There are two things we have been studying at church that come to mind. The first one is that we are not to be just hearers of the Word but doers of the Word. The second is being joyful in most trials that we go through. In the book of James we are told to consider it pure joy when we face trails. James 1:2-4:
2Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
If we allow God to work in our lives as we face hardships we can mature and grow. We can face our hardships with bitterness and contempt. When we do we benefit nothing and are completely miserable. Instead we can look for the good in it and strive to be joyful, or as I like to put it content or at peace, with what we are going through. When we do this we can look back and see two things. The first thing is God's blessings and work in our lives. How much we gained and grew. The second thing is we can look back and think well that wasn't so bad. The old question of the cup being half full or half empty comes to mind. What do you see when you see the cup? Is it half full or half empty? I strive to see the fullness in the cup. Is it not better to go through life joyful than bitter?
Something to assist us in our troubles is hearing God's Word. We need to study and know what His Word is. However it is not enough to just hear the word. We must be doers. In our InDepth study last night it was discussed that faith without deeds is dead, or of no value. If we have faith but do not act upon that faith then others cannot see Christ. If we do nothing then we are not spreading God's Word, our faith becomes empty and meaningless. We have to put in practice what we learn and hear. By doing so we become a beacon or lighthouse for others to see the light of Christ in a dismal and dark world.
Faith is like a muscle. If you do not use a muscle in your body it becomes weak and lethargic. It will become useless, a dead weight. By using the muscle we can build it up and make it stronger. Faith unused becomes weak and lethargic, we become spiritually dead inside. By building upon our faith we can grow stronger in faith. The muscle of faith can become large and strong. We need to all become spiritual body builders...
Again I would like to thank John Orr and also Curtis Humphrey for their teachings and dedication to the Lord. Without them I would not have been able to write these thoughts...
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