Help In The Time Of Trouble

 
As a Christian, I wish I could tell you that accepting Christ means your life will be easier.  However, Sister Williams (from my Sunday School class), reminded me that suffering is a Christian’s training ground.   

Obstacles are a scheduled part of our lives.  God does not stop them from surfacing because they serve a purpose.  As you’re going through life, trials and tribulations come not to hinder us.  Instead it is one of God’s ways of getting our attention, so that we may draw us closer to Him.  

If you’re feeling weak through your trials, may the words of Jesus Christ comfort you…“for my strength is made perfect in weakness” (II Corinthians 12:9 (KJV).  We should not depend on our own strength to make it through.  That’s what the Holy Spirit is for.  Independent thinking will lead you astray.  Philippians 4:13 (KJV) says, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”  I know when we are facing obstacles, we tend to depend on the things that are tangible, but this is where we have to put our belief in God’s abilities into action!

~E~

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To EVERY thing there is a season

Lately it seems as I try to press toward the mark, more weight keeps coming my way. I feel like I’m in this constant tug of war. I have days when I feel like I’ve conquered it all. Then there are days where I feel like it has conquered me and I have no energy to fight back. The only thing that stops me from giving in is God. I just don’t want to face Him in heaven with nothing but disappointment and failure. I do want to say in spite of how my life ends, I put up a good fight. So, I keep telling myself there is one more amazing chapter left to go in my life.

In Ecclesiastics chapter 3 it states, “To EVERY thing there is a season...” Sometimes that can be hard to remember. But it’s true! As I meditate on God’s Word today, He lets me know that there are at least 4 seasons with in one year.

With that in mind, I started to think about the different seasons and what they all had in common. Cultivating. I realized from one season to the next, I had to plant some seeds and there were some things that needed to be uprooted. God is always working, so we need to be as well. No matter what season we are in, seeds of trust and faith in God can be planted.

If you’re not careful, you could be planting seeds of doubt. Unfortunately, those seeds of doubt are like weeds. Weeds are wild plants seeking to take over your entire garden. If you don’t plant those seeds of trust and faith in God, doubt and worry could overwhelm you and take over.

So I’ve decided I’m going to commit to planting seeds of trust and faith in God even when it doesn’t seem like anything is growing. God is faithful to His Word and promised I would reap my harvest in due season.

No matter how little your planting is today ... do it! And do away with doubts by starting a new useful habit.
~E~


Exposing the truth:
o Galatians 6:9
And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

o Psalm 104:27
These wait all upon thee; that thou mayest give them their meat in due season.

o Psalm 1:3
And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

o Ezekiel 34:26
And I will make them and the places round about my hill a blessing; and I will cause the shower to come down in his season; there shall be showers of blessing.

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Adversity … The Setup

Sorry but this post is a long one, I hope you get a though...

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Take Your Life Off Hold

Michelle McKinney Hammond

Author

“I’m bored!” Well, whose fault is that? The only people interested in entertaining you are those who get paid for it; otherwise, you are pretty much on your own. Life is a party you create; don’t wait to be invited to one. I’m sure if we were on an episode of Family Feud with the question things singles are guilty of, we would hear the host happily quip, “Survey says … They put their lives on hold!”

Even I have to put up a guilty finger on this one. Thank heaven this season of my life is over and I finally got a clue. The only thing that should be reserved for marriage is sex (but we’ll talk about that later). Otherwise, it’s time to let the games begin. Stop waiting for someone else to make your life happen. There is an endless world of possibilities for pleasure and fulfilling living at your fingertips. Fortunately, as a single person all your resources are yours to invest into living the life you want without having to check with anyone else. This makes for options and opportunities that are sure to be the envy of your married friends. There is no time like the present to enjoy what you might not be able to do tomorrow because of different priorities.

What does a no-holds-barred life look like? It’s downright exciting. I repeatedly tell people I meet to finish this statement: “I’ve always wanted to _______________.” Well, what’s stopping you? Certainly your excuse should not be “Because I have no man.” Until that blessed addition to your life shows up to claim you, your life should be full of fulfilling activities and amazing experiences that broaden you intellectually, emotionally, and spiritually as a person. In other words, get a life. Get one that will make you interesting and intriguing to others. A well-lived life full of passion and interests is like a magnet. It will draw other exciting people to you. So go ahead and mix it up.

First, break out of your regular routine. In order to have new experiences, you have to do new things. If your weekly routine is work, church, and back home, there is a lot of room for improvement...

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Take Your Life Off Hold - Part 2

Michelle McKinney Hammond
Author

If you’ve read any of my other books, you know my favorite Scripture: “He who is full loathes honey, but to the hungry even what is bitter tastes sweet” (Proverbs 27:7).

If you don’t have a full and enriching life before you meet a potential mate, you will end up settling for someone you wouldn’t ordinarily desire because desperation will make you accept anything. But a full life that is already satisfying at its core will make you much more discerning about your love choices simply because you can afford to take your time and get it right.

Having a life doesn’t just answer the desperation question; it also sets the bar on the respect you will receive from a potential love interest. He will not take you or your time for granted because you had a life before you met him. You are now game waiting to be captured. A challenge. A prize. You need to make that man plot and plan how to get more of your time. Leave him wondering how to win you rather than hide from you. The fuller your life, the more fascinating you will be. The more stimulating conversation you will have to offer. The more he will love how he feels when he’s around you and want to be around you more.

When you have a full life, there is no need for games or manipulation। Your life will take care of making you intriguing. The balance here is in the presentation of yourself to him. You should always be delighted to hear from him but not have enough time to run after him. Got it? Make him feel desired but not required—there is a difference. One makes you interesting. The other makes you a pest...

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Learning 2 Press

As a Christian, I wish I could tell you that accepting Christ means your life will be easy. However, Sister Williams (from my Sunday School class), reminds me that suffering is a Christian’s training ground.

God has informed me, that obstacles are a scheduled part of our lives. He does not stop them from surfacing because they serve a purpose. As you’re going through your trials, please understand God wants the best for His children.

Trials and tribulations come not to hinder us. Instead it is one of God’s ways of getting our attention, so that He may draw us closer to Him. He breaks us down, so that He may lift us up. God exposes our weakness, so that He may strengthen us.
If you’re feeling weak through your trials, may the words of Jesus Christ comfort you…“ for my strength is made perfect in weakness” (II Corinthians 12:9 (KJV) We should not depend on our own strength to make it through. That’s what the Holy Spirit is for. Independent thinking will lead you astray. Philippians 4:13 (KJV) says, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” I know when we are facing obstacles, we tend to depend on the things that are tangible, but this is where we have to put our belief in God’s abilities into action!

Remember God is more than aware of our situation, He knows our way out. David knew, “when my spirit was overwhelmed within me, then thou knewest my path.” Psalm 142:3a (KJV); “The Lord will perfect that which concerneth me” Psalm 138:8a (KJV)
I will never forget the day God released me and gave me a new perspective. It was the shortest Worship Service my church had. Service started at 10:45am and ended at 12pm (if that). Pastor didn’t even have to preach, the Holy Spirit just took control.

He whispered to me soft and gentle, Experience.

"Experience what?”

What have you been reading?

“Joshua?… I don’t understand.”

I’m leading you to your River Jordon, so you can experience crossing it through steps of faith. I’m taking you to your Wall of Jericho, so you can experience victory through shouts of praise. While you’re in the mist of danger I want you to understand, the Son will shine on you until you reach your destination.

What an Awesome God!

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