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Date Posted: Sat, Apr 24 04
Author: Kenny B
Subject: Pressing On

Pressing On

If anyone has ever told you living life is easy, they were gravely mistaken. According to numerous accounts of friends and first hand experience, life seems much like a roller coaster. Sometimes you're crusin' right along while other times it just feels so distressing. Make no mistake about it, you will have troubles. Jesus assures us of this:

"Here on earth you will have trials and sorrows..." John 16:33

whether they be in the form of--finances, future plans/goals/dreams, family, girlfriends/boyfriends, wives/husbands, career, friends, church, kids, death or whatever--one thing can be sure. Sometimes dealing with these things can be far from easy. Herein lies my challenge for today. Namely, how do we deal with these "trials and sorrows"?

Luckily, Jesus supplements this truth (John 16:33) with guidance:

"I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me...take heart I have overcome the world."

Our only hope is complete reliance on Christ. We must completely surrender our lives to HIM, and daily seek his good and perfect will for our lives. I believe that when we truly, truly, truly know HIM (which should not be mistaken with knowing about HIM; however this is not the topic. So, I shall leave it alone for the time being.), HE will bless our faith and reliance on HIM. I also believe when He does this, we will also hear HIM speak to us more frequently and we will slowly become more and more like the person HE has planned us to be. Ephesians 1:4, 1:11, 2:10b. And in doing so, HE will also grant us HIS peace (not because of anything good we have done but because of his grace).

Now this is easier said than done. I will not pretend as if I have mastered this (or even come close), but I continually pray that God will continue to increase my spiritual wisdom, maturity and dependence on him. Ephesians 1:16-17. I would like to leave you all with these three verses, that I find comfort in when thinking about life and all that goes along with it.*

"You must accept whatever situation the Lord has put you in, and continue on as you were when God first called you." 1 Corinthians 7:17 NLT

"Happiness or sadness or wealth should not keep anyone from doing God's work. Those in frequent contact with the things of the world should make good use of them without becoming attached to them, for this world and all it contains will pass away. In everything you do, I want you to be free from the concerns of this life." 1 Corinthians 7:30-32 NLT

"Your heavenly Father already knows all your needs, and he will give you all you need from day to day if you live for him and make the Kingdom of God your primary concern." Matthew 6:32b NLT

I love all of you. Not because I'm required to, however, because my heart and passion is for people and community. Take Care. And continue to grown in Christ's love.

Your Brother in Christ,

Kenny B

Other devo's and prayer requests: http://www.voy.com/175414/

James 1:2-5


* The first of which has quickly become one of my favorites given my week.

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