When times of testing come our way and we are tempted to murmur and 
complain, we should pause a moment and think on how God has intervened in
times past and brought resolution. Instead of complaining to the Lord, we
should thank Him for never leaving our side in times past and remember the
lessons that were learned. We gain so much when we go through the 
difficult times. We learn perseverance, we develop character and our 
resolve is strengthened. We don't notice these betterments until after 
the trial has been overcome, but by knowing now that we'll come forth 
stronger after the challenge or trial, then we should face it with faith,
joy and expectancy that we will be better in the end because of it.

When we recognize that problems serve a purpose, we will no longer be 
discouraged when problems come our way, but rather we will see it as a 
means in becoming better, wiser and stronger than we were before that 
situation. Our attitude determines the heights we will reach, but it also
determines our lows. How we see a situation is dependent on our attitude
and outlook. We should always trust the Lord and be optimistic in the 
midst of the trials. We are to see the glass as half-full and never half
empty. We are to praise the Lord and give thanks that He has not left our
side and that our victory is surely ahead of us. Faith must be aimed in 
the right direction. Our faith can work for us or it can work against 
us. Again, it is dependent on our attitude.

The words that we speak must be faith filled and not doubt ridden. We 
can't expect victory by speaking defeat. Our words must line up with the
Word of God and our actions must be in tune with our words. Our words 
have creative power. Our words bring into existence what we continually 
say and that is why we should be careful to only speak encouraging, 
overcoming, faith filled words. Be encouraged to have a cheerful 
countenance. See your many blessings and do not focus on the hardships 
before you. By being determined to praise God in the midst of our 
struggles, we are ensuring our victory. The Lord loves to show Himself 
strong on behalf of those who trust Him. Let us show God that we are 
determined to have the victory.

I hope this message encourages and challenges your heart to see your many
blessings even in the midst of your difficulties. By focusing on the 
good, we will be minimizing the bad that we had been so focused on before.


ENOUGH FOR NOW

As I lie in my bed with four amazing kids piled all around and even on top
of me, I can't help but go to that quiet place in my soul. You know that 
place, the place where you meet with your Creator and listen quietly for 
His voice. Music fills my head. Music speaks to my soul like nothing else
can, and I hear the words of one of my favorite songs -- 'If You Want Me 
To' by Ginny Owens.

'So if all of these trials bring me closer to You, then I will go through
the fire if you want me to.'

Have you ever thought that you knew what it meant to go through trials 
only to be tried again and realize that you barely had a glimpse? A year 
ago I thought I was at the end of my rope. My husband didn't have a job, 
we were living with my in-laws, and we only had one running 
vehicle...which didn't always run. I sang this song by Ginny Owens at 
church one Sunday as tears welled up in my eyes because it seemed so real
to me. It was real. I was hurting. And I certainly didn't understand why I
had to face the trials I was facing.

I sit here one year later and realize that I'm not any closer to knowing 
the answer to that question. I sit here with more trials under my belt. I
have literally been through a fire. My son and I spent over a week in 
separate hospitals recovering from 2nd and 3rd degree burns. My husband 
has had two hernia surgeries. My son has had 22 stitches from jumping 
through a glass table. My husband tore his ACL playing a game of 
basketball, and he still doesn't have a steady job. Although we have two 
vehicles now, they seem to break down at the most inopportune times. I have
medical bills I can't pay. I honestly don't know from one month to the 
next if I'm going to be able to pay any bills. I laugh at the 'me' from 
last year for thinking things were so hopeless then. I thought I was at the
end of my rope, but it seems I've lost my grip of the rope entirely now.

I cry out to my Father wondering why He's allowing this. Where is He? Why
doesn't He fix this mess? Do I not matter enough to Him for Him to bring 
me just a glimpse of hope?

Then I remember Moses. He spent 40 years tending sheep in the desert 
before God appeared in a burning bush and eventually revealed His plan for
Moses' life. What about Joseph? He was sold into slavery by his own 
brothers and it was 25 years before it was evident to him that God had a 
plan and a purpose in his situation.

And I complain about one year of trials that I don't understand.

I whine because my husband doesn't have a steady job...forgetting that God
has never let us go hungry and has always provided the money we need at the
exact moment we need it.

I wonder why we had to endure a house fire...forgetting the profound 
lesson I learned as I pulled my adopted son from a burning closet-it's 
only through God's love in us that mothers are capable of such love.

I stress about unpaid bills...forgetting that God is slowly but surely 
teaching me how to trust Him with my every need.

I cry at the pain I've had to watch my son endure...forgetting that God 
spared his life.

My questions to God seem a little out of place in the scheme of things 
now. Yes...I still struggle. I still ask why. I still wish I could see the
ultimate plan and purpose He has for me in this situation.

But I can see the character He's building in me and the spiritual hunger 
He's giving me. Just as I see the frayed end of my rope starting to 
unravel, I realize that it's only in my darkest moments that the light in
my soul can shine. Besides that, if I never let go of the rope how can I 
ever expect my Father to catch me?

By Trisha LaCoste


Read and meditate on these scriptures:

Philippians 4:4-7 “Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. 
Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. Be careful
for nothing but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving
let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which
passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

Hebrews 13:5 “Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content
with such things as ye have: for He hath said, I will never leave thee, nor
forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will
not fear what man shall do unto me.”

Psalm 37:3-6 “Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the 
land, and verily thou shalt be fed. Delight thyself also in the LORD; and
He shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Commit thy way unto the 
LORD; trust also in Him; and He shall bring it to pass. And He shall bring
forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday.”

Psalm 37:23-25 “The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and He
delighteth in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down:
for the LORD upholdeth him with His hand. I have been young, and now am 
old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.”

All of these scriptures can be found in the King James Version Bible.


Today's Selected Poem: WHAT IF?
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/inpoem16.htm

Today's Selected Testimony: THE FAITHFULNESS OF GOD
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/testimony48.htm


In Christ’s Service,

Dwayne Savaya
God’s Work Ministry