The Trying of Faith Works Patience

BIBLE MEDITATION:

“My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into diverse temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.” James 1:2-4

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

What does God want out of you? He wants you to experience the fullness of Christ. And the way to this is through trials and tribulations. Can you be patient during this process? If you’re like most people, probably not. We become like children who don’t know the difference between “No” and “Not yet.” If you say, “Wait a while,” to them that is, “No.” They want it now. But God is interested in maturing you. A Danish proverb says, “Give to a pig when it grunts and give to a child when it cries, and you will have a fine pig and a bad child.” Tribulation brings patience, and patience makes us mature.

ACTION POINT:

What are you waiting for? What are you struggling with? Give it to Jesus. Trust in His timing and His provision.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

Peace in the Midst of the Storm

BIBLE MEDITATION:

“And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.” Colossians 3:15

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

In Florida where I was raised, we had a lot of hurricanes. Even as a child I learned that in the center of the worst hurricane, there’s a calm called the “eye” of the storm. When the storm passes over, there is a calm like a mill pond on a summer evening.

Friend, in your storm today there is a center that is calm. It’s the heart of God. He is there. He is the “I AM” in the midst of your storm.

As someone has well said, “God gives peace that the world can’t take away.” It is supernatural peace.

ACTION POINT:

Do you have the peace of God in your heart? Claim the promise of Psalm 29:11, Isaiah 26:3, and Romans 5:1 today.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

Happiness vs. Joy

BIBLE MEDITATION:

“Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.” Philippians 4:4

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

Happiness comes from outside circumstances. Joy comes from within. So it’s cruel to say to people who are in sorrow, “Smile and be happy.” Better to come alongside and mourn with them than to try to force the square peg of happiness into a round hole of sorrow. 

The human life is a life of tragedy, sorrow, heartache, and pain. Yet in every difficulty, you can find joy. Happiness is an outside job. Joy is an inside job.

ACTION POINT:

There is someone in a nursing home that longs for that joy. Find some time this week to bring the joy of the Lord to them.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

When It Comes to the Devil…How to Think

BIBLE MEDITATION:

“Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.” Romans 12:21

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

There are two mistakes people make about the devil. One, they get into demonology—always studying, wondering, and talking about demons. Their focus rests on Satan rather than on the Lord Jesus. The Bible says we’re to resist the devil; it doesn’t say we’re to chase him.

On the other hand, there are those who are flippant about the devil. They have nicknames for him and think he’s a cartoon or fantasy.

The truth is, we have a powerful adversary, the devil. Peter likens him to a roaring lion! A mature Christian recognizes that he has an enemy. He respects the power of the enemy. Then he clings to the power of the Lord Jesus Christ to overcome this great adversary.

ACTION POINT:

Is the lion prowling around your life? Take up the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God, and break free from his jaws of destruction.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

Carrying Our Own Burdens

BIBLE MEDITATION:

“Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and He shall sustain thee.” Psalm 55:22

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

A man was carrying a heavy load of grain down a country road. Another man in a wagon being pulled by a horse saw the man walking and said to him, “Mister, you need a ride?” And so the man got in the wagon. But he kept the load of grain on his shoulder. The wagon driver said, “Man, put that down and relax!” The rider said, “Oh no. It’s enough for you to carry me without having you carry this too.”

Have you ever done that to the Lord? You say, “Lord, I’ll let You save me, but I’ll carry my own burdens.” How foolish we are to do this with the God who hung the stars and planets.

ACTION POINT:

If you can trust God to save you from hell, don’t you think you can cast your burden upon the Lord right now?

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

One Body In Christ

BIBLE MEDITATION:

“So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.” Romans 12:5

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

My left hand is a member of my body. So is my right hand. The right hand cannot direct the left hand and vice versa. But both hands can receive instruction from the head. If one hand is connected to the head and the other hand is connected to the head, then it simply follows that our hands are going to submit one to another. They’re not going to fight one another.

It’s the same way in the Body of Christ—the church. Who is the head of the body? The Lord Jesus Christ. Who are the members of the body? You and I. God put us in the church together that we might have a spirit of submission in the fear of the Lord.

ACTION POINT:

Is there someone in the church with whom you’re having difficulties? Submit yourself to the Lord and allow Him to give you grace to submit one to another.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

Fear-Troubled Hearts and Minds

6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. - Philippians 4:6-7

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.  - Psalm 46:1

"Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. - John 14:1

8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

9 Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God.

10 For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life.

11 More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation. - Romans 5:8-11

Cast your burden on the LORD, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved.  - Psalm 55:22

We all are subject to fear, anxiety, troubled hearts and minds because of the nature of the human condition. 

Sin tells us to be self-sufficient.

God tells us to be humble, pray and trust Him.

The bible says it in so many different ways!

Cast your cares upon Him!

Don't be afraid, let your hearts not be troubled!

My peace I give to you!

A very present help in times of trouble!

He is strong!

We are weak!

In Christ, we are forgiven.

In Christ, we are not guilty.

In Christ, we are reconciled to a holy God.

In Christ we have supernatural peace!

Where does that supernatural peace come from?

Prayer brings it to you straight from God!

The peace of God is a guardian to your heart and mind!

It's found in Christ!!!

God is our shield!

Pray often!

Give thanks!

God is sovereign!

Be in the Word everyday!!

Take one day at a time, God's mercies are new everyday!

Encourage one another!

Remember, God gave us the cross!

Remember, we have been adopted! 

Thanks Pastor Matt!!!