Count It All Joy

    Count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect (mature) and complete, lacking nothing. James 1:2-4

    Our heavenly Father is our teacher, and a good teacher tests their students to see if they are learning anything, so it is with God, he uses trials to test our faith. The trial is the test, and the grade is how you handle it in faith. The desired result is patience.

    In many cases, the devil is God's delivery boy who carries out the trial but only with God's permission. Take Job for instance, who when the sons of men came to present themselves before God, Satan came too and He said to him, "Have you considered my servant Job?" Satan answered and said, "Does Job fear God for nothing? 'Have you not made a hedge about him and all that he has?'

    When encountering a trial be prepared for an onslaught of Satan's lies and accusations against you, flaming missiles directed at your mind to dishearten you and turn you against God! Stand firm with your shield of faith and the sword of the Spirit in your hand to defeat your adversary!

    And the Lord said to Satan, "Behold, all that he has is in your power; only do not lay a hand on his person." So, Satan went out from the presence of the Lord. Job 1:12

JOB'S LOSS

    "Naked I came from my mother's womb. And naked shall I return there, the Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord." Job 1:21

    I would hope none of us would have to suffer as much as Job, although I know of several who have come close. We all have a testimony of trials and tests in our lives but it is how we handle them that counts.

    Job not only lost all his worldly possessions, but he also lost his children and even if that wasn't enough God gave Satan permission to attack his flesh! Satan then said to God, "But stretch out Your hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will surely curse You to Your face." 

    God then told Satan, "Behold, he is in your hand, but spare his life." I don't think anyone would be prepared to withstand the suffering that Job was going to endure but we must try and be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might knowing the word of God and becoming assured of all His promises for us!

    So Satan went out from the presence of the Lord and struck Job with painful boils from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head. Job 2:7

THE CROWN OF LIFE

    Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. James 1:12

    Job suffered greatly but at the end was rewarded with an abundance and the blessing and favor of God. Paul also endured and suffered many things as well as all the disciples many of whom were martyred and one who was boiled in oil and exiled, recipients of the "Crown of Life!"

    On my own journey I have suffered many things, sickness, temptation and the attacks of the enemy. Some I have had victory over and some I have failed miserably, but one thing I have learned and that is to trust in God and not on your own strength and allow Him to lead you through the trial. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but God delivers us from them all!

    Life has many trials, temptations, tribulations and tests and we shall all be tested by them, so buckle up, put on the full armor of God and stand firm in your faith! Be strong and courageous do not be fearful or disheartened as He spoke to Josuha for, He is with you through the storm!

    For to this you were called because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps; "Who committed no sin, nor was deceit found in His mouth," who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return, when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously. I Peter 2:21-23

Your servant in Christ, Timothy Laughlin
   Minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ