You can handle it!

'You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!'

Isaiah 26: 3 NLT

Have you been having a tough time recently? Whether you have or not, you'll know what it feels like, right? Because one thing is guaranteed-at some point you will have tough times! The Bible guarantees it! 'We must suffer...' (Romans 8: 17 NCV) So the question to ask is not, 'How do I avoid having a hard time?' instead we should ask, 'What do I do when things get tough?' Our answer would probably be, 'If life is difficult, then we can't possibly enjoy ourselves. We just have to moan and complain and look miserable, until it's over.' But God answers our question with a promise, 'I will keep in perfect peace all who trust in Me, all whose thoughts are fixed on Me.' What a great promise! We just need to do our best and let God do the rest as we look to Him for help. We don't have to worry or panic, we can feel calm and relaxed, because God will fill us with His peace. This way God has the last word. No more running around like a headless chook or getting caught up in your emotions or reacting to what people are saying. You'll know God's in control, you won't even have to look miserable, you could even smile. Imagine that! When things go wrong-and they will-do what God asks of you and then chill. Sit back and watch Him work on your behalf!

Thursday, 28 January 2010
http://www.word4u2day.com.au/201001271993/You-can-handle-it.html

Stick with it

'...the testing of your faith produces patience.'

James 1: 3 NKJV

Once upon a time a farmer's donkey fell into a dry well. When the farmer heard the donkey's braying and realised what had happened, he decided that neither the donkey nor the well was worth the trouble of saving. So he went and asked his neighbours to come and help him bury his donkey in the well and put it out of its misery. Initially, the donkey was very upset. You would be too, if you were in a deep hole and people started throwing muck on top of you! But as the dirt rained down on his back, the old donkey had a thought. He decided that every time a shovel of dirt landed on his back, he would shake it off and step up. And that's what he did. As the dirt cascaded down the well, the old donkey kept shaking it off and stepping up. Hours later, the exhausted donkey finally stepped over the wall of the well. What was meant to bury him actually helped him!

When troubles come, don't give up; like the donkey, have patience and persevere, then you too will discover that what you thought was hindering you is actually helping you. '...These troubles test your faith, and this will give you patience. Let your patience show itself perfectly in what you do. Then you will be perfect and complete and have everything you need.' (James 1: 3-5 NCV)

Sunday, 24 January 2010
http://www.word4u2day.com.au/201001231989/Stick-with-it.html

Do your relationships control you, or does Christ control your relationships?

God wants to be the most important thing in your life. Sadly, many Christians let the opinions of other people control their own decisions, altering what they consider to be important.

Proverbs 29:25 says, Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe.

Your relationships with the people you're around could be a snare to you if let them control you. However, if Christ is more important to you than any relationship, then he will control your relationships, guiding you into right, godly ones. Make Christ first place in your heart, and he will control and direct your relationships.

Weekly Wisdoms for the week of December 28, 2009
http://www.christnotes.org/ww.php?d=2009-12-28