Adversity

Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior.  ( Habakkuk 3:17-18 ) 

Pastor Joel said ... 

We all face challenges, difficulties and times when things don't go our way. God doesn't send these storms, but he will allow us to go through certain things in order to shape our character and prove our faith. Really, it's in our times of difficulty that we grow and develope. 

God wants to use the tough times in our lives to do a work in us. He wants to strengthen and develop us. Our attitude in times of adversity is the evidence of our maturity. 

Are we going to treat people right even when we're being mistreated? Are we going to stay full of joy even when the bottom falls out? Are we going to be faithful even in the dry seasons of our lives when we don't see anything good happening ? 

It may take more effort. You may have to work harder to keep a good attitude. As you keep that positive attitude of faith and expectancy, even in times of adversity , God will deliver you and move you forward into the destiny He has prepared for you. 

Thoughts ..

Pastor Joel said ... 

It’s interesting that our mind will naturally gravitate toward the negative. A negative memory takes up more space. There’s more to process. Because of this, we will remember the negative more than the positive. For example, a person will remember losing $50 more than they will remember gaining $50.

Knowing this, we have to be proactive with our thoughts. When the negative memories come back to the movie screen of our mind, many people pull up a chair, get some popcorn and watch them all over again. 

Instead of staying on that negative channel, you’ve got to switch over to your victory channel. 

You’re not going to move forward into the new things God has in store if you’re always replaying the negative things that have happened to you. 

Instead, learn to change the channel. Meditate on victory and move forward in the victory and blessing God has in store for you!

凡 是 真 實 的 、 可 敬 的 、 公 義 的 、 清 潔 的 、 可 愛 的 、 有 美 名 的 ． 若 有 甚 麼 德 行 、 若 有 甚 麼 稱 讚 、 這 些 事 你 們 都 要 思 念 。

whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy — meditate on these things.”

離棄

耶和華如此說：倚靠人血肉的膀臂，心中離棄耶和華的，那人有禍了！
因他必像沙漠的杜松，不見福樂來到，卻要住曠野乾旱之處，無人居住的鹼地。

倚靠耶和華、以耶和華為可靠的，那人有福了！
他必像樹栽於水旁，在河邊扎根，炎熱來到，並不懼怕，葉子仍必青翠，在乾旱之年毫無掛慮，而且結果不止。
人心比萬物都詭詐，壞到極處，誰能識透呢？

我─耶和華是鑒察人心、試驗人肺腑的，要照各人所行的和他做事的結果報應他。

17：5-10

Stay Focus on ...

Pastor Joel said ... 

In John Chapter 4, Jesus met a Samaritan woman at a well. He asked her for something to drink. She was a little surprised because in those days the Jews didn’t have anything to do with the Samaritans. She said, “How can you ask me for something to drink?” Jesus said, “If you knew who I am, you would ask of Me, and I would give you Living Water.

She immediately began to look in the natural. She said, “But, sir, you don’t have anything to draw water with. You don’t have any kind of bucket or pail. How can you give me living water?”

How many times do people do the same thing today? God tells us He is going to do something great in our lives, and we start looking at things in the natural, and before long, we talk ourselves out of it!

But we have to remember, God can take something that is ordinary, breathe on it and turn it into something that’s extraordinary. 

With God, all things are possible! Don’t just look at things in the natural, look at the greatness of God. Stay focused on what He can do and embrace all He has for you!

Focus ...

你當竭力在　神面前得蒙喜悅，作無愧的工人，按著正意分解真理的道。

但要遠避世俗的虛談，因為這等人必進到更不敬虔的地步。

人若自潔，脫離卑賤的事，就必作貴重的器皿，成為聖潔，合乎主用，預備行各樣的善事。

你要逃避少年的私慾，同那清心禱告主的人追求公義、信德、仁愛、和平。

惟有那愚拙無學問的辯論，總要棄絕，因為知道這等事是起爭競的。

然而主的僕人不可爭競，只要溫溫和和地待眾人，善於教導，存心忍耐，

用溫柔勸戒那抵擋的人；或者　神給他們悔改的心，可以明白真道，

叫他們這已經被魔鬼任意擄去的，可以醒悟，脫離他的網羅。