The Decision (Hebrews12:1-2)

The testimony of the victories of others should move us to make a decision for Christ. We need to cast aside the weights that burden us down. In order to do that, you should ask the Holy Spirit to guide you in identifying those weights. He can also lead you to recognize the sin that besets you. Besetting sins are those that crowd around you or maybe better stated as it is the sin that is at every point around you and everywhere you turn. Not only is the sin present, it goes well for it or it has its way. It is the temptation that is at all points around you and it consistently causes you to fall.

Once you have cast off the weight and sin, you can run the race. Races are never easy and neither is this one. Opposition will face you, but you will need to face it with patience or as some may define it as cheerful endurance. How can you run such a race? Shouldn’t races be tiring and taxing to the body? They should, but God‘s plan is different. The response of many may be that they cannot run this race or they do not have the strength to succeed and they will be correct. The secret for victory in running the race will not be found in you. It can only be found in the Lord and in order to get it, we must look to him.  Looking to Jesus is not just assenting to him, but instead it is attentively fixing your eyes upon him. Make the decision of looking and focusing on Jesus to gain his strength for your race.

Upholding Others (Psalm 54:4)

Have you ever been so tired that you just couldn’t stand? If there wasn’t a chair available, you did the next best thing: you leaned against something to give you the support you needed. If by some chance you saw somebody in this type of a condition, you probably would have helped them along by holding them up.

Did you ever think of all the people who struggle so much with life that they just can’t stand any longer? All of life‘s hurts, struggles, disappointments—and for some trauma—continue to bear down upon a person‘s heart. Some choose to end their lives as a way of escape. Others successfully find the help and support they need.

Behold, God is mine helper: the Lord is with them that uphold my soul. (Psalm 54:4)

The support and help these people need are other people. They need the strength that others have to be shared with them and when this happens, their inner being or soul gains strength. Your actions of love—whether they are words spoken or written—bring strength to those who cannot stand alone. Any act of kindness can help those who are crumbling under their life‘s condition. You may not be able to do a thing about their circumstances, but you can be an encourager.

As you go to work, social events and church, look for the people that God brings to you for encouragement and share your strength with them.

Brace Yourself!

Brace yourself! This is the phrase that we use to prepare ourselves for some impending negative event. It may be physically holding on to something in preparation for jolting or even a collision. It could even relate to preparing yourself for news that may move you emotionally.

As bracing yourself may seem to work in the physical world, it does not work in the spiritual. However, what will work is if the Lord braces you.

1 The Lord hear thee in the day of trouble; the name of the God of Jacob defend thee;

2 Send thee help from the sanctuary, and strengthen thee out of Zion;  (Psalm 20:1-2)

In this time of distress for David, he is looking for the Lord to send him help and strength. The strength he is seeking is comfort and to be held up. Another meaning for the word strength would be to brace. David is not bracing himself for the trial that he faces, but he is asking the Lord to brace him.

When I think of the Lord bracing us for trials, I picture a parent with a child. Imagine a small child in the arms of a father as they face a frightening experience like a thunderstorm. With each flash and bang of the storm, the child buries their head in the father’s chest as the father tightly braces the child. The father’s embrace may not be able to stop the storm, but it does bring security and strength to the child.

As we face the storms of life, God wants to brace us for them. He may not choose to remove the storm, but with his tender embrace, he will provide us the comfort and strength that we need.

Thankfully his loving embrace in these times is based on his mercy and grace. Because of this, we can always count on the father to be there for us. As you face storms in life, bury your head into the chest of your heavenly father and experience his strong loving embrace.

Did God Forget Me? (Psalm 9:12)

When people forget about you and your needs, it is a hurtful experience. It conveys the absence of love and concern. There are times in our lives when we face trials and difficulties and it appears as if God has forgotten us. We pray and ask for deliverance, but nothing happens. Has God forgotten us?

...he forgetteth not the cry of the humble. (Psalm 9:12)

God has not forgotten you. His love and concern has not been set aside and your life and its concerns have not been mislaid or lost. God has heard your cry, he knows the problems that you face and the heaviness in your heart that you carry because of it.

So, why doesn’t he answer? Why doesn’t he deliver? But he has and he will. God has heard your prayers and is providing the grace that you need. Many of learn the grace and truth go hand-in-hand. It seems that you cannot have the one without the other. God I want you exposed to truth concerning him and buy the truth he will be able to exercise grace in your life. Paul experienced this and wrote about it. God’s grace was sufficient for him because of his reliance on the truth of the power of Christ.

Until your actual deliverance comes, expose yourself to the word of God: read it, listen to the testimony of others, attend church services and listen to the preaching of God‘s word and God will begin working his grace in your life.

How long must you rely on this grace until the deliverance comes cannot be known. Remember as God works in the details of your life, he is also working in the lives of others. He wants to use grace in your life to shine as a light to the lost. He also may be working in the lives of others to bring them to repentance before he moves his hand in judgment or chastening. Until then, you must wait on him. Thankfully because of his grace, you will be able to endure.

...he forgetteth not the cry of the humble.

When You Just Can’t Go On

Sometime back when I worked in the steel mill, I was a part of a crew of men that worked on changing the motor of a large crane. The work took place over the 200 foot tempering furnace, which created an extremely hard-working environment. The crew worked in 15 minute intervals because of the fatigue caused by the heat and after short periods of rest, we were refreshed, renewed in strength and ready to go again.

Life can have a fatiguing effect on our hearts, just as the heat did on our bodies in the steel mill. The effect is not so much the heat of the day, but the wearing away upon the heart by life‘s struggles. Health, financial, domestic and work issues can bear upon the heart of man causing him to stoop and even fall. But God has promised to be with us, provide comfort to our hearts and the strength that we need.

He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength (Isaiah 40:29)

The power that we need is not in us nor does God couple his power with ours so that the total is enough for us to endure. We must remember that he is our strength. (Psalm 46:1; 81:1)

As long as we continue trying to rise above life and the burdens that it bears upon us, we will continually fall which leads to greater anguish in the soul. But when we rest in him, we gain his strength. Resting in him does not mean a time of leisurely repose for the recovering of strength, but more like how God rested from his work of creation on the seventh day. He was not tired from his labor: his resting was him ceasing from work.

When we rest in Jesus, we cease from our own work—whether physical or soulish— and allow him to do his work in and through us. We give up our strength so that we may gain his strength.

So instead of trying harder to overcome, give up and then look to God so that he may do in you what you are unable to do.

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

Sing aloud unto God our strength: (Psalm 81:1)

How Can I Love? (1 John 2:5)

We know Jesus said that men shall know we are disciples because we love one another.  The Apostle John writes that in us God's love can be perfected.  The question is, How do I get to the place where I can love like Jesus loves?

Many would set out to create a list of actions that should be performed that would be considered acts of love and when these actions are completed you will be loving that individual.  The list could be something like this.

1. Pray for them
2. Reach out to them
3. Communicate your concern through notes, cards or emails.
4. If possible, meet a need that they may have.
5. If necessary, share the gospel

The list is a good list, but in itself it is not love.  A person could complete each of these acts and still not love the person.  Have you ever said that you were sorry and you really weren't?  Did you ever state that you forgave someone, but in reality you really didn't?  The same can be true with the actions on this list.  You can do them and not really be loving.  So, what is the answer?  How can I love others?

But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him. (1 John 2:5)

If we keep or guard God's word in our hearts, it will eventually create fruit from its seed.  It is the Word of God that perfects our love.  Love is a condition of the heart and not the completion of acts.  Keeping or guarding God's word in your heart is parallel to abiding in Christ.  When we abide in Christ, he lives through us.  When we abide in God's word, it lives through us.  It may live through us and lead us to perform the very acts listed above, but the difference between the two is the condition of the heart.

If you want to love, keep or guard God's word in your heart.  In fact, if you want to accomplish anything for God or to be anything he wants you to be, keep the word.  Guard it as a precious gem or as a "keep sake".  When you do, it will produce its fruit in your life.

Seeing the Land (Psalm 27:13)

I remember as a kid, there was this street in the neighborhood that had a steep hill on it.  My goal was to ride my bike to the top of the hill without stopping to push it up the rest of the way.  On many occasions, I failed to accomplish the task.  However, there was one time that after I peddled vigorously, it seemed as if I could not go any farther.  It was then that I lifted my eyes to see that I was nearly at the top of the hill.  Suddenly I found resources of strength that I did not know I had.  As I focused on my destination, the peddling became easier and I eventually made it to the top.

I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. (Psalms 27:13)

There are many times in our lives when we will strive to overcome obstacles and feel as if we cannot go any further.  What we need to is see the finish line.  The finish line is the place that God has prepared for us.  I am not necessarily speaking of Heaven, but the promised land, which is the land of victory.  We must continue on and not faint.  Sometimes, the only thing that can keep you from fainting is your faith in the Lord. Your perspective of what you see he can do will become a strength to you.

As you go through trials, spend time with the Lord.  Submit to his will and allow him to reveal to you his plan and purpose.  With this vision, you will overcome.

Where there is no vision, the people perish: (Proverbs 29:18)

Hold It Together (Psalm 27:14)

I remember when quite a few years ago, I was sitting in the heart station at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.  My daughter was sitting on my wife's lap as they were completing the last preliminaries before her open heart surgery the next morning.  Each of us were on edge and doing our best to deal with the situation.  It was then that my daughter said her first word.  She turned her head, looked across the room at me and said, "Daddy."  Needless to said, I nearly fell apart.

The two options that we have when we face trouble are holding it together or falling apart.  Faith is what enables us to hold our hearts together.  When we lose faith or fail to exercise faith, our heart no longer binds itself together for The Lord and then we essentially cave in or fall under the circumstances of your trial.  However, our path to victory begins with just one step.

Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord. (Psalms 27:14)

Waiting on The Lord and being of good courage are attributes of the heart.  We see this from the context of the verse and can understand that they essentially mean to bind the heart together and be emotionally strong.  When we have faith in The Lord to provide what we need and take that stand, God will strengthen our hearts.  We then have greater faith to take that same stand and God again strengthens our hearts.  The process repeats itself and this is what enables believers to overcome all obstacles and yet at the same time rejoice in The Lord.

You too can experience this victory.  It begins with one step:  hold your heart together by trusting in the goodness of The Lord.  After that, he will do the rest.

Victory Begins in the Heart (Psalm 17:4-5)

Doing the right thing is usually not easy.  You find yourself confronted with a situation and are torn between at least two options: what God wants you to do and what you want to do.  David experienced the same conflict as us and recorded it in the Psalms.

Concerning the works of men, by the word of thy lips I have kept me from the paths of the destroyer. Hold up my goings in thy paths, that my footsteps slip not. (Psalms 17:4-5)

What is vitally important for us to recognize is that we alone are unable to live the spiritual or righteous life.  We need God to provide the strength and support that we need.  David petitioned God to hold up his goings in the Lord's paths and we must do the same.  What the Christian life boils down to are decisions that we make in our hearts.  We may not have the strength to live the life, but we certainly do have the ability to make the right choices.  God's plan is for us to make the right decisions in our hearts and then he will provide the support and strength needed to complete the actions that go with the decisions.  The battleground is not with the world, people or flesh and blood, but in the heart.  God's desire is that man, by faith, chooses him and his way.  If we allow him, God will take it from there.  Remember, victory begins at the heart and not the actions.

I Can't Hold It Together (Psalm 130:5)

When I was a kid, my mother said that life was tough.  I believed her, but I didn't know it was going to be as tough as it is.  Have you ever had days where everything just seemed to be going wrong?  Every time you turn around there is yet another problem.  During days like that, I can't wait to get the day over so I can start a new day and as is usually the case, the next day is much better.

However there are times in our lives when one bad day leads into another and yet another.  Our emotions are on edge and we feel like we just can't take another step.  At any moment, we feel like we just cannot hold it together any longer and are ready to fall apart and sometimes we do.  It is those times that we call dark trials.  What is the answer?

I wait for the Lord, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope. (Psalms 130:5)

What does it mean to wait for The Lord?  When we wait for The Lord, we are holding it together until he provides relief.  The Hebrew word for "wait" carries the idea of binding together, to collect, or to tarry.  The Psalmist shares his testimony in that his soul is able to hold it together until The Lord provides.  He accomplishes this by focusing on God's word and expecting that God will supply as promised.  

You too can obtain like victory.  In order to do so, you will need to prayerfully expose yourself to God's word.  God cannot strengthen your soul for holding it together if you are unaware or unfamiliar with pertinent passages from his word.  Once you recognize a promise from God's word, you must resist all thoughts and accusations against God and his word. (See previous post: What Is A trial). As you accomplish these two steps, God will provide patience to your soul.

How Did It Happen? (2 Thessalonians 2:13)

You have heard of people who lived a terribly wicked life and then for some reason became a Christian.  How did such a thing happen?  Some credit it to circumstances in the individuals' lives and in response to them, they make a turn to God hoping that things will get better.  Other people attest it to a fear people have of dying and being judged for their sins.  Both of these situations may be factors in their decision, but they only have a minimal impact.  What brings people to God, whether it be to Christ for salvation or to the father in Heaven, is the working of the Holy Spirit and the truth of the word of God.

But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: (2 Thessalonians 2:13)

It is the Holy Spirit that does a work of drawing us to God.  He works through conviction, guidance, comfort, intercession, teaching, directing and overseeing our lives.  His work is done in conjunction with truth or the word of God.  As lost sinners, he brought truth to us by various ways.  He then used that truth in our hearts to bring us to repentance and a calling out to Jesus.  He continues to work upon us in that same manner.  For situations that we face in our lives today, the Holy Spirit performs the same work by using the word of God.  From truth and the Holy Spirit's guidance, we can gain the strength that we need to face the trials and troubles.

What we must do in the midst of difficult times is continue to expose our hearts to the word of God.  Without truth in our hearts, we limit the work that the Holy Spirit wants to accomplish.  Sadly to say, most who struggle with trials give up.  They stop exposing themselves to the word of God in the many ways that God wants to bring it to them and because of that decision, they weaken themselves and limit the Holy Spirit's liberty working in their lives. But if we yield ourselves to the Holy Spirit and expose ourselves to truth through God's word, he will accomplish the plan that he has chosen for our lives.  The work is accomplished by God: our part is to follow the Holy Spirit's leading to his precious powerful word of truth.

Trusting Draws You Closer

Yesterday in celebration of our nation's birth, public and private fireworks were displayed.  For most, it was a wonderful time of celebration ending with multiple oohs and aaahs.  However for some it was not so pleasant.

Trauma never takes a holiday.  While some were rejoicing, others were not.  As some may know, my family rescued a German Shepherd with a laundry list of phobias.  While aiding him through most of the night, I learned some distinct lessons about my relationship with God.

While trembling in terror, my family provided support and our presence to him.  Calming words, hugs, and a makeshift place for him to hide provided the strength that he needed.  When firecrackers, M80s and the neighborhood fireworks went off, we quickly responded with "It's okay, Duke.  Everything is okay."  When he responded positively, we lauded him with praise.  This went on until at least midnight, with most of the overnight hours spent transitioning him back to functioning independently.

This morning, Duke came close to me.  He gently licked me--which I really can't stand--and snuggled his head into my chest.  I patted him on the side and gently spoke about how brave he was and that he was a good boy.  It was then that it hit me.  As this dog bonds closets to me after times of trials, I too bond closest to God after the same.  As I shared words of praise for his bravery, God does the same with me for my faith.  What draws the dog closest to me are situations greater than he can bear.  What draws me closest to God are not blessings, but situations greater that I can bear.

In the end, I learned that the best way for me to know God will not come from books, sermons or bible studies, but from trials and his presence in the midst of them.

I will be with him in trouble (Psalm 91:15b)

Affliction and Joy Are Neighbors (1 Thessalonians 1:6)

In the mid 1800's, gold was found in California.  Thousands of fortune seekers flooded the state with hopes of finding the precious metal for themselves.  For those who found their fortune, it was a difficult task.  Only after a long period of digging through worthless rock was the gold discovered.  There, side by side, was rock and gold.  The only way to get to the gold was by digging through the rock.  Digging through rock was tiring, wearisome and injurious, but the gold made all the difference.

And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost: (1 Thessalonians 1:6)

All of mankind experiences difficulties in life.  For the lost, there is no hope, strength or consolation.  But for the believer, there is always joy to be found.  Many fail to recognize this because they focus so much on the affliction that they are experiencing.  What they must recognize is that next to the hurt, there is joy to be found.

It isn't joy for the affliction, but joy in the affliction.  At each low point in our lives, God is there waiting to reveal himself to us.  When you experience his presence, you will also experience the joy that comes from knowing him.  Paul along with Silas and in the darkness of prison, sang praises to The Lord.  While in prison at Rome, Paul again experienced joy as he penned the Epistle to the Philippians.  John, on the isle of Patmos, endured persecution and then experienced a great revelation.  Let's not forget you.  In your deepest of moments when you were lost, you found Jesus, the gem.  The history of mankind is filled with people, who is great distress, experienced the joy of what Christ brought to them.

In your trial today, Jesus wants to give you joy.  You may find it in a passage of Scripture or it may come to you as you are reminded of God's greatness as you focus of one of the many splendors of creation.  Joy is there.  Don't step over it or be blinded to its presence.  If you can't find it, pray for God to reveal it to you.

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When Faith Is Not Enough (1 Thessalonians 1:3)

Have you been in a trial and found it difficult to remain faithful to God and keep moving on?  Have you been to the point where you cannot take another step and want to just crumble in your path?  Many have been there and yet still moved on.  How did they do it?  What was their secret?

Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father; (1 Thessalonians 1:3)

Works start out motivated by faith.  The worker many be doing the work because God has led them or he has pointed out a need that he wants him to fulfill and the believer responds by faith and does the work.  A person can continue in the work motivated by faith, but the work needs more than what the faith worker can provide.  Mere obedience to do a work will not bring about the purpose that God has.

While in the work, The Lord does a work also in the believer's heart.  This work occurs when love develops in the heart of the laborer.  His work is no longer motivated by the obedience of faith, but by love for those for which he works.  Love will take you further than faith.  If asked, faith will sacrifice.  However, love will sacrifice on its own.  Faith obeys, but love sees the need and willfully volunteers for the task. It also sees the need and will carry the burden of the work and accomplish it.  Faith only obeys and endures.

Faith and love are essential ingredients for living a life for God, but another motivation is still needed.  Faith obeys, love sees the need and is motivated, but hope sees the potential that can occur.  Hope has spiritual eyes that see the situation from God's perspective.  Reaching the mark envisioned by hope isn't easy.  There are still obstacles to overcome, but hope gives vision to the laborer's work and at the same time gives patience to the laborer.  Patience is the believer's ability to stay under the load of the work and at the same time be cheerful.  Personal strength may keep people under the load of a work, but it cannot bring cheerfulness.  Talents and abilities may make a work somewhat easier to bear, but they will not bring cheerfulness.  Love in itself will struggle in the face of adversity and endure, but be lacking in cheerfulness.  

However, it is love for God that brings the spiritual perspective of hope.  It is this love that bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.  Love for a person can wax thin, but love for God will cause the believer to continue to press on.  It wasn't Paul's love for the church that moved him on through suffering and persecution.  It was his love for God.  It wasn't love for the ministry that strengthened the Apostles to face being martyred.  It was hope that came from their love for God.

Where are you?  What motivates you in your service for God?  What motivates you as a parent, spouse, or employee?  Hopefully it is something greater than just your faith.

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I'll Choose This Throne (Hebrews 4:16)

Many who struggle in trials feel that they cannot go to God because they feel unworthy.  They feel unworthy because of their struggle with sin and the difficulty they experience with exercising faith in the midst of trouble.  

However, God views us differently.  He knows that we cannot perform as expected unless we have his strength.  That is why he gave us the following verse.

Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. (Hebrews 4:16)

There are several thrones mentioned in the scriptures upon which The Lord will sit.  He will sit on the Bema Seat or the Judgment Seat of Christ.  Upon this, he will disperse judgment on the faithfulness of believers.  Another seat is the White Throne, which also is for judgment.  This seat is a throne and upon it God will sit and disperse judgment upon all lost souls for the sins that they committed against him.  But then there is the Throne of Grace.  God sits upon this throne and disperses something as well.  However what he disperses is not judgment.  What he disperses upon this throne is grace.  All who stand before the aforementioned thrones will receive some type of judgment, but those who stand before the Throne of a Grace will receive just that: grace.

God instructs us to come boldly to this Throne of Grace.  He wants us to come to him as he sits upon this throne and to speak frankly before.  He wants us to be outspoken about our need for his strength and to ask for it without reservation.  Why does God want us to speak so frankly with him?  Does he not want us to cloak our short comings?  

There is no need to attempt to hide our condition as we stand before him.  He understands exactly what we are experiencing.  The previous verse states that he was touched with our infirmities and tempted as we are.  He wants us to come boldly to his Throne of Grace because he wants us to be victorious.  He understands our plight and wants us to come to him with all of our struggles.  Because he knows that by that act and his strength by grace, we will be victorious.

So, as you struggle.  Go to the Throne of Grace.  Cry out to God speak freely about what you need.  What he promises to give to those who approach this throne is mercy and grace to help in your time of need.

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Giving Support (Philippians 2:1)

Remember a great event in your life?  Did you keep it a secret or did you run out and share it with somebody?  Everything from trips to funny events move us to share them with friends, colleagues and family.  Why do we do this?  As personal beings, we attach ourselves to others and gain enjoyment, strength, compassion and understanding from those individuals.  This is part of God's design for man.  God intends for people in relationships to provide strength and support for others in that relationship.  The scriptures share abilities that friends can have towards others.

If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, (Philippians 2:1)

Consolation is much needed today.  A great way to receive it is from another person.  The word for compassion comes from two root words meaning "near" and "to call".  The action of calling a person near to you is so that they can gain needed strength from the support you offer.

Imagine a child falling down and scraping his knee.  His mother calls him to herself and then embraces him in her arms.  The pain sensors in his leg continue to work just as before, but the drawing near to his mother helps alleviate the pain.  This type of aid is also true for emotional pain as well.  I remember when my wife lost her father.  She maintained her composure quite well until the graveside.  After the trumpet played taps and a flag was presented to the family, she broke down.  When she was unable to stand and emotionally distraught, I reached out to her and held her closely.  The drawing near and providing support brought the strength that she needed.

This is what is needed in the church today.  There are many people who are hurting and falling.  Instead of reaching out to these individuals and attempting to draw near to them, the church watches them falter.  It seems that the only people getting support are those who are the active members of the church.  What is sad is that those who do not have a fellowship bond with others in the church are left to stand on their own.  It is no wonder that people fall away from God.  Their falling may be due in part to them not having the intended support from others that God had planned.

Supporting people who struggle is not a glorious event.  It can be very discouraging because those you care to help may still resist the help that God brings.  But it is not about you and me or making us feel good.  It is about helping the fallen.  Look around in your life.  Think of the people that you can draw near to and provide comfort.  The next time you see them reach out and make a difference in their lives.  

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Do I Have To Pray? (Luke 18:1)

Do I really need to pray?  I don't know what to pray.  So how can prayer help?  Is not there something else that I can do to help me face my trials?  These questions have been asked for centuries. However the scriptures give us answers to each of them.

Luke 18:1  And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;

Prayer keeps us from fainting or becoming weak.  Prayer does not tire the heart of man, but instead strengthens it.  Fellowship with The Lord will stir the heart of man and bring it strength.  If man ceases to pray, he will become weak.  It is not rest that will bring strength to the heart of man, but prayer.

Prayer is not an option in life, but a necessity.  The Lord tells us that we ought to pray. This means that prayer is a necessity of life.  Years ago Disney put out the movie called Jungle Book.  The movie contained a song called "The Bare Necessities Of Life".  The content of the song contained all things that a bear thought would make life easy and enjoyable.  It may seem good for a movie, but life is not easy.  Each of us face hardships daily and the necessity of life for dealing with these trials is prayer.

Prayer is not one solution of many for life's problems.  It should always be our choice response to them.  There are not many roads leading to God, but only Jesus who is the way.  In like manner, there are not different ways to solve life's trials and struggles, but only prayer.  Without prayer, you will not be responding to your trials in the way that God intends.  Prayer is not an option, but the solution.

When we cease to pray, we give up.

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Strength For The Trial (Mark 1:11-12)

After letting Jesus know that he was pleasing to him, God led him into the wilderness for a trial.  God does the same for us.  Trials are never a pleasant event and what we must remember is that we are pleasing to God and the trial has not come because we are displeasing.

And there came a voice from heaven, saying, Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. And immediately the Spirit driveth him into the wilderness.  (Mark 1:11-12)

Remembering that you are pleasing to God will enable you to withstand the battle that will take place in your heart and mind.  During the trial, the enemy will accuse God of being unloving and not caring.  Clinging to the truth of his love and that you as his child are pleasing to him will provide much needed strength.  Sadly those with a legalistic view who never hear God's words of being pleasing to him, will succumb to the lies of the enemy.

If earthly fathers can be pleased with their children in spite of their failures and actions which bring disappointment, how much more can our Heavenly Father be pleased with us.

If you would like to read more of these thoughts in a hard copy format, my new book is now available at the link below.

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Grace For A Purpose (Ephesians 3:8)

Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;  (Ephesians 3:8)

Grace is an amazing part of God's plan and mighty work.  Many people have written about it and even more have sung about its wonder and goodness.  As we enter trial phases of our lives, we pray and ask God for his grace.  Sometimes we see others experience the greatest of difficulties yet abound by this grace.  By it we are saved and for daily living Paul says that it is sufficient.  But what is it and why does God give it?

Grace is more than just unmerited favor as it has been demonstrated in the Old Testament.  After the atoning work of Christ was completed, God was enable to work the fullness of his grace which is his divine influence upon our hearts which is reflected in the actions of our lives.  In other words, grace occurs when God does a work in us that we cannot do.  Many sick and dying have experienced this grace.  Those who have buried loved ones have experience this wonder working in their hearts as well as those suffering trials and persecution.  God offers this grace and wants to supply it to all believers.  His purpose for giving us grace goes beyond just the believers' needs and has an even broader and greater purpose.

God's grace working in our lives serves two purposes: to provide for us the strength and victory and also to provide a means of meeting the needs of others.  For Paul, God's grace was given to him personally for his trials and also to empower him to preach the gospel to others.  Dying grace provides strength to those dying, but also accomplishes a work in those witnessing God's grace.  During the greatest of trials that you have faced, God's grace was present for you and testified to others.  Your grace testimony has influenced others beyond what you can imagine.  So as you face your current trouble, remember that the strength you need is available to you in God's grace and that God wants to use you and your grace testimony in a work to help others.