James 1:2-4
My breathren, count it all joy when you fall into various
trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.
But let patience have its perfect work that you may be perfect
and complete, lacking nothing.
Patient: Enduring difficulties.
Wow! Being patient during trials and tribulations is not very easy.
We just want all our worries e.t.c to go away. But here in James 1:2-4 tells us to count it all joy when we go through difficult times.
Why? The answer is, in doing so we develop patience, and not only
that we are showing God that we are trusting Him to help us through whatever is happening to us. We are putting our faith in
Him. Having patience or being patient may not always be easy,
but with God's help we can learn to have patience. We can learn to
have faith in God. Then our trials don't seem as bad as we think
they are
Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the Lord with all your heart,and lean not on your own
understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him. And He shall
direct your paths.
Leaning has the sense of putting your weight on someone or
something for support. God asks us not to trust in our own
instincts which may not be the right one,but to trust in Him.
If you have an important decision to make go to God and ask
His advice. He will guide you.
1 Corinthians 13:4
Love is patient. Love is kind. It does not boast, it is not proud.
V13.
And now these three remain; faith, hope and love. But the greatest
of these is love.
True love is not selfish. True love reaches out to others. True love
is the greatest of all qualities and is an attitude of God himself. 1John4:8: Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.
John 15: 12
' This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.
We are to love one another. Why? Because God loved us. He loved us so much that he gave his life for us. How can we show love to others? We can show love by, understanding, listening,
helping, encouraging and giving. There are times in our lives when
each one of us needs love, and there are times when each of us need to give and show love to others. Reach out to someone today.
Matthew 6:20
But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven where moth and
rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.
Whatever done in love, for Christ,will one day have heaven's reward. Let each one of us do what we can for Him,our loving
Lord and Saviour.
The richest people on earth are those who invest their lives in heaven.
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Matthew 5:9
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.
Peacemakers are those who turn the other cheek, go the extra mile
and love their enemies, also praying for those who persecute them.
Easy to do? No,not on our own accord. It's not in our nature to
forgive or help those who have hurt us, whether mentally or physically. But God has asked us to peacemakers. Why?
Because God is a peacemaker, and we should walk in the footsteps
of God. And when we make peace we are called 'sons of God.' (v9)
Help me O Lord, to be a true peacemaker in my attitude, words and
deeds. Help me to show Your mercy and peace.
In Jesus name
Amen.
Because of the peace of God and peace with God, we can be peacemakers for God.
Proverbs 1:33
But whoever listens to me will dwell safely. And will be secure,
without fear of evil.
James 1:19
My dear brothers, take note of this: everyone should be quick to
listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.
Do you listen when someone speaks to you? I mean truly listen?
Or does it go in one ear and out the other? Do you listen to God
when he speaks to you, but not only listen, do you act upon what he
tells you?
A few days before Sunday, God gave me one word, that word was 'Listen,' this word was forever coming to mind. Sunday morning came, and I must admit that I had intended to have that Sunday off
from attending Church. As time went on I began to feel guilty,I knew then that I had to go. The Preacher who was speaking that
morning spoke on the word, 'listening.'
Do we truly listen to the quiet word of God speaking to us? Do we listen and take heed when the Preacher teaches us the Word of God, or do we forget as soon as we leave the Church? These are
questions that maybe we should think about and apply to our daily
lives.
God says in Proverbs 1:33
Whoever listens to me will dwell safely. And will secure without
fear of evil.
Those of us who listens and truly trusts in God need not fear when
problems arise.
Let us learn to listen, not only on a Sunday when a Preacher is speaking on God's Holy Word,but also listen to others whether it be
family, friends, people at work or neighbours. Do not be quick to
jump in. As James 1:19 says.......''Everyone should be quick to
listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.''
Let us follow in God's way who listens to us, and pours out compassion to each and every one of us.
1Peter 2:21
To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.
Do you want to follow in the footsteps of Jesus? 'I know I do, even
though I fail in so many ways.' Here are a few things we need to look at if we want to follow. 1. Jesus never acted in haste, he never
made decisions under pressure. Our mistakes often happen because of impatience. 2. He knew when to work and when to rest. If you remember in the storm on the sea of Galilee all the disciples were panicking, but Jesus slept soundly through it. However in the garden of Gethsemane the disciples slept, but Jesus sweated. He knew when to act and when to trust. Yes, he knew when to leave it
in the hands of God. It is a secret that each one of us needs to
learn if we are to do the will of God, and not burn out. Nobody was busier than Jesus, everyone wanted something from him.
There are times when we need to go away from what we are doing, separate ourselves in order to do what is right, and also to receive.
In other words we need balance. We need to rest, because when we've rested we think more clearly, and we make better decisions.
Following in Jesus footsteps means being lead not driven.
Always remember that Jesus suffered for us, and he wants to show
us the right way. Let him lead you.
Jeremiah 17:14
O Lord, if you heal me, I will be truly healed; if you save me, I will
be truly saved.
How much do we truly trust God? We may trust him sometimes,
but not always. We need to be like Jeremiah and others in the Bible and trust God in everything. Jeremiah shows his trust in God
when he says ' If you heal me I will be truly healed; if you save me I will be truly saved.'
He had no doubts. Is that not how we should be? God will lovingly heal us not only physically but spiritually if we let him and
trust in him. But we must let him heal us in his own time, not ours.
We are often too impatient and want things done straight away.
We need to be patient. Remember if we trust God completely then
we can also say- 'If you heal me I will be healed, if you save me I will be truly saved.'
