It's Going To Be Okay by Dr. Sinclair Grey III

Editor's Note: This article is written by Dr. Sinclair Grey III, Senior Pastor, The Liberation Temple, a non-denominational Christian Church in Mt. Rainier, Maryland.
An inspirational speaker, motivator, author, organizer and “liberator of persons from all intellectual, social and cultural walks of life”, Dr. Sinclair Grey, III is a committed advocate for communal change.  NewLifeTodayBlog.com will publish Dr. Sinclair Grey III's writings every Thursday.

Dr, Sinclair Grey III
Senior Pastor
Liberation Temple

No one wants to deal with pain. Let me say it this way. No one wants anything bad to happen to them or their family. It doesn't matter how spiritual or faithful you declare to be, you and those you love and care for will face times of suffering. Whether it's with family, friends, or coworkers, you'll encounter some disappointments. In case you're not feeling that, when things don't go your way, you'll question God and wonder why He's allowing things to happen. Everyone faces something in this life. You're not exempt and neither am I. It's what we tell ourselves that will give us the strength to make it.

The Psalmist declared, "Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning." Please don't miss this. Trouble is temporary. Misery doesn't last forever. And suffering doesn't have the final word. During a storm, I'm encouraging you to draw closer to God through prayer and praise. Tell yourself, 'I'm coming out.' As I close this message, I want you to know it's going to be okay. Trust in God and never give up. Your breakthrough is coming.

Scripture for the Day: 

"The Lord has made known His salvation; His righteousness He has revealed in the sight of the nations." (Psalm 98:2 -NKJV)

Book Review - Christian Pain and Suffering Is Inevitable But There is Powerful Help from the Word of God By Kaye Swain

Book Review
Christian Pain and Suffering Is Inevitable But There is Powerful Help from the Word of God By Kaye Swain

As a member of the Sandwich Generation, caring for the elderly parents in my family as well as babysitting grandchildren regularly, I've learned from experience that, for the Christian as well as the non-Christian, pain and suffering will come. For some, it may be a life-long season. For most, it will ebb and flow, much as the ocean's tide. But for the vast majority of the population, by the time their life has come to an end after decades of living, they will look back and see seasons of pain, sorrow, and suffering intermixed with times of joy and happiness.

As a Christian, though, I am blessed to know that is not the whole story. It's not what happens to us that counts - it's what we do with the situation that makes the difference.

Kay Arthur agrees with that and has written an excellent book on this very topic. She does a great job answering the question in many people's minds, "Why does God allow suffering?" Not only that, she provides the tools and the encouraging Bible verses to help you move, step-by-step, through the vital process of dealing with the suffering you are experiencing.

She covers a wide range of trials - from physical illness such as cancer or Alzheimer's Disease with dementia symptoms to emotional distress - including a loved one's suicide. Those who are familiar with Kay Arthur's other books and Precepts Bible studies will recognize and appreciate the way she takes you through various Bible passages, verse by verse, using different techniques from her Bible study courses to help you internalize the lessons she is teaching in this book.

I was especially pleased to find several sections that related to my job of caring for aging parents, but I also noted several other passages that would be a help for a son going through completely different trials, or a young grandchild already learning hard lessons in life. In other words, this book is an excellent resource for the whole family and definitely worth buying for your personal library as well as using as gifts for friends and family who are going through difficult seasons of life.

 My own copy is full of bookmarks, underlines, and personal notes throughout, and I've already ordered a second copy for some dear senior relatives. I'm also planning on recommending it to my Bible study group for a future study, as it includes a section in back to help you use it for individual or small group study guide.

Whether you are currently in a season of life involving pain and suffering, or helping a loved one through that, or just planning ahead for the future, I highly recommend this book as a wonderful and useful tool that will bless you and others.

If you'd like more fun ideas & resources for teaching Bible memory verses to your children and grandchildren, along with specific ideas for teaching the Ten Commandments to your kids, be sure to pop over to http://www.SandwichINK.com.

We're smack dab in the middle of that project and would love to see you.

Article Source: http://www.faithwriters.com-CHRISTIAN WRITER-MAKE A WEBSITE

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

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.