Count It All Joy

03/14/2006

My brethren, 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.
James 1:2-4 (New King James Version)

What are you holding onto, dragging around, clinging to-is it something that fills you up, or something that leaves you empty? If we were ever to think that God is done, that the great stories in the Bible have passed on by, that miracles were for the days of old and only mediocrity is left now, we would be sorely mistaken. God is alive and well on planet earth, helping us to let go, helping us to find our way, helping us to serve Him!

"Keep on asking, and you will be given what you ask for.
Keep on looking, and you will find.
Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened."
Matthew 7:7 (NLT)

Even when something takes as long as 40 years, it will be accomplished in God's perfect timing, which can give us all hope that whatever it is we are asking for, whatever it is we are looking for, God is listening, and He is watching. He has a plan and a season for all things. We cannot know how it will turn out...some answers are not a fairy tale ending, but whatever the ending may be here on earth, God's Eternal Plan for all these things will be a fairy tale ending beyond our wildest imaginings. We have to trust our Lord in all of it, and know that through it all, He only has our best interest at heart.

People here are in a battle for their earthly lives, and some are very wounded. No one should battle alone, because together we can more easily see God in the miracles. We can ask for His help, banding together and praying for the situation, and all be amazed together with what God is doing in our lives to help see us through the toughest battles.

It certainly makes me think of the Scripture, "Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the one who falls and has no one to help him up!" (Ecc. 4:9-10)

Serving in the Kingdom of God on earth doesn't have to be a chore, and we don't have to do it alone. In fact, when God calls on us to use the gifts He has given us to serve Him, there is no burden there. It feels as light as a feather because His burden is light while He carries it for all of us!

When God is busy at work in the lives of His children on earth, there is no greater joy!!

When we take the time to focus on our Lord, to put our faith into action, we will see prayers answers, we will see miracles unfold, and we will see doors opened that will expand our world way past our own lives, connecting with the lives of those God brings across our path.