Reflections: On Triumph Over Trouble (JAMES 1:2-8)

In his letter to believers of the New Testament early church James tells them to “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters whenever you face trials of many kinds.”

True confession – have you ever had days when hearing these words could tempt you to roll your eyes? I have! The very last thing you may consider doing in an agonizing situation is to be joyful! But, fellow believers, when you settle down within yourself, quiet your rebellious spirit and move on to the following verses you are reminded that it is for your own good that you regard hardship as righteous joy and not evil.

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 (James 1:3-4) If after this you are still having trouble moving to a place of pure joy, verses 5-6 is there to help with that.

If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord.

Go to the throne of grace. Tell your Abba Father all that’s in your heart and ask Him to help you find your way from confusion, possibly rebellion, and panic to that place of pure joy. Ask earnestly and honestly, with tears running down your face, if it comes to that, but ask with confidence and a trusting, yielded heart.

Have the same mind as that of the three Hebrew boys in Daniel 3.  These young men faced being incinerated in a fiery furnace with perfect faith and confidence in the ability of their GOD to save them.  But they maintained also that if GOD chose not to save them, they would accept His plan for their lives, glorifying Him with their last smoke-filled breath, and do so with JOY.

Why? Because they believed in the wisdom and faithfulness of GOD to work even that horrific situation for their good (Romans 8:28) and He did so miraculously. They were thrown into the fiery furnace, but the Son of GOD got into the fire with them to protect them. They came out of it unharmed with not even the smell of some on their clothing. Not only were they triumphant in their testing before GOD but the entire Babylonian nation now knew that the GOD these young men served is real and He is Almighty.

No matter the turmoil that’s raging about you, your GOD and Father is the same reigning LORD and King today as He was during the life-time of the Hebrew boys. He’s with you too wherever you are in these raging and roiling currents called life.

If believers ever needed this reminder, it's NOW! 

 

Prayer: Mighty GOD and Father, these are scary times. But You are Omnipotent and nothing surprises You. Our trials, sorrows, and sickness are known to You and You hear the deep cries of our hearts, individually and as Nations. Please give us wisdom, strength, and courage to trust You and obey Your Word and Your will for our lives with pure joy. Your eyes are always on us. Help us to keep our eyes fixed on you to WHOM all glory, dominion, and power belong forever and ever. In JESUS Name we pray. Amen.

Always by God’s Word and prayer,

 

Cecile

Reflections: On Kindness

Kindness is fast becoming extinct within cultures. The anonymity of social media has made it easy for individuals to insult and slander others that they don’t even know viciously and with impunity. All under the guise of “free speech.”

But this is not the believer’s world, right? Unfortunately, not so. Believers are responding much too often with unkind words and towards other believers. Again, using the anonymity of social media. This should never be.

Kindness, or lovingkindness, is one of GOD’s attributes. True believers – you who have salvation in Christ – are to grow and keep growing into the image of Christ and, like Him, reflect the Father’s nature. Be kind, even to those you disagree with or who regard you as the enemy. (Matthew 5:44).

Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. 1 Peter 3:9

Remember that you too were once undeserving of the Father’s lovingkindness. His choosing alone, not anything you did, has enabled you to share in His glory for all eternity.

God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins. Ephesians 1:5,7

GOD shows kindness to those who love Him as well as to those who are ungrateful and wicked. (Luke 6:35.)

Since you are His, you have His Sprit living in you and the  Spirit’s fruit working through you including kindness.

The foundation of all the Spiritual virtues are love.  Loving GOD first and then your neighbor as yourself. (Mark 12:30-31)

Believers are kind because they love GOD and His Son and aim to please Them and not themselves.

Love is kind. 1 Corinthians 13:4

Prayer and Thanksgiving: Our GOD and Father, Essence of lovingkindness, do not deal with us as we deserve but forgive us for our unkind behavior and help us to always bear with one another in love. Our eyes are on you to WHOM all glory, dominion, and power belong forever and ever. In JESUS Name we pray. Amen.

Always by God’s Word and prayer,

Cecile

Reflections: You Are Your Thoughts (Prov 23:7)

A godly and productive lifestyle is the fruit of a healthy thought-life. Our thoughts drive our actions so it is vital that we pay very close attention to what we think about.

Scripture tells us that unhealthy thoughts are the product of an unhealthy heart – these two are inseparable – For as he thinks in his heart, so is he. Proverbs 23:7 NKJV; Be careful what you think, because your thoughts run your life. (Proverbs 4: 23 NCV.)

The obvious remedy for a godly lifestyle would be – clean up your heart to change your thinking.

The WORD of GOD will guide you

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. Colossians 3:1-2 NIV

Old habits are hard to break and change would need conscious, concentrated effort. Here are three activities that will make a difference:

• Be willing to admit that your negative thinking is harming you mentally, spiritually, and most likely physically.
• Focus daily on and practice re-training your heart and your brain to accept positive thoughts over negative;
• Pray to GOD for wisdom and guidance to help you to have a mind that pleases Him!

What pleases GOD

That you obey His WORD as commanded in Philippians 4:8 – think about, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—anything (that) is excellent or praiseworthy.

By choosing to think like this you’re choosing faith in GOD over negativity and fear. And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.  

Give GOD total control of your heart and mind and you’re going to love the person you become.

Give me your heart, my son, and let your eyes observe my ways. Proverbs 23:26 (NET Bible)