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