You got troubles? Rejoice!

Do you think the Lord meant it when He told us to rejoice in our sufferings?  Well, He took the trouble to tell us at least three times, through three different New Testament authors (Paul, James, & Peter), so He must have meant it!

"We can rejoice too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance.  And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation." - Romans 5:3-4

"Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy.  For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.  So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing." - James 1:2-4

"So be truly glad.  There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you have to endure many trials for a little while.  These trials will show that your faith is genuine.  It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold - though your faith is far more precious than gold.  So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world."  - 1 Peter 1:6-7

When you believe by faith that you have been saved by Christ's sacrifice on the cross, then you are no longer in a "hostile relationship" with God.  You are now at peace with God, in a relationship of love and acceptance - even to the point that He accepts you as His own son/daughter (Romans 8:16).

It's true that even though we have this loving, peaceful relationship with God now, we may still not always "feel" calm or tranquil in our daily lives.  This is because we are not at peace with this world, and we may still experience conflict from time to time.  However, even amidst this conflict, we can live with the peace of knowing that we are not in conflict with God, and that the trials we are currently facing are to strengthen us in endurance and character, and in the confident hope of our salvation.  This is the meaning of true peace and joy within, no matter what your "worldly circumstances."

So, look at your current troubles with that "eternal perspective," and rejoice in knowing that God is using them to strengthen you, and grow you even closer to Him and more like Christ, in whose sufferings we are sharing, knowing that Christ overcame them all, even death!  That same power of Christ that overcame death is the same power within you to overcome your daily troubles (1 John 5:4).  We may share in his sufferings now from time to time, but we give praise that one day we will share in His glory and honor!

TIDINGS OF COMFORT & JOY

This time of year is the most depressing of all for so many.  Yet, caught up in the hustle and bustle, so many of us forget to stop, pray for, care for, and reach out to those that may be hurting.

Some feel invisible during this season of parties, gifting, singing, and togetherness.  Whether by choice or by circumstance, some truly are alone...invisible.  No matter who you are, no matter how you are hurting, you need to know that GOD SEES YOU.  He knows you, and He is always with you.

Almighty God, the Creator of this universe, is reaching out to you....when you feel like you are alone, you are not.

When the enemy is leading you to believe that you are not worthy of a relationship with God, or with anyone else, do not be deceived!  God is pursuing YOU! 

No matter what you have done, no matter where you are in your life, know that your Creator loves you, and He desires a relationship with YOU.  "He knows when you've been sleeping...He knows when you're awake...He knows if you've been bad OR good"... and He loves you anyway!

You are not alone, and you are never "too far" from God.  And since He is already with you...all you have to do is reach out to Him.  His comfort is so close, and it is yours...just accept it.

I hope the prayer of the Psalmist, Psalm 139:1-18, will serve to bring comfort to someone who needs to hear this Word today.  And I hope it is a reminder to others of us to reach out to someone in need of comfort or fellowship during this season.  Let this be our prayer...

"O Lord, you have examined my heart and know everything about me.
You know when I sit down or stand up.  You know my thoughts even when I'm far way.
You see me when I travel and when I rest at home.  You know everything I do.
You know what I am going to say even before I say it, Lord.
You go before me and follow me. 
You place your hand of blessing on my head.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too great for me to understand!

I can never escape from your Spirit!  I can never get away from your presence!
If I go up to heaven, you are there;  If I go down to the grave, you are there.
If I ride the wings of the morning, if I dwell by the farthest oceans,
even there your hand will guide me, and your strength will support me.
I could ask the darkness to hide me and the light around me to become night -
but even in the darkness I cannot hide from you. 
To you the night shines as bright as day.  Darkness and light are the same to you.

You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother's womb.
Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex!
Your workmanship is marvelous - how well I know it.
You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion,
as I was woven together in the dark of the womb.
You saw me before I was born.
Every day of my life was recorded in your book.
Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed.

How precious are your thoughts about me, O God.
They cannot be numbered!
I can't even count them;  they outnumber the grains of sand!
And when I wake up, you are still with me!