Thoughts for the Weekend

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. James 1:2-5 (NIV)

Life is a process; a process that is filled with trials and tests. I find it amazing that James tells us these difficulties should be considered the purest joy. So many times we ask God to remove us from struggle, but could it be that God wants to use the struggles in our lives to make us more like him?

We are being told through this verse that our life is a journey, and the goal is the development of our character. That only can happen with perseverance, and we can only forge perseverance in the fire of difficulty. As we walk through the fire, we learn to depend on God more and more, and we move toward maturity. When we get there, the promise is a life filled with peace, wisdom, integrity, and gratitude. It is the life of nobility we were created to live.

So be joyful during your struggles because God is right there with you and he wants to develop your character. Don't run away from difficulty, instead, view them in their proper context. The trials we are going through are a warning light that informs us God is ready to meet our needs.

Be encouraged. See you Sunday!

Thoughts for the Weekend

As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. John 15:9-15 (NIV)

Jesus came to make you His friend. Let this knowledge liberate you! Love the way that God loves, completely and unconditionally. See you on Sunday!

Thoughts for the Weekend

But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. 2 Cor. 4:7-10 (NIV)

We are God's treasure, even though we are flawed and imperfect. The glory of God, the incredible truth of His existence and power, the truest proof of who and what He is, is seen through us. It may not seem like the best plan, but God tells us his light dwells in us, and though we are like cracked clay vessels, His glory shines through our brokenness.

Because of this, we can have hope. We can endure in any circumstance, we can learn to be content when we have little. We can absorb any blow, and handle even the most violent of storms. Never forget who you are, and who you belong to. God bought you with a price, and so we honor Him with our lives.

Let the life that God offers to everyone be seen in you. See you Sunday.