Verse of the Day 7/25

Verse of the Day 7/25

James 1:2 ^?? My fellow believers, when it seems as though you are facing nothing but difficulties see it as an invaluable opportunity to experience the greatest joy that you can!?????? The Passion Translation (TPT)

Looking back over my life it seems that I've been able to deal with some of the bigger "trials" in life (James 1:2 New King James Version) than I do with some of what would be considered smaller things; that in the scheme of life are not that much to get worked up about.?? Reading today's verse in The Passion Translation fits that when it read "when it seems as though you are facing nothing but difficulties".???? Have you been there or perhaps find yourself there right now?

The day may start with a delayed or cancelled flight, wasted time.?? Then an appliance breaks down.?? Perhaps you realize that you forgot about a doctors appointment.?? It can be any number of things; but they all seem to snowball and you let it get to you; steal your joy; take away your peace.?? What are we to do??? Start with prayer, go to God's Word.?? Take that step back and spend some time with God.

I like the older translations that start out with "count it all joy", or "consider it pure joy".???? Counting and considering have to do with stepping back.?? Measuring, counting and considering the situation and life as a whole.?? It looks back on the past and sees God's faithfulness in the large and the small.?? It gives us hope and can lead us back to joy.

Pastor Greg Laurie writes, " God will allow certain circumstances in our lives that keep us dependent on Him. If life were all blue skies and green lights, would we still turn to God in prayer? If there wasn???t any illness in our lives, would we still pray as much? If we never had a need for God???s provision or we never had prodigal children, would we still pray?"

Taking that time opens us up to more of God's grace.?? We sang the following song in church last Sunday, it seemed fitting to go through it again this morning.

Oh, Your grace so free  Washes over me  You have made me new  Now life begins with You    ??It's your endless love  Pouring down on us  You have made us new  Now life begins with You    ??Released from my chains I'm a prisoner no more  My shame was a ransom He faithfully bore  He cancelled my debt and He called me His friend  When death was arrested and my life began

Don't be a prisoner of the trials and the difficulties you see.

--   In Christ,  Mike    Folllow the Verse of the Day blog at http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com  Ephesians 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins,  in accordance with the riches of God's grace.  NIV    

James 1:2-4??New King James Version (NKJV)

Profiting from Trials

^2??My brethren,??count it all joy??when you fall into various trials,??^3??knowing that the testing of your faith produces??^[a]patience.??^4??But let patience have??its??perfect work, that you may be??^[b]perfect and complete, lacking nothing.