"I can do all things through Him who gives me strength"

"I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength" Phillipians 4:12-13

As we think about perservering through trials I think we can learn from Paul as he draws us to the point of being content - a sense of having peace - no matter what our situation is. As followers of Jesus that contentment can only truly come from a faith in our heavenly father  who knows what is best for us. We must find contentment in his promises - that he will never leave us of forsake us, that he will lead us through tough times, that he has give us an example to follow in His son Jesus christ, that he has promised that he will hear and answer our prayers and ultimately there is a promise of a future where there will be no mor pain, suffering or trials.
Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, let us strengthen our father as we battle through life in a broken world.

Let us not give up hope - but live in contentment that comes through the victory of Christ on the cross

God with us in our trials

"the Lord your God led you into desert these fourty years to humble you and test you" Duet 8:2

But did He leave them alone?  No he went with them! He fed them, he interveened supernaturally he strengthened them & God told them as they were going through this time "the Lord your God disciplines you"vs 5

Hebrews 12 reminds us that 'God disciplines those he loves'

Hebrews 12:7 - Says endure hardship as discipline..

The God who loves us is right there with us Leading, guiding, equiping and empowering us through the hard times that he has led us into.

In trials we also reminded of other promises of God...

Phillipians 4:13 " I can do all things through Him who gives me strength"

2 Corinthians 12:9 "My power is made perfect in weakness"
The fianl promise is one of the best,  "he who has stood the test will recieve a crown of life that God has promised to those who love him."
There will be a time where pain and suffering will be no more - Let us cling the hope that God is with us - in the midst of our trials.
James 5:7 "be patient then until the Lord's coming."

Trials & God

"God...is the blessed controller of all things, the king over all kings and the master of all masters" 1 Tim 6:15
"Do any of the worthless idols of the nations bring rain? Do the skies themselves send down showers? NO it is you, O Lord our God. Therefore our hope is in you, for you are the one who does all this." Jer 14:22
Remember how the Lord your God led you into the desert...to humble you and test you in order to know what is in your heart....he humbled you causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manner....to teach you that man does not live on bread alone" Deut 8:2-3

God is in control of all things - This is known as the sovereignty of God. Everything is controled by God.
How then do we handle the trials and hardship that come our way? The Bible is clear that at times God brings testing to his people - allowing them to suffer hardship and pain. Does this mean that God is not Good?  Certainly not - In God's soveriegnty he knows what is for the good of his people and the glory of his name. Though we don't (and can't) fully understand it from our perspective. We need to try and accept and trust that from God's perspective trials are for our growth.

Nearly all christians that I speak to testify how they have grown through times of trial and suffering. People testify to a richer, deeper truer relationship to God because of them. They testify to the love of God, his grace, his mercy his goodness - even after suffering what seem to be the most excrutiating of situations. So as we prepare for trials can we have a different perspective - Not one of dispair But rather one of hope and trust.

When I am afraid I will trust in you. In God whose Word I praise, in God I trust, I will not be afraid..." Ps 56

Coming to terms with trials and temptation

This is the white board diagram Glenn and I drew when we tried to understand James' first verses about trials and temptations. To use a pat phrase, "It's complex!"

Complex because trials themselves are hard to understand; as is God's word regarding them. Yet, we want to begin 2010 with a serious look at these verses because, like it or not, trials and temptations of various shapes and sizes will come our way in 2010. They will be difficult to handle, throw us off balance, disturb and may even plunge us into crisis. What can make them even more difficult is the accompanying confusion about why they come our way.

Therefore, it's really important that we get a good handle on any clue the Bible gives us as the why we may suffer them.
Prepare yourself for the year ahead and take a close look at James 1:2 - 8 then together with us wrestle with what they mean and how they can help us remain strong and on track in 2010.

What became of 2009?

At the end of every year we often reflect on the most significant moments of the year just gone. This time, rather than think of moments, why not think about movement? What I mean is, what has been the overall direction and development of your life. How have your attitudes, character or lifestyle formed? What are the trends? Or to put it another way, don't think of what you've done, consider what you have become.
Everywhere, the word of God asks us to consider the direction in which our life is moving. Take Paul's words in Colossians.
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. (Col 3:12 - 18)Or, in summary, "...clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ" (Rom. 13:14)
What movement do you see in your life? Has this year seen you trend toward a consistent life of faith and humble walk with God? Would you say you have are a person more and more showing love to others? Are you hopeful and enthusiastic about God's work? Or is the overall trend toward coldness, indifference, selfishness and worldliness? More importantly, what will you do with what you see? Your life is the culmination of many minor choices, habits and fundamental attitudes. There are some you need to affirm and in which you need to persist. There are certainly others that you need to challenge and change. You will not grow unless there are some changes. Take time to look seriously, critically, and purposefully at your life and prayerfully, in Christ, seek his direction as you life moves into 2010.

A Hard Year

When I reflect on 2009 I see it as a hard yeard for many in our community. There has been much pain, suffering and death in families in our community. On sunday we heard from two people - John & Ian who reflected on their tough years - But still they testify to good being good through those tough times.

I think we can often at the end of the year reflect on the 'good things' God has done and we look over the hard things we have had to endure. The Bible though is full of people reflections on God being good even through hard times. Have a read through some of David's Psalms - especially in the 50-60 where he has been annointed to be king but yet he has having year after year of being persued by Saul. Some of these psalms may have been David's reflection on his year - year after year after year.... persuit, suffering, pain

So as we wrap up one year and begin an other  - from hard places can you say like David did:
     Oh, my strength, I sing praise to you,
     you O God, are my fortress, my loving God

God promises to be with us in all situations - are we going to remain in Him? trust in Him? through the good times and the bad. It dosn't mean we will always feel happy or positive - but it will give us HOPE to endure.

The Spirit of Christmas

The vague notion of the spirit of Christmas must be replaced with the true Spirit of Christmas and with a new hunger for his work in our lives. His work was clearly seen in Simeon about whom we read that the Spirit was upon him, revealed to him, lead him and spoke through him." (Luke 2:25 - 35 And all before Pentecost!)
When the Spirit spoke a 400 year silence was replaced with His unmistakeable voice. His one purpose was to reveal the glory of Jesus.
His work today is still the same (see John 16:15.) and we know that unless the Spirit speaks people remain in the ignorance of unbelief.
Therefore this Christmas pray for the Spirit to reveal Jesus to your friends and family. Pray that he may reveal, move and speak through you.