Trials and Joy

"Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing." (James 1:2-4 NASB) 

Consider it a good thing, a joyful thing, when trials come crashing into your life. What!? How can good come from the loss of a job? Or the loss of health? Or the loss of freedom? Trials such as these test our faith, and somehow that is why we can rejoice. For you can know that the One who tests your faith is good and has wise purposes in your trials. They have a goal in mind: the endurance and progress of your faith. 

A faith that is not tested or refined will be left immature and weak. But our Heavenly Father tests us to grow and strengthen our faith, and to teach us to trust Him more. He does not put us through trials in order to harm or destroy us, but rather He is like a skilled surgeon who must inflict pain for a time to bring about strength and life.

Your trials are not random or meaningless, there is a purpose in all of them. Trust that the Great Physician is at work, though you don't see the full picture of what He's doing yet. Expect your faith to be tested. Don't be surprised when the heat gets turned up so hot in your life that you are tempted to despair and wonder whether God has abandoned you! Knowing that God is at work for your good in such times is a great resource of joy.

Remember what God's highest aim for your life is as a follower of Jesus: that you would become like Christ. "For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of his son." (Romans 8:29 NASB). If becoming more like Jesus is the goal of your life, and trials and hardships are the way to best achieve that goal, then we can truly and sincerely embrace our trials with joy. For it is far better to lose comfort and security in this life in order to gain spiritual maturity and greater intimacy with the Messiah. 

Is your faith being tested today? Are you struggling to receive these trials with joy? Look to Jesus believer. He is the author and perfecter of your faith. He graciously gives every good thing you need to endure and grow. You can trust Him. 

Matt Maher - Lord, I Need You

One Day at a Time

I invite you to read the words of Jesus from Matthew 6:25-34 and consider where He wants our focus today.

"Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." (Matthew 6:34 NIV)

Worry is often projected into the future. What is going to happen? How will it work out? These are future-oriented questions. The future can be a scary place because it's unknown and out of our control. As much as we can't help but worry about tomorrow, it doesn't do us any good. Just as Jesus said, "Who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life?" (Matthew 6:27). The Lord first and foremost wants our trust. He holds the future and all of our tomorrows in His hands. Rather than worry about tomorrow, God tells us to take it one day at a time, not asking the question: "What will happen tomorrow?", but rather "How can I follow Jesus and trust God today? How can I put Him first?".

At the moment, this present day is all we have. We cannot change the past and we cannot guarantee the future. It is true that each day brings its own trouble, and some days are just filled with trouble. But remember that God is a very present help in trouble (Psalm 46:1). Everyday we have, no matter how troubling, is a gift from God. It is an opportunity to trust God and to honor him with our lives. Each day is a resource to be laid at His feet in humble adoration which says: "Not my will, but Your will be done Lord. Take this day and make it pleasing to You". Trust God with your tomorrow, and live for His glory with your today.

How can you make the most of this present moment for the glory of God?

This is the Day - Pat Barrett

The Antidote for Worry

I invite you to read the words of Jesus from Matthew 6:25-34 and consider His answer to our worries.



"So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." (Matthew 6:31-33 NIV)

If anyone ever had a reason to worry, it would be someone without the basic necessities of food, drink and clothing. But even to such a person Jesus says: "Do not worry". Worry takes our eyes off of God and focuses our attention instead upon our fears and problems. Worry suppresses and hinders faith in God. Faith means looking to God and trusting Him with our deepest and most critical needs. God wants us to be so confident in His character, so assured of His goodness and love, that when our pantry is empty, we will not worry. When our bank account is depleted, we will not fear. And when sickness and disease cripple our society and death comes knocking on our door, even then we will find comfort in the confidence that our God will care for us.

What are you worried about today? What fears are interfering with your faith? Is your anxious heart asking: "Will I make it? Will I be safe? Will I have what I need?" Through these verses Jesus says to us: "Look at the birds of the air and how I care for them. You are more precious and valuable to me. I will care for you, I will not abandon you. Do not worry about your needs but entrust those to Me. Just concern yourself with following Me and doing God's will today."

Jesus does not want us to worry, but He does not want us to be idle either. While the world around us frantically strives to take care of themselves, Jesus calls us to a higher occupation. Rather than concerning ourselves with our needs, we are to concern ourselves with pursing God's kingdom. We are to familiarize ourselves with God's priorities and give ourselves completely to His will. In God's kingdom, our neighbor comes first. The vulnerable and the oppressed come first. The spiritual health of our family and friends comes first. In God's kingdom, everyone matters, everyone is worth caring for and fighting for. In God's kingdom, the standard of love is set by Christ Himself, who did not regard His own needs but regarded our needs as more important. So much so that He laid down His life in love for us to meet our deepest and most critical need: forgiveness and reconciliation with God (Philippians 2:3-7).

Today Jesus wants all of your trust and all of your faith. The more threatening and impossible your circumstances, the more glory and praise we will give to God when we trust Him! When we are confident in His provision, we are empowered by His grace to take our eyes off of our own needs and focus instead on meeting the needs of others. How can you seek first God's kingdom and God's priorities today?

God I Look To You - Austin Stone Worship

Finding Courage

Where do we find courage when the earth changes?



"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change
And though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea"
(Psalm 46:1-2 NASB)

It can be a stressful and fearful thing to see the world around you change. People throughout the ages have lived through uncertain times in which it felt as though the mountains had crumbled into the seas, and that which was stable had given way to instability. Such times force the question: What can I depend on? Where is the unchanging ground on which I can stand? God is the only immovable and unchangeable reality in our world. This is why He can truly be our refuge and strength in times of trouble. His stability is our salvation.

This is our constant resource for courage in times of trouble: that God is safety, strength and help for anyone who would come to Him. And having come to Him by faith, He explicitly tells us not to be afraid. He knows all your fears and anxieties, and by His word He is calling you to lay those down and place your trust in Him. Be fixated upon His perfect character, meditate upon His goodness and remember His faithfulness.

When I am afraid, it is because I have lost sight of God's goodness and forgotten His faithfulness. The secret weapon against my fears is primarily knowing and remembering who God is. A heart fixed on the Lord, the everlasting refuge for weak and fearful sinners like me, is the antidote to anxiety. Look at who He is! Look at what He has done! He loved us and gave Himself up for us. He did not count our failures and crimes against us, but He willingly took our shame upon Himself.

Look to Jesus, God in the flesh, the perfect representation of God's love and grace. And having beheld this glory, you will find yourself resting safely in a refuge that cannot be shaken. For Jesus does not change. He is "the same yesterday and today and forever" (Hebrews 3:8). And because He does not change, you are safe. "For I, the Lord, do not change; therefore you... are not consumed." (Malachi 3:6 NASB).

Spend some time confessing your fears to Jesus today and thank Him that He is a safe refuge for you, even when all else fails.

Not Afraid – Jesus Culture

A Very Present Help

I invite you to read Psalm 46 and consider what it means today that God is a VERY PRESENT HELP.

"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble." (Psalm 46:1 NASB)

In times of trouble, we naturally feel that God is distant. But He is not far off in times of distress, He is near. Sometimes we must assume His nearness by faith, though our emotions tell us otherwise. We assume the presence of God must always be accompanied by a tangible sense of peace and safety. And while God's presence certainly does bring peace and safety, our hearts are not always able to grab hold of those emotions. This is where faith comes in. The Lord is calling you today to believe Him and trust He is near, even though your emotions may tell you otherwise. The tangible sense of his presence will come in due time as we wait for Him, but you must also lean into His promises when peace seems elusive. 

The nature of troubling times is to experience circumstances so troubling that it causes you to question whether God is present or whether He is going to take care of you. This is what makes a trial trying! If you experienced a perfect and uninterrupted sense of joy and peace during a trial, well then it wouldn't be much of a trial would it? A trial is something that tests our faith, which causes us to ask: "Where is God?" God's answer in His word is: "I'm right here".

Not only is God here, not only is He very present in your trouble, but He is here to help you in your time of greatest need. Through Christ, He carries you in your distress. His help is available, accessible, not to satisfy your cravings but to meet the deepest needs of your soul. Bring your fears and needs to Him today, and trust Him to be your very present help in trouble. He has already met your deepest and most profound need in abundance. Your greatest crisis has already been solved: The need for reconciliation and redemption. He responded to your worst sin and most offensive defiance by sending the ultimate help, His only Son Jesus the Messiah. 

"If God is for us, who is against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?" (Romans 8:31-32 NASB)

If God would go to such great lengths to help you with your most urgent need, even giving His beloved Son to die, will He not help you today with the troubles you face? How do need the Lord's help today? What are the deepest needs of your soul? Bring your concerns to Him in prayer, and trust Him to be a very present help in trouble.

O God – Dustin Kensrue

God is Our Refuge

I invite you to read Psalm 46 and consider what it means today that God is our REFUGE.

"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble." (Psalm 46:1 NASB)

We all need safety. We long to feel safe in the depths of our being and we look for it in so many places, but true safety is found only in God. HE is our refuge. He is a mighty fortress that stands secure. Where are you looking for security today?

We may think if only our circumstances changed, we would feel safe. But safety outside of God won't last. Only God is strong enough to keep us secure. And not only is God our refuge, but He invites us in. He desires that we would come and find safety and Him. What hinders you from resting in the security of God's refuge today?

Remember you have an enemy that does not want you to rest in God. Satan would fill you with fear and tempt you to doubt that God will be good enough, strong enough and gracious enough to give you the safety you long for. But the truth is, God is enough. Come to Him seeking shelter for your weary heart and He will receive you. Remember the words of Jesus: "The one who comes to me I will certainly not cast out" (John 6:37 NASB). The security of God is like a stronghold, but it is also a person. Refuge is found in the arms of Christ.

In the chaos of the storm with wind and waves raging, Jesus stands before you with outstretched arms, calling you to come and find refuge in Him. He sees you in your struggle and your fears with compassion in His eyes. All around you is danger, but standing in front of you is true safety. The search for security is over, it's Jesus. It was always, only Jesus. Today come to Him and don't look back. As you look to Jesus by faith you are accepted, you are loved, and you are safe.

God wants you to come to Him as your only refuge today. Your trials may be hard, but they can teach you the all-important truth that God is the only truly safe and secure place to rest your soul. He is strong enough, good enough and gracious enough to be your refuge. So come to Him as your refuge! Come to Him humbly, come to Him needy, come to Him today. Don't miss the opportunity to embrace humility and experience the profound need we all have for safety in the presence of God.

Glorious Ruins – Hillsong Worship