Hope to Carry On

Recently, I have come across a lot of people that are just hurting. It breaks my heart to hear these stories, and I wish I could just snap my fingers and make the situation better in each of these peoples lives. Unfortunately, I cannot do that.

It is such a beautiful time of year...it is Christmas, but so many people are hurting during what should be a time for celebration and joy. I have this desire to reach out and touch each of there lives. This happens to be one place that I hope God will give me the words to say, and allow the Holy Spirit to comfort those hurting this Christmas season.

I was reading in Galatians 6 today, and came across verse 2. "Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. This verse stuck out to me. This Christmas I have not been able to bless people with gifts, due to a lack of money. I know that their are people out there in a similar, if not worse place. I find this verse in Galatians a way to give. I may not be able to go out and buy people gifts, but I will do my part and come alongside those who are hurting during this wonderful time of year.

Everyone deserves to have hope!

I challenge you to come alongside those who are around you and lacking hope. This is what this season is really all about...HOPE. This is the season that we are reminded of the Savior that came to earth. Humbling Himself from God to a mere man to eventually die for our sins. He came to give us HOPE! Hope that through HIM we are redeemed and seen as pure in the sights of God our Father.

Spread the hope! I promise you that there are people close to you in proximity that need a simple glimpse of hope. We cannot all do the same things, but we are all gifted to do something. So if your gift cooking, bless someone with a meal; if your gift is a listening ear, listen to that story; if your gift is healing, allow God to use you to heal.

Imagine what this world would be like with a little more hope.

God Bless, and Merry Christmas!

Trials to Joy

When I find myself facing trials in life, my initial reaction is to want to shut down and give up. It is crazy to think that my first instinct is to lose hope. Because, is that not just the quickest way for the enemy to get us? The enemy wants us to be down and out, and he wants to keep us there for as long as possible. 

James 1 speaks about this very issue starting in verse two. It says, "Consider it pure joy, my brothers and      sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." 

We are always going to be facing trials in life, and they will range from small to big. It is what we are going to do with those trials that matters. Personally, I like the sound of being mature and complete, not lacking anything. I am far from that, but I continue to press towards the goal. It is hard to do...not something we necessarily want to do. It is instead something that makes us choose. Each time we face a trial, it is an opportunity to choose hopelessness, or God. 

You may think that is a drastic comparison, but what is the result of choosing to be defeated? God is VICTORY!  

It goes on to say in verse 12, "Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him."

So I encourage you, though hard at times, to persevere through your tests. Know that we have a God who is on our side, and will never give us more than we can handle. It will never be more than we can handle, because as long as He is in us, we do not have to fight alone! 

Know that our trials make a strong, and give us the ability to encourage one another. Our successes are stories that can and will change lives!

God Bless!