Trails and Temptations.

I was watching Joyce Meyer yesterday and she gave the best sermon on how tests and trials lead to temptations. She also explained why we are given tests by God, or why he allows trials.

Trials show us what we are really like deep inside. When we are suffering we can:

Be angry at God.
Complain constantly.
Resent people who have no troubles (so we think).
Take matters into our own hands and don't wait for God.

We can also run to an addiction to help us instead of trusting God.

For when we are having a hard time in life; if there is a set-back or a heartbreak, we are all tempted to make ourselves feel better in some way. The temptation is different for each of us. For some, it might be to get drunk for days on end, for another, it might be to overeat or take drugs. Anything to feel better.

I have to say with shame that I have done all of the above. All.
Yes, God has shown me what was in my heart. But I am learning as I walk along the paths in this world. I used to get discouraged at my lack of maturity, but I don't any longer. I know God loves me. I have no fear. He loves slow learners too.

Joyce says to tell yourself, "Don't Panic. This is only a test."

Renew Your Mind.

"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind." Romans 12:2

There is a dynamic principle shown throughout God's Word, and no person will ever walk in victory unless he understands and operates in it: right action follows right thinking.

Let me put it another way: you will not change your behaviour until you change your thoughts.

In God's order of things, right thinking comes first, and right action follows.

"Be constantly renewed in the spirit of your mind." Ephesians 4:24

These are quotes from the book, Battlefield In Your Mind, by Joyce Meyer.

Joyce helped me so much in my Christian walk. I used to wake up each morning wishing I had never been born. I hated facing a new day with all the problems it may throw at me. I used to ask God to let me die and have some peace.

This was my state of mind when I read this book. I wrote down all her suggestions on how to think differently. I read them every morning and quoted the Bible out loud as she instructed. Immediately I felt better about my life. Soon I didn't need to read the list of instructions, it just came naturally to think right thoughts.

My inner life has changed completely. I wake up happy to be alive. When something bad happens I now know that with God I can face it. I am so thankful to God and Joyce.

God Loves Me?

I heard a sermon today by Joyce Meyer. She was preaching salvation in India. As I listened, I realized I still needed to understand the basics - that God loves me no matter what I do. That he is pleased with my efforts to follow him, even though my efforts are full of stumbling and mistakes. That he doesn't want me to worry about my sins or my failings - that he accepts me just as I am each day. That I should enjoy God and my relationship with him. I am learning this, but I still fall back to my old ways of fear.

I was raised in a works-oriented church. The Ten Commandments were memorized, and yet I have read that Jesus said the most important commandment is love. My church is so afraid of sin that they make everyone else afraid of sin. But the Bible says, "Perfect love casts out fear." Love should be preached, love should be emphasized, love should be our ideal - not obedience.

I cried as I listened to her sermon because I knew I still have trouble believing God loves me just as I am. I still have times when I am uncomfortable with him. This is why my daughters don't take their children to church. They have taught their children God is a loving God, and the kids are happy with that. They feel at peace with God. They pray and don't feel condemnation. I am happy for them because they don't have years of brain-washing to overcome in their relationship with God.