Quote from Forum Archives on September 9, 2001, 8:17 pm

Posted by: masinick <masinick@...>

Dear friends,

My best friends, particularly those who have lived through the
mid to late 1990s with me, can recall that one of my favorite
phrases is "Count it all joy - all that you're going through".
This phrase is based on the opening message from the apostle,
James, the brother of Jesus. Bebe and Cece Winans perform a
Gospel song entitled, "Count it All Joy". It is based on this
very passage.

Why should we "count it all joy", (or "consider it pure joy", as
the scripture translation records)? Neil Anderson notes that
both the apostles Paul and James say this very thing. Many of
you know that my favorite scripture is the letter to the
Philippians. Paul talks about the same thing in that letter, and
he gives the same message to the church in Rome, and James has
the same message. Why? Because the events of our lives, good
and bad, are the things that God is using to prepare us, getting
us ready for spending the rest of eternity with Him. That
preparation is rarely easy. Some refinement takse some pain and
difficulty.

I can't say I understand all of it or even most of
it. What I CAN say is that I trust God to accomplish every
single thing that He chooses to accomplish. If that requires a
few trials, well, so be it. I'd much rather be prepared when I
face an eternal choice. There is no doubt that I want to be
prepared to be in His Presence. So yes, I count it all joy, all
that I'm going through, EVEN when I'm feeling down. I count it
all joy, because this moment is a gift to me, from my precious
Lord.

Neil develops this message in his Sunday message. I pray that
this message will encourage you, even if you are feeling down.

Your Brother in Christ,
Brian

Reply-to: Neil Anderson <neilanderson@lists.crosswalk.com>
Subject: Neil Anderson Devotional for Sunday, September 9, 2001

N E I L A N D E R S O N D A I L Y D E V O T I O N A L
from Freedom in Christ Ministries

September 9

PERSEVERING TRIBULATIONS

Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various
trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance
(James 1:2, 3).

There certainly are a lot of distractions, diversions,
disappointments, trials, temptations and traumas which come along
to disrupt the process of becoming the person God wants you to
be. Every day you struggle against the world, the flesh and the
devil, each of which are opposed to your success at being God's
person.

But Paul reminds us that the tribulations we face are actually a
means of achieving our supreme goal of maturity: "We also exult
in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about
perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven
character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love
of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy
Spirit who was given to us" (Romans 5:3-5). James offers similar
encouragement: "Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you
encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith
produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result,
that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing" (James
1:2-4).

Maybe you thought your goal as a Christian was to escape
tribulations. But God's goal for you is maturity in Christ,
becoming the person He designed you to be. And tribulation just
happens to be one of the primary stepping-stones on the pathway.
That's why Paul says we exult--meaning to express heightened
joy--in our tribulations. Why? Because persevering tribulations
is the doorway to proven character, which is God's goal for us.

Our hope lies in proven character, not in favorable circumstances
nor in the manipulation of others. Neither circumstances nor
people can keep you from being what God wants you to be. Trials
and tribulations are the most common means for bringing about His
goal for your life.

Lord, help me see my trials as stepping-stones, not obstacles.
Give me grace to persevere and develop proven character.

-----------
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=====
--
Brian Masinick, "The Mas", mailto:masinick@yahoo.com
Home page: www.geocities.com/masinick/

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