FROM DISTRESS TO LAUGHTER

Sometimes, despite our continuous struggle to obey God, we may have to face great hardship in our lives. We may not understand what God is trying to do with us. When we lose our patience, we begin to complain about our circumstances. God seems so unfair and unmoved. Today, God is calling us not to lose our patience in seemingly unfair situations.

GOD WILL NOT REJECT THE RIGHTEOUS
During a time of intense suffering, Job’s friend turns to him and speaks at least one biblical truth: God will not reject the righteous. Sitting in dirt and living in sickness, failure and rejection, future didn’t seem too happy for Job. Many of us may be going through a taste of what Job had gone through. In such a state, our only hope is in the promises of God.

REMEMBER GOD'S PROMISES

The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. Psalm 18:2.

My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Psalm 73:26.

The righteous person may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all. Psalm 34:19.

GOD WILL BRING BACK LAUGHTER IN YOUR LIFE

Surely God does not reject one who is blameless… He will yet fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy. Job 8:20-21.

RUN TO GOD TODAY

Will you run to God in your distress? He will bring forth laughter back in your mouth in due season. Remember, God gave Job double for the trouble.

CAN I TRUST IN GOD 

EVEN THOUGH IT SEEMS REAL TOUGH?

When God tries to do something unusual with our lives, we tend to resist His leading. It is hard for us to trust in Him when He leads us out of the way as we intend it to be. But, the fact is: God’s plans are never to harm us.

WE MAY NOT KNOW WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO US BUT GOD KNOWS IT ALL

We essentially don’t have an idea of what is happening to us. We have the slightest clue of what will happen to us either. But, the truth is: God knows it all. He knows why He made you, where he is taking you and what the end result will be.

WE NEED TO WALK THE PATH TO REACH THE TREASURE

When we fail to trust in God and instead take a different route, we miss out on the invaluable treasure that is kept in store for us. But, if we understand that we are in safe hands- hands that created the universe and hands that work with deep sense of love- we will go to any extent to love and obey Him and that’s where we stand in the center of His plans for our lives which, in turn will help us prosper and have a great future.

CHALLENGES ARE INEVITABLE BUT BLESSINGS ARE GUARANTEED

Following Him even when it is tough may bring us into momentary challenges, but the end will certainly be glorious. After all, God is a Father that has great plans for His children like you and me- to prosper, to do good, to give hope and future.

Will you trust in God today and let Him have His way in your life, even if it means to face the toughest challenge you have ever faced. It’s going to be awesome.

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11.

THREE SPIRITUAL KEYS TO SUCCESS

Trying so hard to achieve something and not seeing the desired results is quite disheartening to us. We need to know that God is backing us in our endeavors but He expects us to do the following:

1. Trust in God with all your heart: Faith is the key to seeing God work on our behalf. Jesus constantly encouraged His disciples to trust in Him. Faith moves mountains or it gives us strength to walk over them. Either way, you've got it under control. The biggest idea for success is placing our faith in God and trusting Him whole-heartedly.

2. Lean not on your own understanding: It is good to know things. Education and thorough knowledge of your assignment are certainly essential. But, there are quite many things that are beyond our knowledge. They have to do with more than what we know. Trusting in your own instinct, knowledge and ideas is not sufficient at times. This calls us to a life that continually relies on God’s wisdom. Lean not on your own understanding.

3. Acknowledge Him in all your ways: Do you realize that your Heavenly Father is right there with you? Do you ask Him, “Lord, what must I do now?” Acknowledge His Presence as you go by your path. Acknowledge Him when you reach your goal. After all, if it were not for Him, we would not be where we are. All the credit goes to Him alone.

And guess what? He will make your paths straight!

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6.

THE SECRET OF VICTORIOUS CHRISTIAN LIVING

God has called you to a holy life. He wants you to live a life led by His Spirit. But, it is truly challenging to live a God-pleasing life in this world. You might have always desired to live out the Gospel but your constant defeat may have deeply disappointed you. Never give up on what God wants you to be. It does not matter how many times you have failed doing this. You are not called to worry, fear or defeat.

The secret of living a victoious life is to multiply your passion for God. God has given you a spirit of power, love and self-discipline. Revel in His Presence every day. Worship Him with all your heart, spirit and strength. Receive an increasingly impacting touch of God spending quality time with Him.

Fan into flame the gift of God you have received. The more you are connected to Him the stronger you get. Spend enough time conversing with Him so you can build yourself in His love. This will help you to love the loveless.  As you spend more time in His Presence, you will build your ability to practice self-discipline every day and grow in holiness.

For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline. 2 Timothy 1:6-7.

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THREE THINGS TO REMEMBER 

DURING TOUGH TIMES

Going through challenging times may lead you to think that God has forgotten you forever. It may seem to be overwhelmingly hard for you to go through your course. There are three important things you should never forget in such times:

1.      God will not let you be tempted beyond your ability: The manufacturer of a glass knows how much he has tempered it and how much pressure it can take. God is your Master Designer and He knows best how tough you can be when tough times arise. He will not let you break into pieces.

2.      He will provide a way to escape: When the trials come, God will provide a way to escape. Remember, you are not a trapped sparrow. You are more than a conqueror. Instead of sitting in despair, look out for ways that God has opened for you to be free of anything that is causing bondage. Break free!

3.      He will enable you to endure it: If you have to hang on there for a season, He will give you added strength so you can take it all. He will make your forehead as hard as flint, like He did with Jeremiah. He is faithful.

Consider yourself worthy to be put to test. It is tough. Really! But, your patient endurance will get paid off well enough.

No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it (1 Corinthians 10:13).


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DOES GOD HEAR MY PRAYER?

"When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears, and rescues them from all their troubles." -Psalm 34:17.

This is a wonderful promise that makes my heart leap in joy. I know problems are sure to come our way. Yet, we are more than sure of God’s hand of salvation to be with us right in the midst of our problems. Sometimes, it may take time, but delays are for a reason. God will come in the right time; not one second late. He will rescue His people. He will never leave us, nor forsake us.

Build your faith in God today. Let no worry lead you to doubt His promises, even when your prayers seem to go unanswered. The Lord hears and He rescues. Cry out for help and wait for His salvation. Be strong and do not give up.

YOU ARE TRULY PRECIOUS

Dear child of God, remember that you are created by God in His own image and likeness. Circumstances in your life may be so discouraging that you may begin to think that you are of no value and life is so meaningless.

You need to begin to look at yourself the way God looks at you. He is the Father who loves you more than you can understand. Your worth is not what your circumstances show it to be. You are more precious than what you are going through. Whether you are standing on a hill or crawling in valley, your value does not change. You are what you are inside of yourself and not what is around you.

"How much more valuable then is a man than a sheep!...” Mathew 12:12.

WHEN GOD LEADS YOUR BATTLE....

"It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed." -Deuteronomy 31:8

Do you think that you are left alone to fight the battles of your life? Remember, God will go before you, if you let Him to. Therefore,  if anything has to touch you,  it has to touch God first. If you let God take His place in your battles, there is no question of failure. He says, "I will not let you fail."

Today, quit worrying and begin to let God lead. 

FALLING OFF THE CLIFF, LANDING IN ICE-CREAM

Psalm 119:65-72

“It was good for me to be afflicted so that I might learn your decrees
The law from your mouth is more precious than thousands of pieces of silver and gold.”

It is indeed inexplicably difficult to face the same challenges over and over again every day. At such perilous times, we ought to ask God like the psalmist, to teach us knowledge and judgment. Affliction is a great time to draw one more step closer to God. The more we seek God, the more the sight of this world and its cares will fade away from us. That is where we learn to walk in the Spirit and begin to grow to the next level in our relationship with the Father. 

What if you have lost your job or some valuable possessions? If your loss could give you a better opportunity to grow in your spiritual life, you would also say, “The law from your mouth is more precious than thousands of pieces of silver and gold.” What value do those perishable things of this world have in comparison with the eternal blessings we are going to receive?

When we are facing challenging times, let us seek more of God’s direction in His Word. Let us obey Him even if it seems to be the craziest thing in the world. Remember, you may fall of the cliff, but you’ll land in  ice-cream.

SAY NO TO ANXIETY

Wish there is someone to care for you? The Heavenly Father is watching over your life. Today’s circumstances might be adverse and disappointing. But, look back and see how God led you through all those dark days of your life. He still cares for you. He will carry you even when you are old.

Will you cast your cares upon Him? You may say, ‘’But you don’t know what I am going through.” True. I don’t know a bit of what you are going through. But, I know the truth that God knows everything you are facing today. And He cares for you. If only you can submit your life to God, sit and watch, God will lead you through this amazing path of faith and righteousness.

Cast all your anxiety in him because he cares for you. 1 Pet 5:7.