|
|
For
many of us starting off the new school years brings with it a host of
problems. Be encouraged, the Lord uses problems in our life to develop
our faith, to prepare us for the coming year, and to make us more like
His Son. God uses problems in our life as a means for exercising,
working our faith muscle. I love what James and Peter teach us about
exercising our faith muscle as it relates to problems. And together they
teach us the facts of life…
James 1:1-5, "James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ,
to the twelve tribes scattered among the nations: Greetings. Consider it
pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because
you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.
Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and
complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, he should
ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will
be given to him. (NIV)
The
Facts of Life
1. Problems are inevitable. James says when you face trails.
Whether we like it or not, problems are a fact of life. It is not a
matter of "if" problems come, but "when" problems
come.
2. Problems are unpredictable. He says, "Whenever you face"
and the word face in the Greek means to fall into something
un-expectantly. James is saying you can't anticipate problems in life.
They are unplanned, and usually come when we least expect it and don't
want them.
3. Problems are variable. Of many kinds, James says, "Whenever you
face trials of many kinds…" We are going to encounter problems of
many kinds, of different duration, different intensity; some problems
are minor and others are major, we face all kinds of problems. But
they're always custom made for you -- they're going to come in kinds of
sizes and shapes.
4. Problems are purposeful. He says, "Because you know that the
testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish
its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking
anything."
Problems fortify my faith, problems test your faith, in the midst of
problems you don't feel like being a Christian, you don't feel like
responding Christ-like, and it in this arena that God purifies our
faith, strengths it, develops it. Problems make you stronger; can make
your faith in God and his word more certain.
Second purpose of problems in our life; problems make me like Jesus.
James say, "…the testing of your faith develops perseverance.
Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and
complete, not lacking anything."
That is God's goal for you; his long-range goal is to make you like
Jesus Christ. God wants you to mature, to grow in your faith,
this is God's agenda for your faith; to make you like Jesus Christ.
Peter echoes the words of James, I 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)
God delights to increase the faith of his children. And problems,
obstacles, difficulties and sometimes defeats are the means to increase
our faith, to conform us to the image of Christ Jesus, so we can reflect
his image.
Problems are inevitable, unpredictable, vary, and they are purposeful.
You can't control them, they will come but you can control how you
respond.
James & Peter teach us how to handle our problems
This is how you handle your problems, "consider it pure Joy",
and Peter says, "In this you greatly rejoice" - this is how we
are to respond to our problems.
We don't rejoice for the problem but we rejoice in the problem. I
rejoice and thank God in the midst of the problem knowing that He has a
plan and a purpose. I don't rejoice over someone getting cancer, I don't
rejoice over 9/11, with what happened in
Russia
,
for evil, but I rejoice in knowing God has a plan and purpose in this
trial.
I Thessalonians 5:18, "In everything give thanks; for this is God's
will for you in Christ Jesus." (NASB) It doesn't say for everything
give thanks but in everything give thanks
because we know in the midst of the difficulty God has a purpose and
plan. We know that in our problems God has a purpose and a plan…not to
destroy us but to conform us to Christ and to
fortify our faith.
Second way to handle our problems, James teaches us to pray, pray for
wisdom, for God to give you wisdom to deal with this problem, how to
perhaps solve the problem, to see how God is going to help you with this
problem. You don't have to face your problems alone, ask for God's
wisdom. The Lord is right there ready to assist you, whether we know it
or not probably the most valuable resource to in times of trouble,
problems is we need wisdom. Wisdom is a practical cry for "What do
I do next?" Ask God.
A new semester usually invites a host of new problems. I want to
encourage you to consider it pure joy and to greatly rejoice for God is
working in your life! He has a plan and a purpose for you!
God Bless, Pastor Alex Garcia
Destino Coaching Center
100 Lake Hart Drive Dept 2500
Orlando, Florida 32828
1-800-678-5462 ext: #1205
destino@uscm.org
See also: www.MyDestino.com
|
Monday Minutes