Dear Joynetters,
I definitely do agree with Welchy Fernandes that Jesus is with us in our =
trials and He suffers with us. =20
But what I also think is that there is a purpose for our sufferings.
=20
James 1:2-3 "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face =
trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith =
develops perseverance."=20
We have all heard about the "roller coaster" Christianity. We're =
loving Jesus one day but wondering if He's near us the next. We have one =
of our best days but one of our worst the next. Why does this happen? =
Many people relate the "roller coaster" Christianity with our fire for =
the Lord. It may also be caused by trials we face on a daily basis. The =
trials begin blocking our path and pile on top of each other. Soon a =
mountain is formed and we lose sight of Jesus. Instead of climbing over =
this mountain, we give up and throw ourselves a pity party at the base =
of the mountain. Or maybe we are overtaken and buried under the falling =
rocks of an avalanche. This is when our true Christianity surfaces. This =
is when we see how mature we are in the Lord. Are we going to scale that =
mountain at the cost of knowing Him more, or are we going to blame =
everything on the devil and let our circumstance rule us?=20
It is so easy to love God when life is great. It is so easy to =
live a life that testifies as a witness to unbelievers when we have =
sufficient sleep, plenty of food, extra time, and much money. It is so =
easy to do things for God as long as He blesses us. As long as we're =
comfortable we're okay. Paul looked at the situation differently. =
Through all his persecutions and multiple imprisonment's, Paul learned =
to be content whatever the circumstances (Philippians 4:11-13). He also =
wrote half a chapter in 2 Corinthians about the difficulties he had =
faced. "Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in =
great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses; in beatings, =
imprisonment's and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and =
hunger.having nothing, and yet possessing everything" (2 Corinthians =
6:4-5,10). Take advantage of the difficulties you face. It is at this =
time that you can grow. A rubber band can only hold something together =
when it is stretched. A kite can only fly with resistance to the wind. =
Our weaknesses are truly brought to light when we are out of our comfort =
zone. So don't get all crazy and stressed when the waters get rough. =
They shall pass and you soon will not even remember anymore. Don't just =
survive; persevere. Get in the mind set that you don't have to survive. =
Champions don't think like quitters or losers. Champions think like =
champions. Conquerors think like conquerors. "No, in all these things we =
are more than conquerors through him who loved us" (Romans 8:37). Let =
our true Christianity be worthy of praise, not disgrace
Eagles soar above the storm=20
Did you know that an eagle knows when a storm is=20
approaching long before it breaks? The eagle will fly=20
to some high spot and wait for the winds to come.=20
When the storm hits, it sets its wings so that the=20
wind will pick it up and lift it above the storm.=20
While the storm rages below, the eagle is soaring=20
above it. The eagle does not escape the storm. It=20
simply uses the storm to lift it higher. It rises on=20
the winds that bring the storm.=20
When the storms of life come upon us - and all of us=20
will experience them - we can rise above them by=20
setting our minds and our belief toward God. The=20
storms do not have to overcome us. We can allow God's=20
power to lift us above them.=20
The Bible says, "Those who hope in the Lord will renew=20
their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles."=20
Isaiah 40:31
=20
Love & Prayers
Jennifer Fernandes
Mumbai
[demime 0.97b removed an attachment of type text/x-vcard which had a name of Jennifer
Fernandes.vcf]
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