Count it as joy???

James 1:2-4

My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.

Oh dear........this is what we hate to hear. Joy, in trials......knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience? Do we know that? Well, I have to tell you........for me the answer is: Sometimes yes, and sometimes no. Hehehehe. Sometimes I remember that, and sometimes I don't. There are times I don't even want to THINK about it. I just want to wallow in my own self pity and "woe is me" time that I don't want to be reminded that even though this is painful, God will work it out for my good. Just see Romans 8:28 for confirmation on that. With what we go through we will either soften or harden. It will either humble us more or we'll become more stubborn. It's really up to us. Nothing worth having is ever just handed to you anyway. I believe if we spent less time complaining about what we don't have, and start thanking God for all the wonderful things we do have (not the least of which is our health) we'd be way better off. We are the most unthankful people in the world. Here we have the right (not for long if the ACLU gets their way) to assemble and tell folks about Jesus, or just sing songs to the Lord in any public forum without the possibility of being arrested. And do we? Usually not. We've become lazy, whining, selfish, complaining, do nothings who expect it all, but give nothing. And if we do give anything to the kingdom of God, we complain about that too or want it on the evening news for everyone to see. OK, have I stepped on any toes yet? I hope so. I admit I've been all those things I listed above, and more. It's time for a change. It's time for us all to be more thankful, more helpful, more giving. Let's ask God each day for the opportunity to be a blessing to someone. Let's not be ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Now we shouldn't be rude, but we also shouldn't be hiding our light under a basket either. There is a HUGE movement in our country to make everything secular. Mainly the move is keep Jesus out of things. Anything else goes, just not Jesus. The ACLU will spend millions of dollars defending NAMBLA (the national man boy love association) which on it's website showed pedafiles how to abduct, rape, and either murder or release preteen victims and how to avoid getting caught.......but they won't defend a Christian child's right to read the bible at recess. We need to quit being wimps and stand for what we believe. If we don't, who will? Get to know how to use your sword. That's the bible folks. Read it, study it, believe it, and then live it. Apply God's word to every situation you encounter in your life.......to every trial. The forces of evil don't take a day off........they don't stop, they keep coming every day. They want you to be complacent in your walk with Jesus......."sure go to church, but don't pray". Or, "Sure, go to church, but don't read the bible everyday. You read it in church." The enemy will throw thoughts at you to discourage you, to make you doubt. Just like he did to Eve. He's still doing the same thing. "Did God surely say.....???" If you don't know your bible, he'll fool you every time.

I know today's message was a bit of a spanking. But we need that every once in a while. We, the body of Christ, are a sleeping giant. If we were to ever become completely united under the banner of Jesus.......there would be no limit to the miracles we'd see daily. Have a wonderful day and a blessed weekend. :-) PJ