You Were Not Created To Be Comfortable

I believe many Christians think that part of Christianity is living comfortably

without any troubles.

This surely is not biblical truth, which says in Psalm 34:19"Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all." and again in Psalm 44:7"But it is you who have been our savior from those who were against us, and have put to shame those who had hate for us."  these two scriptures alone do not sound like People of God without problems/troubles. It is actually just the opposite being said. As Christians we will have many troubles, as noted in the first referenced scripture, as well as John 16:33" These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world."

We can find rest at the end of this scripture, knowing Jesus Christ and of his finished work at the cross that demonstrates his triumph and ours in being able to overcome the world. 

It is in him that we are overcomers, by the blood of the lamb and the word of our testimony.

Our testimony should be the same as Jesus, "we overcome the world."

It is often through these troubles 

that the Lord uses them to shape and mold us into the people he purposed us to be.

The trials and difficulties are those abrasive elements that smooth out the roughness in our character.

James 1:2,3 "My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials.3)knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience."

We can be confident knowing that God is working all things out for our good because he loves us.

The Lord wants to stretch our faith and stretching is not comfortable.

That's why stretching when exercising is so uncomfortable. 

You are stretching muscles, and tendons beyond their comfort zone of their relaxed state.

That's the problem with many Christians, we get too relaxed in our Christian walk and don't want to move beyond that which is comfortable.

Therefore the gospel is not being spread to all the nations,

non-believers are not being ministered too, people are not being encouraged, all because

we are much more comfy talking and debating with other believers about religion, and our own opinions.

We are called to be co-labors with Christ in reaching the nations, building God's kingdom.

You and I were not created to be comfortable. 

Allow God to S T R E T C H! you.

Praying Without Ceasing

There is so much going on in the world today

and sadly enough much of it is not good.

Even many good deeds that are done are not from a pure heart with pure motives.

There are some who do good things for wrong reasons.

There are some who will grant you a favor only to hold their good deed over your head, making you feel that you are in debt to them forever.

Then there are those who won't do anything for anyone else but are always looking for someone to  help them.

Oh there are many people, situations and circumstances that we all know of, that requires us to pray.

There's always something to talk to God about.

If not a request for the Lord to move in a situation,

 it should be a prayer of thanksgiving for how He has already moved and worked on our behalf. 

There's always someone or something going on around us that is needing prayer to be offered to God.

James 5:16 says "...the effective fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much."

We are not only to pray but believe God for answers.

Matthew 21:22"And whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive."

The way things are going around us, we need to be praying and believing God more,

doing as it says in 1Thessalonians 5:17" pray without ceasing."

You can pray in your car even while you are driving,

 instead of talking and texting on the phone while driving.

It's safer.

You can pray while you are cleaning, while exercising, cooking, working.

You can pray pretty much any time and any where.

So let us make a decision to pray without ceasing, believing God.

You and I and the whole world need it.