Lemons make Lemonade!

     Sometimes we don't have a choice.  Sometimes things just happen to us, and we can't do anything about it.  Nothing at all.  We just have to accept it.  But sometimes that's not very easy.  Sometimes we think, "What if I just did this..."  Sometimes we are just born into something, and no matter how far you try to get away from it you just can't.  So what do you do?  Go crawl in the corner and cry?  Nope.  Make lemonade!!!!  (Not literally)  Have you ever heard the saying, "If you have lemons, then make lemonade."  Well sometimes we get into a sour situation.  And there's nothing we can do to fix it.  So what do you do?  Accept the fact and move on.  Pick up the fallen pieces and move on, then if you are ever in that same situation you know what to do. 

Trials

     Have you ever had to face something hard?  Have you ever had a HUGE change in your life, that crushed you?  Many people have, and someday you might also.  Sometimes terrible things happen to us.  Sometimes unspeakable things happen that just leave us feeling empty and lonely.  It happens to many people, and other people have never had that feeling.  Well, I will tell you something.  It has happened to me.  When I was young my parents divorced.  There are days when I think the world is awesome, and there are other days when I just never want to get out of bed.  But you know what?  We MUST keep fighting.  Don't let trials and storms leave you lonely and depressed.   God gives us these trials. Some of you might be asking, "WHY?", don't worry I asked the same question.  Then one night while reading in James I found the answer, James 1:2-4 says, " ²Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, ³ because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. ⁴ Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."  So even though it is hard and sad, and even though you may feel lonely, we should be happy.  Because through this trial you grow stronger, and closer to God.
      Even though we go through hard times, and feel so sad and terrible, there is a reason.  You see we are a small piece in His beautiful puzzle.  Who knows!  One day maybe you will meet someone who is going through the same trouble you are going through.  Maybe they need your help.  God has a wonderful plan for all of us, He has a plan just for you!  So we go through hard times, yes.  God never promised believing in Him was going to be easy!  He never promised that!
     Sometimes God has to give us these trials so when He is ready to give you His plan you will be ready to.  And when these hard time come, God wants you to come closer to Him.  He wants you to learn more about His love.  It may sound weird that God would give us something that would make us feel sad, but it helps us in the end.  Just remember James 1:2-4, and when hard times come what will you do?  Will you draw closer to God?  Or turn away?      

Trials

James 1: 2-4  "Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.  Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."
     So what does that mean???  Whenever we go through times and trials be grateful?  Now I bet you are already saying "What!  Be grateful?  Why would I be grateful that I am going through painful situation?!"  But look closely at what this verse is saying..."because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance..."  Perseverance is a good thing to have, what is perseverance?  Perseverance is to keep on, to persists.  So when God gives us trial some of us eventually have perseverance.  Sadly some people break down and turn away from God when hard times come.  They think that God has turned His back on them.  But that is NOT true, and never will be true!  God is always with you!  He will never leave you.  He is just testing you faith, to see if you truly love Him.  Because if you did then you would never leave Him.  So consider if PURE JOY when God gives you testing in the faith. 
     A saying that I have heard many times is that "God will never place you, where he cannot reach you."  Aren't you glad that that is true?  So I bet your saying "Then why did some people leave God?  Why would He let those things happen if He knew they would not take the pain?"  But, here is another question.  Did they really love God and trust Him.  Mrs.Carmen my Co-op teacher, (A co-op is a homeschool group)  says "Through the whole entire Bible, God says 'I love you', and we are suppose to trust and obey."  We are suppose to trust God and obey all his laws. So if we truly love God then we would not leave God or think that He has left us.  Another question you might be asking is, "Then why did God let those things happen to people who don't know God?  Won't that make them more lost?"  You see the cool thing about God is this, He can see everything that will happen.  When we only see a piece of the puzzle. 
     For example,  God is the puzzle maker and the pieces of the puzzle is our lives.  God knows everything so He know exactly what the puzzle is going to look like, and in the end He will put you in a beautiful frame and admire His work, forever.  We don't see what God is doing but, all we do is trust and obey, and in the end you will be a beautiful art work for all to see.

Fear Facts

Joshua 1:9  "Have I not commanded you?  Be strong and courageous.  Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you where ever you go."
     What do we fear?  What are we afraid of?  Is it our reputation, or death?  Is it spiders that you fear, or a bad hair day?  Are you afraid of your future your past?  It  is normal to have fears, trust me I have some fears myself. But it comes down to one single question - Why are we afraid? I'm mean with God all things are possible.
We all fear something. I fear riding in cars, well, kind of. ;-) But we should always trust our perfect God, I mean He knows what's going to happen; In fact, He knows why your afraid. He knows you better than you know you! WOW, that's cool!
God is always with you!  He will never leave you!  My stepmother has a sign in our house that says, "God will never put you in a place where He cannot reach you."  I think that is so true.  So the next time you are afraid and not courageous, remember God knows what's going on and it's just another trial and it will end. God put 365 times in the Bible don't fear -  that counts today.

Hard Days

     Has today been a hard day to you?  Was it like when you woke up this morning the rain clouds were above you head and followed you every where you went?  Well everyone has those day, trust me I have those them too!  But you know what, not everything has gone wrong today.  Your still breathing, that's a good sign!  God blessed you another day in this world! Psalm 118:24 "This is the day the Lord has made let us rejoice and be glad in it." Here is another really good thing about this day... THE TOMB IS STILL EMPTY!!!  You know what that means right?  It means that Jesus died on the cross and rose on the third day!  He still forgives us for our sins, and helps us in time of need.  I would rather give everything away than not have eternal salvation.  So the next time you are having a grumpy day remind yourself the tomb is still empty!  Then I believe your day would be a better.