Sermon Sunday - T.D. Jakes: The Blessed Test

Life's Changes by Roger Horsch

Graphic Credit

When our hopes and dreams are shattered
And they seem to be out of range
It’s the ability to know what we need
In our lives to make a change.

We must find out what’s important
Not what we want, but what we need
Our lives should be filled with love and joy
Not anger, lust or greed.

So fill your life with things that are new
And get rid of the bad and the old
‘cause it’s always hard to take criticism
Or to do what we are told.


But the change is deep within us
If we look we just might find
The key that unlocks the door to change
So we won’t be left behind.

So when you let God change your life
Your life will start to change you
And when it is all said and done
Your life’s changes will be new.

Graphic Credit

I Want A Do Over, or Do I? by Bob Valleau

Is your life like a roller coaster -- a never ending ride of ups and downs with a few sharp turns now and then? When you left home to embark on living your own life, were you prepared for such a tumultuous experience? Yet, if you could go back in time and had the ability to change your destiny, would you?

How many of us wish we had a life "do over"? Oh, some of you would say you are happy at this point in your life, and, as believers, you may quote how we are commanded to be content in whatsoever state we find ourselves.

Still, haven't you ever wondered where you would be if you had the ability to choose your own destiny? I have, and, I must admit, it's scary. I have often wondered, "What if?" And then there are the "could've, should've, would've" possibilities that run through my mind. I know. I live dangerously because entertaining such thoughts border on the edge of plain fiction or total lunacy.

Well, call me crazy for being human and nonsensical. But my wandering mind has never steered me wrong. It has always led me back to the most sensible and logical conclusion: my destiny is not a destination but a person, Jesus Christ. My rambling thoughts have helped me to see how God does not live in our "what ifs." Nor does He live in our "could'ves, would'ves, should'ves." He lives in our here and now, always drawing us closer so we can experience a more intimate relationship with Him.

You see, I'm glad God never gave us the power to chart our own course. I'm glad He wraps our life's journey in a mystery which forces us to place our trust in Him. I'm glad He knows the end from the beginning and only reveals what He has to at just the right moment.

So no, I don't want a life "do over." The only power God has given me is what I do with each day and whom I will serve. In reality, isn't that what our destiny is all about anyway?

Copyright 2012 by Bob Valleau. Bob has over 25 years of writing experience for the Christian market. He was once named Christian Writer of the Year by the American Christian Writers Association. Currently, he freelances and lives in Texas.

Article Source: http://www.faithwriters.com-CHRISTIAN WRITERS

Joy During Times of Tribulation by Michelle Goodwine

 When we are going through trials and tribulations, often times it is difficult to have joy in our hearts.  Even as believers, when we are going through those "valley moments",  many of us find it difficult to be happy.  But, unlike those in the world, Christians have a reason to rejoice while we are going through tough times.  We have God on our side.  We have the Lord to count on.  And we can depend on the promises of God to never leave us or forsake us to give us strength.  

James 1:2-3 says:

Consider it pure joy, 

my brothers and sisters, 

whenever you face trials of many kinds, 

because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.

I am so grateful to God for showing me that no matter what my current circumstances, I have no reason to be sad.  God is always in control.  God is always on the throne.  So, even when we feel out of control, we can feel assured that God is concerned about our well-being. As the song goes, "Trouble don't last always." No matter what struggles we are experiencing, joy does come in the morning.  

In order to feel joy during hard times, we just need to remember that God will work everything out for His good in the end.  If we pray for His will to be done (and not ours), have faith in God, and patiently wait for His response, God will answer our prayers.  Now He may not give us want we want, but He will give us what we need if we trust Him.

As someone who prayed for a particular outcome, and was blessed with God granting me what I wanted, I have learned to pray for God's will.  When I received what I wanted, I soon learned that what I wanted, was not what God would have wanted for me.  Over the years, because of this prayer, I have experienced a great deal of hurt and pain.  So for those of you who have a desire in their heart, whether it is for a certain job, love interest, or material good, ask and you shall receive, says                    .

So for those Christians who are going through trials, let us remember that a New Life Today is possible.  Having the confidence that God will answer your prayers is the reason why you can praise God in advance, and why we can be filled with joy and peace on the inside, even when the wold around us may seem chaotic and out of control.

Below are a few Bible verses that will inspire you 

during times of trials and tribulations:

 

1 Peter 5:10 

And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.

Romans 12:12 

Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.

Philippians 4:6-7 

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Joshua 1:9 

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

Psalm 34:17-18 

When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles. The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.

Living in Her Car - Finding a New Home with God (Source: CBN.com)

Living in Her Car - Finding a New Home with God (Source: CBN.com)

The Dark Space by Pastor DeChard Freeman

The Dark Space

by Pastor DeChard Freeman

Abundant Life Community Baptist Church, Austin, TX

So I often wonder if I will ever behold this deep valley of disappointment, despair and desperation through the rear view mirror of LIFE…  My humanity often screams, “Give up, you will not survive (let alone thrive) so why try?”

My spiritual self is anemic because I have starved him due to the hustle of “working for the LORD”, yet I know the feeble amount of time I’ve invested in my relationship with Him and reading His Word.

I slip into traps I’d normally avoid and shun the people I truly adore.  I inflict harm on innocent hearts because my pain won’t allow anyone but me to be cared for.

I try to pray because I hear it’s the right thing to do…  Down on my knees-- with empty, void words for I feel I’ve lost my connection with You.

It seems all of my challenges are far greater than my will, over whelming bills, sickness and desertion have me wondering if You are even real?

If you are so powerful and You love me best, how can you allow me to suffer and hurt with such unrest?  Do you really care for me or is my LIFE for you just amusement?  Do you revel in my struggle?  Are you concerned about my pain? Or is this all, for You, mere entertainment?

Even if I have not reached the point of suicidal thoughts, I contemplate a new LIFE so frequently, my reality has been lost.

So when the season has lasted so long and cold that I have no expectation of change.  When every night I lay down depressed and expect to awaken the same…  Then a beacon of hope or a ray of light appeals to me in the least likely way, from the words of a friend or a song in worship that seems to initiate a new day.

A collision on the interstate that could’ve been me, a child being born when it seemed unlikely, a phone call from an enemy seeking amends or just the return of a relative soldier from foreign lands.

Being invited to dinner when the pantry is bare, a hug from a companion you thought no longer cared…  All are just ways God makes us aware, we may pass through the dark space but He won’t leave us there.

It is true that the darkest hour comes just before day break and the darkness you’ve endured---a stronger soldier it will make.  God’s allowing you to travel through these tunnels of tearful trials, were never to break you, only to make you so He remains right by your side.

Yes, at times it’s so dark as you as you try to proceed that you struggle to see Him and follow His lead…  You pray the sun shines soon to help you to see, but the sun will not shine until you’ve mastered trusting completely.

And when you do, when you’ve trusted God to the point of no return…  When you’ve turned from your grief and self-pity and sought the lessons to learn.  When you’ve determined God knows best even if it means enduring more tests and that all you endure is still by God’s grace, for we all are deserving of death.

When you have learned to be grateful in spite of great lack.  When you’ve learned to forgive those who have stabbed you in the back.  When you’ve lost the drive for revenge and pray for those who hate you… THEN and only THEN…

The SON has your full attention and you know He never stopped shining.  Not a minute of your pain was because of His negligence.  No, WE only chose to look away and leave behind His radiance.  Hallelujah, there all the while He was waiting for our about face…  So the glow of His glory would rescue us from the Dark Space.

Nothing's Too Hard For God by Michelle Lawson

Yesterday morning I noticed that someone I know very well was looking sad. I asked her what was wrong, and she did not reply.  I asked her again.  And she still would not reply.  Then I said to her, "Whatever you are going through, remember that nothing is too hard for God."

And as I said it aloud, I had an epiphany - a realization of how true that statement is.  We will all go through trials and tribulations.  Whether it is sickness, grief, lack of finances, marital problems, what should keep us going is that God is in control of this world.  Through God, as Mark 10:27 proclaims, all things are possible.

When I look back over my life, I am amazed at how I made it through some really tough times.  But I know the answer is through God's grace and mercy.  Even during the times when I had lost my faith in God, He still watched over me and protected me.  And during those times in my life when I was so mad with God and myself that I just could not bring myself to pray, I know that my mother, grandmother, and others had me in their prayers.

When we look over our lives and remember all the times when God made a way out of no way, we all realize that Nothing, and I mean Nothing, is too hard for God! Don't get flustered by your current situation.  Remember that no matter what is happening around you,  God is in control. If we have faith, pray, believe that God  is able and willing to help you, and you step out on faith and take action toward a solution,Maybe it a time when you were unemployed, or when you were in an abusive relationship and you just couldn't see a way out, or maybe it was a time when your body was sick and you didn't have insurance to get the medical attention you needed?  Well, let me tell you, all three of those situations happened to me.  And I am so glad to say that thanks to God, I made it through.

So how do we know that nothing is too hard for God?  Because The Word says so.  If you are going through some trials and tribulations right now, the following are a few verses that might bring you comfort:

Joshua 1:9
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go. (NIV)

1 Peter 1:6-7
In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. (NIV)

1 Corinthians 10:13
No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it. (NIV)
 
Isaiah 40:31
But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. (KJV) 

2 Corinthians 4:16-18
Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. (NIV)

James 1:2-4
Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. (NASB)
 
A website that might help you is http://nothingstoohardforgod.org

New Life Today
What can you do to have a new life today?  Just take 5 minutes out of your day and think of a time in your past when you just didn't know how you were going to make it, but you did. Remember that God created the heavens and the earth.  So whatever problem we have, no matter big it seems for us, it is not too hard for God.Use those past experiences to give you hope for a current challenge.  And as Romans 15:13 says, "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." (NIV)