COUNT IT ALL JOY

This post is from my notes during the Sunday Morning message at our church

 

Pastor Allan asked, “Are you listening to the whole thing God is saying?  We get it all figured out.  He says, I admire your good works, but stop, slow down and listen.

Then Pastor turned the pulpit over to Bible Teacher, Linda.  She began by saying; many times we celebrate exciting things in our lives.  Things Jesus is doing, miracles, but we don’t celebrate the storms and trials. 

 

2 Peter 3:18  Flow and grow in Faith, grace, love and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ - - and who He is in you; even when the tornado comes.

Job had a great life.  He was a pillar in the community, but he lost it all.  He declared, “Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him.  Job celebrated maturity.  That is how being a pillar of Faith will affect others. Job stood and trusted God.

Linda mentioned, some of her friends have stood firm in the face of loss and difficult times.  They remind us that God is sovereign and is a strong tower to hold you up.”

Revelations 3:12 ‘He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and I will write upon him the name of My God, and the name of the city of My God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God, and My new name.

I challenge you today to keep the faith.  Our community needs us to share the Gospel because we have the answer.  Celebrate today. 

~ ~ ~

Our Pastor took the pulpit: 

James 1:2  Consider it pure joy, my brothers, when you encounter trials of many kinds.

We know we are going to face trials, but the key is to be that pillar.  Not to bend with the wind, but rather be solid and grounded in the trial.  We may need to ask for faith and understanding how to stand when God asks us to stand. 

James 1:6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavers is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.

God says:  Count it all joy.  We do not rejoice about our circumstances, but our joy is in God as we trust him, regardless.

Joy requires a Spiritual revelation, no matter what.  Joy is what people see in you, as you are still standing.

Patience has it’s perfect work; bringing you through, so enduring you lack nothing.

Acts 5:41 The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for His Name.

They had the heart of the Father.  Understand your trial is not from God.  Do you lack wisdom?  Ask God and He will give you wisdom,

Things happen and we get discouraged, but know that God is in control and He will never leave you.  We see others delivered, yet we seem to still be in our trial.  We think, “Does God really love me?  It is important that we be teachable and willing to learn to stand.

The world is not impressed if you are swaying back and forth, tossed with the wind - - back to the old stuff.  God wants to set you free, but it requires faith.  God wants to open doors, but we need to “Open the Book, and stand firm.”

So you are having a problem; lay it in the hands of God. Be determined to serve the Lord.

Our Lord wants you to know this; some of you have been criticized, but even that hurricane will pass as you stand firm.

I want to be driven by the wind of the Holy Spirit and count it all joy. 

 

 

Count it All Joy

Count it All Joy

 

Our Bible Study at Open Door Church began with the words, “Be ready to give a good answer with a pure conscience.  I took notes and present here an edited lesson for your encouragement.

Jesus had told his disciples to expect to suffer persecution and be hated as He was.  The disciple is not above his master.  If they called Jesus a devil, how much more will they treat you.

Hebrews 5:11, reminds us that people in general are dull of hearing and it is hard for them to receive truth.

Our teacher asked us to process what Peter was saying here;

1 Peter 3:16  Having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ, may be put to shame.

We have control over our choices and God has given us a free will.  When we are criticized, let us keep control of our words and continue our good conduct as an example of a Christian.  Remember that the world cannot take away our joy.

Yes there are times we suffer because of our own decisions, some bad and other times good choices.  Choosing Christ may bring criticism from those who were once your friend.  Be careful not to think we will be free from problems. 

James 1:2-5  Count it all joy, my brethren, when you fall into manifold temptation; knowing that the proving of your faith works patience and endurance. 

Let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and entire, lacking in nothing.  But if any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and censures not, and it shall be given to him.

Allow a trial to become a learning experience and let patience have its perfect work.  When you suffer, take time to praise God, not for the trial, but because Jesus is WITH you through the difficult time.

Our decisions have the potential to effect many - many others.  There is a ripple effect that flows out to family and friends.

Hebrews 2:9-13 reminds us that Jesus suffered death and was crowned with glory.  He was the first person to be resurrected with His new eternal life body.  We can safely put our trust in Christ.

Our teacher told how she was selected for Jury Duty, and was asked very difficult questions.  Could she be fair according to the law if the law differed from what she believed?  It was needful to separate the terrible happening to the family and the children from the accused.  Their choice affected all these people including those asked to sit on the jury.  The entire matter was emotionally disturbing to our teacher.

How do we deal with those things and the evil around us?  We can’t cope at times.

Go deeper and realize we are called to stand in the Gap and to give an answer according to God’s Word.  Will your belief have an effect on your judgment of another person?

Those who follow Satan, Wicca and Paganism beliefs are worshiping the devil.

It is difficult to face an adverse culture so different that we could hardly imagine and expect us not to cringe at being asked not to judge them.

As Christians we are called to be light in this dark world, even when presented with these cultures of Spiritual darkness. 

We have to understand their struggle, and use wisdom and good judgment as we call on the Holy Spirit to guide us.

We can and must walk with Jesus, and share the Hope of our calling to a dying world.