I have always had it easy.
When there was no fuel oil, and we would snuggle at night with the children to keep from freezing, but it really wasn't cold.
When no food in pantry and we prayed for "DAILY FOOD," but I really wasn't hungry.
Clothes, dentist, transportation and other "stuff" was either free or cheap in the "good ole days."
More hours in the day, more days to the week.
OR, WAS IT FAITH AND DEDICATION THAT MADE THE STING OUT OF THOSE THINGS?
I have always tried to preach and teach the word in such a way that people would be built up in the faith. When people are “under the circumstances” they are not living in victory.
When I faced difficulties, I trusted God instead of whining and blaming others.
James 1:2-5
(2) My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;
(3) Knowing this, that the trying of your faith works patience.
(4) But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
(5) If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that gives to all men liberally, and upbraids not; and it shall be given him.
Whenever my churches have been living in great victory and shaking the earth for Jesus, it is because the believers put first things first and did not talk about, “how tough life is.” They made sacrifices in time, finances, pleasures, popularity, social status and God honored them for it.
Christians are going to go through troubles and trials. That is not the question. The question is, HOW ARE YOU GOING TO DEAL WITH YOUR TESTING? Are you going to talk about how easy it was for someone else or are you going to be a man or woman of faith?
I have worked hard to present a message that makes my people more than conquerors.
Ecclesiastes 12:9-14
(9) And moreover, because the preacher was wise, he still taught the people knowledge; yea, he gave good heed, and sought out, and set in order many proverbs.
(10) The preacher sought to find out acceptable words: and that which was written was upright, even words of truth.
(11) The words of the wise are as goads, and as nails fastened by the masters of assemblies, which are given from one shepherd.
(12) And further, by these, my son, be admonished: of making many books there is no end; and much study is a weariness of the flesh.
(13) Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.
(14) For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.
Don't blame your circumstances, blame your lack of faith.
I have always tried to preach and teach the word in such a way that people would be built up in the faith. When people are “under the circumstances” they are not living in victory.
When I faced difficulties, I trusted God instead of whining and blaming others.
James 1:2-5
(2) My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;
(3) Knowing this, that the trying of your faith works patience.
(4) But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
(5) If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that gives to all men liberally, and upbraids not; and it shall be given him.
Whenever my churches have been living in great victory and shaking the earth for Jesus, it is because the believers put first things first and did not talk about, “how tough life is.” They made sacrifices in time, finances, pleasures, popularity, social status and God honored them for it.
Christians are going to go through troubles and trials. That is not the question. The question is, HOW ARE YOU GOING TO DEAL WITH YOUR TESTING? Are you going to talk about how easy it was for someone else or are you going to be a man or woman of faith?
I have worked hard to present a message that makes my people more than conquerors.
Ecclesiastes 12:9-14
(9) And moreover, because the preacher was wise, he still taught the people knowledge; yea, he gave good heed, and sought out, and set in order many proverbs.
(10) The preacher sought to find out acceptable words: and that which was written was upright, even words of truth.
(11) The words of the wise are as goads, and as nails fastened by the masters of assemblies, which are given from one shepherd.
(12) And further, by these, my son, be admonished: of making many books there is no end; and much study is a weariness of the flesh.
(13) Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.
(14) For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.
Don't blame your circumstances, blame your lack of faith.
Don't yield to your troubles, CONQUER THEM IN THE NAME OF JESUS.
I also said...
While the eternal is more important than the momentary, God also cares for our "now". Sometimes He directly intervenes for us personally, when it is to our betterment.
However, He often works through the Divine principle of "Redemption and Lift." When a person or a massive number of people come to Christ, their new standards of morality and spirituality result in a higher standard of living materially. Individuals and whole societies are lifted by trusting and loving God.
Though Bible faith is not about material gain, sometimes it leads to material supply.
Strange thing is, people will seek the material and end up losing their "STUFF" and their SOUL,
I also said...
While the eternal is more important than the momentary, God also cares for our "now". Sometimes He directly intervenes for us personally, when it is to our betterment.
However, He often works through the Divine principle of "Redemption and Lift." When a person or a massive number of people come to Christ, their new standards of morality and spirituality result in a higher standard of living materially. Individuals and whole societies are lifted by trusting and loving God.
Though Bible faith is not about material gain, sometimes it leads to material supply.
Strange thing is, people will seek the material and end up losing their "STUFF" and their SOUL,
Believers will "Seek first the kingdom of God..." AND receive, "our daily bread."
We will, we will "Love not the world, nor the things in the world..." but still have temporal success.
Seek the best and trust God with the rest.
