Archives For trials

Remember Your Crown

August 15, 2008 — Leave a comment

Today’s thought is taken from James 1:12.

Make a promise to yourself right now.   Ready?   Here it is.   Throughout the day, come what may, I will remember my crown.

I may go through a difficult time today.   The trials may seem as if they are piling up all around me.   But I will remain steadfast.   I will stand upon the promises of my loving Father.   I am His, and He is mine.   I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that He is able to guard until that Day what has been entrusted to me.

Come what may, I will remember my crown…the crown that is coming…the crown that will make it all worthwhile.

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Finding The Joy In Trials

June 18, 2008 — Leave a comment

James doesn’t waste much time getting into the meat of his message. Take a moment, tune everything else out, and read James 1:2-3.

You may not even see it coming. It could arrive today. In the next few hours you might become intimately acquainted with a trial unlike any you have ever faced. If not today, odds are that it won’t be long. It’s not a question of “if” really, but “when.”

Will you be ready? How have you dealt with the trials of your past? Let me encourage you to take James’ challenge seriously. “Count it all joy.” Be mature enough to see the distant goals at the end of the difficult journey. Your faith will be tested. You will react in a certain way. But remember, the painful testing refines doubts and fears into a precious steadfastness that only the veteran of the battle can discover.

Lord, help me to be ready. Grant me wisdom and perspective. Measure the portion I can bear and help me to carry the burden joyfully. Do what you must to ensure that my weaknesses grow to reflect your glory.

I plan on making those words a part of my prayers today. How about you?

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Lessons Learned In The Storms Of Life

April 7, 2008 — Leave a comment

Where is God when it hurts? Doesn’t He care when we pass through the “storms” of life? And if He does, why not simply navigate the storms away from dedicated disciples of Christ? This lesson seeks to reinforce the truth that the storms of life come even to the most dedicated of disciples. The only question is how we will handle the storms as they come.

Lessons Learned In The Storms Of Life was recorded in the A.M. assembly of the Laurel Canyon church of Christ. The interactive outline is available here. To hear the sermon, simply click the play button below.

A number of other sermons (both interactive outlines and audio recordings) are available via the player in the right hand column. For easy and consistent access, subscribe to the Podcast by clicking the iPod button on the bottom row of the player to the right.

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