Peace In The Midst

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." ~ John 14:27

If you continually face the same trials and tribulations, heartbreaks and failures, you may want to check your life for sin. The Bible says that the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23), and while God is quick to forgive, many times we bring ill into our lives because of unchecked sin.

That is not to say that every time we go through hardship, it’s because we’ve done something wrong. But there’s a difference between temporary hardships and storms and continual heartache and depression. God never promised us that we wouldn’t face difficulties. But he did promise us that he’d give us peace in the midst of our storms. If you continually lack peace in your life, it may be because of unchecked sin.

God bless,
J.W.

From Pain to Promise

From Pain to Promise

by Elder Carol Tolbert

"My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise preserves my life." ~ Psalm 119:50 (NIV)

We don’t like pain. We don’t like to go through. We just want to get to the promise. We don’t want to suffer, but what we need to realize is that as Christians, we must go through some painful times in order to get to our promise.

God’s promises for our lives will come to pass, in His time. As we journey toward our promise, we must travel over some paths that will be full of challenges, sorrow and pain. Know that going through painful experiences builds our character, strengthens our integrity and perfects our faith. As we go through, we learn who God is to us and who we are to Him. Our relationship with Him deepens.

We must continue to hold on to the promises of God because His Word is true and it shall come to pass. As God takes us through the painful times, remember that He will never leave us nor forsake us. He will comfort us and keep us in perfect peace, if we keep our minds stayed on Him and Him only.

God bless,

Elder Carol Tolbert

What Doesn't Kill You...

For some reason, people often have this misconception that once you commit your life to God, everything will be perfect.

Well, let me be perfectly clear… This Christian walk is not easy. There’s hardship and struggle. Pain and persecution.

But, just like iron sharpens iron, and fire perfects gold, so too are we perfected through persecution.

That is why the Bible says that every thing works together for good to those who love God (Romans 8:28). Pain and persecution is good for you.

God bless,
J.W.

“But you have carefully followed my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, perseverance, persecutions, afflictions, which happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra—what persecutions I endured. And out of them all the Lord delivered me. Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.” ~ 2 Timothy 3:10-12