Cheers!
January 3
When entering a new Bible study I often wonder...."What is God preparing me for?" Yesterday, two studies I am currently embarking upon had me chow down on these verses first thing. Whew, maybe we best close those books! (The studies are Beth Moore's, James, Mercy Triumphs, and Sarah Young's book, Jesus Today.
Cheers to choices! God gave us free will to choose not only the paths we will take, but the way we will react to the bumps in the road. Joy leads to jubilation, where jealousy, retaliation and vengeance are a heavy load of junk which keep us burdened down. In our toughest trials we can look for God's training ground.
Everyday there are lessons if we listen.
One of our grandchildren dropped my laptop and the glass screen broke on one side. I was quick to forgive because it was our grandson. I thought...had it been an adult or someone I was not real fond of, I would have wanted justice and asked them to purchase me a new computer. Saying, "that's ok" it is not of eternal value brought much more joy!
We purchased a "bounce house" to pass around for use with our grandchildren and also at the school. It was deflated and outside under our deck over Christmas and had collected some rain water and leaves. My feathers got ruffled and I was copping an attitude over the neglect and others not seeing the importance of caring for our possessions. Instead of voicing my emotions, I prayed for God to keep my mouth shut. My husband and I lugged this BIG thing inside and began toweling it down and spreading it out over sofas and chairs to allow fans to ran on it overnight. Yesterday, my husband called for me to bring the camera downstairs. He turned tension into laughter and we made a memory! We also found out the bounce house fits in one of the rooms downstairs and can work as an air mattress when we need more sleeping options! This was much more fun than me being mad!
These litte trials are minor compared to what James was talking about...persecution to the point of death, beatings, imprisonment...we each know someone battling divorce, loss of a loved one, a serious illness, maybe someone whose home has been flooded, destroyed by fire or repossessed due to financial difficulty. These are the kind of trials which leave us crying out for a peace that passes understanding and a longing to know that all things work together for good for those who love the Lord and are called according to his purpose.
Consider is such a key word in the James passage. When tribulation comes if we will train ourselves to consider what God may want to teach us through such a trial we will come out stronger, a little more like Christ and a lot closer to God for wadding through the muddle holding his hand.
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, when you face trials of many kinds.
James 1:2
These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.
John 16:33
Cheers to choices! God gave us free will to choose not only the paths we will take, but the way we will react to the bumps in the road. Joy leads to jubilation, where jealousy, retaliation and vengeance are a heavy load of junk which keep us burdened down. In our toughest trials we can look for God's training ground.
Everyday there are lessons if we listen.
One of our grandchildren dropped my laptop and the glass screen broke on one side. I was quick to forgive because it was our grandson. I thought...had it been an adult or someone I was not real fond of, I would have wanted justice and asked them to purchase me a new computer. Saying, "that's ok" it is not of eternal value brought much more joy!
We purchased a "bounce house" to pass around for use with our grandchildren and also at the school. It was deflated and outside under our deck over Christmas and had collected some rain water and leaves. My feathers got ruffled and I was copping an attitude over the neglect and others not seeing the importance of caring for our possessions. Instead of voicing my emotions, I prayed for God to keep my mouth shut. My husband and I lugged this BIG thing inside and began toweling it down and spreading it out over sofas and chairs to allow fans to ran on it overnight. Yesterday, my husband called for me to bring the camera downstairs. He turned tension into laughter and we made a memory! We also found out the bounce house fits in one of the rooms downstairs and can work as an air mattress when we need more sleeping options! This was much more fun than me being mad!
Consider is such a key word in the James passage. When tribulation comes if we will train ourselves to consider what God may want to teach us through such a trial we will come out stronger, a little more like Christ and a lot closer to God for wadding through the muddle holding his hand.
