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Trials

Victory Begins With Thankfulness

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Luke 18:9-14

[9] And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others:
[10] Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.
[11] The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.
[12] I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.
[13] And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.
[14] I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

The Pharisee was unaware of his greatest need. He started with thanks but it was the wrong kind. He was not thanking God for what grace had done for him, but for what he had done. This is the wrong attitude to possess! It was a “prayerless” prayer: he had said a prayer but did not pray any. Prayers centered on our efforts will be about what we have done and not done. You see, he needed something human effort could not get. The Pharisee was unconcerned about the publican. The difference filled him with pride and not compassion. True thanksgiving produces thankful living.

Ask ourselves, are we thankful for?

  • Love
  • Mercy
  • Compassion
  • Peace
  • Faithfulness
  • Patience
  • Kindness
  • Benevolence
  • Blessings
  • Longsuffering
  • Joy
  • Perseverance
  • Persistence
  • Boldness
  • Gladness
  • Willingness
  • Eagerness
  • Leadership
  • Salvation
  • Blood of Jesus
  • Baptism
  • Forgiveness
  • New Home In Heaven and Gone From hell
  • Life Eternal
  • Our soul will never die!

True thanksgiving changes us. Even though the Pharisee was at a good place (temple) and went with good intentions (to pray) he went out unchanged and not justified by faith. Millions of people go out unchanged from church. Strive to not make the same mistake!

Let us learn to walk as this publican. He went home forgiven and could then be truly thankful!

Thank God For The Tough Stuff

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Matthew 7:13-16

[13] Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:
[14] Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
[15] Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
[16] Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?

Have you ever been in a place where you have found it hard to sing at church? To worship? To preach? Or even to witness? I am sure at some point that we have all been there in a place where we found it to be a battle to get to a place where we were enjoying our walk with God. When we read about narrow, consider another way of referring to narrow as difficult. All the efforts of worth and excellence that we make are going to be difficult. The Christian life is going to be tough as we attempt to truly live it as well. The great thing about it is that though it may be hard at times that within its design we have the ability to trust God! We can stir ourselves to trust God by the salvation that lives inside! You will know the fruits that you and others are bearing are ones that are able to reach out and be of help to others!

Philippians 2:12-13

[12] Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
[13] For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

God saves people through salvation and His marvelous grace, and this is where we must learn to begin to stir ourselves regardless of where we are. You may have some praying and casting off of things to do, but it is of Gods good pleasure that is worked when you submit to His will. If we start at the redemption and simply do what He would call for us to, you will find amazing changes and new beginnings ahead of you.

Hebrews 2:9-11

[9] But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.
[10] For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.
[11] For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren,

Thank God for the difficult things to do! Jesus is bringing many to glory, and to be made perfect through sufferings we cannot be shielded. It will take effort, and bravery, and courage, and faith, and holiness, but God gave us all of things things to create within us a person that can love and lead others to the Kingdom of Heaven!

Through The Fire

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Everyone seems to be going through some sort of trial in their life. Whether it be from sickness, finances, marriage struggles, or addictions, people are all facing serious issues or know someone who is going through it.

Today, I’d like to offer a message of hope and encouragement to everyone who is finding themselves in this place.  Even those who seem to have everything going for them, it could be tomorrow that even you face something of this magnitude.  We are never ‘ready’ per say to face these things, but I want to give you some of God’s Word so that maybe in your moments of despair, you can draw strength from God’s promises and know that He can take you through the fire.

As God’s Children, we know that if we just depend on him to help us through our troubles, that He will be a very present help, and will, indeed, see us through the fire.  I am reminded of three Hebrew boys that were thrown into a fiery furnace.  They literally went into the fire.  They believed that God would take care of them and that the outcome would be victory because they had God on their side.  Sure enough, they found themselves in the middle of a hot fiery furnace, and who do you think was there with them?  Only the three of them had been thrown in, but yet, there was a fourth man walking with them in the fire.  Praise the Lord!  Jesus was there walking with them right in the middle of their trial!  And when the King called for them to come out of the fire, they walked right out without any evidence of being burned.  Their hairs were not singed.  Their garments were unchanged.  They didn’t even smell of smoke.  So, God literally took them through the fire!

Isaiah 43:1-3 says, “But now, this is what the LORD says— he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the LORD, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.

So God’s promises tell us that not only will He take us through the fire, but no matter what circumstances are in front of us, that He will bring us through them victoriously.  His power is so mighty that he can even bring us through our troubles without any evidence that we even went through them!  We do not have to be tainted by the things we’ve been through.  God’s love, grace, and mercy is more than enough to wash us white as snow and make us new once again!

His word says that His children have an expected end.  Jeremiah 29:11 says, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Praise God!  If we can just keep the faith and trust in God, He will see us to a time of victory in our lives! Psalm 9:10 says, “And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, Lord, hast not forsaken them that seek thee.”

I know it is easier said than done, but don’t be afraid to face your trials if you’ve got God on your side. He is faithful and true.

David said in Psalm 23: 4, “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.” Deuteronomy 31:6 says for us to “Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the Lord thy God, He that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.”

And remember, that we as believers always have people watching us as we go through our trials.  People who are lost and desperate; they are looking to us to see how we handle our troubles.  Do we put our faith in God?  Do we really let Him work in our lives?  In our circumstances?  Does God really give His people victory?  Does our lives show victory and God’s Glory or do we show defeat?

It is important for others to see us believing that God will take us through the fire.  They may not be able to physically see God’s presence in our lives like the King saw Jesus walking with the three Hebrew boys in the furnace, but they will see the effects of God’s presence!  They will see victory.  They will see us brought through the fire without being burnt!  Do you know that the King believed that day on the true living God after seeing Jesus in the fire with the Hebrew boys? In today’s society, people are so desperate to find something that will help them cope with their daily struggles.  Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could just live our lives in a way that people could see the victory even in the fire!?

We know that we all have our own problems and God didn’t say that we wouldn’t have them.  But I encourage you to just remember, that He said He would bear our burdens and give us the help and victory that we need!  He is an ever present help in a time of trouble.  Don’t try to go through the fire without Him!