God pushes you toward a deeper faith

Thursday May 27 2010 12:00 AM Posted by Rick Warren "This means tremendous joy to you, I know, even though you are temporarily harassed by all kinds of trials and temptations. This is no accident—it happens to prove your faith, which is infinitely more valuable than gold . . ." (1 Peter 1:6-7 PH). "When we finally come to a place where the difficulties become so bad, where we've reached our limit, where we've tried everything and exhausted all our options, it is then that God begins a mighty work through us." In order to build your faith, God will give you a dream; then he'll urge you to make a decision; but then he'll allow a delay, because in the delay he matures you and prepares you for what is to come. The truth is you'll have difficulties while God delays. This isn't because he doesn't care about you or that he's forgotten your circumstances; rather, it's one of the ways he pushes you toward the deep end of faith. As God delays, you'll face two types of difficulties: Circumstances and Critics. This is a natural part of life. God designed it this way because he knows we grow stronger when facing adversity and opposition. When Moses led the children of Israel out of Egypt into the desert toward the Promised Land, he had one problem after another. First there was no water. Then there was no food. Then there were a bunch of complainers. Then there were poisonous snakes. Moses was doing what God wanted him to do, but he still had problems. David was anointed king, and then for the next several years he was hunted down by Saul. Joseph had a dream of becoming a ruler, yet he was sold into slavery and thrown into prison on a false charge where he languished, forgotten. Imagine the difficulties Noah had building a floating zoo! The Bible says that when Moses died, Joshua was appointed the new leader. Moses led the people across the desert and then Joshua led them into the Promised Land. Did he get the easy part? The Bible says that when the Israelites entered the Promised Land there were giants in the land. Even in the Promised Land there were problems! God does this because he is building our faith and character. When we finally come to a place where the difficulties become so bad, where we've reached our limit, where we've tried everything and exhausted all our options, it is then that God begins a mighty work through us: ". . . I know, even though you are temporarily harassed by all kinds of trials and temptations. This is no accident—it happens to prove your faith, which is infinitely more valuable, than gold . . . ." (1 Peter 1:6-7 PH)

Connect by using constructive words

"Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen." Ephesians 4:29 (NIV)

The third principle for connecting with people is to be constructive with your words.
Use your words to build people up. Ephesians 4:29 says, "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen" (NIV). God wants us to take these words and use them to build people.
Did you know that the words that come out of our mouths are like a tool? Sometimes they're like a sledgehammer. We swing away without thinking and end up with a pile of relational rubble. Sometimes they're like a saw, cutting people down. If we keep using these tools, inevitably our relationships are going to suffer.
One reason we aren't constructive with our words is we don't realize how powerful they are; yet, I bet you can still remember things people said to you in a thoughtless way as far back as grade school or college. That's how powerful words are. They leave a lasting impact. So when it comes to your mouth, think of it as a power tool and be very careful with it.
Here's how to build instead of destroying with your words --
1.  Stop excusing. Stop saying, "I didn't really mean to say that." Realize that what you say impacts everyone around you.      
2.  Talk less. If it's a power tool, you don't have to use it as much. One of the reasons we get in trouble is we just talk too much sometimes. We need to talk less and then ...
3.  Listen more. If I listen more, I can understand people's needs.
4.  Start building. Think first of all, "What do they need?" How can I use a word of encouragement to build them up? How can I use a word of challenge to make a difference in someone's life? How can I use my words to build up the people I love the most?

Oh Deer

The view from our front yard.

Logan; The Sky Angel Cowboy

Transformed By Trouble

God has a purpose behind every problem.  You should expect four kinds of problems in life:

• Trials are designed by God to draw us closer to him and build our character.  Temptations are designed by the Devil to draw us away from God and destroy our character. 
• Trespasses are hurts caused by the sins of others. 
• Troubles are usually, but not always, the consequences of our own sinful choices. 

When you face a problem, try to determine the source first.  If the trouble is your own fault, you should repent of it.  If it is a temptation from Satan, you should resist it.  If it is a trespass against you by others you need to release it through forgiveness.  But if the problem is a trial from God, you need to relax and trust God in it.  Regardless of the source, none of your problems could happen without God's permission.  Everything that happens in the life of a child of God is Father-filtered, and he intends to use it for good.

Everything that God allows to happen in your life is permitted for one great, eternal purpose: to conform your character to the image of Christ.  It is for your growth and God's glory, and it is a plan guaranteed to succeed.  It will be completed when you get to heaven.  The Bible says Jesus "learned obedience through suffering" (Heb 5:8 KJV).  We grow the same way, and Jesus is our model.  We go through exactly what Christ goes through.  If we go through the hard times with him, then we're certainly going to go through the good times with him (Romans 8:17 MSG).

Dear God of all comfort, help me to remember that there is a 

loving purpose behind every problem that you allow in my life. 

Teach me to respond to the difficulties the way Jesus would. 

Cultivate my character through the circumstances of life. 

Help me to trust your purpose in my pain. 

The Purpose-DrivenⓇ Life Journal

day 25