right to pray for God's blessings as long as we desire to be used by Him to bless others.
How often have you desired God's blessing in your life? Is it OK to pray that God will bless us? The psalmist prays that. He cried out, "God be gracious to us and bless us." Notice, however, the prayer does not end there. He goes on with a "so that" to his prayer. God blesses us in order that He might get glory throughout all the earth.
From the beginning of Genesis to the end of Revelation God's heart is for all the people's of the world. Every tribe and nation and tongue. Nation in the Bible, by the way, is "ethnos" which is a reference to people groups, not political and governmental borders. God desires that every people group hear His Word and know His glory.
So God blesses us in order that we might bless others. Whenever we hoard God's blessings to ourselves, they rot like the manna in the wilderness when the Israelites gathered too much and tried to keep it to themselves. It is right to pray for God's blessings as long as we desire to be used by Him to bless others.
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