COUNT IT ALL JOY....

I was having  my morning quiet time with my Lord, reading his Word and meditating on that which I had  just read. It was the Scripture from James, the half-brother of Jesus, who was one of the first pastors of the Judeo-Christian church in Jerusalem. In James1: 2-8, it reads as follows:

 

"² My brothers and sisters, you will face all kinds of trouble. When you do, think of it as pure joy. ³ Your faith will be tested. You know that when this happens it will produce in you the strength to continue. ⁴ And you must allow this strength to finish its work. Then you will be all you should be. You will have everything you need. ⁵ If any of you needs wisdom, you should ask God for it. He will give it to you. God gives freely to everyone and doesn’t find fault. ⁶ But when you ask, you must believe. You must not doubt. That’s because a person who doubts is like a wave of the sea. The wind blows and tosses them around. ⁷ They shouldn’t expect to receive anything from the Lord. ⁸ This kind of person can’t make up their mind. They can never decide what to do." (Reader's New International Bible)

 It was in this passage that James was telling Christ's followers to be prepared to face rough times ahead. In fact, all of us no matter our lineage, our religion, our social status or any of 100 other things know life's central truth...HARD TIMES COME UPON US ALL!!!

 But for us as believers, we are to count it ALL joy! Now, that does not mean that we should always walk around with a big smile on our face, pretending that nothing is amiss or troublesome in our lives. Rather, it means we expect troubles; however, we should see trials as God's refining fire, melting our the dross of disobedience or disbelief and refining us for service to our Master who gave His Son for our redemption...and that is where the inexplicable JOY comes from in our lives. WE ARE SAVED FROM SOMETHING TO SOMETHING GREATER THAT GIVES US JOY OVER OUR CIRCUMSTANCES.

 Many believers are caught up on trying to be happy in this life; but one thing I have learned is God is not all that concerned about my happiness. He is concerned about my character and how I represent the Savior of the world to those I encounter. Let's face it...Joy and Happiness are NOT the same thing! Happiness is fleeting, usually tied to the circumstances of the good or bad things taking place in our lives; however, JOY is and should be a constant fruit in the life of a believer...

 And it rest on the fact that we are now at PEACE WITH GOD!!! It is in that peace, that passes all understanding,  that we can be joyous in the midst of the trials and tribulations that we all face. WE CAN BE JOYOUS BECAUSE WE KNOW GOD IS AT WORK IN OUR LIVES, HELPING US TO BECOME THE BELIEVERS THAT NEED NOT BE ASHAMED!

 It has been said that in life, most of us are coming out of a storm, in the midst of a storm or heading into a storm; so if you want to be joyous and know that the safe harbor is within reach and that the God of the Universe is at your helm, just ask Him for wisdom and discernment on how He wants you to proceed. But, ask in faith, believing without doubt, so that those crashing waves will not sink you, but rather the storm will subside as God leads you safely to your eternal destination.

 Yes, trials are not fun for any of us. I believe that the trials of life have this effect on almost everyone, regardless of their faith or lack thereof.... The trials, testing and tribulations of life help us dig up the soil in which we have been planted so we can see how deep our roots really go.

 How deep are your roots in this life of trials and desperate times? If you are firmly planted in the soil of salvation and know that God the Father gave His only Son to redeem you for an eternal life with Him...then grow strong and tall in the LORD and blossom where you are planted. Then,

 YOU CAN COUNT IT ALL JOY!!!!

Living in this life...Counting it all Joy for Christ,

 WPQ

 

 

Poem for the day....

 

The troubles that we face each day

May surely drag us down;

But when we’re planted in Holy sod

Then we’re on solid ground!!!

 

We need not fear what comes our way

As in turbulent seas we're tossed;

For when we put our trust in Him

His love has paid the cost!

 

So let life's  troubles come at us

We pray, yet do not doubt;

For we know that in the Father's love

He's already worked things out.

 

To make each of us a vessel;

Holy, pristine and pure...

And because we ask and do not doubt

Our joy is forever sure!!!!

 

WPQ ©  August 2021