Sometimes we can get so caught up in our problems, we just can’t see or hear the truth. Here’s the truth: God Loves You! Endure your trials and cling to the Lord in all your ways. Jesus told us that He is with us ALWAYS.  Don’t be discouraged or count your trials as some strange thing. The bible tells us to rejoice as we go through our tribulations because they help us grow.  I was reading through Psalms this week (from 39-80) . The psalmist cried out to God and in all thing- in ALL things – death and life, trouble or joy- there was always a part of the psalm that praised God and rejoiced in Him. They were surrounded by troubles and flooded with problems, yet they still lifted up their hands to praise God. The psalmist poured out his heart to the Lord and also proclaimed his faith in praises.   The last few weeks have been particularly trying for me. Things are breaking, we have unexpected bills, tickets, repairs, chaos, etc…. It just seems to be one thing after another. I feel like I’ve been through a tornado of events and problems with no time to stop in quietness.  I certainly wasn’t counting it all joy… in fact I was counting it as a strange thing – exactly what the bible told me not to do. I know the Lord is always there with me, I can see it more clearly now as I look back on the past 2 weeks.  I’ve listed a few verses that have encouraged me in the past and kept me on track as I struggled through some of life’s challenging moments.  Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; Ephesians 6:10-18 We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance.  And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation.  And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love. When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners Romans 5:3-6 Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing. James 1:2-8  Dear friends, don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you.  Instead, be very glad—for these trials make you partners with Christ in his suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing his glory when it is revealed to all the world. So be happy when you are insulted for being a Christian, for then the glorious Spirit of God rests upon you. If you suffer, however, it must not be for murder, stealing, making trouble, or prying into other people’s affairs. But it is no shame to suffer for being a Christian. Praise God for the privilege of being called by his name!  For the time has come for judgment, and it must begin with God’s household. And if judgment begins with us, what terrible fate awaits those who have never obeyed God’s Good News? And also, “If the righteous are barely saved,     what will happen to godless sinners?” So if you are suffering in a manner that pleases God, keep on doing what is right, and trust your lives to the God who created you, for he will never fail you1 Peter 4:12-19

“I, even I, am He who comforts you. Who are you that you should be afraid Of a man who will die, And of the son of a man who will be made like grass? Isaiah 51:12

 Phil 4:4-6 You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.  They are of the world. Therefore they speak as of the world, and the world hears them. We are of God. He who knows God hears us; he who is not of God does not hear us. By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error. 

Do not remember the former things, Nor consider the things of old.  “But forget all that—     it is nothing compared to what I am going to do. For I am about to do something new.     See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? Behold, I will do a new thing, Now it shall spring forth; Shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness And rivers in the desert.  The beast of the field will honor Me, The jackals and the ostriches, Because I give waters in the wilderness And rivers in the desert, To give drink to My people, My chosen.  This people I have formed for Myself; They shall declare My praise Isaiah 43:18-21

  Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! Phil 4:4

Let’s review:

• Rejoice in your sufferings for suffering produces perseverance and perseverance/endurance produces strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation.  
• Count it all joy when you experience trials. Lift up your hands and praise Hm
• God has given you protective warfare. Have your put on your Shoes of Peace today? Your shield of faith? Belt of truth? Breastplate of Righteousness? Helmet of salvation?
• Pray at all times – and for others also
• Be patient, wait on the Lord, cling to Him.
• Use the Word of God– it’s your sword and your weapon against the wiles of the devil. One of my swords: ” No weapon formed against you shall prosper,And every tongue which rises against you in judgment You shall condemn.This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord,And their righteousness is from Me,”Says the Lord. Is 54:17
• You fight is not against flesh and blood: Spiritual warfare Holy Spirit and Spiritual Warfare
• Stop and Remember all the Jesus has done for you
• ”these trials make you partners with Christ in his suffering”
• Forgive others

The Lord is truly amazing. It’s too great to understand how a great God and Creator would take time for me and hear my prayers. It silences me in wonder. I see His wonders, His works and His mighty miracles everyday. He is never too far and hears the cries of those who cry out to Him.

But You, O Lord, are a shield for me, My glory and the One who lifts up my head. ⁴ I cried to the Lord with my voice, And He heard me from His holy hill

    Rejoice always, ¹⁷ pray without ceasing, ¹⁸ in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit.  Do not despise prophecies.  Test all things; hold fast what is good.  Abstain from every form of evil. Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.  He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it. For the righteous God test the hearts and minds Ps 7:7-17

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