Counting Them HappyWritten by Joyce C. Lock
"Take ... ... prophets for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience ... we count them happy which endure," James 5:10-11. Satan has used this passage to rob us of a victorious life. Any happiness you see is likely just a cover. It is, often, thought we're to patiently endure whatever horrible things that come our way; to be victims of our circumstance. The only blessings we expect to see are in life to come. Occasionally, I've heard well intended people say, "We're never going to get through trials of this life until we get to Heaven." I have this urge to respond, "Don't say that! IT ISN'T TRUE!" But, I also understand that they wouldn't say it except they don't know. The prophets were not victims. They suffered more because they went through all issues of inner man so they could come back and teach people how to overcome. And, they did so holding on to promises of God!
| | If I Were CalledWritten by Joyce C. Lock
If I were called to teach, I'd give it my best. If I were called to preach, I'd better pass test. If I were called to reach, I'd do it with much zest. If I were called to each, I'd surely need some rest. Mt. 11:29b ~*~ We, often, hold high expectations for our spiritual leaders (as does God) to teach, minister, give guidance and direction, to be example, live what they preach, and to be available, willing, and able to meet our need. We truly are blessed when we have such a person in our life. However, were we to multiply our need by entire membership of our church, we would see that our expectation is somewhere between unrealistic and nearly impossible. Leadership often finds themselves between a rock and a hard place as, even for most devoted of servants, there aren't enough hours in a day.
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