Monday, March 22, 2010

Why Do We Go Through Trials?


Romans 8:28 “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to his purpose.” (KJV)

The past few months has seen tumultuous events around the world, devastating earthquakes, storms, volcanic eruptions. Add to those, man-made events of shootings, rapes, beatings, theft, and other cruelty to fellow humans, then tack on illnesses and accidents that result in pain and at times death. It becomes difficult to not ask why, why is this happening. Why does it seem that we have one trial after another? Why does life never seem to get easier?

Perhaps, it is because we are looking at these events with a heart that needs an attitude adjustment. Everyone goes through something difficult, has something that touches him or her. No one is left unscathed. It is how one handles the trials, the pain, and the disappointment that counts. You (I) can choose to “count it pure joy whenever you face trials of many kinds” (James 1:2 NIV) or you can wallow in self-pity. When trials come run, run to the Father and learn from the trials of life so that you (I) may do as admonished “comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God” (2 Corinthians 1:4b NIV). Is it not better to waste not? Trials are a time to grow, to persevere, and to find comfort in the Father.

Friday, March 19, 2010

Faith Filled Friday

"For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear, I will help you." Isaiah 41:13

Faith focuses on God instead of the problem. Where my focus is, shows where my faith is also.

Friday, March 5, 2010

Alert or Wipeout


2 Peter 3: 17-18 “Therefore, dear friends, since you already know this, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of lawless men and fall from your secure position. But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ….”
Matthew24:4 “And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.”


I love riding motorcycles and although I have traded mine for a scooter, the rules of the road are the same. You have to pay attention at all times while riding. A fist-sized rock, loose gravel, small animals, slick pavement, and other motorists can be disastrous for a biker. In a split second you can wipe out. A wipe out on a bike can be more than painful, it can be fatal. A biker needs to be alert at all the time when riding.

As Christians, we need to be alert on our journey here on earth. Satan is a powerful adversary we must always be on guard against. He comes like a thief in the night, constantly looking for and attacking at our most venerable places within our spirits. He knows what size rocks to put in our path to make us stumble and fall.

How do we stay alert and avoid wiping out? By studying God’s word, learning the scriptures, meditating on them, putting them into action and by being in constant prayer. We also need to suit up for the journey. Put on the full armor of God and if we do stumble, we won’t wipe out.

Prayer: Dear Lord, help me to stay alert, to not wipeout on this journey. Help me be on guard against Satan, to be ever watchful. I pray as he puts rocks in my path, you will help me turn them to pebbles so that I may walk in the way you would have me. Amen.

Digging deeper: I Timothy 3:16-17, Ephesians 6:10-18, Psalm 119:11

Wednesday, March 3, 2010

Praise for the Journey

Another doctorate class completed. Tomorrow starts a new one. I am now more than 1/3 of the way through the classes, 1/6 of the way through the hurdles to obtain that Dr. before my name, the DBA after my name. A long journey!The Lord has been with me through the process and only with Him will I be able to complete the journey to reach the destination. The support of my family, the prayers of my mother, the oft said words of encouragement from Chris are paramount in this journey.