have an online Bible study group.

that slowly my world has changed. There are small, external things, like the cross that hangs above my bed. I remember telling Ex when we moved into this house that I wanted a cross in every room, but with him, that really wasn’t possible. With just me, it’s now more or less done.

Actually, in my study here there are more crosses than I can count. I love them—different sizes, textures, materials. My books on the Bible are in here, too.

I read the Bible almost every day, unless I’m engrossed in a biblical commentary, in which case I might read that instead. My reading time is before I go to bed. My Bible is always there.

There are behaviors that are different, too. I pray before I eat almost all the time, something the kids apparently only experience over here. I pray (and cross myself, something Lutherans do) every time I see a wreck, police car with sirens, ambulance, or fire engines. I know what it feels like to be in an ambulance, and I pray for that person. I pray that the drivers will be save. I cross myself so that my daughter will know I’m praying. I want her to see my values in action.

My reading is now largely religiously oriented. I am loving Tom Wright’s “Simply Christian,” and there are a set of books I’ve gone through this year. I’ve finally found the kinds of books I want. They lift me up, push me to be the best I can be. It’s food for my soul. Ten years ago, I couldn’t have imagined living this way.

And I notice God all around me. He’s in the discouraged student who comes for help who really can’t pass this class. He’s in the grad student at the end of their rope, needing someone to be compassionate for them. He’s in my coworkers, struggling for tenure and with the somewhat nasty interpersonal mileau of academia. I pray for them throughout the day.

I think about things differently. The kids persist in buying me presents for Christmas, but I dont’ need them. I would prefer that they send their money to charity in my name. Someday they will understand that.

I feel like God is moving in my life, comforting me, claiming me. It is an amazing process that I’ve never written or talked about before. Have you ever experienced this?

Ephesians 1:7-8
In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace
which He lavished on us. In all wisdom and insight

these are loaded verses
to fully pick them apart could take books… and those books have been written.
Most of the main points of the Christian faith are hit upon in these two verses alone.

In Christ and in Him alone we have forgiveness of our sins because of His blood or His death on the cross that took the punishment in our place.
I just want to take one idea out of here though… the one that hits me the hardest, the one that makes my head spin in wonder.
it’s this… which He lavished on us. In all wisdom and insight

He lavished

the Dictionary definition for the word lavished is this :

Lavish : To give or bestow in abundance; Characterized by or produced with extravagance.

abundance, extravagance!

these are words that are used to describe how far God goes to forgive our sin

but it doesn’t stop there!
In all wisdom and insight
God knows us. He knows how we have failed Him… how we will continue to fail Him
He knows our weaknesses and how we can’t make it on our own.
He is not surprised or disappointed at what we are.
He already knows we will fail at times, and He still loves us
He still desires us to be His
He still calls us to Himself
He still forgives

Romans 5:7-8 says
For one will hardly die for a righteous man;
though perhaps for the good man someone would dare even to die.
but God demonstrates His own love toward us,
in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

If He loves me that much
doesn’t He deserve my whole life?
He didn’t hold back for me.
How can I give Him anything less then all of my life

We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about the hardships we suffered in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life. Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us,
2 Corinthians 1:8-10

a few weeks ago, I heard someone on the radio say that they thought that the saying that “God would never give you more then you could handle” was a lie from hell, because it made us trust and put our strength in ourselves and not in God. That God would give us more then we could handle so that we had no were to turn but Him.
this stopped me dead in my tracks! I had never even thought of this before!! I mean, doesn’t everyone always tell you when you are going through a hard time… ” Don’t worry, God will never give you more then you can handle”

....Somehow, I can do this then.. I can get through this trial...
Now here is this guy saying the exact opposite!! and yet… it sound so right.. I know it’s right, because I know I can never handle things on my own!
However, what sounds right to me is NEVER a good gauge and he gave no scripture back up
so I prayed that God would show me in His Word if that was true

in the above verse, Paule writes
We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure_
why?
But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God

things have been going crazy the last few weeks in my life.
I haven’t shared much of it on here, but I have had things happen that I never thought I could endure
but with each new thing that happens I find a God that is bigger

that’s what Paul was talking about
if our problem are always small we never rely on God… we can do it ourselves
the bigger our problems, and the more we allow Him to take them
the more we see how big our God really is, how powerful He is.

and when we have a Big God, our worries melt away

Matthew 8:23-27
When He got into the boat, His disciples followed Him. And behold, there arose a great storm on the sea, so that the boat was being covered with the waves; but Jesus Himself was asleep. And they came to Him and woke Him, saying, “ Save us, Lord; we are perishing!” He said to them, “Why are you afraid, you men of little faith?” Then He got up and rebuked the winds and the sea, and it became perfectly calm. The men were amazed, and said, “What kind of a man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey Him?”

As many of you know already, I am a Flight Attendant. On almost a daily basis I see people who are afraid to fly. One of my biggest tasks is to calm the fears of people.

this can be challenging on a calm day when there is no turbulence, but add a little rough air and bumps in the mix, and it becomes even more so…

I find myself looking at my nail or counting my fingers… Why? Because everyone is looking at me to see if I look worried, so I do something, anything, to impress upon them how trivial those bumps really are.

I’m not worried about those bumps because I know who is flying the plane and I have faith in their ability. I understand who is in control and I know they can handle it, even if I can’t.

Jesus and his disciples got on a boat to cross the sea… a storm started rose up and the winds almost toppled the boat, yet Jesus slept… and the disciples got mad

how could he sleep? why wasn’t He helping? they woke him up..”save us” they cried

but they really didn’t expect Him to save them.

they were surprised when He calmed the seas
“who is this that the wind and seas obey Him”
If they had really believed they they were with God… that God was in control, then they wouldn’t have been afraid.
They, too, would have been able to sleep during the storm

How do we react when the storms of life hit us?

can we rest knowing God is in control?

If we really trust Him to take care of our needs, would we worry and complain?

one final thought, the disciples faith may have been weak, but their faith was in the right place

they turned to Jesus… and Jesus answered

He is always faithful

I find it amazing to be reading a book that the apostle Peter wrote. The very words intimidate me. What a wonderful gift for us to have these books.

Romans 12:2 ESV “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”

Read this passage over a second time but this time instead of focusing upon what it says I want you to focus upon what it does not say, because all too often that is how way too many Christian act in the public arena. The Scripture commands us not to conform to the standards of this world which implies that the world around us will not live by the standards of God found within the Bible. Yet all too often Christians will attempt to beat the world over the head with a Bible and into submission to the standards of the Scriptures. Often through politics and trying to get laws passed that force people to act the way they believe that the Bible commands it. The problem is this is not what the Bible teaches but it is also unbiblical. For the Bible commands us to reach out to and minister to those outside of the church and then once inside the church to make disciples of them by teaching them how to follow Christ and live according to God’s standards. When the order is reversed all too often we find ourselves too busy condemning others to be able to minister to them. Not to mention that it makes them angry and less likely to listen to other Christians in the future. Remember while God does command us to spread the Gospel, He first commands us to love others because without love for others the Gospel message of God’s love for us does not come off as having any integrity.

Written by Keisha Carter – Prayer Director

James 1:2-5(NLT) – Dear brothers and sisters, whenever trouble comes your way, let it be an opportunity for joy. 3 For when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. 4 So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be strong in character and ready for anything. 5 If you need wisdom – if you want to know what God wants you to do – ask him, and he will gladly tell you. He will not resent your asking.

We know this scripture all too well, how many times have we heard it, spoken it, meditated on it, yet, when trials come, how quickly it escapes us.

Today it’s time to really get that Joy that James talked about. Clearly there must be a reason I should be rejoicing when faced with trials. Well let’s break down the scriptures for the answer. James first starts with “when trouble comes your way, let it be an opportunity for joy”. Now, I am not one to like trouble, much less think of it as an opportunity for Joy.

All, this scripture convicted me, simply because I do not have that immediate response system set up in my life at the time. When people have said a few things about me, looked “down” at me because of their status, or in some cases, been “downright evil” in what they have said and done, the response elicited was usually not one of Joy.

There must be a reason why James implores us to have such a unique response. Let’s look at the next verse. “For when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow”. Beloved, when these trials come they are a test of Faith. Again, not my first thought when I am facing financial issues, on-the-job issues, or people issues- a test of my Faith? So it seems like James wants us to recognize when our Faith is being tested.

Now, I don’t know about you, but for me, one of two things usually happens if I realize my faith is being tested. I either notice I have no faith in that particular area or I need to dig deeper in the Word to find scriptures to stand on. Sometimes it’s hard for us to understand what’s happening, but if we recognize a “lack of Faith” our first response needs to be; ‘Get in the Word!’

Romans 10:17(NKJV) – “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God”

Now here is the reward for your faith being tested-“Your endurance has a chance to grow.” In the NKJV version, James 1:3 reads “knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience”. So with these trials and the recognition that this is simply a faith test, I will grow in patience, which is one area of the fruits of the Spirit.

Beloved, it doesn’t stop there. The next verse states; “So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be strong in character and ready for anything”. Now, there are two things here I want to point out. First, for your endurance to be fully developed, it means you are probably going to be experiencing that “trial” for some time. It will not just go away overnight. Second, when your endurance has reached its maturity, you will notice your next reward, strength in character, and the ability to be ready for anything.

I want to bring to your attention that the scriptures used “anything” and not “something”. I highlight this simply because we can get caught up in “fighting” one or more battles without letting our patience mature which causes us to fight out of a place of little power. Hence, it may seem like we have been standing on the Word, but somehow we are not ready for anything. The disconnect lies in the maturity of our patience. We will be ready for anything if we endure and that’s what the Word says!!

The next verse is one of my favorite in the Bible, “If you need wisdom – if you want to know what God wants you to do – ask him, and he will gladly tell you. He will not resent your asking.” When facing these trials, we tend not to have a clear understanding of why, and the only one I know who has all the answers is God. So James tells us what to do, go ask for wisdom. God will tell you what to do. In these times, I have also noted the strategy which comes forth from the Holy Spirit.

I am currently going through a severe trial, which truly makes ‘no sense.’ Right now the Holy Spirit has had me do some really odd things to go against what others would think to do. This has made my life currently a Joy and opened up doors to do more ministry for Him. I am not saying it’s easy to bear, but I know since this personal trial started, I have not experienced and seen so much joy in my entire life.

Now some of you are saying, “Well Keisha you don’t know what I have gone through! It’s too much for me to handle, to keep going, much less to have joy in this situation”. Beloved, I may not know, but the Lord knows and He has already spoken to you in His Scriptures.

1 Peter 4:12-14(NIV) – Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. 14 If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.

The trials you are facing are not strange! You are not the only one! I promise, you are not the first nor will you be the last to go through what you are facing, especially if it was caused by your outward confession of Christ. Rest assured that there is a reward awaiting you- the Word says it!! Read Matt 5:10-12

Matthew 5:10-12(NKJV) – Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. 12 Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

In my own case, the Lord has placed people who are in similar positions or have experienced a similar trial, in my life to help me bear the weight. With their prayers, and me continuing to feast on the Word, I have been able to stand and watch my patience grow. Let me share with you one area of caution while your patience is maturing; people will try to unnerve you with their “words of wisdom” which do nothing but add worry. Granted they can be rightfully concerned, but be careful who you share your heart with and listen to. Stand with God and use discernment.

I recall Ephesians 6:13(NKJV) – “Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand”. You know the drill by now; suit up with God’s Armor, get your prayer partner, and stand on the Word the Lord gave you. So let’s go back to the beginning.

Do we have a reason to exude Joy in our “fiery trials?” Yes!! Absolutely!! Without a shadow of a doubt!! We must recognize that these trials are tests of our Faith and if we endure, we will grow more in patience. With mature endurance, we will be ready for anything, especially when we have petitioned God for wisdom and we our Joy is fulfilled. It’s not easy, but “You can do all things through Christ who strengthens you”. Count it ALL JOY!!

Romans 4:4-5 (ESV)
Now to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due.
And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly,
his faith is counted as righteousness

This is a verse that I go back to over and over.
It’s in our nature to want to be “good enough” to get to God… to always “try harder”
but this verse makes it so clear what grace is… it’s a gift that God gives us… just because
if we could earn it … it would become our work and it would no longer be grace.

if we could work our way to heaven, Christ would not have needed to die for our sins
and when we put our faith in Him, His death becomes our righteousness.

about taking turns and in what order… if there are assigned weeks.
I would like it to just be kinds spontaneous…. if that will work.
just as you, or anyone else come across a verse that really means something to them or something they have heard and would like to share. that may leave it open for more people to share.
if that doesn’t work out to about once a week or so then we might need to get more of a schedule going… but lets try that for now

how does that sound to everyone?
or would you rather have a more permanent schedule?

this goal has gone stale too long
how do you all feel about taking turns and just posting
a verse a week and then just write a sort note on why you
like it or what it taught you
then anyone who wants can leave a comment or ask a question.

it’s better then having a goal that just sitting here

anyone can join in who want to