WHAT'S YOUR STRUGGLE?

 Everyone has experienced some sort of struggle in their life if theyhave lived long enough. When you are in the midst of them they are notfun at all. Have you ever thought of your struggle as a proving groundor training ground? For just a moment think back and I am sure youcan recall going "through" something and it turned out after it was all said and done that the trial made you stronger.

When a person works out a the gym lifting weights at first it is verydifficult and you may want to quit, but you hang in there and yourefforts pay off. Have you ever heard anyone say "nothing good comes easy"? It is true. You have to work hard to achieve earthly success.

Things in life seem to happen. Maybe a bankruptcy, car wreck, failed business, furloughed from work, unexpected illness. Whatever be the situation God is still there. Sometimes he does His best work in hard times. There are many cases in the Bible to prove just that.

1 Peter 4:12-13(NIV) says 'Do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when His glory is revealed.

Sometimes God has to take you "through" something to get you "to something".Not sure who originally said that but if you think about it is so very accurate.what are you "going through" today? Perhaps look at it as a training ground for maki you more into Christ image?

PRAYER: This is the day you have made Lord and regardless of my circumstances I choose to rejoice for I know you have a wonderful outcome waiting for me and my loved ones. I know Satan is the author of discouragement and he is the one who tries to get us to blame you. Father forgive me if ever I have blamed you. I choose to keep my eyes n the cross. In Jesus' name. Amen.


Click link for an awesome song of worship:

http://youtu.be/sBWHBrKqMdE

HELP IS ON THE WAY!!

What are you struggling with in life? Maybe whatever it is you feel rejected by God because you pray, but still don't see changes or anything positive. You may be mad at God wondering how he let a bad thing happen to you or your family member. You may feel like stopping your prayers and just letting the enemy get his wish and that is having you so upset with God you do not want church, Bible reading, and least of all prayer. You may think "well what good has it done me?" I think of a good example of the school shootings at Littleton, Colorado's Columbine high school where in one case the student killed had a praying mom in a moms prayer group yet he was killed anyway. She prayed for his safety didn't she? So what's up? Why didn't God intervene and stop these shooters? Then there was the Amish school shootings in Pennsylvania. Why on earth didn't God stop that? What about the infant that dies in childbirth after the parents have prayed diligently for a healthy safe delivery?

All I can say is I have been there and been in despair. I have listened to the enemies lies so much one time I nearly quit leading a prayer group and came close to stopping this devotional. Satan is like that. It says in scripture in Revelation 12:10 that he is 'the accuser of the brethern'.

It is hard to understand why people go through things and some seem worse than others but all know is God knows the big picture and if you study and believe His word and hang in there and keep your faith things will be okay and you will have victory.


Let me leave you with this verse in James 1:2-4 which says "Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."

What battle are you facing today? God is there and the story is not over yet.

PRAYER: Lord Jesus things happen sometimes in life and we wonder why but after we have had sufficient time we understand. Be with those reading this today who are perhaps struggling to come to grips with something overwhelming in their life. Perhaps they see no way out or feel you have abandoned them. Give comfort as only you can. In Jesus name. Amen!

Click on link to be ministered to in song.
http://youtu.be/GsjJmk7tdk4

'STRUGGLERS' AND SINNERS

 Look around you.  Are you visibly able to tell who has just had an abortion, or maybe gone through chemo, been in  jail, or perhaps stolen office supplies? Not really right? 'Sinners' and 'strugglers' are amongst us and we are some of them. Our job is to love people and not judge and condemn. That is how you win people to Christ by having the attitude such as Jesus did in John 8:11 when he told woman caught in act of adultery "Go and sin no more".

There are all sorts of problems going on in people's lives around us we are unaware of. I sit here in a coffee shop writing and look around me and have no idea what people have been through or are going through. Court battles raging, miscarriages, pregnant and unmarried, people being sued, those who have been incarcerated, betrayed and hurting people, lost jobs, death in the family, cheated on a test, addicted to porn, an alcoholic, lied, sick, lonely, hurting, worn out people beat down by the situations of life yet if you ask someone how they are doing the usual answer is "fine". Oh really? Why do we answer like that when you really might feel as if you could burst out in tears?

1 Peter 5:7 tells us to "Cast all your anxiety on Him for He cares for you." It is Satan who tries to get you feeling hopeless and discouraged. When that feeling comes on you think of all the good things there are about your life to be thankful for. Matthew 11:28 reminds us to "Come to me all you who are burdened and heavy laden and I will give you rest." Oh to rest with Christ and to truly give Him your load, how wonderful it would be!

The point is, there is hurt out there all around you so why not try to first of all not think of our own problems for a while and see what you can do to brighten someones day around you? That simple smile will work wonders.

 Just remember everyone has struggled and we all have been sinners. The good news is God can set us free to live a life of freedom in him. All of us have struggled at one time or another and all of us have sinned. It says this in Romans 3:23. Now remember we are not supposed to purposely sin if we know better but God will forgive.  Only blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is not forgiven. James 4:17 says "Anyone then who knows the good  he ought to do and does not do it sins."  Be on your guard about  trying to categorize sin, because there is no such thing. And careful telling others they are wrong as you have three fingers pointing back at yourself.

So as you go about your day today if you are down keep your thoughts on Jesus and also remember there are many around you going through tough times. Go out and be a light in a dark world.

PRAYER: Lord you came to set the captives free. All of us have been through hurt and pain Lord. Thank you for setting me free or how you are going to set me free. I will resist Satan and he has to leave me alone. In Jesus name. Amen.
Click on link to worship the Lord in song.
http://youtu.be/zASHA-9WhHY

BEATEN UP BY YOUR FELLOWMAN??

Do you feel like Job in the Bible who seems to have everything go wrong? Has one thing after the other continued to press down on you til you think you can not take it anymore? Have you lost your job? Have friends turned their backs on you? Have you been betrayed by family? Have people told lies about you at work? Have you been wrongly accused of something and are having a hard time proving your innocence? Has there been a death that has left a gaping hole in your heart you feel will never be healed? Are bills piling up but you do not know how you will manage to pay them?

Not everyone has a rosy life. Some people bring on struggles themselves but others have things happen they did nothing to cause.1 Peter 1:7 says "These have come so that your faith--of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire--may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed."  Psalm 66:10 says "For you, O God, tested us; you refined us like silver." Sometimes we are put in the refiners fire,so to speak, to test us and grow us and shape us into more of a God like character . We know it says in James 1:2-3 it says "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance." That is what we are striving for. No one likes suffering. But somethings that happen that seem bad ultimately turn out for our good.

Psalm 145:14 gives encouragement to those who feel like they have lost hope. It says "The LORD upholds all those who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down. Psalm 37:24 says "though he stumble, he will not fall, for the LORD upholds him with his hand." Psalm 57:6 says "They spread a net for my feet--I was bowed down in distress. They dug a pit in my path--but they have fallen into it themselves."  Psalm 108:13 tells us "With God we will gain the victory, and he will trample down our enemies." Psalm 147:3 says "He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds."

What is bothering you today? God is for you so who can be against you?(See Romans 8:31). That is all that matters. Hang on. God has a plan!

PRAYER: Lord God help me to trust you and you alone for all that I need in life. When others come against me and hurt me or ridicule me I know you are all that matters.Help me to learn to forgive those who have wronged me. It is love that covers a multitude of sins and love that will win out.I want to focus on your love Lord so I am not sunk into a pity pit or a cavern of despair. Lord I thank you for delivering me. In Jesus Name. Amen.
 
Note: Please take about 4 minutes and listen to the song by clicking link below. It will lift your spirits in a big way. http://youtu.be/cCwAkJQ4-Io