Pastor Karen's Meditation for November 15

Good morning, friends,

Did you wake up this morning full of energy, hope and joy—expecting the most wonderful things to happen?

Or did you feel weighed down by the problems in your life and grumble a little before you hit the snooze button, rolled over, and went back to sleep?

James, in the beginning of his letter, offers this advice to Christians struggling to keep the faith amidst their troubles and suffering:

“My brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of any kind, consider it nothing but joy, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance; and let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking in nothing.”

Do you feel like you don’t know what to do next to solve your problems—or simply to get over this feeling of hopelessness or sadness? There is one place you can go for help, 24 hours a day! No appointment necessary.

James says:

“If any of you is lacking in wisdom, ask God, who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly, and it will be given you.”

So often we pray for help, but we pray without any hope that God has the power to do anything about it—or if He does, that He will actually do something about it.

So often we pray as a last resort—after we try and fail to fix the problem or fix ourselves. We will look in all sorts of places for help and enlightenment—before we consider taking the problem and our situation to the Lord.

What is that thing that is missing in our lives, when we begin to lose hope that the problems will ever be solved and our feeling of hopelessness will never change to joy?

Faith!

James says, “But ask in faith, never doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind; for the doubter, being double-minded and unstable in every way, must not expect to receive anything from the Lord.”

Don’t let your emotions or energy level determine your hope and faith. No matter how we “feel”—God’s promises to us never change. And when you doubt—because all Christians have doubts every now and then—ask the Lord for more faith. Ask and you will receive.

God will be with us always; His Spirit will always be our source of strength, wisdom, and joy!

So count it all joy, my sisters and brothers, when you are having a hard day, week, or year! God is going to do something wonderful in your life—and He is already doing something wonderful in you. Cling to your faith; keep on loving and serving God and following after Jesus. And you will receive your heavenly reward.

James says:

“Blessed is anyone who endures temptation. Such a one has stood the test and will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.”

Will you pray with me?

Holy God, so often we go to you with our troubles, without expecting that you can or will do something about them. Forgive us for doubting or even blaming you—you who are the only one whom we can count on as never changing throughout our ever-changing, ever-challenging lives. Give us your faith through Jesus Christ, the author, perfector, and source of all faith. Strengthen us to persevere through trials knowing that you are in control of all things and will use all things, ultimately, for our good. Thank you for your love and forgiveness through your Son, Jesus Christ, who is the light for all people, the Way to abundant life and life everlasting. In His name we pray. Amen!

Blessings in Christ!

Pastor Karen