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. 

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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.