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The Greatest Tests Present The Greatest Opportunities

There are many circumstances through life that we will encounter that will present themselves as a very obvious trial of our faith. A trial of faith as I have found through personal experience is revealed when it questions the integrity of how much that you trust God with a situation or moment. One day we might find ourselves in a position where it is hard to always say within ourselves, “God I know you are with me” or “God I know this is in your plan for me”, feeling the weight and pressure that life will bring when it proves difficult. There have been many that I have seen growing up through the years that have handled things in a variety of ways, but the persons that stand out the most to me are those who stick to their faith.

It is inspiring because they go against the substance of what would attempt to speak to them to go another way, believe a different opinion. The bible questions our faith in a multitude of ways; even Jesus in the prime moments of breakthrough was often left at the very question of the existence of faith. One of the more direct self-examination questions in the bible speaks to the effect of “which report are you going to believe”, or in other words, where do you put your trust when you are walking in life’s valley?

As for me, I hope to inspire as Job did. Job says, “Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will defend my own ways before him.” When people or circumstances are the most difficult is when the greatest tests present the greatest opportunity to lead others to Christ!

What Do You Give In Return?

I love to give when I have the ability to. It is very rewarding to be able to return the love that God has provided to you. It could be a multitude of things that you could be providing, but when you deliver something that God gives you in love it will never fail! There are so many times when we neglect to show the love that is demonstrated towards us, but we must remember to do in kind as God does for us. This is not necessarily a “do unto others because you have to” ideal but simply a “follow the love in your heart and give in obedience as God leads you” principle.

Just when we think that we have given our last message to preach or song to sing, God always provides the next sentence or verse to come forth for someone else. It never ceases to amaze me about that. Sometimes I will pour out every last word and bit of strength that I have, and just when I think I am finished: there is so much further to go.

Let’s talk about an example. As we all know, money is a sensitive issue for many, ESPECIALLY when it comes to giving. I am no ones judge by any means; for what God has given you is yours to give. I cannot help but feel like that if we would begin to put into practice more Godly demonstrations with managing our budgets and dollars down to the last penny that we would begin to see a better return on our investment. We selfishly do for ourselves all the time and pay no mind to the needs of others, and yet, wonder why things are so terrible all around us? People could use the pennies in your jar, or have we persuaded ourselves otherwise? The world would have us to believe that we would not make a difference likewise about being a servant of Christ in the present day!

Ultimately when we begin to better manage our lives in how we work for God and use it for His glory, we will begin to reap from the benefits of the blessings from above. There is not a doubt in my mind about it! There has not been a time that I have stepped out for God that God has not made a way for the ministry (for each and every one of us a part of it). And the more we do, the more we grow. It’s a developing pattern that begins with your life’s’ commitment and followed by walking in open practice of the love of God through giving what God has given you: love, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost!

For all the great things we receive I leave with you this question: What do you give in return?

Who Are We Serving? Wait, Why Do You Ask?

I love going to church. I love it for the fellowship, the unity that it brings through God, and the multiplied powers and abilities of your reaching out that can happen when done. The church to me has always been such a great place of refuge; in other words a place where I associate “a place where God dwells” With that said, I want to bring out a point that has been on my heart lately. Since we have started singing and working in the ministry (even before Heart of Grace years ago), we have been in a multitude of churches with many wonderful bodies of people. Sadly, I would be lying if I said that every place that we went had that “right at home” feeling, but it reminds me of a very important thing that we must remember to apply in our lives.

When we are at church, we are there to help each other and to serve God. One of the biggest mistakes that you see is when people begin to serve people rather than God. We’ll worry about each and every thing that we do with the fear of upsetting someone or ruffling their feathers. I know that when we preach or sing oftentimes that I know for a fact that people probably don’t like half or more of what I’m saying, but I know when I am doing it that I’m doing it to help them and to serve God. When we serve God in love, God fights the battles and goes before you with people by the spiritual warfare. That way, when you obey God in confidence, you will leave the work sowed in confidence. Don’t doubt the work that you do for God!

Most importantly, don’t get caught up in the opinions of people. It’s perfectly okay to seek Godly advice from someone you have confidence in, but remember to not be in bondage to one another by what you would think they think (and what the other person’s friend thinks lol). As we become more dependent on people, we forget all the others around us that God is showing us that need help! Get out from under the veil of fear and step out and perform the will of God FOR God! He is more than able to equip you with the ability to endure all persecution that you will face! So I ask you today, who is it that we serve? Do we need to adjust how we take our approach to how we are a spiritual Godly help in and out of service?

Trust me, the more you commit to God, the more that you will find the desire to keep serving Him with joy!

Obedience…Must I?

When it comes to expanding our horizons with God, we mostly feel uncomfortable. We as humans are of a settling nature. It made me realize that not everyone is compelled to be an explorer or the person who draws out the maps of the earth. Everyone is called to do different things in different ways but all (SHOULD) have one connector: the Love of Christ.

If you have been going to a church for a while and are wondering why God does not move in people the same, it is definitely for a multitude of reasons. Do not blame yourself for growth you are unable to see at the time of your obedience; it simply means that people only grow at the rate that they allow God to flow in their lives. Some love God so much that correction is welcome and grow quickly, while others reject it and are not able to enjoy God the way they could.

I have had to learn something quickly along the way, and that is that you must get used to people saying no before you can enjoy them saying yes. You need to first come to the acceptance of your obedience and realize that it is of worth regardless of response! Your obedience is to God, and what flows from you is God to people! How that happens is the wonderful and unique way  that God has called you to present it.

Stay encouraged in obedience! Do not let one rough go of it get you down. The price paid by Jesus for your ministry to be performed was worth far more than giving up on the attitudes of others! Fight the enemy through your obedience!