Do You Want to Grow Spiritually?
“My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.” James 1:2,3
One of those most “astonishing” admonitions from the Bible! “Count it all joy when ye fall into diverse temptations”. Unfortunately, we often read without really stopping to think about what we are reading and we move along quickly to the next words, But, have you stopped to consider, be joyful when you go through trials, conflicts, and problems? The first human reaction might be, “Are you crazy?” How could we count such as experience as joyful? First, let us understand “joy”. This does not mean we are laughing or jumping up and down cheering, thought it may! One might be shedding tears but have joy in his heart. Joy may or may not be manifest by other outward emotions, but I think it is an inward feeling of peace and thankfulness. How can we experience that when we are in trials? By knowing that we have a God who loves us; who want the best for us; and orders our circumstances to bring out this best which results in glory to Him and good for us. Knowing these things, we can experience joy. WE are also aware that our trial isn’t permanent. God will bring deliverance or healing at his determined time. And remember, who is in control. IT is God. We can cry, kick, and complain, but those do not change the situation at all. Or, we can go to God in prayer and rest fully on Him and on His Word, and find peace to ride out the storm. Being able to rest in God amid the conflict is a great virtue and a great manifestation of our faith.
On Thankfulness
Good morning to all reading! I pray God will bless you and all of us together in His body at Brentwood. My prayer is that we would be a church that God uses to make a difference in the lives of people.
I truly believe thankfulness to God is our greatest measure of spirituality, our closeness to God. I want to share these quotes by godly people.
“If anyone could tell you the shortest, surest way to all happiness and perfection , he must tell you to make it a rule to yourself to thank and praise God for everything that happens to you. For it is certain that whatever seemingly calamity happens to you, if you thank and praise God for it, you turn it into a blessing.” —William Law, English Clergyman
I thank God for my handicaps, for through the I have found myself, my work and my God. —Helen Keller
Bleed is he who submits to the will of God; he can never be unhappy. Men may deal with him as they will, but he is without care; he knows that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to His purpose.” —Martin Luther
Spring time! A time of renewing!
Looking back over my 70 years of life, I think I can say that spring is my favorite season. Everything seems to come to life again, after a winter in which everything seems dead and hopeless. But in this brief writing, I am not just calling your attention to our seasons in the valley. My heart goes to our constant need of spiritual renewal. Though I’ve been saved for over 50 years, I still have areas of my life I have to check out and bring under the Lordship of my Savior. I have to renew my commitment to the Lord in all areas. There are a few that I don’t have trouble renewing, but there are some areas that are a struggle. I am renewing my resolved to wait patiently on the Lord in all areas of my life. My tendency is to “fix” things as soon as they arise and look for the quick solution. If something is wrong, I want to “fix” it yesterday! This only brings me fret and deep, troublesome anxiety. Most things, I cannot fix! I have to renew my resolve to “Be still” and remind myself who God is. How about you? Do you have areas of your life that need to be re-committed to the Lord? If so, Do it! We have but a fleeting moment to live for our Savior, to bring others to our Lord. So, may this not just be a “spring-time” calendar speaking, but a time of refreshing in our spiritual lives.