James 1:2-8

2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

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Have you had any trials lately? Anything come up to make you think,,, I don’t know if I can do this… or … it will never work… Let me share something with you. The very trial the devil would use to try and destroy you can be the trial that saves your life. That makes you smart or should I say will give you the wisdom you need to make right decisions. Nothing like making a bad decision to teach you that was a bad decision, next time I bet you make a better decision. There you go, when that happens you have just learned something that will profit you in the future.

The word says to count it all joy when we fall into various trials, but how can we do that. Well, the joy of the Lord comes from the inside out not outside in. Happiness is when things around you are going good we are happy. Things are working out. BUT, when the things making you happy change and things are not going so well for you any more we lose that happiness. We get depressed or down. We start listening to our enemy the devil. 1 Peter 5:8 says be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour.

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When we depend on the things going on around us to make us happy, that fades. The enemy is always waiting for a chance to make us feel defeated and hopeless.

However, count it all joy is when you know that no matter what is going on in your life the Lord is in control and you are going to make it.

if we could just change the our perception of things. What if when trials come our way and we can program (for lack of a better word) our mind to think,,, what can I learn from this? How can I turn this around in my life? What does God’s word say about the situation? I’m going to focus on the answer instead of the problem. If we can just be patient, knowing that everything passes. Just think of all you have gone through. Have you learned anything from that? Is it passed or do you keep bringing it up because it hasn’t ended in your mind? Maybe you are going through something right now. What are you focusing on. Is it Jesus the answer of the problem. Is the problem encouraging you to look for the answers that will change the situation or discouraging you and bringing you hopelessness? If we have the faith for Jesus to work miracles in our lives the blessings are limitless… but… like it says in the scripture above 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

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Have you ever been double-minded? I have. I think about something one way and then realize later that my mind has changed. I may be positive one time and later realize I am doubting and worrying about the outcome. I have lost my faith. It’s like I am fighting with myself in my thoughts. Faith/doubt, faith/doubt, faith/doubt… and on and on and on. Makes me tired just to think about it. The waves come in/ the waves go out, come in/ go out… Can you just imagine how Jesus must feel. I Peter 5:7 says cast all your care /anxiety on Him, because He cares for you. He is saying give it to me, I am the only one that can fix it, yet we say yes Lord I give it to you,,, give it back You’re not working fast enough, I’m not sure You know what You are doing, I think I can do this faster, better, I have more hope and confidence in me than in You. Of course we don’t say these things to His face but we tell Him with our actions.

Lets try something new. Let’s give our problems to Jesus. He can fix them. Every time the devil tries to come in and give us doubt and hopelessness tell him where he can go. Don’t give the devil the time of day. Ask Jesus right now to give you a sound mind. Take every thought captive. Check it with the word. Find a friend to confide in and get to pray with you. Don’t be double-minded. . 7 For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

Repeat after me,,, “ I will not be double-minded. Lord in the areas I am weak please make me strong. I cast all my cares on You Lord because You care for me.” Now name all your cares. Give them to Jesus. Don’t pick them up again. The Joy Jesus is talking about in the above verse is the Joy of the Lord. Count it all joy… from knowing God and that He is fighting all your battles for you. Your part is to focus on Him. That’s it. Love Him, give your life to Him and focus on Him as the answer, read your word and get to know Him better. Turn your back on the problem. Did I say ignore your problem? No I said not to focus on it day and night. Find the answer… Jesus will show you if you let Him. You may have to fix it but with Jesus you can do all things. The Joy of the Lord IS YOUR STRENGTH!!

God bless

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