STRONG InCHRIST

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SINC is pleased to post another Devotional written by a SINC member:

“My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.” -James 1:2-4

We should embrace patience over passion.  Passion unbridled leads us on a very shaky road.  The testing of faith produces patience, which is the ability to endure.  This is the product of the mature believer.  Becoming a Christian does not automatically exclude a believer from difficulties in life.

As a believer, we must “count it all joy.”  This is not an emotion, but a deliberate attitude, a choice in life to see God’s perspective, seeing trials as a way to bring about moral and spiritual growth.  We should not so much as ask for the removal of trials, as we should rather ask God what He is trying to show us and teach us in the times of difficulty.  We should not rejoice that we are in a trial, but rejoice in the possible results that can be brought about if we are looking to God.  The pressures of trials and how you react to it shows what kind of person/believer you are and your depth of faith in God.  It does not mean that when we are less than perfect with our joy we are not true believers, but it does depend on the choice you make when you realize where you have fallen in joy. Take it to God and tell Him you forgot for the moment, but you will rejoice in that moment.  That is a true believer, admitting where you went wrong and correcting it through His power and might.  I will rejoice in the knowledge of the goodness of God and not waiver.  I will establish my heart and thoughts in the ways of God.  I will not simply act calm, but I will walk amongst my trials in joy and rejoice.  In our rejoicing and praising God, we will find true peace and joy.

Patience is a result of rejoicing amongst our trials.  Do not pray for patience unless you are ready for the trials, for trials will either make or break you, for your faith will be tested.  We must endure in our trials so that God can work His work in us and bring about Christ likeness that He intends through the storms, to work His perfect work in and through us.  We cannot pray for patience and expect to receive it immediately.  We must learn patience through our misfortune and allow them to strengthen us rather than bring us down.  Our patience shows our genuineness to serve God and build His kingdom.  It shows that we are ready to endure for His sake with steadfastness.  Our trials are to teach us to look to God for our safe house and not ourselves.

To have joy is to be content with what God has done for you and given you in this life.  God is my source of well being and satisfaction.  So I am thankful for the trials in my life past and present.  Have I always acted in His perfect joy?  No, it has been a process in my life, and it continues to be a process.  Do I give up when I begin to sulk and cry unfair?  No!  When I become aware of my disposition I take it to God and praise Him in this storm.  I rebuke the passion to cry out and throw a fit; and then and their cry out to God and embrace Him as my strong tower, lighthouse.  I am thankful for what God has given me: good health, a wonderful and loving family, parents who raised me in the ways of our good Lord, kids who want to pray and please God, a husband who works hard and plays just as hard with his family, I am thankful that the majority of my extended family are believers and I am thankful for how close we all are.  I have so much to be thankful for.

I am thankful for the beginning of a marriage that waivered at first, but have learned so much about myself and my husband.  Now when the storms hit us we run to each other rather than away.  Most of all, I am thankful for the Supreme God Almighty who instead of giving up on us, His creation, embraced us with all that He is.  God uses the trials of life to show us who He is and who He is to us, and what He wants to do for us.  God gave His only begotten son so that we may live life everlasting in His presence forever.  So I say that I will rejoice in the Lord always, and again I will rejoice.  God is my source and cause of delight, not the things of this world.  The things and people of this world are temporal and will let you down, but God is everlasting and eternal and He will never let you down.   I count it all joy, will you?

This is my prayer for each and everyone who reads these words:

“Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” -Romans 15:13

In Jesus’ name Amen.

WRITTEN BY: -Nichole Willsey

Meditation: How have I been strengthened by enduring previous trials? How have I grown from these experiences in the past? Seeing how trials have shaped my life, and knowing that God is at the helm, what should my attitude be next time I face a trial?

Peace & Blessings.

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“Pray for one another.” -James 5:16

It is of great benefit to study and ponder the prayers that our Savior Jesus Christ offered. It is no accident that almost all of His prayers were intercessory and very few for Himself. Christ was completely selfless, always providing service to those around Him, even His enemies. He taught:

“But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven.” -Matt. 5:44.

And if we are to pray for our enemies, what of our prayers for those who proclaim Christ and Him crucified?

Christ is the great and perfect exemplar. He has taught us how to pray, what to pray for and for whom. If we profess His name, we must bend the knee and provide intercessory prayers, for friend and foe alike.

How sweet to lose ourselves in the service of our fellow man. What a wonderful growing experience when we become completely selfless and care for others before our own needs.

In my experience, when we are faced with challenges, the easiest way to climb and reach higher ground is to serve our fellow man instead of becoming self absorbed in our own needs, difficulties or challenges. I believe Jesus Christ lived this example and has commanded us to follow in His footsteps.

STRONG InCHRIST will post your Prayer Requests to put this quick devotional into practice. SINC believes that all the Theology in the world, without application, is nothing more than a clanging cymbal. So come fellowship. Submit prayer requests. Become an intercessor. Help us build a strong community of believers who care for one another. Let us strengthen the body of Christ, for truly this charge has been placed in our hands by Him who created the heavens and the earth!

Peace & Blessings,

James

Submit your devotional, testimony or prayer request:
admin@stronginchrist.com

SINC is pleased to post another Devotional written by a SINC member:

“From heaven the LORD looks down
and sees all mankind;
from his dwelling place he watches
all who live on earth-
he who forms the hearts of all,
who considers everything they do.”
Psalm 33:13-15 (NIV)

Exactly one year ago today I became ill. This illness would change my life forever. I would walk down a treacherous path, often in such a drug induced haze that I wouldn’t realize the gravity of the situation. But other times I’d be wide awake and aware of the storm in which I found myself. I’d be so very afraid that I would purposely find mindless ways to try to slip into that wonderful place called “denial”.

I never knew a human body could endure such pain. I speak of physical pain. I would do everything I could think of to lessen the pain, yet it continued for months and months. When I would see others in obvious physical torment my heart would break for them. Oh to take away their suffering.

I recall a rather large, older woman inching her way from the window at the clinic pharmacy to the outside door. She had tears escaping her tightly grimaced face as her hands held just as tightly onto the handle grips of her walker. I could sense the humiliation too as she was whimpering out an explanation to her husband who walked way ahead of her. She was apologizing for not being able to walk any faster because every step brought agony in her knees. As he disappeared into the parking lot, I hurried past her, trying to be discreet to not bring more humiliation, with my own walker just so I could push the handicapped button to open the door for her. I knew from experience that if she arrived at the door without pushing it, she would be forced to either struggle with her walker as she manually open the door or be forced to turn around and walk several extra steps back to the place where the button was located. When every step hurts, even four more is hard.

I’ve found during my numerous hospital, doctor, outpatient and therapy appointments that among the sick there is camaraderie. I guess it’s that old “birds of a feather” idea. Even when in a store or a restaurant, complete strangers would approach me asking my story as they were clued in by my giant back brace and walker. Rarely though was anyone really interested in my story as much as they really wanted to recount theirs to me. People are full of emotional pain and are desperate to find someone who will listen who just might have a little bit of empathy.

One day while I sat in the lab chair for my daily intravenous treatment, I found myself in a conversation with the lady in the booth across from me. She told of how ill she had been for a few years and how she would drive herself in from a neighboring town several days a week for blood transfusions. She told of her different family members; each one with their own reason for being unable to help. Her sister had recently been killed in a drug deal gone bad. Her brother had his own issues and her mother was too old. This lady was all alone and desperate to talk to someone about her life. She talked until her medication caused her to doze off. I was so sick myself that day, that I felt a twinge of relief when she fell asleep but I did pray for her as I sat there watching her receive blood as I received my massive dose of antibiotics for the day. When your heart aches and you have no one to share your fears with even sick strangers help ease the disturbing emotions.

I was not able to drive for almost ten months. Near the end of that period of time, a social worker helped me sign up for the city’s handicapped transportation system. These are the little “short” buses that pick up those about town who are either physically handicapped, developmentally disabled or both. Each time I’d board the bus, pay my fare, get strapped in and settle back trying to keep from getting the inevitable motion sickness that always hit, it would happen. The driver would realize that I was not mentally challenged so he would strike up a conversation at first asking me about the missionary base I live where he’d picked me up. One or two sentences in and then he would change the subject to himself. I heard the life story of every driver I ever rode with on that short bus.

One guy was former military and was just sure that any day they would want him to return. He was convinced the Army would realize their having discharged him was a mistake. Another guy moved here with his wife for a better life but their home back in California had not sold yet so life was too hard now. He described the toll it was taking on his wife and explained the solution to her crying and worrying was that he was going to “quit her”. Another guy told me of how he’d been the best mechanic the transit system ever had, but they decided to make him a driver instead. On more than one trip, this driver told me of the big mistake the city had made.

On and on, these drivers would talk and as I listened I would be praying for strength to respond lovingly. The truth was, by the end of the trip I was usually so motion sick, I’d almost run off the bus. But these guys were lonely, socially separated from interacting with people as they drove their handicapped buses around town. When you’re lonely, you often don’t see the pain of others.

I’ve been in much physical pain, emotional turmoil and social isolation over this past year. Yet I’ve never been alone. God has walked through every bit of it with me holding me when I was hurting, wiping my tears when I’d become overwhelmed and whispering to me his love songs when I longed for companionship.

I hope my interaction with others who were hurting in some way gave them a glimpse of God’s deep love for them. I wasn’t always able to get outside of my own pain but the times I did helped bring healing to me. Oh dear friends, don’t forget to love those who hurt.

“The LORD is close to the brokenhearted
and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
A righteous man may have many troubles,
but the LORD delivers him from them all…”
Psalm 34:18, 19

Written by: Sheila Martin, Missionary, Youth With A Mission

Meditation: What can I do today to help ease the suffering of another? How can I help those who suffer in silence? How can I turn charity and the caring of others into a life long habit?

Peace & Blessings

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admin@stronginchrist.com

SINC is pleased to post another Devotional written by a SINC member:

A few days ago, my wife Eileen and I, were camping in Julian Price Park on the Blue Ridge Parkway. We were enjoying peanut butter and honey sandwiches in preparation for a hike up Carver’s Gap on the Appalachian Trail.


Sometimes it doesn’t take much to make me think of the most off the wall things, and as I thought about honey, I thought about God’s promise to Moses to deliver him into a land of milk and honey. Then I wondered why milk and honey? Why not water and wine? Why not abundant vegetation for the people and pasture for the cattle? Why not any other of the abundant products of the area known as the “Fertile Crescent”?

Then, as I pondered on milk (which would have been delicious with the peanut butter and honey) it dawned on me. You get milk from cows, cows must have grass. Grass must have water and sunshine. So, with milk you get all the other thrown in. Of course, honey comes from bees. In order to make honey, bees need blooming vegetation, blooming vegetation also needs water, and makes its own fruit. So, once again you get so much more thrown in.
That’s the way it is with all of God’s promises. You get what is promised, but you get so much more thrown in. He really is a God Who does so much more than we can ask, think or imagine…

“Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us.” -Eph 3:20.

So often, we get so focused on the little things we miss the additional blessings He has so graciously provided for us.
Won’t you take a moment to look at the “little” things in your life and then look at all that God has given you in addition to them.

Not a bad lesson from a sandwich, huh?

Written by: Bob Garbett

Peace & Blessings.

Submit your devotional, testimony or prayer request:
admin@stronginchrist.com

SINC is pleased to present this Devotional written by a SINC member:

“So Abram left, as the Lord had told him. . .and they set out for the land of Cannan, and they arrived there.” -Genesis 12:4-5

The road ahead of us is long as best as we can tell. We do not know where it will take us or where it will end. Our destiny is held in the hands of God, and our path is under His watchful care. I don’t think He will hold us too tightly as to force His way and leave us without a choice. But He holds us gently and lovingly; allowing us to remain in His hands to be carried to the place He would take us. Outside of His hand, we wander aimlessly……but in His hand we find our perfect place and discover where He is taking us one day at a time. Your past milestones or trials you might say, are what you know. They are the work of God’s Hand in your life. I Cling to them as symbols of His faithfulness but move forward as a testimony of His Grace. Your walk with Him is sure to be one filled with many arrivals, and your being with Him is evidence to you that you will one day arrive at the place to which He is taking you.

I don’t know about you…but it seems as if I discovered something so simple and beautiful…but we can’t seem to grasp any of it because were holding on to something that we all have fallen too comfortable in.

Starting this very second, I am putting myself up for a challenge, to push harder into the things I feel not comfortable in and to hang on to God’s hand as He walks me through my life. I want more out of this life. God’s going to bring me to an amazing end of every trial…even if it looks impossible..because He is possible in every way. Like when doors close in your life, and the hall way looks like hell, He is there with you, carrying you, pushing you higher towards the perfect door.

We’ve all heard it before. “Have some faith!”

Written By: Maracore

Meditation: There is, in my opinion, a profound statement found in this devotional that deserves our deepest contemplation “it seems as if I discovered something so simple and beautiful…but we can’t seem to grasp any of it because were holding on to something that we all have fallen too comfortable in.”

Peace & Blessings.

You can submit your Devotional to:
admin@stronginchrist.com


“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.” -Romans 12:1

Consider two things; we are the Lord’s and we are to be holy.

We are no longer our own but belong to God. Our bodies need to be offered up as a holy sacrifice. Holy because God cannot accept anything other than holiness and our bodies because we have only our free-will to offer through this earthly vessel. This is the only things that truly belongs to us, the only thing we can give, the ability to choose for ourselves, to serve God and live through daily sacrifice or deny God and ultimately perish in the flesh.

Interesting that the word living is used. True Christianity is not something that is magically accomplished once, it is a living faith, a life long living work. The manner in which we live, speak and treat others needs to reflect a holy life, we cannot be enslaved by the things of the world or even our own vain ambitions.  We must remember that we are no longer our own but have been “bought with a price”.

Paul reminds us of our reasonable service, to completely Live for Christ through self-sacrifice. This is our duty, our reasonable service as true and faithful believers. By continually sacrificing ourselves to the Lord, our former life will be denied and we will be lifted up to a new life, a holy life in Christ. Our ego, our “selves” will be buried and a cleansed Spirit filled vessel raised for His glory and work among the children of men.

God cannot accept anything other than this and we have absolutely nothing else to give but this perfect and holy sacrifice of ourselves.

Meditation: Are we living for ourselves, chasing our own vain ambitions, or are we putting the Kingdom of God above all things by offering up our bodies as a living sacrifice? Are we being renewed daily in His will?

Peace & Blessings,

James